February 24, 2010
Clottey aims to slow down speedy Pacquiao
MANILA, Philippines – Joshua Clottey of Ghana seems to be unthreatened by his match-up against the only 7-division world champion and pound-for-pound king, Manny Pacquiao, on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“Manny Pacquiao is a human being, like everyone else. He's just a really good fighter who is out there now who is No. 1 now,” Clottey told Lem Satterfield of Fanhouse.com.
“If I win this fight against Manny Pacquiao, I will never feel like I beat the best fighter in the world,” he said. “I will feel like I had a fight with Manny Pacquiao, the best fighter out there, and I won.”
He also clarified that just in case he wins on March 13, people should not regard his victory as an upset.
“I'll say, ‘It's not an upset, but a win,’” the Ghanaian stated.
But before the 33-year-old Clottey talks about his possible triumph over Pacquiao, he knows that he first has to overcome the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion.
He said he plans to beat Pacquiao by connecting his shots and wearing him down.
“I can't throw a lot of punches like Pacquiao will do. But I will connect enough to make him slow down and wear down, and bring his speed down,” he shared.
“I will also rely on my pressure. But I don't know what Pacquiao is coming to do, so I have to use my head. I don't know if he's planning to move around. But I'm not going to make him chase me. I will be right there.”
Happy with training
Clottey, meantime, was more positive about his ongoing training camp in Florida.
“I went to Ghana to try get a visa for my trainer, and it didn't work out for Godwin Kotey. I think that was three weeks ago, and I've moved on. I'm training with Lenny DeJesus, we're training hard, and we're very happy,” he said.
He added that his training has been going very well: “I'm in shape. I want to prove to the whole world that this [is] a fight that I can win, and that they should be careful not to write me off.”
The 31-year-old Pacquiao is said to be feeling great about his training camp in Los Angeles, California.
Conditioning coach Alex Ariza told Ronnie Nathanielsz of Philboxing.com that the Filipino boxing superstar was “feeling good and Freddie was obviously happy and had a smile on his face and when they are happy, I am happy.”
He noted that they cannot ask for anything more from Pacquiao as he showed “amazing speed and power and is ready to go anytime.”
Pacquiao has a record of 50-3-2, with 38 KOs while Clottey, a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight titleholder, has a record of 35-3, with 20 knockouts. – With reports from PhilBoxing.com and Fanhouse.com
NCR-FEU off to good start in CHED national chess tilt
MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region (NCR) team, represented by Far Eastern University (FEU) kicked off its bid for the 1st Commission on Higher Education (CHED) National Finals chess team crown by sweeping its 1st assignments yesterday at the Rizal Technological University (RTU) in Mandaluyong City.
The Lady Tamaraws which is composed of Doha Asian Games veteran campaigner Woman National Master (WNM) Jedara Docena, Rulp Ylem Jose, Jenny Rose Palomo and Lovelyn Medina, defeated the Region 5 team.
The members of the Region 5 contingent are Jazzel Orobia, Myra Colina, Mary Ann Elopre and Sheen Rose Agapito.
“It's a great start for the Lady Tamaraw team,” said 2-time Olympian Grandmaster (GM) Jayson Gonzales. The team’s assistant coach is National Master (NM) Alex Milagrosa.
In the men's division, the NCR chess team also represented by FEU defeated Region 6, 3-1.
Sheider Nebato and Antonio Chavez Jr. won their matches over Mark Gustilo and Michael Silvederio on boards 2 and 4 respectively.
Lyndon Sombilon and Luffe Magdalaga, meanwhile, settled for draws with Allen Mirano and Bryll Arellano on boards 1 and 3 respectively.
RTU president Dr. Jose Q. Macaballug led the opening rites of the CHED chess tourney.
The tournament’s director is Limneo Cordero who is assisted by arbiters Kim Dumdum, Ronnie Tabudlong, Raul Cruz and National Masters Erwin Carag and Mauro Yasay. Marlon Bernardino.
Orcollo, Reyes to compete in World Pool Masters
MANILA, Philippines – World-renowned pool players Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo and Efren “Bata” Reyes banner the Philippine contingent that will play at the 2010 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters in May.
Joining Orcollo and Reyes are Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan and Lee Van “The Slayer” Corteza.
The Filipinos will contend with cue artists from more than 20 countries from May 12 to 16 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I’m ready. It’s a big challenge for me, but I will do my very best for flag and country,” said Orcollo, the top player of Bugsy Promotions and reigning International Predator 10-ball champion.
The tournament features a 64-man field and offers a $100,000 total pot prize with the champion getting $20,000.
Bugsy Promotions President Ceferino “Perry” Mariano, meantime, wished the Filipinos well.
“Let’s hope and pray Dennis and other Filipino bets will continue to play well and again bring honor to the country this year,” said Mariano, also the co-founder of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).
Another level
Some of the international players entered in the event are Darren Appleton, Mika Immonen, Johnny Archer, Thorsten Hohmann, Daryl Peach, Ralf Souquet, David Alcaide, Shane Van Boening, Tony Drago, Allison Fisher, Yu Ram Cha, and Jasmin Ouschan.
Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn commented, “I am very excited about the future of the Masters. It did very well and was very prestigious as a 16 player invitational but now is the time to take the event to another level and then beyond.”
“We’ve increased the field to 64 with the aim of having qualifying tournaments all over the world and that is the model the Masters will follow now and in years to come.”
