PBA eyes merger with Liga Pilipinas

source GMAnews.tv

The Philippines Basketball Association (PBA), Asia’s first play-for-pay league, and La Liga Pilipinas, a league that features teams from local government units, might soon merge to form a developmental cage loop.

According to incoming PBA chairman Lito Alvarez, he would propose the possible merger and creation of a developmental league when the PBA board of governors convene in China.The developmental league (D-League), added Alvarez, would serve as breeding ground for future PBA players.

The proposed D-League would be patterned after the National Basketball Association Developmental League, wherein ex-pros and free agents play. Under the plan, teams in the PBA could tap players from this league anytime.

Alvarez said Liga Pilipinas commissioner Noli Eala had already made a draft for the possible merger of the two leagues.

“I think it’s already been drafted by Noli," said Alvarez. “But this thing will be up for discussion with the board of governors."

Liga Pilipinas was founded by Eala two years ago. It’s a countrywide basketball league, wherein different provinces can take part. Each team is composed of homegrown talents and several ex-pros. The league is also being used as a prerequisite for Fil-Am cagers to become eligible for the PBA Rookie Draft.

Aside from the possible merger of the two leagues, Alvarez said he would also push for discussions on the expansion program of the PBA as well as the league’s ownership of a new coliseum.

So far, business giants such as the SM Group of Companies, the Gokongwei Group and the Phoenix Petroleum, had expressed their interest in joining the PBA.

“There are several other big companies seeking to join, but these are some which have so far expressed interest in participating," said Alvarez, who added that he was looking to add two teams to increase the member teams to 12 by 2010.

The SM Group of Companies is the staunch backer of the National University Bulldogs in the
UAAP. The company is also set to build a coliseum near the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

For its part, the Gokongwei Group was one of the founding members of the PBA with one of its company brands, Great Taste, becoming a powerhouse in the 1980s. The team participated until 1992 before Sta. Lucia Realty bought the franchise.

Phoenix Petroleum, meanwhile, had been a supporter of the PBA, sponsoring its on road games the previous year. – GMANews.TV

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Kobe-Shaq again on Christmas as Lakers host Cavs

source GMAnews.tv

NEW YORK – The NBA is bringing Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal together again for Christmas — this time joined by LeBron James.

Bryant and the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 25, one of the highlights of the 2009-10 NBA schedule released Tuesday.

It will be the fourth time in the five years since their partnership ended that Bryant and O'Neal will meet on Christmas. Traded to Cleveland in June, O'Neal will return to Los Angeles this year with James, who succeeded Bryant as MVP last season.

O'Neal and James will play their first game together in the NBA season opener, hosting the Boston Celtics on Oct. 27. The four-game slate that night concludes when the Lakers open their title defense against No. 1 draft pick Blake Griffin and the Clippers.

Defending Eastern Conference champion Orlando opens Oct. 28 against Philadelphia, then goes on the road two nights later to visit New Jersey, giving Vince Carter a quick return to his former home.

The Magic will visit the Lakers for an NBA finals rematch Jan. 18 as part of the schedule on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Los Angeles will play at Orlando on March 7 for the first time since winning the title in June.

Orlando also plays on Christmas, hosting Boston in a matchup of the last two East champions. Miami at New York, the Clippers at Phoenix and Denver at Portland round out that day's action. - AP

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Villoria confident of title defense vs. dangerous Mexican foe

source GMAnews.tv

Brian “The Hawaiian Punch" Viloria is confident that his more than two months of training would be enough to withstand the attacks of dangerous Jesus “Azul" Iribe of Mexico on August 29 (August 30 in Manila) at the Blaisdell Center, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

“I have trained for this fight like it is going to its full route," said Viloria, a Filipino-American boxer who grew up in Hawaii, in a phone patch interview on Tuesday from Oxnard, California.

“My preparation is for a hard 12-round fight," added Viloria to reporters gathered at the penthouse of the Solar Century building in Makati City.

This will be the first time that Viloria, 28, will be fighting in Hawaii since 2003 and the first time that he defends his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight title against the Culiacan, Sinaloa-native Iribe.

Viloria, who donned the US colors during the 2000 Olympics, said he has matured since losing his first world title in 2005 adding that preparation for a fight is more important than the fight itself.

“Before I took my fights for granted and because of that I took preparations lightly," said Viloria. “Now I prepare for my fight like it will be my last, I prepare myself physically and mentally."

Viloria's manager Gary Gittelsohn said that Hawaii boxing fans are excited about the fight.

“The venue is an 8,000-seater and we are confident that Viloria can fill it," said Gittelsohn, also in a phone patch interview from Los Angeles.

Viloria, the 1999 US Boxer of the Year, won the IBF crown last April 19 by knocking down Iribe's compatriot Mexican Uliseses Solis with a powerful right to the jaw in the 11th round at the Big Dome.

It was in 2005 that Viloria came into the Filipino consciousness by winning the WBC light flyweight title by knocking down Eric Ortiz. He defended the title once for his 19th straight win against Jose Antonio Aguirre in 2006 until Mexican Omar Nino Romero dethroned him in the same year.

Viloria also failed to regain the title in a rematch on November 18, 2006 at Las Vegas, Nevada. Ironically, Romero was stripped of the title because of doping.

In order to revitalize a sagging career, Viloria decided to fight Edgar Sosa for the vacant WBC crown but failed in his title bid.

Despite the lost, Viloria pushed on and even moved up to the super flyweight division and started training under former champion, Roberto Garcia, at La Colonia Gym in Oxnard, California.

In his debut in the division, the Hawaiian Punch scored a unanimous decision versus Jose Garcia Bernal (26-11-1) at the Alameda Swap Meet in Los Angeles, California on January 5, 2008.

Viloria posted four more wins against Cesar Lopez (unanimous decision), Fred Heberto Valdez (3rd round KO), Juan Javier Lagos (UD) and Benjamin Garcia (2nd round KO).

After that Viloria went down to junior flyweight and defeated Solis. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV

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Strikeforce Workings Towards Overeem Vs. Fedor Title Fight

Scott Coker was a guest on Tapout Radio yesterday and talked about potential match up's for the newest addition to his Strikeforce roster, Fedor Emelianenko:

“Although the deal with Strikeforce is an exclusive one, it’s far from a contract signed in blood as Fedor is currently contractually obligated to fight for Strikeforce for just one year. Basically it’s three fights over the next year, and we’ll start in the fall some time… The very first fight that Fedor fights will be on Showtime, and then the roll-out of television from there forward hasn’t been determined 100%, but his first fight will be on Showtime. [Fedor] and Alistair Overeem should be an amazing fight, and people that haven’t seen Alistair, you know, he’s an amazing fighter.. I think we should do a couple of fights and build that one up, and then let their champion fight our champion, and let’s see what happens. We’re hoping that Alistair will be ready to fight in the Fall, and we can put him on one of the cards with Fedor, and not fight against each other but fight against someone else, and let’s build that fight up.”


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Cotto Taking No Chances, Starts Training For Pacquiao

WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto is taking no chances. With several months to go before his November 14 bout with Manny Pacquiao, the Puerto Rican champion has already begun training for the fight. Cotto returned to the gym on Monday and did five rounds on the heavy bag, 40 minutes of running and several stretching exercises. He wants to hit the gym two to three times per week until August 24, when he plans to start training full time for the fight with Manny. He doesn't want stamina to become an issue in the late rounds.

"I've done other things, but I've yet to return to the gym. The idea is to go two to three times a week until Phil Landman (his conditioning coach) arrives in Puerto Rico on August 22 and then I'll begin to train full-time on the 24th," Cotto told Primera Hora.

Cotto's trainer, Joe Santiago, told the paper that his fighter's training began early because the opponent is considered the best in the sport.

"We want to go to work slowly and get the most out of the following three months to achieve a high level of preparation," said Santiago. "We want to avoid the history of previous fights, like the one with Antonio Margarito. We do not want to arrive feeling tired on the day of the fight and therefore we will moderate the workload."


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Mayweather Sr: Cotto Can Take Pacquiao's Head Off

I’ll admit, I’m one of the few scribes to pick Miguel Cotto to beat Manny Pacquiao on November 14. Most of my colleagues believe Pacquiao’s speed and overall movement will overwhelm Cotto. I spoke in detail with trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. and he agrees with my belief that Cotto has enough power to end the fight with a single shot.

“I think Cotto has a very a good shot to win. He’s got a good puncher’s chance. If Cotto hits him to the head or the body, he is going to take his ass out. Cotto did not look good against Clottey and I think Clottey beat him. That was a bad cut [suffered by Cotto during the Clottey fight]. I think a cut like that would affect anybody. A cut like that can keep you out of the game,” Mayweather Sr. told BoxingScene.com

If Mayweather was training Cotto, he would advise him to keep a tight defense and protect the left eye as a precautionary measure to prevent the cut, suffered during the Clottey fight, from re-opening.

“A cut like that can open up again at any time and turn the fight around,” Mayweather Sr. said.

He gets the impression that Freddie Roach [Pacquiao’s trainer] is overlooking the high level of danger that Cotto represents. Mayweather doesn’t see Pacquiao being able to withstand a flush Cotto power shot, whether it be to the head or body.

“He whooped on Oscar De La Hoya who was dehydrated and had no liquids in him. Ricky Hatton was suspect before the fight. Cotto is a puncher. If Cotto is in good shape and he hits him to the body or the head, he can take him out, my mark my words. [Roach] made a mistake by thinking Cotto ain’t that good. If Cotto hits him right, he take his head off, remember I told you that. Cotto is going to be ready for this fight, believe me. If Cotto hits him to the head or the body, he is gone - Rick, remember I told you,” Mayweather Sr. said.

Mayweather Sr. had trained Hatton for the May fight with Pacquiao. He told BoxingScene that miscommunication during training camp was a big factor in Pacquiao’s ability to blow Hatton out in two rounds. Mayweather would not advise Hatton to fight again. During the training camp for Pacquiao, Mayweather saw rookies giving Hatton a lot of trouble during sparring sessions.

“He wouldn’t do what I told him. He kept listening to Lee Beard [assistant trainer]. He was suspect before the fight anyway. We had lesser fighters, four round pros, shaking him up in the gym. The way my son knocked him out, he was bound to get knocked out again and again. That’s how it happens sometimes. My son knocked him out bad and then Pacquiao knocked him all the way out. And mark my words, if he fights again, and I don’t care who it’s against, he will get knocked out again,” Mayweather said.

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Roger Mayweather Released, Lawsuit To Come

BoxingScene spoke with Floyd Mayweather Sr., brother of trainer Roger Mayweather, who was arrested on Sunday for assaulting female fighter Melissa St. Vil. Floyd Sr was not in Las Vegas when incident went down but family members filled him in when he returned back home.

According to Floyd Sr., St. Vil was staying with Cornelius Lock [promoted by Mayweather Promotions and trained by Roger] in a condo owned by Roger Mayweather. Roger is the former trainer of St. Vil and the current trainer of Floyd Mayweather Jr. I hear there was already pre-existing tension, between Roger and St. Vil, due to their work related split. From what BoxingScene was told by Floyd Sr [and a few others], Roger wanted St. Vil out of the condo and that led to altercation. When she refused to leave, Roger was alleged to have used force while attempting to remove her from the condo and the two began to fight. Roger is alleged to have punched her multiple times to the face and body, and later began to choke her out. St. Vil tried to fight back, and even cracked a lamp over Roger's head.

Police arrived after St. Vil called 911. They found Roger still scuffling with St. Vil, who was coughing up blood. Mayweather was arrested and charged with coercion with force and battery-strangulation. He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center and later released on bond. From what multiple source told BoxingScene, St. Vil will be planning a civil lawsuit against Roger and pressing criminal charges.

Floyd Sr. did not want to comment too much on the incident, at least on the record, but he did tell BoxingScene that he learned a very long time ago to stay away from physical encounters on the street.

"I had a few fights of my own over the years with a couple of guys. I'll tell you this, I made way too much money in my career to start giving it all back," Mayweather Sr. said.

Roger Mayweather Arrested For Assaulting Female Fighter

Trainer Roger Mayweather could be in doubt to work Floyd Mayweather's corner on September 19 against Juan Manuel Marquez. Mayweather was arrested over the weekend when he attacked one of his former female fighters, Melissa St. Vil. Las Vegas Metro police report that Mayweather was arrested on charges of coercion with force and battery-strangulation and booked into the Clark County Detention Center.

He showed up at her home at Trotwood Lane in Las Vegas and attacked her over a dispute having to do with a training agreement. Police found St. Vil being held by Mayweather and coughing up blood from being choked. St. Vil was beat to her ribs several times and choked to near-unconsciousness. She managed to fight back with a lamp, causing injury to Mayweather's head.

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Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao: It's Not All Good

So I'm a contrarian. Sue me.

While nearly all my colleagues have celebrated that Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao will get together in a ring on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, I'm a little bit less than giddy.

Don't get me wrong, the fact Bob Arum has created a scenario in which the reigning WBO welterweight champion and the incumbent IBO junior welterweight title-holder will meet ensures boxing’s status as a SportsCenter lead item come fight week.

The best at 147 pounds is fighting the best at 140.

That without question is a good thing.

Arum scheduled a September publicity tour for the HBO PPV extravaganza, which will be billed as "Fire Power." A Sept. 10 event at Yankee Stadium is planned, as are stops in Puerto Rico, San Francisco and Beverly Hills.

Neither an agreed-to weight nor a championship belt on the line have been confirmed – thanks in part to recent reports that Cotto is hesitant to risk his crown at less than 147 pounds – though it’s widely assumed the two will compete for Cotto's title at a contracted weight of 145.

Assuming those assumptions are correct and the fight indeed comes off with a championship on the line at something less than 147, my initial reaction of frustration will stand firm.

The fight's a good idea.

Just not nearly as good as it should have been.

But before the e-mails begin, I’m not arguing Pacquiao is the biggest thing in the sport today.

And I know writers, promoters, analysts and fans have been climbing over each other to be most profound in describing him as a throwback, and comparing his recent run of dominance to the one established as benchmark by Henry Armstrong in the 30s and 40s.

Problem is, no matter how many times it's insisted by the cognoscenti, it's still wrong.

Only a fool would deny Manny's status as a great fighter.

I certainly will not.

Even if nothing had preceded it at lower weights, his climb to elite status at 130 pounds with a win over Juan Manuel Marquez – albeit a close and controversial one – was evidence enough to prove pound-for-pound prowess to me.

He’s great. No question.

But before too many more mentions are made of Armstrong, take a closer look.

First, remember that Pac's post-Marquez climb to the championship rung at 135 pounds was not made against an incumbent three-belt champion, but with a lesser-regarded and more favorable stylistic match in David Diaz – then the WBC claimant – as punching bag of choice.

True, his surprisingly brutal shellacking of Oscar De La Hoya six months later was impressive and rightfully earned Manny kudos.

I chose De La Hoya by KO going in and never would have dreamed an upset in any form would have approached the level of domination Pacquiao displayed.

Still, the Golden Boy's seemingly imprudent weight loss casts at least something of a shadow, and a clearer and usually unmentioned reality is that Oscar’s seven-year absence from the welterweight division hardly makes any conqueror – even a streaking Pacquiao – an automatic Armstrong-like claimant to the throne.

If De La Hoya had lost to Steve Forbes at 147, for example, no one would have claimed the former lighter-weight champion was a new terror in the division.

But because Manny is the “it” guy in the sport, anything he touches – even a guy whose last victim at 147 was Arturo Gatti in 2001, when Pacquiao was months short of a championship at super bantamweight – suddenly turns to gold.

Meanwhile, in 2009, no plausible denial applies to Pacquiao's recent punch-out of Ricky Hatton at 140, where he clearly defeated the most-visible foe a division had to offer and established himself as its new top man.

But even with that dramatic one-punch highlight, a subsequent rise of just a few pounds to meet Cotto at a stand-in weight between two divisions opens a similar can of doubting worms as the match with a shrunken Oscar.

History shows "Homicide Hank" left no such lingering reservations.

And to me, it’s all pretty simple.

If Manny wants to weigh just 143 pounds while attempting to defeat a naturally larger Puerto Rican-born foe, so be it.

And if Cotto freely chooses to slim down to less than the welterweight max while combating an obviously talented and dynamic Filipino, that's fine, too.

But changing the rules to conveniently orchestrate a big title event is simply wrong, and takes away any shreds of legitimacy existent when comparing Pacquiao's laudable achievements to Armstrong's legendary ones.

And while I understand his status as reigning big-fight cash cow gives Manny the leverage needed to set the business terms, it'd be nice to hear purists go the same lengths to raise red flags over cheap replicas of "welterweight title" bouts as they did while breathlessly likening him to multi-division trailblazers of decades past.

As for the fight itself, it's a bad mix for Cotto no matter where it occurs on the scale.

I like Pacquiao in 10.

* * * * * * * * * *

Coming out of this weekend, Nate Campbell’s got issues.

No question, the injuries he sustained in round three against Timothy Bradley Saturday night were the result of a butt – not a punch.

And under normal circumstances, a referee would have stopped the bout, correctly determined the cause of the cut and declared the bout a no-contest because it hadn’t gone four rounds.

However, one major factor may be playing against the “Galaxxy Warrior” here.

Regardless of David Mendoza’s mistaken assertion that blood on Campbell’s left eye came from a punch, chances are that his error would have eventually been corrected by officials that night or via subsequent protest by Campbell’s team with the state commission.

Problem is, Mendoza didn’t stop the fight.

Campbell did.

Let’s be clear, I’m not one of the chest-thumping tough guys criticizing Campbell for “quitting.”

His peril was the result of serious injury.

And given the fact that his vision was compromised and he had a world-class opponent on the other side of the ring ready to inflict more damage, his decision makes healthy sense both for the present and the future.

Notwithstanding any basement-residing message-board thugs in the audience.

Bottom line, had Mendoza halted the fight because of the cut and awarded Bradley a TKO, Nate would have had ample evidence on his side in the form of video replay showing the clash of heads.

A rematch, then, would have made perfect sense.

But by retiring in the corner and taking the fight’s conclusion out of Mendoza’s hands, Campbell may have blocked off his own avenue toward getting justice – and another big-money title try with Bradley or anyone else – after the fact.

His own version of an inadvertent whistle, if you will.

* * * * * * * * * *

This week’s title-fight schedule:

No title fights scheduled.

Last week’s picks: 1-2
Overall picks record: 23-8 (74.2 percent)

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Trades continue: Villanueva, Alvarez to Kings; Artadi, Reavis to Giants

source GMAnews.tv

Just when everybody thought the trade transactions are over, a three-team multi-player transaction took place a day after the Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft.

Barangay Ginebra, Purefoods and Burger King agreed to trade players before sunset Monday, a move that would somehow bolster their respective chances in the league’s 35th season this October.

Ginebra beefed up its frontline with the inclusion of Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez and Paolo Bugia and added a veteran presence in guard Celino Cruz.

The Gin Kings also secured the services of Cholo Villanueva, a sophomore guard from Burger King.

Villanueva and Alvarez, long-time teammates and members of the Ateneo’s 2002 UAAP champion squad, would help reinforce the weakening frontline of the Kings.

Cruz would bring his toughness to Ginebra’s backcourt and complement Jayjay Helterbrand, Mark Caguioa, Ronald Tubid and Chris Pacana and new recruit Villanueva.

But the Gin Kings gave up speedy guard Paul Artadi, rookie quarterback Chris Timberlake, neophyte Orlando Daroya, veteran slotman Rafi Reavis and a future pick.

Artadi would have a reunion of sorts with his old team Purefoods, which had also re-acquired forward Marc Pingris in a separate trade.

The Giants would also get Timberlake, a promising newcomer, who caught the fancy of the management and coaching staff, as well as Reavis, whose defensive presence would give the squad a new look in the coming season.

Burger King acted as conduit and the Whopper got in return the flexible Daroya and future picks.

And the team was pleased to get Daroya, according to Burger King board representative Lito Alvarez.

“The coaching staff was very impressed with Daroya’s performance in the (rookie) camp. Siya ‘yung isa sa may pinakamagandang ipinakita," said Alvarez.

The incoming PBA chairman also added that the Whopper presented top overall rookie pick Japeth Aguilar with a three-year maximum offer. The 6’9" Aguilar would get P150,000 in the first year, P225,000 in the second year and P337,500 on his third year.

Alvarez added that his team now has a total of 14 players, making Kenneth Bono and Carlo Sharma as the 13th and 14th cagers on the list. - GMANews.TV

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Fedor to Strikeforce; UFC Responds

Fedor Emelianenko has signed a multi-fight agreement that will see the world’s No. 1-ranked heavyweight compete for Strikeforce, the promotion announced Monday.

Emelianenko, who became a free agent after Affliction Entertainment canceled its Aug. 1 event two weeks ago, will make his debut on Showtime under a co-promoted Strikeforce/M-1 Global production this fall. Emelianenko was to have faced Josh Barnett at Affliction “Trilogy” on Aug. 1, but Barnett failed a pre-fight test for an anabolic steroid and was refused licensure by the California State Athletic Commission.

"Strikeforce is a top fight promotion that houses some of the greatest fighters in the world," said Emelianenko in a press release. "I am prepared to fight any of them."

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker told Sherdog.com last week that he plans to match the stoic Russian against the likes of Brett Rogers, Fabricio Werdum and the promotion’s heavyweight champion, Alistair Overeem.

“I feel pretty confident that we could give him four or five opponents that would make sense for him,” Coker told Sherdog.com in an exclusive video interview.

Emelianenko, along with his promoters and management team at M-1 Global, had negotiated with the UFC last week, but could not come to an agreement over co-promotion.

