Source: gmanews.tv
-- The camp of Floyd Mayweather Jr. appears to be not receptive to the final proposal given by Manny Pacquiao’s promoter, further endangering what could have been the biggest fight in history on March 13.
According to Yahoo! Sports, Team Mayweather scoffs at Top Rank boss Bob Arum’s pitch about giving the Nevada State Athletic Commission the free hand to decide how much testing there would be for the fight and when it would take place.
“It does not make sense for this to become a commission matter," Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who represents Mayweather in the negotiations, said in an interview with Yahoo! Sports.
“This is a contractual matter. The commission did not decide the weights or the purse split or how the foreign television rights would be sold," Schaefer added.
Under Arum’s proposal, there would be three blood tests — none within 30 days of the fight — unless the commission decided otherwise at a mid-January meeting.
"We will go along with what the Nevada commission decides. We will give them a blank check," Arum said in an Associated Press report Sunday (Monday in Manila).
Arum added that Pacquiao's side would go no further than the proposal. And if Team Mayweather would still not come on board by Monday, the veteran promoter said he will begin negotiations with Paul Malignaggi for the March 13 date the megafight was supposed to take place on.
“If this is Bob’s final ultimatum, then that’s what it is. That is his decision if he wants to take that position. I very much hope this fight can be made, but the reason it is at a standstill is because of the way they have handled things," Schaefer said.
Mayweather adviser Leonard Ellerbe said they would stand firm on their position on random tests.
“Random is random. We are all intelligent people and we know what random testing is. That is what we want and it has not changed," he told Yahoo! Sports’ Martin Rogers.
The dope item has derailed the otherwise smooth negotiations for the superbout between the reigning pound-for-pound king and his predecessor, who have earlier agreed to items on purse split, weight, and glove size.
The issue was borne out of the Mayweathers’ insinuations that Pacquiao is taking performance-enhancing drugs on his way to the top, something that the Pacman has vehemently denied.
The issue took a turn for worse as Pacquiao, who came clean in all his previous dope tests, expressed his intention to file charges against Mayweather Jr., his father Floyd Sr., and Schaefer for the dope allegations.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Amid a looming legal battle over claims of steroids use and the other camp's declaration that the mega-fight is dead, the side of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. appears ready to soften its stand on the disputed dope-testing item in the planned March 13 showdown with Manny Pacquiao.
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who’s representing Mayweather in the negotiations, on Sunday (Manila time) said the Floyd group is open to the Pacquiao camp’s demands of not using the US Anti-Doping Agency for the Olympic-style drug tests and of setting a cut-off time in conducting blood tests prior to the fight.
“We are OK to move off USADA," Schaefer said in an interview with ESPN.Com. “What we’re saying and what is important to us is four things – that the tests be random, that they include blood and urine and the time frame, meaning when do you stop the tests before the fight but know they will still be effective."
According to the GBP executive, the two camps have already agreed on the issues of random, blood and urine tests.
“It’s a matter of the two sides working out the specifics of the cutoff date to assure it will still be effective."
The dope issue has derailed the otherwise smooth negotiations for the projected highest-grossing fight in boxing history.
Purportedly aiming to protect their fighter from performance-enhancing drugs that they accused Pacquiao of taking, the Mayweather camp has insisted on doing thorough dope tests, including getting blood samples two days before the fight.
But Team Pacquiao has objected, wanting assurances that training would not be disrupted by a middle-of-the-night test or one conducted a few days leading up to the fight.
Instead, promoter Bob Arum proposed three scheduled tests - on the week of the fight’s press conference, at least 30 days before the bout, and immediately after the action. He also recommended that the Nevada State Athletic Commission or independent agencies that work with the NBA, NFL or MLB be tapped to do the test in place of the USADA.
The issue has taken a turn for worse as a fed up Pacquiao asked his promoters to help him prepare libel, slander, and defamation suits charges against Floyd Mayweather Jr and his father Floyd Sr., as well as Schaefer, whom he felt had “gone overboard" in insinuating he’s on to something illegal.
"I maintain and assure everyone that I have not used any form or kind of steroids and that my way to the top is a result of hard work, hard work, hard work and a lot of blood spilled from my past battles in the ring, not outside of it," Pacquiao said in a statement Friday. "I have no idea what steroids look like, and my fear in God has kept me safe and victorious through all these years.
"Now, I say to Floyd Mayweather Jr., don't be a coward, and face me in the ring, mano-a-mano, and shut your big, pretty mouth, so we can show the world who is the true king of the ring," the Filipino superstar said.
Arum had already declared the fight "dead" on Friday (Manila time) even while last ditch negotiations to reach a compromise and salvage the super fight are still ongoing.
"As far as I'm concerned the fight is over," Arum said. "Can it be revisited in the autumn? We'll see."
