Pilipinas Sports

Philippine chessers bag 4 golds in Singapore

2012-01-03T10:40:00.000+08:00

The Philippines struck for four gold medals on top of a silver and four bronzes in the Singapore International Chess Festival at the Jurong East Sports Complex Sunday.

Winning for the PH squad were Michelle Yaon in the girls’ Under-17 division, Vince Angelo Medina in the Open Under-17, Fide Master Paulo Bersamina in the Open Under-14 and Dennis Gutierrez III in the Open Under-8.

“It’s a good sign for our young chess players,” said Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., president of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. “They showed that we can compete and win in international competitions.”

Yaon, a promising find from Calamba City and a student of St. Simon Montessori School, split the point with India’s G Sushmitha in the final game to win the title with 6.5 points in eight games .

Medina, a student of Far Eastern University-Fern topped his division after a final draw with Jodi Setyaki Azarya of Indonesia while Bersamina capped a dominant performance with a victory over Ooi Zhi Yang Singapore to wind up with 8.0 points.

Gutierrez, a San Fabian, Pangasinan standout, beat Jiddan Firman of Indonesia to clinch the gold also with 8.0 points.

Bohol bet Jerad Docena clinched the country’s lone silver by finishing second behind Bersamina.

Delivering bronze medals were Marc Christian Nazario (Open U-17) Julius Gonzales (Open U-11), Iloilo’s Fiona Geeweneth Guirhem (Girls U-11) and Misamis Oriental’s Mae Ann Joy Baclayon (Girls U-8 ).

Woman Fide Master Marie Antoinette San Diego, an early favorite in the Girls’ U-14, was a big disappointment, however, as she finished with only 5.0 points in the nine-round event.

San Diego wound up two points behind eventual champion WFM Najiha Hisham Nur of Singapore and half a point behind compatriot Shania Mae Mendoza.

Bitoon 2nd in Campomanes Cup

Meanwhile, Grandmaster Richard Bitoon finished tied for second in the second Asean Men Campomanes Cup also in Singapore.

Bitoon wound up tied with GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia and Internatioal Master Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam with 6.0 points, just half a point behind champion GM Cao Sangâ of Vietnam.

source by Jasmine W. Payo, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Guiao key in RoS mission

2012-01-03T09:55:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines — While many PBA observers expect a shootout and an exciting run-and-gun encounter between Powerade and Rain or Shine, questions arise on which team holds the advantage in their best-of-seven semifinal showdown in the PBA Philippine Cup.

Will Yeng Guiao’s coaching experience help the Elasto Painters? Or will Gary David’s scoring prowess be enough to lead the Tigers?

It appears that these two factors will decide the seven-game series with Game 1 set Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The experience of Guiao, who started coaching in the PBA in the late ‘80s with five championships, transformed Rain or Shine to one of the surprising contenders this conference, his third with the team after joining the franchise last season (Commissioner’s Cup).

“Coach Yeng has the edge experience-wise,” said Barako Bull mentor Junel Baculi, once an assistant to Guiao with Burger King/Air21 (now Shopinas.com). “But I think it’s still even since the two teams have players who can light it up every game.”

Guiao will be up against Bo Perasol of Powerade, who started coaching in the pro league in 2005 with FedEx/Air21, which he steered to the 2007 Fiesta Cup Finals where they lost to Ginebra in seven grueling games.

In late 2009, Perasol left Air21, which was then renamed Burger King with Guiao at the helm.

Perasol joined Coca-Cola, first as assistant coach to Kenneth Duremdes before finally taking over as coach. After several disappointing campaigns, Powerade finally made the playoffs this conference where the Tigers earned a quarterfinal slot.

As the No. 8 seed, they stunned top seed and twice-to-beat B-Meg to enter the semifinals for the first time in six years.

However, while Guiao enjoys an edge in experience, the Rain or Shine-Powerade series is almost equal man-for-man. One player though is capable of tilting the balance: 6-foot-3 David.

After averaging nearly 21 points in the eliminations, David elevated his scoring to 34.5 points in the series versus B-Meg.

source by Waylon Galvez, mb.com.ph

Boxers in Mongolia training

2012-01-03T09:51:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - With the qualifying events for the London Olympics going full blast early 2012, the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) is eyeing to send its male hopefuls to Mongolia and female aspirants to Kazakhstan to gear them up for the qualifiers.

ABAP executive director Ed Picson said the plan is to bring along Rey Saludar and Co. to Ulan Bator, Mongolia for possible training sessions with Mongolian pugs on the side while the country’s lady boxers compete in the ASBC Women’s Boxing Championships on March 16-26.

“Mongolia is a strong nation in boxing so we’re coordinating with our counterparts in Mongolia if our male boxers can train there while our female bets are fighting,” said Picson.

Mongolia came off its best Olympics showing in 2008 with two golds and two silvers, with boxing accounting for half, courtesy of bantamweight champ Enkhbatyn Badar-Uugan and lightflyweight runnerup Pürevdorjiin Serdamba.

For the London Games, Mongolia has sent in two in Serdamba and lightwelter Uranchimegiin Mönkh-Erdene while Phl had only one in lightfly Mark Anthony Barriga so far.

From Mongolia, Picson said the male pugs will proceed to Astana, Kazakhstan where they will seek to earn berths in AIBA’s London 2012 Olympic Qualifying Event for Asia, on March 30-April 8.

The plan, according to Picson, is to tag along the Pinay pugs as final buildup for the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, their own qualifying meet for London, slated May 21 – June 3 in Qinhuangdao, China.

SEA Games champions Josie Gabuco (46), and Alice Kate Aparri (48) and SEAG silver medalists Nesthy Petecio (54) are being groomed for the 51-kg Olympic class that Phl intends to send an entry when women’s boxing debuts in London.

“We’re preparing an extensive training program for our male and female boxers as they bid for the Olympics. No ifs and buts about it, the directive of our chairman, Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan, and president, Mr. Ricky Vargas, is to spare no effort; provide all-out support to give our boxers a shot at the Olympics,” Picson said.

The ABAP pool returns to camp today after a brief break during the holidays. They are also set to attend a planning and team-building workshop by mid-January to kickstart their busy year.

source by Olmin Leyba, The Philippine Star

PBA D-League resumes at The Arena

2012-01-03T09:44:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - NLEX and Freego Jeans hope to come out strong from a long layoff as they take on Boracay Rum and Café France, respectively, at resumption of action in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at The Arena in San Juan today.

The Road Warriors (5-1) step up their drive for an outright semifinal berth as they collide with the Boracay Rum side (4-4) at 2 p.m. and Pacific Pipes (4-3) on Thursday.

The PBA D-League Foundation Cup champions are trying to keep their four-game winning streak going before their much-awaited encounter with pacesetter Cebuana Lhuillier on Jan. 12 for the coveted top spot.

“Our immediate goal is to win our first two games before we face Cebuana. We want to be in the Top 2 but our game against Boracay Rum and Pacific Pipes will be crucial for us,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.

But Fernandez remains wary of the Waves, who have won three of the last five games before the holiday break.

“With a very good coach and solid unit, Boracay Rum will be a dangerous team. They could’ve swept their last five games but lost two at endgame,” Fernandez said.

