Hot Tigers roar to 3rd win in row

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Coca-Cola kept its mastery of Air21 and preserved a clean slate in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference, pulling off a 100-96 decision over the Express in their Holy Wednesday showdown at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

James Penny and Gary David sizzled with 29 and 21 points, respectively, while the rest of the Tigers limited Keena Young to 14 points and forced the Express to season-high 32 turnovers.

The Tigers pounced on those Air21 miscues as they remained unscathed, carrying a perfect 3-0 win-loss record as the league takes a short Holy Week break.

Coach Bo Perasol and his troops go for win No. 4 versus the Barangay Ginebra Kings at the resumption of play at the Big Dome on Easter Sunday. Barako Coffee and Rain or Shine collide in the other game.

“I’m pleasantly surprised with our 3-0 start. To be honest, I didn’t expect that. I would be happy with 2-1,” said Perasol.

“Three-zero is a good start and hopefully we can sustain it. It’s a good run capped by this character-building game. As expected, we faced a tough fight against Air21,” Perasol said.

The Express dominated the boards but made numerous turnovers and reeled to their second loss against a win.

Seven Air21 players, including their import, committed at least three errors each as the Express suffered yet another beating at the hands of the Tigers – their tormentors in the Philippine Cup wildcard round.

The Tigers limited themselves to only 18 errors and ended up beating the Express, 20-13, on turnovers points.

Penny had another steady performance, leading all scorers with 29 points on 13-of-22 field-goal shooting.

The former Texas Christian U stalwart also grabbed crucial rebounds and made a follow-up shot and a charity at endgame to help the Tigers clinch the victory.

In a close game marked by four deadlocks and 10 lead changes, the Express had their last taste of the lead at 91-87 with 3:54 left to play.

The Tigers surged ahead at 94-91 as Asi Taulava scored on a short stab, Norman Gonzales rifled in a trey then David buried two free throws on a 7-0 Coke roll.

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Ailing Nash hands Suns playoff slot

Source: (The Philippine Star) from Associated Press

CHICAGO – Steve Nash scored seven of his 22 points in the final two minutes as the Phoenix Suns beat the Chicago Bulls, 111-105, to clinch a National Basketball Association playoff berth on Tuesday.

Jason Richardson scored 27 points and Channing Frye nailed a key three-pointer with 41.6 seconds to go for the Suns who won their eighth consecutive game.

Nash also had 10 assists and Amare Stoudemire added 21 points for the winners.

Nash played despite suffering from a cold and a nagging sore back.

“If I’m honest, I was taking so many meds for my back and cold that I actually felt a little loopy for most of the game,” Nash said. “It helped my back but I was a little dizzy out there. At the end of the game I just tried to hang in there. We had a chance to win and I was fortunate to make some plays when it counted.”

Flip Murray and Derrick Rose had 23 points each for Chicago who are 1 1/2 games behind Toronto for the eighth playoff spot in East.

Canada’s Nash made a nifty pass to Grant Hill for a dunk with 23 seconds left to restore the Suns’ lead to three.

After Rose missed a three-pointer, Nash hit a pair of free throws with 13 seconds left.

Stoudemire dunked over James Johnson, was fouled and converted the three-point play to underscore a 10-0 first-quarter run by the Suns that opened up a 12-point lead.

The Suns’ lead didn’t last as Jannero Pargo hit a pair of three-pointers and Murray added one more in a 13-2 Chicago run that tied the game early in the second quarter.

Chicago held the lead for most of the third quarter and went to the fourth holding an 84-81 lead.

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Gilas gains confidence for Asiad

Source: By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - With more international exposure in the works and a naturalization candidate close to coming to terms, the Smart-Gilas national basketball team is shaping up to be the darkhorse at the Asian Games in Guangzhou this November.

Gilas is now in Serbia to play six exhibition games in 10 days. The first outing saw Gilas lose an 86-76 decision to Metallac Vallevo in Belgrade the other day. Metallac’s size and three-point shooting made the difference in the game where a Serbian referee walked out in the first quarter after being kicked by a Vallevo player.

