Philippine Sports News

Ginebra seeks to repeat as Fiesta Cup champions

2009-07-16T23:13:39Z

MANILA, Philippines – Playing Barangay Ginebra in a Game 7 is a situation many teams try to avoid.

But this is one do-or-die match where the Kings – despite their overpowering popularity – find themselves going against the odds.

The defending champion clashes with San Miguel Beer Friday night, seeking to become the first team to defend a title in six years in the final match of their best-of-seven series for the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Going into the 7:00 p.m. encounter, history is against the Kings.

No team in the history of the PBA Finals has captured a title by winning all odd-numbered games. Ginebra won Games 1, 3, and 5.

“Well, as they say, there’s always a first time. I hope we can be that team,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico a day after his 47th birthday unfortunately spoiled by the Beermen’s 98-84 Game 6 victory. “As long as we shoot well, we have a big chance.”

No team since Red Bull won back-to-back Commissioner’s Cup titles from 2002 has repeated as champion. The Gin Kings won last season’s Fiesta Conference also in seven games against the former Air21 Express, which blew a 3-2 series lead.

Siot Tanquingcen, who was a loss away from what could have been an entirely disappointing tournament, has now come to within 48 playing minutes of leading San Miguel to a championship they were highly perceived to clinch. The Beermen will be shooting to nail down their 19th crown.

Ginebra, the overwhelming underdog, is eyeing to win title No.9.

Uichico, however, has yet to lose a Finals since he took over as Ginebra coach. He led the Gin Kings to the 2006-07 Philippine Cup crown against a Chot Reyes-mentored San Miguel Beer before last season’s conquest of the season-ending tournament.

Before winning two championships with Ginebra, Uichico has already captured six titles with San Miguel, which last won a crown in the 2004-05 Fiesta Conference with import Ace Custis. Overall, Uichico is 8-for-11 in the Finals.

Tanquingcen, on the other hand, will be aiming to snatch his third crown after winning the Fiesta and Philippine Cup titles in 2004-05 with Ginebra.

“Anything can happen in a Game 7,” said Uichico. “But I have faith in my players. They’ve been in this kind of situation before.”

“It will all boil down to defense, as I’ve always said, and rebounding,” Tanquingcen said. “We have enough manpower on offense, but in order for us to win, we have to defend well.” – GMANews.TV

Pacquiao is 2009 ESPY Awards’ Best Fighter

2009-07-16T23:02:36Z

He is considered the best pound-for-pound boxer but how does Filipino phenom Manny Pacquiao stack up against equally successful mixed martial arts fighters?

Well, the “Pacman” rises above the best MMA fighters, judging from the final results of the 2009 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly awards or ESPY.

The 30-year-old Pacquiao won the “Best Fighter” plum in the prestigious awards handed out by famed American cable TV network ESPN to honor the year’s outstanding athletes in major sports.

Pacquiao beat out MMA stars Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva and fellow boxer Sugar Shane Mosley for the prestigious award.

The pride of General Santos City earned the nod of ESPN’s online voters for his sensational dismantling of erstwhile IBO light-welterweight boss Ricky Hatton last May, and his demolition of Oscar De La Hoya five months before.

Machida was nominated for his knockout victory over erstwhile unbeaten Rashad Evans, which clinched for him the light-heavyweight title at UFC98; Silva for his wins over Patrick Cote, Thales Leites and James Irwin; and Mosley for his stunning TKO victory over Mexican Antonio Margarito.

Pacquiao’s jaw-dropping KO of Hatton was also in the shortlist for the “Best Play” award but lost out to the Ben Roethlisberger-to-Santonio Holmes last-minute touchdown catch in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl XLIII win over Arizona.

Others which vied for “Best Play” were Washington Capitals’ Alexander Ovechkin’s goal opposite the New York Rangers during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup playoffs and Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree’s game-winning catch against the Texas Longhorns.

As ESPY’s Best Fighter, Pacquiao joins an elite line-up that reads like the who’s who in world sports that includes Michael Phelps (Best Male Athlete and Best Record Breaking Performance); LA Lakers (Best Team); Lorena Ochoa (Best International Female Athlete and Best Female Golfer); Usain Bolt (Best International Male Athlete); LeBron James (Best NBA Player); and frequent winner Tiger Woods (Best Golfer).