Freego Jeans (6-2), meanwhile, is fancied over Café France (2-5) in their 4 p.m. encounter with the Jeans Makers out to check their skid. They dropped two of their last three games and would need no less than a sweep of their last two assignments to stay in the hunt for an outright spot in the Final Four.

“Our next two games are really important for us. Those games can give us an opportunity to gain at least a tie for one of two slots in the semis,” said Freego Jeans coach Leo Austria.

PC Gilmore (2-5) and ousted DUB Unlimited clash in the opening match at 12 noon.
source by The Philippine Star

SI analyst predicts Pacquiao will lose in 2012

2012-01-03T09:36:00.000+08:00

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will lose a boxing match in 2012 for the first time in seven years, a boxing analyst from Sports Illustrated predicted.

Pacquiao has not lost a bout since his unanimous decision setback to Erik Morales in 2005, but Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix is predicting that Pacquiao will lose to Juan Manuel Marquez this year.

"The two rivals have seen their careers become as intertwined as Sugar Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier," Mannix said of Pacquiao and Marquez.

"In 36 rounds, only one--Pacquiao's 3-knockdown first round in the first fight--has truly been decisive," he added.

Mannix said that since a mega-fight against undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr. will not be possible until June, a fourth fight with Marquez "is the only natural option."

"And in another back-and-forth battle (likely fought in front of 50,000-plus fans at Cowboys Stadium) Marquez will finally get the win that has eluded him," Mannnix predicted.

Pacquiao and Marquez have fought three times, with all three bouts resulting in controversial decisions. The latest installment, held last November 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, saw Pacquiao eke out a majority decision victory despite struggling against Marquez all night.

Mannix is also predicting that the most highly anticipated fight in boxing, Pacquiao vs Mayweather, will not happen in 2012.

"Mayweather's recently handed down jail sentence likely ruins any chance of making Mayweather-Pacquiao in the first half of the year," Mannix said. "If Pacquiao loses (against Marquez), there will undoubtedly be a fifth fight between the two, pushing any matchup with Mayweather into 2013."

Exciting fight for Donaire

Mannix also predicted that Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire will meet Cuban boxer Yuri Gamboa in an exciting match-up later in 2012.

"Gamboa and Donaire are both explosive talents that always look for the knockout," he said.

Donaire will make his debut at the junior featherweight division in February 2012 against Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr., while Gamboa will move to the super featherweight division in March.

Although the two boxers fight in different weight divisions, Mannix expects that they will meet later in 2012.

"The lack of quality opponents for either will lead to matchup between the two Top Rank-promoted fighters by the end of the year," he said.

source by abs-cbnNEWS.com

Event of the Year: The SMART Ultimate All-Star Weekend

2012-01-02T15:23:00.002+08:00

For most NBA fans, the lockout was a nightmare that everybody wished would end. For Filipino basketball fans, the lockout made our wildest dreams come true.

And considering all that it led to the lockout lasting a little longer probably wouldn’t have been so bad.

With the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement up in the air, many NBA players looked for alternative forms of income. New Jersey star Deron Williams was one of the first to look overseas, signing with Turkish club Besiktas for one year and $5 million. Some of the other high-profile stars weren’t quite so desperate but still needed a little something to tide them over.

So Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and a mix of veterans and young stars packed their bags and trooped to the Philippines for a pair of exhibition games against a PBA selection and the national team.

Yeah, I still pinch myself every now and then to make sure that it really happened. To put things in proper perspective: That was nuts.

Seriously, it was nuts. Look, the NBA has been bringing their preseason to Europe and China the past few years and even they don’t see as many All-Stars under one roof. The event was such a big deal that Sports Illustrated pointed to the event as a model for players to survive the lockout, while Grantland devoted a longform feature on how the weekend came together.

Barring another lockout, we aren’t likely to see an event like this anytime soon. And that’s what makes the SMART Ultimate All-Star Weekend really special. CBA negotiations happen once every six years and sometimes, like in 2005, negotiations wrap up quickly. That means we might have experienced a once-in-a-few-decades kind of game.

And what made it more fun was that the NBA players seemed to have genuinely enjoyed their trip here just as much as we enjoyed having them.

The players were treated like rock stars wherever they went. JaVale McGee did some on-court planking. Paul showed off his boxing footwork for Manny Pacquiao during a timeout late in one of the games. Bryant and Pacman shared a lengthy conversation. Bryant and McGee also reportedly missed a press conference when they diverted their car from an official function to do some shopping.

For a basketball-crazy nation like ours, this was nothing short of a dream come true, and hands-down, the Event of the Year.

source by Mikkel Bolante · image by InterAKTV/Markku Seguerra

Coach of the Year: Ato Agustin of the Petron Blaze Boosters

2012-01-02T15:13:00.000+08:00

Five months after leading Petron Blaze to an upset over Talk ‘N Text in the 2011 Governors’ Cup finals, Boosters coach Ato Agustin admitted that the infamous incident between him and his counterpart Chot Reyes might have taken the Tropang Texters out of their game.

“Nawala sa huwisyo yung Talk ‘N Text nung nagkaroon kami ng sagutan ni Coach Chot,” he said. After Petron was blown out in Game Three, Agustin approached Reyes at midcourt and challenged him to a fistfight. After the incident, the Boosters won three of the next four games.

Agustin contended that it wasn’t his intent to get into the head of the Tropang Texters.

“Hindi naman natin sinasadya yun. Nangyari lang talaga. Pero para sa akin, laro lang naman ako even nung player tayo sanay tayo sa ganyan kahit na pikunin tayo.”

Whether the incident had an effect or not on Talk ‘N Text is up for debate. But what isn’t up for debate is how great a coach Ato Agustin is. In his rookie season as a coach in the league, the 1992 PBA Most Valuable Player led the San Miguel franchise to two finals appearances and a championship. In less than three years as a head coach, he has won titles in the NCAA, the PBL, and the PBA.

Agustin’s deputies at Petron agree are all praises for the coach.

“Maganda sa kanya, yung winning attitude andun – from college, to PBL, now nadala niya yun sa PBA, yun yung isang bentahe nya,” said Pido Jarencio, a Petron Blaze assistant who is also a champion UAAP coach with University of Santo Tomas. “Second, yung personality niya. Yung mga players, nakuha niya yung loob. Dahil yung mga players gusto siya, maaga silang nakapag-adjust sa sistema niya, which is simple lang naman.”

“Dahil mahal si Coach Ato ng mga players niya, todo bigay sila sa paglalaro sa kanya. Kami naman sa coaching staff, maganda yung camaraderie namin, also because of Coach Ato. Being a head coach, nakikinig siya, kaya sa tingin ko lalong gagaling siyang mag-coach.”

Gee Abanilla, another assistant, said Agustin fosters a great work atmosphere for his staff.

“Magaan yung environment where we are working. He is open to suggestions, binibigyan nya ng role ang lahat ng tao dito sa amin, from the players, coaches down to the utilities. When you see an environment like that, it makes you feel you belong to something and it makes you feel proud to be part of. It’s like working with pleasure,” said Abanilla.

