GAME TODAY (Araneta Coliseum)
3 p.m. -- Ateneo vs De La Salle

MANILA, Philippines--THE COUNTRY’S GREATEST collegiate rivals take the court one last time in the UAAP basketball tournament this season.


And the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the De La Salle Green Archers continue to stoke the suspense as neither team claimed the advantage in their showdown for the second championship slot.

“We won by one point (last Thursday), I don’t see too much of an advantage there,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black. “It could have gone either way. Like I said before, these two teams are pretty evenly matched. It really depends on who has the will to win on that particular game.”

The and fifth and last chapter—at least this season—of the emotionally charged rivalry will start at 3 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum with the winner sealing a best-of-three championship series against University of the East.

“There’s no momentum in an Ateneo-La Salle game, but this is a different case, they just beat us by one point,” said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren. “But we’re still confident. Everybody will just have to step up and contribute.”

The Archers missed a chance to close out the semifinal series after the Eagles came from behind to pull off a 65-64 squeaker to forge this do-or-die battle for the last Finals berth.

“There will be no major changes, if any, it will be very minimal,” said Pumaren.

But the Eagles believe a lot more is needed to finish the job despite showing enough character to recover from the brink of elimination.

“It looks like we did a lot of things wrong,” said Black. “La Salle played well, particularly defensively. We have to do a better job offensively while maintaining our defense. We must do a better job of breaking their press, which resulted to a lot of turnovers.”

It was Chris Tiu who saved the day for Ateneo, scoring five of the team’s last seven points, including the game-winning drive with 7.3 seconds left.

History, too, isn’t on the Eagles side as only five third seeds have gone past the No. 2 squad since the Final Four format was introduced in 1994.

The Eagles have also never won four times against the Archers in one season.

And under Pumaren, the Archers have advanced to the Finals in all seven times they claimed the twice-to-beat bonus.

“The main thing is to prepare and to come out to play,” said Black.

“It’s all about heart and determination to win the game,” said Pumaren.

And it’s really all what the Eagles and the Archers can do judging from their four, highly unpredictable matches which saw no team winning by more than three points.
By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer

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LOS ANGELES -- FOLLOWING REPORTS that the enemy has a new counter-plot, Manny Pacquiao on Saturday unveiled the exclusive lethal blow, earlier likened to a bomb, which he polished during another no-break 14-round punching drill before familiar faces at the Wild Card gym here.


After a strict screening of guests, trainer Freddie Roach allowed Pacquiao to throw killer punches openly, with no let-up, unlike during media-day Thursday when the so-called bomb was kept under wraps.

Broken down, the special weapon is the culminating shot, not unlike a steel dagger, dug into the tip of the rib cage.

In its singularity, it’s safe to say that the weapon is not actually a single blow, but a crushing combo of big, sharp punches. It could freely be called a liver breaker.

“Well, the great thing with Manny is that he seems to be even hungrier than he was before,” Roach explained.

That means, Roach added, that Pacquiao’s fabled warrior’s appetite has not diminished despite his success and the superb form he has achieved through months of intensive training.

Pacquiao, who had another gruelling run through the hilly Griffith Park yesterday morning before the afternoon workout, returns to the gym for more rounds of sparring today.

Roach would not elaborate on when they first plotted the bomb-like blow, which was not in the Pacquiao artillery in his trilogy against Erik Morales.

“I don’t care if Barrera uses dirty tactics,” Pacquiao said. “The referee will take care of that.”

Pacquiao did a total of 27 rounds in various gym work, topped by the 14-round non-stop punching drill, up from the 23 rounds Thursday.

He meets Marco Antonio Barrera, whom he stopped four years ago, in a rematch in Las Vegas on Oct. 6.

Meanwhile, the undefeated Edwin Valero, WBA 130-lb champion, picked Barrera over Pacquiao in an interview with the Spanish paper Esto.

Valero, who worked as Barrera sparmate in Guadalajara, said Barrera is faster than ever and will most likely get the decision.

Valero, a slow puncher, also described Pacquiao as awkward.

There were unconfirmed reports Valero had knocked out Barrera in one of their sparring sessions.

source:
By Recah Trinidad
Inquirer

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- KATHLEEN Eunice Alora bowed to slippery Hanna Sajc of Sweden, 4-3, Friday as the Philippine taekwondo campaign in the World Championships started on a sad note at the World Qualifying event at the Manchester Evening News (MEN) Arena here.


The soft-spoken De La Salle coed shed a tear of frustration after chasing Sajc all match long only to absorb crisp counterkicks that kept the Laguna lass at bay and proved decisive in the women’s -49kg division match.

“She did what she had to do, but the opponent was powerfull and skillful,” said women’s team coach Rocky Samson. “There were points not given that I think she deserved, especially in the third round.”

Samson later admitted that Alora moved “stiffly and tight.”

Sacj eventually lost in the quarterfinals to Spain’s two-time champ Brigit Yague. The Spaniard favorite, however, lost out in the medal round to the eventual champion from Chinese Taipei.

The RP campaign resumes Saturday with Olympic veterans Thsomlee Go and Mary Antoinette Rivero seeing action.

Go opens his bid in the tough 58-man field of the -58kg division, while Rivero competes in the women’s -67kg category that has 29 entries.

Alexander Briones, the fourth member of the RP squad sent by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Taekwondo Association, will compete on Sunday in the men’s -80kg division.

Alora immediately found herself trailing following a brief exchange of kicks. She evened up later on but the Swede finished the round holding a 2-1 lead.

With a seemingly simple fighting style, Sacj patiently waited for an opening to pad the advantage to 3-1, before Alora made it 3-2 with a turning kick late in the second round.

“After the second round, the gameplan was for her to score quick two points,” said Samson.

But the Swede connected on two more body blows for 5-2, before the Filipina delivered a point of her own with 20 seconds to go. Sacj, trying to preserve her lead, was then deducted one point after twice getting a warning for evading action.

Alora chased her all around the court as time expired.

source:
By Marc Anthony Reyes
Inquirer

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At long last, Paypal’s promise to allow receiving funds into Philippine accounts have been fulfilled. Just today, reports have been circulating in the previous post here about the development.

I did a money transfer from an old and verified Premier account into my new Philippine Paypal account and it works. From the Paypal Help Pages, the Philippine flag is now displayed under “Send. Receive. Withdraw to a U.S. Bank Account or a card.” along with 22 other countries.

source: READ COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE via YUGATECH.com

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MANILA, Philippines -- They surprisingly cleared their dugout early.

The La Salle Green Archers didn't grieve for long after falling a basket short of barging to the UAAP basketball Finals.


"Mistakes are painful, but you turn mistakes into experience," said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren.

Apparently, there's still no messing up the Archers' determination even after a heartbreaking one-point loss to rival Ateneo, 65-64, in the stepladder semifinals last Thursday.

The crucial setback forged a do-or-die showdown between the blood rivals Sunday, giving the Archers little time to lick their wounds.

And as the Archers try to figure out what went wrong, Pumaren sees no need to rebuild their faith in claiming the right to play the University of the East Warriors in a best-of-three championship series.

"What we lost was our [twice-to-beat] privilege," said Pumaren. "We left the dugout early and I think it showed that we're still confident. I think we're capable of bouncing back and redeeming ourselves."

Still, the Archers took note of their shortcomings, including how the Eagles clobbered them in the rebounding battle, 41-29.

"It showed the lack of depth of our team, our shallow rotation especially with (rookie center) Brian Ilad not playing (due to a suspension)," said Pumaren. "But that's not an excuse. As a coach, it's our job to utilize the materials that we have."

Even more crucial, the Archers need to check on the missed offensive opportunities and defensive lapses in the final two minutes where they threw away a six-point buffer.

Veteran guard Chris Tiu delivered the dagger shots in a 7-0 comeback that saved the Eagles' season by the slimmest possible margin.

But Pumaren expects more than just a review of their gameplan slip-ups. An attitude overhaul remains in top order in the Archers' fifth meeting with the gritty Eagles this season.

"The players tend to be complacent," the 44-year-old mentor said. "In our last 16 games, there's not a single game that everyone played well. Every game, only two or three played well. We're waiting for us to play what we're really capable of. And hopefully it will be next game. We're still confident. We're looking forward to Sunday."

source:
By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer

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LOS ANGELES--Manny Pacquiao, lacking in good defense during a previous session, poured it on Friday against a couple of Mexican sparmates to get a rave response from a fullhouse gym crowd dominated by people from the media.


There was the flash of power, precision and speed that earned applause after the first three torrid rounds against Daniel Cervantes.

The crowd witnessed some of the finest moves from the RP boxing hero, popularly dubbed as the most exciting boxer in the world today, in his most impressive workout since arriving here Saturday.

But, without meaning to trick or deceive, Pacquiao did not unwrap the killer punch which he worked to perfection on Monday during a detailed, non-stop work with the punch mitts.

"Manny today? He was just playing out there," trainer Freddie Roach said.

It hardly looked that way because Pacquiao was actually quite businesslike in the first three rounds, and turned a bit cozy only when he next faced David Rodela, who was already with him in the Cebu training camp.

Pacquiao had the luxury of doing the Ali shuffle in the closing portion of the six-round drill when he would opt to drop his guard and openly pull his punches.

The truth is that Pacquiao had been given strict orders not to bring out a very special shot, which could be likened to a mini-bomb with its jolting sharpness and impact, during Friday"s media day at the Wild Card gym.

"Hindi talaga pinagamit [He was not allowed to use it]," explained one trusted Team Pacquiao staffer who requested anonymity.

The order supposedly came from Roach himself. The reason cited was the presence of more than enough Mexicans in the crowd.

Practically everybody close to the ring had something in hand to record the action. But, before the session could start, security officer Rob Peterson barked out an order: No videos, no flashbulbs.

Pacquiao did not disappoint the media men as he readily banged it up with Cervantes, who owns a neat 10-0 record.

Cervantes would have some great moments in the first three minutes as he caught Pacquiao with a few uppercuts and landed neat shots to the head.

It would, however, be an altogether different story when Pacquiao decided to pour it on starting in the second round. He feinted with a right, then burried a left straight to the midsection that stalled Cervantes at midring.

Pacquiao pressed harder and closed the second round with a blazing display of big punches that could have decked any fighter not wearing the thick head leather gear.