According Schaefer, GBP executive Bruce Binkow and Top Rank president Todd duBoef are currently in talks to settle the issue on the cutoff date for the tests – the remaining obstacle to Mayweather-Pacquiao.
“We want to figure it out (cutoff date) and I will give my recommendation to Team Mayweather and they will be on board. USADA is the most-recognized one but if it’s another one, like the Nevada commission, we don’t really care. I don’t care who performs the tests as long as they are performed. That’s our position," Schaefer told ESPN's Dan Rafael.
“If this fight doesn’t happen, it’s not because of Team Mayweather," he added.
Team Pacquiao, according to Arum, is already considering a duel with Paul Malignaggi on March 13.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Tall and agile players.
These are what Nokia RP 18-and-under head coach Eric Altamirano hopes to find beginning Jan. 4 when he launches his search for cagers who will represent the country in the FIBA Asia U-18 Championships for Men in September.
Altamirano took over the mantle from Franz Pumaren, who piloted the first U-18 team to seventh place in the 2008 edition in Tehran, Iran.
The former UP Maroon was tasked to handle the U-18 squad after steering the 16-and-under quintet to a fourth place finish in the FIBA-Asia U-16 meet in Johor Bahru, Malaysia last November.
"Our mindset for the U-18 should be a bit different this time, but we will again continue to draw on our strengths of quickness, outside shooting and team play," said Altamirano.
He hopes the series of tryouts will also flush out tall and mobile players since other Asian countries are expected to parade teenaged behemoths.
"We need to get tall and talented players since we will be up against strong teams like Iran, China and Kazakhstan," Altamirano said.
China, which has won eight titles in 20 tournaments, is expected to form a strong team to atone for a fifth place finish the last time around.
The Chinese team walked out of their game against Syria due to perceived poor officiating in the 2008 competitions to place only No. 5.
Among the players in the RP U-16 team who may be considered for the U-18 squad are skipper Kiefer Ravena, Von Pessumal, Roldan Sara, Gelo Alolino, Jeron Teng, Jeoffrey Javillonar, Kevin Ferrer, Mike Pate, Mike Tolomia, Nestor Bantayan, Paolo Romero and Cedric Labing-isa.
The Philippines has a rich tradition in the event formerly known as the FIBA Asia Youth Championship, hosting the biennial meet six times (1972, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986 and 1989) and winning six titles overall.
The first five titles were won in succession from the initial year in 1970 to 1978 while the last crown was taken during the 1982 edition.
Sadly, it was all downhill from there as the country's best finish since then was second place in 1986. Additionally, the last time the nation reached the semifinals was back in 1992
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Nonito “The Filipino Flash" Donaire, Jr. has hooked up with the trainer of compatriot Brian Viloria for his defense of the World Boxing Association interim super flyweight title against Mexico’s Gerson Guerrero on Feb. 13 in Las Vegas.
Donaire (22-1, 14 KOs) said Garcia, a former IBF super featherweight champion turned trainer, will help prepare his “mental game" against Guerrero (34-8 26 KOs).
The Peñalosa brothers, Jonathan and Dodie Boy, who trained Donaire when he won the WBA interim crown over an overweight Rafael Concepcion of Panama last August, will still be around and will join hands with Mike Bazzel in whipping Donaire into shape for the bout.
“I added Robert Garcia to the team as the mental part of my game," Donaire wrote in his latest blog posted on his official website.
“The Peñalosas are still with me and I respect them very much. But they will be working on my boxing conditioning, as well as Mike Bazzel working on my conditioning. I know people got confused. But Garcia is a very smart coach and I believe we can take my game to the next level together," he added.
Garcia, who also counts Steven Luevano, Victor Ortiz and Joan Guzman among his fighters, is credited for guiding Viloria back to the boxing elite. Under Garcia, Viloria managed to rediscover his competitive fire and snag the IBF light-flyweight strap from long-time champ Ulises Solis last April via 11th round KO last April. He retained the strap with his unanimous decision disposal of Mexico’s Jesus Iribe four months later in Hawaii.
Donaire will topbill Pinoy Power 3 at the Las Vegas Hilton, a power-packed card that also features veteran Gerry Peñalosa against Eric Morel in a WBO bantamweight eliminator; Ciso Morales against WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel; and Bernabe Concepcion against Puerto Rico’s Mario Santiago in a 10-round featherweight showdown.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- The Philippine Basketball Association has donated a total of P106,000 to the fund-raising and grant-giving organization Children’s Hour, representing the amount it raised during last year’s Fiesta Conference.
Under the program, the league would donate P100 for every point scored in the last two minutes of every Fiesta Conference game. The donation would be allotted to the St. Bernard Education Trust Fund (SBETF) of Children’s Hour.