“Kaming mga coaches binibigyan niya ng pagkakataon. Kung ano yung strength ng isang coach, tina-tap niya. He’s a great listener, pero pinapakita niya sa amin yung mga kakulangan namin. In the end, he makes the decision.”

Biboy Ravanes, a longtime San Miguel assistant, praised Agustin’s openness toward his staff.

“He’s very open to suggestions. Gusto niya kaming mga assistant coaches sama-sama yung mga ideas. He’s very approachable and hindi ka maiilang sa kanya.”

Olsen Racela, who played for Agustin in the Philippine Cup last season before retiring to join the coaching staff, praised the coach’s ability to get the best out of his players.

“Our players love to play for him. If you’re on a roll or medyo hot ka, he keeps you inside, kaya as a player, nabo-boost yung confidence mo. Nakita mo naman from the line-up naming na puro injuries, may mga nag-step up parati at nakikita ito sa laro ng mga players,” said Racela.

Ravanes added that Agustin’s mindset as a player helps him identify with the Boosters.

“Magaling siyang makisama sa mga players and naiintindihan niya talaga yung mga naglalaro, alam niya yung kiliti nitong mga ito. Para siyang one of them,” said Ravanes.

But beyond just being a players’ coach, Racela said that Agustin has a great feel for the game, which gives him an edge as a bench tactician.

“Magaling siyang magpasok ng tao. Minsan huhugot siya bigla sa bench na hindi mo akalain so magugulat yung kalaban.”

source by Reynaldo Belen, InterAKTV · image by InterAKTV/Markku Seguerra

Villain of the Year: The South Korean national basketball teams

2012-01-02T15:01:00.000+08:00

It’s really difficult to brand any one individual or team as a villain. Certainly, South Korea held no malicious intent when it rallied from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to overtake the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team with 47 seconds to go in the third place game of the FIBA Asia Championships last September. Surely, all the team wanted was the same thing our team did – a medal finish and a berth in the qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Games. There is no doubt they held no ill will toward us and that they just wanted to perform as best as they could.

There was no malice either when South Koreans youth team eliminated Energen Pilipinas in the semifinals of the FIBA Asia Under-16 Championships, which would have given the Philippine team a spot in the FIBA World Under-17 Championships next year. Like the Pinoy teens, the South Korean kids were just doing their best.

But forget all that, it’s okay to dislike the South Korean national team.

No, they aren’t dirty, excessively physical players. They don’t celebrate in your face or rub it in when you’re down. No, they don’t hold hour-long TV specials just to announce which beach they’re taking their talents to this season.

There is, objectively, no reason to hate on the South Koreans.

But sports fandom is rarely about being objective. The most loyal fans cheer for their adopted teams through thick and thin. It doesn’t matter if they’re actually good. The only thing that matters is whether or not they’re wearing the jersey of the team that you love, regardless of wins or losses.

And it is especially true when talking about national teams. We cheer for the Philippine teams whether or not we actually like the players on the team. We’re almost compelled to like them just because they have PILIPINAS spelled across their chests.

The national team has a way of bringing us together, famously exemplified by former teammates-turned-rivals Robert Jaworski and Mon Fernandez burying the hatchet for the national team in the 1990 Asian Games. Jaworski, appointed to helm the team, chose Fernandez to be his team captain despite a bitter breakup after their partnership in Toyota.

SMART-Gilas inherited a Sisyphean struggle from years of heartbroken national teams that similarly failed to qualify for the world level. And much like the mythical Sisyphus before them, it actually seemed as if SMART-Gilas, in the dying seconds of the third place game, had finally rolled its own figurative boulder all the way up to the top of the hill.

Check out the other nominees for Villain of the Year

But here we are, right back where we started.

We can’t be blamed for disliking the South Korean team just as Sisyphus can’t be blamed for hating that damned rock he’ll have to push for the rest of eternity. They don’t mean us any harm, but that doesn’t mean we have to like them.

So, South Korea, please don’t take this personally. In fact, it’s a compliment to be identified as a villain, because it means you accomplished something we wish that we had in your stead.

Congratulations on being named Villain of the Year. You should feel honored.

Jerks.

source by Mikkel Bolante, InterAKTV · image by AFP file photo

Breakthrough Athlete of the Year: Stephan Schrock of the Azkals

2012-01-02T14:50:00.000+08:00

Significant time has passed since Filipino-German midfielder Stephan Schrock last suited up for the Philippine national men’s football team that it’s starting to feel like it didn’t really happen. So it’s understandable that Filipino fans, many of whom are only taking up football for the first time, kind of forget the impact that Schrock brought to the Azkals this year.

Simply put: When Schrock suited up for the Azkals, he was often the best player on the pitch for the Philippine side.

In his debut against Sri Lanka in Colombo last June, Schrock was murder in the midfield, hooking up time and again with homegrown Pinoy dynamo Chieffy Caligdong for opportunity after opportunity. In the second leg in Manila, Schrock anchored the Azkals’ 4-0 trashing of the Sri Lankans despite not scoring a goal himself.

Apart from quality, Schrock also displayed a combustible personality on the field, and he was penalized with a yellow card in each of the three games against Sri Lanka. That cost the Azkals dearly in the next round, which saw the Philippines yield to Kuwait, 3-0.

The Azkals showed more bite in the second leg in Manila, and it was Schrock leading the charge. After Caligdong battled two defenders to keep possession of the ball late in stoppage time in the first half, Schrock blasted a 25-foot bomb that hit the back of the net, bringing the house down.

For a moment, Filipino fans dreamt about a major upset, against no less than powerhouse Kuwait, the Gulf Cup and West Asian Cup.

Check out the other nominees for Breakthrough Athlete of the Year

In the second half, however, reality set in, and the Azkals ran out of miracles. Kuwait scored two goals to end the Philippines’ World Cup journey.

Still, fans saw just how good Filipino football could be, and Schrock plays a big part in the Philippines’ chances to advance in the international stage. As the anchor in the midfield, Schrock would be key in the counterattack, turning defense into offense in a snap.

And with a world-class player like him, Team Philippines might just have a shot at bringing down more goliaths in the future too.

Jaemark Tordecilla, InterAKTV · image by InterAKTV/Markku Seguerra

Win of the Year: Petron Blaze slams the Grand Slam bid of Talk ‘N Text

2012-01-02T14:40:00.000+08:00

Not all basketball games are created equal. Some games are worth more than others just because there’s more at stake. PBA teams routinely sleepwalk through elimination games especially late in the season when playoff seedings are all but wrapped up. But everybody comes to play for a win-or-go-home game, and moreso when a title is on the line.

And Game Seven of the 2011 PBA Governor’s Cup title series was worth way more than any other PBA game in recent memory.

Consider the stakes. The teams were contesting the fate of Talk ‘N Text’s bid for the mythical Grand Slam, a feat done just four times before in PBA history. The difference between a historic Grand Slam and a two-titles-and-a-runnerup-finish was worlds apart, and a Talk ‘N Text loss would have turned one of the great campaigns in league history into the most bitter of disappointments.

It was also the rematch of the 2010-2011 Philippine Cup finals where Talk ‘N Text emerged with their first title that season. It would have meant the difference between a 2-0 sweep for the Texters in title series against Petron Blaze, or a 1-1 draw for the two teams that best qualify as a legitimate rivalry in today’s PBA.