The first two days of the event features double elimination play on a multi-table set-up as the field will be reduced from 64 to 32.
It will then go to single elimination and the Last 16 will be played out in a single table arena setting in front of the TV cameras, culminating in the final on the evening of Sunday, May 16. – by Marlon Bernardino
February 23, 2010
Button blitzes fastest pre-season time for McLaren
(CNN) -- World champion Jenson Button fired a warning to his 2010 title rivals that he will be just as quick with new team McLaren after setting the fastest time of the pre-season testing sessions in Jerez.
The British driver, who left Brawn ahead of the manufacturers' champions takeover by Mercedes following the capture of his maiden drivers' crown, ended the eight days at the Spanish circuit top of the timesheets on Saturday following a best effort of one minute 18.871 seconds.
That run put the 30-year-old ahead of the 1:19.299 set by Red Bull's Mark Webber on Friday and the 1:19.583 recorded by new McLaren teammate and 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton last week.
McLaren reported on their Web site that Button was "very comfortable and confident in the car" as he completed 108 laps in his third test with the team ahead of the final sessions in Barcelona next week.
"Both drivers will spend alternate days in the car evaluating the new bodywork and aerodynamic components ahead of the season-opener in Bahrain on March 14," McLaren said.
Renault's new signing Robert Kubica was second fastest in Saturday's sessions, completing 117 laps in long runs in the R30.
Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi was third quickest over a similar distance ahead of Force India's Vitantonio Liuzzi and Nico Rosberg in a Mercedes after the German took over from Michael Schumacher.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was sixth, while Webber was back in eighth after his RB6 could manage only 88 laps after an engine failure.
Meanwhile, struggling new team Campos hope to be on the grid in Bahrain after confirming that shareholder Jose Ramon Carabante has now taken a controlling stake.
The Spaniard has appointed former Force India boss Colin Kolles as team principal of an outfit which has just one confirmed driver, Bruno Senna.
"I would like to thank Bernie Ecclestone, who worked tremendously to support our efforts to keep the team viable," Carabante told F1's official Web site.
"The whole rescue operation has been a race against time with the goal of always having the team run two competitive cars at the first Grand Prix of the F1 season.
"We have a lot of hard work still ahead of us but we are excited about making our F1 debut and looking forward to a competitive season."
Canada lose US ice hockey crunch, Bode gold
VANCOUVER, Canada - It was indeed "Miller Time" -- as the beer slogan goes -- for the U.S. Olympic team Sunday after skier Bode Miller snatched his first Olympic gold medal and ice hockey goalkeeper Ryan Miller stopped Canada in a heartbreaking loss for the hockey-crazed host nation.
Miller the skier, in a remarkable comeback after quitting last year, slalomed from off the pace to grab the men's super combined, adding gold to his haul of a silver and bronze in these Winter Games.
At night, all eyes turned to ice hockey, where U.S. beat Canada 5-3 in Olympic men's qualifying Group A on a day packed with three matches between historic rivals.
Miller the goalie, who sported "Miller Time" on his helmet last week before Olympic officials forced him to remove the slogan, recorded 42 saves at the net.
Earlier in the day, the Winter Games host suffered a tragic turn of events as figure skating champion Joannie Rochette's mother died of unknown causes, just days before the start of the women's Olympic competition.
Hours later, Rochette turned up to train looking remarkably composed. She has been tipped as the only athlete likely to stop an Asian sweep of the medals in the women's competition.
Day nine of competition also brought a third gold for the Netherlands' speedskating team, the second gold for German biathlete Magdalena Neuner and the first bobsleigh gold for experienced German pilot Andre Lange.
Up on Whistler mountain, the U.S. ski team, already the medal leaders of the Games' Alpine competitions, sealed their dominance with Miller's stunning come-from-behind win.
Aksel Lund Svindal, who won gold for Norway in the men's super G, had led after the downhill round and Miller trailed a distant seventh.
But the American, silver medalist behind Svindal in the super G, set the pace with a blistering slalom and Svindal was unable to finish after missing a gate.
Miller's triumph at the twilight of his career might just silence the critics of the former tearaway of American skiing, but the 32-year-old played down the gold's importance.
"The gold medal is great, it's perfect, that's what everyone is shooting for but the way I skied in these last races is what matters," said Miller.
The Americans top the medals table with seven golds, ahead of Germany with six and Norway and Switzerland with five apiece.
Hockey yes, booze no
In speedskating, Ireen Wust of the Netherlands upgraded her 2006 Olympic bronze in the 1,500m to gold in Vancouver. The 23-year-old had become her country's youngest Olympic gold medalist ever in 2006 with her win in the 3,000m in Turin.
Germany's Neuner won her second gold medal of the Games with a storming finish in the women's biathlon 12.5km mass start. Switzerland's Michael Schmid took the gold medal in the crash-filled debut of men's ski cross.
In the two-man bobsleigh, the peerless Lange proved his total domination of the sport, hardly scraping a wall during four smooth drives on a course that has produced several high-speed crashes Saturday.
Lange, known as the Teddy Bear for his affable nature off the track, has now won the last four Olympic bobsleigh golds, two-man and four, dating back to Salt Lake City in 2002.
In Canada, the attention was not on medals, but on the world's six top-ranked ice hockey teams who were closing out preliminary rounds with rematches of the last three Olympic finals.
The grudge matches started with Russia winning their face- off against the Czech Republic 4-2 in a rematch of the 1998 Nagano final.