According to PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios, this pet project of his is in line with the league’s belief in the principle that every child has the right to education.
“This is the PBA’s own humble way of extending help in providing education to the youth, especially those deserving ones," said Barrios. “I would also like to give my heartfelt thanks to the entire PBA Board for giving its support to this small, but significant undertaking, emphasizing that the league is not just all about basketball."
In last year’s Philippine Cup, a total of P118,000 was raised by the league, which in turn, helped fund the education of both elementary and high scholars at the SBETF for the school year 2009-2010.
Among the beneficiaries in the elementary level were Luther King Arbiol (Grade 2), Marilyn Pelesco (Grade 6), Christianne Rite (Grade 3), Felma Sanson (Grade 3) and Marvin Zamora (Grade 1), Laura Cayuna (Grade 6) and Sheila Mae Codilla (Grade 5).
In the high school level, the scholars included Maricel Mae Berdejo (4th years), Jimmy Bolasco (4th year) and Dysibel Cajes (3rd year).
Barrios added the league is again hoping to grant a new round of share to Children’s Hour as the charity cause continues in the ongoing KFC-Philippine Cup.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Amid a looming legal battle over claims of steroids use and the other camp's declaration that the mega-fight is dead, the side of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. appears ready to soften its stand on the disputed dope-testing item in the planned March 13 showdown with Manny Pacquiao.
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who’s representing Mayweather in the negotiations, on Sunday (Manila time) said the Floyd group is open to the Pacquiao camp’s demands of not using the US Anti-Doping Agency for the Olympic-style drug tests and of setting a cut-off time in conducting blood tests prior to the fight.
“We are OK to move off USADA," Schaefer said in an interview with ESPN.Com. “What we’re saying and what is important to us is four things – that the tests be random, that they include blood and urine and the time frame, meaning when do you stop the tests before the fight but know they will still be effective."
According to the GBP executive, the two camps have already agreed on the issues of random, blood and urine tests.
“It’s a matter of the two sides working out the specifics of the cutoff date to assure it will still be effective."
The dope issue has derailed the otherwise smooth negotiations for the projected highest-grossing fight in boxing history.
Purportedly aiming to protect their fighter from performance-enhancing drugs that they accused Pacquiao of taking, the Mayweather camp has insisted on doing thorough dope tests, including getting blood samples two days before the fight.
But Team Pacquiao has objected, wanting assurances that training would not be disrupted by a middle-of-the-night test or one conducted a few days leading up to the fight.
Instead, promoter Bob Arum proposed three scheduled tests - on the week of the fight’s press conference, at least 30 days before the bout, and immediately after the action. He also recommended that the Nevada State Athletic Commission or independent agencies that work with the NBA, NFL or MLB be tapped to do the test in place of the USADA.
The issue has taken a turn for worse as a fed up Pacquiao asked his promoters to help him prepare libel, slander, and defamation suits charges against Floyd Mayweather Jr and his father Floyd Sr., as well as Schaefer, whom he felt had “gone overboard" in insinuating he’s on to something illegal.
"I maintain and assure everyone that I have not used any form or kind of steroids and that my way to the top is a result of hard work, hard work, hard work and a lot of blood spilled from my past battles in the ring, not outside of it," Pacquiao said in a statement Friday. "I have no idea what steroids look like, and my fear in God has kept me safe and victorious through all these years.
"Now, I say to Floyd Mayweather Jr., don't be a coward, and face me in the ring, mano-a-mano, and shut your big, pretty mouth, so we can show the world who is the true king of the ring," the Filipino superstar said.
Arum had already declared the fight "dead" on Friday (Manila time) even while last ditch negotiations to reach a compromise and salvage the super fight are still ongoing.
"As far as I'm concerned the fight is over," Arum said. "Can it be revisited in the autumn? We'll see."
According Schaefer, GBP executive Bruce Binkow and Top Rank president Todd duBoef are currently in talks to settle the issue on the cutoff date for the tests – the remaining obstacle to Mayweather-Pacquiao.
“We want to figure it out (cutoff date) and I will give my recommendation to Team Mayweather and they will be on board. USADA is the most-recognized one but if it’s another one, like the Nevada commission, we don’t really care. I don’t care who performs the tests as long as they are performed. That’s our position," Schaefer told ESPN's Dan Rafael.
“If this fight doesn’t happen, it’s not because of Team Mayweather," he added.
Team Pacquiao, according to Arum, is already considering a duel with Paul Malignaggi on March 13.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Talk ‘N Text is on a mission and Macmac Cardona is only too willing to take the point.
Cardona earned the KFC/Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors anew for the period Dec. 21 to 27 and all because of a big role in a much-needed win before the league's Yuletide break.