"Fedor is a f---ing joke," UFC President Dana White responded Monday after learning that Emelianenko had signed with Strikeforce. “He turns down a huge deal and the opportunity to face the best in the world to fight nobodies for no money!"

White also addressed fans: "I feel sorry for the real fight fans. I wanted to make the deal, but it takes two and it is very obvious Fedor doesn't want to fight the best, and doesn't give a sh-t about the fans!"

This article was updated at 3:52 p.m. EST and 7:35 p.m. EST with quotes from Dana White that the UFC's PR Director Jennifer Wenk sent directly to Sherdog.com.

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Fedor Emelianenko Signs With Strikeforce, Will debut In Fall 2009

NEW YORK (August 3, 2009)-After a week of intense negotiations and speculation, the hottest topic of discussion in the professional fight world has come to a head as the world’s number one heavyweight and most sought after mixed martial arts (MMA) champion Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko has signed a historic, multi-fight agreement that will see him headline mega-events co-promoted by world championship promotions STRIKEFORCE and M-1 Global.

Emelianenko, known globally as Fedor, will make his premium television debut this Fall when his first fight under the new agreement airs live on SHOWTIME®. Up until now, Emelianenko’s live fights have aired exclusively on pay-per-view in the United States.

“I am looking forward to going back to work and fighting at the highest level," said the 33-year-old Emelianenko. During his nine year professional fight career, which included a four and a half year stay with the world’s former top MMA promotion, the now defunct PRIDE Fighting Championship, the Russian native has faced and defeated all comers.

In his last effort, the 6-foot, 235-pound Emelianenko decimated the number two ranked heavyweight at the time Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski with a single punch in the first round (3:14) of the main event of Affliction: “Day of Reckoning” at Anaheim, California’s Honda Center on January 24.

“STRIKEFORCE is a top fight promotion that houses some of the greatest fighters in the world,” continued Emelianenko. “I am prepared to fight any of them.”

“We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with M-1 Global and Fedor,” said STRIKEFORCE Founder and CEO Scott Coker, a martial arts fight promoter of over 25 years. “Fedor has been the reigning king of MMA’s heavyweight division for quite some time now so being able to work with M-1 and Fedor will substantially increase the level of competition amongst the athletes in this weight class.”

“With the addition of Fedor and STRIKEFORCE’s new relationship with M-1 Global, SHOWTIME is now the home of the best pound-for-pound male and female fighters in the world,” said Ken Hershman, Senior VP and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports®. “The Aug. 15 Carano-Cyborg matchup on SHOWTIME will clearly determine the best female mixed martial artist on the planet. Then, come this Fall, our subscribers again will witness history when the universally recognized best male fighter�"Fedor Emelianenko�"joins the already long list of world-class athletes on the STRIKEFORCE roster, and for the first time ever plies his skills live on SHOWTIME.”

Hershman continued: “We are better positioned now than ever before to deliver on our promise to televise the top fighters in mixed martial arts today.”

“I am very happy and excited about the upcoming collaboration with Strikeforce,” said Vadim Finkelchtein, President of M-1 Global. “We are very pleased that we found a reliable partner and I feel that Strikeforce and M-1 can support each other on many things. This will create big opportunities for both parties to test their fighters against worthy opponents.”

Though his official professional record is 30-1, Emelianenko is considered undefeated. The only blemish on his record is a December 22, 2000 fight that was stopped after 17 seconds and declared a TKO in favor of his opponent, Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, due to a cut Emelianenko sustained in the opening seconds of the matchup in Osaka, Japan.

Amongst those on Emelianenko’s list of impressive conquests are former PRIDE Heavyweight Champions Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mark “The Hammer” Coleman, and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic as well as former UFC Heavyweight Champions Kevin “The Monster” Randleman and Tim Sylvia, whom Emelianenko submitted with a rear naked choke only 36 seconds into their main event showdown at Affliction: “Banned” on July 19, 2008.

Despite his extensive experience, Emelianenko’s debut under the new STRIKEFORCE-M-1 venture will, interestingly enough, mark his first start in a cage. To date, all of his bouts have taken place in a ring.

After co-promoting two events live on SHOWTIME in 2007 and 2008, STRIKEFORCE in March 2009 signed a multi-year agreement to stage live MMA events on the premium cable television network.

About STRIKEFORCE
STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history. The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265. Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.” In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.

About M-1 Global

M-1 Global (www.m-1global.com) has been one of the leading Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organizations in the world for over a decade. M-1 has promoted over 150 shows worldwide since 1995.
Billed as the “World Cup of Mixed Martial Arts,” the M-1 Challenge is a full season of MMA events that showcases some of the best up and coming MMA fighters in the world. Broadcast to over 90 countries around the world, including HDNet in the United States, the M-1 Challenge pits teams of five fighters representing their respective countries against each other for international bragging rights and the title of M-1 Challenge Champions. Fighters who succeed on the M-1 Challenge’s international breeding ground will earn the opportunity to participate in major MMA events presented by M-1 Global and their promotional partners such as STRIKEFORCE.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

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The WBC Wants To Have a 15-Day Weigh-In Rule

The WBC has announced the introduction of an additional weight-in rule that is primarily designed to protect the often unconsidered undercard fighters at glittering championship extravaganzas.

Currently, according to the WBC rules, boxers can't exceed 10% of their weight category one month before a bout, no more than 5% seven days before a fight, and 24-hours prior to when the opening bell - both must weight at the limit or a tad below the required poundage.

WBC President Jose Sulaiman says a 15-day weight check is going to be added to the overall process, and it's specifically intended to insure against attempts at drastic weight loss.

He explained: "15-days is about the time when the promoters sign the undercard [fights] with four and six round bouts. Today, nobody knows if these fighters are in good condition, or training, or not. They just go to the weigh-in ceremony and then fight. I have checked and found that many of these four and six rounders are not in good ring shape. That is when accidents can happen, so there must be a humanitarian step to weigh them in fifteen days before the fight."

Sulaiman says the permissable percentage above the weight category at fifteen says before a fight, will be assessed by medical experts. The WBC Governors will then vote on their recommendation for this new law at the WBC Convention November 1-7 in South Korea.


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Pacquiao and Cotto To Wear Puncher's Gloves on 11/14

You can already guess what both fighters plan to do on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. When Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao enter the ring, they will both wear 8-ounce gloves to get the most power out of their punches. Both fighters are going to look for the knockout.

"Both are punchers and they'll be wearing 8-ounce gloves in the fight," said Pacquiao's lawyer Franklin Gacal to the Manila Bulletin.

There is a rule in Nevada where all fighters above 135-pounds have to wear 10-ounce gloves to the ring. But there is a stipulation that permits the use of 8-ounce gloves - if both fighters agree to their use. This is a rule put together by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. In most other parts of the United States, fighters weighing up to 147-pounds can wear 8-ounce gloves. The Nevada commission amended their rule for last year's fight between Cotto and Antonio Margarito, when both camps jointly protested to use 8-ounce gloves.


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Dana White Conference Call About Fedor Not Joining UFC

Type rest of the post here

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Fastest Knockout In MMA History, 3 Seconds

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Lebanon five mentor says RP improving

source Ronnie Nathanielsz | manilastandardtoday.com

LEBANON coach Dragan Raca said the Powerade-Team Pilipinas is improving with every game and if they make it beyond the group stages of the Fiba Asia Championships in Tianjin, China, next week, “they will be 50-percent better than now.”

Raca made the assessment following his team’s scrimmage with the Philippines was called off after a few minutes of the third quarter because of the slippery court surface at the Moro Lorenzo gym in the Ateneo campus with Lebanon ahead, 48-34.

The Lebanon coach pointed out that lack of playing together and international competition have hurt the Philippines.

“But with every game, they will be better,” said Raca.

Asked about the chances of beating main rivals Japan and South Korea in the group matches in Tianjin, Raca said: “You have a tough chance because in every game of the tournament, the Philippine team gets better. I think you need more time.”

But Raca said that if the RP team makes the second round as expected, and may in fact face Lebanon again, they will be 50- to 60-percent better.

National coach Yeng Guiao conceded that the bigger Middle East teams will be hard to beat.

“But against Korea, Chinese Taipei and Japan, I think our chances will be a lot better,” said Guiao, whose problems have been compounded by the fact that Ryan Reyes, who has a recurring groin injury, won’t be able to play and Mick Pennisi is recovering from bronchitis.

Shooting star James Yap’s arrival in Tianjin will be delayed because of the death of his mother-in-law, former President Corazon Aquino. Ronnie Nathanielsz

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Lakers re-sign Lamar Odom

source insideHoops.com

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent forward Lamar Odom to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

Odom, who was acquired by the Lakers on July 14, 2004 as part of a trade with the Miami Heat for Shaquille O’Neal, appeared in 78 regular season games with Los Angeles during the 2008-09 campaign, averaging 11.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.26 blocks in 29.7 minutes.

In the 2008-09 postseason, Odom appeared in 23 games (5 starts), averaging 12.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.35 blocks in 32.0 minutes, while posting 14 double-figure scoring games and converting seven double-doubles.

Odom, the fourth overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, left the University of Rhode Island after a sophomore season in which he was named AP Honorable Mention All-America and Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year. After tallying 30 points and 12 rebounds in his NBA debut, Odom went on to be selected to the 1999-2000 NBA All-Rookie First team. In 2005-06, Odom was the only player in the NBA to average better than 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, and in ten NBA seasons, has career averages of 15.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 36.5 minutes in 665 games.

In five seasons with the Lakers, Odom is averaging 14.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 36.6 minutes.

EARLIER REPORTS FROM PREVIOUS DAY

ESPN (J.A. Adande and Marc Stein) reports: Free agent forward Lamar Odom will return to the Los Angeles Lakers, an NBA source said Thursday. One source with knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com the four-year deal is worth $33 million if the Lakers exercise the final season. One source close to the process said Odom will come away with a guaranteed $27 million from the new contract, matching the original value of the three-year, $27 million deal Lakers owner Jerry Buss pulled off the table earlier this month. It’s believed that the structure of the new deal calls for Odom to earn $25 million over the first three seasons, with the Lakers owing him $2 million in the fourth year if they elect not to pick up their team option.

CBS Sports (Ken Berger) reports: Neither the Lakers nor Odom’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, would comment Thursday on Odom’s decision to spurn a multi-year offer from the Miami Heat and stay with the defending champion Lakers. But a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to CBSSports.com that Odom’s teammates have been informed that the 6-10 forward isn’t going anywhere. Initial reports indicate that it’s a three-year deal with a team option that would push the total value north of $30 million. That’s less than the Lakers originally offered, however — a sign of just how much Odom wanted to stay with the Lakers.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I told you yesterday this would probably happen — though it was educated speculation and there was no actual confirmation of anything. As for Odom sticking with the Lakers, as an independent observer I’m a bit disappointed, because I generally like it when a top team loses a key player and that player goes to a squad that needs him even more, simply for the sake of good competition. Odom would have definitely helped the Heat. Anyway, although the Lakers lost Trevor Ariza, the re-signing of Odom and addition of Ron Artest means they’ll continue on as the league’s best team and are the early off-season InsideHoops.com favorite to repeat and win the 2010 championship. Laker fans should be happy. The opposition, not so much.

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Pacquiao's Training Camp May Head To Mexico

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has squelched all talk about the WBO welterweight title fight between Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and champion Miguel Cotto set f or the MGM Grand on November 14 being in jeopardy.

In a conversation with BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports on Sunday morning (Manila Time) the astute promoter said everything is fine. "It’s one hundred percent. The fight will be at 145 pounds and it will be for a world welterweight championship.”

At the same time we learned that the plan to pitch Pacquiao’s training camp in the Bahamas may be junked because of the hurricanes that hit the region and the casinos and other distractions.

Instead, Pacquiao may opt to train in Mexico as promoter Fernando Beltran has suggested the same sprawling training camp used by Erik “El Terrible” Morales in the cool and refreshing mountains of Otomi .

Should Pacquiao decide to train in the Otomi, it would also help keep many of the so-called LA Boys away since some of them reportedly don’t have passports and can’t get a Mexican visa because they live in the US illegally.

Canada was also suggested as a possible training site but the weather would be too cold at the time of the year when Pacquiao starts training.

Arum explained to us early this week the reasons for Pacquiao’s decision to train most of the time outside the US before winding down his preparation at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.

Arum said the US Internal Revenue Service had changed its rules and explained that “In 2007 its one-sixth of the days spent in the US, 2008 its one-third of the days spent which will be added to 100 percent of the days spent in the US in 2009 and if the total of those three numbers equals or exceeds 183 days then you are taxed on all your revenues from worldwide income.”

Arum said should Pacquiao “train full-time in the US for this fight the account said he would be coming very, very close to the 183 number so he wants to avoid that, obviously. In order to avoid it you cut down on the number of days he spends in the US and by training in the Bahamas (which was mentioned at that time) he wouldn’t be subject to the 183 day rule.”

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2009 PBA Rookie Draft (Full Event Video Replay)

source PBA-online.net

Here are the 2009 PBA Rookie Draft Results:

First Round
1. Burger King - Japeth Aguilar (6'9")
2. None
3. Purefoods - Rico Maierhofer ('6'7")
4. Burger King - Chris Ross
5. Rain or Shine - Jervy Cruz (6'4")
6. Alaska - Mike Burtscher
7. Barako Bull - Rogemar Menor (6'2")
8. Brgy. Ginebra - Chris Timberlake
9. Burger King - Ronnie Matias (6'3")
10. San Miguel - James Sena (6'4")

Second Round
11. Sta. Lucia - Mark Lester Benitez (6'4")
12. Barako Bull - Benedict Fernandez (5'11")
13. Barako Bull - Edwin Asoro (6'2")
14. Burger King (traded to Coca- Cola) - Francis Allera (6'4")
15. Rain or Shine - Marcelino Arellano (5'9")
16. Alaska - Sean Christopher Co (6'0")
17. Sta. Lucia - Lamont Waters (6'5")
18. Brgy. Ginebra - Orlando Daroya (6'3")
19. Talk 'N Text - Kevin White (6'0")
20. San Miguel (traded to Coca-Cola) - PJ Walsham (6'5")

Draft Day trades:
- Unconfirmed trade #1 - Coca-Cola traded Alex Cabagnot for Enrico Villanueva of Purefoods

- Unconfirmed trade #2 - Coca-Cola traded Nic Belasco to Talk 'N Text for Renren Ritualo.

- Burger King shipped their 3rd pick Chris Ross, guard Marvin Cruz and the 13th pick to Coca-Cola for Ronjay Buenafe and Coca-Cola's 2010 1st Round Draft pick.

- Burger King released Larry Rodriguez, who was earlier acquired from Barako Bull, to Coca-Cola

Offseason
- Barako Bull's Jeff Chan traded to Rain or Shine for Rob Wainwright and Mark Andaya

- Gabby Espinas traded to Sta. Lucia for Sta. Lucia's 2009 1st Round pick.

- Brgy. Ginebra released Junjun Cabatu, Macky Escalona and JR Aquino to free agency.

-Burger King's Marc Pingris traded to Purefoods for Purefoods' 2010 1st and 2nd Round Draft picks.

- Burger King's Arwind Santos traded to San Miguel for Marc Pingris, Ken Bono and San Miguel's 2010 1st Round draft pick

Draft 09 Video Link click here

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Pacquiao-Cotto Press Tour To Start With a Huge Bang

The press tour to promote the mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, scheduled for November 14, is going to start with a huge bang. The fight takes place on HBO pay-per-view from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

BoxingScene.com was advised that members of Top Rank's team were at New York's Yankee Stadium on Friday in preparation for the launch of the Pacquiao-Cotto press tour, scheduled for September 10. The huge event will take place on the actual field of the stadium and the players have been invited to attend. Several members of Yankees, like Derek Jeter, are big fans of Pacquiao.

The tour will then shift to Cotto's hometown of Caguas, Puerto Rico, where Cotto's promotional company will handle the media event on September 12. Then both teams will head to AT&T Park in San Francisco, California on September 13 for a big media event as the Giants play the Los Angles Dodgers. There will be some baseball fun with both fighters taking some swings in the batting cages. Filipino pitcher Tim Lincecum, of the Giants is slated to throw a few pitches to the fighters. The press tour concludes on September 14 at 4PM the Beverly Hills Hotel in California.


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Manny Pacquiao Will Expose Miguel Cotto, Says Roach

The slinging of dirt has begun. A few days ago, WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto wanted to send a message to Manny Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, and let him now that his fighter was in for a war on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"I have some news for Freddie, I am not Oscar De La Hoya who was caught at the end of his career, and I am not overrated like Ricky Hatton. Roach knows what Pacquiao will be facing on November 14. It will be a war," Cotto told Primera Hora.

Roach shot right back and says Pacquiao will expose Cotto when the two fighters meet in the ring. The hall of fame trainer says Cotto is not the same fighter and still suffering the after effects of the loss to Antonio Margarito.

"We're not going to stand in front of this guy and trade with him. Manny's a much smarter fighter. Now he's boxing very smartly and we're going to expose Cotto. His skills are not quite where they used to be I feel and we're going to expose him," Roach told fighthype.com.

One thing is for sure, this fight will produce some major fireworks in the ring.


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Helterbrand, Reyes out of RP 5

source PhilStar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Jayjay Helterbrand has conceded he won’t be 100 percent healthy while Ryan Reyes has given up hopes he could be reactivated by Powerade Team Pilipinas which leaves the country Tuesday for the 2009 FIBA-Asia championship set Aug. 6-16 in Tianjin, China.

Mick Pennisi, nursing a mild case of bronchitis, makes the health condition of the RP-Powerade worse with only five days before plunging into action in the Asian joust which serves as the regional qualifier for the world championship in Turkey next year.

Also minus Jared Dillinger and James Yap, only 10 players suited up as the national squad played Lebanon in a fight-abbreviated scrimmage at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center inside Ateneo yesterday.

The Lebanese jumped the gun on the Nationals and were leading 48-34 when the two teams decided to discontinue the game due to the slippery condition of the floor and the fight that erupted between Arwind Santos and Brian Feghali a little over two minutes into the second half.

Lebanon coach Dragan Raca observed improvement on the Filipinos’ game from their Jones Cup meeting on July 22 where the Lebanese whipped the Nationals, 95-83.

“Even in Taipei, I noticed the Philippines improving each game. I expect them to put up a good fight in Tianjin, China,” said Raca.

RP coach Yeng Guiao, however, was far from impressed, saying they still have a lot of problems in their game.

“I’m not happy on how we work around the ball. And except for Willie (Miller), nobody’s stepping up in terms of outside shooting,” said Guiao.

Seeing Lebanon play one more time also reinforced Guiao’s belief that Middle Eastern squads would be the teams to beat in the Tianjin joust.

“These huge teams would be tough to beat. I think we have a lot better chances of winning against Korea, Japan and Chinese Taipei,” said Guiao.

“We’re having a problem with their picks. Their picks are huge and strong. They’re 20 pounds bigger, and their screens give them opening to shoot. We have to get used to their screening,” Guiao added.

The Lebanese team showed up in the scrimmage with one additional big man in Daniel Faris, a 6-foot-8 forward out of University of San Francisco.

The Nationals, meanwhile, have players continuing to endure pain.

“I don’t think there would be improvement. But it’s okay, I’ve gotten used to playing hurt,” said Helterbrand.

With the death of former President Cory Aquino, James Yap is expected to go to China a little late. – Nelson Beltran

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Burger King sticks to plan, picks Aguilar No. 1

source GMAnews.tv

No brainer.

Burger King hardly surprised everybody when it made Japeth Aguilar as the No. 1 pick in the 2009-10 PBA Annual Draft Sunday at the Market Market Place in Taguig.

By ending up as the year’s top rookie selection, Aguilar became the first home-grown player in four years and the second Atenean ever to be picked No. 1 in the Draft.

Japeth Aguilar, left, while playing for Team Pilipinas in the recent Jones Cup also under Burger King coach Yeng Guiao.
The 6-foot-10 son of former national team player and one-time PBA cager Peter Aguilar vowed not to disappoint.

“I’ll do my best to live up to expectations," said the soft-spoken former Western Kentucky University student.

Likewise, his acquisition somehow lessened the impact of the loss of Arwind Santos, who was traded to San Miguel Beer last week.

“Admittedly, Japeth is a player that is raw," declared Whoppers coach Yeng Guiao, who is expected to leave his coaching job before the Fiesta Conference begins since he would be seeking the gubernatorial post of Pampanga.

“This might be my last chance to win an All-Filipino," said Guiao, owner of three championships, all with imports. “We stuck with our plan, we picked Japeth, and now we want to win the All-Filipino."

The new season of Asia’s first play-for-pay league kicks off on Oct. 14.

Whoppers' trade with Coca-Cola

It was one busy day for Burger King as it also acquired Ronjay Buenafe from Coca-Cola after the Whoppers released Chris Ross, their third pick, guard Marvin Cruz and their first pick in the second round, which was at 13th.

The Whoppers likewise let go of Larry Rodriguez to Coca-Cola, which also made news by releasing Nic Belasco to Talk ‘N Text. The player the Tropang Texters would give in return has not been named yet, as coach Chot Reyes has yet to pick from among his players.

Lito Alvarez, the incoming chairman of the PBA and team manager of Burger King, however, had not named the player the Tigers would get in return for Rodriguez.

Rico Maierhofer was picked No. 2 by Purefoods before Burger King chose Ross. Rain or Shine acquired former UAAP standout Jervy Cruz before Alaska made a surprise move by choosing Michael Burtscher, a Fil-Swiss who played in the PBL and who was second to Aguilar in the vertical leap during the rookie camp.