They turned the ice over to neighbors Canada and the United States, who played for gold in 2002 at Salt Lake City. Brian Rafalski put the U.S. ahead in the first minute of the game and scored again in the opening period.
It is not the end for Team Canada, but they are now forced to play and win another match to progress to the next round, while the United States advances with a 3-0 record at the top of Group A.
Nordic rivals Sweden and Finland closed out the day's Olympic hockey action in a rematch of the 2006 Turin final, the Swedes easing to a 3-0 win.
Vancouver was undoubtedly up for the Sunday hockey party, although the police were determined to maintain order in the city by closing liquor stores early for a second night.
"The early closing (on Saturday) contributed to less alcohol in the streets and fewer problems for police to deal with," said Constable Jana McGuinness. "We saw a marked improvement in the atmosphere of the crowds, with a lot less intoxicated people."
Fil-Am speed skater Celski disqualified in Winter Olympics event
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-American speed skater J.R. Celski and Vancouver 2010 bronze medalist J.R. Celski was disqualified in the men's 1000-meter short track speed skating event in the ongoing Olympic Winter Games in Canada.
Celski was disqualified after turning in a best time of 1:24.621 at the Pacific Coliseum, according to the Winter Olympics website.
Marv Dumon of Examiner.com reported that Canadian Francois Hamelin “bumped Celski from behind which caused a split-second reaction from the Filipino American and Federal Way, Washington native.”
He continued, “Judges ruled that Celski knocked the Canadian Hamelin to the ground, which earned the former a disqualification. Additionally, it was ruled that Celski was not in qualifying position when the bump took place, albeit he was milliseconds away from such a qualifying position (second place).”
Dumon also noted that the crowd booed upon learning the news of Celski’s disqualification.
South Korean Lee Jung-Su ruled the men’s 1000 m short track speed skating event while his compatriot Lee Ho-Suk settled for the silver medal. Celski’s fellow American Apolo Anton Ohno took home the bronze medal.
The 19-year-old Fil-Am won a bronze medal in the men’s 1500 m short track speed skating category last week.
He battled from an injury which he sustained 5 months ago to finish 3rd with a best time of 2:12.460. He trailed silver medalist Ohno (2:11.072) and gold medalist Lee Jung-Su (2:10.949).
The half-Filipino half-Polish speed skater, meantime, will compete in the men’s 5000 m relay finals on February 26.
The Winter Olympics in Vancouver will end on February 28.
February 22, 2010
PBA: Giants knock down Beermen
MANILA, Philippines - Purefoods Tender Juicy knocked down San Miguel Beer, 87-78, to close out their best-of-7 semifinal series in 6 games Sunday night in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Just like in their Game 5 win last Friday, the Giants came out with more fire and intensity in Game 6 and took control of the game early to reach a league-record 13 All-Filipino finals appearances.
Roger Yap was again the steadiest player for Purefoods of the night. He fired 20 points including 2 crucial baskets in the final stretch that somehow thwarted the final attempt of the Beermen to get back in the game.
Yap also had 11 rebounds and 4 assists for the Giants, who will be facing top-seed Alaska in the best-of-7 championship series starting Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
“This is really an answered prayer for us. We were witnesses of great miracle in this series. You know how strong San Miguel is and how good the coach they have,” said Purefoods head coach Ryan Gregorio.
“We now toppled down the second best team. We now set our sights on the best team which is Alaska. I just hope we have enough legs to prevail again,” he added.
James Yap added 18 points while Marc Pingris contributed 15 points and 13 boards for the Giants, who will be meeting the Aces in the All-Filipino finals after a decade.
Arwind Santos led San Miguel with 20 points but the team failed to convert the shots that were needed during the fourth-quarter run that allowed Purefoods to escape with the clincher.
The Giants actually erected a 20-point lead, 48-28, late in the second period but the Beermen managed to slice down the huge lead after the third, 56-64.
Purefoods tried to pull away again as the Yaps, James and Roger, joined forces in building a 70-58 lead, 9:15 left in the game.
Santos and Cortez starred in the Beermen’s 7-2 exchange to push their team to 66-72 with 6:10 remaining.
But Roger Yap, whom according to Gregorio is playing his best conference in his career, hit a buzzer-beater on a broken play and flipped a running drive to push their lead to 76-66 with 3:53 left.
From there, San Miguel just could not hit baskets in succession, allowing the Giants to protect the big lead and moved closer to tying Crispa Redmanizers with the most number of All-Filipino titles with 5.
“The All-Filipino is always about pride. We just want to put our belief back that we can still figure prominently in the tournament,” said Gregorio. “We want to end three years of dry spell, just like waiting for rain in a long, long summer.”
The Beermen are now relegated to a one-game battle for third with sister team Barangay Ginebra also on Wednesday.
Winter Olympics: Europe and Asia sweep medals as US falters
VANCOUVER, Canada - Lindsey Vonn and Shani Davis, two of the performers who helped rescue the Vancouver Olympics from a slew of bad publicity, were relegated to bit-part roles on a day of upsets and drama at the Winter Games on Saturday.
Vonn was beaten into third place by Austrian Andrea Fischbacher in the women's super-G while Davis had to settle for silver behind flying Dutchman Mark Tuitert in the men's 1500 meters speedskating final.
Norwegian world champion Petter Northug finished out of the medals in the men's 30 kilometre cross country pursuit as Sweden's Marcus Hellner snatched the title, and Chinese teenager Zhou Yang burst through the pack to win the women's 1500 short track speed skating gold.
