Gregorio wants giant sweep of the season

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - No sooner after accomplishing a record PBA feat, the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants now want to complete a sweep of the season.

The Giants made history by becoming the first team to score a sweep of the PBA All-Filipino finals, beating the Alaska Aces in four games capped by an 86-76 victory before a roaring crowd of over 16,000 at the Araneta Coliseum last Wednesday.

Now, they’re looking forward to achieving a feat never done in the PBA in over two decades - sweep the 2010 PBA season.

“We will definitely not wait for another four years, another winter Olympics to win another championship. Four years are far in between. We’ll continue to strive hard. We’ll try to be the best again (in the next conference),” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

The Giants will be setting out to break a cycle of winning a title only every after four years since 2002. And Gregorio believes he has the materials to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a gift from heaven. It has put us in a position to achieve a double-championship in the season, so why not give it a good try,” said Purefoods top gun James Yap.

“This (Philippine Cup) championship alone is great. This is something that can never be taken away from us for the rest of our lives,” added Yap, winner of both the Best Player of the Conference award and the Handy Fix Finals MVP honors.

Only three teams - the Crispa Redmanizers, the San Miguel Beermen and the Alaska Milk Aces - have swept all titles in a season in the long history of the country’s premier pro league. But no team has done it since Alaska pulled off its Triple Crown in 1996.

Purefoods, soon to be called Derby Aces Llamados, will begin its chase of the second jewel in the Fiesta Conference beginning March 21 with Reggie Larry as import.

Larry, a Boise State product, was Purefoods’ original choice as reinforcement last year but couldn’t play as he suffered an injury a few days before the tourney. He’s fresh from a stint with the Brunei Barracudas in the Asean Basketball League ruled by the Philippine Patriots.

Making it 2-0 versus Alaska’s Tim Cone in their personal championship duels, Gregorio said he’s able to do it because he’s been lucky to have the better team.

“I refuse to think it’s a battle between coach Tim Cone and Ryan Gregorio. If it’s one-on-one, I would’ve lost easily. I relied on my players. I used my team as my armor. I’m happy I always have the better team each time we go head-to-head,” said Gregorio.

“Coach Tim Cone is up there and nobody is close. I have no illusion that I’m better than him. He’s still the winningest active coach. He’s got 12 championships and I have only three, so no comparison,” added Gregorio.

The Purefoods mentor said everything fell into place after they reacquired Marc Pingris and Paul Artadi and got Rafi Reavis and KG Canaleta on trade deals then landed Rico Maierhofer from the rookie draft.

“Suddenly, I have my champion team back,” said Gregorio.

“Still, it’s not easy. What made this win sweeter was the way we started. We went on a roller coaster ride, winning and losing. Punctuating it with seven straight wins is close to impossible. But we did it. It made it more memorable,” Gregorio said.

“Our will and determination to survive can’t be described in words. We’re supposed to be tired and the inferior team. Yes, we’re tired on the court, we’re tired in practice but we prayed hard. And those prayers were answered,” Gregorio added.

But even after the smoke of the battle had cleared, Gregorio said he couldn’t believe they were able to get the job done in record fashion.

“We never talked about the sweep. We just wanted to compete and play a good series,” said Gregorio.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Manny belts it out anew at Kimmel show

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

HOLLYWOOD – Nine days before the fight, Manny Pacquiao performed again on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

For the second time since November, he graced the longest-running late-night talk show on ABC, talked about his March 13 fight with Joshua Clottey, and brought the house down by singing George Benson’s “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You.”

The Filipino crowd that packed the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood cheered as Pacquiao took the floor and gave it all.

Last November, in the days leading to his fight with Miguel Cotto, the Filipino boxing icon was in the same show and sang his heart out, doing Dan Hill’s “Sometimes When We Touch.”

Pacquiao held a media workout at the Wild Card Gym, just two blocks away from the famous Hollywood Boulevard, in mid-afternoon, and entertained the horde of writers and photographers.

From inside his dressing room on to the top of the ring, he granted interviews and fielded questions about his coming fight, questions that have been asked probably of him a hundred times.

Then after the two-hour session, Pacquiao bent his way inside a waiting limousine that brought him to the nearby theater. He was back in his $2 million home at Larchmont Park soon after.

Earlier at the gym, Pacquiao said he’s all set to fight.

“I’m ready – a hundred percent,” he told the members of the press which lined all sides of the ring for a chance to interview the boxer just days before he defends his WBO welterweight crown.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Arum: Pacquiao faces toughest fight

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

HOLLYWOOD – Freddie Roach said Wednesday that Manny Pacquiao can knock Joshua Clottey out inside nine rounds.

Most people would believe the four-time Trainer of the Year. But not Bob Arum, the promoter, who said it may go the other way.

“I don’t know how you’ll knock Clottey out,” said the Top Rank big boss who happens to promote the two fighters who will slug it out on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Arum, the greatest salesman in boxing, tried hard to keep his feelings to himself even if in the past he had described Pacquiao as “the greatest fighter ever” and therefore would be very hard to beat.

But he said Wednesday at the Wild Card Gym, as Pacquiao was hosting his final media workout before the fight, that Clottey will be the toughest fight for the Filipino champion over the last two years.

And that the unexpected can always happen in Texas.

“I would be much more surprised if Manny knocks him out,” said Arum, who tried to ignore the tremendous odds going against the 33-year-old Clottey, who is at minus-350 against Pacquiao’s plus-500.

He said the odds are just a reflection of how people, particularly the fight fans, look at the fight, and that in their minds it’s going to be very, very difficult for Pacquiao to absorb his first loss in five years.

“The odds would say that Manny Pacquiao, after the (Ricky) Hatton victory (in May 2009), after the (Miguel) Cotto victory (in November 2009), is now Superman. And people judge him accordingly.”

