Coaches agree Beermen have edge vs Kings

For its domineering performance in the classification round and against Burger King in the Final Four, the talent-laden San Miguel Beer has been picked as the prohibitive favorite over an injury-plagued Barangay Ginebra side in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Cup title playoff beginning tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.

“San Miguel has been the team that has played well all conference and that is the kind of team that is a safe pick. I think it would be SMB in five games,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone. “San Miguel has so much depth. I go for them in six games,” said Coca-Cola coach Kenneth Duremdes.
Coach Chot Reyes, taking a break from the Talk n Text team training in Las Vegas, also predicted an SMB triumph in six games. Although he feels it would be a close fight, Purefoods coach Ryan Reyes also had San Miguel as the slight pick in the best-of-seven series.
Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez, however, expects the titular showdown to go the full route although he refused to predict which team would win it.

“San Miguel has the edge in manpower but Ginebra could neutralize it with its tremendous crowd support. I think import strength, coaching, and desire to win are all equal,” said Fernandez.

For Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, the defending champion Kings remain the underdog in the series.

“We had to work our way up from a 2-5 start. We’re hounded by injuries. Good thing, we got some key acquisitions at midstream. Cyrus Baguio is a big addition to us,” said Uichico.
SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen admits he has more talented players in his roster but stressed that doesn’t guarantee success.

PFBL New Season Starts

The Premier Fil-Am Basketball League started the Summer season league last Saturday and Sunday with (3) separate venues in Holy Trinity in San Francisco, and War Memorial and Westlake Gym in Daly City. Several teams in six divisions were formed to compete, show their skills and aim to become divisional champions. The Open and Prime Divisions are played on Sundays, while all other Divisions are played on Saturdays.

Havocs Team playing in Grand Division, standing left to right: Rudy Lacson (Commissioner), Vic Viray, Benjie Suico, Tony Ocenada, Edgar Liongson, Danny Larosa, Ding Sustrina, Ramon Berania, Sal Samson. Kneeling: Rudy Labson, and Butch Reynoso.

Craver’s Delight playing in Grand Division, standing left to right: Jun Regalado, Alan Sanchez, Rey Revilloza, Eugene Navarete, Albert Javier, Jun Ocampo (Coach). Kneeling: Rey Valdez (Captain), Jojo Cielo, Boyet Balla, and Ernesto Sajo.

There was a huge crowd in attendance to see their loved ones play and enjoy their love of basketball. Sweat dripped from the players’ bodies just like the Gatorade and Nike commercials. Determination in their faces showed how serious and competitive they were. There were a multitude of different uniforms, displaying different logos and designs.

With the start of the new season, PFBL welcomed the addition of 2 new divisions: The Shooting Stars and Grand Division. With these additions the league has now grown to 6 divisions:

Shooting Stars Dvision (15 and under)
Prime Division (19 and under)
Open Division (all ages)
Veterans Division (30 and over)
Master Division (35 and over)
Grand Divison (45 and over)

Players from the Shooting Stars division are fun to watch. These kids display amazing talent to show us all how bright the future is. Families and friends love to support the young ones and show their enthusiasm with cheers, and feet stomps on the bleachers. In the Grand Division, it’s amazing to see the more seasoned players running up and down the court. These players of course range from 45 years of age to a few players in the sixties. These guys are definitely an inspiration for all. Their motivation and energy is truly something that engages one to be more aware of health and wellness. Sure they have lost a few steps but their moves and their jump shots, as well as their overwhelming court savvy and presence are still there. “Hindi pa kami laos” (we haven’t lost our touch) yelled jubilantly by Jun Ocampo, playing coach of Craver’s Delight after beating my team Havocs. Enthusiasm and competitive drive brought them back to play the Pinoy favorite past time, basketball. – Rudy L. Lacson Anyone interested in sponsoring a team may visit our website at www.premierfil-amball.com or call (650) 84-9637.

UST dorm quarantined; 2 jins join RP Team

THE members of the University of Santo Tomas girls’ beach volleyball team will still be allowed to go to Singapore for the first Asian Youth Games despite ongoing quarantine procedures being implemented at the school’s varsity dormitory.