The man who was cited by the scribes first in the period Oct. 19-25 (with Alaska's Reynel Hugnatan) and again on Nov. 23-29, as simply unstoppable in a 117-112 victory over Sta. Lucia Realty last Wednesday.
In that game, Cardona went 12-for-21 from the field and also had four rebounds and five assists as the Tropang Texters improved their win-loss slate to 10-5 for third-running spot behind Alaska (11-2) and San Miguel Beer (12-3).
It was the third 30-point game by Cardona in their last four games and he said it was borne of the entire team's desire to finish the 18-game eliminations in the upper tiers.
“Second round na kasi kaya pini-pick up ko ang game para sa goal naming (Texters) lahat," said Cardona, who is right on track to matching his league record of seven POTW citations during the 2007 Fiesta Conference.
“Hindi na namin kasi kontrolado ang numbers that will give us an automatic semifinal seat (reserved for the top two after the elims), pero we know na we need to win every game," he added.
The accolade, he hastens to point out, is not entirely his alone.
“Kasama ang mga teammates ko dito. Tinutulungan din nila ako sa mga pasa nila, set ng plays para sa akin," stated the league's scoring leader. “Kundi dahil sa kanila, baka mahirapan akong umi-score."
That should bode ill for TNT's opponents, who should also be concerned with the likes of Jimmy Alapag, Jason Castro, Harvey Carey and Ali Peek each time they face the Texters.
Cardona said whatever works for the team is just fine with him.
“Sa stage na ito, every game matters. Kaya kung ano ang magagawa ng buong team, gagawin, maabot lang ang goal namin," he said.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Plagued by doping accusations and a looming legal battle against the Mayweathers, here’s a whiff of fresh air for Team Pacquiao.
The United States Sports Academy on Friday named seven-time world division champion Manny Pacquiao as its 2009 Male Athlete of the Year alongside pole vault world record-holder Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia.
Both athletes topped the academy's worldwide online poll where more than 1.9 million votes were cast.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico believes the Kings are just bound to get better especially with their injured players expected to join the team in the playoffs of the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.
The league’s crowd darling capped 2009 with a bang, turning back the Coca-Cola Tigers, 106-97, on Christmas Day at the Astrodome to remain on track of at least snaring an outright quarterfinals berth.
Following their win over the Tigers, the Kings improved to 9-6 overall to tie the Purefoods TJ Giants for fourth place going into the 10-day Holiday break of the league.
Action in the season-opening tournament resumes on Jan. 6.
Although the team still has a slim chance of gaining one of two outright semifinals slots, Uichico admitted the Kings’ fate is not entirely in their hands.
"We only have three games left (against Talk ‘N Text, league leader Alaska and Burger King)," he said. "These are three tough and got to win games. Our only chance in the semis, I think, is winning three straight and the league leaders losing all of their remaining games."
The Aces are currently on top of the standings with an 11-2 card while the San Miguel Beermen are not far behind at second place (12-3).
"If not (semis), hopefully, we get the outright quarters (berth) and hopefully, by that time, we have our injured players back in the line up," Uichico said.
Missed badly by the Kings are star players JayJay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa, and back-up guard Junthy Valenzuela.
Caguioa has only played for two games for the Kings this season owing to his injured knee, while current league most valuable player (MVP) Helterbrand (bruised knee) already sat all of the team’s last six games.
Valenzuela hasn’t suit up for the team since suffering a knee injury during the Finals of the 2007-08 Fiesta Conference.
Good thing in their absence, back up players such as JC Intal, Celino Cruz and veteran Johnny Abarrientos, had been ably holding the fort for the Kings.
"We must keep on improving, then hopefully, next year we can have our injured players back," Uichico said.
The Ginebra coach added the Kings are not going to risk fielding all the injured players back not until they are completely fit to play again.
"They are capable. The only problem is trying to get them in game shape. But everything is on the positive side. Until they are not at 100 percent we will not let them play," Uichico said.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- f the Mayweathers won't fight him inside the ring, Manny Pacquiao will take them on outside of it. Enraged by what he thinks are libelous theatrics by the father-and-son Mayweathers, Pacquiao has instructed Top Rank promoter Bob Arum to file libel, slander, and defamation suits against the Floyd Sr. and Jr. and their company, Golden Boy Promotions (GBP).
It’s about time that he defended himself against accusations from Floyd Sr. that he used performance-enhancing drugs, Pacquiao said in a report by Sports Saksi Chino Trinidad.
GBP president Richard Schaeffer will also be named as one of the respondents.
“Enough is enough," Pacquiao said. “These people [Mayweather Sr., Jr., and GBP] think it is a joke and a right to accuse someone wrongly of using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs," said Pacquiao in a report by Philboxing.com.