Burtscher, too, was the fastest among the big men in the full-court sprint during the camp.

Barako Bull then acquired NCAA Finals MVP Ogie Menor before Christopher Timberlake got picked by Ginebra. Burger King, who had three picks in the first round, then acquired Ronnie Matias before San Miguel Beer chose James Sena of Jose Rizal.

The rest of the Draft went as follows: Mark Benitez, Benedict Fernandez, and Edwin Asoro all going to Barako Bull from No. 10 to 12; Francis Allera to Coca-Cola; Marcy Arellano to Rain or Shine; Sean Co to Alaska; Charles Waters to Sta. Lucia; Orlando Daroya to Ginebra; Kevin White, a nephew of Jimmy Alapag to Talk N Text; and John Walsham to San Miguel. - GMANews.TV

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Coca-Cola makes presence felt on the trading table

source GMAnews.tv

The absence of a first-round pick didn’t pose any problem at all to the Coca-Cola Tigers, who went double time on the trading table during the PBA Annual Rookie Draft.

First, the Tigers snared the No.3 pick of Burger King for the services of Fil-Am greenhorn Chris Ross and acquired guard Marvin Cruz, also from the Whopper.

Then the Tigers tapped the services of hardworking frontliner Larry Rodriguez, who was taken in as part of a three-team deal involving Coca-Cola, Talk ‘N Text and Burger King.

But the Tigers unloaded veteran big man Nic Belasco to the Tropang Texters.

And Coca-Cola is not done with trading yet.

The biggest name on the trading table has yet to arrive for the Tigers, according to assistant coach Bo Perasol. However, he refused to name it at this time until the deal is done.

In getting Ross, the Tigers gave away promising combo guard Ronjay Buenafe and their first round pick for 2010 in a deal that was sealed overnight.

“We want a fast team and Chris (Ross) and Marvin (Cruz) will be the important parts of our running game," said Perasol. “Of course, when you want a running team, you need fast players so changes should be done on the squad. That’s the reason why we decided to unload Nic (Belasco) and took in Larry (Rodriguez)." - GMANews.TV

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Fight Mars Halted RP-Lebanon Scrimmage

source PBA.ph

The closed-door scrimmage between Powerade-Team Pilipinas and the Lebanese national team came to an abrupt halt early in the second half yesterday after Arwind Santos and Dallas-born Brian Feghali came to blows with the Middle East squad comfortably ahead, 48-34.

Rain-induced slippery conditions at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center in Quezon City hastened the cancellation of the tune-up between the two teams bound for the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Tianjin, China next week.

Lebanese head coach Dragan Raca, a Yugoslav based in Cyrus, walked over to RP coach Yeng Guiao – after recent addition Daniel Faris slipped and fell hard on the moist floor – and sought his opinion.

On confirmation from game officials, including a Lebanese referee, that both teams risk injury by proceeding, the two coaches agreed to call it off.

Guiao appeared disappointed the scrimmage had to be cut short.

“We would’ve wanted to finish it and probably get a better view of the progress of the team. But it happened and it’s beyond our control,” said Guiao, who expressed concern over the Nationals’ continued outside shooting woes.

“We had been shooting well in practice these last few days and I thought we would do better,” he said after watching the RP team fall behind following a good start. “Nobody stepped up.”

Defensively, the Nationals also found themselves deep in the woods, barricaded in pursuit of their men by huge, immovable screens set by the Lebanese, their frontline made even bigger by the addition of 6-foot-10 Matt Freije and the 6-foot-9 Faris, a US NCAA player.

“It’s really tough to get through 200-pound picks and that gave them a lot of good looks,” said Guiao. “We need to find solutions to mismatches in every position.”

The Nationals have two more games left in their week-long break between the William Jones Cup tournament in Taipei and the FIBA Asia, the qualifying tournament to the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Istanbul, before they leave on Aug. 4.

“We’ll practice tomorrow and go through our scouting report on South Korea,” Guiao said. “Then we’ll be lifting weights after another practice on Monday.”

James Yap, son in-law of former President Corazon C. Aquino, who passed away at dawn yesterday, was absent and will be joining his RP teammates Wednesday, the eve of the opening game with Sri Lanka.

Guiao brushed off the altercation that erupted between Santos and Feghali, who drilled five 3-point shots against the Philippines in Taipei.

“Wala naman yon,” he said.

Feghali reacted angrily after getting bumped by Santos inside the paint in front of the Lebanon basket. The Lebanese threw a punch and kicked, missing both times.

“Di siya tumama,” confirmed Santos, who appeared to have connected with a punch and with fingers jabbed at Feghali’s chest.

Players from both teams stepped in and the two eventually shook hands after the practice game was halted.

“The Philippines remains a dangerous team,” said Raca in thickly-accented English. “I think they will play better with every game.”

The two teams are not slated to see each other until after the preliminaries when the top eight teams meet in the quarterfinal round.

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Tito Ortiz Returns To The UFC, Could Fight By Years End

It was heavily rumored that Dana White would announce the return of Tito Ortiz today during the UFC press conference, and that rumor turned out to be true as Ortiz is now back with the promotion he helped make famous.

"Tito will retire in the UFC". stated the UFC president.

Ortiz was also in attendance for the conference and said the following of his return, "Time cures everything. Dana apologized to me....It was about competition...financially I'm ok...Dana stuck by his word."

Ortiz also went on to day that he is working with Freddie Roach in LA and will likely return to action in November or December.

White stated he would likely be fighting Mark Coleman is his return match up.


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Dan Henderson Now Number One Contender For Middleweight Title

With the announcement of the signing of Vitor Belfort and with it being noted that he will face Rich Franklin at UFC 103 in September, people need not worry about what will happen with Franklin's first opponent for the card, Dan Henderson.

Today during the UFC press conference, UFC president Dana White announced that Dan Henderson will get another show at the UFC middleweight crown against Anderson Silva.

When the match up takes place was not determined but White made it clear that Dan Henderson will be next to fight for the championship.

The two have fought once before with Silva walking about victorious, choking out Henderson in the second round.


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Roach: "Pacquiao Doesn't Need Cotto Without The Belt"

The tug of war is still going for the WBO welterweight title. Miguel Cotto refuses to make it a title fight when he steps in the ring against Manny Pacquiao on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao wants the title to be on the line. The fight is scheduled to take place at a catch-weight of 145-pounds and Cotto refuses to defend the title unless Pacquiao agrees to face him at the full welterweight limit of 147. He says Pacquiao can have the title or the catch-weight but he can't have both.

Pacquiao's lawyer Franklin Gacal tried to shift the blame on Top Rank's Bob Arum for announcing the fight before Manny and his team had a chance to review the official contract. He says Cotto is making his stand because the fight is already announced.

"I don't know why Bob made the announcement when in fact we haven't seen the (official) contract," said Gacal to the Manila Bulletin.

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach told the paper that Manny doesn't need a fight with Cotto if the title is not on the line. He says the WBO should force Cotto to defend the title. The sanctioning body is trying but Cotto has already said that he plans to vacate the title if the WBO tries to force his hand.

"The WBO should make it a title fight. We don’t need the fight if the title is not on the line," Roach said. "I want Manny to do this for a reason. I want Manny to win seven world titles. Titles are overrated but I would like to see Manny do this."


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Guiao agrees to let Team Pilipinas face Lebanon in tune-up match

source GMAnews.tv

In what could be its final tune up match prior to leaving for Tianjin, China, the Powerade Team Pilipinas meets the Lebanon national team in a close door game at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center at the Ateneo campus.

Coach Yeng Guiao initially turned down a tune up game against the Fadi El Khatib-led Lebanon squad, pointing out it may lead to the opposition scouting the Nationals instead of the other way around.

But with the two teams belonging to the groups in the 25th FIBA-Asia men’s basketball championship, Guiao eventually agreed to play against them.

The RP team has had four meetings to correct major flaws in its game since it returned from a sixth place finish in the 31st William Jones Cup in Taipei and they will have the chance to test-drive their modified version against one of the “Ferraris" in the August 6 to 16 FIBA World qualifying tournament.

The meeting will be the first between the PBA-backed Nationals and Lebanon since the 31st William Jones Cup in Taipei a week ago.

El Khatib finished with only 14 points, but former Louisiana State hotshot Brian Feghali went 5-of-7 from the three-point area to finish with 29 points, while naturalized player Jackson Vroman added 24 as the Lebanese beat the Nationals, 95-83, at the Hsinchuang gym.

As formidable as their frontline already were, the Lebanese, with an eye at beating defending FIBA Asia champion Iran and powerhouse host China, has brought in a Dirk Nowitzki-type of a player in the person of Matt Freijji who dropped 39 points and 14 rebounds in Lebanon’s 97-79 annihilation of South Korea.

“It’s our last chance to see what final fine-tuning has to be done," said national coach Yeng Guiao. “Then, we have two days to make some adjustments."

Guiao believes the setbacks in Taipei, as heartbreaking as some of them were, had achieved a lot.

“The expectations, so high before we went to the Jones Cup, is leveling off, I think," Guiao said during practice. “Nakita kasi ng mga Filipino kung gaano talaga kalalaki at kalalakas ng mga kalaban natin. Nakabawas din yong ng pressure sa 'ting mga players na mag-deliver." – GMANews.TV

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Former President Corazon Aquino, people power icon, passes away

source reports from
Sophia Dedace, Andreo Calonzo, Aie Balagtas See, Ruby Anne M. Rubio and Cheryl M. Arcibal GMANews.TV

MANILA, Philippines - Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, icon of people power in the Philippines and around the world, passed away at 3:18 a.m. Saturday after losing her battle with colon cancer, her son, Senator Benigno Aquino III said.

The 76-year-old Aquino was diagnosed with the disease in March last year and was treated with chemotherapy. Last May, she underwent surgery to remove parts of her colon and was brought to the hospital again last week (June 23) due to loss of appetite. The official cause of death was cardio-respiratory arrest.

“Humihingi kami ng kaunting panahon para makasama ang aming ina," Senator Aquino said.

He added that other details will be announced later in the day.

Dressed in her signature yellow, Mrs. Aquino rallied the middle class in a series of protests culminating in the 1986 people power revolt that toppled the 20-year regime of strongman Ferdinand Marcos and swept her to the presidency.

She blamed the Marcos government for the assassination of her husband, opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr., who was gunned down at the Manila airport upon returning from exile in 1983.

The former housewife reluctantly took over as Marcos’ main challenger, becoming an international icon of democracy after her victory sparked a wave of pro-democracy movements around the world. Time Magazine named Mrs. Aquino its Woman of the Year in 1986.

Tumultuous presidency

Adopting a policy of national reconciliation, Mrs. Aquino freed more than 500 political prisoners, including some of the top leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines, when she became president.

She oversaw the writing of a new constitution through a commission that hammered out a new charter. The 1987 constitution replaced the Martial Law-era 1973 Constitution and restored democratic institutions
such as free elections, the bicameral congress and an independent Supreme Court that were absent during Marcos’ rule. To prevent a reprise of Marcos’ one-man rule, the new charter set term limits on
elected officials, including six years for the presidency.

The economy started to recover from the slump when she assumed office, with the gross domestic product rising progressively and reaching 6.7 percent two years later. However, the contraction of the US economy in 1991, along with a series of coup attempts against her and 10-12 hours of blackouts during her last few years, crippled the Philippine economy.

Critics have also claimed that she fell short of the promise of social and economic reforms, refusing to write off the country’s massive foreign debt which many of her supporters hoped would follow the
ouster of Marcos.

But supporters point out that Mrs. Aquino also pushed for labor-intensive projects and started the trend of setting targets for the reduction of poverty and unemployment in the country.

Solita Collas Monsod, who served as Socioeconomic Planning Secretary during Mrs. Aquino’s term, said that although the former president was landed, one of her landmark programs was the passage of the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

The first three years of her administration were tumultuous, with restive soldiers and Marcos loyalists mounting a series of violent coup attempts against her. Mrs. Aquino survived all of them, holding
office until 1992. She then campaigned for Fidel Ramos, a key figure in the People Power Revolution, whose presidential victory is widely credited to Aquino’s endorsement.

In an article commemorating the 20th anniversary of the people power revolt on the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism website, Aquino was quoted as saying, “I don't know how they will judge [my
presidency], but I just hope that they will realize that it was not an easy thing restoring democracy after a dictatorship. Also being the first woman president certainly had its problems and then we were
dealing with a very strong military that were spoiled during the Marcos dictatorship."

Influential figure

After her presidency, Mrs. Aquino retired to private life. She took an active interest in painting, with flowers and women as subjects, and joined various art exhibits to raise funds for her advocacies: the
Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Foundation, PinoyMe, ASA Foundation, and People Power People.

But she remained an influential figure in Philippine politics, lending her presence to political causes that needed her iconic stature.

In January 2001, she participated in the second EDSA Revolution that brought down the popularly elected President Joseph Estrada, who was accused of plunder, and installing his vice president Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo into power.

In 2005, Mrs. Aquino supported the group of cabinet secretaries that resigned in the wake of the “Hello Garci" wire-tapping scandal, and joined opposition figures in calling for the resignation of Arroyo over allegations of vote-rigging in the 2004 presidential elections.

She remained active in social and political causes in recent years, publicly supporting Marine Col. Ariel Querubin during a stand-off at the Marine headquarters in 2006 and NBN-ZTE whistleblower Jun Lozada
last year.

Mrs. Aquino has expressed regrets for supporting EDSA II due to the controversies hounding the Arroyo administration, and apologized publicly to Estrada.

In an interview last year for Newsmakers on GMA7, Mrs. Aquino said about her illness: “I used to think all of us have certain quotas for suffering and I felt I had filled up my quota, e hindi pala ganun e (it's not like that).

"Of course who wants to get sick? But if that’s my fate, so be it... I don’t want to live for such a long time. Sabi ko nga, 75 na ako, tama na iyon (I have said, I'm 75, that's enough)." - With reports from
Sophia Dedace, Andreo Calonzo, Aie Balagtas See, Ruby Anne M. Rubio and Cheryl M. Arcibal GMANews.TV

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Watch X Games XV Live Stream

Watch the live telecast of X Games XV from July 30-August 2, 2009 here on OnePunch.tk





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Powerade five goes thru final test

source Joaquin Henson | PhilStar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Powerade Team Pilipinas has set a close-door tuneup game with Lebanon at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Moro Lorenzo Gym inside Ateneo in a match serving as the final gauge for the members of the national team to the coming Fiba-Asia Championship.

RP coach Yeng Guiao has not ruled out the possibility of Ranidel de Ocampo or Ryan Reyes coming on board, replacing a player in the original 12-man lineup submitted to Fiba-Asia last July 22.

Asi Taulava has been asked to shape up while Arwind Santos is under scrutiny for his defensive breakdowns during the Jones Cup.
Guiao has assured Reyes that he would be reactivated once he gets back into shape.

But eight days before the opening of the Tianjin Asian world qualifier, Reyes was still far from top form, unable to join the team in any drill.

“He’s with us in practice but he’s limited to shooting,” said Guiao.

In the final week before the Asian joust, Guiao said they will work hard to improve on their shooting and practice new patterns suited with international plays as they’ve seen in the Jones Cup.

“We’ve done the adjustments. Hopefully, we can run it fluidly by the time we play in Tianjin,” said Guiao.

They have the opportunity to test it as they take on the Lebanese in their final tuneup game before leaving for China on Tuesday.

The Lebanese team opted to pitch camp in Manila after the Jones Cup in the final stage of its own buildup for the Asian meet.

The Lebanese are among the favorites to make the world meet with a lineup featuring two NBA veterans in Jackson Vroman and Matt Freije plus old standouts Fadi El Khatib and Brian Feghali.

Vroman and Feghali combined for 53 points and 17 rebounds in powering Lebanon past the Philippines, 95-83, in their match in the Jones Cup.

Lebanon finished second to Iran in the Jones Cup as it played Vroman and Freije only in their last few games in Chinese Taipei.

Vroman and Freije are both all-around 6-foot-10 behemoths.

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6-6 Fil-Swiss enters PBA rookie draft

source PhilStar.com

MANILA, Philippines - One of the 51 rookie aspirants in Sunday’s 2009 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft is promising 6-foot-6 swingman Michael Andre Burtscher.

Burtscher, a 24-year-old Fil-Swiss who played for two conferences for Forward Taguig in Liga Filipinas last year, is an athletic big man who loves to play defense with aggression and passion.

“It’s anybody’s dream to play in the PBA, so I’m very happy that I made it to the draft list,” said Burtscher, who is managed by businessman-sportsman Alven Torres.

“I’m willing to give my 100 percent performance to the team that will pick me on the draft day.”

The Draft day will be held at the Market! Market! Place in the Fort Taguig City

Torres, who owns A.T. Talents Internationale Management and part of the Torres Group of Companies, is also the manager of Chito Jaime of Sta. Lucia Realtors and 6-foot-6 Michael Galinato of Adamson University.

“I’m sure Mike (Burtscher) is a great asset to any team because of his work ethics and skills,” said Torres. “He is always willing to learn and constantly works hard to improve his game. Physically, he possesses long arms and legs. He is also a high leaper.”

Burtscher can play open basketball, where he loves to run fast and score through drives and jump shots. He is also a good rebounder and blocker due to his height and leaping ability.

Before playing for Liga Filipinas, Burtscher also played for various teams in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) like Cebuana Lhuillier, Pharex and Noosa Shoes.

Burtscher, Torres said, is an active Christian just like other athletes like two-time MVP Kelly Williams who are motivated everyday by their prayers and usually do their bible study every week.

Torres hired conditioning coach Kirk Collier and Coach John Aquino to improve Burtscher’s lateral movement, footwork and especially his game.

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M-1: Fedor Not Offered $30 Million

M-1 Global is denying a report that Fedor Emelianenko turned down a six-fight $30-million deal this week to join the UFC’s heavyweight ranks.

CBS Radio host Carmichael Dave reported Wednesday that Emelianenko had turned down an agreement that would have paid him $5 million per fight. However, Joost Raimond, CEO for M-1 Global, called the report “completely ludicrous” and said negotiations never even reached the point where the number of fights contracted for Emelianenko was decided.

“I can say that the guaranteed -- and the word ‘guaranteed’ is of great importance here -- the guaranteed offer made by the UFC is less than what Fedor made before,” Raimond said. “The five-million (per fight) is way, way, way out of range. Half of that is even way out of range of what they offered.”

Raimond was not present at the meeting that took place between UFC and M-1 management in Los Angeles earlier this week, but he said he was debriefed shortly afterward. M-1 and UFC officials, including president Dana White, reconvened the next day via teleconference call, where M-1 presented a counteroffer that included co-promotion. No written contact was ever presented.

M-1 President Vadim Finkelstein and Emelianenko were en route to Russia Thursday and could not be reached for comment. UFC officials told Sherdog.com that White is also traveling and their earliest comment would come Friday during a media conference call.

Raimond confirmed that M-1 Global had been presented with the possibility to receive a cut of pay-per-view profits in addition to Emelianenko’s guaranteed pay, but he said no other profit-sharing incentives were presented.

“And there were a number of provisions attached to that offer that made it very much less interesting,” Raimond said.

Many of those provisions involved the branding of M-1 within the UFC organization, according to Raimond.

“We made it clear that Fedor, now and forever is part, even part owner, of M-1 and those two cannot be separated,” Raimond said. “If the rest of M-1 is excluded from any kind of deal, it makes the deal difficult.”

Raimond said a title shot against heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar –- in Emelianenko’s first fight or otherwise -- was not specified during the talks. (UFC President Dana White has publicly stated the Russian would challenge for the title in his first bout with the promotion, though.) Raimond also confirmed that the UFC conceded to allow Emelianenko continue to compete in sambo, of which he is a national champion and spokesman, and noted during the meeting that the fighter was free to wear M-1 clothing.

“That’s like telling someone they’re allowed to eat,” said Raimond, suggesting it wasn’t a significant concession.

Raimond noted that the M-1 team was disheartened to learn that “unsubstantiated rumors” had been disseminated, and that Internet readers were willing to believe them at face value.

“Sometimes the fans don’t realize that there is a business to run and all these statements, ‘These M-1 idiots, why don’t they just give Fedor to the UFC because they’ve offered him the best money?’ This is a completely unsubstantiated rumor that the UFC has offered the best money for Fedor ever. This is just not the case.”

Raimond emphasized that negotiations with the UFC had been fruitful, even though the fundamental disagreement over co-promotion between the two organizations remains.

“We had a very professional, productive and respectful meeting with the UFC,” Raimond said. “I think both parties walked away (knowing) even though a deal wasn’t made, that a very decent meeting was had.”

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Cotto: "Hey Freddie, I am Not De La Hoya or Hatton"

Miguel Cotto wants to send a message to Freddie Roach, the trainer of Manny Pacquiao - "be ready for a war." Cotto doesn't want Roach to think Pacquiao will have an easy night on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Cotto does not want to be compared to Pacquiao's most recent victims, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

"I have some news for Freddie, I am not Oscar De La Hoya who was caught at the end of his career, and I am not overrated like Ricky Hatton. Roach knows what Pacquiao will be facing on November 14. It will be a war," Cotto told Primera Hora.

Cotto then said if Pacquiao wants to fight for the WBO welterweight title, he must be willing to make the fight at 147-pounds and not the agreed upon catch-weight of 145. Francisco "Paco" Valcárcel, the president of the WBO, wants Cotto to put up the title. If the WBO wants to strip him, Cotto is willing to deliver his title to the sanctioning body.

"The weight of 145 pounds is not a division. If the WBO doesn't agree with my decision, the I wll gladly deliver them the title. I do not have any problems with that. The WBO has the legal authority to dismiss me as champion and I will gladly deliver them the title. Paco Valcárcel knows better than anybody that 145 pounds is not a division," Cotto said.