Coach Rajko Toroman recently took the squad to Australia where the nationals, playing without a naturalization candidate, went unbeaten, winning five and drawing one. Gilas beat the Australian under-19 team, 78-67, Australian Institute of Sports (AIS), 79-73, Canberra Gunners, 79-73, New South Wales Institute of Sports, 82-63, and the Sydney Comets, 93-81. The draw was with AIS, 73-all, in a rematch.


“The team is looking better by the day,” said SBP executive director Noli Eala. “The nice thing is that our big men are beginning to gain confidence due to good exposure.”

Eala referred particularly to 7-foot Greg Slaughter and 6-9 Japeth Aguilar who produced impressive numbers during the Australian series. Slaughter hit 16 points in the win over AIS and 13 in the rematch. He had nine points, five rebounds and two blocked shots against Canberra, a Southeastern Australian Basketball League club. Aguilar compiled 29 points, 10 rebounds, four blocked shots and two steals in the 12-point victory over Sydney.

A former LeBron James teammate with the Cleveland Cavaliers will likely reinforce Gilas as national team manager Frankie Lim said yesterday the probability is 6-11, 251-pound Dwayne Jones of St. Joseph’s University will sign up.

“I’m close to signing Jones,” said Lim. “I’m just waiting for them to return the contract to me and that would be in a couple of days.”

Eala confirmed that a contract has been sent for Jones’ signature by Lim and “we’re waiting for an agreement.”

Gilas’ original naturalization candidate C. J. Giles was released by Sporting Al Riyadi of Beirut due to “bad disciplinary issues” last week. Giles was also cut by Gilas because of attitude problems, prompting Eala to describe the perfect “import” as a player who can defend the post, rebound and score but most importantly, is reliable and willing to play within Toroman’s system.

Toroman went to Las Vegas last month to check out naturalization candidates and listed six possibilities, including Jones. Lim even flew in two candidates, 6-10 Darian Townes of Arkansas and 6-10 Jameel Watkins of Georgetown, for tryouts but neither was impressive.

Gilas is booked for a nine-day training trip to Las Vegas next month when Marshall University crack guard Chris Lutz, a Fil-Am, will check in for duty after graduation. Then the team will play two games in five days in Vancouver before returning home. In May, Gilas is scheduled to play at the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Qatar. The national squad is also competing in the Stankovic Cup in Beirut and the Jones Cup in Taipei to prepare for the Asian Games in Guangzhou in November. The ultimate goal is to clinch a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics via a championship finish at the FIBA-Asia Championships in Beirut the year before.

If there’s anyone who can shore up Gilas’ middle, it’s Jones. In 2004, he teamed with Jameer Nelson and Delonte West to lead St. Joseph’s, a Jesuit school in Philadelphia and Norman Black’s alma mater, to a 30-2 record and an NCAA Elite Eight spot. Jones, 26, earned a degree in sociology at St. Joseph’s where as a senior in 2004-05, he averaged 10.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocked shots.

In the NBA, Jones suited up for Boston, Cleveland and Charlotte. This season, he was almost called up by the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards. Jones is now averaging 17.4 points and a league-high 15.6 rebounds for the Austin Toros in the NBA D-League. He is No. 1 in double-doubles with 32.

Jones’ connection with the Philippines is through Toros general manager Dell Demps, a former PBA import who is also the San Antonio Spurs director of player personnel. Demps reportedly maintains a condo unit in Manila and keeps close ties with Filipino coaches.

Jones played as an import in Turkey and Serbia so he’s no stranger to FIBA rules.

Last Saturday, Jones collected 14 points and 14 rebounds in a 48-minute, no-relief job as the Toros downed the Bakersfield Jam, 122-110. The next day, he erupted for 27 points, shot 11-of-17 free throws and grabbed 12 rebounds in 42 minutes in the Toros’ 111-92 win over the Jam in a rematch.

A scouting report on Jones said that his “bread and butter remains his outstanding rebounding ability.” The report added, “Averaging an outstanding 15.6 rebounds (in the D-League), Jones does a lot of the things that NBA teams want from a short-term player: he pulls down an exceptional 5.9 offensive rebounds per game, he provides a defensive presence with his terrific strength, length and bulk, and he can bring energy off the bench...one of the most consistent players we’ve observed, Jones is a steady veteran who remains on the cusp of the NBA.”