The bell rang and the crowd roared.

Little did they know that Pacquiao had hidden the "bomb" which he plans to explode to cover all possible Marco Antonio Barrera escape routes in Las Vegas on Oct. 6.

source:
By Recah Trinidad
Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- As expected, Fil-American Gabe Norwood emerged as the top pick in the PBL entry draft Friday.


Although absent, the mainstay of the Philippine team to the last Fiba Asia men's championship became the first choice of Hapee Toothpaste despite the uncertainty of the 6-foot-5 guard's return to the country.

Hapee took the gamble, citing ongoing talks with Norwood's agent Jim Naughton.

"I already talked to his manager and he (Naughton) promised to settle pending commitments of Gabe in the US before coming back to the country; then we'll talk about the offer," Hapee team manager Bernard Yang said after the draft held at the penthouse of the Philippine Stock Exchange in Pasig City.

Jervy Cruz, the 6-foot-5 star center of University of Santo Tomas, was the second choice, while FEU's Marnel Baracel was picked fourth by the Lina Group of Companies, which acquired the Welbest franchise.

Toyota Balintawak drafted JRU's James Ryan Sena third, along with Fil-Am Richard Cole and JRU standouts Marvin Hayes and John Wilson in the succeeding rounds.

Pharex made former FEU forward Alfred Gerilla its sixth pick, while Bacchus Energy Drink selected University of the East guard James Martinez at seventh.

Harbour Centre, the reigning three-time champion, earned supplemental picks for loaning its core to the national amateur team and chose Biola University's Solomon Mercado and FEU's Benedict Fernandez.

San Miguel-Magnolia acquired Jefemil Khalili, Fil-Am Kevin Dalafu and University of the Philippines' Magi Sison.

Pharex tabbed Pepito Daryl, Jeff de Guzman and Kevyn White in the next rounds, while San Beda's John Hermida, Melchor Gile and Michael Kong went to Hapee.

source:
By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante pulled off the first whitewash of the tournament Thursday to underscore their worth as defending champions in the 2007 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool at the Outland Nightclub in Rotterdram, the Netherlands.


The top-rated Filipinos crushed Philipp Stojanovic and Ivica Putnik of Croatia, 8-0, and became the first team to reach the quarterfinals slated Saturday.

The impressive win created as much ripple as Japan's upset of the host country's bets and the tightrope act of the American combination of Rodney Morris and Corey Deuel.

Satoshi Kawabata and Naoyuki Oi put up a tremendous performance by beating Netherlands A's Niels Feijen and Nick van den Berg, 8-7, and the Japanese could face the Filipinos in the semifinals set Sunday.

The Americans, seeded second as last year's losing finalists, proved luckier than the home stars as they slipped past Tony Drago and Alex Borg of Malta by the same 8-7 cliffhanger.

In other matches, Switzerland (Marco Tschudi and Dimitri Jungo) booted out Hungary, 8-5; Finland (Mika Immonen and Markus Juva) ousted Qatar, 8-5; and England (Imran Majid and Daryl Peach) slipped past Poland, 8-6.

Reyes and Bustamante will next face the winner of the France-China duel in the quarterfinals. Stephan Cohen and Vincent Facquet banner France while the Chinese bets are Li He-wen and Fu Jianbo.

Japan will take on the winner of the clash between Singapore (Chan Keng Kwang and Toh Lian Han) and Austria (Martin Kempter and Albin Ouschan).

Friday's other round-of-32 matches pit Canada against Korea, Austria against Singapore, Switzerland against US, Finland against England and Belgium against Taiwan.

The scotch doubles event offers a champion's purse of $60,000.

The third-ranked Taiwanese are bannered by former world 9-ball champion Wu Chia-ching and Yang Ching-shun.

source:
Marlon Bernardino, Contributor / Inquirer

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LOS ANGELES -- Manny Pacquiao’s mission to again crush Mexico’s Marco Antonio Barrera may not come trouble-free based on the result of a sparring session that saw the Filipino boxing superstar getting repeatedly tagged with right shots to the head Wednesday.


The 28-year-old Pacquiao, an overwhelming pick to repeat over Barrera whom he had stopped four years ago, was predictably strong and brimmed with stamina in his eight-round drill against two Mexicans fighters.

But the defensive lapses were too stark to be overlooked by both fans and experts that again milled inside the Wild Card gym in Pacquiao’s second workout here since arriving from his Cebu training on Saturday.

Freddie Roach saw it all and, although the famous trainer did not readily manifest alarm, he promised to talk to Pacquiao about his initial apprehensions.

“Freddie (Roach) said he would have to ask Manny to polish up on defense and use his right hand with more confidence,” bared a Filipino newsman who talked to the trainer after the sparring Wednesday.

Twenty-one-year-old David Cervantes, 10-0, back from a year-and-a-half lay-off, got blasted around the ring, but also had Pacquiao on the receiving end during furious exchanges.

Cervantes, visibly overweight, confirmed that Pacquiao hits like a middleweight, but also suggested the RP boxing hero may not be exactly invincible.

“He’s very persistent and terribly powerful, but Barrera is more crafty, experienced,” Cervantes, an alternate in the 2004 Mexico boxing team, explained to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net.

Roach training deputy Eric Brown did notice the right hands that had clearly thudded on the green, sweat-swathed head gear, but explained Pacquiao could be expected to be more settled when he resumes sparring Thursday.

Pacquiao had an easier time with David Rodela in the second half of sparring and even allowed the lean Mexican to openly bang his body at midring in a display of hard-earned toughness.

Rodela, who was with Pacquiao in the Cebu training camp, also managed to score clear shots to the head.

“Well, in boxing, you could also be lucky,” he said, adding Pacquiao, based on their mock encounters, has been ready as early as two weeks ago.

Pacquiao did get applauded at the end of the sparring drill, but he was more delightful to watch when he worked non-stop for an hour and 21 minutes with the mitts on Monday.

He hosted lunch for fans and team members at the Nat’s Thai restaurant after Wednesday’s drill.

Pacquiao motors to Las Vegas on Monday, for the final tapering portion of preparations against Barrera at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Oct. 6.
source: By Recah Trinidad / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- Heated words may be missing, but the intense rivalry will not be missed.

After close-shaves and controversies highlighted their three battles this season, fierce rivals Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University take their UAAP basketball feud to another level Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.


This time, the remaining championship berth is at stake. The Green Archers automatically grab the title slot with a win at 3 p.m. while the Blue Eagles need a victory to force a playoff for the right to challenge first finalist University of the East.

“In this scenario, there’s no more momentum,” said coach Franz Pumaren, whose Archers, coming from back-to-back losses, locked up Thursday’s twice-to-beat incentive with a win over the Eagles in their third meeting last Sept. 19.

It is actually the second straight do-or-die battle for the Eagles, who dethroned the University of Santo Tomas Tigers in the stepladder semifinals last Sunday

“We better win so we can play again,” said Ateneo mentor Norman Black. “Otherwise, our season is over. That’s our focus right now, to live and play another game.”

Both squads know how incredibly unpredictable their games go. Their last three contests were decided by no more than three points.

But the Archers know that in the last seven times they have secured the twice-to-beat bonus, they went on to reach the Finals.

“We all worked hard for this,” said Pumaren. “I don’t think my players will allow that advantage to be taken away.”

Black knows the tidbit as well, but has kept his focus on keeping the Eagles in game shape.

“What happened in the past has no concern to me at all,” said Black. “Whenever we play La Salle, the most important thing is our energy level. They like to press a lot, they trap a lot. It takes a lot of energy out of your ball carriers. So it’s very important that we’re fresh, that we have a lot of energy to break their press.”

But the Eagles have shown twice this season that they can overcome the Archers’ trademark defense via an 80-77 overtime triumph in the first round and an 89-87 follow-up to complete an elimination-round sweep.

The Archers, however, reminded the Eagles that it’s the crucial games that matter after pulling off a slim 70-69 win in their playoff for the No. 2 spot

“The first three games were evenly matched, they were very close and very competitive,” Black had said. “But I don’t think the past games really have any meaning when we fight them on Thursday.”
By: Jasmine W. Payo / Inquirer

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by JP Abcede

San Beda College is on its way on fulfilling its destiny to become a dynasty, overcoming Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 76-64, for the Red Lions’ second consecutive NCAA seniors basketball diadem on September 26 at the Araneta Coliseum.

With Letran coming within five late in the third quarter, the Lions held off the Knights in the payoff period with Rogemar Menor scoring 12 points. His three-point attempt that bounced off the rim before going in gave San Beda a 13-point lead, 64-51, 6:45 in the game, forcing CSJL seniors basketball coach Louie Alas to call a timeout.


The finals MVP stole one at midcourt for an uncontested layup, which spawned a 7-0 run to put away the game for good with John Paul Escobal putting the icing with two freethrows against Reymar Gutilban's fifth personal foul, 71-55, 4:16.

"It feels great and very rewarding. I have to give it to the players. They have confidence at may puso," sighed a relieved SBC men's basketball mentor Frankie Lim. "Do no doubt yourself. Kung gusto niyong tumira, take good shots."

Alas concurred, "We just lost to a very strong team. You have to give it to them. Napakalakas ng kanilang personnel. Sa aking opinyon, sila ang strongest collegiate team sa Pilipinas."

Menor, who won two finals MVP and a season MVP as a Red Cub, was the main Lion with 25 points on 11/16 shooting along with three rebounds, two steals, and two assists.

"Hell of a player. No one in Letran can stop Menor," Lim described his third year star.

"Sobrang saya. Naulit ulit iyong dynasty namin sa juniors," Menor, who was with the NCAA juniors champion teams from 2003-2005, observed on his fortunes. "Iyong juniors lamang daw ako (skills-wise). Sa seniors, pantay na labanan."

Yousif Aljamal suited up for his final game as an amateur, finishing with 24 points, ten boards, three feeds, two steals, and two blocks on 37 well-played minutes.

"Kay coach inoffer ang championship," Aljamal shared. The 24-year old would again team up with his current mentor, who is also the team manager of the Talk 'N Text Phonepals in the PBA. "Sana madala ko sa PBA ito (confidence)."

"It would always be nice to get back to your alma mater. I want to give back to the school," the rookie guru said. "I am just blessed to have 15 intelligent players."