"If Pacquiao wants the fight to be for the title, it will have to be at 147-pounds. I won the title at the welterweight limit and that is 147 pounds."


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Finkelstein on UFC Talks, Fedor’s Future

courtesy of sherdog.com

Vadim Finkelstein discusses negotiations with the UFC and the terms it will take to lock up Fedor Emelianenko in this exclusive video interview conducted after Wednesday's M-1 Global press conference.

Finkelstein also talks about future options for the world’s top heavyweight mixed martial artist.

[Video Inside]





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The Deal The UFC Is Offering Fedor Emelianeko

This is an amazing deal and something no fighter will likely see again for a long time. The news comes from the Carmichael Dave Show:

- The UFC offered Fedor a 6 fight, 30 million dollar contract. That's 5 mil a fight

- The UFC offered Fedor an immediate title shot

- Lesnar/Fedor would be the biggest PPV in MMA history (we assume), and the UFC offered M-1 Global a cut of the PPV on top of Fedor's purse.

- Fedor was free to wear as many M-1 logoed items as he wished.

- The UFC also relented on allowing Fedor to compete in combat sambo.

Apparently, for good or bad, M-1 refuses to sign a deal unless the UFC agrees to co-promote


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Bobcats trade Emeka Okafor to Hornets for Tyson Chandler

source insidehoops.com

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has acquired center Tyson Chandler from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for forward/center Emeka Okafor.

In 197 games over three seasons with New Orleans, the 7-1 Chandler averaged 10.2 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 34.3 minutes, while shooting .611 from the field (829-1356). Chandler, who missed 29 of the team’s final 44 games last season due to left ankle injuries, averaged 8.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 32.1 minutes over 45 games played in 2008-09.

The second overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, Chandler has played in 537 games for Chicago and New Orleans over his eight NBA seasons. Chandler holds career averages of 8.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 28.0 minutes, while shooting .554 from the field (1671-3014).

“We looked at this trade as an opportunity to improve our team,” Higgins said. “Tyson brings that unique level of athleticism in a 7-footer that puts us in a position to compete night in and night out with the other quality centers in the league.”

“Emeka is one of the premier centers in the NBA with All-Star caliber scoring and rebounding averages throughout his career,” said Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower. “His potential to improve is endless once you put him on the court running with Chris Paul. We appreciate what Tyson has done for our club in the past and wish him the best, but our intention this summer was to improve our team and this trade is definitely a positive move in that direction.”

Chandler led the NBA in offensive rebounds in both 2006-07 and 2007-08, ranking second in the league in rebounds per game in 2006-07 and third in rebounds per game in 2007-08. He also ranked second in the NBA in field goal percentage in 2007-08 (.623) and would have led the league at .624 in 2006-07 but fell four field goals short of the statistical minimum to qualify.

Chandler leaves the Hornets as the franchise’s all-time leader in field goal percentage (.611) and rebounds per game (11.3) and ranked fifth in total rebounds despite playing just 197 career games with the team (2,225). He owns the top two single-season marks in both field goal percentage and rebounds.

The Bobcats initially selected Okafor with the second overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, making him the first draft pick in franchise history. The 2004-05 NBA Rookie of the Year, he averaged 14.0 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 34.0 minutes in 330 career games with the Bobcats and is the franchise’s career leader in rebounds, blocked shots and field goal percentage. Okafor averaged 13.2 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 2008-09, playing in all 82 games for the second consecutive season.

“We’d like to thank Emeka for all that he has done for this franchise and for serving as the organization’s ambassador and first-ever draft pick,” Higgins added. “His hard work and dedication to the Charlotte Bobcats will be missed, and we wish him well with his new team.”

The Charlotte Bobcats, who became the NBA’s 30th franchise when they joined the league in 2004-05, enter their sixth season in 2009-10.

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Pingris back to Giants as PBA teams continue off-season buildup

source GMAnews.tv

Barely 24 hours after being shipped to his first professional team, Marc Pingris found himself back wearing a Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants uniform.

Pingris was released to the Giants after the Burger King Whopper agreed in principle to get Purefoods’ first and second round picks for 2010.

Pingris’ return to the Giants fold was confirmed by Rene Pardo in an interview with GMANews.TV. “We have agreed to trade our first and second round picks next year to Burger King for Pingris."

Pingris is the first player to be unloaded since the Arwind Santos trade. The Whopper are expected to unload four more players, including two to the Barako Bull Energy Boosters.

The Whopper acquired the services of Larry Rodriguez via a trade although the Energy Boosters have yet to determine the players they will get in return.

Burger King board representative and incoming PBA chairman Lito Alvarez said he feels Purefoods needs Pingris more as the Whopper would most likely maximize its new recruits.

Purefoods and Burger King are not the only team busy transacting one deal after another as Rain or Shine and Barako Bull also went into the trading table.

After achieving a milestone last season, Rain or Shine tabbed young and promising shooter Jeff Chan from the Barako Bull in exchange for veteran Rob Wainwright and center Mark Andaya.

The Elasto Painters will also secure the services of journeyman forward Mike Hrabak.

“We have agreed on the trade. Nag-submit na kami ng papel sa PBA office," said rain or Shine co-owner Terry Que. “Kailangan namin si Chan because he is a young shooter na puwede pang ma-develop. Hrabak would also be a big help since kailangan namin ng malaki."

Barako Bull, a team which has been struggling to maintain its team because of its current financial status, is on a rebuilding stage. The Energy Boosters have reportedly traded their remaining solid players like Gabby Espinas, Jojo Duncil and Rodriguez.

Espinas is reportedly headed to Sta. Lucia for the Realtors’ sixth overall pick in the coming PBA Rookie Draft. Rodriguez was being wooed by Burger King while Duncil is expected to wind up as the Coca-Cola Tigers’ new member.

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Team Pacquiao Made a Weighty Mistake With Cotto

I’m excited about the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight on November 14 and out of all the possible matchups to be made between Pacquiao, Mayweather, and Mosley, this one has the greatest potential to produce the magical fireworks of a legendary prize fight and will be well worth your pay-per-view dollars.

That being said, Team-Pacquiao made a big mistake and after all the verbal sparring between Arum and Pacquiao’s representatives and the countless meetings that took place across the world’s different time zones, Manny Pacquiao’s advisors failed him and came away with a horrible deal that will negatively impact the final stages of his career.

Now the financial split has yet to be announced and even though finances are always the priority, a good manager knows that sometimes the logistics surrounding a fight can change a fighter’s career more pervasively than a purse split.

When Sugar Ray Leonard challenged Marvin Hagler in 1987, poor Marvin thought that his team had controlled the negotiations because the Marvelous one received the lion’s share of the purse split, but Leonard’s brain-trust didn’t care about the money and put more emphasis on the fight’s particulars, “Hagler gave us everything we wanted, he was just worried about the money, but we didn’t care about the money, we wanted to win the fight, so we gave him the money and he gave us everything else,” commented Leonard’s career advisor, the astute Mike Trainer.

And because Team Leonard made some financial concessions to Hagler, he got to decide on the size of the ring and the bout was sanctioned for twelve rounds instead of 15-rounds, which were still being sanctioned at the time, but were in the process of being phased out.

It’s pretty obvious that team Cotto followed a strategy similar to Mike Trainer’s and probably left some money on the table in order to put Miguel In a better position to win the fight.

So instead of haggling over an extra half-million or so, they conceded to Team Pacquiao’s financial terms and held steadfast in their demand that the bout take place at 145 pounds.

Now I know boxing fans are thinking, “What’s the big deal, it’s just a couple of pounds,” but that’s just not the case.

Most fans have never had to make weight for a sporting contest and don’t realize how difficult it is for a fighter to make weight. The whole process is a tolling and debilitating experience and in this instance, those two pounds are going to make a huge difference.

Cotto had a lot of trouble making the 140 pound limit and was visibly weakened throughout his entire campaign as the WBO 140 pound champion and regularly complained about the physical toll it took on his body and was dropped and almost stopped by Ricardo Torres and almost taken out by the ordinary DeMarcus Corley in front of his hometown fans.

Since moving up to 147 pounds in the fall of 2006 his ability to recuperate and absorb punishment has increased substantially.

Just look how his equilibrium withstood all those shots from Antonio Margarito, a huge welterweight who may have had cement in his gloves and compare that to how Cotto was shaken up by a couple of punches from the light hitting DeMarcus Corley and it’s obvious that making the junior-welterweight limit weakened Cotto.

It’s because the process of having to lose six to twelve pounds two or three days before a weigh-in is so debilitating.

Now you may think cutting weight is scientific in its methodology, but unfortunately the process of cutting weight is barbaric and has to do more with basic arithmetic than the scientific method.

Most of the weight is water-weight and fighters know all the little tricks of the weight-loss-trade.

For instance, fighters know that after a good night’s sleep you generally weigh in one pound less in the morning. They also know that you can shed two to three pounds of water weight during a hard work out.

Just for those of you who aren’t aware of the rigors of making weight let me go over a scenario that occurs regularly before almost every fight card in the world.

Let’s say a fighter has to weigh in at 140 pounds on Friday at noon and its Thursday morning and they weigh 146. They can work out at the gym and have a little bit of water. 144. Then they can go home, rest, hopefully use the bathroom, sleep, and wake up in the morning. 142 ½. Then Friday before the weigh in they can work out and maybe use the sauna and weigh 140 pounds for less than an hour and make the contracted weight.

Just try to fathom that experience for a moment and ponder the thought of having to complete two professional level workouts with very little water and hardly any food intake over a twenty-four hour period.

Now that scenario is something closer to what a mid to high level amateur experiences, some of the professionals have to make some insane sacrifices to make weight. Imagine having to go through that experience for three, four, or even five days before a fight.

The simple fact of the matter is that making weight is tough and besides getting hit, it may be the most difficult thing a fighter has to deal with.

Guys like Jake LaMotta and James Toney always had more problems with the scales than their opponents. Henry Ramirez, who had over fifty amateur fights and trains a stable of fighters which includes Chris Arreola, is well aware of the problems fighters encounter at the scales and commented, “Everybody’s body is different and everybody cuts weight differently, but it’s a trying experience. I know a lot of fighters are so dehydrated that they dream about drinking the water when they are in the shower in the days leading up to a fight!”

Now Cotto moved up 147 pound in the fall of 2006 and will probably never fight at 154 pounds, he’s just too short and probably doesn’t have the length necessary to compete at the elite level in the higher weight classes.

He’s a welterweight plain and simple and now he has to drop two extra pounds to fight the Pac-man.

Now if Cotto were really struggling to make 147 I would say those two pounds would make a difference and that losing those extra 32 ounces would negatively impact his overall strength, but he makes the welterweight limit relatively easily, I mean he’s not like Felix Trinidad at welterweight or James Toney at Middleweight, and the two pounds shouldn’t have a negative impact on his physical state and that’s a bad thing for Manny Pacquiao.

145 pounds is only two pounds below the welterweight limit. So those two pounds that were subtracted aren’t going to make much of the difference, but the four pounds had the bout been contracted at 143 pounds would have made huge difference because they would have sufficiently weakened Miguel, just like it did when he was fighting at 140 because even though it would have been three pounds north of the junior-welterweight limit, Cotto has been fighting at welterweight for the past three years and his body has matured and developed. As a result the drop to 143 pounds in November may have even been more debilitating than making 140 had been because he’s bigger now.

I know people are going to say I’m a Pacquiao hater, that I wrote the article about Pacquiao avoiding black fighters, but I’m not and readily admit that I have underestimated the Philippine juggernaut a couple of times.

First I believed and predicted that De La Hoya was going to destroy him and then even though I picked Manny to win the fight with Rick Hatton, I never envisioned him taking the Hitman out in such a dramatic fashion so early in the bout.

Still this bout is different. Pacquiao is fighting a prize fighter in his twenties who has clearly established himself as one of the three best welterweights in the world with wins over Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, and Joshua Clottey. And the boxing fraternity has put too much stock in his wins over De La Hoya and Hatton.

De La Hoya was completely zapped after eating kangaroo meat and coming in at a weight he hadn’t been at in eleven years and Ricky Hatton just got caught by a fast southpaw.

People think Pacquiao’s destruction of Hatton validated his win over Oscar, but it may have been an aberration, just a fast southpaw catching an orthodox fight, kind of like how Michael Nunn knocked out Sumbu Kalambay in 1989 in one round.

The thing is Manny Pacquiao is human. He’s only had three fights above 130 pounds and now he is facing an elite welterweight in his twenties and only received a two pound weight concession.

Oscar De La Hoya made more concessions than Cotto and he was the sport’s pre-Madonna and was in his thirties and still agreed to drop to a weight he hadn’t fought at since Bill Clinton was President.

Yes Cotto has looked vulnerable the past year with the shady win over Clottey and the loss to Margarito, but those guys are huge welterweights. Clottey probably walks around at 180 pounds, we saw how he easily outmuscled Zab Judah and Diego Corrales and Margarito is such a big welterweight that he would be a good sized 154 pounder.
That’s the point. Those guys were bigger and stronger than Cotto and were able to back Miguel up and he doesn’t know how to fight going backwards.

He’s just not adept at doing the boxing thing and looks like a fish out of water when he tries to box and use lateral movement, kind of like how Tommy Morrison looked when fought George Foreman.

The simple fact of the matter is that Miguel Cotto is one dimensional. He’s an offensive force and goes through guys like a hot knife through butter. Besides Tyson, Chavez, and maybe Kelly Pavlik, I can’t recall too many guys that put that kind of pressure on, especially when it becomes apparent that he is the stronger fighter, which occurred when he bulldozed through Carlos Quintana and Alfonso Gomez.

I know Manny Pacquiao is way better than those aforementioned fighters but he still is not going to be able to back Cotto up and that’s how you beat Miguel.

If Pacquiao’s team of advisors had actually been capable managers, and not blow-smoke-up-your ass hanger-ons they would have demanded that Cotto reduced to 143 pounds. Those two extra-pounds would have meant at least an extra-day or two of drying out because the lower you go, the harder it gets to lose the water weight, which would have weakened him just little bit more and slowed him down just a tad bit which would have made him more susceptible to Pacquiao’s counters and power.

Besides what was Cotto going to do? Fight a rematch with Margarito or Clottey, two huge welterweights that already gave him hell and don’t bring the kind of recognition and financial compensation that a fight with Pacquiao brings.

Pacquiao’s advisors had all of the leverage and failed to make an agreement that would have leveled the playing field between Miguel and Manny. Even Freddie Roach is aware of the strength disparity between the two and that’s why throughout the early part of the negotiations he was unwavering in his desire for the bout to take place at 143 pounds.

People might think two pounds can’t make a difference, but those seven pounds Cotto added after moving up to welterweight sure did and unfortunately for Manny Pacquiao he’s the one that’s going to have to deal with the impropriety of the contract in November.

Notes:

Favorite Quote: Shortly before the rubber-match with Mickey Ward, HBO awarded Gatti with a multi-fight contract and Executive Kerry Davis had this to say about Arturo, “There have been plenty of setbacks, sure, but the one thing that’s been consistent is that he’s always been exciting. HBO is an entertainment company. That’s really what we are and Arturo Gatti is pound for pound the most exciting fighter in the sport.” Rest in peace Arturo you are a true warrior in every sense of the word.

Everybody talks about the Ward fights, but the Wilson Rodriguez fight was awesome too as was the first fight with Ivan Robinson, and his fight with Gabe Ruelas.

Dan Rafael mentioned a hypothetical bout between Diego Corrales and Arturo Gatti and concluded that he wasn’t sure who would have won it and not to disparage Gatti, but I think in terms of skills, Corrales was in another class and would have beaten him.

After reports surfaced that Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya bumped into each other on a Golf Course in Puerto Rico, do you think Cotto had to sign an extension of his promotional agreement with Top Tank in order to land the super-bout with Pacquiao?

I’m picking David Haye to beat Valuev. Hey if you can’t dominate Holyfield at his age, you are going to have problems with a young, talented, and motivated challenger. And I don’t think Haye is going to pull out of this fight because he probably realizes that this maybe the only heavyweight title fight out there that he actually has a chance of winning.

Manny Pacquiao is a legend and has to be considered one of the twenty or twenty-five greatest fighters to ever lace up a pair of gloves. And if he can beat Cotto, I’ll put him in the top twelve! Seriously how many guys have fought and made their presence felt in so many of the eight traditional weight classes? Not too many.

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The UFC Could Announce Fedor Signing On Friday

From The LA Times:

A long-awaited agreement between the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the man considered the world’s best mixed martial arts fighter, Fedor Emelianenko, is expected to be announced by UFC President Dana White on Friday, a source with information about the negotiations told The Times today. The source, who asked not to be identified because he’s not authorized to speak publicly about the dealings, called negotiations between the UFC and Fedor “very civil” just days after Fedor’s scheduled Affliction Trilogy fight Saturday against Josh Barnett was canceled.

It's that time again, Dana White has called for a press conference and it's wait and see what happens. Fedor is in Cali though so it's safe to say the UFC has been in contact. Something big is going to go down at the presser Friday, what, who knows, but with Fedor out of work, Tito Ortiz back in the Dana White buisness, and the fact that this has been a crazy month for MMA, something has to happen.


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Sneak Peak At CNBCs Look At The UFC

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Pacman pushes for Cotto title fight

source PhilStar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao wants Miguel Cotto’s belt.

“Let’s make it a title fight,” Pacquiao said yesterday during his visit to The STAR, referring to his Nov. 14 match with Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Questions about the fight being a non-title fight came up when Bob Arum announced last wek that Cotto doesn’t want to put his WBO welterweight crown at stake because he didn’t want to pay the sanction fee.

Pacquiao himself said a few days ago that the title was not part of the agreement made when the fight was sealed two weeks ago. No contract has been signed but Arum said very soon he’ll get things done.

But WBO president Francisco Valcarcel had been insisting that it should be a title fight even if the fight is to be held at a catch weight of 145 lb, two pounds short of the welterweight limit.

The WBO chief said the sanction fee could amount to more than $300,000, including those for the boxers and the promoter as well.

Pacquiao fans insist that the fight be for the title so the Filipino ring icon can go for a historic seventh world crown and add up to his flyweight, super-bantam, featherweight, super-featherweight, lightweight and light-welterweight.

“The people want this fight. And they want it to be a title fight. So, let’s make it a title fight,” said Pacquiao.

“I’m willing to pay the sanction fee. But I don’t know with Cotto. It seems that he doesn’t want to pay,” added the pound-for-pound champion.

His lawyer, Franklin Gacal, said he has informed Arum, the Top Rank president who has both Pacquiao and Cotto under his wings, of the plan to make it a title fight.

“To remove the cloud in the minds of some, and for the satisfaction of the greater majority of the boxing fans, Manny Pacquiao wants his November bout against Cotto to be a title bout,” said Gacal.

“I have already talked to Bob Arum about Pacman’s decision. I also relayed through a telephone conversation to the WBO president that the fight be sanctioned as a championship bout at a catch weight of 145 lb,” he added.

Gacal said if Cotto still refuses to stake his crown, it only means one thing.

“He’s afraid he’ll lose it,” said the lawyer.


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Roach draws up fight plan

source PhilStar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Freddie Roach is already in the “planning stage” as far as Manny Pacquiao’s coming fight with Miguel Cotto is concerned.

The three-time Trainer of the Year told The Las Vegas Review Journal yesterday that he plans to visit the Philippines next month just to make sure that Pacquiao is on track heading to the big Nov. 14 showdown with the reigning WBO welterweight champion.

Roach wants Pacquiao to train from eight to 10 weeks for the Cotto fight, and Day One at the Wild Card Gym should start on the second week of September or just after the press tour that will take the fighters from New York to Puerto Rico.

Even before Pacquiao goes to the US, Roach wants the reigning pound-for-pound champion to start flexing his muscles back home, getting rid of those excess pounds so by the time he reports to the gym they won’t have to start from scratch.

Meanwhile, Roach will start doing his homework in his Los Angeles home. “I know Cotto pretty well. I haven’t really studied him yet. I have a pretty good idea how we want to fight him, but until I sit down, watch the tapes and talk to Manny, we’re still in the planning stage,” Roach told the Review Journal.

The fight is pegged at a catchweight of 145 lb, two pounds short of the welterweight limit, and it remains uncertain if the 27-year-old Cotto will stake his title. Reports said WBO wants him to, but others say it just won’t happen.

Bob Arum said Cotto doesn’t want to stake his title because he doesn’t want to pay the sanction fee, whether it’s $150,000 or so much more than that. A lot of people are hoping that Cotto does put the crown on the line.

“I’ll go (to the Philippines) sometime next month and we’ll get started. For this fight, speed is going to be important. I think if you get Cotto in a fast-paced fight, he’ll tire. So we want to come out quick and set a fast pace. Speed is our biggest asset.”

Pacquiao fought Oscar dela Hoya at 147 lb last December, showing up for the weigh-in at 142 and climbing the ring at 148 1/2. Dela Hoya, who was knocked out inside nine rounds, weighed in at 145 and showed up for the fight at 147.

But Cotto is not Dela Hoya.

“He’s a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger. But I think Manny’s the better boxer, and Manny’s defense is the best it’s been. I think Pacquiao will stop him along the way,” said Roach.

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Smart-Gilas 5 brings hope for future

source Joaquin Henson of PhilStar.com

MANILA, Philippines - No matter how Powerade Team Pilipinas performs at the FIBA-Asia Championships in Tianjin on Aug. 6-16, SBP executive director Noli Eala said yesterday the hope of the future of Philippine basketball lies in the Smart-Gilas developmental program under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman’s direction.