With his NBA options drying up, Jones seems ready to make the jump to Gilas.

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Coke to fan sizzling start vs Air21

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Coca-Cola sets out for win No. 3 against Air21 even as San Miguel Beer and Talk n Text, the two champion teams last season, figure in an interesting duel in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Coke and Air21 square up at 5 p.m. with the Tigers gunning for a third straight victory following a 97-74 rout of the Barako Energy Coffee Masters last Wednesday and a 108-98 win over the reigning champion Beermen in Gingoog, Misamis Oriental last Saturday.

The Beermen, meanwhile, try to bounce back from that embarrassing defeat as they collide with the Texters in the 7:30 p.m. main game.

Talk n Text is coming off a 99-96 decision over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Friday.

“We need to sustain our energy and our balanced attack specially against a team like Air21. It is also important that we have to run with them,” said Coca-Cola coach Bo Perasol whose team is off to its best start in a tourney in the last two seasons behind talented import James Penny.

Coke and Air21 had their last meeting in the recent Philippine Cup wildcard phase where the seventh-seeded Tigers topped the eighth-ranked Express, 118-112, behind Gary David’s auspicious debut with his new team.

David then tossed in 21 points on 8-of-18 field-goal shooting and added four rebounds and three assists a few days after his transfer from Air21 to Coca-Cola.

The former Lyceum Pirate has also dished out a pair of steady games against Barako and San Miguel to earn the Best Player of the Week honors.

Focus, however, will be on the second game pitting the fancied teams, which came up short in their respective bids in the recent Philippine Cup.

Like the Express, the Beermen and the Tropang Texters are going for a second win in three starts.

Gabe Freeman, the Best Import in the 2009 Fiesta Conference, is out to make up for his early exit in their Saturday’s game versus Coke due to cramps.

“Gabe looks okay. We made some adjustments during the break. I’m sure Talk n Text is also making adjustments. The key in our game would be who is able to get good chemistry this early,” said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“Talk n Text hasn’t beaten San Miguel in the reinforced conference since coach Joel Banal’s time. We have to change that,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

Meanwhile, the PBA has released the complete schedule for the opening round of the Fiesta Conference elimination round.

All-Filipino champion Purefoods (now known as Derby Ace) and runner-up Alaska Milk play Sta. Lucia and Talk n Text, respectively, to start their Fiesta Conference campaign on Wednesday at the Astrodome.

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Unbeaten Drian, Nunez face off

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Rising Filipino pug Drian Francisco tries to move closer to a possible shot at a first ever world crown as he takes on Ricardo Nunez of Panama on April 17 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Set over 12 rounds, the super-flyweight fight serves as a World Boxing Association (WBA) title eliminator match.

Nobuo Nashiro of Japan is the current WBA champion in the 115 lb. division.

Dubbed “Young Guns”, the boxing card, presented by Solar TV and Solar Sports, is the third installment of the popular series “Boxing at the Bay”, featuring the best and the upcoming fighters from around the world.

Francisco, 27, is undefeated in 18 pro fights, including 14 KOs. He is coming off a 10th round technical knockout of former world champion Robert Vazquez, also of Panama last October during the initial presentation of the “Boxing at the Bay” (First Strike) series at the Astrodome.

The Filipino is currently ranked No. 3 by the WBA.

Equally impressive is the 22-year old Nunez, rated by the WBA at No. 2. A native of La Chorrera, Panama, Nunez sports a 17-1 record with 15 stoppages.

His only loss came against compatriot William De Sousa in 2008 following a first round technical knockout.

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Oscar looks for way out of Manny lawsuit

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Oscar dela Hoya is trying to wiggle out of the lawsuit filed by Manny Pacquiao against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Philboxing.com yesterday reported that New York-based lawyer Judd Burstein, who helped Pacquiao in his case against his ex-promoter, Murad Muhammad, in 2005, will make sure the Golden Boy does.

Burstein is seeking relief from Dela Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions, and Richard Schaefer, the CEO. But it doesn’t mean that Burstein is also working for the dismissal of the case against Mayweather.