Floyd Sr. has consistently accused Pacquiao that the source of his winning strength and speed is performance-enhancing drugs. The Filipino has won seven world division championships.
Dismissing Mayweather Sr.’s statements at first as part of a publicity stunt, Pacquiao - whose commercial endorsements based on his image have helped make him a billionaire - finally had enough.
“I have tried to just brush it off as a mere pre-fight ploy but I think they have gone overboard," said Pacquiao in Filipino.
But when more people have been asking him if he used performance-enhancing or not that is when Pacquiao decided to seek legal action.
“I have instructed (Arum) to help me out in the filing of the case as soon as possible because I have had people coming over to me now asking if I really take performance-enhancing drugs and I have cheated my way into becoming the No. 1 boxer in the world," said Pacquiao.
Team Pacquiao is planning to file libel, slander, and defamation suits against the Mayweathers.
Pacquiao said that he passed all the eight urine tests made by the Nevada Athletic Commission every time he fights in Las Vegas.
“I maintain and assure everyone that I have not used any form or kind of steroids and that my way to the top is a result of hard work, hard work, hard work and a lot of blood spilled from my past battles in the ring, not outside of it," said Pacquiao.“I have no idea what steroids look like and my fear in God has kept me safe and victorious through all these years."
“Now, I say to Floyd Mayweather Jr., don’t be a coward and face me in the ring, mano-a-mano and shut your big, pretty mouth, so we can show the world who is the true king of the ring," said Pacquiao.
Despite the pending bout outside the ring, Pacquiao is still looking forward to some day facing the undefeated Mayweather Jr. inside the ring in what may turn out to be one of the highest grossing fights of all time.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao is willing to duke it out with Floyd Mayweather Jr. but will not mind proceeding with his planned next gig on March 13 without the flamboyant fighter, whom he felt is just “scared" of him.
The proposed megabout between the two pound-for-pound superstars hit a snag when the camp of Mayweather insisted on getting blood samples for dope tests two days before fight night and the side of Pacquiao wouldn’t budge, preferring to have it in January, at least 30 days before the bout and immediately after all the action.
Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum, in an interview with the Associated Press from Las Vegas, said he's not willing to negotiate much longer to make the fight.
"I think it's over tomorrow (Friday in Manila) and we're going to another opponent if there is no agreement," Arum said. "It looks to me like they want a way out of the fight. Mayweather doesn't want to take a chance of losing."
Pacquiao said he’s game for a showdown but maintained it’s all up to the Money Mayweather to “shrug off his jitters."
“Sa akin walang problema. Kung gusto niyang lumaban eh di fight kaming dalawa. Pero kung natatakot siya, eh palakasin muna niya ang loob niya," he said in a TV interview with GMA 7.
Like his promoter, Pacquiao expressed belief Mayweather’s “unreasonable demand" was either part of Floyd's mind games or simply a way out of what’s projected to be the biggest fight of the decade.
“Gumagawa lang siya ng paraan or strategy niya yun para magalit ako, para ma-distract ako. O di kaya, ninenerbyos lang siya," said Pacquiao, who rejected the blood sampling so close to the fight since he claimed it would weaken him.
Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser, Michael Koncz, said with the Mayweather setto hanging in the balance, their camp is already shopping for a different opponent for the Pacman.
He rattled off the names of WBA super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman, who fought in the undercard of Pacquiao’s Firepower" card with Miguel Cotto, and former light-welterweight boss Paul Malignaggi.
The Mayweather camp has proposed the blood tests as part of an Olympic-style drug testing for the fight, purportedly meant to "protect" their fighter from Pacquiao's alleged use of performance-enhancing substances.
The 31-year-old Pacquiao has denied such allegations and tested negative for dope for his fight with Cotto and all previous outings.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Lee Van Corteza can patiently wait in his dream to become a world champion. But he made winning the national championship a habit.
Corteza beat virtual unknown Edgie Geronimo, 11-6, to recapture the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines- Philippine National Championship recently at the Star Billiards Center.
t was the second RP diadem in three years for Corteza, who came tantalizingly close to a world title this year.
Corteza, the top-rated Filipino player in the world rankings (No. 4) after placing second behind Mika Immonen of Finland in the recent second World Ten Ball Championship at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, had to go through the final round the hard way as he was pitted against former world No.1 player Dennis Orcullo.
Geronimo, a surprise finalist, advanced into the championship round after outlasting veteran counterpart Victor Arpilleda, 9-7.
The semis duel between Corteza and Orcullo had the making of a blockbuster championship showdown. The two engaged in a see-saw encounter after 14 racks, until the Corteza, the 2007 National Open champion, took the last two racks to secure his place in the final round.