Throw in the way Talk ‘N Text was rumored to have chosen to play Petron in the finals by tanking in their last game of the round-robin semis, and the
near-fistcuffs between the two coaches early in the title series and you have a game that no player would have trouble getting pumped for.

A regular PBA title, not to undercut its value, isn’t exactly the most rare of feats. When you consider that there are three of them up for grabs every single year, it kind of waters down the accomplishment just the teeniest bit.

But a game with this much at stake – this doesn’t come around too often.

Check out the other nominees for Win of the Year

And the Petron Blaze Boosters showed up for it.

Arwind Santos, fresh off losing the Most Valuable award to Jimmy Alapag, turned in an MVP-type performance. Anthony Grundy proved himself the better import over Scottie Reynolds and Mo Baker. Alex Cabagnot methodically picked the Talk ‘N Text defense apart with his playmaking.

And in the end, the Boosters took home the crown.

This was the win of the year because it was the basketball equivalent of Frodo destroying the One Ring in the fires of Mordor. Talk ‘N Text had dominated the season, won two titles and came within one game of clinching their third and becoming part of PBA history. In the end, what people will remember will be how they failed to win the Grand Slam. In one game, Petron virtually undid everything that Talk ‘N Text worked all season for.

This was the win of the year because it was the most important PBA game in years, and despite having the odds stacked against them, the Petron Blaze Boosters got the job done.

And won.

source by Mikkel Bolante, InterAKTV · Monday, Image by InterAKTV/Markku Seguerra

Team of the Year: The University of the Philippines Pep Squad

2012-01-02T14:33:00.000+08:00

The University of the Philippines Pep Squad win in the Team of the Year category of the InterAKTV Awards is surprising to say the least. The team defeated more heralded squads that had been more prominent in the media throughout last year: the Azkals, SMART-Gilas Pilipinas, the Cobra-PDBF Dragon Warriors, the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, and the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

To illustrate the acclaim for the team, there were more votes cast for the UP Pep Squad than each of the other categories combined. It’s a curious case: the crowd cheering the cheerleaders.

This acclaim, of course, is not undeserved. UP Pep won the championship in the National Games last summer before defending its title in the UAAP cheerdance competition last September. The team wrapped up its charmed year with a bronze medal finish at the 6th Cheerleading World Championships in November.

And yet, despite the obvious popularity of the UP Pep Squad (as evidenced by the votes for them) and their even more obvious success, there will still be people who would be moved to ask, “Is cheerleading even a sport?”

When a person asks that questions, he or she (more often, it’s a he) wouldn’t usually be asking if cheerleading is a sport per se; he is asking if cheerleading is a sport on par with football, basketball, and even dragon boat.

And that question — a wrongheaded one — is even being asked because the asker still holds in his mind an archaic notion of an athlete, and what an athlete should look like. And most members of the UP Pep Squad don’t conform to that stereotype, at least with how they look.

It’s silly because when one moves past the bleached blonde hair (and the shaved armpits), it’s easy to see just how much Pep Squad members are just like any other athlete in any other sport. They juggle their commitments just like any other varsity sports members, and they train for hours with their teammates, to try to perfect their strategy, precision, and execution. When they tire, they sweat the same sweat as other athletes, and when they fall, they break the same bones.

And the results — they’re breathtaking. The UP Pep Squad’s routine at this year’s UAAP cheerdance competition was as exciting, if not more so, as anything that any other Filipino athlete or group of athletes did in 2011. And along the way, they ended up winning their fair share of hearts.

“Is cheerleading even a sport?”

Is that even a question?

source by Jaemark Tordecilla, InterAKTV - image by InterAKTV/Markku Seguerra and Hana Belo

Athlete of the Year: Manny Pacquiao

2012-01-02T14:19:00.001+08:00

In the eyes of even the biggest of his diehard fans, 2011 was a down year for Manny Pacquiao.

He faced two opponents whom experts tabbed as past their prime, Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez, and even though he won, he failed to knock out either of them. And somehow, this lessens Pacquiao’s luster.

This is, of course, unfair to Pacquiao; he shouldn’t be expected to score sensational knockouts each time he steps into the ring. But when one carries the hopes and dreams of almost a hundred million Filipinos, expectations tend to be unfair. That he continues to win while serving as a goodwill ambassador for the Philippines to the rest of the world, while tied down to his commitments as a politician and a celebrity in the country, is amazing.

And maybe that should be enough. Maybe we don’t need the sensational knockouts like we did in the years past.

Because we only have a finite amount of time to spend with Manny Pacquiao, the boxer. Even he admits that he only has a set number of fights left in him — perhaps a mega-showdown with Floyd Mayweather, finally? — before he hangs up his gloves. Right now, as it is, the lure of politics, showbiz, and other ventures is eating into his time as a fighter.

Now is the time to cherish Pacquiao, because we will only have him as a boxer, for so long. After that, who knows if we’ll see someone like him in our lifetimes?

source by Jaemark Tordecilla, InterAKTV
image reuters

CFIM booters see thrilling duel vs Azkals

2012-01-02T13:51:00.002+08:00

CF Internacional de Madrid (CFIM), the third division Spanish club slated to play an Azkals-reinforced Phl team on Jan. 7 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, is expecting a competitive match even if it is basically a charity game.

“I think it is going to be an exciting and competitive match, something which I believe we owe to the organizers of the relief efforts who are working so hard, and to all of the supporters who will turn up for the game,” CFIM chief Stephen Kenneth Newman said in a message on the team’s Facebook account.

The 4 p.m. match, dubbed “Dili Kamo Nag-iisa,” was intended to help victims of typhoon “Sendong,” which left a trail of death and destruction in Cagayan de Oro Ciity and Iligan last Dec. 17. Gate receipts and other proceeds from the game will be donated to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

Internacional de Madrid, which competes in the Tercera Division Grupo 7 of the Spanish League System, said it is “particularly sympathetic to this type of tragedies, more so because of the historical and cultural ties between Spain and the Philippines.”

But the Spaniards will treat the match itself as a regular outing.

“I think for CFIM it is going to be a tough game, because the Azkals will be highly motivated and moved by the occasion. This will not be an exhibition game because I believe that both teams will give their best to make it a truly thrilling and emotional night of football,” said the CFIM boss.

CFIM will go up against a Phl team that, according to Philippine Football Federation official Bonnie Ladrido, will call itself “Azkals Alyansa.”

Leading the local crew are skipper Chieffy Caligdong and fellow Azkals James and Phil Younghusband, Ian Araneta, Anton del Rosario, Nate Burkey, Jason Sabio, Eduard Sacapano, Roel Gener, Nestor Margarse, Misagh Bahadoran and Lexton Moy. Under-23 standouts OJ Clarino, Jinggoy Valmayor, Paolo Pascual and Raymark Fernandez will also be on hand.

The charity game, which will be broadcast by ABS-CBN in the Philippines and Telemadrid in Spain, got precious space in Spanish papers on Saturday as drum-up for the event began.

Filipinos are expected to share this excitement for “Dili Kamo Nag-iisa” especially since tickets pegged between P100 and P500 will already be on sale beginning today via Ticketworld.