Arum said the odds are better pegged at two-and-a-half-to-one for Pacquiao.

“This fight is going to be harder than the Cotto fight. Why? Because Clottey is more durable than Cotto,” said the legendary promoter.

Cotto, who was pummeled by Pacquiao for 12 rounds, barely got away with a victory over Clottey in New York last year, and many felt that the 33-year-old Ghana was winning the fight until he slowed down in the last two rounds.

Arum really doesn’t know what’s going to happen on March 13 except that the fight is going to take place.

He even entertained questions or thoughts of Pacquiao losing the fight.

“Clottey is bigger and stronger but Manny is a much better boxer, a much better athlete. And if Manny loses, I would be sorry for Manny. But that’s boxing and a lot of things can happen. Clottey is a very good and a very dangerous welterweight,” said Arum.

“If Clottey is successful then I would go immediately to Clottey who is under promotion to us and ask him to do a rematch.

He’s not obligated but I would ask him for a rematch.”

Roach thinks that’s not gonna happen.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

2nd Gilas prospect eyed

Source: By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is eyeing another prospect in NBA’s developmental league veteran Brian Butch for naturalization in case talks with NBA journeyman Dwane Jones bogs down.

Smart Gilas manager Frankie Lim yesterday said they’re now in the process of pursuing the 6-11 Jones, who suited up for several teams in both the NBA and the NBDL before ending up with the Austin Toros this year.

Lim disclosed that they had been having a difficult time getting in touch with Jones’ agent since the former St. John standout is still playing with the Toros in the NDL, which is expected to conclude at the end of the month.

“We’re having a hard time getting in touch with him (Jones) and we’re using all avenues to get him because he’s what coach Rajko (Toroman) wants,” said Lim. “Although we will not give up on him (Jones), we know Brian Butch could be a great fit to the team if in case we couldn’t get Jones,” he added.

Lim said Jones, an un-drafted rookie in 2005 who signed up with the Minnesota Timberwolves the same year before he was shipped to the Boston Celtics then moved to the Cleveland Cavaliers and finally to the Charlotte Bobcats two years ago, is expected to fill the Nationals’ need for inside presence.

Butch, a white 6-11 player who plays the No. 3 spot, doesn’t have the same power and athleticism of Jones but is more versatile since he does not only defend and rebound but also a reliable scorer who can hit it from behind the arc.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

The Final Score: Purefoods’ Octopus Defense snatches 4-0 Sweep

Source: By Mico Halili (GMANews.TV)

As I watched Sonny Thoss and Reynel Hugnatan toil against Purefoods’ defense, I sympathized with Alaska’s plight. The league’s top-ranked team at the end of the elimination round, fueled by a disciplined attack was helpless. In the final meeting of a 4-0 sweep, Purefoods’ octopus defense strangled the Aces and never allowed Alaska’s triangle offense to breathe.

Ryan Gregorio signed up Rafi Reavis and Rico Maierhofer at the start of the season with one thing in mind. Once combined with Marc Pingris and Nino Canaleta, all four elongated defenders form a system armed with eight tentacles. It’s Manny Pacquiao with eight arms. How frustrating it must have been for Thoss, Hugnatan and Joe Devance to find daylight in a flurry of simultaneous right-left combinations. Devance personified Alaska’s exasperation. All throughout the series, Devance was flustered by Reavis’ length, Pingris’ speed and Kerby Raymundo’s smarts. Devance went 0-10 in Game 4.

Although it wasn’t a blowout, one felt Game 4 was never that close. Somehow Alaska’s end-game meltdown in Games 2 and 3 was too much to recover from. Even when the Aces made a run to bridge the second and third periods, Alaska still looked like a deflated bunch. I wanted Alaska to win because a) I was scheduled to cover Game 5 for Solar TV and b) a proud team like Alaska deserves to hope for several more days. While watching the first half, however, basketball instincts, the kind that tells us to expect comebacks or warns us about impending defeat, cautioned me not to expect.

And so the teams’ contrasting fates played out. Back-to-back hits by 15-year veteran Jeffrey Cariaso allowed Alaska to cling to the past - marked by the best record after the elimination round and the sweep of Ginebra. Back-to-back hits by PBA rookie Maierhofer, on the other hand, gave Purefoods a glimpse of the future – spurred by a defensive frontline that could run the 4 x 100 meter relay.

With less than 6 minutes left, the series came to a close.

Devance, the tortured soul who missed crucial free-throws and committed a controversial last-second foul in Game 2, missed back-to-back attempts in the 4th period; the first had no confidence, the second had no chance. James Yap countered with back-to-back baskets; the first was all-confidence, the second was all-net. Roger Yap, Purefoods’ Renaissance man in the playoffs, delivered the knockout blow with a turn-around jumper to give Purefoods a 10-point lead, 75-65, with 4:55 left.

Alaska saw that it took nothing less than precision to score against Purefoods. Solar TV Analyst Andy Jao a.k.a. Dr. J aptly stated that the Aces are human beings who, faced with the energy of Purefoods’ hyper-defenders, wonder how they’ll run plays to perfection for four straight quarters for four straight games. The burden was too much. In truth, Purefoods’ defense proved too feisty even for a stringent team like Alaska. Gregorio’s octopus defense emerged unbeatable in the Finals. The championship trophy trapped in its tentacles is tangible proof.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Giants claim historic sweep

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Purefoods completed a fairytale ride in the 2009-2010 KFC Philippine Cup, conquering Alaska Milk
in four straight games in their titular duel to nail a record-tying fifth all-Filipino crown before a roaring crowd of over 16,000 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Giants outfought the Aces in a fierce battle for a fourth game in a row, hacking out an 86-76 victory to end a three-year title drought.