Only Swiss ski jumper Simon Ammann and South Korean short track speed skater Lee Jung-su won gold as expected on the day where the Games reached the halfway stage.
"We are pleased after eight days," IOC Executive Director for the Games Gilbert Felli said. "Of course there are eight days left but there is no reason to believe that those eight days will not continue as normal."
More than 150,000 fans packed the streets of downtown Vancouver while the sounds of cowbells and woodpeckers provided the perfect backing vocals for the party atmosphere in the Whistler mountains.
Not that everyone was happy, with a protest by the Slovenian team adding to the ongoing complaints the organizers have faced about safety standards.
Questions about competitor safety have dominated these Olympics since Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed in a training run a week ago and showed no signs of abating.
Flawless display
Fischbacher unleashed the finest performance of her life to upstage Vonn and her other big-name rivals and win the first major title of her career.
"I like a tight course and I like a difficult race," said the 24-year-old, a distant cousin of retired double Olympic champion Hermann Maier.
Vonn could only manage third, adding a bronze to the gold she won in the downhill on Wednesday after defying injury and a treacherous course in one of the real fairytale moments of the opening week.
"I came here just hoping to get a medal and I got one gold," Vonn said. "This is just the icing on the cake."
Slovenia's Tina Maze snatched the silver to appease her angry team officials who lodged an official protest after their leading cross-country skier Petra Majdic broke four ribs when she fell in a gully three days ago.
Majdic defied doctors' orders and unbearable pain to win a bronze in the women's sprint classic, providing one of the most poignant memories of the Games, but was ruled out of the rest of the competition after x-rays confirmed the severity of her injuries.
Massive leaps
Ammann's victory in the ski jump came after Austrian team officials withdrew a threat to protest against his modified boot bindings which they thought gave him an unfair advantage.
Unfazed by the saga, Ammann became the first man to win four individual ski jump gold medals when he added the large hill title to his two golds from the 2002 Salt Lake City Games and his win in the normal hill earlier in the week.
He won easily after two massive leaps with Poland's Adam Malysz taking the silver and Austria's Gregor Schlierenzauer the bronze in a repeat of the placings of the normal hill.
Davis was an overwhelming favorite to win the speedskating after successfully defending his 1,000m earlier in the week but could not match the powerful effort of Tuitert of the Netherlands. Third place went to Norway's Havard Bokko.
"These things happen for a reason and I am sure there is a lesson to learn," said Davis, who was also runner-up in the 1,500m at the last Olympics. "I will learn that lesson and will be back in four years."
Hellner produced a stunning late burst to win his lung-busting event, charging clear of a tight bunch of four skiers on the final loop, then being congratulated by Sweden's King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia.
He crossed the line first ahead of Germany's Tobias Angerer and Swede Johan Olsson. Northug faded over the last kilometre to come home in 11th.
Zhou won the women's 1500 short track final ahead of the South Korean pair of Lee Eun-byul and Park Seung-hi after favorite Wang Meng, who won the 500 final earlier in the week, was disqualified in the semi-finals for impeding in a crash near the end of the race.
South Korea won gold and silver in the men's final, with Lee sticking his boot across the line just ahead of Lee Ho-suk.
American Apolo Anton Ohno picked up the bronze to become his country's most decorated winter Olympian with his seventh medal in three Games, overtaking speedskater Bonnie Blair.
The U.S. retained their place at the top of the medals table despite ending the day as they began with six golds.
Norway were second with five while Germany, Canada and Switzerland each had four.
Another six medals will be decided on Sunday although the most eagerly-awaited event is the men's ice hockey match between Canada and the U.S., prompting local police to bring in extra forces.
Clottey could be Pacquiao’s last fight: Roach
MANILA, Philippines – Boxing coach Freddie Roach said that if Floyd Mayweather Jr. keeps on playing “hard to get,” the former pound-for-pound king might actually miss the chance to fight 7-division world champ Manny Pacquiao.
Roach, who is currently training Pacquiao for his fight on March 13, said the Filipino boxer’s match with Ghana’s Joshua Clottey could be his last.
“If Mayweather doesn't come around after the fight and he doesn't sign to fight us, then this (Clottey fight) could be our last one,” the American trainer told EastSideBoxing’s On the Ropes.
Before signing up to fight Clottey, Pacquiao’s camp had negotiations with the Mayweather camp for a super fight. However, talks collapsed when the former pound-for-pound king demanded an Olympic style drug testing.
Pacquiao ended up setting a fight with Clottey to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title, while Mayweather opted to fight “Sugar” Shane Mosley.
Before the power-punching Pinoy faced Miguel Cotto in November last year, Roach said he’d be happy to see Pacquiao retire while still on top of his game.
“If negotiations with Mayweather fail and Manny wins against Cotto, he’ll be having seven world titles. Nobody has done that before, so there’s nothing else to prove,” the trainer told sports analyst Dennis Principe.
Pacquiao will also be very busy after the Clottey fight as he will be pursuing his political career. He is running for congressman in Sarangani province in the May 10 polls. The campaign for local posts starts on March 26.
It is widely believed that Mayweather came out of retirement to fight Pacquiao for what many has said would be the richest boxing match in history.