The match will also serve as some sort of warmup for the Azkals who will return to training camp this month in preparation for the AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal in March.

ource by Olmin Leyba, The Philippine Star

David revels in underdog status

2012-01-02T13:39:00.000+08:00

Powerade’s ace shooting guard Gary David sees the Tigers as the underdog versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their best-of-seven semifinal series in the PBA Philippine Cup that starts Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

However, the 6-foot-1 David stressed that it’s just a slight advantage that Rain or Shine enjoys as both teams will enter the series inspired by their success in the quarterfinal playoff.

“They had a better showing than us in the eliminations,” David said in Filipino, referring to Powerade’s 6-8 win-loss record that gave them the No. 8 spot.

Rain or Shine wound up with a 9-5 card for the No. 3 seed in the quarters.

The Tigers stunned top seed and twice-to-beat B-Meg Llamados in their series with a pair of thrilling victories, including a 131-123 overtime win in the do-or-die game, while the Painters swept the Ginebra Kings, 2-0, in the best-of-three series.

“But after the quarters, both teams proved that they are worthy contenders for the title,” said David.

After averaging 20.79 points per game in 14 games in the eliminations, the 33-year-old David elevated his performance to another level when he torched B-Meg with 32 points in a 97-88 win that forced the sudden-death game.

In the no-tomorrow encounter with the Llamados, David exploded for 37 points on 12-of-21 shooting from the field, including 8-of-13 from the three-point territory.

David will definitely be the focal point anew of Powerade’s offense, but he said that his team is well-equipped from all positions with rookie guards JV Casio and Rudy Lingganay sharing playing minutes with veteran guard Celino Cruz.

The wing spot is also loaded, according to David as he will lead the charge alongside rookie Marcio Lassiter, Sean Anthony and Josh Vanlandingham, while the frontline unit includes Doug Kramer, Alex Crisano, Rommel Adducul and Will Antonio.

“We’re prepared versus Rain or Shine. We expect a good series, a very exciting match. It’s a new challenge for us. We feel that both teams are equal man-for-man. No team has a definite advantage in the series,” said David.

David isn’t also worried on Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao’s statement that he knows the weak points of the former Lyceum stalwart who played for him with Burger King/Air21 (now Shopinas.com) three years back.

source by Waylon Galvez, mb.com.ph

GM Wesley So to pursue studies abroad

2012-01-02T13:33:00.000+08:00

Wesley So, the country’s youngest Grandmaster, is set to go abroad to concentrate on his studies for the coming year while still pursuing his career in chess.

“Mag-aaral na ako sa university. Nag-stop ako for two years. Right now, 18 na ako, itutuloy ko na ang studies ko,” So said in an interview with InterAKTV.

So, who recently took home a gold medal in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in the men’s individual blitz, said that he will either study in the United States or in Canada for college. He will also participate in chess tilts abroad to continue honing his skills.

“May offers ako doon. Pero ok naman pareho dahil ‘yung university nila, every month may mga laro at makakasali ako sa chess team nila,” said So.

So’s undertaking of pursuing his studies will appear to decrease his tournament appearances locally but he assured that he will still be available for international competitions like the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Games.

“Yung mga international competitions, sasali ako para sa bayan. Kapag summer vacation, I can join local tournaments here,” So said.

One big tournament for 2012 will be the 40th World Chess Olympiad to be held in Istanbul, Turkey where the very best woodpushers converge.

When asked if he wants to compete in the Chess Olympiad, So’s answer was “sure.”

Two years ago, the Philippines finished a lowly 50th place with a men’s team composed of So, John Paul Gomez, Darwin Laylo, Richard Bitoon and Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

A women’ team of Cheradee Camacho, Catherine Perena, Shercila Cua, Rulp Ylem Jose and Jedara Docena also competed in the event finishing 44th.

The country hosted the biennial competition in 1992.

source by Reuben Terrado, InterAKTV

Gotuaco is the new archery darling

2012-01-02T13:15:00.000+08:00

The Philippines found a new darling in archery in Bianca Roxas-Chua Gotuaco.

Only 14 but already a bemedalled bet, Gotuaco looms as the brightest hope in the Youth Olympics in 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016 in Brazil.

“I train very hard and I’m thankful that I’m getting the fruits of all my hard work,” said the high school freshman at International School-Manila after winning five golds in the recent Batang Pinoy competitions in Naga City.

Sweeping all the golds staked in her division including the qualifying round, Olympic round, mixed team event (with National Capital Region) and girls’ team event, Gotuaco also earned the Best Female Archer of Batang Pinoy 2011 plum.

Though it was in Batang Pinoy where her exploits hit the headlines, the youngster has been harvesting accolades here and abroad the past few years.

Early in 2011, she nailed the gold in qualifying round during the Batang Pinoy regionals at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Gotuaco had earlier pulled off her most cherished achievement so far when she won silver in the recurve cub category in the 2011 State Games of America in San Diego, California last August. She was on target in the 40-meter, 30m and 20m distances to finish runner-up.

She made it to the 2011 State Games of America by taking the silver in the same category in the California State Games last August at the Olympic Training Center in San Diego.

Last May, she scooped five golds in the Philippine National Games in Bacolod, taking the top plum in the 50m, 40m, 30m, 20m, and highest Fita.

Now she has her sights on bigger events like the US Nationals in Ohio and the Nor’Easter Tournament in Massachusetts next year, hoping to gain enough experience and skill to compete in the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.

Gotuaco is also preparing to compete in the Palarong Pambansa in Pangasinan, and PNG in Dumaguete next summer.

source by Marc Anthony Reyes,Philippine Daily Inquirer

Corteza eyes World Pool Crown in 2012

2012-01-02T13:04:00.000+08:00

Filipino cue artist Lee Vann Corteza wants to win the WPA World Crown in 2012 and join an elite group of Filipino world champions.

"Target kong makopo ang WPA World Crown (8-ball, 9-ball and 10-ball) para makasama ko yung mga Filipino world champion," Corteza said.

Among the Filipinos who have won the WPA World Crown are Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Alex Pagulayan, Dennis Orcollo, Ronato Alcano and Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit.

"Yung na lang talaga ang kulang ni (Corteza), ang World Championship crown," said Christopher Palses, Corteza's head coach at the Negros Billiards Stable.

A 2-time National Open champion, Corteza hopes to continue his winning run in 2012 when he competes in the Derby City Classic in Kentuky in January, the World 8-Ball Championship in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates in February and the Japan Open in March.

Last 2011, Corteza defeated a number of high-caliber opponents, including compatriot and world number 1 Dennis Orcollo. He racked up 4 major titles in the last 5 months.

Corteza won the 2011 Golden Brea 9-Ball Asian Invitational Championship in Malaysia last August, the San Miguel Beer Oktoberfest 9-Ball Open Masters in October, the Philippine Bigtime Billiards Face-Off and the Manny Pacquiao International 10-Ball Championships, both in December.

Corteza also won the US Open 10-Ball Championship in 2010, which he considers as the greatest achievement of his career.

source by Marlon Bernardino, abs-cbnNEWS.com

Showdown looms in PH Amateur golf

2012-01-02T12:31:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - A wide-open battle for top honors in both the men's and ladies divisions is expected when the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championships is held Jan. 5-8 at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna.