Pacquiao was accused by the Mayweathers, the boxer, his father and uncle, of using illegal performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), and the undefeated American called for a random blood-testing before he could agree to fight the Filipino icon.

But Pacquiao answered the accusations with a lawsuit that was filed by his lawyer, Dan Petrocelli, in Nevada last December, right after negotiations for the super-fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather officially broke down.

The reigning pound-for-pound champion filed charges of defamation against the Mayweathers, and included Dela Hoya and Schaefer in the lawsuit that may result to damages in excess of $5 million.

Burstein, according to the report, will try to get Dela Hoya and Schaefer out of the lawsuit, and that the statements made by the Golden Boy big bosses regarding Pacquiao’s alleged PEDs were just “opinions.”

And that they were “reasonable questions based on the facts that lead to suspicion that Pacquiao is using illegal PEDs.”

Burstein could be the man who can wiggle the Golden Boy out of the lawsuit. And he’s not new to boxing, having made previous representations for Don King, Lennox Lewis and Pacquiao, and non-boxing figures like Donald Trump and The Backstreet Boys.

The bitter dispute regarding the blood-testing prevented the super-fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather from happening. And unless they agree somewhere, the fight will never happen at all.

Pacquiao’s chief trainer, Freddie Roach, however, said the other day the fight may push through if Mayweather drops his demand for the blood-testing and Pacquiao drops the lawsuit.

But Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz, shot it down, saying it’s not going to happen.

Koncz spoke to The STAR the other day, and said the only way the lawsuit would go away is if Pacquiao is “compensated monetarily or the Mayweathers are punished by the court and asked to pay millions or if there’s an off-the-court settlement.”

“I’m sure Manny won’t change his position because we’re not spending thousands and thousands of dollars for the lawsuit just to use it as a bargaining chip for a fight. No way,” added Koncz.

“It was never our intention to file the lawsuit and use it later on as a bargaining chip for a fight,” he added.

“That’s ridiculous,” Koncz said.

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Pacman: No tradeoff

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao will never use the lawsuit, which he filed against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and company as a bargaining chip for his highly-anticipated super-fight with the undefeated American.

“That was never the intention,” said Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz, yesterday after reports came out that the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight could take place if both sides reach a compromise.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, was quoted the other day as saying the fight could happen if Mayweather drops his demand for random blood-testing, and Pacquiao drops the lawsuit.

The Filipino champion has beaten anybody thrown at him, at any weight over the last five years, prompting Mayweather to accuse Pacquiao as taking illegal performance enhancers.

Pacquiao hurled Mayweather to court, saying the accusations have damaged his reputation, and included Floyd Sr., the uncle, Roger, and his promoters from Golden Boy in the lawsuit.

But Pacquiao, said Koncz, has no plans of dropping the case just to get the fight on. Besides, Pacquiao said he’s ready to retire, and not unless he gets what he wants he may never ever fight Mayweather.

“It’s Floyd who needs me. I can retire now if I want to,” said Pacquiao.

“Why do we need to use the lawsuit as a bargaining chip? That’s ridiculous,” Koncz told The STAR from General Santos City where Pacquiao is busy campaigning for the May 10 elections.

“Manny’s reputation has been tarnished. And we just talked to our lawyers in Los Angeles the day before yesterday. It’s full steam ahead as far as the lawsuit is concerned,” said the Canadian adviser.

Koncz stressed that the only way the lawsuit would go away is if Pacquiao is “compensated monetarily or the Mayweathers are punished by the court and asked to pay millions or if there’s an off-the-court settlement.”

Koncz said not even a public apology from the Mayweathers and their promoters can clear the air.

“Manny has said time and again that the fight is going to happen only if Floyd Mayweather lets the commission do what it’s supposed to do,” said Koncz, referring to the old drug-testing procedure.

Pacquiao said it’s always been the commission that has done the testing, through urine tests and blood tests before and after the fight, but not too close to the fight, and it should be the same way.

The Filipino pound-for-pound champion said Mayweather’s demand for random blood testing, which could happen the day before or even closer to the fight, was the American’s only way out of the fight.