Pacquiao’s ESPY award came on the heels of his earlier achievements as one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time Magazine and as a top 10 member of Forbes’ richest athletes in the world. – GMANews.TV

2009 ESPY Winners

Best in Sport
Best Female Athlete: Nastia Liukin, Gymnastics
Best Male Athlete: Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimming
Best Moment: US Swim team wins thrilling finish in Olympic relay
Best Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Best Coach/Manager: Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers
Best Game: Steelers vs. Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII
Best Championship Performance: Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimming
Best Play: Roethlisberger to Holmes Super Bowl Winning TD
Best Upset: US Soccer shocks Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinals
Best Breakthrough Athlete: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Best Record Breaking Performance: Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimming
Best Sports Movie: The Express: The Ernie Davis Story
Best Male College Athlete: Tim Tebow, Florida Football
Best Female College Athlete: Maya Moore, Connecticut Women’s Basketball
Best Male Athlete with a Disability: Jason Lester, Ironman Triathlete
Best Female Athlete with a Disability: Erin Popovich, Swimming
Best International Male Athlete: Usain Bolt (Jamaica, Sprinter)
Best International Female Athlete: Lorena Ochoa (Mexico, Golf)

Individual Sports
Best Baseball Player: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Best NBA Player: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Best WNBA Player: Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks
Best NFL Player: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
Best NHL Player: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Best MLS Player: Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy
Best Male Action Sports Athlete: Shaun White, Skateboarding/Snowboarding
Best Female Action Sports Athlete: Maya Gabeira, Surfing
Best Bowler: Norm Duke
Best Driver: Jimmie Johnson
Best Fighter: Manny Pacquiao, Boxing
Best Male Golfer: Tiger Woods
Best Female Golfer: Lorena Ochoa
Best Jockey: Calvin Borel

Special Awards
Arthur Ashe Courage Award: President Nelson Mandela
Jimmy V Award For Perseverance: Don Meyer, Northern State University coach
Best Comeback: Dara Torres, Olympic swimmer.

San Miguel Forces Game 7 (PBA Finals)

2009-07-16T00:54:15Z

San Miguel Beer is a proud ball club which won’t just fade away in a battle.

The Beermen fought with great resolve with their one foot in the grave, stalling the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 98-84, and forging a deciding Game Seven in their Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference title showdown at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

Gabe Freeman and his teammates frustrated the Kings and their huge throngs, pulling off an emphatic win to bring the best-of-seven series to full distance.

One goes home with the championship and the other the runner-up trophy as the two teams clash in a do-or-die setto at 7 p.m. Friday in the same venue.

Ginebra has a perfect record in two Game Seven engagements. San Miguel, on the other hand, is 2-4, losing their last three outings.

“We haven’t done anything yet because we just tied the series. God put us in the situation to test us. It’s how we respond to adversity. That would define us as an individual and as a team,” said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“It didn’t happen tonight and we now have to do it Friday. It’s a jump ball. A 50-50 percent chance of winning isn’t bad at all,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

The Beermen battled with a resolute defense and a massive offense as they seized control in the second period and held on to the finish.

“Hindi sila maka-convert and we really had a hand in practically all their shots. It boiled down to defense and rebounding tonight,” said Tanquingcen.

“Plain and simple, we failed to convert our shots,” said Uichico.

Freeman went 9-of-13 from the field and finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds for his 21st triple-double game — the most by any player in the tourney.

Making the job easier for the Beermen was Danny Ildefonso, Mike Cortez, Dondon Hontiveros, Jonas Villanueva, Jay Washington, Marc Pingris and Mick Pennisi all rising to the occasion.

The Beermen shot better from the field and dominated the boards as they got back at the Kings for the third time, thus, preserving the yours-and-mind trend in the series.

The Kings shot only 39.7 percent from the field with main man Jayjay Helterbrand among those doing bad, going 0-of-5 from the three-point arc and 4-of-5 from the two-point zone.

The Beermen cut loose from a see-sawing contest towards the end of the first half, racing to a 13-point lead before settling for a 44-34 spread at the turn.

The two teams both came out playing with great determination, fighting through nine lead changes before the Beermen established control.

Hontiveros sank two triples, highlighting a 16-2 salvo that opened a 44-31 advantage for the Beermen.

Sunday Salvacion made it a more manageable deficit for the Kings as he rifled in a trey coming off the bench in the closing seconds of the first half.

The Kings were ahead at 29-28 before going on a dry spell, making only five points in the last five minutes of the opening half.