Eala confirmed that Powerade is the last PBA selection to represent the country in international competitions as starting the Asian Games in Guangzhou next year, it will be Smart-Gilas wearing the national colors.

“Powerade is an SBP team and the SBP fully supports its campaign to qualify for the World Championships in Turkey next year,” said Eala. “But under the circumstances of the PBA, we realize how difficult it is to put together a national team made up of pros because of scheduling difficulties. It isn’t easy to give a PBA selection enough exposure to the international style because of limited games. The example is clear in the Jones Cup where everybody acknowledged that our players were the most individually skilled in the tournament but we could only win twice because of lack of exposure to team play. However, we’re hoping the experience in Taipei will go a long way in making us title contenders in Tianjin.”

Eala said Toroman’s involvement is key in tracking Smart-Gilas’ progress.

“We’re fortunate that coach Rajko has agreed to stay the course with us for at least three years,” he continued. “His participation is important. He knows the international game. He brought Iran to the Olympics last year as the Asian champion. I don’t think our developmental program could’ve taken off if not for coach Rajko.”

Starting yesterday, Toroman has called for thrice-a-week practice with the Smart-Gilas cagers who are not playing in the UAAP, NCAA, CESAFI or any other league. Those who are playing in other leagues will be called in for practice once a week.

Among the Smart-Gilas cagers are Chris Tiu, Mac Baracael, Greg Slaughter, Jason Ballesteros, Jayvee Casio, R. J. Jazul, Rey Guevara, Andy Barroca, Alrech Ramos, Ryan Buenafe and J. R. Cawaling. In Toroman’s wish list are Japeth Aguilar, Junmar Fajardo, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Paul Lee. Fil-foreigners being recruited to reinforce the team include Chris Lutz of Marshall University and Sean Anthony of McGill University who are both arriving to report for duty on Aug. 1.

Two foreigners will also be signed up as candidates for naturalization. One is 6-10, 240-pound C. J. Giles who played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA preseason last October. Giles, 23, saw action for Kansas and Oregon State in the US NCAA. Eala said Toroman is reviewing the list of other candidates, including a 6-10 center who was Aguilar’s teammate at Western Kentucky and is his sister’s boyfriend.

Smart-Gilas will play in the coming PBA Philippine Cup as a guest entry.

“The Asian Games will be our initial barometer, our first test case,” said Eala. “It will show us where we are with respect to the other Asian powers. Our goal will be to make it to the semifinals.” Ultimately, Smart-Gilas’ objective is to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics via the FIBA-Asia Championships which Manila is bidding to host the year before.

Eala said a full plate is in front of Smart-Gilas as the direction is to expose the players to as much international competition as possible. In September, there is an invitation to play China, Korea, Japan and a US team in a tournament being organized by former FIBA president Dr. Carl Men Ky Ching in China. In December, the team will likely play at the prestigious Haarlem tournament in Holland. And in January, Smart-Gilas will see action in Dubai.

“Smart-Gilas is the clear and right solution to our problem of preparing a competitive team for international tournaments,” said Eala. “I think with coach Rajko, we are on track to put together a cohesive unit that can be a title contender in Asia.”


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Burger King gets Pingris, Bono for Santos

source GMAnews.tv


Burger King’s revamp for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 2009-2010 season has just started.

The Whopper have retaken the services of Marc Pingris, former UAAP most valuable player (MVP) Ken Bono and another future first round pick from San Miguel in exchange of do-it-all forward Arwind Santos, completing one of the many expected blockbuster trades to happen in the PBA off season.

The transaction was completed late Monday night, according to Burger King board representative and incoming PBA chairman Lito Alvarez.

“I believe this trade is fair enough. We were able to secure Pingris, who is not far behind in the caliber of Arwind Santos, Bono and a first round pick next year," Alvarez told GMANews.TV

But the acquisition of Pingris and Bono gave the Whopper a dilemma of unloading some of their players. Their roster is expected to bloat to as high as 17 and they need to let go five players.

The Whopper also has three first-round picks in the coming PBA Rookie Draft on August 2.

“That’s the problem we’re encountering right now," said Alvarez. “We want to maintain 12 players and I expect our roster to bloat with 17 players. We certainly need to unload players."

Pingris going back to Purefoods?
Pingris is one among the few players who played with different champion teams – Purefoods and San Miguel Beer. He started his PBA career with Air21, but flourished as a member of the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants.

In fact, his transfer to Purefoods brought an immediate impact to the team, which made it to the finals twice in the 2005-06 season winning the All-Filipino championship the same year.

The 6-foot-4 Pingris was also voted as the Finals MVP in the Giants’ 4-2 victory over the Red Bull Barakos in their best-of-seven finals series.

Forced to unload players, Alvarez said he might offer Pingris to Purefoods again in exchange for a future first round pick.

“I understand that Purefoods wants Pingris back in its fold. I might offer him to them for a future first round pick," said Alvarez.

Whopper want to infuse new blood
Owning three first-round draft picks gives every team brighter hopes but aside from this, the Whopper are also setting their sights on Barako Bull’s Larry Rodriguez.

Rodriguez played for Yeng Guiao’s final season with the Barakos and the fiery mentor reportedly wants to acquire the services of the bruising sophomore forward to add toughness in the Whopper’s frontline.

“Gustung-gusto siya ni coach Yeng eh, so we might negotiate with Barako Bull in order to get his services," said Alvarez, referring to the former Philippine Maritime Institute standout, who caught the fancy of the multi-titled mentor.

The Whopper have the Nos.1, 3 and 8 picks in the first round. They might tab Japeth Aguilar, who also drew the interest of several teams, as their top overall rookie pick. – GMANews.TV

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'Different' RP 5 will emerge in FIBA-Asia

source GMAnews.tv

Coach Yeng Guiao came to the defense of the Powerade-Team Pilipinas, declaring it still has a lot more to offer come next week’s 25th FIBA-Asia men’s basketball championship in Tianjin, China.

Guiao just came back from Chinese Taipei where the Nationals competed in the 31st William Jones Cup tournament and ended up sixth in a field of eight teams, most of them the same cast of countries seeing action in the FIBA-Asia tilt.

In all, the Nationals registered only two wins as against six losses, two of them against Japan and Korea – teams that are bracketed with the Philippines in Group A of the meet that serves as qualifier for next year’s World Men’s Basketball Championship in Turkey.

“I can see na `yung sense of urgency ng team, wala pa roon. And knowing these players, you will see a different team kapag nandoon na tayo sa Tianjin," said the national coach.

Guiao, however, stressed the RP squad shouldn’t be estimated based on their performance in the Jones Cup. Afterall, the team was formed not exactly for this tournament.

“Let the team be judged after Tianjin," Guiao declared with authority at the PSA Forum Tuesday.

“Basically, the Jones Cup was a feel out tournament for the whole team. I guess even the rest of the field, baka ganun din ang naging mentality.

“But I’m not offering any excuses. I don’t want the players to be distracted by criticisms. I’m assuming full responsibilities for the performance of the team. Actually, I’m already psyching up myself for any criticisms."

In any case, having gauged the strengths and weaknesses of the same opponents his boys will be facing in Tianjin, Guiao certainly likes the National team’s chances.

“Briefly now, we have a good chance of beating teams like Chinese-Taipei, Korea and Japan," he said, adding the FIBA-Asia draw had been favorable to the Philippines.

Owing to that, Guiao sees a good chance for the Nationals to make the quarterfinals.

“Makapasok tayo ng quarterfinals would already be a big improvement from our ninth place finish two years ago," said Guiao, referring to the order of finish achieved by a similar PBA-supported RP five coached by Chot Reyes during the 2007 FIBA-Asia meet in Tokushima, Japan.

“Ngayon, kung makapasok tayo sa semis, piyesta na sa atin yun. Kung maka-tsamba pa, top 3 tayo and pasok sa World Championship next year."

But that would be too much of a wishful thinking.

Guiao said it’s a different story when the Middle East countries like Iran, Jordan and Lebanon are put in the equation.

“They are really tough to beat, Yes, they can be beaten, but it would take a lot of effort on our part. Maraming dasal at buwenas ang kailangan natin," added Guiao.

For his part, PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios said Powerade-Team Pilipinas’ performance in the Jones Cup should not be used as a yardstick to measure how it will perform in the FIBA-Asia.

“First of all, the big picture is alam naman natin that this is the team’s first major international stint against basically the same opponent that they will have in Tianjin. So, along the way we’re able to pick up something which might be of a big help to us during the FIBA-Asia," he said.

Guiao readily agreed.

“Actually in those eight games that we had in the Jones Cup, mas marami kaming natutunan than in the last eight months dating back to the time the team was first formed.

“Now, we will bring what we learned in the Jones Cup in these last few days of our practices and incorporate it into our games." - GMANews.TV

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Generals shocked Blazers

source NCAA.org.ph

Emilio Aguinaldo drew strength from its free throw shooting and offensive rebounding in the fourth quarter as it shocked an undermanned St. Benilde, 78-73, yesterday for its first streak in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Sweet-shooting John Santos fired 18 points while Claude Cubo, Argel Mendoza and Ruel Jabaybay chipped in 17, 13 and 12 points, respectively, to power the Generals to their second straight win after dropping their first four matches.

EAC made a killing from the free throw line as it converted 27 of their 35 trips there while beating St. Benilde in the battle of the boards, 47-38.

"We came into this game hungry to win our second straight game because we're not satisfied winning just one game," said EAC assistant coach Gino Manuel, whose head coach Nomar Isla went straight to the airport after the game for a trip to Cebu.

It was a game that also saw the ejection of St. Benilde's Jan Tan and Chuck Dalanon for leaving the bench when Mc Abolucion and Russell Yaya had a near altercation midway in the second quarter.

The Generals, who shocked the Mapua Cardinals, 80-69, a week ago, also survived a career game by Blazers' captain Jeff Morial.

The energetic Morial unleashed a season and personal high 32 points after he made 12 of the 19 shots he took including four booming triples but got little support from his teammates as the Blazers fell to their fourth loss against three triumphs.

Morial unloaded a 12-point binge by his lonesome in the final canto but the Blazers surrendered too much second chance points most especially to Ruel Jabaybay, who scored 10 of his 12 points on putbacks.

The Generals made their move in the second quarter when they turned a 15-14 first quarter lead to a 38-31 advantage at the break. EAC nurtured its upper hand until late in the third period, 49-57, before Morial spakred a pair of runs bridging the third and fourth quarters to snatch 64-61 lead with 7.30 minutes to go.

And then came the slippery, scrappy Jabaybay, who turned garbage into points to seal the win.

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Stags wallop Great Danes to pace NCAA cage wars

source GMAnews.tv

San Sebastian walloped lowly guest team Angeles U Foundation, 97-65, to gain the solo leadership in the 85th NCAA men's basketball tournament Monday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Learning their lesson from their previous near-mishap against another league newcomer, Emilio Aguinaldo, San Sebastian played smart and without let up this time to post their sixth straight win in the 10-team tournament.

"Natutunan na namin ang aming leksyon," said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin, referring to their close win over the EAC Generals, who nearly pulled off an upset by capitalizing on the SSC coach's experimentation on his rotation.

"Ngayon mas alam na ng mga bata ang kanilang dapat gawin."

Playing with a very high intensity which the AUF Great Danes failed to match, the Stags posted their biggest lead at 72-29 on a jumpshot by Erickson Gatchalian with 4:07 left in the third quarter.

"Sinabi ko sa mga bata na hindi dapat makumpiyansa dahil bilog ang bola. Tingnan ninyo ang nangyari sa Ateneo against UP," added Agustin, noting how the UP Maroons upset top favorite and defending champion Ateneo de Manila University in the other collegiate league.

"I told them na we have to play our game," added Agustin, who was able to use 14 of his 15 players in the game.

"Ngayon mas alam ko na ang mga puwede kong asahan kung nahaharap man kami sa pressure game o anumang sitwasyon," noted Agustin.

With those inspiring words from their mentor, the Stags limited the Great Danes to just seven points in the first quarter and 14 in both the second and third cantos.

And with the Stags securely ahead, Agustin fielded several of his rookies and bench warmers in the fourth quarter, giving the Great Danes an opportunity to score 30 markers.

"Natutuwa ako dahil nagagawa na ng mga players ko ang mga nais kong ipagawa sa kanila," said Agustin, who is now bracing for a face-off with another unbeaten team Jose Rizal U (5-0).

"Hopefully, madala namin ang panalong ito sa laban namin sa JRU," Agustin added. - GMANews.TV

The Scores:

San Sebastian 97- Aquino 21, Raymundo 16, Bulawan 14, Sangalang 12, Najorda 10, Maconocido 8, Semira 6, Pascual 4, Marquez 2, Gatchalian 2, Gusi 2, Bartolo 0, Gatchalian 0, del Rio 0

AUF 65 - Fuertez 16, Santos 14, Carney 13, Maniago 8, Nacu 5, Gigante
4, Henson 2, Musni 2, Perez 1, Manarang 0, Dumlao 0, Cayanan 0, Sazon
0, Gomez 0

Quarterscores: 37-7; 53-21; 77-35; 97-65

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Pacquiao's Fast Pace Will Wear Cotto Down, Says Roach

Trainer Freddie Roach is already creating the blueprint for Manny Pacquiao's strategy to beat WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Roach doesn't think Cotto has the stamina to fight a fast paced for twelve rounds. He plans to make Pacquiao come out fast and hard to start the fight with a bang. Roach sees Cotto getting tired in the late rounds and then Pacquiao will take him out.

"I'll go (to the Philippines) sometime next month and we'll get started," Roach said to The Las Vegas Review Journal. "For this fight, speed is going to be important. I think if you get Cotto in a fast-paced fight, he'll tire. So we want to come out quick and set a fast pace. Speed is our biggest asset."

"I know Cotto pretty well. But I haven't really studied him yet. I have a pretty good idea how we want to fight him, but until I sit down, watch the tapes and talk to Manny, we're still in the planning stage."

Roach looks at Cotto as Pacquiao's most dangerous opponent. He says Cotto is bigger and stronger than Oscar De La Hoya, who Pacquiao demolished last December. He says Pacquiao has the speed, better boxing skills and better defense. He doesn't see Cotto last the full twelve.

"He's a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger," Roach said. "But I think Manny's the better boxer, and Manny's defense is the best it's been. I think Pacquiao will stop him along the way."


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Pacquiao-Cotto: No WBO Title at Stake, Says Arum

There appears to be some confusion in the showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, scheduled for November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. There is so much money at stake that Cotto does not want to risk his WBO welterweight title. Top Rank's Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters, told The Philippine Star that Cotto is not willing to pay the sanctioning fee involved. Arum says the fee could be as high as $400,000 dollars.

“No [the title is not on the line]," Arum said. “He doesn’t want to pay the sanction fee. So, no, Miguel Cotto will not stake his crown against Manny Pacquiao. Nobody in the US cares about the title."

The WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel has told reporters in Puerto Rico that Pacquiao-Cotto should have the WBO title on the line. Arum says the fight will be just as big, with or without the WBO title at stake.


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Jones Cup Men Final Day - Iran wins 2009 Jones Cup title

source TaiwanHoops.com



Iran narrowly won the 2009 Jones Cup tournament title in a unprecedented and bizarre four-way tie.

First of all, sincere apology to one of the readers who left comment on a previous post. The Jones Cup did use total points to determine the final winner.

A total of four teams tied at the first place with 14 points, including three that finished 6-2 -- Iran, Lebanon and Taiwan -- and Jordan, who only got 14 points despite finishing 7-1. Jordan received no points after boycotting the Iran game.

(Note: The winning team gets two points while the losing team gets one point)

As a result, Jordan failed to win its third straight Jones Cup title and finished as runner-up. Lebanon placed third as it beat Taiwan, who ranked 4th.

Final placing:
1. Iran 6-2
2. Jordan 7-1
3. Lebanon 6-2
4. Taiwan 6-2
5. Korea 5-3
6. Philippines 2-6
7. Taiwan 2nd NT 2-6
8. Kazakhstan 1-7
9. Japan 1-7

Iran 85-60 Philippines

The game was delayed for more than a hour because of the clock problem, but that didn't stop Iran from humiliating Philippines. Iran routed Philippines by 25 points, 85-60, and finished the 2009 Jones Cup with 6 wins and 2 losses while Philippines going 2-6.

Hamed Hadadi, who was sidelined yesterday due to a bad stomach, had 19 points and 12 rebounds as Iran dominated with its height advantage and led by as many as a whopping 34 points.

"We didn't have answers against Iran's height advantage and our three-point shots did not fall. That was why we didn't have a chance, " said Philippines head coach Yeng Guiao.

Hadadi said he still doesn't feel well today but he's made up his mind to play in the final game. "I have sat out too many games here. If I don't play, this Taiwan trip would be meaningless for me, " he said.


Taiwan 81-74 Korea



Cheered by the home crowd, Taiwan quickly jumped in front since the opening tip and took a 20-16 lead in the end of the first quarter. Taiwan led by six at the half.

Lin Chih-chieh made three 3-pointers in the third quarter to increase Taiwan's lead to double-digit while Korean starting center Kim Joo-sung was plagued by foul trouble.

With a seemingly comfortable lead, Taiwan became careless as they committed too many turnovers in the final quarter and gave Korea a chance. Lee Kyu-sup made two free-throws with 4:44 to play and cut the deficit to four, 67-63.

Lin Chih-chieh's fourth 3-pointer in the second half was the wake-up call, igniting a game-clinching 9-0 run which included a two-handed dunk by Tseng Wen-ting and made the score out of reach, 76-63, with two minutes left.

Chang Chih-feng led Taiwan with 21 points. Tseng Wen-ting and Lin Chih-chieh scored 17 apiece while Tien Lei had a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Taiwan outrebounded Korea 35-25 and that proved to be the key. "We grabbed more rebounds on both ends of the court and kept pounding inside on offense. Those were the main reasons why we won today, " said head coach Chung Kwang-suk.

Korea was not at its full strength in the game as forward Kim Min-soo still suffered from illness and played less than 10 minutes.

In other games, Taiwan 2nd NT beat Japan 97-91. Japan used only five players in the game after losing some players to bad stomachs and others on injuries.

Jordan beat Kazakhstan 96-77. Zaid Abbas led Jordan with 23 points. Alexandr Tyutyunik had 26 points for Kazakhstan.





(Photos: Jones Cup official website)

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White: If We Can Sign Fedor, Hell Fight For The Title First

UFC Prez Dana White talks Fedor:

“My job is to put on the best fighters and to give you, the fans, the fights you want to see. I’ve been trying to get Fedor in the UFC. I want it because you want it. Believe me, I’m trying to make it happen. He’ll fight for the title first. What does he need, a tune-up fight or something? … To argue where this guy sits in the heavyweight division, we can argue that all day. Fedor has a ton of experience. The guy’s been around forever. But you can’t take anything away from Brock Lesnar … It’s an interesting fight. It’s a very good fight. Fedor’s got to come to a deal first. If Randy can go out there and cut that deal with Fedor, then Randy, get to work, buddy.”


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Dana White Talks New Partnership With Affliction

From MMAJunkie:

"We are excited about the return of Affliction to the UFC and look forward to seeing our fighters once again walk into the octagon wearing the Affliction brands," UFC president Dana White stated. "Affliction is an innovator of mixing fashion with this sport, and we are looking forward to working together to promote the sport."

And Affliction gives their two cents:

"Our brand is synonymous with the 'Live Fast' approach to life, and UFC is the perfect venue for us to market our brand," Affliction co-founder Eric Foss stated. "We have come to an agreement with the UFC, which we feel will be the best for the sport and will help the UFC continue delivering the highest caliber of fights."


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Affliction MMA Folds, Will Now Sponsor The UFC

Kevin Iole has the story on Yahoo Sports:

After promoting two critically acclaimed but financially disastrous mixed martial arts cards, Affliction on Friday first canceled its pay-per-view card scheduled for Aug. 1 and then opted to get out of the promotional business.

Affliction released a statement Friday evening in which it announced “a collaboration with the UFC.” It confirmed that it will cease operations as a fight promoter and that its clothing division will become a UFC sponsor.

“Our brand is synonymous with the ‘Live Fast’ approach to life and UFC is the perfect venue for us to market our brand. We have come to an agreement with the UFC which we feel will be the best for the sport and will help the UFC continue delivering the highest caliber of fights.” said Eric Foss, co-founder of Affliction.

Affliction had a card slated for Aug. 1 with a main event of Fedor Emelianenko, the No. 2 fighter in the Yahoo! Sports mixed martial arts rankings, against former UFC champion Josh Barnett at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

But Barnett tested positive for an anabolic steroid and on Tuesday was denied a license to fight by the California State Athletic Commission.


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Affliction Clothing Back in UFC Fold

Affliction Entertainment has ceased all promotional efforts effective immediately, and has hashed out a deal to become a brand sponsor for its former rival, the UFC.

Yahoo Sports first reported of the industry shake-up, which Sherdog.com also confirmed with numerous sources.

UFC President Dana White remained elusive on the subject during an interview with ESPN Radio 1100 in Las Vegas.

“Affliction hasn’t made any real comment yet [on its future],” White said. “These guys are good at making clothes. We’re in the fight business. That’s what we do. There’s going to be a lot of interesting things happening over the next couple of weeks.”

White, however, hinted at plans for a major press conference on July 31.

“There are going to be a lot of crazy things,” White said. “I’m going to have a laundry list of things I’m going to mention.”