James Yap was named Best Player of the Conference before the game and was later adjudged the Handy Fix Finals MVP as he sustained a superb performance throughout the series, leading the Giants to the dream championship.

It was an improbable conquest of a third-seed playoff team which went all to win the crown, pulling the rug from under the second-ranked San Miguel Beer in the semifinals then stunning the first-seeded Alaska squad in the finals.

The Giants captured a fifth Philippine Cup title in winning their last seven games in the playoffs.

Purefoods distinguished itself as the first team in league history to score a four-game sweep in an all-Filipino tourney, blanking an Alaska team which itself scored a sweep of Barangay Ginebra in the semis.

“Chapter close, destination reached. Now we can celebrate,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

“It’s not easy at all. The first three games could’ve all gone the other way. It’s a miraculous feat and I’m happy to be part of series,” Gregorio also said.

“We had a roller-coaster ride early on in the tournament. We started on the wrong foot then went up and down. To punctuate it with a seven-game run is incredible. But we did it. We got a very memorable feat,” Gregorio added.

“It’s one of a kind because it’s a sweep. A big credit belongs to our coach. He’s done a good job and we’re all happy,” said Purefoods president Butch Alejo amidst the din of wild victory celebration.

Team governor Rene Pardo said this championship is among the sweetest in their eight titular harvests. Purefoods is now tied with Barangay Ginebra as the fifth winningest ballclub in the league behind San Miguel Beer (with 18 crowns), Crispa (13), Alaska (12) and Toyota (nine).

Yap scored 18 points with his second and last three-pointer, breaking Alaska’s back at 84-76 with time down to 1:34.

Roger Yap, Kerby Raymundo and Rico Maierhofer also put in double-digit outputs, helping Purefoods complete the third four-game sweep in best-of-seven PBA finals.

Northern Cement and Swift Mighty Meaty were the first teams to do the feat, doing it in import-reinforced tourney.

Alaska lost the first three games just by a combined margin of six points. The Aces were beaten convincingly in the final game largely due to their poor free-throw shooting.

The tournament best foul shooting team fouled up from the line in this game, muffing a 15 of 32 tries - their worst in the tourney.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

With ABL title, Mikee keeps winning streak

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Patriots’ title romp in the recent Asean Basketball League stretched Mikee Romero’s string of victories to 10 with the sportsman/businessman keen on going for the big one.

Cage observers actually had thought Romero would slow down after retiring Harbour Centre last year and introducing an entirely new team in the PBL, which Harbour dominated for years.

But Romero proved them wrong.

Not only did he produce another champion in the Oracle Titans but also in the Patriots, who swept Indonesia’s Satria Muda BritAma in their best-of-five title series for the inaugural ABL crown recently.

Those brought his total championships to 10, making him the most successful team owner in amateur basketball in recent years.

“Honestly, I did not expect to win 10 championships since all I want is to give my rivals a fierce competition,” said Romero, who co-owns the RP Patriots with businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco. “But all these championships were not given on a silver platter. We worked hard to win them.”

After losing two straight games late in the ABL elims, Romero and team manager Erick Arejola decided to bring in former PBA Best Import winner Gabe Freeman to reinforce the team. The move clicked as the Patriots swept their next seven games to become the first ABL champion team.

Romero’s two other international titles were the SEABA Club championship and the Thailand SEA Games which his team both won in 2007, the year he completed a Grand Slam.

“That was perhaps my best year in Philippine basketball because I won four titles, including two in the PBL,” said Romero.

After winning its sixth straight PBL titles, Romero used the name of the other company his family owned - Oracle Residences - in the PBL. After struggling early, the Titans won the franchise’s seventh title by beating Pharex in the PBL Unity Cup.

Despite his success the last five years, Romero is still longing for a big one.

“I’m still dreaming of having my own team in the PBA, and I hope I will realize it while I’m still young,” said the 38-year-old Romero.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Sparmates can't keep up with in-form Manny

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

HOLLYWOOD – Probably one reason Freddie Roach wanted less rounds of sparring this time is because it’s getting more and more difficult to find guys who can really keep up with Manny Pacquiao.

With just nine days left and a couple more rounds to go before his fight with Joshua Clottey, the heavy-handed Pacquiao continued to punish anyone thrown at him by his trainer at the Wild Card gym.

Since sparring began on the fourth week of January, the 31-year-old Pinoy icon had sparring partners, around 10 of them, lining up like they were disputing the welterweight slot in the US Olympic team.

From Brian Brooks, Dave Rodela, Ray Beltran and Jose Benavidez, a 2009 Golden Gloves welterweight champion, to Mike Dallas, Steve Forbes, Shawn Porter, Abdulla Amidu and Jamie Kavanagh.

“The more guys they put on him the more guys he beat up,” said Wild Card security enforcer Rob Peters in a brief chat
with Filipino scribes just outside the Wild Card Gym on a cold Tuesday evening.

Roach had just taken off, and so Peters did some talking.

“The camp has been good. Freddie’s happy and Manny’s in good spirits. We’ve been super strict with the fans the entire camp and it’s been working,” said Peters, who makes sure Pacquiao trains behind closed doors.

Peters was in there Tuesday when Pacquiao sparred with Kavanagh, the newest member of the Pacquiao sparring team. He’s a 19-year-old Irish armed with a respectable 168-12 record as an amateur and a future as a pro.

Peters said Kavanagh was probably out to make an impression that he came out swinging at Pacquiao like he wasn’t aware that he was in the ring with the greatest boxer in the planet today, the pound-for-pound champion.

“He came in a little too brave.. So, he comes in and Manny hits him with a good shot,” said Peters, adding that as Kavanagh staggered, Pacquiao had to step back a little.

“Manny really hit him with some serious shots,” said the Wild Card enforcer who noted that Pacquiao did a total of 10 rounds with Kavanagh, Amidu, Rodela and Beltran.