The Beermen broke away while shooting 47.4 percent in the second period. The Kings, on the other hand, struggled with a 28.6-percent clip in that stretch.

SMB closed the half with a spirited run despite Freeman on the bench with three fouls.

Freeman, however, had his hand as the Beermen stretched their lead to 15 at 61-46 midway through the third. The fiery SMB import tossed in 12 points in the period, including seven straight through a three-pointer and back-to-back slams. (NC)

The scores:

San Miguel 98 – Freeman 24, Ildefonso 18, Cortez 12, Hontiveros 11, Villanueva 9, Washington 8, Pingris 6, Pennisi 5, Pena 3, Racela 2, Custodio 0.

Ginebra 84 – Noel 16, Menk 15, Tubid 13, Pacana 9, Helterbrand 8, Wilson 7, Salvacion 6, Reavis 6, Lanete 2, Baguio 2, Artadi 0, Mamaril 0.

Quaretscores: 17-19, 44-34, 68-61, 98-84

Mayweather says money dispute foils Pacquiao fight hopes

2009-07-15T14:13:46Z

LAS VEGAS – Unbeaten US star Floyd Mayeather Jnr declared himself fit to fight after a rib injury delayed his comeback but says money demands have foiled a possible showdown with Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather dismissed Pacquiao’s claim to the world pound-for-pound throne Mayweather vacated by retiring in December of 2007, saying, “It’s like a T-Bone steak. After I eat all the meat off the steak, they throw him the bone.”

Mayweather, 39-0 with 25 knockouts, will fight Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez, 50-4 with one drawn and 37 knockouts, on September 19 after this Saturday’s planned date was scrapped over an injury whose origin Mayweather kept secret.

“It didn’t come from sparring,” Mayweather said Tuesday. “Freak accidents happen in training. It was just a freak accident.

“I tried to work through it but then it happened again and I’m like, ‘I can’t be a superhero. Take a little time off.’ I healed. Now I’m ready to rock and roll. I can’t wait to get back out there.”

Mayweather will fight for the first time in 21 months, since a 10th-round stoppage of England’s Ricky Hatton, who was flattened in the second round last May by Filipino star Pacquiao.

Interest is great for a Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown but Mayweather said the bout is unlikely because Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum seeks a 50-50 split of profits rather than a 60-40 break in Mayweather’s favor.

“He wants a 50-50 split. That’s never going to happen. If Bob Arum wasn’t trying to be so greedy, that fight would happen,” Mayweather said. “It still is a business even if it is a sport.”

Mayweather’s past two fights, with Hatton and Oscar de la Hoya, enticed 3.5 million US pay-per-view purchases, said Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer, while Pacquiao “did a little bit more than half of that” against the same foes.

“It’s difficult for Floyd to say it should be 50-50 because it really shouldn’t be 50-50,” Schaefer said. “Both fighters have a certain market value and they should get compensated accordingly.”

While Mayweather said he has no grudge against Pacquiao, he neither has any great desire to fight him if the price is not right.

“Pacquiao is a good fighter. I don’t take nothing from him,” Mayweather said. “He hasn’t done nothing I haven’t done.

Where was he when I was dominating in the ’90s? He hasn’t called me out. I’m not hard to find.

“I ain’t worried about him. With or without him, I’m comfortable. I’m happy. He don’t make me (nothing). I don’t chase opponents. Opponents chase me. The biggest fight in boxing is Mayweather versus anybody.”

Mayweather and Arum had a bitter breakup and Mayweather said Pacquiao loses 27 percent of his paydays.

“Manny Pacquiao has the worst contract in boxing with Bob Arum right now – 27 percent,” Mayweather said. “I keep 100 percent of my money. Are you serious – 27 percent? Arum tells Manny Pacquiao the same bull he used to tell me.”

Marquez rallied from being sent to the canvas three times in the first round to draw Pacquiao in 2004 and lost a controversial split decision to him in 2008 but Mayweather rates Marquez a better rival than Pacquiao.

“I would have to rate him ovr Manny. For a guy to knock him down three times in the first round and he comes back to get a draw, we know who lost,” said Mayweather, who has recently healed strained relations with father Floyd Snr.

Fight co-promoter De la Hoya, who lost to Pacquiao last December, said that Mayweather deserves the pound-for-pound crown, not Pacquaio.