February 19, 2010
Pinoy flag bearer to join World Cup for 1st time
MANILA, Philippines - A Filipino child will get a once in a lifetime “football” experience as Sony Ericsson opens a video competition that will bring RP’s first FIFA flag bearer to one of the World Cup matches in July.This marks the first time the Philippines will participate in one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
The competition challenges Filipino children 10 to 16 years of age to creatively answer in a 30- to 60-second video the question: “Why I deserve to win the Sony Ericsson Search for the FIFA World Cup™ flag bearer.”
Participants may act, dance, illustrate, sing or perform their reasons on the video. They may show off their best football moves, get family and friends and play around, do fancy footwork or even put on some Shakespeare to impress the judges.
According to Sony Ericsson, contestants can submit as many entries as they want. Video entries are accepted www.clickthecity/sonyericssonfifa until March 5, 2010.
Starting March 8, 2010, the entrees will be shortlisted to 5 videos for a final round of voting. The 5 finalists will each win the Sony Ericsson Kita.
Sony Ericsson will let the public decide which child should carry the FIFA flag.
The winner will be announced on March 26, 2010.
“Sony Ericsson was designated an official FIFA World Cup™ partner in 2008, allowing us this tremendous opportunity to participate in this unique way. This will be the first time for the Philippines to participate in a FIFA World Cup™ event so we are inviting Filipino children to try out and give it their best,” said Dennis Manzano, Sony Ericsson General Manager, in a statement.
The winner, together with his guardian, will fly to South Africa complete with hotel accommodations and pocket money. The winner will walk the pitch with other young flag bearers in the semifinals and watch a thrilling World Cup semis match live.
Donaire arriving in Manila on Friday
MANILA, Philippines -- World super flyweight interim champ Nonito Donaire Jr. is set to arrive in Manila on Friday after successfully defending his title against Mexican Manuel “Chango” Vargas in Las Vegas.
According to PhilBoxing.com, the interim World Boxing Association (WBA) champ will arrive in Manila at 10:30 a.m. via Hong Kong. He will be accompanied by his wife Rachel.
Donaire destroyed Vargas in 3 rounds in the main event of Pinoy Power III at the Las Vegas Hilton Pavilion.
He decked the Mexican with a solid left upper cut at 1:40 in Round 3.
After winning the fight, Donaire said he is very much willing to face bitter rival Vic Darchinyan for the Armenian’s unified WBA and World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight belts.
Donaire knocked out Darchinyan in the 5th round of their bout in 2007. He won the Armenian’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title.
“That’s what I came for and hopefully I’ll get that fight. I’m here, I’m a fighter but I gotta listen to my guys,” he said.
Other possible match ups for Donaire are against reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight king Jorge Arce and WBO bantamweight champion Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel.
Montiel stopped Filipino challenger Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales in the first round of the co-main header of Pinoy Power III.
Bill pushed to benefit racehorse jockeys
MANILA, Philippines – Racehorse jockeys will now be able to get the chance to enjoy their retirement 5 years earlier as the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a measure that lowers their retirement age from 60 to 55 years old.
“Lowering the retirement age of jockeys is a must for them to enjoy the fruits of their career and avoid accidents during actual race that may cause serious injuries, even death, to both jockeys and horse,” said Valenzuela 2nd District Rep. Magtanggol T. Gunigundo in a statement.
Gunigundo, the author of House Bill 6511 or the proposed Race Horse Jockeys’ Retirement Act Of 2009, said the bill aims to set the compulsory retirement age for jockeys at 55.
According to the congressman, jockeys from the New Philippine Jockeys’ Association (NPJA) have been complaining about their retirement age of 60 by virtue of Republic Act 1161, as amended by the Social Security Act of 1997.
While the Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM) has set the jockeys’ retirement age at 55 regardless of their mental and physical abilities, Gunigundo said the retired jockeys still need to wait for 5 more years or until they reach 60 before they can reap their retirement benefits.
Gunigundo, chairman of the House committee on labor and employment, also pointed out the risks that jockeys face.
“Racehorse jockeys are required to be in tip-top shape at all times and should maintain the 100-pound limit. They are also obliged to do strenuous activities with their mount, and during actual competition they compete at breakneck speed to engross the horse owner and amuse the audience.”
February 18, 2010
So splits point with Chinese GM as Aeroflot nears end
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So (ELO 2656) scored his 3rd consecutive draw at the Aeroflot Open 2010 Chess Tournament at the Hotel Gamma-Delta in Moscow, Russia.His 8th round match against Chinese GM Zhou Jianchao (ELO 2632) ended in a draw after 34 moves of King's Indian defense using the advantageous white pieces on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old Zhou had 5 pawns, 2 rooks, 2 knights, black bishop and a Queen to So's 5 pawns, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, knight and a Queen.
“Mahirap 'yung posisyon, both players may chances manalo pero mahirap ding magpumilit,” said Pichay, the president/chairman of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
The 16-year-old So is now a point behind the 2 Vietnamese GMs who are leading the tournament with 6 points apiece, Le Quang Liem (ELO 2647) and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (ELO 2616).
In Wednesday's 9th and final round, So will play black against Venezuelan GM Eduardo Iturrizaga (ELO 2616), who beat Ukrainian GM Alexander Moiseenko (ELO 2677) after 46 moves of English Opening using the advantageous white pieces.
So changed his color in the last round after getting a higher seeding against his Venezuelan opponent.
The Filipino whiz kid finished with 5.5 points in last year's edition and won the top junior plum.