“I’m sure Manny won’t change his position because we’re not spending thousands and thousands of dollars for the lawsuit just to use it as a bargaining chip for a fight. No way,” added Koncz.

“It was never our intention to file the lawsuit and use it later on as a bargaining chip for a fight,” he added.

A Pacquiao vs Mayweather could generate revenues of more than $100 million and the fighters could earn $40 million to $50 million each on their purse, pay-per-view sales, television rights, merchandise and ticket sales.

However, many believe that Mayweather was not yet ready to face Pacquiao after a retirement that lasted almost two years. So, he fought Juan Manuel Marquez instead, and will climb the ring against Shane Mosley in May.

“The damage to his reputation and lost business opportunities could be in the tens of millions of dollars,” Pacquiao’s American lawyer, Dan Petrocelli, said in a previous interview.

Pacquiao filed the suit in a U.S. District Court in Nevada against the Mayweathers and Golden Boy Promotions executives Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer, alleging that they made false and defamatory statements accusing him of taking performance-enhancing drugs.

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Stags spirit lives on in proud 25ers

Source: By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Excelroof coach Ato Agustin said the same formula that won for San Sebastian College the 2009 NCAA championship also made the difference as the 25ers topped the Pharex B-Complex Maroons to claim the 2010 PBL PG Flex Erase Placenta Cup crown at The Arena in San Juan Saturday.

“Hard work, toughness and aggressiveness were traits we developed in our team to win the NCAA. I’m happy they also worked in our PBL campaign,” said Agustin.

“We know the PBL is a far different league than the NCAA. But we’re convinced it’s better to stick to our philosophy. We played hard, tough and didn’t give up,” Agustin added.

The 25ers, composed mostly of SSC Stags in the NCAA, beat the top-seeded Maroons two games in a row to complete their Cinderella ride in the tourney.

Excelroof whipped Pharex, 97-87, in overtime in Game One then repeated with a 97-92 win in Game Two to become the first team in a long, long while to emerge as champion in its first tourney in the PBL.

For one, the victory proved Agustin’s own Cinderella tale in the NCAA was no fluke.

“This championship meant a lot to me and I’m thankful to the people who helped us get there,” said Agustin citing the support of team owner Edwin Chua and manager Oliver Gianan.

Agustin mentioned Gianan’s “BEST” motivation and encouragement as the driving force in the 25ers quest for the crown.

“BEST stands for believe in oneself, encourage, share and trust,” said Gianan.

In Saturday’s game, the 25ers fell behind by 10 points several times but they just wouldn’t quit.

With his second unit rising to the occasion, the team methodically cut Pharex’s lead to just two points.

Needing one big salvo to finally turn things around, Agustin fielded back his starters Calvin Abueva, Ramboy Raymundo, Ian Sangalang and Jimbo Aquino in the last six minutes. And they turned things around for Excelroof.

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Boxing next for retired PBL chief

Source: By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from retiring after a 10-year tenure as PBL commissioner, Chino Trinidad said yesterday while focused on a career as a broadcaster with the GMA network, he plans to be involved in boxing.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be dissociated from sports,” said the 42-year-old Trinidad. “As a broadcaster, my dream is to develop into a Mike Enriquez, a well-rounded commentator widely respected for his competence, work ethic, courage and energy. But while I hope to prove myself in fields outside of sports, I know what is closest to my heart. I realize somehow, I will continue to be in sports – boxing, in particular. And I’ve found in over six years of covering Manny Pacquiao’s fights in the US, a challenge to discover more Filipino world champions. I’ve seen how boxing has brought honor and glory to our country, how it has provided a way out of poverty for our fighters.”

Trinidad said his eyes were opened during his last close-up coverage of Pacquiao training for Joshua Clottey. “I spent 45 straight days in the US,” he went on. “I learned the ins and outs of boxing. With my exposure, I think I can play the role of a facilitator who can connect Filipino prospects with international trainers and promoters.”

Trinidad said his idea is to hold boxoffs in six weight divisions – lightflyweight, flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, superfeatherweight and lightweight.