The red and white shot 52% at the two-point area, while also amassing 50 caroms, 20 dimes, seven cookies, nine rejections, 16 fastbreak points, and 19 turnover points.

"This victory is for everybody," Lim doled out. "For the Bedan community and the supporters."

On the other hand, Bryan Faundo led the Knights with 17 points and ten rebounds, while RJ Jazul netted 14 markers. As a team, the red and blue made 35% of their field goals.

"You have to feel good on the defeat," Alas opined. "I will remember this day. This is the defining moment to come back next year."

Lim, who experienced back-to-back championships as a player and now as a tactician stated, "Both are great. Since this is my first time as a coach, this is sweeter."

Alas looked back, "Iyong game one ang crucial. Sa ganyang kalakas na team, mahirap talunin ng back-to-back."

This is the Lions' 13th seniors cage crown, just behind the 15 of Letran College.

Adjudged as the coach of the year, the fiery Lim gave what might have been the strangest description of how it feels winning a championship after he was asked what his emotions were after getting the victory ride at the buzzer, "Feeling ko parang akong bagong kasal."

Meanwhile, Alas described the mood in the locker, "Malungkot sila for Mikko (Quinday)."

Quinday used up his eligibility this year.

Do-it-all Mapua Institute of Technology point guard Kelvin dela Peña was awarded the MVP of the season. He was joined by Aljamal, Faundo, Dino Daa, and Marvin Hayes of Jose Rizal University in the mythical team.

Other awardees include Hayes as most improved player, Dave Marcelo as rookie of the year, and Jason Ballesteros of San Sebastian College Recoletos as defensive player of the year.

Rey Dangcal's split at the trip 3:56 of the first quarter was the last time CSJL enjoyed the upper hand before SBC released a 15-0 finishing kick with Riego Gamalinda scoring the last six points, 26-12.

"We started strong," Lim remarked as the key point of the contest. "We tried to match the intensity of Letran."

Faundo's charities off a Menor personal made it 24-34, 4:16 in the second. Menor was responsible for five points in a 7-0 mini-run to give the Mendiola-based squad its highest lead of 17.

After Escobal launched a three to make it 52-35 midway of the third period, Letran had a quiet 12-0 blast with Jazul starting the rally and the Muralla-based gallery momentarily waking up when John Melegrito scored four quick points, 1:38 in the clock. The Lions doused the fire in the succeeding possession when Escobal sighted Aljamal at the apex of the arc for a triple with just one second remaining in the shot clock.

"Definitely we will not look for a foreigner as long as ako ang mag-decide," Alas glimpsed ahead. "Pwede sa akin Fil-foreigner."

As for the champs, Lim mentioned, "Pahinga muna. Give them a good rest."

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MANILA, Philippines -- The fierce feud between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the La Salle Green Archers recently hit the sports pages of The New York Times in “A nation’s passion lives in a rivalry of Green vs Blue,” a feature story written by Raphael Batholomew.


“The question of which institution provides a superior education is a toss-up; the tie breakers take place on the basketball court,” writes Bartholomew.

It’s the only sports event, he says, that gathers “senators, foreign diplomats, cabinet ministers, a smattering of Forbes’s 40 richest Filipinos, movie stars and enough professional basketball players to play five-on-five.”

And he quotes De La Salle University coach Franz Pumaren: “The janitors in Araneta always say, ‘If there’s an Ateneo-La Salle game, once everybody’s out of the coliseum, it still smells good because of all the socialites watching.’”

Bartholomew says the “rivalry has loosened the bond of friendship” between Pumaren and Ateneo de Manila University coach Norman Black.

Quoting Black: “If you’re part of the rivalry, you just don’t like each other. Franz played for me and he was my assistant coach, but that has little bearing on what’s happening right now. ”

And it amuses University of the East coach Dindo Pumaren how his Warriors, who just completed a rare 14-0 sweep in the elimination round of the UAAP men’s competition, have been forgotten in the light of the rivalry.

“Even if both schools are in the cellars, every game will always be like a championship,” he said. “It’s school pride. It’s all about passion. Their games are just different, their rivalry is different.”

source: By Jasmine W. Payo / Inquirer

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LOS ANGELES -- There is a big possibility Marco Antonio Barrera will do everything to avoid an early knockout, so Manny Pacquiao perfected a sneaky liver shot, launched and capped with blinding rat-tat-tat right shots, in a non-stop 14-round punching drill that dramatically plugged all possible escape routes of the legendary Mexican warrior here Tuesday.


There was already a crowd in Pacquiao’s first official gym workout here since arriving Saturday night from his training stint in Cebu, but the anticipated sparring session was instead rescheduled for Wednesday

The awesome display of power, speed and sharpness came in a breathtaking non-stop drill with the mitts inside the ring, spread over the same length of time it takes to propel him on a jet flight from Manila to his hometown General Santos City or nearby Mindanao.

Big bombs

The execution was purely imaginary, the big bombs reverberating far and wide -- maybe all the way to the secluded Barrera workplace in Guadalajara -- and the few Mexicans in the 60-strong horde at Wild Card could only smile wryly and shake their heads in awe.

The liver shot, brought into the open here for the first time, was a paralyzing replica of the left dagger to the rib cage used by Gerry Peñalosa in stopping world super bantamweight king Jhonny Gonzales in Sacramento early last month, but delivered by Pacquiao with a flashing right hook.

After the no-break punching drill that had a tired but visibly pleased Freddie Roach on the receiving end, Pacquiao did another full hour of assorted drills, capped by a neophyte session on the floor that surprisingly included the use of weights, as prescribed by a Roach gym deputy.

However, this amateurish portion was mercifully scrapped after less than 10 minutes on the suggestion of Roach assistant Buboy Fernandez, who insisted the use of iron this late could result in strain and severely disrupt hard-earned rhythm and speed.

Full morning run

Actually, Pacquiao Tuesday was supposed to do only a short jog, limber up in the park close to his apartment. But he opted to take a full morning run through the trying Griffith Park terrain with Rodel Mayol, whom he’s helping to repackage here.

Pacquiao covered the hilly terrain in only 45 minutes, three minutes faster at this point in previous training here.

“Our plan? We’ll knock him out earlier,” Roach told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net), a plot he had to reconfirm following silly rumors of a dive and a rubber match.

All in all, Tuesday’s Pacquiao regimen lasted a full 30 rounds, with Pacquiao still oozing with vigor when he reluctantly agreed to call it a day.

He had the usual shower and rub-down, then repaired to the gym counter where he gladly accommodated admirers, signing mementos and posing for photographs.

Roach no longer had to explain why he allowed Pacquiao to refuse the usual minute-break in between the training rounds.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, was unusually quiet although he earlier told a television man from Manila about that famous Joe Frazier adage that nobody could help or save a boxer inside the ring except himself.

source: By Recah Trinidad / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- He was a vital cog for San Beda College when the Red Lions captured two straight NCAA crowns decades ago.


With a receding hairline and lugging additional pounds, Frankie Lim now returns to the scene of his collegiate conquest as head coach of a team craving to duplicate a feat it achieved 29 years before.

“We don’t want to be overconfident but I think it can be done,” said Lim on the eve of the Red Lions’ date with history.

Grabbing the best-of-three series opener, 76-68, the Red Lions will go for the clincher against the Letran College Knights in Game 2 of the 83rd NCAA men’s basketball finals on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Game time is set at 4 p.m. following the juniors championship showdown between the San Sebastian College Staglets and Letran Squires.

Ryan Buenafe, who posted a fourth triple-double, aims to lead the Staglets to their third consecutive title after dumping Letran, 90-72, in Game 1 of their series.

The Red Lions downed the Knights in Game 1 behind Ogie Menor’s 23 points.

“We prepared hard all week long to be in shape,” said the 47-year-old Lim, the top playmaker for the champion San Beda teams of 1977 and 1978.

San Beda’s rebounding monster Sam Ekwe, forward Yousif Aljamal and the backcourt trio of Menor, Pong Escobal and Borgie Hermida, however, are facing a squad which has an unbelievable history of coming back from a deathly situation.

The Knights were in the same predicament in 2005 opposite Philippine Christian University before yanking the rug from under the Dolphins in the next two games to steal the championship.

“San Beda is really tough,” said Letran coach Louie Alas.

Meanwhile, Kelvin Dela Peña, Aljamal and Marvin Hayes will slug it out for the right to be named MVP for this year’s season.

Dela Peña, Mapua Institute of Tehcnology’s do-it-all playmaker, has gained headway in the MVP race after emerging on top of the statistical sheets with an average of 15.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.3 steals a game.

source: June Navarro / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- Even if another tough stretch lies ahead for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, their payback triumph over the defending champions has greatly lifted their mood.


And it’s this winning disposition that Ateneo de Manila University hopes to carry into its second straight do-or-die UAAP semifinal battle against blood rival De La Salle University.

“You have to remember that when we played La Salle the last time, we were coming from that disastrous game against NU (National University),” said Ateneo coach Norman Black.

“We were a bit down as far as energy is concerned. It’s a little bit different now. We probably won over one of the best teams in the league which is UST (University of Santo Tomas), so we have a little more confidence, a little more momentum.”

But Black noted that overcoming last season’s heartache against the UST Tigers with a 69-64 knockout win is one thing. Beating the La Salle Green Archers twice, however, is another.

It was just over a week ago when the Eagles yielded the No. 2 spot to the Archers in a playoff match, thus blowing a chance to claim the twice-to-beat bonus in the final phase of the stepladder semifinals.

“We have a hard, long road to go,” Black said during the PSA Forum Tuesday at Shakey’s UN Avenue.

“UST was just the first step. Getting past La Salle in two games, I mean if we accomplish it, it will be a great feat. Even I have to admit it’s going to be very difficult.”

And the Archers can swiftly end the Eagles’ season with another heartbreak. Just one triumph will propel the Archers to the best-of-three Finals opposite the unbeaten University of the East Warriors.

“They might have the momentum after that big win versus UST, but we have the twice-to-beat, that’s a big advantage for us,” said La Salle assistant coach Joey Sta. Maria.

The Eagles won twice in three showdowns against the Archers this season. No team, though, has won by more than three points.

“The first three games were very close; it could have gone either way,” said Sta. Maria. “It’s very unpredictable. You never know who’s going to do well.”

source: By Jasmine W. Payo / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante open defense of their PartyPoker.net World Cup Pool title against the Scottish pair of Michael Valentine and Pat Holtz Tuesday at the Outland nightclub in Rotterdam, Holland.