Wang Jeung Hun ran away with a six-shot victory over Jobim Carlos at the tough Riviera's Langer layout last year but the Korean teener faces a stiff challenge this time, not only from Carlos and the other local aces but also from a slew of foreign challengers.

Top players from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have confirmed participation in the blue-ribbon event, kicking off a series of tournaments lined up by organizing National Golf Association of the Phils. this year in its continuing effort to provide members of the national pool top-level tournaments.

But the challenge will most likely come from Carlos, who is coming off a big victory in last week's NGAP National Doubles Golf Championship at the AFP Golf Club where he and partner Raymundo Gonzales dominated the field via a seven-stroke victory.

Rupert Zaragosa, the reigning junior and national champion, former titlist Clyde Mondilla, John Kier Abdon, Art Arbole and Miggy Yee of the ICTSI-Canlubang squad, Cebu's Lloyd Go and the crack squad from reigning PAL Interclub champion Del Monte, led by Noel Langamin, Magno Arancon and Leonard Lofranco, are also in the fold, ensuring a battle royal in the four-day stroke-play championship.

Others seeing action are jungolfers Carlos Packing and Lawrence Celestino of Eastridge, Forest Hills' Raymund Inigo and Joseph Uy, Tagaytay Highlands' Junro Mamaril, Jama Reyes of Alabang, Wolen Superal, Eugene Bunyi, Rogelio Roque, Miguel Shah of Alabang, Sebastian Lorenzo, Santiago Lorenzo, Gino Brizuela, Justin Quiban, Miko Alejandro and Brent Sumampong.

A down-to-the-wire battle is also seen in the ladies side with Andie Unson tipped to go up against her teammates in the ICTSI squad, headed by Dottie Ardina, Jayvie Agojo, Sarah Ababa and Lovelynn Guioguio.

They will be challenged by emerging stars Rainstar Roque and Claire Amelia Legaspi along with Chanelle Avaricio, Princess Superal, Ann Therese Sabater, Rachita Vasandani, Pauline del Rosario, Micah Shin, Apple Fudolin, Ping Jarales and veteran campaigner Eva Miñoza.

Amelia Yong and Koh Soch Hwee, meanwhile, head the foreign challenge with the Singaporean shotmakers along with a couple of Malaysian bets planing in tomorrow to familiarize themselves with the tough par-72 layout.

source by The Philippine Star

2011: The year the Azkals revived Philippine football

2012-01-02T11:16:00.000+08:00

The year 2011 will perhaps be remembered as the Philippine football's revival. The Azkals were known, or rather barely known, for losing consistently. Four years ago the Azkals weren't even entered for the World Cup qualifiers and other competitions and lost five games in a row, one to Singapore and two each to Malaysia and Thailand, conceding four goals in every game and scoring just one in all five.

The seeds of the team were already there, though, and after the losing record they went on an 11-match unbeaten run racking up five wins and six draws. Without making a mark in any major competition or beating a well-ranked team, the team was just competing for the title of the best of the minnows in Southeast Asia.

Since Manager Dan Palami took control of the team, however, they have improved their ranks and confidence and shocked Asia with a 2-0 victory over regional powerhouse Vietnam in the 2010 Suzuki Cup. This kick-started everything and set the scene for 2011 to become the biggest year in Philippine football history since the glory days of Paulino Alcantara and the Philippines' solitary trophy in 1913 when they beat China 2-1 to win the first ever Far Eastern Games.

The team went on to become at one stage the most improved nation in the world, based on ELO ratings. This is somewhat remarkable given football was virtually unknown to the general populace. TV networks hurriedly reorganized schedules to show matches, some networks just hearing for the first time that the Philippines had a football team. So here's the first part of a two-part series looking at how the Azkals have achieved that success and the forecast for 2012.

February: Challenge Cup qualifiers 1st round
Many nations didn't have to qualify for the group stage of the Challenge Cup in 2011, which was in itself the qualifying stage for the Challenge Cup in 2012. In their group only the Philippines had to go through the knockout qualifying stage which also saw Afghanistan, Taiwan and Cambodia enter the group stage. The first leg was played in Bacolod, considered by many to be Philippine football's home given the popularity of the sport. Indeed the official 20,000 capacity crowd is perhaps an underestimate and was by far the biggest audience of any of the qualifying matches.

The Philippines dominated the match after Mongolia went down to 10 men 25 minutes into the game after Pagamsuren Altantulga was sent off. Fittingly, Iloilo native Chieffy Caligdong broke the deadlock as the first half was drawing to a close. With everyone thinking it would end goalless he popped up on the left wing to dink the ball over his defender and volley it through the goalkeeper's legs.

In control of the game but unable to kill it off, the Philippines seemed to be heading into a tricky away leg with only a single goal advantage for all the possessions and shots. Into the fourth minute of injury time, Phil Youngshusband sent the crowd into a frenzy as he squeezed the ball in on the rebound.

In the return leg in Mongolia, the Azkals got off to a flying start when James Younghusband scored in the 4th minute. This put the Azkals up 3-0 on aggregate and though Mongolia came back to score two first-half goals and bring the aggregate score to 3-2 to the Philippines, they couldn't managed to score again and the Azkals qualified for the next round.

Success: The Philippines were the only team in this knockout round to beat a higher ranked opposition on aggregate to qualify.

March: Challenge Cup qualifying group stage
Having beaten Mongolia, the team now entered the group stage of qualification, a round robin of four teams with the top two making it through to the final stage of the tournament in March, 2012.

Drawn against Bangladesh, Palestine and hosts Myanmar, it was a tricky group which got off to a disheartening start when leading for most of the match Myanmar scored a late free-kick to take a share of the points. Palestine beat both Myanmar and Bangladesh in their other games but failed to score against the Philippines as the two played out a 0-0 draw and left an all or nothing clash in the Philippines' final game of the group against Bangladesh.

Anything less than a win would see Bangladesh or Myanmar qualify while a victory would guarantee progression to the finals. As it was, the Philippines finally turned on the style and the team gelled to outclass their opponents to win 3-0. Qualifying behind Palestine in the group, the team made the Challenge Cup Finals in March, 2012.

Success: The Philippines were the only qualifiers of the knockout round to also qualify for the final stages.

June-July: World Cup qualification
The Philippines were drawn against Sri Lanka in the opening round of the AFC World Cup Qualification. Moving up in the rankings, the Philippines were rated higher than Sri Lanka though things got off to a sluggish start as Sri Lanka took the lead in Colombo through a deflected free kick before Nate Burkey scored the equalizer.

With their backs to the walls the Azkals showed their fighting spirit again and dominated a lackluster Sri Lankan side at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Winning 4-0, the team advanced into the Second Round of World Cup Qualification, 5-1 on aggregate.

The draw saw the Azkals face Kuwait in the next round, a team ranked 67 places above them at the time. The start was sluggish again and the absence of Aly Borromeo and Stephan Schrock, due to suspensions, also didn't help the team in a 3-0 loss to Kuwait.