“We’ll hold tryouts in major boxing centers around the country and choose 10 fighters for every division then we’ll trim the list to four and finally, to one each,” said Trinidad. “With the support of the GMA network, I’m confident we can get this done. The reward is to give our fighters the chance to reach the top. The challenge is for the fighters to be like Manny, work like Manny and fight like Manny. Once we identify the six fighters, we’ll bring them to the US and contract a trainer willing to spend time with them.”

Former two-time world champion Gerry Peñalosa has agreed to join Trinidad in the project. “Our role won’t be to manage or promote any fighter,” said Trinidad. “We’ll just facilitate. I’m hoping that in the course of the careers of our six chosen fighters, the GMA network will follow their progress and document their climb to the top.”

Trinidad said working in the PBL was an experience he will always cherish.

“I’ve retired without leaving any baggage, with my reputation intact,” said Trinidad. “Because of my work with the GMA network, I felt it wasn’t right to hold on to my position in the PBL. I’m not the type to short-change anybody. After 10 years with the PBL, I thought it was time to move on.”

Trinidad said his tenure in the PBL was marked by several successes but qualified that he’s not claiming credit. “It wasn’t me but everyone cooperating to sustain the league,” said Trinidad. “I’m grateful to the owners of past and present teams for their trust and confidence. It was an honor for me to work with leaders of industry like Mr. Ramon Ang, Mr. Manny Pangilinan, Mr. Cecilio Pedro, Mr. Dioceldo Sy, Mr. Rey Oben, Mr. Terry Que, Mr. Raymund Yu, Mr. Mikee Romero and many, many more. Through the years, we’ve seen PBL teams become PBA teams and PBL players become PBA players. It’s a feeling of satisfaction that you get when you trace how far PBL players have gone in their careers, especially undrafted PBA players like Chad Alonzo, Dennis Daa, Chico Lanete, Josh Urbiztondo, Christian Coronel and Jerwin Gaco.”

Trinidad said when the PBL was formed in 1983, the intention was to provide a platform for amateur players to hone their skills and prepare them for the PBA. “Our objective was to develop amateur basketball,” he continued. “We never wanted to compete with the PBA. So when the GAB tried to call us a professional league in the 1990s, we objected. We eventually resolved the identity crisis and established the PBL’s amateur status as the GAB backed off.”

Trinidad said even as he has retired, his door will always be open to the PBL.

“Whenever I’m needed, I’m just a phone call away,” said Trinidad. “One of the things I recently worked on is for the PBL to go international. In Los Angeles, I got in touch with Gene Quicho who runs the 3G Basketball League in Baldwin Park. Gene’s network covers over 100 teams all over the US. The plan is to bring in an L. A. team as an honorary PBL member and send a PBL team to play in Gene’s league. This international connection is something the new commissioner may want to explore.”

Trinidad said during his PBL watch, he owed whatever was achieved to those who worked hand-in-hand with him – Beth Halili, Jun Espiritu, Agri Lomugdang, Butch Maniego, Tommy Ong, Joey Lim, Belle Marasigan, Joey Guanio, Levi Valenzuela and Jigs Mendoza.

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Vintage Paeng tops MBA Open Masters

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Six-time world champion Paeng Nepomuceno may have aged, but he’s still as sharp and deadly as before when he was the most dominant force in the local bowling world.

The 53-year-old lefty and only four-time winner of the prestigious World Cup proved this last Sunday by beating his younger rivals to bag the MBA Open Masters bowling championship at Paeng’s Midtown Bowl at Robinson’s Place Manila.

“It feels so good to be a champion again. What makes it more meaningful is it’s my 120th career victory,” the 6-foot-one Nepomuceno of Nutrilite/Amway said after holding off AMBA-FCO’s Ramil Cisneros, 247 to 221, in the finals.

Nepomuceno ruled the 10-game eliminations with 2430 pinfalls for a 243 average, while Cisneros came in second at 2411.

Charles Tee, Nikko Go and Jeff Carabeo finished third, fourth and fifth with 2408, 2369 and 2366, respectively.

Carabeo won the first shootout match with 257 against Tee’s 236 and Go’s 217. But Cisneros earned a shot at Nepomuceno by whipping Carabeo, 249-217, in the second match.