Pacquiao is in his last few days of sparring. He did 12 rounds against four guys last Saturday, and for this week the numbers should go down to 10, eight, six and four until they wrap things up by Saturday or Monday.

For his previous fights, Pacquiao does close to 150 rounds of sparring, but for this fight, Roach said a little over a hundred would be good enough because his boxer did not take long to be in good shape.

After all, it’s been only two months after he demolished Miguel Cotto that Pacquiao started training for Clottey.

Notes: Pacquiao will hold a media workout Wednesday at the Wild Card Gym starting at 2 p.m. There will be no sparring but it doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Joshua Clottey’s media workout is set Thursday in New York... Pacquiao should be happy with the arrival of his wife, Jinkee, Tuesday evening from Manila, and might bring her along when he appears at The Jimmy Kimmel Show later in the evening along the famous Hollywood Boulevard. Pacquiao was in the same show last November, in the runup for the Miguel Cotto fight, but created quite a stir when he drove in on his black Mercedes with a camera-shy girl who everybody thought wasn’t Jinkee.... Freddie Roach turns 50 on Friday. His birthday wish? Of course, a big win over Clottey.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Mayweather, Mosley get physical in kickoff

Source: (The Philippine Star)

NEW YORK – Music blared over the loudspeakers, smoke billowed across the stage, and the curtain dropped to reveal Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley dressed to the nines as a crowd of several thousand inside the Nokia Theater let out a roar.

They won’t meet in the ring until May 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but the first stop on a whirlwind, three-city publicity tour Tuesday included plenty of pomp and pizazz.

Fireworks, too.

After lengthy introductions that would have made silver-tongued Michael Buffer blush, the unbeaten Mayweather and the welterweight champion Mosley sauntered to the middle of the stage and stood face to face. Jawing turned to pointing, pointing turned to shoving, and before long, promoters from both camps were rushing forward to separate them.

Perhaps the altercation was staged, but it’s hard to fake the animosity between them.

“The thing is this: He may be the champ, but we all know belts don’t do nothing but collect dust,” Mayweather said, smiling. “I’m in the check-cashing business, baby.”

Both should be able to cash hefty checks after this fight, arguably the biggest in the sport not involving Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather and Mosley have been circling each other for years, and the possibility they would finally meet really gained traction when Mosley crashed a post-fight interview after Mayweather defeated Juan Manuel Marquez last September.

Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions brazenly predicted the fight will do 3 million pay-per-views, which would shatter the record set by Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya in 2007.

“We have the two best American fighters of our generation,” Schaefer said. “Mayweather has become a household name, let’s face it. Love him or hate him, he’s a household name.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Purefoods takes shot at history against Alaska

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - No team has ever swept the PBA All-Filipino finals. But with the feat within reach, expect Purefoods to go for it.

“We are upbeat about our chances in Game Four. We expect a determined Alaska team to come out firing on all cylinders and we must equal if not surpass their effort,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

The Giants take on the embattled Alaska Milk Aces in Game Four of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup titular showdown tonight, looking to become the first ball club in league history to score a 4-0 sweep in the all-Filipino finals.

Gametime is 7:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum with the Giants also out to distinguish themselves the first team to win the prestigious tourney five times after the Crispa Redmanizers in the early years of the league.

The Best Player of the Conference will be named before the opening tip-off, and it could well be Purefoods top gun James Yap.

The Giants intend to step up their game to complete their mission of ending the team’s three-year title drought.

“It has been a defensive match-up. We will set the tone on defense. In the first three games, we’re able to disrupt the rhythm of their triangle offense. We intend to do the same in Game Four,” Gregorio added.

Alaska isn’t losing hope, though, despite being in a hole no team in league history has ever recovered from.

“Our attitude is that they beat us three straight so there’s no reason we can’t beat them three straight as well. We believe,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

The veteran Alaska mentor is confident they can still regain the impressive form they’ve shown in topping the elimination phase then sweeping past the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their best-of-seven semifinal showdown.

If not, the Aces would go down in history as a team swept in the finals after sweeping their way in the semis.

The Giants are raring to finish off the Aces, wary of fatigue since they’ve been playing without relief since the quarterfinals.

“The same intensity on defense and intelligence in our execution of offense are required if we’re to close out the series,” said Gregorio, on line to achieve a third personal championship.

Gregorio and his troops set out for today’s game riding the momentum of a six-game romp, the team’s longest streak since a 7-0 start in the 2007-08 Philippine Cup.

Purefoods is 3-0 in a best-of-seven series versus Alaska for the second time after posting the same advantage in their 1994 Commissioner’s Cup finals duel. The Hotdogs were stopped then in Game Four before eventually winning the series in the next game.

Alaska went down 0-3 the last time versus Gordon’s Gin in the 1997 Commissioner’s Cup finale. The Aces survived two knockout games before succumbing in Game Six.

Cone said they have to solve Purefoods’ defense if they’re to get another day to live.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

5-player deal sends Yancy, Renren back to Air21

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Air21 and Talk n Text closed a trade
deal involving five players as soon as the PBA board, in a meeting yesterday, lifted the trade restrictions between the two teams.

Yancy de Ocampo and Renren Ritualo, FedEx’s prized draft acquisitions in 2002, rejoined the original team while JR Quinahan, Mark Yee and Aaron Aban went to Talk n Text.

This developed as the Lina Group decided to field back Air21 in favor of Burger King, a food chain partly owned by Talk n Text top bossman Manny Pangilinan.

Air21 and Talk n Text, thus, have been re-classified as two teams independent from one another.

De Ocampo and Ritualo, the No. 1 and No. 8 picks in the 2002 Rookie Draft, moved back to Air21 after helping Talk n Text win a second championship in the Philippine Cup last year.