The decision to allow the beach volley players to travel was made even though a UST taekwondo jin had earlier tested positive of the A(H1N1) flu virus.

The case prompted school authorities to suspend practices of all varsity squads for the next 10 days, starting last Tuesday as it shut down the athletes’ quarters.
The suspension put UST’s preparation for the coming season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines on hold.

Athletes staying in the university’s dormitory have been isolated and quarantined, according to members of the school’s varsity coaching staff, who requested anonymity.

Still, 5’7” high school standout Eliza Valdez and 5’6” Kim Fajardo, were allowed by the UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics to join the national contingent since the two have not shown any sign of illness, or any symptom of dreaded flu.

The two spikers will fly to Singapore on June 30, three days before the lapse of the 10-day quarantine period imposed on athletes who are staying at the UST dormitory.

“Please continue praying for the athletes at sana ay wala nang madamay pang iba,” said chef de mission and National Police Sr. Supt. Cesar Binag before he left for Singapore yesterday.

Manny, not Cotto, will dictate terms, weight

It’s Manny Pacquiao, and not Miguel Cotto, who should dictate the terms of their projected showdown later this year. “It’s up to Pacman,” said lawyer Franklin Gacal yesterday amid reports that trainer Freddie Roach has agreed to 145 lb as the catchweight for the anticipated showdown in Las Vegas. Gacal said a couple of days ago that they want Cotto, the WBO welterweight champion, to go down to 142 or 143 lb for the fight, scheduled Oct. 17 at the MGM, to happen. Roach said the other day he’s fine with 145 lb, adding that he doesn’t even care of the Puerto Rican champion who hasn’t fought under 145 in his last eight fights, weighs as much as 200 lb. Gacal said with due respect to Roach, whatever the three-time Trainer of the Year said is not the boxer’s official stand on the weighty issue. Pacquiao’s legal adviser said it’s Pacquiao who will have the final say even if the reigning pound-for-pound champion said last Monday he’d fight Cotto at any weight they agree on. “Kahit ano (Whatever),” he said repeatedly. Then he retracted by saying everything is being discussed right now, including the purse split which could go 70/30 or 65/35 in Pacquiao’s favor. Cotto, at 28 two years younger than Pacquiao, said he can’t go lower than 145 lb just to face the Filipino icon and stake his 147 lb crown, which he barely defended against Josh Clottey. “Cotto will have the upperhand if he gets the 145. He’s younger, he’s bigger and he’s a natural welterweight,” said Gacal, adding that Pacquiao has only fought once over 145. “Manny should be the one dictating the terms. Otherwise, it’s crazy,” said the lawyer. Pacquiao said he wants to fight on Oct. 17 as previously announced, and not on Nov. 14 as promoter Bob Arum wants, citing the World Series in October as the main reason for the change. (PHILSTAR)

Pacquiao got advance from TV network

By Ronnie Nathanielsz, Manila Standard Today

MANNY Pacquiao asked for and received a substantial amount of money as an advance from broadcast network ABS-CBN after he signed an agreement giving the network the telecast rights for his May 2 fight with Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Standard Today, www.insidesports.ph and Viva Sports learned about the advance amid indications that Pacquiao repeated what he did when he first signed up with Golden Boy Promotions, received $500,000, including $250,000 in cash from Oscar de la Hoya and just as quickly turned around and signed a contract with Top Rank Promotions for which he reportedly received $1 million.

On Thursday, Pacquiao announced on ABS-CBN that he was moving to the network, which aired some of his previous fights and gave him $4 million to bankroll his fight against Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum.

But he had a change of heart after a meeting with Solar Sports president Wilson Tieng and chief operating officer Peter Chanliong, as well as lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal, Canadian adviser Michael Koncz and business manager Eric Pineda, among others.

While it was Pacquiao, who personally announced that he had approached ABS-CBN, which was confirmed by Solar Sports vice president for marketing Jude Turcuarto on the Saturday afternoon show of former Senator Freddie Webb on dzMM, it was Gacal who made the announcement on TV regarding his change of heart.