Cisneros topped Nepomuceno in the first match, 240-207, but the veteran lefty regained his big touch in the extra game to frustrate his foe.

Nepomuceno, who recently competed in his 17th World Cup international finals in Melaka, Malaysia and came back only two weeks ago from Arlington, Texas where his life sized picture was placed at the entrance of the new Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum entrance, was untouchable in the elimination round.

He opened with a 259 and followed this with 211, 212, 267, 279, 225, 257, 226, 237 and 257.

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Gallant Julaton yields to aging Canadian champ

Source: By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Filipina Ana Julaton, bleeding heavily from both eyes, fought a gallant fight yesterday but fell way too short against the more experienced Lisa Brown of Canada, and lost her bid for a third world title at the Casa Roma in Ontario.

Julaton, a kungfu and taekwondo blackbelter, gave everything she had and gamely fought despite two nasty cuts around her eyes, allowing the 39-year-old Brown to post a unanimous decision and win the vacant WBA super bantamweight crown.

The three judges scored it 99-92, 99-91 and 100-90 all in favor of Brown, a three-time world champion who is 10 years older than Julaton.

Julaton failed to exploit her three-inch height advantage, and Brown found her defense too easy to penetrate. But the Filipina, her white tank top almost red at the end of the fight, had nothing to be ashamed of.

Like a true sportsman, Julaton clapped her hands when the ring announcer declared Brown the winner. They hugged and whispered closely to each other’s ears, and Brown was in tears as she held on to the belt.

Brown, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago but grew up in Canada, improved her ring record to 17 wins, four defeats and three draws, while Julaton, the former WBO and IBF champion, fell to 6-2-1.

Julaton’s father, Cesar, was among those who watched the fight live at the GMA-7 headquarters in Quezon City. He said he was proud of her daughter’s performance, considering that she fought Brown on her own turf.

“I’m disappointed with the outcome but I’m very proud of her,” said the elder Julaton, whose family migrated to the US in 1959.

“We didn’t get the result that we wanted. But with her determination, I’m still proud of her,” said the father as he fought back his tears.

In the eyes of the judges, Julaton won the opening round, but that proved to be her one and only round. By the second onwards, Brown landed the clearer punches, connecting mostly with her left straights and uppercuts.

A couple of accidental headbutts opened up the cuts on Julaton’s eyes. The cuts needed 20 stitches to close, and Julaton’s eyes started to swell after the fight, according to a GMA-7 report.

In the latter rounds, her chief trainer, Nonito Donaire Sr., asked Julaton if she wanted to continue, and the 29-year-old Filipina, all bloodied, said she didn’t want to quit, wanting to finish the fight.

“She was matched up with a veteran but she (Julaton) showed a lot of determination and courage to continue fighting. She could be better,” said her father.

It’s not the end of the road though for Julaton, whose disarming smile won the hearts of some of the Canadian fans that watched the event dubbed “Rumble at RAMA XI”.

“She’s still young but she can still improve,” said the elder Julaton.

But first, Julaton, a black-belter in taekwondo and kung fu, must polish her inside game.

“She has to work on the inside game and (protect herself) against head butts,” he added.

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Fight on if Pacman, Floyd meet halfway

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Freddie Roach sees the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. super-fight happening only if both fighters agree to bury the hatchet and let their punches do the talking.

“I’m sure there’s going to be a tradeoff between Manny dropping the lawsuit and him (Mayweather) dropping the drug test,” boxing’s hottest trainer told fighthype.com.

Bad blood developed between Pacquiao and Mayweather when the undefeated American accused the reigning pound-for-pound champion of taking illegal drugs.

A fight between them, one that could have generated $100 million in revenue, was almost a done deal until Mayweather demanded an Olympic-style blood-testing.

Then too much animosity ensued. Pacquiao said Mayweather’s demand was his only way out of the fight, and the other camp thought that refusing the blood test could be a sign of guilt.

Pacquiao sued the Mayweathers, and the super-fight went up in smoke. Pacquiao ended up fighting Joshua, and Mayweather fights Shane Mosley on May 1.