GM Darwin Laylo (ELO 2556), the only other Filipino in the 80-player field, tallied 0.5 point in 7 outings with 6 loses and 1 draw.
He was marked “Absent” in his 8th round schedule against Russian GM Evgeny Romanov (ELO 2599).
The winner of the 9-round Swiss-system FIDE (World Chess Federation)-sanctioned tournament will get 21,000 euros. – by Marlon Bernardino
Pacquiao picks Mosley to win over Mayweather
MANILA, Philippines – The world’s best pound-for-pound fighter made a prediction on the outcome of the May 1 fight between Americans Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Shane Mosley.
“I think Mosley will win,” Manny Pacquiao declared on the Krystal Hart Show as quoted by FightFan.com.
Even if he thinks that Mayweather is a "boring" fighter, Pacquiao said that the fight between "Pretty Boy Floyd" and "Sugar Shane" will still be a treat for fight fans.
“I think Mayweather vs. Mosley will be a good fight,” he said.
Pacquiao then went on to give another reason why his scheduled March 13 bout with Mayweather did not push through.
“I’m not concerned about the Money (that would have come in a fight vs. Mayweather). I’m concerned about what I can give in terms of my performance to the people who love boxing. My concern isn’t only with myself, but with the people who buy tickets looking for a good fight,” he said.
“I don’t want to disappoint people with a boring fight. I feel you need to entertain the people who watch your fights.”
Pacquiao, meanwhile, assured a very good fight against Ghana’s Joshua Clottey, whom he will face on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“It’s going to be a good fight because he has a good style. It’s a different kind of style and I want to fight. He’s bigger and he’s taller than Miguel Cotto.”
Pacquiao won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title last November by beating Cotto via technical knockout in Round 12.
Clean fighter
After Pacquiao’s victory over Cotto, talks on the Mayweather-Pacquiao match-up swirled immediately. They were supposed to face off on March 13 fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Talks to seal the deal collapsed when the fighters’ camps disagreed on the drug testing protocol.
Mayweather, his father Floyd Sr. and other members of his team even alleged that Pacquiao was taking performance-enhancing drugs. The Filipino boxing icon already filed a defamation complaint against them.
“I’m not against blood testing. Just not the day of the fight. I’ve had that happen in the (first) [Erik] Morales fight. I lost that fight and my body felt very weak. I don’t feel I recovered. That is why I don’t want blood testing close to the fight,” explained Pacquiao.
He also mentioned that he is a “very honest person” who prays and believes in God. He said his success in the ring only reflects the hard training he undergoes before every fight.
“I’m a clean fighter who trains very hard. People don’t know how hard I train and the sacrifices I make.”
He even hit back on Mayweather, saying that the American probably did not really want to face the 7-time world champ.
“I don’t think Mayweather wanted the fight. He had too many reasons (that lead) to cancel the fight. I’m not disappointed because I know I’m not the one who didn’t want the fight and I have to defend myself.”
Clottey’s disappointment
Pacquiao, who is training in the United States for his title defense, said he is not underestimating his opponent.
“I didn’t expect I would end up fighting Clottey but I will prepare myself and train hard,” he said.
“Clottey is a strong guy and a good fighter. He’s a former world champion. I am sure we will have a good fight and create a lot of excitement in the ring.”
The Ghanian, on the other hand, is still encountering problems in his fight preparations because his trainer, Godwin Dzanie Kotey better known as Alloway, has not yet secured a US visa.
“I am fine but tell Ghana that they’ve disappointed me by not giving my trainer visa to come here with me,” Clottey said in a GhanaWeb.com article.
“The only thing I can tell you is everything is fine with me and I’m ready to fight [even] if the government can’t help because it’s my life on the line,” added Clottey. – With reports from GhanaWeb.com and FightFan.com
Philippines seeks revenge vs Japan in Davis Cup
MANILA, Philippines -- The Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine team will meet Japan in Davis Cup Group 1-Asia-Oceania this coming March as it seeks to avenge its defeat to the same team two years ago.
The best-of-5 competition will take place at the Namihaya Dome in Osaka, Japan on March 5 to 7.
“Hopefully we will get our revenge from them from the last group 1 tie that we played them. It will be tough for our team because we’ll be playing in Osaka,” said non-playing team captain Chris Cuarto during Tuesday’s PSA Forum in Shakey’s UN Avenue Branch.
The forum was also attended by Cebuana Lhuillier official Danny Francisco and RP Davis Cup team coordinator Randy Villanueva.
The Philippine team will be composed of Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey, Francis Casey Alcantara, Patrick John Tierro and Johnny Arcilla.
The Nationals collided with the Japanese team in 2008. Mamiit lost to Takao Suzuki, 7-5, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2, and Tierro yielded to Go Soeda, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. In doubles, Suzuki and Soeda combined to thwart Mamiit and Eric Taino, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4.
If the Philippines beats Japan, it will advance to face the winner of the Australia-Chinese-Taipei tie on May 7 to 9. A successful campaign will send the Nationals into the World Group, a level it the country has not achieved since 1991.
Confident of chances
For his part, Villanueva said he is positive the Nationals can pull off a victory despite their opponent’s homecourt advantage.
Villanueva cited that the nationals have vastly improved their skills since meeting Japan 2 years ago.
“Our top player Cecil Mamiit played against their No. 1 player Soeda Go last November and he beat him in straight sets in ATP Challenge. That’s a big tournament and I think it’s a good sign. Our No. 2 player, treat Huey is playing very good lately, he beat the reigning Asian Games gold medallist Danai Udomchoke of Thailand in the Southeast Asian Games,” he said.