Affliction, which co-promoted two events with M-1 Global in July 2008 and January 2009, cancelled its Aug. 1 show on Friday morning, roughly 60 hours after it got word that Josh Barnett would not be licensed by the California State Athletic Commission to face Fedor Emelianenko in the main event due to an alleged positive pre-test for steroids. The sudden about-face has left 22 fighters left to scramble for new assignments.

M-1 Global represents Emelianenko as both a promoter and management team. Representatives from M-1 Global, all en route to the U.S. on Friday, could not be reached for comment.

In exchange for ad space on the coveted Octagon and its fighters, it was reported that Affliction had agreed to cease all promoting operations. The same deal was presented to Affliction last October, but was rejected by at least one of the company’s executives, said a source who was close to the negotiations.

Affliction began its relationship with the UFC in 2006, sponsoring fighters to wear its popular brand at events. The two companies then fell out over business practices and Affliction entered the fight game as a promoter. The clothing brand was promptly banned as a sponsor at UFC events.

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Hatton vs Marquez; Ricky Interested if Juan Beats Floyd

It seems Ricky Hatton may take the Shane Mosley route in terms of sitting back and waiting for a major fight to come along. Recently WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan and his handlers seemed to have some interest in calling Hatton out for an all-British battle, but Ricky said there was no interest on his end. Hatton has been on the shelf since suffering a brutal two-round knockout at the hands of Manny Pacquiao back in May. If Hatton does decide to return, he told Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer that if he ever comes back - he wants a big fight.

Eric Gomez, Golden Boy's Vice President, told BoxingScene.com's Robert Morales that Juan Manuel Marquez is one boxer that Hatton has a lot of interest in fighting. If Hatton would have beaten Pacquiao back in May, Marquez was being lined up as the fall opponent for Ricky. Things did not go Hatton's way and Marquez signed to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. on September 19. If Marquez is able to pull off the major upset, Hatton would like to fight him.

"What he has told Richard in the past is that if he ever comes back, he wants it to be a meaningful fight," Gomez said. "He doesn't want to be anybody's steppingstone. He has expressed interest that if Marquez can pull off the fight against Mayweather, he would want to fight Marquez. And Marquez has been wanting to fight him for a year now. That's a possibility."

Taking the brutal knockout into consideration, Gomez tells BoxingScene that Hatton can still return and be a force in the sport. He used Arturo Gatti and Amir Khan as two examples of fighters who suffered bad defeats and still returned to become major players.

"I know that many fighters have been knocked out cold and they come back and they win titles. So you never know. Amir Khan (is one). You have guys like Arturo Gatti. How many times did he get knocked out? He came back and won big fights. So you can never count anybody out. There are guys that Ricky can still beat," Gomez said.

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Undersized De Ocampo, injured Reyes out of RP Team roster

source GMAnews.tv


Ranidel De Ocampo and Ryan Reyes were the two players cut by Yeng Guiao in the Powerade Team Pilipinas’ official lineup for the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Tianjin, China next month.

Shortly before the Nationals went into practice Friday in the 31st William Jones Cup tournament in Taipei, Guiao named the final 12.

Included in the list are Jayjay Helterbrand, Willie Miller, Gabe Norwood, Arwind Santos, Jared Dillinger, Cyrus Baguio, Japeth Aguilar, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, James Yap, Asi Taulava and Mick Pennisi.

A shoo-in at the point guard spot, Reyes reportedly asked to be excluded from the roster due to continuing pain in his left hamstring muscle. The Sta. Lucia guard suffered the injury during the 8th SEABA Championship in Medan, Indonesia two months ago.

De Ocampo, clearly undersized against opponents playing his position, was also placed in reserve, the same role he had when the RP men’s squad saw action in the FIBA-Asia meet two years ago in Tokushima, Japan.

Injuries could shake up the lineup, of which Guiao is keeping his fingers crossed. “We’re not discounting that possibility. I understand we can still change any injured player three days before the tournament begins."

Guiao has been consulting with his coaching staff, including former national mentor Jong Uichico, who has since left, for the past few days and the group reached a “consensus" Thursday night.

“It wasn’t really difficult," Guiao said.

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, who arrived with RP team manager JB Baylon Thursday in time for the South Korea match, said it was imperative a final 12 be submitted to the FIBA Asia organizers.

“We had to beat the deadline," Barrios said.

With Helterbrand playing intermittently because of recurring tightness in his hamstring, the point guard spot remains a vulnerable area for the RP team, forcing Guiao to leave the door open for Reyes’ return.

“I would’ve preferred to have Ryan in the team but he admitted he won’t be 100 percent in Tianjin," said Guiao, adding, however, “pero pag naramdaman niyang okey na siya, then we’ll find a way for him."

Guiao didn’t say who Reyes will replace in the lineup. – GMANews.TV

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Powerade Team Pilipinas " Final 12 " named

source TeamPilipinas.info

Yeng Guiao disclosed the final line-up of the Powerade-RP Team to the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship set Aug. 6-16 in Tianjin, China.

The team will be composed of Jayjay Helterbrand, Willie Miller, Gabe Norwood, Arwind Santos, Jared Dillinger, Cyrus Baguio, Japeth Aguilar, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, James Yap, Asi Taulava, and Mick Pennisi.


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Jordan boycotts game for unfair call (plus Full Game Video)

source TaiwanHoops.com


It started from the post game press conference on July 22nd. Iranian head coach Veselin Matic told reporters that Qatar, Lebanon and Jordan benefitted from "naturalizing American imports."

"The Asian Championship is a tournament that belongs to Asian players. But some countries have been naturalizing American imports to make their team stronger. The championship looks more like a pro game right now. Among them are Lebanon, Jordan and Qatar, " local media quoted Matic, who added that Qatar is the worse case that it barely has any local player on roster.

Iranian players are all native players, Matic said.

Asked by media about the issue, Jordan head coach Mario Palma was visibly angry. He said that Matic should focus on how to make Iran a better team instead of making false accusation on the import issue. Not all Iranian players are native, he said.

Then came the Iran-Jordan game last night.

Less than three minutes entering the game, 7-2 Iranian center Hamed Hadadi elbowed Zaid Abbas after pulling down a rebound. Abbas swung back and walked away. Hadadi charged forward, choking and pushing Abbas.

Jordanian guard Osama Daghles ran onto the court and punched Hadadai before a bench-clearing confrontation.

Taiwanese referee Chen Chuan-jen ruled that Hadadi and Abbas would be ejected as well as all players who left the bench area, which would have left both team with four players each.

However, Korean referee Kim Young-woo insisted that it was only an unsportsmanlike foul and overruled Chen. Kim decided that it would be four technical fouls for Hadadi, Abbas and bench of both teams.

The call pissed off Mario Palma, who told Kim that if Hadadi stayed in the game, Jordan would not resume play. Kim rejected the request and Palma ordered his player leave the court in a boycott.

The official score of the game was Iran 20, Jordan zero.

Full video of the game below.

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PART 2


PART 3


PART 4


PART 5


PART 6


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Japeth makes formal bid for PBA draft

source PhilStar.com | photo from PBA.ph

TAIPEI – Japeth Aguilar, the towering former Ateneo player who is expected to be the next dominant big man in Philippine basketball, has decided to join the coming PBA draft.

Aguilar, 22, formalized his draft application yesterday after playing five games with Powerade Team Pilipinas – a selection of PBA stars – in the ongoing Jones Cup competition here.

He left his application papers in a sealed envelope in Manila before joining the Nationals in their trip here. He told PBA officials here it’s now an official application after deciding with finality that he’s making himself available for the draft set Aug. 2 in Market! Market! in Taguig.

“It’s a family decision. It’s for my future. We’ve thought it’s better for me to join the PBA now,” said Japeth, son of former national and pro player Peter.

“My parents have thought I would be better off here than in the (United) States. We felt I would earn more in the PBA with my salary there and possible endorsements,” said Aguilar.

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios welcomed Aguilar’s decision.

“The PBA family welcomes Japeth Aguilar to the premier basketball league of the country. I am confident he will be an asset not only to his team but also to the PBA while he showcases his basketball talent and skills,” said Barrios.

“I wish him all the best as I join all PBA fans eagerly waiting for his debut in the games this coming October,” Barrios added.

Aguilar is expected to become the league’s first homegrown player drafted No. 1 overall in the PBA since Yancy de Ocampo in 2002. And he could well be the league’s next Ramon Fernandez or Alvin Patrimonio.

“For sure, he will become a PBA superstar,” said RP team coach Yeng Guiao of Aguilar who averages 8.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 shot blocks here.

Guiao said he’s been assured by Burger King governor and team manager Lito Alvarez that they will keep their rights on the No. 1 pick and they will use it on Aguilar.

Aguilar, however, admitted that another team is interested in enlisting him, giving an option of having a mother club in the PBA and playing for RP Smart Gilas during PBA off-season.

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Barako Bull to decide whether to remain in PBA

source GMAnews.tv

Barako Bull officials will present its stand Friday in front of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) executive committee members, PBA board of governors and league commissioner Sonny Barrios whether they would would remain or sell their spot in the league.

PBA chairman and Alaska board representative Joaqui Tirllo told GMANews.TV that they have already called the attention of the Bull’s officials to present their stand whether to continue its active participation in the pro league or put its franchise officially on sale.

The Photokina franchise is reportedly said to be experiencing problems managing a PBA team.

“We will know officially the stand of Barako Bull today (Friday)," said Trillo. “The Commissioner’s office and the executive committee have already called the attention of Barako Bull management and we will find out their answer."

Feeling the effect of the economic pinch, Barako Bull was forced to let go of its marquee players one by one. Among the superstars who were traded the previous years include Enrico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade, Larry Fonacier, Junthy Valenzuela, Cyrus Baguio and Mick Pennisi, all members of the Barako Bull’s last champion squad in 2006.

The dispersal of their marquee players led to the resignation of coach Yeng Guiao and recently, team manager Andy Jao.

Lately, players have reportedly complained on delays of their salaries and aired their grievances to the PBA.

“Yes, we are aware of what’s happening with the Barako Bull team," said Trillo. “We need to act on this matter immediately because we want to protect the interest of everybody – the players, their officials and the league as well."

But a member of Barako Bull team, who requested anonymity, said that they received a portion of their salary Wednesday.

“The players received their salaries first and then the coaching staff later," said the team member.

But the same team member also explained that only Paolo Hubalde, Gabby Espinas, Jeff Chan and Larry Rodriguez are the only players with live contracts. This means that eight other Barako Bull players have expiring contracts or had contracts about to end this month. – GMANews.TV

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Pacquiao vs Cotto Card Will Be Called "Fire Power"

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says the showdown between pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rico’s WBO world welterweight champion is all about “Fire Power,” the new title to the eagerly anticipated fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 14.

Arum told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports on Thursday that the excitement was “unbelievable and everybody is talking about it being the ‘Fight of the Year’ and the demand for tickets this early is huge."

Arum revealed that “we’ve changed the name and come up with a better name – Fire Power” which, with the letters F and P - without Arum probably realizing it - standing for the two countries the fighters represent. “F” stands for Filipinas which is the name for the Philippines in the national language of the Philippines and the letter “P” represents Puerto Rico.

Three-time “Trainer of the Year” Freddie Roach has once again made his pre-fight prediction, agreeing with Arum that “without doubt this will be a war.”

In a telephone interview with Carlos Gonzalez of Primera Hora, Roach said that Pacquiao and Cotto have “many similarities in their style but the speed of Manny will be too much for Miguel.”

Roach at the same time said he had nothing bad to say about the Puerto Rican champion stating that he believes Cotto “is an excellent athlete who is always well-prepared for his fights.” However, Roach who last week steered 22 year old Briton Amir Khan to the WBA super lightweight title over Andreas Kotelnik predicted that he had trust in the abilities of Pacquiao and predicted he would knock out Cotto.

Pacquiao is expected to report to the Wild Card Gym in the middle of September to begin training for the fight while the promotional tour will begin two days after Labor Day in the US.

Arum said “we are just going to do Los Angeles, New York and Puerto Rico and we are covering the rest of the country by satellite. It seems to us to be far too costly stopping at dozens of cities . We can do the same thing covering it by satellite with the press conferences going to be ‘live’ to all the television stations throughout the country.”

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Jones Cup Day 6 results

Kazakhstan 75-70 Japan

Iran 20-0 Jordan (The game turned into a brawl. Jordan boycotted the game as Iran won 20-0. More details later.) + VIEW THE FULL VIDEO OF THE BRAWL HERE +

Local media reported that Jordan head coach Mario Palma blasted Iran head coach Veselin Matic for his remarks about foreign-born players. Matic said that Jordan and Lebanon both had a lot of foreign players on the rosters. Palma countered that, except for naturalized Rasheim Wright, all Jordan players have Jordanian parents.

Korea 83-80 Philippines + VIEW THE FULL GAME HERE +

Lebanon 91-78 Taiwan


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Iran vs Jordan Game at Jones Cup turns into rumble (FULL GAME FOOTAGE)

PART 1


PART 2


CLICK READ MORE TO WATCH THE FULL GAME.


PART 3


PART 4


PART 5


PART 6


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FIBA affirms SBP's authority

Courtesy of Joaquin Henson, PhilStar.com

MANILA, Philippines - After three days of deliberations, the FIBA special committee – formed to assess compliance of the so-called Bangkok Agreement in the wake of charges from the BAP that the SBP has been remiss – announced yesterday its continued recognition of the SBP as country affiliate at the Hotel Movenpik in Geneva.

“It’s over,” said SBP executive director Noli Eala in a brief text message. “The SBP has won. Mabuhay.”

SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan, reacting in Manila, said the decision vindicates the organization that took over from the BAP as the NSA for basketball two years ago.

“I am just happy for the country,” he said.

Despite a solid track record of progress, the SBP was summoned by FIBA to Geneva as the special commission sought to find out if the BAP’s contention that Philippine basketball is in disarray held water.

Officials of both the SBP and BAP were invited to attend the meetings, which started last Monday but only the SBP representatives showed up. Last Tuesday, the BAP sent an e-mail to FIBA saying its officials failed to obtain Swiss visas but submitted a list of demands, including a 12-12 split in the SBP Board between the SBP and BAP, ceding the positions of chairman and treasurer to the BAP, two vice chairmen (one internal, the other external), taking over the SBP’s grassroots program and joint agreement in the selection of executive director.

POC chairman Rep. Monico Puentevella, who attended the deliberations, said what convinced the special commission of the SBP’s legitimacy was Eala’s hour-long, power-point presentation that proved beyond doubt compliance with the Bangkok Agreement. Eala’s comprehensive presentation detailed what the SBP has done so far in terms of developing an elite program to be competitive internationally, a grassroots program, a referees program and a membership expansion program.

The fact that the country’s major leagues – the PBA, PBL, Liga Pilipinas, UAAP and NCAA – support the SBP was another boost.

Puentevella noted that the commission – made up of FIBA secretary-general emeritus Borislav Stankovic, former FIBA president Dr. Carl Men Ky Ching and legal counsel Ken Madsen – was visibly irked by the BAP’s no-show.

In a one-page decision, the commission said it reaffirms the SBP as FIBA’s recognized country affiliate, upholding the Central Board’s previous decision made in March 2007.

The committee also said the Central Board will closely monitor developments in the Philippines, in particular the progress of compliance with the terms of the Bangkok Agreement where basketball stakeholders are given the chance to be adequately and appropriately represented in the SBP. The committee gave the SBP a deadline of Nov. 30 to submit a written report on the progress of the compliance.

Anticipating a protest from the BAP, the committee said that its decision may only be appealed through the Council of Arbitration for Sport which is based in Lausanne. No other forum or court will be recognized by FIBA in the event of an appeal or protest.

Eala said the commission gave a lot of weight to the Philippine court’s decision affirming the SBP’s recognition.

Puentevella said the clincher was when the BAP failed to show up, clearly an expression of disrespect for FIBA. The commission took special notice of the BAP’s absence, pointed out Eala.

Attending the deliberations for the SBP were chairman Gov. Oscar Moreno, vice chairman Ricky Vargas, Eala and lawyer Marievic Anonuevo.

“We’re all very tired,” said Puentevella whose luggage – along with Moreno’s and Anonuevo’s – got stuck in Hong Kong during a stopover and arrived in Geneva 24 hours late. “We’re excited to go home to share this news. With this victory, the SBP can be magnanimous and reach out to all legitimate stakeholders who want to join. As for the POC, I attended the meetings to serve our mandate to support our 41 recognized NSAs, one of which is the SBP.”

Puentevella said as a parting shot, the SBP told FIBA it will make a strong bid to host the FIBA-Asia Championships in 2011, the regional qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics.

The SBP will hold a press conference late tomorrow morning at PLDT in Pangilinan’s presence to explain the ramifications of the special commission’s decision.

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SBP is given the two thumbs up by FIBA

source: Rick Olivares

The Decision of the FIBA Special Commission:

1. The Special Commission affirms the SBP as FIBA's National Member Federation of the Philippines as previously decided by FIBA's Central Board at its meeting on 2-3 March 2007.

2. The FIBA Central Board will continue to closely monitor the development in Philippine basketball with a vies to ascertain whether the stakeholders in Philippine basketball are adequately and appropriately represented in the SBP whether the terms of the Bangkok Agreement are fully respected by all parties, and whether the obligations of the FIBA National Member Federations as provided in Article 8 of the FIBA General Statues are fully respected.

3. SBP is requested to present to the FIBA Central Board by no later than November 30 2009 a written progress report on the items listed under #2 above.

The decision took special notice on BAP's absence in the conference. Also the Special Commission gave a lot of weight to the Philippine court's decision affirming the SBP's recognition.

Statement of the SBP to follow...


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Jones Cup Day 5 results

IRAN (82) VS JAPAN (70)
JORDAN (83) VS KOREA (67) + VIEW THE FULL GAME HERE +
TAIWAN-B (82) VS KAZAKHSTAN (69)
LEBANON (95) VS PHILIPPINES (83) + VIEW THE FULL GAME HERE +

(Photo: Jones Cup official website)


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Jones Cup Day 4 results

Lebanon 77-73 Kazakhstan
Japan 87-85 Philippines (CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL GAME)
Iran 88-79 Taiwan 2nd (CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL GAME)
Jordan 111-64 Taiwan (CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL GAME)

(Photo: Jones Cup official website)

Type rest of the post here

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Wynne out of national squad

Courtesy of Nelson Beltran of PhilStar.Com

TAIPEI – Burger King guard Wynne Arboleda is out of the RP team competing in the Fiba Asia championship in Tianjin, China although he’s playing well in the Jones Cup competition here.

Under the Fiba-Asia guidelines, PBA operations chief Rickie Santos said Arboleda can no longer be considered for the team since he’s not included in the pool submitted by the team last July 5.

Santos also said teams were asked to submit an initial list of players (with a maximum of 24) a month before the tourney. They will get their final 12 only from there.

Coach Yeng Guiao and his staff will have their deliberation tonight to determine the mix which could well give the country best shot at achieving its goal in the Asian meet.

Deadline for submission of lineup is tomorrow.

* * *

Jong Uichico, coach of the RP team that narrowly missed the finals in the 2002 Busan Asian Games, is optimistic Powerade Team Pilipinas still has time to improve to be a contender in the Tianjin meet.

“It’s not yet panic time. Time is still on our side,” said Uichico. “The best lesson learned was our Italy experience. So close to the Busan Games, we went to Italy in the final stage of our preparation. We were beaten black and blue but it made us better in Busan,” Uichico said.

The Ginebra mentor believes all the Nationals need is to get used to coach Yeng Guiao’s system to be competitive.

“We won SEABA on sheer talent but SEABA is a lowly competition. This is practically our first international tournament. We have the talent but international tournament is more about system,” said Uichico. – Nelson Beltran

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Top Rank Confirms: Pacquiao vs. Cotto a Done Deal!

LAS VEGAS, NEV. – BOB ARUM, CEO of Top Rank, announced today that the mega-fight between boxing’s No. 1 pound-for-pound king and the reigning Boxing Writers Association of America’s (BWAA) Fighter of the Year, MANNY “PacMan” PACQUIAO, and the pride of Puerto Rico and three-time world champion MIGUEL COTTO is official.

“Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have reached an agreement to fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 14,” said Arum. The fight will be seen live on HBO Pay-Per-View. Top Rank is working on a major media tour to start right after Labor Day. Further details will be announced as we get closer to kicking off the tour.”

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions ranging from 112 to 140 pounds. His performance in 2008 was described as “Henry Armstrongesque,” winning world titles at 130 and 135 pounds with victories over Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz, respectively, and knocking out and retiring Oscar De La Hoya at 147 pounds to finish the trifecta. This year, he picked up where he left off last year – winning another world title in a new weight division -- dealing defending junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton a one-punch second-round knockout on May 2.

Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, has sold more tickets at Madison Square Garden in this millennium than any other fighter. He has held a world title every year since 2004. Puerto Rico’s most exciting fighter, Cotto held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight crown from 2004-2006, successfully defending it six times before vacating it to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title at the end of 2006, a title he held for nearly as long. He won his second welterweight title in February this year, knocking out Michael Jennings in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden to become the WBO welterweight champion. Notable scalps on Cotto’s belt include Sugar Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Pauli Malinaggi, and Demarcus Corley.


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Japan rubs salt on RP 5’s wounds in Jones Cup

Courtersy of GMANEWS.TV

Powerade-Team Pilipinas squandered a big 19-point second quarter lead and dropped a heartbreaking 87-85 loss to Japan in the 31st William Jones Cup at the Hsinchuang gym Tuesday in Taipei.

Although obviously hurting, coach Yeng Guiao tried to make a brave front during the post game conference.

“Ang emphasis talaga is to learn as much as we can against them," Guiao said. “We know naman in our hearts na kaya natin silang talunin pag dating sa Tianjin (FIBA Asia men's championship)."