The other semis pair took the same route with Geronimo showing nerves of steel against his more experienced rival.
But the race-to-11 finals proved to be anti-climatic as Corteza didn’t let up and quickly took the rhythm out of Geronimo en route to winning the top prize of P100,000, the champion’s trophy, and the Predator cue bonus prize. Geronimo took home P50,000.
“Mahirap yung laban kay Dennis (Orcullo)," said Corteza, who will be among six players representing the country in the first-ever World Team Championship in Hannover, Germany from Jan. 30-Feb.7 “Pero noong natalo ko na siya, medyo nakahinga ako ng maluwag at naging kumpiyansa.(going into the finals)."
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Jimmy Alapag hit a dagger trey to help Talk `N Text hold off Sta. Lucia, 117-112 Wednesday night in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.
The big three-pointer by the Tropang Texters’ guard came like a rain in the middle of the desert for the team, which was protecting a slim 110-107 lead with 40 seconds left in the game.
MacMac Cardona, whose 34 points led all Talk`N Text scorers, then clinched the win with two free throws 20 seconds later, 115-109.
Winning their second game in a row and last for the year 2009, the Tropang Texters remain in solo third at 10-5. More important, they continue to cling to their slim chances of snaring one of two outright semifinals berth at stake in the All-Filipino tournament.
“We just want to play and win and not mind the standings of the other teams," said Cardona, who already had 16 points in the first half.
Sta. Lucia lost to Talk `N Text for the second time this conference and fell to 7-6.
The loss put to naught the career-high 32 points of guard Ryan Reyes, who also had 12 rebounds.
Reyes’ long two-pointer in the last 30 seconds allowed the Realtors to close in for the last time, 109-113.
But forced to stop the clock, Sta. Lucia fouled and sent Cardona to the line, and the high-scoring Talk `N Text guard responded by sinking both free throws to wrap up the game.
The Tropang Texters trailed by as many as 10 early in the first half, but made a strong run in the second quarter to tie it at 52, two minutes before halftime.
Then pouncing on the Realtors’ maze of errors, Cardona and the Tropang Texters closed out the half with a big 8-0 blast to take with them a 60-52 lead at the half.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Rain or Shine finally had its payback against first round tormentor Barako Bull as the Elasto Painters scored a runaway 88-72 victory over the Energy Boosters Wednesday night in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Astrodome.
The Elasto Painters began the game a bit hesitant, before finally catching fire midway in the second period when they held down the Energy Boosters to nine points while coming through with 38 huge points of their own.
In a wink of an eye, Rain or Shine wiped out a 34-26 deficit and surged into an insurmountable 64-43 advantage.
Game over.
The win lifted the league’s youngest franchise to 4-10 (win-loss), while dealing Barako Bull (2-10) its 10th straight loss. It was actually the Energy Boosters' 20th setback in their last 22 outings and the 24th in 28 games overall dating back to the Fiesta Conference last season.
Moreover, the victory somehow eased the pains of the Painters’ 89-81 defeat to the Boosters in the first round, a game where Rain or Shine trailed by as many as 25 points at one point.
“I just told the boys that we should finish the year with a win," said Painters’ coach Caloy Garcia. “It was a big win since we have now a two-game advantage against (cellar-dwelling) Barako Bull (in the standings). And that’s big."
Sol Mercado collected 24 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the field and had eight assists while Jeff Chan added 15 points. Mike Hrabak had a rare start and finished with 12 – all on three-point shots – while rookie Jervy Cruz contributed 10 points.
Ogie Menor led the Boosters with 18 points and 10 rebounds while starters Aris Dimaunahan and Chad Alonzo combined for 25 points.
Likewise, the victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Painters, who in their previous game bowed to San Miguel Beer.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- After falling short of producing a world title holder, the Philippines is now seeking to become the first team to win the inaugural World Team Pool Championship slated from Jan. 30 to Feb. 7 in Hannover, Germany.
Ronnie Alcano, a two-time world champion and Laos SEA Games gold medalist, will lead the six-member Philippine team in this first-of-its-kind team tournament.
Other members of the country’s top-rated all-male team are Lee Van Corteza, Dennis Orcullo, Marlon Manalo, Warren Kiamco and Antonio Lining.
Officials of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP), led by president Sebastian Chua and chairman Yen Makabenta, selected the team
They were selected by officials of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines under the leadership of president Sebastian Chua and chairman Yen Makabenta, due to their previous performances in major tournaments.
Corteza was runner-up to Mika Immonen of Germany in this year’s 2nd World Ten Ball Championship at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
His strong performance in the WTBC catapulted him in the world rankings where he is now ranked No. 4. Alcano is the country’s only double world champion winning 9-ball and 8-ball crowns.