“I’d have to go with Floyd. I felt more skill coming out of Mayweather than I did with Pacquiao,” de la Hoya said. “The winner between Mayweather and Marquez is the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.”

Marquez dismissed Pacquiao as well, saying, “Mayweather is the best. He retired undefeated. When I fought Manny I thought I beat him both times.”

De la Hoya tossed another dig at “Pac-Man”, saying, “The fans are the ones who speak and we all know Marquez beat Pacquiao.” – Source: Agence France-Presse

Kobe Bryant in Manila on July 21 (tour schedule)

2009-07-15T14:11:30Z

National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is set to embark on another Asian tour next week with the Philippines as his first stop.

In his one-day visit to Manila on July 21, Bryant is expected to interact with young basketball players who dream of making it big just like the 2009 NBA Finals most valuable player.

“Nike Philippines is proud to welcome Kobe Bryant back to Manila, and we are excited to be the first stop of his Asia tour,” said Nike Philippines country marketing manager Mae Dichupa.

Bryant will be meeting with young basketball players from some Gawad Kalinga communities at the Nike Park, The Fort in Taguig City at 2 p.m.

From The Fort, Bryant will proceed to the PhilSports Arena (formerly ULTRA) in Pasig City where he will hold a basketball camp.

He is set to work with his young fans to help them increase their level of play. He will also showcase his skills and share his basketball prowess alongside the Nike Elite Campers, a group of up-and-coming young basketball players.

Gates at the PhilSports Arena will open at 3 p.m. while the show will start at 4 p.m.

Despite his brief visit, Dichupa said, “We know he will again touch many young lives, inspiring them to reach for their hoop dreams.”

Meantime, Bryant will also introduce the new Dream Season shoe in the Nike-sponsored Asian tour that will also go Singapore, Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Chengdu.

The Nike Dream Season is a first of its kind basketball shoe designed for outdoor games. It was designed with insights from Bryant himself.

Both lightweight and durable, the Nike Dream Season is sleek and aggressive much like Bryant’s style of play.

Tickets to see Bryant at the PhilSports Arena will be distributed on Saturday, July 18, beginning at 12 p.m. at the Nike Park, The Fort.

Tickets are free of charge and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Only two tickets will be given per person, with a total of 3,000 tickets to be distributed.

For more information on Kobe Bryant’s 2009 Asia Tour: Philippines, log on to www.nike.com.ph.

Ex-pro stars to spice up Asean hoops

2009-07-14T22:00:10Z

MANILA, Philippines – An all-star team is being formed to represent the Philippines in the first Asean Basketball League which fires off on Oct. 1 in Singapore.

Only this time, the team will be composed of ex-PBA superstars like Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras, Vergel Meneses, Samboy Lim and Johnny Abarrientos. Robert Jaworski and Ramon Fernandez will also make representations for the team.

To top it all, the men behind the formation of the team for the home-and-away league is eyeing Billy Ray Bates, known as the “Black Superman” and arguably the best import ever to grace the PBA, to be part of the team.

“There are two objectives in forming this team – to form a competitive team that can win the championship and entertain the Filipino overseas workers,” said ABC-5 president Bobby Barrero in yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s along UN Avenue.

Barrero pitched in for businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco who is throwing his full support to the team along with Harbour Centre owner and basketball patron Mikee Romero who vowed to make it “very exciting” for the team and Pinoy cage fans.

The ABL was launched a few months ago in Kuala Lumpur. It is a brainchild of Tony Fernandes, a very successful Malaysian entrepreneur who’s into the airline and hotel business.

So far, six countries have confirmed their participation through their respective club teams. They are the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Games will be played in each of the member countries.

“The challenge being posed is very different and it excites us. Plus it will give our players a bigger chance to showcase their talents. We even feel that Filipinos may be tapped by the other countries as their imports,” said Barrero.

Gin Kings hope to reign anew

2009-07-14T22:07:31Z

MANILA, Philippines – The Barangay Ginebra Kings are a heartbeat away from repeating as champs.

With the pivotal 3-2 lead, the Barangay Ginebra Kings go for the kill against the embattled San Miguel Beermen, hoping to wrap up the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference crown in Game Six that is expected to draw another capacity crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.

Jayjay Helterbrand, the season MVP winner, wants it done so he can be with the members of the Powerade RP team leaving the country tomorrow for the Jones Cup competition in Taipei.