But after watching Japan scuttle the double-digit RP team edge with its outside shooting, and seeing Jayjay Helterbrand’s dying-second attempt swatted away, even Guiao had to admit victory, as much as the lessons learned from the loss, would have been preferred.

“Mas maganda kung panalo syempre," he said.

Osama Kuraishi, the Japanese coach, said through an interpreter that he had urged his players to “go hard for the victory."

“This is a big win for us," he said.
The scores:

The Nationals trailed, 86-82 but Jared Dillinger drained a way-out 3-point shot to cut Japan’s lead to one with four seconds left.

Helterbrand gave up a foul on Shinsuke Kashiwagi who was 7-for-7 from the line up to that point. The 5-10 playmaker split his charities and Guiao called time, designing a play with Helterbrand inbounding from mid-court.

The Japanese broke up the first throw-in and the RP team again called time.

Helterbrand returned for the throw-in, bounced the ball off Kashiwagi’s back, picked it up, and took aim from just outside the 3-point arc, only to have the ball swatted away by Kashiwagi before it could be launched.

“We were going for a win, a three-point shot," said Guiao. “Na-fumble lang."

Kashiwagi had 12 points behind center Kosuk Takeuchi, who had 24 points, and the Japanese used their outside shooting and aggressive defense to come back from a 36-14 deficit early in the second and wrest control.

Japeth Aguilar, in his finest performance so far, scored 17 points for Team RP while Willie Miller added 14.

The Nationals, who ended a two-game losing start by beating Kazakhstan Monday, were hurt by their turnovers (24 against Japan’s 15) and their inability to get as often to the free throw line (8 of 9) where Japan shot 24 of 33.

With a 1-3 record, the RP cagers, who lost James Yap late in the game after the Purefoods hotshot was hit on the nape during a scramble, goes up against Lebanon and Fadih El-Khatib at 7 p.m. Wednesday. - GMANews.TV

Japan 87 - Takeuchi 24, Kashiwagi 12, Takeda 9, Ishizaki 9, Amino 7, Orimo 7, Sakurai 7, Igarashi 5, Ito 4, Okada 3.

Philippines 85 – Aguilar 17, Miller 14, Santos 10, Thoss 8, Dillinger 8, Raymundo 5, Yap 5, De Ocampo 5, Norwood 5, Baguio 4, Helterbrand 2, Taulava 2.

Quarterscores: 12-27; 36-40; 61-61; 87-85

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Watch Philippines vs Japan Game July 21, 2009 at Jones Cup 2009

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> CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL GAME <


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Watch NCAA Games last 072009 at The Arena in San Juan

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>CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL GAME<

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>CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL GAME<



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Watch Philippines vs Kazakhstan Game at Jones Cup 072009

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Philippines 85-67 Kazakhstan
Key stats: Philippines led 22-12 after first quarter. Willie Miller scored a team-high 13 points. Dmitriy Gavrilov led Kazakhstan with 23 and 12.

>WATCH THE FULL GAME HERE<


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Watch Korea vs Iran Game FULL GAME*** at Jones Cup 072009

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Korea 76-69 Iran
Key stats: Iran committed 17 turnovers, seven more than Korea.

>WATCH THE FULL GAME HERE<


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Jones Cup Day 3 results

Jordan 73-63 Lebanon
Key stats: Jordan had a 25-13 3rd quarter. Z. Abbas led Jordan with 17 points. Osama Daghles had 12. Brian Feghali had 19 for Lebanon.

Philippines 85-67 Kazakhstan
Key stats: Philippines led 22-12 after first quarter. Willie Miller scored a team-high 13 points. Dmitriy Gavrilov led Kazakhstan with 23 and 12.

Korea 76-69 Iran
Key stats: Iran committed 17 turnovers, seven more than Korea.

Taiwan vs. Taiwan 2nd
Final: Taiwan 87-74 Taiwan 2nd NT.

(Photo: Jones Cup official website)


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Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Injured, Latin Fury 10 Still On

LOS ANGELES - Undefeated Top-Five super welterweight contender and The Son of The Legend, JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ, Jr., has been forced off the card for the upcoming "Latin Fury 10" due to a training camp injury. “Latin Fury 10” will proceed as scheduled headlined by the two world championship fights featuring undefeated No. 1 super featherweight contender URBANO ANTILLON (26-0, 19 KOs), of Maywood, Calif. and Top-10 contender MIGUEL "Aguacerito" ACOSTA (25-9-2, 19 KOs), of Caracas, Venezuela battling for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) interim lightweight title and WBA light flyweight champion GIOVANI SEGURA (20-1-1, 16 KOs), of Bell Gardens, Calif., defending his title against SONNY BOY JARO (30-7-5, 19 KOs), of Rizal, Philippines.

Chavez Jr. (39-0-1, 29 KOs), from Culiacan, Mexico, suffered a rib injury last Wednesday during training camp in Big Bear. He has not been able to throw any punches effectively because of the pain and today his doctor ordered a halt of all training until it completely heals. Chavez's return to the ring is expected to be in September or October.


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Fitch Wants Rematch With GSP, Wont Fight Teammate To Get It

From MMAJunkie Radio:

"My eyes are set on a rematch with 'GSP' for the belt, I want to fight him for the belt again. [Swick] has put in nine wins in the UFC. He's put in an incredible career with the UFC, and if he beats Kampmann, I think he would deserve a shot. If he wins that, he'll get to sit on that belt. If he keeps defending it like eight or nine times in a row, then maybe I'll move up a weight class. But there's so many good fighters at 170 (pounds). If there's $20 million on the line, how can I say to my friend, 'I'm not going to give you the chance to make that kind of money, That kind of money I doubt we'll ever see, but that's always something that would change minds because that's a life-changing experience. That can help your gym, your team, everybody all around."


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Khan Willing To Give Hatton a Shot, Says Roach

Now that Amir Khan has dethroned Andreas Kotelnik and captured the WBA junior welterweight title, Khan's trainer Freddie Roach says that his fighter could be on his way to an all-British super fight with Ricky Hatton. Making the fight could be tough. Promoter Frank Warren, who has Khan, had a very nasty split with Hatton years ago.

"I just want to enjoy this for a while!" Roach told Sky Box Office. "We'll probably defend this somewhere down the line, maybe Ricky Hatton down the line. If he decides to continue I am sure he'd want to fight again for a 140-pound title and it'd be a big fight here in England, so I am sure it could happen."

Roach says the new weight of 140 is better suited for Khan. He likes Khan's movement and ability to take a punch.

"This is definitely a better weight for him; he's more resilient, he takes a better shot," said Roach. "Being at 135 I think weakened him and that was part of the reason was beaten by (Breidis) Prescott. But the thing is, he's very strong. Once he learns how to settle down and use his power more, he'll be OK."


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Jones Cup Day 2 results

Iran 79-56 Kazakhstan
Iran led 39-23 at the half, making 8 three-pointers in the first half. Nikkhah Bahrami had a game-high 29 points, making six three-pointers. Dmitriy Gavrilov led Kazakhstan with 18 points and 10 boards.

Lebanon 90-81 Japan
Fadi El Khatib had 33 points and Brian Feghali 22 as Lebanon rallied in the final quarter for a 90-81 win over Japan.

Japan controlled the game in the second and third quarter on hot shooting of Kosuke Kanamaru and Takehiko Orimo, who made consecutive threes to break the game open. Kanamaru had 17.

Lebanon took advantage of Japan's seven turnovers in the final quarter. With El Khatib leading the way, Lebanon finally found its momentum back in the final five minutes.

Korea 101-93 Taiwan 2nd NT
Taiwan 86-77 Philippines

Standing:
Korea 2-0
Lebanon 2-0
Taiwan 2-0
Jordan 1-0
Iran 1-0
Japan 0-2
Philippines 0-2
Kazakhstan 0-2
Taiwan 2nd 0-2

(Photo: Jones Cup official website)


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Shogun: Patience Is The Key To Defeating Machida

From MMAWeekly:

"Most of the guys that fought Lyoto… found a problem with patience, with finding the right moment to attack, or to counter-strike him. Some guys try to rush it too much; some guys try to stay too patient, (and) they start to get nervous because of that."

"I think the key is the timing of the fight, to get the feeling of when to engage and when to counter-strike him. This is likely the key, to find the pace and the rhythm, mostly the timing of the strikes to be able to connect and to make it a fight. For sure, I’m going to concentrate on that and develop a good strategy."

...

"I get very happy with that, because when you get to the first five-rounder of your career, it means you’re fighting for the belt. I take it as a great thing. I always wanted to train for five rounds."


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Fedor: The UFC Doesnt Treat Fighers Like People

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31st R. W. Jones Cup Highlights (Day 1)

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How to Watch Jones Cup using PPstream

WATCH JONES CUP VIA PPSTREAM (CHINESE COMMENTATOR)

1. Download and install PPstream from Here. (Idownload at Iinstall ang player ng PPstream)
2. Click this channel link:address (Click ninyo lang itong ADDRESS link, automatic na papasok na kayo sa PPstream channel)
3. Wait 3-5 min to end of buffering. (Maghintay ng ilang minuto at magbubukas din ang channel ng ESPN Taiwan) Note: It will depend on the connection you have.
4. Enjoy watching.

Alternate Streaming of Jones Cup 2009 => JONES CUP LIVE



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RP opens Jones Cup bid vs Jordan

From: Philippine Star

TAIPEI – Powerade-Team Pilipinas opens its bid in the 31st William Jones Cup campaign today against Jordan, the very squad that dashed the country’s hopes of a return stint to the Olympics two years ago.

Game time is set at 5 p.m. at the Hsinchuang gym following the opening matches pitting Lebanon against Taiwan-B at 1 p.m. and South Korea against Kazakhstan at 3 p.m.

A 30-minute inaugural ceremony is set at 7 p.m.

Led by point guard Rasheim Wright, who had 24 points, the Jordanians ended the Philippines’ bid to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics following an 84-76 victory in the preliminary round of the 24th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Tokushima, Japan.

Though the Jones Cup, held in honor of the founding secretary-general of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), is nothing more than a top-caliber tune-up tournament for the the FIBA Asia World Championship qualifier in Tianjin, China next month, the games will nevertheless give the competing teams a chance to size up each other’s strength.

Facing Jordan in the opener is especially significant for the Nationals. – Nelson Beltran


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Cage leagues scoff at BAP demands

Article by: Joaquin Henson

MANILA, Philippines - The basketball community yesterday expressed dismay over the five demands submitted by the BAP to the SBP a week before a FIBA special commission summons officials of both organizations in an attempt to broker a truce in a series of “conciliatory” meetings on July 20-22 in Geneva.

Neither the SBP nor the BAP could confirm their attendance in Geneva but it likely the rivalling bodies will be represented when FIBA secretary-general emeritus Borislav Stankovic, former FIBA president Dr. Carl Men Ky Ching and FIBA legal counsel Ken Madsen call the meeting to order at the Hotel Movenpick.

The SBP is recognized by both the POC and FIBA as the country’s NSA for basketball, succeeding the BAP. But even as the SBP has made significant strides in bringing Philippine basketball back on track after a two-year suspension, the BAP continues to bombard FIBA with reports of alleged disunity in a propaganda campaign.

FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann, reacting to the BAP’s persistent use of the internet to smear the SBP’s reputation, recently formed a special commission made up of Stankovic, Ching and Madsen to get to the bottom of the problem. The move was in direct contradiction to Baumann’s previous decision disregarding any communication with the BAP and took the SBP by surprise.

Expected to represent the BAP in Geneva are president Prospero Pichay, executive vice president Christian Tan, Tisha Abundo and lawyer Boni Alentajan. Secretary-general Graham Lim, facing deportation proceedings, may also show up.

Invited to attend for the SBP are chairman Gov. Oscar Moreno, president Manny V. Pangilinan, vice chairman Ricky Vargas, executive director Noli Eala and legal counsel Marievic Anonuevo. POC chairman Rep. Monico Puentevella is reportedly prepared to fly to Geneva and testify before the special commission regarding the proceedings in the SBP elections, which were certified by the POC.

In what was considered an act of audacity, the BAP sent a list of five demands to the SBP, insisting that if they are agreed on, it wouldn’t be necessary to proceed to Geneva.

The five demands - the SBP chairman should be a BAP nominee, the SBP executive director should be jointly chosen by the SBP and the BAP, the country’s basketball grassroots program will be managed by the BAP, the country’s elite program (involving the formation of the national team) will be managed by the SBP and the SBP Board will be composed of 12 nominees from the SBP and 12 nominees from the BAP.

At its inception, the SBP was known as BAP-SBP but the name could not be used because another group identified with the BAP had it registered with the SEC. The NSA eventually dropped the reference to the BAP and became the SBP. Also, at its inception, the Board was split 12-12 among nominees of the SBP and BAP with the chairman a BAP nominee.

But in the SBP National Congress last year, the legitimate voters of the NSA elected a new Board and a new set of officers. The BAP attempted to convene its own National Congress a week before but it could only muster six active voting members. The courts later affirmed the SBP National Congress as the lawful and rightful forum and upheld the election of the Board and officers.

With the affirmation from the POC and the courts, the SBP moved forward in implementing serious programs to develop the sport in the country, including a program for referees, coaches, youth and grassroots, elite players and membership expansion.

To recognize the BAP officials as duly elected trustees and officers of the SBP would be contrary to the standing judicial pronouncement of the Philippine courts.

The SBP counts on the support of the country’s major basketball leagues, including the PBA, PBL, Liga Pilipinas, UAAP, NCAA, NAASCU and CESAFI. The BAP has no meaningful support from any league.

The basketball community was up in arms when news of the BAP’s demands spread.

“By what authority does the BAP make demands?” wondered an official from a major league. “It is a discredited organization so why does FIBA even listen to its baseless accusations? Why give life to an organization that is better off dead than alive. The BAP only looks out for itself not the good of Philippine basketball. If the BAP has no constituency, then it has no right to be represented in the SBP Board - that’s the rule and nobody is above the law.”

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Rumored Card For Octobers UFC 104, Machida Vs. Shogun

- Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
- Shane Carwin vs. Cain Velasquez
- Yushin Okami vs. Chael Sonnen
- Ryan Bader vs. Eric Schafer
- Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
- Pat Barry vs. Antoni Hardonk
- Rob Kimmons vs. Jorge Rivera
- Razak Al-Hassan vs. Kyle Kingsbury



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Tito Ortiz And Dana White Make Amends, Return Could Be Coming

Tito talks to Tapout Radio Live:

“UFC is not out of the picture…. There’s a possibility I don’t know. I had a conversation with Dana last week, me and him spoke … we were really, really good friends at a point, best friends at a point, and everything got mucked up because of the fight game…. I wanted to be a man and squash things between me and him and wish him luck in his journeys and he did the same to me. So we kind of amended and squashed things, which is great. Dana showed the kind of person he is by apologizing to me and vice versa…. I’m very thankful for Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta from the UFC and I’m glad that me and Dana (White) kind of got to brush each other off. We may not still like each other or whatever but we came to amends which is awesome. I gotta thank Strikeforce for giving me an opportunity and I want to thank Affliction for giving me an opportunity.”

And Dana White confirms the make up via twitter:

“Yes tito and I made up. Doesn’t mean he’s back it means we aren’t smashing each other anymore and we don’t hate each other.”


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Randy Couture Wants First Crack At Fedor In The UFC

Photo Courtesy of: www.afflictionclothing.com

Randy Couture talks to Cagewriter about the possibility of Fedor Emelianenko coming to the UFC, and the fact that it was in his contract when he re signed with the UFC that they would work to sign Fedor so that he would be able to fight him:

"Not only do I think I deserve a shot at him, it's kind of part of the agreement in settling our differences in coming back to the UFC, is they were going to be diligent about trying to find a way to make that fight happen."

I'm not sure, but I think that was before Couture got mauled by Brock Lesnar.


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Winner Of Mike Swick Vs. Martin Kampmann Gets Shot At GSP

From MMAWeekly:

It has been widely rumored and Joe Rogan mentioned it during the UFC 100 broadcast, but the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Wednesday made it official, the fight between Mike Swick and Martin Kampmann will determine the next challenger to UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre.

"Wherever we go, fans know UFC delivers great fights,” UFC president Dana White said. "Mike Swick vs. Martin Kampmann could be fight of the night at UFC 103 because the winner takes on Georges St. Pierre for the welterweight title.”


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Mosley Once Again After Manny Pacquiao, Now at 140

Los Angeles, CA —WBA Welterweight Super Champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley announced today that he is ready to go after Manny Pacquiao’s IBO Junior Welterweight Championship belt and for the first time in his illustrious career , is prepared to fight at 140 pounds.

In a statement, Mosley said:

“There is unfinished business to take care of. I have never fought at t junior welterweight, but I’m ready to fight at 140 now. I am coming after Pacquiao’s belt.

This is the fight the fans want and I’m prepared to give it to them. It’s up to Bob Arum and Manny Pacquiao to stop running from me and step up to the challenge. Let’s meet in the ring at 140.

I want to reclaim the title of best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. First Pacquiao, then Mayweather—I’m ready to put all of the naysayers to rest. “

Mosley last faced Antonio Margartio in January 2009 and delivered a ninth-round knockout. He is the current WBA Welterweight Super Champion and has held titles as a lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight. Pacquiao is coming off a second-round knock-out victory over Ricky Hatton in May.

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Miguel Cotto Sued By Evangelista For $7.5 Million

The family situation between WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto and his uncle/former trainer Evangelista Cotto has just gotten worse. On Thursday Evangelista filed a lawsuit against his nephew in Puerto Rico, looking to recover $7.5 million dollars in damages. The main claim was a breach of contract. He named Miguel's promotional company in the lawsuit as well.

The other part of the lawsuit has to do with the physical altercation between Miguel and Evangelista on April 7 at their gym in Caguas, Puerto Rico. After a heated war or words, Evangelista struck Miguel and the two began to scuffle in the gym. The dispute began when Miguel wanted to move the training camp to Florida and Evangelista refused. Miguel would then fire his uncle and a the brawl began. The two were broken up but they continued their fight on the streets and Evangelista threw a concrete brick through the window of Cotto's new Jaguar. Miguel made claims at the time of the incident that Evangelista trashed his apartment. Evangelista was later taken to a hospital with a damage to his ribs and a broken nose. Miguel suffered some minor scratches.

In the lawsuit papers, Evangelista claims that "Miguel Angel Cotto brutally attacked his uncle and causing serious injuries to him." Miguel would later hire Joe Santiago as the new trainer.

Evangelista claims that Miguel owes him money since April 11, 2004. They had a percentage agreement in place by way of contract. Evangelista would receive 10% of Miguel's purse and another 10% that had to do with Miguel's promotional company and other items. When Miguel became champion, Evangelista claims that his percentage was going to rise to 33%. He says Miguel continued to only pay him 10% and never increased his take. He wants the remaining 23% since April 2004.

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Ricky Hatton To Undergo Additional Tests, Says Ray

The father of Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton says the former IBF junior welterweight champion has undergone more tests to find out what he is suffering from.

Hatton was taken to Tameside hospital in his hometown of Manchester on Tuesday morning after he complained of feeling weak with stomach cramps and vomiting.

His father and manager Ray Hatton spoke to BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports at 11:00 p.m. Manila Time on Thursday and said “I’ve just been to the hospital and they are doing tests on him the last two days and later on today we are hoping to get the results. Either way he’s not going to come out before the weekend.”

Hatton said “we are hoping that these extra tests will shed more light on it.”

Hatton’s father said indications are its some form of gastric virus and “we don’t know how long he’s had it..he may have had it for a few days, he may have had it for weeks but we are hoping they’ll tell us more today.”

Ray Hatton said the doctors told him that Ricky may have had the virus but didn’t realize even when he was “feeling a little bit tired" adding " we won’t know until they find out in a few more hours.”

Hatton expressed his gratitude for the interest and concern shown by Filipinos about the former world champion’s condition.

Hatton suffered a brutal 2nd round knockout at the hands of the world’s pound-for pound king and Hero of Asia Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2.

Although many fight people had asked Hatton to retire there were indications in recent weeks that he was thinking about a possible return to the ring but that will now have to be kept on hold at the very least.

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Unscripted: Lashley on Lesnar

There is no corner of the Earth Bobby Lashley could escape to in the week following Brock Lesnar’s win over Frank Mir that would protect him from comparison. Like Lesnar, he’s a granite slab of genetic good fortune; like Lesnar, he won national titles in wrestling; and like Lesnar, he earned a name and base of marketability on the WWE circuit.

Ray Carsillo at 1050 AM ESPN Radio in New York invited Lashley to appear on his program Wednesday, and the conversation did not last more than a few turns before Lashley was asked to offer an opinion on a potential match with Lesnar.

“I’m not going to say anything bad on Brock, because Brock is doing all the right things,” Lashley said. “[But] my sights are set on Brock. I’m not saying I want to fight him because he’s ‘the wrestling guy.’ I’m saying it because I am a heavyweight fighter and he’s the champ.”

Watching two NCAA-accredited animals butt heads is a perfectly fine premise for a UFC title bout, but Lashley has to be getting the vibe that his past may come back to haunt him. Dana White has been queried often about bringing Lashley in: The responses have been noncommittal at best, insulting (“Who?”) at worst. The idea that two former WWE headliners would be occupying the same real estate is perhaps too gratifying a concept for Vince McMahon -- and too horrifying for White -- to bear.

There is also the plain issue that Lashley is not necessarily Lesnar’s equal. Against underwhelming opposition Jason Guida, he had to be satisfied with a decision win. Lashley is bullish and compact -- even at 6’2” -- where Lesnar can use some abnormally long arms to punch like a drill press without getting tied up. Twenty years on, I suspect it will be Lesnar who will have had the more accomplished career.