Orcullo, a former world no.1 player, beat erstwhile world’s top player Ralf Souquet of Germany in the finals of the Predator 10-Ball Challenge in the United States this year.
Kiamco and Lining made an auspicious comeback in the only world pool championship for men this year. Lining made it all the way to the semifinal round, while Kiamco made it to the Top 8.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- A close aid of seven-division world champion Manny Pacquiao said that the camp of Floyd Mayweather Jr. had allegedly pulled out of their scheduled March 13 mega-fight.
This was according to Michael Koncz, Pacquiao's Canadian adviser and liaison officer to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.
Koncz, in a breaking news by Sports Saksi Chino Trinidad, said that he just talked to Arum who already floated the names of WBA super welterweight king Yuri Foreman and former world champion Paul Malignaggi as Pacquiao’s next opponent in March 13.
This could be taken as a confirmation that the Mayweather camp had already withdrawn from the deal.
Foreman, an aspiring rabbi, defeated Daniel Santos via unanimous decision in the undercard of Pacquiao's blockbuster fight with Miguel Cotto.
Mayweather's demand for Pacquiao to undergo blood testing, in order to look for traces of performance-enhancing substances, is the alleged reason that the proposed mega-fight between both fighters would no longer push through.
Mayweather’s camp is demanding Pacquiao to undergo drug testing where blood samples would be taken from the Filipino ring icon two days before their scheduled March 13 bout.
Pacquiao, however, declined to give in to their demand saying that he is not hiding something and he believes that he has done nothing wrong.
Pacquiao said his performance inside the ring would be affected if blood is taken out from him two days before the fight.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- With the issue on blood-testing becoming a mess and both sides not budging, promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank is already considering a "Plan B" for Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao’s next fight.
Arum virtually admitted that the Pacquiao-Mayweather megafight is practically off over disagreement with the Mayweather camp’s proposal to get blood samples from the fighters as part of Olympic-style dope-testing for the planned March 13 card.
Asked point-black by boxing site Max Boxing if he thinks Pacquiao-Mayweather will still take place on March 13, Arum said: "No. Because Manny is not going to be subjected to blood testing while he’s in training and they (Mayweather camp) are going to insist on it because they never really wanted to do the fight."
The veteran promoter was reacting to a press statement from Golden Boy Promotions' Richard Schaefer, who is representing Mayweather in the negotiations that had previously gone rather smoothly. The Mayweather camp said the superfight is in jeopardy due to Pacquiao’s supposed refusal to have his blood tested within 30 days of the showdown.
At this point, Arum is already in the lookout for a possible new gig for the pound-for-pound king, although he refused to elaborate.
"Absolutely, but I don’t want to discuss it till I talk to Manny," he said when asked by Max Boxing if he's begun the process of finding another fight."
Prior to formal talks with the Mayweather camp, the Pacquiao group had previously considered the winner of the Jan. 30 duel between welterweight champions Shane Mosley and Daniel Berto, and WBA super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman.
The blood test clause was proposed by Floyd's camp purportedly to "protect" their fighter, as the unbeaten American’s father Floyd Senior has accused Pacquiao of taking performance-enhancing substances in his ascent in weight.
Pacquiao has denied the allegations and actually tested negative for such in his latest fight against Miguel Cotto and all other previous outings.
Team Pacquiao has maintained they are not totally refusing to undergo blood testing but only wants it done outside training proper.
"We’re willing to do all kinds of urine analysis. We’re willing to do blood testing before the press conference (scheduled early January) and after the fight. We’re not willing to do blood testing while he’s in training because he (Pacquiao) claims it weakens him. And one major doctor we’ve talked to says that blood testing is absolutely, totally irrelevant. Totally irrelevant," Arum said.
The two superstars have previously agreed in principle to battle it out on March 13, giving their thumbs up on the purse split, fight weight, and glove sizes - items considered major concerns.
But the blood testing clause now derailed the talks, a move that Team Pacquiao considers Mayweather’s psy-war tactics and possible way out of the much-anticipated fight.
"Of course they are (playing mind games). And they can go screw themselves!. I don’t care if this fight doesn’t happen." an irate Arum said.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Roger Mayweather, uncle and trainer of Floyd Mayweather, Jr., admitted it won’t be a walkover but his nephew, being the more skilled fighter, will emerge victorious in his proposed March 13 showdown with Manny Pacquiao.
“No fight is a walkover…but my nephew will win," Roger said in an interview with Fightfan.com.
The trainer predicted the highly-anticipated duel to be a boxing match, not a slugfest, with Floyd Jr. enjoying the considerable edge.
“Pacquiao’s been boxing..he’s not a wild man, he’s boxing. If that’s the case, he’s got to out-think my nephew. He’d have to be really sharp. In talking about the fight itself…that’s a boxing match," Mayweather said.