With little chance of progressing the Azkals came out strong in front of a home crowd in the second tie as Rizal Memorial Stadium started to become the team's fortress. The Philippines took the lead with what later became the Kaholeros' goal of the year: Stephan Schrock hammered the ball into the top of the net from 25 yards out.

Kuwait came back in the second half and equalized before having a man sent off. Pushing for an upset win, the Azkals were caught on the break and Kuwait took the lead with 10 men. The result meant that the team was knocked out of the World Cup Qualification 4-1 on aggregate but they won many plaudits along the way.

An honorable mention also goes to Yanti Barsales, who retired from international football in June, playing his last game for the Azkals against a UFL XI. The year 2011 has been the best for Philippine football, but the current stars owe much to standing on the shoulders of Barsales, who made his debut in 1992, and other Filipino veterans.

Success: The Philippines recorded their first victory in World Cup Qualification and battled to a 2-1 loss against the reigning Gulf Cup of Nations Champions, Kuwait, in the next round.

September-October: Long Teng Cup
Reaching the next round of World Cup Qualification had lifted the Azkals high in the public consciousness and television coverage was now almost guaranteed for each match. From being unknown, news about the team was starting to flood the nation's consciousness.

Tipped as potentially the Philippines' first trophy since 1913, the 2011 Long Teng Cup seemed to start in the worst possible way with Hong Kong scoring two early goals and asserting their dominance. Phil Younghusband converted a penalty to put the Azkals back into contention before half-time though and after the break Caligdong, so often the team's creative inspiration, scored twice to put the Philippines ahead. In the dying minutes of the game it seemed the Philippines had completed a remarkable comeback against the tournament's highest ranked team until Hong Kong equalized in the 86th minute.

In their next match, the Philippines faced Taiwan, which had already beaten Macau 3-0. Playing out a 0-0 draw the Philippines would repeat their feat in the Challenge Cup of drawing the opening two games before winning the last game to finish second in the group with five points. A 2-0 win over Macau gave the Philippines those points, though truth be told it wasn't the Azkals' best performance and the Philippines only won as Caligdong dragged his country into second place. Hong Kong meanwhile destroyed Macau 5-1 and Taiwan 6-0 to rule the Long Teng Cup for the second time.

Success: The Azkals improved on their position climbing to second place in the group with two draws and a win compared to a win, draw and a loss the year before.

Fun fact: Ian Araneta was the 2010 Long Teng Cup's top scorer, netting four goals in three games. This time around Caligdong was the only player in the tournament to score four goals to win the Golden Boot award.

October: Friendlies
With no tournaments left for the senior team in the year the Philippine Football Federation arranged friendly matches for the national side. First saw Singapore looking for revenge as the last encounter between the two nations ended in a 1-1 draw which eventually knocked Singapore out of the 2010 Suzuki Cup in the group stage for the first time since 2002. Singapore won the game 2-0 but they had to work for the result.

Ranked 30 places above the Philippines at the time it was still a worthy effort from the Azkals, who faced a Nepal side that is a place above Singapore in the FIFA rankings. Two goals from Phil Younghusband, one from his brother James and one from Matthew Hartmann had the visitors posting a 4-0 triumph.

Success: The Philippines established themselves as the most improved nation in the world based on ELO ratings. An arguably more accurate rating system, developed by a chess grandmaster, the ELO ratings showed the Azkals had been the most improved country in the world over the past 12 months at this point.

November: SEA Games
The SEA Games were perhaps the biggest disappointment of the year for football fans. Without adequate preparation, the Under-23 players struggled against their Southeast Asian rivals and recorded one win in five games.

The U23 team lost to Vietnam 3-1 in their opening game and was followed by a surprise 2-1 defeat to Timor Leste. The team defeated Laos in extra time as Joshua Beloya struck two late goals to turn around a 2-1 deficit and record their only points of the campaign. The Junior Azkals also suffered consecutive losses to Myanmar (5-0) and Brunei (2-1) as the Philippines dropped to the bottom of the group.

Success: Not much in this case though finding several younger players with great potential show Philippine football's future.

December: LA Galaxy
The game itself ended 6-1 in favor of the LA Galaxy, the Azkals' biggest loss of the year. Yet the result didn't matter as playing against the LA Galaxy in the first place was the achievement.

This capped the Azkals' year in style as David Beckham, arguably the biggest football star in recent football history, graced Manila by opening the scoring with a trademark curling shot and whipped in crosses to supply the next few goals. With teammates such as USA's top goal scorer Landon Donovan, Ireland's Robbie Keane and a host of other quality players, the spectacle was what was important this time around.

While it wouldn't be wise to have many such games, deflating the confidence of the Philippine players with heavy losses, as Weiss pointed out after the game, it was the perfect way to cap off the year.

Success: Originally the LA Galaxy had not intended to play in the Philippines. After the success of 2011, the newly crowned MLS champions were convinced that football had grown enough in popularity and quality to stop by the Philippines on the way to Australia. The LA Galaxy is the biggest club to visit the Philippines in decades. —

source by JVP/HS, GMA News

Donaire KO win over Montiel tops for 2011

2012-01-02T11:09:00.000+08:00

It was a left counterpunch that nobody saw coming. Especially not Fernando Montiel.

Nonito Donaire Jr.’s sensational second round annihilation of the feared Mexican title-holder to wrest the WBC and WBO bantamweight titles at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas last Feb. 19 was enshrined in the sport by ESPN and RingTV.com as Knockout of the Year for 2011.

Fighting for the first time in the bantamweight division against no less than a three-division champion in Montiel, Donaire used his natural quickness and powerful fists to fend off the Mexican warrior in the first round.

Then the end came in the second round.

As ESPN.com recounted it: “Montiel landed a short right hand, but Donaire came over the top immediately with a pinpoint counter left hook to the side of the face. Montiel never saw it coming. As he was falling into Donaire on his way to the mat, Donaire got in a little window-dressing right hand to the head.”

Montiel tried to get up, but his body betrayed him. His legs twitched in a scary way while his hands laid outstretched.

Referee Russel Mora, showing too much respect for the fallen champion but little concern over his safety, green-lighted him to go on. But Donaire, all fired up, swarmed on Montiel in an instant, forcing the referee to thankfully stop the carnage.

The slam-bang fight easily eclipsed that of Nabuhiro Ishida’s first-round KO of James Kirkland in April, according to RingTV pool which gave the Donaire-Montiel fight 78.1 percent in readers’ voting.

source by Marc Anthony Reyes, Philippine Daily Inquirer

PBA Dream Game 2012: Blue vs Green

2012-01-02T11:00:00.000+08:00

This one is not a fantasy league that features an intimidating frontcourt combination of Enrico Villanueva, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao and Japeth Aguilar, or a dazzling backcourt mixture of Mike Cortez, JV Casio, and Mac Cardona.

Only in a dream match featuring long-time college rivals Ateneo and La Salle can one witness a collection of basketball superstars gathered in a single major event.

On Feb. 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Archers and Eagles renew their age-old cage rivalry by playing a one-game exhibition match dubbed `Blue vs. Green: Dream Game 2012.’

Norman Black, architect of Ateneo’s dominant four-year reign (2008-2011) in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament, will call the shots for the Katipunan-based squad, while Franz Pumaren, who authored a similar four-peat rule by the Archers from 1998-2001, will be the one at the helm of La Salle’s bench.