De Ocampo, a 6-foot-8 center out of St. Francis of Assisi College, played five seasons with Talk n Text, having his most productive year in the 2006-07 campaign where he averaged 9.4 points a game.

Ritualo, meanwhile, had been with Talk n Text in the last four and a half seasons. He’d been TnT’s biggest outside threat until the arrival of former La Salle teammate Macmac Cardona.

Talk n Text gave up De Ocampo and Ritualo in exchange for Quinahan, Yee and Aban who are all young hard-nosed players.

Yee, an acquisition from Liga Pilipinas becoming the first player ever from San Sebastian-Cavite to make the PBA, is only in his second year in the majors.

Quinahan, from University of Visayas, is a third-year pro while Aban, from Letran, is in his fourth year.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Strike 3 for Richard Gomez?

Source: By Gerry Plaza, Special to Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Before even thinking or planning to run for office, candidates should do this imperative: follow the law! And, of course, try to understand it.

If they don’t intend to follow them—the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code—much less comprehend the gobbledygook, what then would be the use of running at all? This means there is that risk of bringing that kind of insolence into the office you are running for as you try to twist, bend or worse misunderstand the laws or policies you would be sworn to protect.

This is much more mandatory for a candidate seeking to run for a position in an office that actually makes the law. Actor Richard Gomez and his now frustrated run for a House seat shows how candidates must always consider the very nature of how laws work and why we must not go around it, just for the sake of seeking public office.

The residency requirement for local legislative candidates as stated in Article VI, Sec. 6 of the Constitution is definitely not vague to understand:

“No person shall be a Member of the House of Representatives unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is at least twenty-five years of age, able to read and write, and, except the party-list representatives, a registered voter in the district in which he shall be elected, and a resident thereof for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the election.”

Let’s first put the residency issue aside. Was it just me or did people really find it odd that Gomez decided to run for Representative of the Fourth District of Ormoc, Leyte when he was clearly more visible in Metro Manila? We have always known him as the celebrated hunk model-actor with only urban passions in mind, be it fencing or badminton, and spending weekend afternoons hitting the hoops, playing golf or pumping up in the gym. It was unlikely that someone of his stature could actually acquaint himself with the needs of Ormoc, even with the fact that his wife Lucy hails from this rural city in Leyte.

But despite this, the Liberal Party bet still seemed to go all out for another political run for senator.

He filed his certificate of candidacy last Nov. 30 with much fan fare and publicity. During this event when he submitted his papers at the local Comelec office in mid-afternoon, Gomez tells ABS-CBN News Tacloban when asked if he was at the very least apprehensive about his run, given that he was going against a noted “Ormocanon” politician, Eufrocino Codilla: "Hindi man ako taga-Ormoc eh 'yong misis ko naman. At depende na lang iyan sa platform namin. (I may not be from Ormoc, but my wife is. And that depends on our platform).” Yes, he actually admitted it on-air.

For local politicians, his obvious gaffe was really unnecessary for them to file protest. Just five days after Gomez filed his candidacy, Buenaventura Juntilla, a former barabgay chairman from Ormoc, filed a motion to disqualify Gomez for the obvious reason that he was not a resident of the city. Juntilla said Gomez misrepresented himself in the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) by stating that his address was of Carlota Hills, Ormoc City, when he was actually residing in East Greenhills, San Juan City. Such misrepresentation, he said, is a serious ground for disqualification under Sec. 78 of the Omnibus Election Code.

Gomez naturally said he would vow to fight the disqualification case, claiming it was a plain political ploy hatched by his opponent and that he had been spending more time in Ormoc than in Manila for the past three years.

Despite his claims, the Comelec issued a decision on Feb. 17 disqualifying Gomez for lack of residency, agreeing with Juntilla that the actor failed to meet the minimum residency requirement under the law, even if he had stayed in the locality for a time.

Gomez responded in a TV interview: “Sinabi sa batas, kailangan sa residency ang isang taon na nakarehistro ka doon at doon ka nakatira. Mahigit isang taon ang aking rehistro doon sa pagtira sa Ormoc at napatunayan ko ito lahat sa dokumento. (The law says you need to be registered (as a voter) there and you need to reside there. My registration and residency in Ormoc has been over a year and I have proven it with documents)." He filed a motion for reconsideration before the Comelec on Feb. 19.

He expounded on an interesting reason why he remained at his Greenhills residence even if he filed in his COC that he was a permanent resident of Ormoc City:

“Yung bahay namin sa Greenhills, bahay namin iyon kasi dito kami nagtratrabaho sa Manila for the basic reason na walang studio sa Ormoc. Walang TV station, walang ibang network doon, (We have a house in Greenhills because we work here in Manila and that there is no studio, TV station or networks in Ormoc)," Gomez told the weekly showbiz talk show “Startalk” the next day after he filed his appeal.

But in its ruling, the Comelec agreed with Juntilla on the intricacies of residency. In Juntilla’s motion to disqualify Gomez, he cited a Supreme Court ruling on “Perez vs Comelec 317, SCRA 546 1999,” that stated: “The place where a party actually or constructively has his permanent home, where he, no matter where he may be found at any given time, intends to return i.e., his domicile is the purpose of election law. The fact that a person is a registered voter in one district is not proof that he is not domiciled in another district. It is the fact of residence, not a statement in the certificate of candidacy which ought to be decisive in determining whether or not an individual has satisfied the constitution residence.”

As it is, even if Gomez pursues his case before the High Court, it is quite apparent that this particular ruling would make any appeal futile.

Strike 3 for Richard? If so, then we must know what he should do.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Donaire, Concepcion feted in Manila motorcade

Source: By Sandy Araneta (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxers Nonito Donaire Jr. and Bernabe Concepcion were cheered by fans in a city-wide motorcade organized by the Manila City government yesterday.