The RP-Scotland duel is the fourth of six matches scheduled on the opening day of the $250,000 scotch doubles tournament featuring crack two-man squads from 31 countries.

It will be Croatia against Russia in the first match followed by China versus South Africa and Japan against Spain. France versus Italy will be the day’s fifth match with the Holland A-Indonesia duel capping the day’s program.

The initial knockout play lasting up to Thursday is a race to eight, winner-break format.

Reyes and Bustamante, playing under the banner of Puyat Sports, clinched the inaugural trophy last August when they beat Team America spearheaded by Rodney “Rocket” Morris and Earl “The Pearl” Strickland in the final at the Newport Center, Newport, Wales in front of a large partisan crowd.

Morris has tapped former US Open winner Corey Deuel as partner this time.

Although not as famous as the Filipinos, the Scots are no pushovers.

The Larkhall, Scotland native Holtz is the reigning Scottish 9-Ball Champion and reached the last 16 in the last World Pool Championship. An Irish 9-Ball Masters Champion, he has three Scottish Tour wins and was semifinalist at the 2007 World Pool Masters.

Valentine, from Grangemouth, Scotland is a former UK pool winner.

Holtz and Valentine, who idolizes Reyes, lost 9-5 in the first round last year to the Holland pair of Niels Feijen and Nick van Den Berg.

If the Filipinos win, they will face in the second round the survivor of the Russia-Croatia duel.

Playing for Russia are Konstantin Stepanov and Ruslan Chinakhov while Croatia is represented by Philipp Stojanovic and Ivica Putnik.

The Wednesday pairings include Australia-Austria, India-Canada and Vietnam-Korea.
source: Marlon Bernardino, contributor / Inquirer

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This was the reminder to fans issued by UAAP host University of Santo Tomas Monday following separate off-court incidents, including one involving commissioner Ed Cordero, during the heated Ateneo-UST semifinal battle last Sunday.


“Let these games be an avenue for further camaraderie... not for hooliganism,” said league secretary-treasurer Felicitas Francisco.

Cordero and an Ateneo de Manila University alumnus nearly came to blows at courtside but were separated by venue security after the Blue Eagles knocked out the defending champions, 69-64, last Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

source: Jasmine W. Payo / Inquirer

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LOS ANGELES -- He did not say anything upon arrival, but Manny Pacquiao made a clear statement -- he’s out to be at his best -- when he burst from bed at the break of dawn Sunday and did an unscheduled 30-minute jog to the surprise of aides and handlers.


Pacquiao, in thick blue workout outfit, a woolen bonnet wrapping his head, braved the chill and reported to the nearby La Brea Park, towing with him team staffers whom he had roused by pulling off their blankets, without saying a word.

Unlike in previous major preparations when he was wont to issue pre-fight statements, stinging and otherwise, Pacquiao has been going through this championship regimen quietly.

“This definitely augurs well, this must be the calm before the storm,” said the head of a Filipino television crew that flew in with Pacquiao from Manila Saturday evening here.

Without using a gauge, Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico has easily outpaced Pacquiao in the speaking portion of their boiling rivalry.

While the Mexican boxing legend had called Pacquiao an ugly thorn on his side, adding he has been aching all these years to beat his Filipino rival he could actually taste it, the Pacman, who knocked out Barrera four years ago, has kept mum.

The speaking chore has obviously been left to trainer Freddie Roach, who on Sunday, taunted Barrera to come over and watch (spy) Pacquiao train.

Roach, who said they have nothing to hide, added he would make sure Barrera does not use extra thick bandage around his fists in the encounter in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao returns Monday (Tuesday in Manila) to the Wild Card gym, which he left Aug. 10 to train in Cebu, for some more sparring, originally scheduled at eight rounds, but which promises to break past the day’s limit.

“You can say he’s just out to be even better than Manny Pacquiao himself,” quipped Rolando Hiso whose two fighters (Glenn Gonzales and Jundy Maraon) he co-manages with Vice Gov. Manny Pinol of North Cotabato are listed in the Will to Win card on Oct. 6.
source: By Recah Trinidad / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- Tears welled up in his eyes at the sound of the final buzzer.

And it turned out to be a gut-wrenching scene when coach Pido Jarencio, bent down, tried to compose himself as his assistants gave him consoling pats on the back.


The pained expression remained when Jarencio headed for the dugout as the UAAP season came to a painful close for the defending champion University of Santo Tomas Tigers on Sunday.

“I wasn’t able to prepare the team for a pressure game, for them to be tougher,” he said after the Ateneo Blue Eagles wiped out last season’s heartache with a 69-64 triumph over the Tigers in a knockout semifinal battle.

“These are kids. Whatever I teach them, that’s what you see on court. Ibig sabihin kulang ang turo ko (It only means what I taught them wasn’t enough).”

Although the Tigers came into the match seeded fourth, the rankings did not matter for this ragtag squad that pulled off a miraculous championship run last year.

“Masama ang loob ko; hindi ko alam ang mangyayari sa akin next year, kung nandito pa ako (I’m still hurt; I don’t know if I’ll still be with the team next year),” said Jarencio, whose contract officially ends this season.

UST officials, though, quickly provided the well-loved Jarencio an assurance.

“The community is behind coach Pido,” said UAAP board representative Felicitas Francisco of host league UST.

“We will be disappointed if he will be out of the team. We still want him to stay. What’s a loss? Fourth is good enough.”

Still, Jarencio continued to own up to the missed opportunity of back-to-back titles.

“It’s all my fault, it’s not the boys’ fault,” he said.

source: By Jasmine W. Payo / Inquirer

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KUWAIT CITY -- Patrick John Tierro and Johnny Arcilla overpowered separate rivals Sunday to complete a swashbuckling Filipino sweep of host Kuwait in the Asia-Oceania Zone Group II Davis Cup finals here.


Tierro thumped Kuwaiti No. 1 Ali Ghareeb, 6-3, 6-1, while Arcilla came back from a 1-4 deficit in the second set to beat Ahmad Rabeea Muhammad, 6-1, 7-5, in the reverse singles of the best-of-five tie to formalize the Philippines’ entry into Group I of the zone next year

The Philippines clinched the tie on Saturday when an ailing Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taino bested Mohammad Al-Ghareeb and Mohammad Siddiq, 6-7 (5), 6-0, 6-2, 2-6, 6-1, in the deciding doubles match.

Mamiit, who was rushed to a hospital Friday evening after contracting an allergy, started the Philippine juggernaut with a 6-3, 6-0, 6-0 rout of Muhamad in Friday’s opening singles.

Taino then made it 2-0 by humbling Al-Ghareeb, 6-2, 5-3, 7-5.

The win sent the Philippines back to Group I, where it played last in 1997, in the company of Australia, Japan, Thailand, India, Kazakhstan and Taiwan.

“We must get ready for Group I early,” the 31-year-old Mamiit said. “This will be the real competition.”

Mamiit also said that his allergy has “gone away” and he is sure it was not caused by the “tinolang manok” (chicken ginger stew) provided for the team, on Mamiit’s request, by members of the Filipino Tennis Association in Kuwait.

“I hope that in our future campaigns in other countries, the Filipinos there will give the same support the Filipinos here gave us,” he said.

“Phase three of our program is now complete but this will not be the end,” non-playing captain Martin Misa said, adding that the team will now turn its attention to the country’s campaign in the coming Southeast Asian Games where the Nationals will defend their men’s team title and Mamiit his singles and doubles crowns with Taino.
source: Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- ATENEO dethroned University of Santo Tomas, 69-64, to advance in the stepladder semifinals of the UAAP men's basketball competition on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ford Arao topscored with 17 points on top of six rebounds, three assists and one block.

The Blue Eagles will meet rival La Salle Green Archers, who carry a twice-to-beat advantage, on Thursday.

The scores:
ATENEO 69--Arao 17, Tiu 14, Baclao 11, Baldos 7, Salamat 6, Al-Hussaini 5, Long 4, Escueta 3, Reyes 2, Nkemakolam, 0, Laterre 0, Barracoso 0.

UST 64--Cruz 17, Ababou 16, Canlas 14, Espiritu 5, Allera 5, Mirza 3, Dizon 2, Cuan 2, Taylor 0, Cortez 0.
Quarters: 10-18, 32-30, 55-51, 69-64

By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- IF REPORTS ARE ACCURATE ENOUGH, Manny Pacquiao should have no problem finishing off Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas two weeks from now.

The latest buzz out of the Mexican’s camp could be ominous: Barrera was knocked out by a sparmate in Guadalajara, Mexico.


That was the report passed around during yesterday’s send-off breakfast for Pacquiao at Gourdo’s in The Fort.

He refused to comment about it, going his usual route and declaring that he will be 100 percent fully charged for his super featherweight rematch against the “Baby-Faced Assassin” on Oct. 7 at the Mandalay Bay.

“Hindi natin alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa fight, pero sigurado akong gagawin ko ang lahat (I can’t say what will happen in the fight except that I’ll give it my best shot),” Pacquiao quipped flashing a smile that matched the shine of his gold Rolex wristwatch and diamond-stud earring.

At one point of the press conference, his imported sparring partners, Mexicans Sugar Ray Beltran and David Rodela, vouched for Pacquiao’s preparedness, citing how the Filipino boxing icon’s punches were like swings from a baseball bat.

“We still have 26 hellish rounds with him,” said one of the sparmates who worked out with Pacquiao after the presscon at the Wild Card gym in Parañaque.

They were to join him and trainer Freddie Roach late last night on a flight to the United States for the homestretch of his training.

“He’s my favorite fighter of all time,” said Roach, who also denied previous weeks’ reports that he sent out spies at Barrera’s camp.

“I don’t have any spy. We don’t need any spy,” added the trainer.

Pacquiao knocked out Barrera in the 11th-round during their first date in November of 2003, a result that practically put the Filipino in the radar of megabuck fights.

By Marc Anthony Reyes / Inquirer

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GAME TODAY (Araneta Coliseum)3 p.m.—Ateneo vs UST

MANILA, Philippines -- IN A TWIST THAT’S NOT AS SURPRISING considering where it’s coming from, the team that has been teetering on the brink is the one brimming with confidence.