Cuarto said that although Japan has not yet confirmed the list of players, he is sure that their opponents are more likely to field the same squad.
“Those guys, we’ve played them before. So it’s not really a guessing game it’s only maybe on the surface, on the environment, doon lang talaga tayo medyo maapektuhan,” he said.
The matches will take place on an indoor court with carpeted surface. Also among the concerns faced by the RP team is the cold Japanese weather.
“I think our players are professionals and they have played in different conditions naman,” said Cuarto. “So we’re confident that we’ll be okay in that condition.” With a report from the Philippine Star
February 17, 2010
Nogueira clashes with Velasquez in UFC 110
MANILA, Philippines – Expect another mixed martial arts war on Sunday when Antonio "Minotauro" Nogueira clashes with Cain Velasquez in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 110 in Sydney, Australia.
The veteran Nogueira said his date with Velasquez in the Octagon will bring him closer to a title shot for the heavyweight crown.
“I want to have the heavyweight belt and hold it for a while. That's my goal and it's gonna happen for sure,” said the seasoned Jiu-Jitsu artist in a UFC promotional video.
The 33-year-old Brazilian said he has no qualms trading punches with Velasquez, whom he guaranteed would face difficulties in their clash.
“I got a lot of tricks, man… A lot of tricks for this fight,” smiles Nogueira. “I think he's going to have a harder time than he had with his last opponents.”
“I got more experience in jiu-jitsu. That's going to be the difference in the fight,” added the 6-foot-3 Brazilian, who has already compiled a record of 32 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw and 1 no contest.
Velasquez, for his part, sees an exciting fight with Nogueira.
Although he’s shorter by 2 inches compared to the Brazilian, Velasquez said he has always been ready for tough fights.
“He doesn't give up, I don't give up either. Every fight's getting tougher and tougher, and I'm getting ready for that,” said the Mexican-American.
The well-rounded Velasquez has not been beaten in 7 fights. He said he wants to keep it that way.
“Expect a war,” he said.
Other fights lined up for UFC 110 include Wanderlei Silva against Michael Bisping; Joe Stevenson versus George Sotiropoulos; Keith Jardine opposite Ryan Bader; and Mirko Cro Cop against Ben Rothwell.
For more UFC action, watch SkyCable TV’s Balls Channel. For more UFC News, visit www.abs-cbnnews.com/ufc.
Asia Pacific Hobie sailing tilt set in Batangas
MANILA, Philippines – The best Hobie cat sailors in Asia and the Pacific will get to test each other’s sailing prowess when the Philippine National Hobie Championships unfolds on February 19 at Tali Beach and Club Punta Fuego, Nasugbu.
Participants will compete for top honors in the different categories—Open Class, Philippine National Championship, Masters (over 45), Grand Masters (over 55), Youth (under 21), and Ladies.
According to Jerry Rollin, the regatta’s race director, the Nationals will highlight the importance of the Philippines as a sailing haven in the Asia-Pacific region because of its beautiful bodies of water and ideal wind conditions.
Organized by the Philippine Hobie Challenge Foundation (PHCF), the National Championships will gather the multi-awarded sailors from Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Korea, and the Philippines.
Rollin said that given the proper government support, sailing is a sport where Filipinos can excel in international competitions given the country’s archipelagic nature and the Filipino’s affinity with the sea.
“We have 7,000 islands, we know the sea, we use the sea, we have professionals on the sea, we travel on the sea, and this is a sport that takes place on the sea,” said Rollin during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue branch.
Rollin added that the Philippines' hosting will bring the country closer to bagging the right to stage the Hobie Worlds Championships, which will gather the world’s best sailors in 2011.
A Hobie cat is a twin-hulled, wind-powered sailboat crewed by 2 persons and is capable of inter-island sailing.
Teams to watch out for are the Philippine Sailing Association teams of Mark Gil Francisco with Richly Magsanay, and Joel Mejarito with Ashly Escalante who will represent the country in the Asian Sailing Championships in Shanwe, China in March and the Asian Games in November.
The competition will run until February 22.
February 16, 2010
Donaire aims for Darchinyan's titles after Pinoy Power 3 KO
MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) - Nonito “the Filipino Flash” Donaire, Jr. churned out a 3rd round knockout victory over Mexican Manuel “Chango” Vargas in Saturday’s (Sunday in Manila) Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 event at the Las Vegas Hilton.
The 27-year-old World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super flyweight champion sent Vargas to the canvass at 1:40 in Round 3 with a solid left uppercut. Donaire retained his title and improved his record to 23-1 (15 KOs).
He said of his opponent in a post-fight interview: “I felt that he could not back me up when I throw my jab. He could have pressured me then made it a different game cuz i would have boxed a little bit but in the last round we figured him out. My corner was telling me ‘Relax, you’re too stiff.’”
When he finally calmed down, Donaire said he did what he exactly did in the gym.
“I used my right, I used my left, side to side and I did everything that I can to make him confused and he did not know where I was,” he said of Vargas, who now has a record of 26-5-1 (11 KOs).
Donaire landed 35 out of the 106 punches thrown while Vargas merely landed 4 out of 45 punches.
The 28-year-old Mexican was a late replacement for compatriot Gerson “El Nene” Guerrero, who was declared out of the Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 3 main event after failing an eye exam due to a detached retina.