Donaire and Concepcion, who beat a Mexican and a Puerto Rican, respectively, in their Las Vegas card two weeks ago, were welcomed by Manila fans during the motorcade which passed through Escolta, Dasmariñas, Avenida, C.M. Recto, Del Pan, Road-10, Tayuman, Forbes, España, Fajardo, Earnshaw, Legarda, Concepcion and ended at the Manila City Hall.

Donaire and Concepcion thanked Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim for the honor he has given the boxers and the entire Filipino nation for their support and prayers.

Donaire, an adopted son of Manila, said the attention being given by Lim and the residents of Manila all the more bolsters his determination to fight for the country and inspires him to achieve more.

“I really feel like a son of Manila,” Donaire told City Hall employees and officials.

The mayor said the courage and will shown by Donaire and Bernabe in the ring to be able to bring glory to the country is worthy of emulation.

Lim said just like Donaire and Concepcion, city officials and employees of Manila can also be champions in public service.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Giants vow to finish off Aces in Game 4

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - For the Purefoods Giants, the best way to complete their mission in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup finale is to stay focused on the job at hand to complete a stirring sweep of Alaska Milk at the resumption of their series tomorrow.

Coach Ryan Gregorio said their mindset would just be to play hard and hope to accomplish the mission they have set out to do all conference long.

With a three-game-to-nil lead, the Giants take their first of four cracks at wrapping up the crown in Game Four at the Araneta Coliseum.

“We don’t want to give them breathing room. We don’t want them to regain their energy,” said Gregorio, determined to finish off the embattled Aces.

“We’ve got the right formula (of beating Alaska). It’s a matter of doing the formula night in and night out. We can’t give them a good rhythm when they run their triangle (offense),” Gregorio added.

No team in league history has ever come back from a 0-3 hole in a best-of-seven series, but the Aces are not yet about to throw in the towel.

Alaska coach Tim Cone said he would only take his hat off to the Giants once they complete the series win.

“The first order of business is going out and trying to win Wednesday,” said Cone.

The Alaska coach isn’t losing hope, noting the first three games were all close with each one going down to final execution of play in the stretch.

“We’re not separated by a lot. It could all go either way if we had better coaching,” said Cone.

Cone’s biggest worry is how to solve the Giants’ tough defense.

“I don’t think the series is coming down to energy. It’s their ability to defend and execute,” said Cone.

“They’re making it hard for us to run our patterns, making it break down to one-on-one. It’s falling down as the same as the San Miguel-Purefoods series.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Clottey: I throw punches that cause big damage

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Joshua Clottey doesn’t enjoy watching tapes of his opponents on the ring. Not even Manny Pacquiao.

However, that doesn’t mean that the 33-year-old fighter from Ghana is climbing the ring on March 13 not knowing what he’s up against.

“I have never watched his tapes. I never sit down and watch him and I never sit down and talk about him,” said Clottey during a media teleconference the other day to drum up his coming showdown with Pacquiao in Arlington, Texas.

The fight is set at the $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium, and no less than 40,000 fans are expected to brave the cold weather and see the fight. Promoter Bob Arum said there’s only around 8,000 tickets left and by fight time should be sold out.

“The only thing I think about is me and what I have to do when I come into the ring. I have been training very hard for myself to get to the ring and do my best. When I get to the ring, the fight will start and that’s what I’ll do,” he said.

Clottey is facing the biggest fight of his life and he considers this one as a rare opportunity to be with the greatest fighter in the planet. He is getting paid $1.2 million for this fight, and it’s more than what he’s earned over the last couple of years.

He said it doesn’t matter if he hadn’t seen any of Pacquiao’s fights.

“That is right. I never watch tapes of people. I don’t like watching tapes but I know how he fights. When I get to the ring I know how he is going to be,” he said of the gun-slinging fighter from the Philippines.

Pacquiao is staking his WBO welterweight crown against Clottey, and doesn’t see any reason why he’s going home empty-handed, just two months before he runs for a congressional seat in his hometown in Sarangani.

Clottey, however, said Pacquiao could be terribly wrong because he just knows what to do.

“I think you are right,” he told the media conference.

“You know, I’m not a flyweight. I am not a bantamweight. I am a welterweight and welterweights only throw punches that connect. I can throw shots which connect and land and cause damage,” he said.

“Not throw a lot of punches that he is deflecting and blocking. If you look at the last fight, I won the last round. He threw punches and I blocked them and I threw punches and they connected. I will throw punches that cause damage.”

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

PUREFOODS IN COMMAND, 3-0

Source: PBA.COM.PH

PUREFOODS is set to give Alaska a dose of its own terrible medicine.

The Giants banked on a late surge fueled by the Aces’ own collapse to carve a 79-78 decision Sunday and move within another win of sweeping their KFC-PBA Philippine Cup championship series at the packed Araneta Coliseum.

James Yap scored 14 points and PJ Simon 12 while KG Canaleta and Kerby Raymundo each hit a clutch endgame basket that were enough to lead Purefoods into a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven duel before a crowd of close to 15,000.

Alaska was limited to a single point inside the last three minutes of the game as it missed three field attempts and committed three turnovers, resulting in it being on the short end of an 18-11 count in fourth quarter points.

Still, the Aces had the chance to steal the game when they gained possession in the last 19 seconds. But Willie Miller’s attempt at a winner went awry against a phalanx of defenders with his frontal banked shot try not even hitting the rim at the last second.

The Giants can now wrap it all up should they win Game 4 and reprise what the Aces did against Barangay Ginebra in their semifinals series.

Coach Ryan Gregorio prefers to remain cautious. “I look at coach (Tim) Cone as the best coach in the league so at this point there is no reason for me to be happy.

“Yes, we’ve got a 3-0 lead but it takes four wins to wrap up series. “We just have to come up with the same kind of energy and willingness and determination to wrap it up.”