“Basta playoffs dyan kami matindi (In the playoffs, that’s where we do well),” said Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio on the eve of a do-or-die duel against an Ateneo squad that wasted a couple of opportunities to stay out of this dogfight.

Don’t credit Jarencio’s bravado to pure machismo. This is, after all, UST, the unranked squad that pulled off an improbable UAAP title run last year.

The Tigers, who barely made it to the Final Four again this season, only need to don the familiar gold-and-white to issue a painful reminder to the Ateneo Blue Eagles as they clash at the start of the men’s basketball stepladder semifinals.

“We’re just ready; in the playoffs, there’s no advantage or disadvantage,” said Jarencio, whose Tigers stunned the favored Eagles in last year’s title clash.

The winner of the 3 p.m. knockout match today at the Araneta Coliseum will advance opposite the No. 2 La Salle Green Archers, who carry a twice-to-beat edge.

And the final victor in these series of frenzied battles will face the University of the East Warriors, who earned the first championship berth as a bonus for winning all 14 assignments in the elimination round.

For Ateneo, the return trip to the Finals has taken a longer route because of its own doing. The Blue Eagles dropped to No. 3 after a surprise loss to National University in the final elimination day, followed by a heartbreaker to rival La Salle in a playoff for the No. 2 spot.

But coach Norman Black said his Eagles already brushed off the upsetting twin setbacks.

“Focus now is on UST,” said Black. “Jervy Cruz is our number one concern. We have to keep him off the offensive boards and not let him dominate the paint.”

Cruz, the Tigers’ star center, leads the Most Valuable Player race after norming 16.7 points, a league-best 15.4 boards and 1.4 blocks per game.

But Black noted that the Eagles also have to contend with the Tigers’ perimeter shooters.

“Their guards are quite big,” he said. “(Dylan) Ababou, (Anthony) Espiritu, (Mark) Canlas, they have an assortment of guys there who have good shots.”

And this reliable bunch keyed the Tigers’ semifinal survival by eliminating the Far Eastern Tamaraws in a playoff for the No. 4 spot.

UST routed Ateneo, 87-74, in the first round, but the Eagles scored sweet revenge in their next encounter when rookie guard Kirk Long buried a buzzer-beater for a 72-71 triumph.

“Iba ang usapan sa playoff (The playoff is a different story),” a usually cracking Jarencio said in a serious tone. “Tingnan natin ang tibay nila, basta kami matibay kami (We’re tough, let’s see how tough they are).”

By Jasmine W. Payo / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- AFTER playing just about every type of game on the way to an elimination-round sweep, this powerhouse doesn't mind playing the waiting one.


The University of the East Warriors are putting to good use the 20-day break they earned by keeping themselves in shape as they wait for a Finals opponent in the UAAP men's basketball competition.

"The boys are practicing hard," UE coach Dindo Pumaren said Friday at a press briefing.

"I've been pushing them. The aggressiveness is still there."

In a rare display of dominance, the Warriors captured the first championship berth as a bonus for sweeping their 14 assignments in the elimination round.

But the incentive comes with a long break as three teams dispute the last Finals slot in a stepladder semifinals--one prolonged by a pair of playoff matches that determined the flow of the stepladder.

Third-ranked Ateneo and No. 4 University of Santo Tomas collide in a knockout match this Sunday, with the winner advancing opposite No. 2 La Salle.

Ateneo dropped to the No. 3 seed after blowing an assignment against National University in its last game and then losing to La Salle in a playoff for No. 2. UST copped the No. 4 slot and the right to square off against the No. 3 team in sudden death by eliminating Far Eastern U also in a playoff.

The Archers will face the winner of the Ateneo-UST tussle carrying the twice-to-beat edge.

And the last team standing will face the Warriors in Game 1 of the best-of-three title series on Oct. 4.

"We're happy to be in the Finals right away," said Pumaren. "It's better that we're just waiting instead of still fighting it out."

But Pumaren noted that his Warriors have been paying attention to the remaining teams.

"Any of the three teams will be tough," he said. "They all have experience playing in the Finals."

The focus, he said, is to stay in shape and to keep the competitive rhythm when the title series starts. By Jasmine W. Payo / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- A DAY after University of the Philippines gave coach Joe Lipa the pink slip, alumni groups were pushing for two of the temperamental coach's former wards, Eric Altamirano and Ronnie Magsanoc, to take his place.


School officials said they will name the coach early to give him time to prepare for the next UAAP season, which coincides with UP's centennial celebration, but have yet to begin their search for Lipa's replacement.

"I recommended for [Lipa's early] termination because of the centennial year," said Hercules Callanta, dean of the College of Human Kinetics, who wants the team to be competitive in the 2008 season. "The next coach will be hard pressed for a result. We want [the new coach] to have the luxury of time."

The school, though, is still awaiting word from UP chancellor Sergio Cao regarding the status of Lipa.

Although Callanta recommended that Lipa be replaced after a winless season, the decision will only be final once it is ratified by Cao.

"Although the recommendation is already a big step, it still has to be ratified," said a school source.

"The chancellor should have an action based on his own decision," said Callanta. "We just have to wait for his action."

Callanta said the school doesn't have a list of candidates yet, although several names have already floated.

"We haven't started anything," said Callanta. "No one is being eyed, no one is being sought after. All are speculations."

But alumni groups are pressing for Magsanoc and Altamirano, both members of Lipa's 1986 championship squad, the only UP team to win a UAAP title.

The name of Allan Gregorio was also floated but the Air21 assistant mentor respectfully asked that he be taken off whatever list because he is eyeing a PBL stint.

The Maroons wrapped up the elimination round with a 0-14 record marked by horrendous blowout losses. By Jasmine W. Payo / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- ANTHONY FERNANDO'S text reply said it all.

Wedged in the middle of a quarrel between the National Golf Association of the Philippines and erstwhile benefactor ICTSI, Fernando and Ferdinand Aunzo on Friday followed their sponsor's orders and withdrew from the RP team set to compete in next month's Nomura Cup.



"Sorry po, sir, akala ko po maglalaro lang ako ng golf dito (I'm sorry, sir, but I thought I'd only be playing golf here)," Fernando, the newly crowned RP Amateur champion, said in the text message to NGAP official Caloy Coscoluella.

Fernando was replying to an NGAP appeal for him and Aunzo to reconsider.

James Ryan Lam, who finished 11th in the RP team tryouts three weeks ago, and former jungolf ace and one-time RP Am finalist Tonlits Asistio will take the places of Fernando and Aunzo in the team.

The NGAP and ICTSI had a falling out on Wednesday over the selection of players that would comprise the Nomura Cup team. The team composition did not sit well with ICTSI.

The NGAP had tapped Fernando, Aunzo, Mark Fernando and Jonel Ababa for the Taipei joust. But ICTSI insisted that Jay Bayron be sent in lieu of Ababa who, like Fernando, is a product of the National Caddies' Open (NCO) program.

The deadline for the submission of names of players for the Nomura Cup, scheduled in the first week of October, was Friday, and Coscoluella was hoping that the NGAP and ICTSI could patch up their differences.

"We're not here to fight with ICTSI," Coscoluella told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on the phone. "But they must at least respect our decision because we are not doing this for anything else other than the betterment of (local) golf."

After the Nomura Cup, the Philippines will also see action in the Putra Cup, set at The Country Club in Laguna in November, and the Thailand Southeast Asian Games in December where it is the defending champion.

The port services giant ICTSI has bankrolled the training of some of the country's finest amateurs.

Ababa and Mark Fernando made it to the RP pool after finishing in the top six of the team qualifier at The Riviera, with Fernando tying Aunzo for top spot.

Instead of tapping the No. 7 qualifier at Riviera--17-year-old Paul Echavez or RP Am runner-up Mario Labajo--the NGAP picked Asistio and Lam.

"We think that Asistio and Lam are better prepared than the two (Echavez and Labajo)," Coscoluella said, explaining the NGAP decision.

Echavez and Labajo also belong to the NCO pool, but their handler, Tommy Manotoc, consented to the selection of Asistio and Lam, a 19-year-old long-hitter.

Incidentally, Abe Rosal, mainstay of the multititled Canlubang in the Philippine Airlines Interclub, will handle the training of the Nomura Cup team. By Musong R. Castillo / Inquirer

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LOS ANGELES--The boxing world wants an answer to this pressing puzzle on the happy state of boxing in the Philippines.


How did Manny Pacquiao and at least three other reigning Filipino world boxing champions succeed and manage to punctuate national pride despite the aweful absence of a unified boxing development program in the country?

This, you bet, is more baffling than the sight of poor, wretched Pinoys, who live and labor half-covered from the searing tropical sun, winning gold medals in exclusive, freezing winter Olympic disciplines.

Sorry, but there is yet no available guide to the secret behind the current Filipino success in world boxing.

* * *

Why? Because there's also no recorded scientific system detailing how and why Pacquiao, et al, have hit the jackpot.

Of course, this is not enough for cynics, mainly from south of the border here, to claim that the blazing brilliance of Filipino boxers in foreign arenas was the result of a cheap, lucky punch, or something of the sort.

Never. But should it come as a surprise if, say, the WBC Convention, set to start Nov. 11 at the Manila Hotel, also involved a curious peek into the mystery surrounding Philippine boxing?

For example, is the Games and Amusements Board, under the Office of Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, going all out to invite the biggest names in world boxing--Ali, Frazier, Don King, De La Hoya, Tyson, etc.--to divert attention from government corruption, now again under the microscope due to the $329-million NBN deal with China, which got stalled and stunk under the table?

* * *

As was often the case, the annual WBC is sure to deteriorate into a forgettable get-together among the greatest back-slappers (ego-trippers) in the prizefight world.

But, come to think of it, did they have to look far for someone to save the WBC Convention from total irrelevance?

Not anymore. Smiling, if not burping, at the corner is Don Jose Sulaiman, the pudgy, unsinkable old ship of a WBC president who was last sighted in Manila in 1996.

Like a returning pontiff, the doe-eyed Don Jose could yawn and, in the process, promptly bestow distinguished approval on the opulent WBC gathering.

Of course, this time, Sulaiman must make sure he brings with him the blueprint of a boxing development program which he generously detailed in another convention in Bangkok in the mid-'90s (was it 1994?), when the WBC honored the late Papa Sarreal, international match-maker non-pareil, with a lifetime achievement award.