He expressed belief Pacquiao’s vaunted speed won’t be a factor against the equally fast Floyd Jr.
“Speed ain’t got nothing to do with it. It’s skills. And who’s got more skill? You already know who that is. It’s my nephew," he said.
To prove his point, he cited the case of former world junior welterweight champ Meldrick Taylor, one of the fastest guys in the world, who lost to Julio Cesar Chavez, a fighter not known to have great speed, in their unification fight in the early 1990s.
“Fighting a southpaw (like Pacquiao) won’t pose a problem to my nephew (as well)…and Floyd don’t have no problem making 147 (lbs). He ain’t going in sucking weight like De La Hoya did" he said, referring to the Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya who struggled to go down in weight before losing to Pacquiao via TKO in 2008.
Roger, though, acknowledged that Pacquiao’s volume of punches will be something they have to contend with.
“Pacquiao is one of those guys who gets in and gets out…he throws a lot of punches…but as far as speed goes, he’s not any faster than my nephew. He’s a smaller guy but he’s not faster," he said. “Not only is Floyd the bigger and stronger guy, he’s the more skilled guy!"
Breaking down Floyd
Pacquaio’s trainer Freddie Roach, though, said the Pacman will be able to break down Mayweather’s defenses.
“I have the keys to break down Mayweather even in the earlier rounds. Mayweather will have no more excuses; We'll catch him early; if not, it's going to be Pacquiao by unanimous decision," Roach said in a separate interview with PhilBoxing.Com.
"Pacquiao will strike on at unexpected angles that Mayweather will become frozen from taking too many shots," Roach added.
In preparing Pacquiao, Roach said he’s eyeing unbeaten light-welterweight champion Timothy Bradley as one of the sparmates for the Filipino pride, aside from British 140-lb champ Amir Khan.
Pacquiao, the reigning pound-for-pound king, and Mayweather Jr., the former P4P supremo, have agreed in principle to fight on March 13 while their respective promoters flesh out the details of the proposed contract.
The item on the venue is reportedly settled already with internet reports showing the MGM Grand in Las Vegas getting the hosting rights for the big-moneyed card.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Johnreil Casimero, a little known prospect from Cebu, hacked out a stunning 11th round TKO of Columbian Cesar Canchila to wrest the WBO interim light flyweight title at the Estadio Nacional Dennis Martinez in Managua, Nicaragua Sunday (Manila time).
According to website PhilBoxing.Com, the Ormoc-born, Mandaue-based Casimero dropped Canchila down five times – one each in the third, sixth and ninth rounds, and twice in the 11th – before the referee decided to put a stop to the carnage.
The 19-year-old Casimero, the reigning WBO Asia Pacific boss, thus hiked his immaculate ring record to 14-0 with eight knockouts while Canchila, the former WBA interim light flyweight titlist, slipped to 28-3 with 22 knockouts.
More importantly, the win placed Casimero into the roster of Filipinos holding a major world title, led of course by pound-for-pound king and WBO welterweight boss Manny Pacquiao.
WBO vice president Leon Manoncillo, who has helped virtual unknowns from Asia like Casimero vault into stardom, described the new champ as “another gem from the Philippines."
Casimero, who had Nonito Donaire Sr and Pingping Tepura at his corner, fought in the main event of the major boxing event held in memory of the late Managua Mayor and boxing champ Alexis "El Flaco Explosivo" Arguello.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Adamson waylaid University of the East in straight sets, 25-7, 25-16, 25-12, to grab solo second spot in the 72nd UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at The Arena in San Juan.
The win raised the Lady Falcons’ slate to 4-1, just a game behind defending champion La Salle which sports a spotless 5-0 mark entering the Christmas break.
Pau Soriano topscored with 15 points for the San Marcelino-based volleybelles, who also drew 14 points from team captain Angela Benting and 11 hits from Jill Gustilo.
“Maganda ang nilaro ng mga bata at nage-enjoy sa game, kahit nga yung mga second stingers excited nang makapasok kanina," said Adamson coach Dulce Pante.
Also chalking up a win was last year’s runner-up Far Eastern U, which posted a 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 25-16 win over the National U Lady Bulldogs.
It was the Lady Tams' second straight win for 3-2 overall, giving them a share of third with idle University of Sto. Tomas and Ateneo.
Cherry Vivas punched in 21 points while skipper Mary Rose Cabanag and Monique Tiangco added 17 and 16, respectively, to offset the absence of top hitter Shaira Gonzales due to shin injury.
NU absorbed its fifth straight setback to remain in the cellar. Slightly above the Lady Bulldogs in the standings were the UE Lady Warriors and the University of the Philipines Lady Maroons with identical 1-4 win-loss cards.