Import David Noel doesn’t want to settle for anything less than the PBA championship after passing up an invitation to play for the New York Knicks in a summer league now ongoing in the US.

The rest of the Kings are raring to deliver the killer blow to become the first team in seven years to successfully defend a title in the league.

“It will be a hell of a game. It’s going to be a war because they want to get even while our team wants to finish the series,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

Chico Lanete, who played a key role in their 106-98 win in Game Five, said their biggest motivation is for them not to return to practice anymore after Game Six.

“We’re already tired. We want to rest with the championship trophy in our hands,” said Lanete.

San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen, however, is confident they can force a deciding Game Seven.

“I’m still optimistic about it. God gave us the opportunity to be here. The eight other teams would kill themselves to be here. There’s still no reason for us to feel down because they still need to win a game to get the championship. We just have to get even then take it from there,” said Tanquingcen.

No team has two in a row in the series. If the trend continues, San Miguel is expected to extend the series to a final showdown.

Despite being on the threshold of a title conquest, Uichico remains wary of an SMB comeback.

“We like to be up 3-2 but we know what San Miguel is capable of doing. We hope we can play better today ,” said Uichico.

The Kings outplayed the Beeremen as Noel redeemed himself from being the goat in Game Four while Jayjay Helterbrand and Eric Menk had significant contributions despite enduring injuries.

“Good thing Jayjay (Helterbrand) and Eric (Menk) were able to play. And David, being a real competitor, made up for his crucial free throw misses in Game Four in a big way,” said Uichico.

The amiable Ginebra mentor said Noel is determined to win the championship after missing the opportunity to play for the Knicks.

“The offer came Saturday. But a professional that he is, Noel decided to stay on and honor his commitment with us,” said Uichico. [source: Philstar]

Video: Donaire training hard for August fight vs Concepcion

2009-07-14T14:21:38Z

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Source: GMANews.TV

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2009-07-14T02:20:58Z

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Pacman camp eyes Mosley at 143 lb

2009-07-14T01:01:34Z

MANILA, Philippines – Shane Mosley is suddenly back in the picture.

Manny Pacquiao’s lawyer, Franklin Gacal, yesterday said if Miguel Cotto insists on the catchweight of 145 lb, the Filipino boxing icon might be forced to consider Mosley as his next opponent.

“We will not agree to 145 pounds. And if Cotto insists, we’ll go for Mosley,” said Gacal from Davao City.

Top Rank president Bob Arum wants Pacquiao to face Cotto, the reigning WBO welterweight (147 lb) champion from Puerto Rico, on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas. But no deal has been forged yet, not on the date, weight or purse.

“No definite date yet or any other details have been agreed upon,” said Pacquiao the other day.

Pacquiao, 30, said he wants to fight on Oct. 17 but Arum explained that it wouldn’t be a good date because of the Major League World Series, and that it would be hard to compete with the mother of all baseball games.

“Regarding the date, maybe we can give in to what Bob Arum wants although Manny really wants to fight in October. But there’s the baseball thing so maybe we can agree on November,” said Gacal.

Both Pacquiao and Cotto are under Top Rank, and it should have been easier for Arum to seal the deal. But again, the weight issue, Gacal added, is turning out to be a real weighty issue.

“Manny will be giving up too much if he agrees to fight Cotto at 145. We want him at 143 and if he insists otherwise, then we’ll look at Mosley if Mosley is still available,” said the Filipino lawyer.

“Cotto is an inch taller than Manny and definitely he’s heavier. He’s got a bigger body, too. I think Manny will be short-changed if he agrees to 145. And it should be us dictating the terms, not Cotto,” said Gacal.

Mosley, the WBA welterweight champion, was so eager to face Pacquiao he said he’d fight at 144 lb, and settle for 40 percent of the purse. But the native of Pomona, California, had given up on the fight when it seemed all’s well for a Pacquiao-Cotto fight.

“Mosley said he’s willing to fight Manny at 144. Maybe we can drag him down to 143. So if Cotto insists on 145, we’ll got for Mosley,” Gacal added.

At 5’9” Mosley is easily two inches taller than Pacquiao, but the American champion will be 39 by September. Cotto will turn 29 in October.

Mosley is under Golden Boy Promotions, whose president, Oscar dela Hoya, recently played a round of golf with Cotto at the Bahia Beach Resort and Golf Club in Puerto Rico.