* * *

Anyway, in case Sulaiman would wonder, he must be told, that Pacquiao was not in any way a product of the hero factory he had proposed to an international audience in that Bangkok confab.

For the record, Pacquiao has made it on his own. He left the Philippines, wiggled out of a primitive boxing mould (if there's at least one), and enrolled at the Wild Card gym courtesy of Rod Nazario, his surrogate father.

It's history how the Pacman, truly raw, blossomed and blazed into a full-scale boxing treasure, no mere gem, under Roach.

To confirm the utter need for a scientific national boxing program, Roach would recommend that a national boxing academy be set up in the Philippines, preferrably in Manila.

However, the government of President Arroyo would not hear anything of the nonsense.

Odd enough, Pacquiao went on the become an Arroyo favorite, whose victories were wildly celebrated at the Palace, in a clear bid to inject verve and vitamin to the President's sagged ratings.

* * *

Listen again, please. The Sulaiman formula had looked plain enough. Put up a foundation, construct or use an available gymnasium--similar to the one, he said, they had set up in Mexico, provide this with necessary personnel, equipment, facilities--trainers, doctors, psychologists, fight films, lecturers, everything.

Then open the venue to the public, mainly poor, out-of-school kids, who could bid for a decent life only by entering the cruel world of boxing.

Needless to say, there should be strict screening, monitoring--meaning not every other hungry, homeless bum could walk in.

The way Don Jose had pictured the poor man's boxing academy, it must've churned off breed after breed of enviable Mexican ring warriors equipped with sound fighting basics.

* * *

A hero factory, indeed. But hold it, please.

In order for Don Jose to endure as the perfect saviour of the forthcoming WBC Convention, he must at the same time extract a commitment from the Philippine government that it would copy the tested formula.

Sulaiman could do the bargaining during an expected audience at Malaca&tnilde;ang.

Or he could also ask the great Manny Pacquiao to set up a foundation to fund such an academy, with the help of sponsors.

Here's hoping Se&tnilde;or Sulaiman is listening.

After all, this is the only safe way he could save the 45th WBC Convention from blending ahead with the famous Manila sunset. By Recah Trinidad / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- BEACH volleyball standouts, Diane Pascua and Heidi Illustre are working doubly hard to fulfill their dream of playing in the Olympics.


The Filipino-American tandem now ranks No. 42 in the international women's circuit, 18 notches below the 24-team qualifying standard set by the 2008 Beijing Olympics organizers.

But an official of the Asian Volleyball Confederation said that an abundance of overseas tournaments between now and the Olympics gives Ilustre and Pascua enough time to cover the deficit.

"There are still 18 legs before the qualifying ends in July next year," said Tony Liao, AVC board member and technical official for beach volleyball in the Southeast Asian and Asian Games.

"They (Pacua and Ilustre) are trying their best to make it and we're not losing hope."

The Fil-Ams, bronze medalists in the 2005 Manila SEAG, will start their climb in the Fortaleza, Brazil leg of the FIVB World Cup slated Sept. 26 to 29.

After their Brazilian stint, the duo will proceed to the United States for a respite before taking an Oct. 27 flight back to Manila, their final stop prior to the resumption of their Olympic bid.

The two are already booked to play in the Thailand and Hong Kong legs of the World Cup tour in November.

Pascua and Ilustre then vie at the Thailand SEAG, where they hope to clinch the Philippines' first gold medal in the event.By June Navarro / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- It took only three minutes for Coach Joe Lipa to get the boot.


In a very brief meeting Thursday, the University of the Philippines (UP) dismissed Lipa as head coach after the UP Maroons’ winless campaign in the UAAP men’s basketball competition.

“It only took three minutes,” a very calm Lipa said. “I’m taking it philosophically. Basketball has been so nice to me. I’ve created a lot of friends. By the same token, I’ve created a lot of enemies.”

Hercules Callanta, dean of the College of Human Kinetics, will recommend the termination of Lipa’s services to the UP chancellor.

The usually fiery coach only had a “handshake agreement” with school officials to mentor the Maroons until 2008, the university’s centennial anniversary.

Lipa admitted that there was already a campaign for his ouster weeks before the Maroons ended the elimination round with a 0-14 mark.

“I told them that I tried my best to serve UP,” said Lipa. “I don’t want to stand in the way of what they think is good for the university.”

Lipa, who mentored UP during its only title run in 1986, answered criticisms regarding his coaching style.

“I’m strong as a bull physically and my mind is exactly as it was 20 years ago,” said Lipa, who took over from Lito Vergara in 2006.

The Maroons lost by an average of 20.8 points, including the most lopsided loss in the last five years -- by 40 points to the University of the East, 99-59.

Save for three games, the Maroons lost all their matches in double figures.

“I devised a program centered on 2008 -- the training regimen, the recruitment plans, the training of the players individually and as a team,” said Lipa. “But a lot of things happened beyond my control. I cannot resolve it.”

Lipa said the concerns include financial constraints.

“It was a big factor; when you recruit, you’re putting a price tag on the player,” said Lipa, who handled a rookie-laden squad.

“My only regret is my dream to devise a training program, a philosophy where Filipinos will excel in international competition, [did not materialize],” said Lipa.

Lipa said he had yet to inform his players, who taped “I Love Joe” notes on their jerseys in their final game against Adamson on Saturday.

Among the names floated to replace Lipa include Ronnie Magsanoc and Eric Altamirano, both members of his 1986 champion squad, Air21 assistant coach Allan Gregorio and Santo Tomas assistant mentor Beaujing Acot.
By Jasmine W. Payo / Inquirer

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Marcos Antonio Torres and his quest to be one of the 8 to participate in the Expat for Beijing 2008 Olympic Torchbearers.


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Watch one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing when our very own Manny Pacquiao clashes head-on with Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera on Sunday, October 7!


Catch these two warriors settle their grudges in the ring by joining Getzmo.com's thrilling promo! Just answer these questions and get a chance to win tickets to the rematch of the year!
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NEW YORK (AFP) - The US National Basketball Association is launching a new subsidiary in China, in a sign of the sport's increasing popularity there, the league announced Wednesday.


Microsoft's top man in China, Tim Chen, will leave the software giant effective October 15 to head the newly-formed NBA China.

Basketball is big business in China. One in five visits to NBA.com comes from China, where 300 million people play basketball and 83 percent of those between the ages of 15 and 24 are NBA followers. Growing consumer demand has sparked the creation of the new operation.

Chinese devotion to the game goes well beyond Yao Ming, the 7-foot-6 Chinese giant who plays for the NBA's Houston Rockets. Yao became the first Asian superstar in the NBA but Chinese fans know US stars LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal also.

"The NBA is a truly exceptional brand with a huge fan base that reaches across all parts of China," Chen said in a statement.

"I'm thrilled by the scope of this opportunity and the ability to work with such a talented team as we build on the enormous business potential that spans media, merchandising, marketing, events and new initiatives."

Chen, who was president of Motorola China from 2001 to 2003, will be the point man for navigating governmental issues and boosting explosive NBA growth potential in the world's most populated nation.

NBA programming relationships with 51 television stations in China bring league games to more than 1.2 billion viewers and the NBA also has partnership deals in 20 with 20 leading global brands.

"Tim Chen is a proven business leader who has guided the dramatic growth of two Fortune 100 businesses in China," NBA commissioner David Stern said.

"Tim is the ideal person to lead NBA China as we expand our infrastructure and operations to meet the growing interest from fans and consumers throughout the region."

NBA products are available in more than 50,000 locations across China, from the hustle and bustle of a Beijing preparing for next year's Olympics to the vendors in tiny islands near Hong Kong.

More than 170 NBA events will be staged in China, most notably three pre-season exhibition games in Shanghai and Macao next month.

The NBA's first Chinese venture came in 1979 when the Washington Bullets played an exhibition there against China's national team.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that the NBA will own 90 percent of NBA China with five percent going to Chinese investors and five percent going to a US media company that sources told the Times was The Walt Disney Company.

Disney owns the ABC television network and ESPN's all-sports TV network among its US operations.

NBA China will be governed by a board of directors that will include Stern, NBA owners, representatives of outside investors, NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver and Heidi Ueberroth, the NBA president of global marketing partnerships and international business operations.

It was Ueberroth who led the recruiting process that landed Chen.

"After an extensive search that produced many qualified candidates, Tim Chen was the clear choice based on his tremendous experience and accomplishments," she said.

"Tim will assume leadership of a very talented team of NBA employees based in China."

Mark Fischer, who works in the NBA's current China-based operation, will be promoted to a senior vice president role below Chen.

Chen spent eight years at Motorola before taking the top post, part of that time as market and sales general manager for China infrastructure. Before that he spent nine years based in the United States at AT&T Labs.

Now living in Beijing, Chen received masters degrees from the University of Chicago after receiving an undergraduate degree at Chiao Tung University in Taiwan.

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Magnolia is launching their newest products, Magnolia Fruit Drink and Magnolia Health Tea with Angel Locsin, Erik Morales, and Alvin Patrimonio as its endorsers. Watch the TV commercial after the jump.

This is Erik Morales’ second TV commercial for San Miguel (Magnolia is a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation). His first was with Manny Pacquiao for San Miguel Pale Pilsen.
source: www.mukamo.com

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MANILA, Philippines -- It had been over an hour since the final buzzer sounded. Yet none of them seemed ready to trudge out of the locker room.


The Ateneo Blue Eagles, anyway, had plenty to mull about.

Coach Norman Black readily wore his team’s shortcomings on his sleeves after the Eagles twice bungled the chance to claim the No. 2 slot in the UAAP basketball semifinals.

But Black no longer rued the two missed opportunities against the also-ran National University Bulldogs and arch rival De La Salle University Green Archers.

“We don’t have a choice,” said Black Wednesday.

“We have to shake it off and move on. We can’t dwell on the past. We have to live for the moment. We lost to NU in overtime; we lost to La Salle by one point. Those two losses are over. And the moment is to focus on our next game against UST (University of Santo Tomas).”

The Eagles, who ended up third, must conquer the fourth-ranked Tigers, who brought them a lot of heartaches in the Finals last season.

The Eagles and the defending champion Tigers clash in a knockout match this Sunday, with the winner advancing opposite La Salle in the stepladder semifinals.