Lashley also confirmed he‘s signed a deal with TNA Wrestling to work four dates a month. To my knowledge, it’s the first time an active, high-profile prizefighter has taken on a recurring role in wrestling in the states while still pursuing a fight career. We’ll see if that’s in anyone’s best interests.

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Ricky Hatton Remains Hospitalized, Unknown Illness

Former champion and British superstar Ricky Hatton, 30, remains hospitalized in Manchester with an unknown illness. Hatton was admitted early Tuesday to Tameside Hospital after complaining of chest and stomach pains. There was some talk going around that Hatton may have caught the swine flu, but his father, Ray Hatton, told the Manchester Evening News that swine flu had been ruled out by the doctors.

Doctors believe that he may be suffering from a bad case of food poisoning. Additional tests are being conducted.


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Dana White Says EA Sports Did Not Want UFC Game

From Yahoo Sports:

“I went to EA Sports. Know what EA Sports said? ‘It’s not a sport. This isn’t a sport. We would never get involved in something like this.’ We come out with a video game and now they want to come out with a video game? (Expletive) you. All these people that want to cry and bitch, EA Sports didn’t give a (expletive) about you and wouldn’t even touch this thing with a 10-foot pole. We went out and made this whole thing happen. THQ basically put their entire business on the line. If this game didn’t work, they were in big trouble. The great thing about this business is, the UFC brand, plus stars, equals success for everybody. So when we do a video game, you’re a guy in the video game for (expletive) ever … and you get paid off of that forever. You think Leon Spinks is getting royalty checks somewhere? I just saw a thing on him; he’s a janitor. That’s what we’re trying to not let happen to these guys.”


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Watch R. W. Jones Cup 2009 Live Stream

31st R. W. JONES CUP LIVE STREAMING ON ONEPUNCH.TK
JULY 18-26, 2009

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31st R. W. Jones Cup Men's Competition Schedules

2009 Jones Cup men’s competition schedule

July 18
1300 Taiwan 2nd-Lebanon
1500 Korea-Kazakhstan
1700 Jordan-Philippines
1900 Opening Ceremony
1930 Taiwan-Japan

July 19
1300 Kazakhstan-Iran
1500 Japan-Lebanon
1700 Korea-Taiwan 2nd
1900 Philippines-Taiwan

CLICK READ MORE TO VIEW THE FULL LIST OF COMPETITION SCHEDULE

July 20
1300 Lebanon-Jordan
1500 Philippines-Kazakhstan
1700 Iran-Korea
1900 Taiwan-Taiwan 2nd

July 21
1300 Kazakhstan-Lebanon
1500 Japan-Philippines
1700 Taiwan 2nd-Iran
1900 Jordan-Taiwan

July 22
1300 Japan-Iran
1500 Korea-Jordan
1700 Taiwan 2nd-Kazakhstan
1900 Philippines-Lebanon

July 23
1300 Kazakhstan-Japan
1500 Iran-Jordan
1700 Philippines-Korea
1900 Taiwan-Lebanon

July 24
1300 Jordan-Taiwan 2nd
1500 Korea-Japan
1700 Iran-Lebanon
1900 Taiwan-Kazakhstan

July 25
1300 Japan-Jordan
1500 Philippines-Taiwan 2nd
1700 Lebanon-Korea
1900 Taiwan-Iran

July 26
1100 Taiwan 2nd-Japan
1300 Philippines-Iran
1500 Taiwan-Korea
1700 Jordan-Kazakhstan
1900 Closing Ceremony

Competition format: Single round-robin
Venue: Sinjhuang Stadium, Taipei County

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Beermen foil Gin Kings, Uichico's Fiesta Cup celebration

MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel just won’t give the title of the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup to defending champion Barangay Ginebra without a fight.

One good fight that is.

The Finals of the season-ending conference now boils down to one game as the Beermen beat the Kings, 98-84, Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum for a 3-3 standoff in the best-of-seven series.

Game 7 is set Friday also at the Big Dome.

Facing what could have been a horrible ending in a tournament they were projected to conquer, the Beermen responded to the pressure by holding down Ginebra’s ace guard Jayjay Helterbrand to just eight points while at the same time choking the Gin Kings to only a 6-for-25 (24 percent) shooting at the three-point range.

“We haven’t done anything yet," said SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen. “God put us in this situation to test us. It’s how you respond to adversity that defines you. This thing is far from over. We have one game to go."

Gabe Freeman recovered from early foul trouble once more to finish with 24 points and 12 rebounds while Danny Ildefonso came off the bench to contribute 18 points as San Miguel forged only the 18th Game 7 in a championship series in PBA history.

Helterbrand, bothered by his hamstring injury, shot a miserable 0-for-5 from downtown. Since the second quarter of Game 4, his clip in that region has been 1-for-15.

David Noel led the Gin Kings with 16 points and 11 rebounds. He, however, failed to make a field goal in the two-point area and was held scoreless in the second quarter and to only two in the final period.

“It will all boil down who makes the shots in Game 7," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, not necessarily feeling bad about the outcome on a very special day when he turned 47. “It would have been nice had we won tonight. But I’m already happy with the success we had and the blessings that I have."

Witnessed by 16,039 fans, mostly Ginebra fans, the game was tense until San Miguel tore the game apart in the second and third quarters. The Beermen led by 10 after the first half and then stretched it to its biggest at 15 (61-46) on a dunk by Freeman with 5:29 left in the third period.

Ginebra’s best effort was to cut it down to within 64-61 on an Erik Menk basket. But the Beermen scored the last four points of the period before coming through with a 9-4 run to take total control, 79-65.

San Miguel again outrebounded Ginebra 47-39 and had more assists 18-13. – GMANews.TV

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Pacquiao To Decide On Miguel Cotto Fight This Week

Filipino boxing icon and the acknowledged hero of Asia, Manny Pacquiao, is expected to decide on the proposed fight against WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto within the next two days.

Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz said he and lawyer Franklin "Jeng" Gacal were scheduled to meet with Pacquiao on Wednesday night to go through the proposal forwarded to Pacquiao by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.

Koncz who hand-carried the proposal after meeting Arum in the US felt it was a good proposal but made it clear that the final decision rests with Pacquiao and nobody else.

Koncz said Pacquiao was attending to some matters in Sarangani province from where he plans to run for a seat in the House of Representatives in the May 2010 elections. However, the adviser said "we will have a final closing on the agreement, hopefully by Thursday."

At the same time Arum who is vacationing in Italy is unhappy with Gacal’s statements to the media that should Cotto refuse to drop down in weight there is always Shane Mosley to turn to since Mosley has said he would agree to fight Pacquiao, take a 40 percent share and come down to 143 pounds.

Arum has always maintained in conversations with us "You don’t negotiate through the media."

Should the fight with Cotto push through it would take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 14.

Meantime, Koncz who was in Manila attending to the visa and work permit of Sonny Boy Jaro said he expects to get it within the next couple of days.

Jaro battles Mexico’s WBA light flyweight champion Giovanni Segura in a title fight in Nayarat. Mexico on July 25.The hard-hitting Jaro has a record of 30-7-5 with 19 knockouts while the champion Segura’s record is 20-1-1 with 16 knockouts.

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Floyd Jr: "If Manny Wants it, I'll Pay Juan To Step Aside"

If Manny Pacquiao wants a showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr, all he has to do is ask. At least that's what Floyd told The Grand Rapids Press. Mayweather returns for the first time since December 2007 when he takes on Juan Manuel Marquez on September 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. If Pacquiao requests the fight, Mayweather says that he will pay Marquez to step aside so the fight can happen. Pacquiao is slated to face WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto on November 14.

"If Manny Pacquiao really wanted the fight with me, all he's got to do is say it," Mayweather said. "We could pay Marquez some step-aside money. Pay him a million dollars, that's nothing. Step aside. Then, my man, me and you can make seven figures. Is you ready? Let me know."

Of course Mayweather once again stood by his position that he is not willing to give Pacquiao an equal slice of the money. He points to selling more pay-per-view buys with Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton than Pacquiao did with the same two fighters. He says Pacquiao would have to take less money.

"Everybody knows Pacquiao is not going to get 50-50 with Floyd Mayweather," Mayweather said. "Look at what Pacquiao made his last two fights and look at what I made my last two fights. It's still a business, even though it's a sport."


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Mayweather, Marquez, De La Hoya Gang up on Pacquiao

The recent conference call for the September 19 bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez was a jab-fest on pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather, coming out of retirement and fighting for the first time since December 2007, gave Manny some praise but quickly began to launch his verbal attack.

"Pacquiao is a good fighter. I don't take nothing from him," Mayweather said. "He hasn't done nothing I haven't done. Where was he when I was dominating in the '90s? He hasn't called me out. I'm not hard to find. I ain't worried about him. With or without him, I'm comfortable. I'm happy. He don't make me (nothing). I don't chase opponents. Opponents chase me. The biggest fight in boxing is Mayweather versus anybody."

Mayweather used to be promoted by Top Rank. The two had a very bitter breakup several years ago. He took a shot at Top Rank's owner Bob Arum and held nothing back on the contract Manny has with him.

"Manny Pacquiao has the worst contract in boxing with Bob Arum right now - 27 percent," Mayweather said. "I keep 100 percent of my money. Are you serious - 27 percent? Arum tells Manny Pacquiao the same bull he used to tell me."

Mayweather also says Marquez is a better fighter than Pacquiao. The two fought to a draw in 2004 and Pacquiao beat Marquez by way of a close split decision last March.

"I would have to rate him over Manny. For a guy to knock him down three times in the first round and he comes back to get a draw, we know who lost," said Mayweather.

Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, who Pacquiao knocked out last December, is co-promoting the event with Mayweather's company, Mayweather Promotions. He agrees that Mayweather should receive more money than Pacquiao if the two boxers decide to negotiate a fight.

He also said Marquez was the real winner of the two bouts with Pacquiao and Mayweather is the real pound-for-pound king. He said the Marquez-Mayweather winner should be the real pound-for-pound champ, not Pacquiao.

"I'd have to go with Floyd. I felt more skill coming out of Mayweather than I did with Pacquiao," De La Hoya said. "The winner between Mayweather and Marquez is the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. The fans are the ones who speak and we all know Marquez beat Pacquiao."

Marquez joined in too. He said that Mayweather is the best fighter in the sport, not Pacquiao. And said that he beat Pacquiao both times that they fought.

"Mayweather is the best. He retired undefeated. When I fought Manny I thought I beat him both times," Marquez said.

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Mayweather Jr: "Pacquiao Fight Won't Happen At 50-50"

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao finally agree on something - their fight will never get made under a 50-50 split. Pacquiao will demand a higher percentage of the money, and it seems that Mayweather will also demand more money. Mayweather returns on September 19 to face Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. HBO PPV will televise. According to NY Newsday, Mayweather said Top Rank's Bob Arum is greedy for even thinking about a 50-50 split.

Mayweather still believes that he is a much better fighter than Pacquiao. He doesn't think Pacquiao has accomplished enough to take over the pound-for-pound throne.

"I feel Manny Pacquiao is a good fighter, he does his job to the best of his ability. Many people forget that Manny Pacquiao got beat by Erik Morales. I am still at the top of my game and I have never been beat. He hasn't done anything that I haven't done," Mayweather said.

"I don't really have anything bad to say about Pacquaio. He never called me out. Everyone knows it's not hard to find me."

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Sports Home > Sports > Top Stories PBA to honor ex commissioner Prieto

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Asia’s first play-for-pay league will pay tribute to former commissioner Leo Prieto.

The PBA has set the event before the annual Leo Awards, the ceremony named after the league’s founding commissioner before Game 4 of the 2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference Finals.

“This is a tribute to the man whose unselfish efforts and guidance made the PBA what it is today. I hope the fans could come early to join us in this special occasion," said PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.

Barrios will open the event with a welcome speech which will be followed by a testimonial from “Mr. PBA" himself, former senator Robert “Sonny" Jaworski.

Prieto served as PBA commissioner during the league’s early years initiating its initial success from 1975-82.

Invited to the affair are the league’s board of governors, former commissioners and Prieto’s family.

A video that highlights Prieto’s successful stint in the league will also be shown.

A “Leo Trophy" will also be presented to his family while the final horn will buzz for 30 seconds as a tribute to Prieto.

The PBA was set to celebrate its 34th anniversary last April 9 when Prieto died two days prior to the occasion. – GMANews.TV


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Fiesta Cup season MVP known Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines – The player who will succeed Kelly Williams as the next Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) most valuable player (MVP) will be known Wednesday night when the league announces the winner before the Fiesta Cup’s Game 4.

Naming the Fiesta Cup PBA MVP will be the highlight of the Leo Prieto Awards Night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Leading the way in the wide-open race is Barangay Ginebra’s JayJay Helterbrand.

Williams edged out Arwind Santos last year in bagging the league’s coveted individual award.

Also contesting for the MVP plum are Dondon Hontiveros of San Miguel Beer, Mac-Mac Cardona of Talk ‘N Text, Alaska’s Willie Miller and Santos of Burger King.

Helterbrand was recently adjudged as the best player of the conference (BPC), the same award won by Miller in the Philippine Cup. Cardona, on the other hand, was the Finals MVP when the Tropang Texters conquered the season-opening tournament without imports.

Also on tap in the near two-hour ceremonies are the announcement of winners in the rookie of the year (ROY), sportsmanship, and most improved player categories and members of the first and second Mythical Teams and the All-Defensive Team. – GMANews.TV


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ALL MY LIFE July 06, 2009 Episode

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Josh Barnett Says He Is Not Scared Of Fedor Emelianenko

Josh Barnett talks to MMAOpinion about his upcoming match up on August 1st with heavyweight kingpin Fedor Emelianenko:

“You know what? I don’t care [about being a big under dog] because there’s plenty of times I’ve fought people where everybody thought I was going to win. It’s not what everybody thinks … I’m not scared. So many other people get in the ring and clearly they’re scared … I’ve got the skill set required at any aspect where I can win the fight. I believe in it. I’m not going in there thinking I’ve got to do one thing or the other. I know when opportunities are there I can take them and win, and I believe in what I’m doing.”
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Pacquiao Unable To Grab October Date For Cotto Fight

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao who was scheduled to leave for Los Angeles Tuesday night to shoot a Nike commercial with NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, can’t get an October date for his planned fight against WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Konz told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that he had spoken to Pacquiao and informed him that “we are not going to have a choice because we don’t have a TV date and we also need ample time to promote the fight.”

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum had earlier indicated he had a November 14 date for the Pacquiao-Cotto showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Arum is currently not in the US having gone to London for a meeting with plans of visiting Israel after that.

Koncz said he has the proposal with him and Pacquiao will get a chance to study it while he is in the US and then begin negotiations. Koncz said Top Rank will “put a decent offer on the table and more likely than not Manny will reject it and then negotiate a little bit.” However, Pacquiao’s adviser added “we are in the same ballpark. Its up to Manny but I think we can make it happen.”

Pacquiao is eager to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr should he win against Juan Manuel Marquez in their September 18 clash at the MGM Grand. There have been reports of efforts to quietly negotiate a fight with Mayweather, the former pound-for-pound king prior the May elections in the Philippines where Pacquiao plans to run for the lone congressional seat in Sarangani province in Mindanao.

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Watch R. W. Jones Cup 2009 Live Stream | Team Pilipinas Jones Cup Live

Watch the Live Stream of 2009 W. Jones Cup starting July 18, 2009. Click READ MORE to view the live feed.



WATCH JONES CUP VIA PPSTREAM
1. Download and install PPstream from Here.
2. Wait 3-5 min to end of buffering.
3. IE and Firefox only!
4. This channel link:address
(Click to play in PPStream client)


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2009 Jones Cup men’s competition schedule

2009 Jones Cup men’s competition schedule

July 18
1100 Iran-Kazakhstan
1300 Taiwan 2nd-South Africa
1500 Jordan-Philippines
1700 Korea-Lebanon
1900 Opening Ceremony
1930 Taiwan-Japan

July 19
1100 South Africa-Jordan
1300 Japan-Iran
1500 Kazakhstan-Korea
1700 Lebanon-Taiwan 2nd
1900 Philippines-Taiwan

CLICK READ MORE TO VIEW THE FULL LIST OF COMPETITION SCHEDULE

July 20
1100 South Africa-Japan
1300 Iran-Jordan
1500 Philippines-Lebanon
1700 Taiwan 2nd-Korea
1900 Taiwan-Kazakhstan

July 21
1100 Korea-South Africa
1300 Kazakhstan-Taiwan 2nd
1500 Japan-Philippines
1700 Lebanon-Iran
1900 Jordan-Taiwan

July 22
1100 Lebanon-Japan
1300 South Africa-Kazakhstan
1500 Taiwan 2nd-Jordan
1700 Philippines-Korea
1900 Taiwan-Iran

July 23
1100 Kazakhstan-Lebanon
1300 Iran-Philippines
1500 Korea-Jordan
1700 Japan-Taiwan 2nd
1900 South Africa-Taiwan

July 24
1100 Taiwan 2nd-Iran
1300 Philippines-South Africa
1500 Jordan-Kazakhstan
1700 Korea-Japan
1900 Taiwan-Lebanon

July 25
1100 Japan-Jordan
1300 Lebanon-South Africa
1500 Kazakhstan-Philippines
1700 Iran-Korea
1900 Taiwan 2nd-Taiwan

July 26
1100 Kazakhstan-Japan
1300 Jordan-Lebanon
1500 Taiwan-Korea
1700 Philippines-Taiwan 2nd
1900 South Africa-Iran
2130 Closing Ceremony

Competition format: Single round-robin
Venue: Sinjhuang Stadium, Taipei County

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ALL MY LIFE July 03, 2009 Episode

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Penalosa May Fight Again: Arce, De Leon or Morel?

FORMER two-time world champion Gerry Peñalosa is willing to fight again but he made it clear that he will only entertain an offer if there will be a world title on the line.

The 36-year old resident of Paranaque City in Metro Manila in the Philippines was offered to see action on the planned card of Top Rank and Solar Sports in either Araneta Coliseum or Ynares Center in Antipolo City on August 29, not at Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City as originally planned.

Penalosa (54-7-2, 36 KOs) confirmed in an exclusive interview yesterday that he was told to prepare for a possible bout, and the three possible options include a rematch against Daniel Ponce de Leon (36-7-2, 31 KOs) of Mexico, a clash against his fellow world champ Eric “Hands of Steel” Morel (41-2, 21 KOs) of Puerto Rico or a collision against another popular Mexican, Jorge “Travieso” Arce (52-5-1, 40 KOs).

“We’ll know the final decision on who will be my opponent next week,” said Penalosa. “I don’t have idea on who will be our next opponent. I only wanted to fight for a title fight.”

Penalosa fought four of his last five fights since 2007 for world championship bouts. He lost two of those bouts against De Leon and the current champion Juan Manuel “JuanMa” Lopez of Puerto Rico with the WBO super bantamweight title were on the lines.

The former WBC super flyweight champ and WBO bantamweight king revealed he keeps on training and staying fit.

“I’m always ready to fight. I maintain my weight at 128 pounds when I don’t have fight,” said Penalosa, who maintains a gym in Kalentong, Mandaluyong City .

DENVER CUELLO VS ERIK RAMIREZ; VILORIA VS LAZARTE

Bob Arum also wants IBF light flyweight champion Brian Viloria and WBC International minimumweight champ Denver Cuello to complete the cast of the planned three-title bout card.

Viloria (25-2, 15 KOs) has on-going negotiations for a title defense against 38-year old Alberto Lazarte (43-9-1, 18 KOs) of Argentina.

Cuello’s team picked Mexican Erik Ramirez, who lost on points in a title fight against WBO minimumweight champ Donnie Nietes in Oaxaca, Mexico .

Ramirez went down four times but managed to go the distance.

The card was originally planned to be staged at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City but Solar Sports executives believe, Manila or nearby province remains the more strategic venue for a huge boxing show.

This writer also reported that WBA No. 10 Drian “Gintong Kamao” Francisco (17-0, 13 KOs) wants to fight Arce on Sept. 6 at Cuneta Astrome in Pasay City after the Los Mochis-native improved his unblemished 6-0, 4 KOs record against Filipino opponents on June 27 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Francisco’s fight will be for the vacant WBA International super flyweight title.

Every Filipino wants to end Arce’s winning streak against Filipino fighters after he piled up a streak against Jovan Presbitero, Carmelo Caceres, Juanito Rubillar twice, Joma Gamboa and Fernando “Poe” Lumacad.

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Margarito Says The Weight Will Hurt Cotto With Pacquiao

Former three time welterweight champion Antonio Margarito told The Record that he believes the agreed upon catch-weight of 145-pounds will be an issue for WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto when he steps in the ring with Manny Pacquiao on November 14 in Las Vegas.

"I think that Cotto is giving away too many advantages to Pacquiao if the fight is done at 145 pounds and even more if fight were to happen at 143 like Pacquiao wants. From the very first round, that advantage would be for Pacquiao because [Cotto] would be dehydrated like Oscar De La Hoya [when he fought Pacquiao last December]," Margarito said.

Margarito is back in camp, training and staying in shape to keep his body ready for a quick ring return. He lost his license in February when the California State Athletic Commission found him liable for an illegal substance found in his hand wraps prior to the January 24 bout with Shane Mosley. Margarito's lawyers are fighting the decision by the CSAC and he hopes to get back in the ring before 2010.

"I am training for anything that comes up, any opportunity. [My lawyers] told me that they are going to speak me during the following week to give me a new r