Villanueva, Al-Hussaini, Baclao and Aguilar comprise the Ateneo roster that also includes L.A Tenorio, JC Intal, Larry Fonacier, Doug Kramer, Rich Alvarez, Wesley Gonzales, Magnum Membrere, and Eric Salamat.

The trio of Cortez, Casio,and Cardona banner the La Salle side to be reinforced by RenRen Ritualo, Don Allado, Joseph Yeo, Rico Maierhoffer, Willie Wilson, TY Tang, Ryan Arana, Carlo Sharma, Jerwin Gaco, and Brian Ilad.

All 25 players are currently seeing action in the PBA.

This marks the first Ateneo-La Salle exhibition game in four years, since the two proud schools fought to a 90-90 standoff in a 2008 charity match. Being an exhibition encounter, there was no extra period played.

A similar, memorable matchup took place in 2005 best remembered for the fight that broke up between Villanueva and Yeo, who was ejected out of the game. Villanueva won the game for the Eagles with a three-pointer in the dying seconds, 88-85.

Considered one of the colorful and greatest rivalries in Philippine sports, the basketball competition between La Salle-Ateneo dates back to the early years of the NCAA, where both schools were founding members, and carried on to the UAAP until these days.

Over the last decade, the Eagles and Archers met for the UAAP men’s basketball title three times, with Ateneo winning in 2002 and 2008 and the Archers prevailing in 2001.

source by Philippine Daily Inquirer

Peek is ready to rumble

2011-12-30T20:54:00.002+08:00

Talk ’N Text’s veteran center Ali Peek has been given clearance by his doctors to play again in the PBA Philippine Cup nearly two months after he was shot in the nape by a still unidentified gunman inside the RFM gym parking lot in Mandaluyong City.

“He’s cleared to play again,” said TNT team manager Aboy Castro in a phone interview with the Bulletin yesterday.

Castro said that the massive 6-foot-4 Peek had his final test by doctors at the Medical City in Ortigas, Pasig City, including an angiogram. It was actually the second test done to the 36-year-old cager who is in his 13th year in the pro league.

Early this month, Peek, who averaged 8.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.5 shot blocks through six games with TNT, went to the United States to have a second opinion on his injury.

Days after the shooting incident, Peek and his family opted not to go under the knife to remove the lodged bullet in his nape, which was then a concern that it might paralyze him or kill him if he returns to basketball.

However, all these, according to Castro have been carefully studied by doctors here and abroad.

“The doctors in the US gave him clearance. The test done here (last Tuesday) was just confirmatory, since it was part of the process. It will take just a few days for him to rest after the test. He’ll rejoin the team on Monday,” Castro said.

“Well, we need him in the semifinals. His presence will be a big help to the team,” added Castro as TNT will face Petron Blaze in the best-of-seven semifinal series starting Jan. 5, 2012.

source by Walon Galvez, mb.com.ph

Donaire takes on heavier sparring partners

2011-12-29T17:23:00.002+08:00

Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. is taking on heavier sparring partners for his fight against heavy-handed Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. of Puerto Rico.

Donaire is climbing the 122-pound class to battle Vazquez for the WBO title.

Donaire’s chief sparring partners for this training camp are Russia’s Evgeny Gradovich and Mexico’s Javier “Pelos” Garcia, according to Examiner.com.

The 25-year-old Gradovich is an undefeated featherweight (126 pounds) while 22-year-old Garcia fights as a lightweight (135 pounds).

Donaire will need to fortify himself against Vazquez, who has scored 18 knockouts in 21 professional wins.

The Filipino Flash, who has 18 knockouts in 27 victories, will fight Vazquez at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on February 4.

Donaire is the reigning WBC and WBO bantamweight champion. He will relinquish the crowns upon climbing the super bantamweight ranks.

source by abs-cbnNEWS.com

Rain or Shine confident of foiling Powerade’s Gary David

2011-12-29T17:13:00.000+08:00

If Powerade is pinning its hopes mainly on Gary David in its best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series against Rain or Shine, then coach Yeng Guiao feels that his Elasto Painters have more than an even chance to win.

“We have tall and quick players who can match up with David,” said Guiao as he exuded confidence in the duel that begins Jan. 4 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay. “I feel really good the way we’re playing. I think we can handle Powerade in a seven-game series.”

David is the tournament’s leading scorer with an average of just under 23 points a game. He is the single biggest reason why the Tigers have made it to this stage of the conference, their first in more than seven years of futility.

But Guiao feels that former Rookie of the Year Gabe Norwood, lefty Ryan Araña and the versatile Jireh Ibanez can shut down David, or at least hold the prolific former Lyceum star to the minimum, the way they did on Oct. 9.

In that game, the Painters starved David to just 14 points in a 96-93 victory.

But while the multititled coach likes his chances, he is not about to let that seep into his players’ heads. Guiao knows full well the wringer the Tigers went through against top-ranked B-Meg Derby Ace to move closer to the championship.

“You have to respect what Powerade has achieved,” Guiao said. “They’re peaking at the right time and we have to address their strength at the point guard and wing positions.”

Aside from David, Guiao and the Painters need to control the production of rookies JV Casio and Marcio Lassiter, who were both big in the series against B-Meg.

Rain or Shine also leans on another player—super rookie Paul Lee, the second overall choice in the Draft behind Casio and who is seen by pundits as the player who could finally turn the fortunes around for the Painters.

The stocky 6-foot guard has been an all-around machine for Guiao, leading the Painters in assists and steals and is second in scoring behind three-point artist Jeff Chan.

And while Guiao is busy prepping the squad on tactics to shut down David, the Tigers’ Bo Perasol is obviously doing the same to hold down Lee and prevent the former University of the East ace from taking over the series.

The winner of the matchup will take on the winner of the Petron Blaze-Talk ‘N Text pairing in another best-of-seven series to decide the champion. The Tropang Texters and the Boosters open their series on Jan. 5.

source by Musong R. Castillo, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gregorio flies to US to scout for Meralco import

2011-12-29T17:05:00.000+08:00

Ryan Gregorio wants to see his import up close and personal.

The Meralco coach left for the United States on Wednesday after a short holiday vacation in Hong Kong for a busy trip aimed to expand his coaching knowledge while providing an opportunity for hims to scout for a reinforcement for the the 2012 PBA Commissioners’ Cup, which imposes no height limits for imports.

“I’m going to watch UCLA games versus Arizona and Arizona State then observe their practice sessions,” Gregorio wrote in a text message to InterAKTV. “Then I will watch the Los Angeles D-Fenders playing their home game in the NBA D-League.”

“I will also see the NBA D-League showcase in Reno, Nevada, where I might look for import options.”

Gregorio’s Bolts are coming off a quarterfinal round loss at the hands of Petron Blaze in the Philippine Cup, a tournament which saw Meralco win a franchise-record eight games. The coach knows that finding a good import can help their fortunes, and with no height limits, Gregorio knows exactly what he’s looking for.

“We need a center, that’s for sure, so we’re getting one, hopefully in the D-League.”

source by Reynaldo Belen, InterAKTV ·