“The most important thing is we still have a chance,” said Black. “I still believe in my team, I still believe in my players. We have three days to adjust.”

Black and his Eagles took a one-day break Wednesday after back-to-back disappointments in the last four days.

“Two different games, two different stories,” said Black. “Against NU, our defense let us down. We were playing good defense, but it broke down in overtime. Against La Salle, it was our offense.”

The Eagles absorbed a 96-88 overtime loss to the Bulldogs at the end of the elimination round last Saturday then dropped a 70-69 heartbreaker to the Archers Tuesday.

“As a player and as a coach, you get upset about losing,” said Black. “But as long as there’s an opportunity and a chance, that’s what’s important. We have to regroup and re-assess the situation. The motivation is to beat UST and get a shot at La Salle again.”
By Jasmine W. Payo / Inquirer

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CEBU CITY -- Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao has tapped Cebu’s top long-distance runner Adonis Singson to keep him company in his morning runs which kick off his daily training grind.


Getting a new running partner became necessary since the two Mexican sparmates and even his brother Bobby Pacquiao could not keep pace with the ‘Pacman’ when he jogs at the Alta Vista hills here.

Pacquiao covered 10 kilometers in 40 minutes on a route capped by a 3-km climb up the hills of Pardo here.

“It’s a good run,” American trainer Freddie Roach said, adding that “he’s pretty close to his form when he was training for his third fight with (Erik) Morales at this point.”

Roach added that he liked the idea of tapping Singson to run with Pacquiao, noting that only a professional runner can keep up with his prized fighter, who is deep in training for his Oct. 6 rematch with Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas.

In the afternoon, Pacquiao hit the mitts for 12 rounds with Roach at the Rex ‘Wakee’ Salud gym

Meanwhile, Pacquiao was saddened upon learning of the death of his former trainer Leonardo Pablo last Sunday in Manila due to heart failure.

Pacquiao sent P100,000 to Pablo’s family through businessman and boxing promoter Jay San Pedro.

Narvaez, a veteran matchmaker, brought Pablo to the Mandaluyong Hospital last Sunday.

He initially recovered from breathing problems but succumbed to another attack.

“He would have turned 68 today. It’s his birthday today,” Narvaez said in between sobs.

Pablo is set to be interred on Saturday at Manila’s North Cemetery. Salven Lagumbay, contributor / Inquirer

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LOS ANGELES -- Bert Batawang Wednesday received the jolting information that his scheduled Oct. 4 world title fight against Mexican IBF light flyweight champion Ulises Solis has been called off again a day after the Filipino challenger was declared perfectly ready for the championship.


The second postponement of the title bout originally slated last Sept. 16 in Las Vegas was harder to take for the 35-year-old Batawang who on Tuesday got hard-earned approval after a guided eight-round tour of the cruel route he had expected to take against Solis.

Rodel Mayol simulated the moves of the Mexican champion during a no-nonsense sparring at the Wild Card gym and readily confirmed the shattering impact of Batawang’s left punch.

Mayol, who lost to Solis in a title match in Chicago last month, claimed that, other than spear punches which he usually slammed, Batawang also displayed sharper defensive moves.

Trainer Nonoy Neri, who has been repackaging Mayol under the patronage of Manny Pacquiao, said Batawang could have not been more set for the championship fight against Solis.

“Malakas talaga, sobra ang stamina (He’s really powerful and he has terrific stamina),” Neri said.

International matchmaker Sampson Lewkowitz Wednesday informed Batawang’s manager Sammy Gello-ani in Cebu that doctors have ordered Solis to refrain from training for at least two weeks due to a shoulder injury.

Gello-ani said he would petition the International Boxing Federation (IBF), which lists Batawang as mandatory challenger, to put his fighter in an interim title fight with the winner next facing Solis.

Lewkowitz however claimed they would reschedule the twice postponed title fight in November, although there was no assurance Solis would not claim injury again.

Batawang had been lined up to fight Gerson Gerrero in a title eliminator as member of the RP team in the Boxing World Cup in Sacramento last month, but his opponent was discovered with a torn retina two days before the bout.

Batawang, who said there had also been an original title eliminator against Francisco Rosas last May, continued to say he would just wait for instructions from his manager, whom he earlier extolled for having finally lined him up for the Oct. 4 championship. By Recah Trinidad / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- The pair of Benjie Guevarra and Eduardo Lim ousted double world champion Ronato Alcano and partner Alex Lumpay Wednesday at the start of first SMC Scotch Doubles 10-balls at the Elbowroom in Metrowalk, Pasig City.


Guevarra and Lim scored a 9-5 victory over the favored tandem in the race-to-9, single knockout system tournament that will award P140,000 to the winning pair.

“Dikitan ’yung laban sa una at sa bandang huli lamang kami nakalamang (It was a close fight at the start and we were able to break away towards the end only),” said Guevarra, who will banner the country’s snooker team in the 2007 Thailand Southeast Asian Games in December.

Guevarra and Lim will next battle Roberto Dy and Jech Jech Limen, who beat Joven Bustamante and Roberto Chung, 9-6.

In another match, Alex Pagulayan and Jason Aperin crushed the pair of 2007 SMB RP 9-ball Open champion Antonio Gabica and Rogelio Sotero Jr., 9-2, to set up a second round clash with the winner of the match between the Mike Takayama-Edwin Reyes and Jomar de Ocampo-Jess Dacoro.

Also advancing to the second round were the pairs of Ramil Gallego and Julie Guevarra, Gandy Valle and Jay Jay Millares, Warren Kiamco and Rodrigo Geronimo, and Godofredo Ducanes and Ernesto Sarmiento.

Gallego and Guevarra nipped Dennis Orcollo and Troy Danao, 9-8; Valle and Millares bested Ricky Zerna and Jun Talosig, 9-6, while Kiamco and Geronimo beat Antonio Lining and Art Palma, 9-6. Marlon Bernardino, contributor

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MANDAUE CITY -- The Filipinos made a strong start in the Asian Individual Chess Championships Wednesday night with Grandmasters Eugene Torre, Rogelio “Joey” Antonio and Mark Paragua hurdling their rivals at the Cebu International Convention Center here.


Torre triggered the onslaught by whipping Iranian FIDE Master Homayoon Toufighi in 26 moves of a Queen’s Gambit-Declined, and Paragua followed suit with a 43-move triumph over Jordanian FM Ahmad Samhouri.

Not to be outdone, Antonio persevered with the black pieces to beat Singaporean FM Weiming Goh in 51 moves of a King’s Indian Defense.

“It was a nice, simple win,” said Torre, who held positional advantage early on and controlled the c-file when Toufighi resigned.

Paragua, who took a break from his United States campaign to join this tough $40,000 tournament, gained tempo and never let up on his attack to force Samhouri’s resignation.

“He (Samhouri) blundered with his d6 move as it later allowed me to control the center,” said Paragua, who was two pawns up in the end.

“I am hoping for a strong showing here to boost my rating,” said Paragua, the first Filipino to breach the 2600 barrier last year but is now down to 2525.

Though he was a pawn down early on, Antonio was able to put pressure on the queenside and eventually forced Goh to give up two pawns.

Antonio was able to take another pawn and won though he and Goh have bishops of opposite colors.

Turin Olympian International Master Darwin Laylo, returning after serving a six-month suspension slapped on him by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines for alleged game-fixing, also won at the expense of countryman Rhobel Legaspi.

“I hope to make good in my comeback,” said the 27-year-old Daylo, assistant coach of the University of Santo Tomas women’s chess team.

Cebuano Steven Yap Kin created a stir when he stunned Bangladeshi IM Enamul Hossain and joined the early leaders.

Teen sensation IM Wesley So was held to a draw by Indian Babu Lalith in a rook and pawn ending.

Bad luck fell on IM Ronald Bancod and National Masters Emmanuel Senador and Mirabeau Maga.

Bancod yielded to China’s Chao Li, Senador bowed to Indian GM Parimarjan Negi and Maga surrendered to Chinese GM Shaoteng Yu

The games between top seed GM Ni Hua of China and IM Morteza Mahjoobzardast and second seed Zhang Penxiang of China and compatriot IM Wen Yang were going on at presstime.

Meanwhile, NCFP president Prospero Pichay bared that Cebu will be making a bid to host the 2012 Chess Olympiad with the CICC as proposed venue. By Roy Luarca / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- History underpins the renewal of the rivalry between San Beda College and Letran College when they start their NCAA men’s basketball best-of-three championship series on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.


It’s the first time in 57 years that the two squads will actually meet in the finals.

The last time they met, Letran’s squad was famously referred to as Murder Inc. for the way it crushed rivals, Lauro Mumar was the First Knight and Caloy Loyzaga was the alpha male of the Red Lions pride.

As intriguing as the match-up is, San Beda coach Frankie Lim nonchalantly brushes off the idea that this is an important chapter in both schools’ history.

“This is the finals and you can throw everything, the records, history, and statistics out the window,” said Lim.

And rightly so. Things have changed since both schools marched straight to the final dance. For starters, the defending champion Red Lions have mowed down the field on the way to a 13-1 record.

Letran? It has slogged its way through the eliminations. But it did score one big highlight triumph in that phase, inflicting San Beda’s lone defeat, 70-69, in the first round.

Lim, a member of the 1977-78 San Beda champion team, is hoping to hand his alma mater back-to-back titles right in his first try as collegiate coach. Koy Banal coached the Red Lions to the title last year.

“Playing in the finals is totally different,” Lim said. “This is all about heart and the will to win.”

Ironically, it’s the rookie-laden Knights which have so far showed bigger heart throughout the season.

Letran tends to thrive when the game goes down the wire. The Lions have to prove their ability to play the crunch, but it is a dilemma that Lim will gladly accept -- the Lions have won by an average of 16 points so far.

As far as Letran coach Louie Alas is concerned, whichever team takes Game 1 is likely to wrap up the title.

“In a short series like this, Game 1 is very important,” said Alas, who masterminded the Knights’ 2003 and 2005 championship run. “It’s going to be tough because we’re up against a very strong opponent.” By Marc Anthony Reyes / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino archer Earl Benjamin Yap beat a world-ranked South Korean in a nerve-wracking shootout to win the men’s compound gold in the 15th Asian Archery Championships in Xian, China recently.


Yap, the continent’s No. 1 compound archer, nipped world No. 6 Kim Dong-kyu, 116-114, to become the first Filipino to bag an Asian championship gold.