Donaire said it the main event shakeup was no problem for him because he has a blueprint for Mexican fighters in his head.
“And he was pretty much the same thing, you know, the jab would go over the hook,” he added.
“I went side to side. I led him with the jab so he thinks I will go the other way but I was on the right side then I’ll throw the right because he was open for it and when he thinks I was on the right side, I’m on the left side. So that’s what I did. It was just the blue print and the good guys behind me that did it.”
Filipino boxing sensation and 7-division champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao watched the event live at the Las Vegas Hilton to show support for his fellow fighters. Aside from the pound-for-pound king, fallen fighter ZC Oliveros “Z” Gorres was also at ringside.
Darchinyan's titles
Donaire, meantime, said he is setting his sights on the WBA and World Boxing Council (WBC) unified super flyweight belts of Armenian Vic Darchinyan.
“That’s what I came for and hopefully I’ll get that fight. I’m here, I’m a fighter but I gotta listen to my guys.”
Donaire knocked out Darchinyan in the 5th round of their bout in 2007. He won the Armenian’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title.
“For me, when you ask a fighter if they’re gonna fight, you know I’m definitely gonna fight especially if I can acquire two belts.”
He then addressed his supporters: “I would like to thank everyone for coming down. I appreaciate you guys. You guys are my blessing. Happy Valentine's to you guys and hopefully you guys find everything you need in Vegas.”
Prior to his Pinoy Power 3 win, he posted a unanimous decision win in Pinoy Power 2 over Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion of Panama last August.
Stomach ache
Meanwhile, 2 Filipinos lost while 2 others won in the other matches which pitted Filipinos against Latinos.
Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales was knocked out in Round 1 of his title fight against World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel.
It was a strong blow to the stomach that put Morales down, grimacing in pain, noted ABS-CBN News correspondent Dyan Castillejo.
He was rushed to the Valley Hospital after the fight, ABS-CBN North American News correspondent Bev Llorente reported.
Morales replaced Gorres in the Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 lineup after the latter suffered a brain injury last November after his unanimous decision win over Colombian Luis Melendez.
“Nonito Donaire Sr. said Morales was in fear. He wasn’t determined at all. He was already complaining that he has a stomach ache hours before Morales’ bout with Montiel,” Llorente said on ANC’s “Dateline Philippines Sunday.”
'Peñalosa should have won'
Gerry “Fearless” Peñalosa meantime, lost to Puerto Rican Eric “Little Hands of Steel” Morel via split decision.
The scores were 115-113 in favor of Morel, 115-113 in favor of Peñalosa, and 116-112 in favor of Morel.
The veteran Filipino boxer fought on despite suffering cuts on his eyes after encountering 2 accidental head butts.
He came back with renewed energy in Round 6 and scored clean and strong blows to the body. Castillejo reported that Peñalosa kept on the offensive as Morel held on every time he got hurt.
But for trainer Freddie Roach and Pacquiao, they think Peñalosa prevailed. Peñalosa himself also thought that he won.
“Talagang panalo si Gerry,” Pacquiao commented when he was interviewed by ABS-CBN Sports commentators Ronnie Nathanielsz and Dyan Castillejo. “Lamang siya ng pitong (7) rounds.”
Undercard victories
Earlier, Bernabe “The Real Deal” Concepcion and Mark Jason “MJM Grand” Melligen posted victories in their undercard fights.
Concepcion scored a unanimous decision win in his 10-round fight over Puerto Rican Mario “Principe Ponce” Santiago with the scores 98-91, 96-93, 97-92.
A powerful right from the 22-year-old Filipino knocked down the Puerto Rican in Round 6. Santiago got up right away and Concepcion continued to attack.
Pacquiao, who is Concepcion’s manager, commented on his ward: “Kulang lang yung timing. Coordination sa paa niya at saka sa kamay niya.”
He went on to say, “Proud ako sa boksingero ko. Next fight niya is Juan Manuel Marquez... ‘Pag lumaban siya, ako nandoon ako lagi araw-araw sa training niya.”
Melligen, meantime, clinched the first triumph for the Philippines in Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13. He won over American Raymond Gatica via technical knockout in Round 6. He scored 2 knockdowns in the bout.
Trainer Tony Martin told ABS-CBN News that Melligen still needs a lot of workout to do.
Gorres fundraiser
Meanwhile, Pacquiao also took the time to say a few words to the crowd at the Las Vegas Hilton and the viewers.
He invited them to attend his fundraiser for Gorres on Sunday. “Sana lahat ng Pilipino nandito tulungan natin si Gorres, para sa kaniyang pamilya. We already gave Gorres our help, Bob [Arum] and I.”
“At sana suportahan po natin. Kung gusto niyo pong tumulong, ipangalan sa foundation ko, Manny Pacquiao Foundation.”
Pacquiao is training in the US for his “The Event” bout with Ghanaian Joshua Clottey on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Pinoy Power 3 was telecast live on ABS-CBN Channel 2 on Sunday, February 14. Replays were shown on the same day on Studio 23 at 8 p.m. and ABS-CBN’s “Sunday’s Best” at 10:30 p.m.
Viewers can also watch the Pinoy Power 3 replays on SkyCable TV’s Balls Channel on February 16 at 4 p.m. and February 18 at 9 p.m.
abs-cbnNEWS.com is the online news department of ABS-CBN Interactive Inc., a subsidiary of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