Cone also do not see the end coming to his team on Wednesday despite no team having come back from a 0-3 deficit in both the PBA and NBA.

“I’ll tip my cap and sing Purefoods praises when this series is over,” Cone stated. “But it’s not over yet. The first order of business is going out and trying to win it on Wednesday. “

Miller wound up with a gamehigh 20 points while Joe Devance finally came up with the game expected of him with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Sonny Thoss and Tony dela Cruz also submitted double figures with 12 and 10 points.

But Thoss fouled out with still 3:34 left and Devance was blamed for two of the turnovers and one of the misses in the endgame.

KG Canaleta, meanwhile, scored all eight of his points in the fourth, including a triple that capped Purefoods’ fightback from 13 points down and tied the game up for the last time at 77.

Following an Alaska turnover, Raymundo, who missed all his first 13 tries from the field, left Devance looking silly with an up-and-under move that gave Purefoods the lead for good, still 57 ticks left.

Canaleta, however, almost became the goat when he got free and was tempted to fire a trey. He did and the shot was short, resulting into what would be the last possessions for Alaska.

“Once again, our defense held up,” said Gregorio. “When KG took that hurried shot, I heard from the bench: ‘Let’s bail him out! Let’s bail him out!’ Indeed, we made some stops.”

In the end, the Giants emerged with a 47-46 edge off the boards, making Cone insist his team is far from tired as many tend to observe. “They just out-executed us down the stretch,” he stated.

Picking up from where it left off, Alaska opened up the second half by charging to the game’s biggest lead at 55-42, its drive abetted by the same man expected to give Yap the biggest support.

Raymundo was called for an offensive foul during a drive and was also called for a second motion on Hugnatan. Tenorio canned the charity and Miller drained an elbow jumper for the 13-point margin 6:45 left in the quarter.

Purefoods kept within striking distance through a player who has had his own struggles in the first two games.

Rico Maierhofer, who scored just six points in the first two games, eclipsed that with a seven-point explosion in the last 2:25 of the third quarter, enabling Purefoods to move within 61-67 going into the fourth period.

As important, the rookie was able to prod Thoss into committing his fifth foul with a side-stepping drive that resulted in a three-point play sparking the Giants’ surge.

The teams’ respective stars started shining in the first half which Alaska took 44-36 after opening up with a 15-4 lead and hardly letting up.

Yap’s fastbreak layup made it a very manageable 32-35 count, but Miller found his rhythm and led another Aces breakaway.

James Yap already had eight points at the half, an output Miller equaled in the second quarter alone for 12 points at the half.

Even the likes of Devance and Reynel Hugnatan stepped up their rebounding game when Thoss was slapped with two early fouls and got caught for his third with still 4:06 left in the second period.

Devance scored all his nine first half points in the opening period, sparking and fueling Alaska’s fine start, before Don Carlos Allado launched a straightaway catch-and-shoot trey, trimming the deficit to just 15-21 after the first 12 minutes of play.

The Scores:

Purefoods 79 - Yap, J. 14, Simon 12, Canaleta 8, Pingris 8, Reavis 8, Raymundo 8, Maierhofer 7, Yap, r. 5, Allado 5, Salvador 3, Artadi 1.

Alaska 78 - Miller20, De Vance 16, Thoss 12, Dela Cruz 10, Tenorio 8, Hugnatan 6, Ferriols 4, Borboran 2, Fonacier 0.

Quarters: 15-21, 36-44, 61-67, 79-78.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Sonsona too young to quit - promoter

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Marvin Sonsona should seriously rethink his plans after being knocked out by Wilfredo Gomez Jr. yesterday in Puerto Rico.

His promoter, Sammi Gello-ani, can only hope that Sonsona goes back to his “marvelous” ways – on and off the ring.

The 19-year-old boxer took the WBO super-flyweight crown from Puerto Rico’s Jose Lopez last September. But his reign didn’t last long.

He was stripped of the title two months after as he failed to make weight for his first defense against Mexico’s Alejandro Hernandez.

The bout pushed through but ended in a draw. Saying he could no longer make 115 lb, Sonsona jumped two divisions higher.

But before he left for the United States last January to start his training for the Gomez fight, word had it that he wasn’t taking things seriously.

Sonsona loves to party like some champions do, and Gello-ani admitted that there were times that the boxer talked about quitting the sport.

His trip to the US was delayed a couple of times because Sonsona was either late for his flight or had no intention of boarding the plane.

Gello-ani told The STAR he doesn’t want to give up on Sonsona because the native of Gen. Santos City has a very bright future in the sport.

“Bata pa kasi (He’s still young),” said Gello-ani. “So let’s give him a chance. There were days when he told me he wanted to quit boxing because he said he’d been boxing all his life.”

Sonsona comes from a poor family, and upon his title win last September, he said all he wanted was to give his parents and his siblings a taste of the good life.

“After getting a taste of the good life suddenly he wants to quit,” said Gello-Ani, adding that Sonsona got $25,000 against Lopez and $50,000 against Alejandro.

For the Vasquez fight, Gello-ani said Sonsona was given a “good contract.”

“Nakatikim ng sarap eh. Ayaw na daw niya. But we’re not giving up on him. We’re giving him two years to mature. But I keep telling him that in those two years he needs to fight,” said Gello-ani.

“I told him that it may be too late for him if he quits now and decides to make a comeback when he runs out of money. He’s a very good boxer and I want him to stay that way,” he added.

Gello-ani can only keep his fingers crossed.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Mayol keeps title after technical draw

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Yesterday was a bleak day for Philippine boxing.

First, Rodel Mayol was knocked out with a punch that looked illegal, Marvin Sonsona was counted out after taking three solid blows, and Juanito Rubillar lost what appeared to be a hometown decision.