A total of 39 archers from 12 countries vied for honors in the competition held Sept. 14 to 20 in the ancient Chinese city.

On the way to the finals, Yap overwhelmed a Hong Kong archer, 114-98, and Iran’s Parvis Maibdi, 107-104, in the preliminaries; Majid Ahmadi, also of Iran, 111-109, in the quarterfinals; and still another Iranian, world No. 10 Resa Zamaninejad, 113-112, in the semifinals.

Yap battled Kim to a 29-29 tie after the first end of the finals.

The Filipino moved ahead by 3 points after the Korean bungled a shot in the second end, but saw his lead cut to 2 at the end of the third end.

Yap sewed up the gold by matching Kim’s perfect fourth and final end with 3Xs. Marc Anthony Reyes

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MANDAUE CITY -- Forget about the ratings; the Filipino players are determined to topple their touted foreign rivals when the 6th Asian Individual Chess Championships begin at the Cebu International Convention Center here.


Though no local woodpusher is ranked among the top 10, Grandmaster Eugene Torre believes the Filipinos have good chances of barging into the elite group that will advance to this year’s World Chess Cup slated Nov. 22-Dec.18 in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

“This tournament is tough,” said Torre. “But we’ll do our best to perform beyond our seeding and represent the country in the World Cup.”

Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio, fresh off a victory in the Michigan Open early this month, concurred with Torre, adding that they have prepared hard for this $40,000 tournament.

The Philippine challenge got an unexpected boost when GM Mark Paragua cut short his campaign in the United States and arrived in Manila Monday night to join the 11-round championships being hosted by the country for the first time.

Attention will be focused on teen sensation Wesley So, who wound up board 1 gold medalist in last month’s World Under 16 Olympiad held in Singapore.

The 13-year-old So, also the reigning Philippine Open champion, is eyeing his second GM result with fellow International Master and Turin Chess Olympian Oliver Dimakiling.

Spearheading the foreign invasion are Super GMs Nia Hua (ELO 2681), Zhang Pengxiang (ELO 2649) and Wang Hao (ELO 2624) of China and Super GM Ehsan Ghame Maghami (ELO 2610) of Iran.

Indian GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly (ELO 2586) is ranked fifth, followed by Indonesian GM Utut Adianto (ELO 2583), Chinese GM Xu Jun (ELO 2574), Chinese GM Zhou Jiangchao (ELO 2572), Indian GM Chanda Sandipan (ELO 2563) and Chinese GM Zhao Jun (ELO 2558).

Torre, the only Filipino to reach the quarterfinals of the World Championships, totes an ELO of 2536, towing along Antonio (ELO 2532) and Paragua, who has slipped to 2530 after breaking the 2600-barrier last year.

Also expected to contend are So (ELO 2516), Dimakiling (ELO 2500), IM Julio Catalino Sadorra (ELO 2421), IM Ronald Bancod, Hamed Nouri, and Barlo Nadera.

The Chinese and Indian contingents are expected to arrive in Manila Tuesday night in time for Wednesday’s 2 p.m. opening ceremonies.

Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia and National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Prospero “Butch” Pichay will do the ceremonial moves.

Also expected to attend are (World Chess Federation) FIDE honorary lifetime president Florencio Campomanes, FIDE general secretary Ignatius Leong, former NCFP president Go Teng Kok, NCFP secretary general and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and sports patron Boojie Lim.

Unable to come due to pressing commitments, FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov will be gracing the closing ceremonies instead on Sept. 29. The tournament is backed by the Department of Tourism, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) Sports and Crown Regency Mandaue. By Roy Luarca / Inquirer

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MANILA, Philippines -- Power-breaking Antonio Gabica repeated over double world champion Ronato Alcano, 15-9, late Sunday to regain the San Miguel Beer Philippine 9-Ball Open crown at the Decagon Hall in Silvercity Mall at Ortigas Center in Pasig City.


Gabica, the event’s inaugural winner in 2004, sank the No. 1 ball using a tough bank shot and then sealed the victory and the P500,000 top purse with a 2-9 combination.

Gabica’s road to the race-to-15, alternate-break finals came after wins over 2006 SMB Asian 9-ball tour leg winner Gandy Valle (9-7), Alcano (9-3) and 2007 BCA Enjoypool.com 9-ball champion Dennis Orcollo (9-8). He lost to two-time defending champion Francisco “Django” Bustamante (9-7) in the fourth match of the winners’ brackets on Saturday.

The 35-year-old Gabica rebounded by beating Carlo Biado, 9-6, in the losers’ bracket and pool maestro Efren “Bata” Reyes, 13-10, in the crossover semifinal round Sunday afternoon.

Alcano beat Eduardo Saracho (9-3) in the opener before yielding to Gabica. The WPC 9-ball and 8-ball titlist dominated the losers’ brackets by trouncing 2004 World 9-ball champion Alex Pagulayan (9-6), Russian Petiza (9-7), Warren Kiamco (9-7), National Open titlist Lee Vann Corteza (9-6), and Panfilo Damuag (9-6).

Alcano then nipped Bustamante, 13-12, in the crossover semis before bowing to Gabica and settling for P250,000. Bustamante and Reyes earned P100,000 each.

In the 2004 inaugural leg of the RP 9-Ball Open, Gabica beat Orcollo, 17-6, in the finals by taking 11 straight racks.

It was Gabica’s first major title this year after runner-up finishes in the 2007 US Bar Table 9-Ball Championships in Sands Regency Hotel in Reno, Nevada, and the 2007 Cebu 9-Ball Open Challenge. Marlon Bernardino, contributor, Inquirer.

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MANILA, Philippines -- It took coach Norman Black and the rest of his Ateneo squad a long time to come out of their locker room that fateful Saturday night, when they blew a golden chance to nail down the No. 2 slot in the UAAP basketball semifinals.


“The good thing about it is that we still have a shot at it, though the road to the Finals has suddenly become tougher,” Black told sportswriters. “We just didn’t come out to play tonight.

The National University Bulldogs downed the Eagles in overtime, 96-88, Saturday to send Ateneo into Tuesday’s playoff with arch rival De La Salle University for the precious No. 2 position, which comes with a twice-to-beat bonus in the playoff for the second championship berth.

“I warned them that we only beat NU by one point (in the first round),” Black said. “I warned them to come and play (and they didn’t). We paid the price and we have to do it the hard way.”

The hard way means Ateneo getting past La Salle a third time this season in their 3 p.m. duel Tuesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

NU’s upset win sent the Eagles into a tie with the Archers for the second-best record behind the University of the East Warriors, who went straight to the Finals after a 14-0 sweep of the elims.

Ateneo swept both its elimination-round matches with the Archers, although league observers say the two victories were not convincing enough to give the Eagles an overwhelming confidence boost Tuesday.

The loser can still get back into contention but it has to beat University of Santo Tomas in a knockout duel Thursday to earn another crack at the No. 2 slot.

The Archers go into the match also smarting from an 84-92 overtime loss to the Warriors last Thursday. Musong R. Castillo, Inquirer.

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CEBU CITY -- Celebrated American trainer Freddie Roach raised both thumbs Monday after Manny Pacquiao cruised through his first 12-round session at the Rex “Wakee” Salud gym virtually unscathed and wanting for more.


Pacquiao has now sparred 80 rounds in preparation for his mammoth rematch with Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera on Oct. 6 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

“It was OK, he did great,” said Roach. “He just stayed a little bit too long on the ropes.”

Pacquiao sparred four rounds with Mexican Raymundo Beltran, three rounds with Aaron Melgarejo, three rounds with Mexican David Rodela and two rounds against welterweight Arniel Tinampay.

“He looked in much better shape today than when he first sparred after his flu,” said conditioning trainer Dodie Boy Peñalosa, who has been tasked by trainer Buboy Fernandez to check on Pacquiao’s stamina.

Meanwhile, Roach vehemently protested a report which came out in several websites Monday insinuating that he has a tape of Barrera’s workouts, and that he has commissioned a spy in the Mexican’s camp.

“That’s a total lie,” said the two-time Trainer of the Year awardee. “Tell them it’s not true. Why should I do that? I don’t need a tape. We already know how to beat Barrera.” Salven L. Lagumbay, contributor

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MANILA, Philippines -- Thanks to Sam Ekwe, the chase for the NCAA’s season-ending individual awards has become a wide open race.


With the San Beda College import getting disqualified following an infraction in the middle of the season, this year’s honor roll became a tossup among Mapua Institute of Technology’s Kelvin dela Peña, Ekwe’s teammate Yousif Aljamal and Jose Rizal University’s Marvin Hayes.

The Mapua Cardinals’ swingman topped the statistical race after the eliminations after powering his team to the Final Four.

The Fil-Canadian even delayed the scheduled surgery on a lump on his right knee to help Mapua, which eventually lost to defending champion San Beda in their semifinal duel last week.

Dela Peña posted 617 SPs after 12 games for an average of 51.4 points. He actually ranked second behind Ekwe, last year’s MVP-Rookie of the Year, who kicked Sang Lee of University of Perpetual Help in the eliminations and incurred a one-game suspension.

The misdemeanor automatically disqualified Ekwe from the awards.

Pro-bound Aljamal is in second place with 507 SPs for an average of 50.7 after 10 games.

The JRU Heavy Bombers’ do-it-all forward Hayes came in third with 530 SPs and a 44.2 average. The 6-foot-3 sophomore is also the frontrunner for the Most Improved Player award over Letran College’s Bryan Faundo and Dino Daa.

Faundo racked up a 40.4 average from 17.3 last season. Daa has a 40.1 average from 22.6 last year.

Red Lions slotman David Marcelo is ahead in the Rookie of the Year race with 28.7 SPs. Teammate Garvo Lanete is second (24.8), while Mapua guard Jonathan Banal is third with 24.2.

Six-foot-6 Jason Ballesteros of San Sebastian College is Defensive Player award leader with averages of 11.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. Mapua’s Neil Pascual is second (7.8rpg, 1.3bpg) and Dela Peña third (8.6 rpg, 2.3 steals per game).
GAMES WEDNESDAY (Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. -- San Sebastian vs Letran (Juniors)
4 p.m. -- San Beda vs Letran (Seniors)
By Marc Anthony Reyes , Inquirer.

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