Roach said a compromise should help put the fight together.

“I think that Mayweather is going to let the (boxing) commission do their job, as they always do. He’s saying now that he wants to clean up the sport,” said the four-time Trainer of the Year.

“I don’t think steroids are that used in boxing to be honest with you. I’m sure they’re out there because it’s part of our life in the society we live in today,” he said.

“We’re not going to let Mayweather run the show,” said Roach.

He added that giving in to Mayweather’s demand is like giving away “the first two rounds of the fight,” and sooner or later the flamboyant American may ask for “16-ounce gloves” or “two-minute rounds.”

Pacquiao defeated Clottey to keep his WBO welterweight crown but said last week that fight, witnessed by a live crowd of 51,000 at the Cowboys Stadium, may be his last.

Pacquiao said he’s thinking of retirement so he could focus on politics (he’s eyeing a congressional seat in the May 10 elections), but added that a fight with Mayweather could push through if he beats Mosley.

“And if the price is right,” said Pacquiao.

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Air21, Elasto Painters bounce back

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Keena Young provided Air21 a steady presence with Ronnie Matias putting in all-out support in the fourth quarter as the Express drubbed the Barako Energy Coffee Masters, 113-108, last night in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

Narrowly beaten by the San Miguel Beermen in their debut Wednesday, the Express broke into the win-column as they beat the Coffee Masters in a duel of last two placers in the recent Philippine Cup.

Young churned out 25 points and 16 rebounds while Matias added 18 for the Lina Group ball club which made it 3-of-3 versus Barako in their head-on games in the season.

“I guess the key was that we were able to manage their import. We had problems with him in the first half, but our zone defense worked in the second,” said Air21 coach Yeng Guiao.

“Overall, I think the team is improving. Our confidence is getting better. What we were lacking in the last conference when we lost Wynne (Arboleda) we got now from Mike Cortez. We have a good point guard again,” Guiao added.

Cortez, a transferee from San Miguel Beer, made 15 points in his second game with the Express. He was good for only three points in his face-off with his former team Wednesday.

Young, Matias and Cortez supplied the Express the firepower, with Matias also exerting effort in taking his turn to guard prolific Barako import Sammy Monroe.

Air21 shifted to zone defense to neutralize Monroe in the final half, and the Express went on to deal the Coffee Masters a second straight loss after a triumphant debut versus the Sta. Lucia Realtors.

Going down the drain was Monroe’s productive haul of 36 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists.

Young didn’t score that much for the second straight game, but Guiao expressed belief that he’s the kind of import needed by the Express.

“He doesn’t dominate on offense but he gets his teammates involved. We don’t need a good scoring import because we have a lot of scoring options,” said Guiao.

The fiery Air21 mentor also believed Matias is coming to his own “which is good because it makes our bench deeper.”

Matias, a prized recruit from University of Manila, fired 13 in the fourth quarter helping the Express ease endgame pressure.

Ronjay Buenafe rifled in a trey then Matias scored on a lay-up following a steal by Cortez as the Express built the momentum for a steady finish, taking a six-point lead at 104-98 with time down to 3:38.

Jai Lewis and Sol Mercado delivered the goods as they returned to the floor in the closing minutes, and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters checked a faltering finish, subduing the Sta. Lucia Realtors, 84-77, in the nightcap.

“Today’s game showed our character as a team. We pulled through despite our key players sitting down precious minutes due to fouls,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.

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Arenas a Wizard next season

Source: (The Philippine Star) from Associated Press

WASHINGTON – A day after Gilbert Arenas was sentenced to 30 days in a halfway house for bringing guns into the locker room, Wizards team president Ernie Grunfeld reaffirmed that the All-Star guard will be back with Washington next season.

Grunfeld told reporters before the team’s game against Utah on Saturday that the Wizards did not plan to void Arenas’ contract.

Grunfeld says, “I think people forget that he’s still one of the best players in this league.”

Arenas avoided jail time for the offense, instead receiving a sentence that also includes two years of probation and 400 hours of community service.

Grunfeld says he has not talked to Arenas recently, although he spoke to Arenas’ father.

Washington has lost 14 straight games.

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