Mayol’s fight with Omar Nino Romero ended in a technical draw after the Filipino champion took a low blow and, as he reeled, absorbed a solid left to the face that sent him down and out in the third round.

The referee, Vic Drakulich, was about to step in and grab Romero by his arm because of the low blow when the knockout punch landed, and stunned the crowd at the Coliseum Olimpico in Guadalajara, Mexico.

As Mayol lay on the canvass, Romero’s camp whooped it up, thinking it was a clear knockout and that they had wrested the WBC flyweight crown from the Filipino. But it was ruled a technical draw, and not a KO.

As a result, Mayol kept the crown and may look forward to an immediate rematch. But not after he was taken to the hospital for some tests. He was found to be “okay,” according to his cutman, Dr. Ed dela Vega.

“Although he was hit hard on the jaw, there was no fracture in his jaw and his neck is fine. We are about to get back to our hotel from the hospital,” Dela Vega was quoted by philboxing.com as saying.

Some had thought that the fight should have been ruled a no-contest, but the WBC decided otherwise. While the referee could have jumped in after the low blow, Mayol should have protected himself “at all times.”

Mayol went home with a 26-4-2 with 20 knockouts while Romero dips to 28-3-2 with 11 knockouts.

Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. knocked out Sonsona, dubbed as the future of Philippine boxing, in the fourth round in the fourth round at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon in Puerto Rico.

Sonsona, previously undefeated in 14 pro fights, jumped two weight divisions higher to fight Vasquez for the WBO super-bantamweight crown and ended up biting more than he can chew.

Vasquez is a legitimate super-bantamweight and it showed in his body, and his punches. He landed the heavier ones, and by the second round Sonsona had shown welts under his eyes.

In the fourth round, Sonsona did a Manny Pacquiao, leaning on the ropes and allowing himself to get hit. He took a big left to the body, a right straight to the face and another body blow.

The Filipino, who was sensational when he won the WBO super-flyweight crown last year in Canada, went down and never got up, kissing his bid for a second world title in different weight classes goodbye.

Vasquez, son of the great champion from Puerto Rico, celebrated after Sonsona was counted out. Later on, he got a hug from the Filipino fighter .

Vasquez improved to 18-0-1 while Sonsona slipped to 14-1-1.

Rubillar failed in his bid to win the IBO light-flyweight crown when he lost to South African Hekkoe Budler at the Emperors Casino, Kempton Park. Two judges had it for Budler, and the third round a tie.

Rubillar, a veteran with his 48-14-7 record, fought a gallant fight but fell short in his bid to impress the judges. Budler improved to 14-0.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Michael Jordan reaches deal to buy Bobcats

Source: ph.news.yahoo.com (Manila Bulletin)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- He has been called the NBA's greatest player and one of the country's top pitchmen.

Now Michael Jordan is ready for a new title: NBA owner.

With minutes to go until his exclusive negotiating window was to expire, Jordan struck a deal late Friday night to buy controlling interest of the Charlotte Bobcats, putting the six-time NBA champion in charge of the money-losing team in his home state.

Owner Bob Johnson announced in a statement that he's agreed to sell the Bobcats to Jordan, who been a part-owner of since 2006. Jordan has been running the team's basketball operations.

The purchase price and details of Jordan's ownership group - called MJ Basketball Holdings LLC - weren't immediately available. A spokeswoman for Johnson and a spokesman for Jordan said neither man was available for comment early Saturday.

The league's owners must still approve the purchase.

Jordan was in competition with former Houston Rockets executive George Postolos, who also had an ownership group together to buy the team. But Postolos said Jordan had the exclusive right to buy the club until just before midnight Friday night.

Jordan hit another last-second shot - reaching a deal minutes before the deadline.

"I remain committed to becoming an NBA owner, and I'm glad that Michael will continue to bring his talent to the sport and the league," Postolos said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. "He's very, very committed."

It will end Johnson's stint as the first black majority owner of a major professional sports team. Jordan becomes another black owner in another milestone for the Hall of Famer, but one that comes with many challenges.

Jordan, a five-time NBA MVP and 14-time All-Star, has made millions lending his name to sneakers, apparel and other items. Now he'll begin a completely different role, trying to make the Bobcats a winner, and the franchise and Charlotte's downtown arena profitable.

After paying $300 million for the expansion team that began play in 2004-05, Johnson has accumulated about $150 million in debt and the team is expected to lose tens of millions this season as they struggle to draw fans and find sponsorships.

Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, shook up management several times before recruiting Jordan to be a minority investor while giving him the final say on all basketball decisions.

Jordan, who turned 47 this month, has had a unique role with the Bobcats. General manager Rod Higgins runs the day-to-day basketball operations and Jordan has rarely attended practices or games, or worked on the marketing side of the operation.

Jordan has had some missteps - drafting the disappointing Adam Morrison No. 3 overall in 2006 - but he was also able to lure Hall of Famer Larry Brown to become coach at the beginning of last season.

Jordan and Brown have made seven trades involving 21 players since the start of last season. The November acquisition of Stephen Jackson from Golden State has helped Charlotte get into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.

But attendance has still lagged, and Jordan has been criticized in Charlotte for rarely being seen - despite his iconic status in the state.

Jordan grew up in Wilmington, N.C., led North Carolina to the 1982 national championship with a last-second shot, then remained one of the state's favorite sons when he starred with the Bulls.

Jordan's first stint as an NBA executive came with the Washington Wizards, where he was roundly criticized for drafting Kwame Brown with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft.

He changed roles when he returned briefly as a player, then was fired by owner Abe Pollin in 2003 when he tried to return to his role running the basketball operations.

No one will be able to fire Jordan after he takes control of the Bobcats, and it's likely the team will not change much in the front office.

Jordan's close friend, Fred Whitfield, is team president, and Higgins was Jordan's hire.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......