Flanked by Koncz and Pineda, Gacal read Pacquiao’s statement, where he apologized to his fans for the confusion caused by his flip-flopping.

In fact, Gacal informed ABS-CBN vice president for Sports Peter Musngi that Pacquiao wanted to meet with him to personally apologize, and perhaps, return the money, but as of press time, the meeting had not taken place. Pacquiao wanted the ABS-CBN executive to go to his Palazzo apartment which, at that time, was crowded with people from Solar Sports, GMA-7 and the people who usually hang around him.

Malacañang entered the picture as Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, in an interview over radio station dzBB, said: “We are all fans of Pacquiao. He has given much honor to the country. He has become a unifying factor. I am glad our friend has settled the matter with Solar Sports.”

Meantime, conditioning expert Alex Ariza laughed off claims that Pacquiao had a hard time against Jorge Linares last Thursday and said they wished the World Boxing Association champion would give him a good workout but he didn’t.

Pacman blames ABS-CBN

As seen on Philstar.com

Manny Pacquiao yesterday claimed that the news video aired by ABS-CBN, which showed him rescinding his contract with Solar Sports, was not supposed to have been shown at all.
Pacquiao said he did not want to go on air and announce that he has switched back to ABS-CBN until it was established that his contract with Solar, good from 2007 until 2011, had indeed been violated.

“Ginawa namin yung video statement basta ang usapan itatago lang at hindi muna ilalabas (We did it based on the agreement that it was for embargo),” said Pacquiao in a phone patch from LA.
“Ayoko muna gumawa sana ng video. Sabi ko titingnan ko pa ang Solar contract kung may violation nga (I didn’t want to make a video because I wanted to see first if my contract was violated).

GMA Network chairman and chief executive officer Felipe Gozon (third from left) welcomes the decision of Manny Pacquiao to honor his contract with Solar Sports and GMA-7 during yesterday’s press conference at the GMA building. Others in photo are (from left) Solar Sports COO Peter Chanliong, Solar Sports chair William Tieng, and GMA Networl EVP and COO Gilberto Duavit, Jr.

“Walang violation so hindi dapat nilabas. Abugado nila ang gumawa ng statement (There was no violation so it shouldn’t have been shown. Their (ABS-CBN) lawyer prepared that statement,” said Pacquiao.

What’s quite ironic, if Pacquiao’s latest statement is true, was that he once again appeared over ABS-CBN last Friday, saying, “My decision is still the same. Watch my fight with Ricky Hatton on ABS-CBN.”

ABS-CBN later announced it wouldn’t make a statement, according to network executive Kane Choa. The other day, the station said it was letting go of Pacquiao.

“Is there anything new? I thought we’ve let go (of Pacquiao) as per yesterday’s statement. But from what I know it was Pacquiao who dictated the timing (of the news video),” said an ABS-CBN insider.

“Manny Pacquiao approached ABS-CBN to be his media partner in airing his next fights. We thank him for trusting us. He signed a contract with us, but we will not stand in the way if he decides to change his mind. We respect it (Pacquiao’s decision to honor the Solar contract), wish him good luck and we wait to hear from him,” said ABS-CBN in a statement the other day.

The video, shot in the balcony of Pacquiao’s LA apartment, was aired Wednesday evening over ABS-CBN, and triggered a very heated argument between ABS-CBN and Solar/GMA-7.
In that video, Pacquiao said Solar erred in delivering part of his payment for his May 2 fight with Ricky Hatton, so he decided to rescind the contract and switch back to ABS-CBN.

“After a thorough thinking, I have decided to approach ABS-CBN and I have decided to renew my partnership with them. This is my own decision,” said Pacquiao in the news video.

“Sabi ko sa kanila huwag muna kami gumawa ng video pero sabi nila ‘gumawa na tayo pero itatago muna namin ( I told them let’s not make a video but they said we go ahead and keep it for the meantime),’” said Pacquiao without saying whom he was talking to on behalf of ABS-CBN.
Faced with a legal battle with Solar Sports and GMA-7, which may take years and cost him millions, Pacquiao recanted his statement last Saturday after he established that his contract was not violated.

“Everybody makes mistakes. Again, I apologize. What I learned from this is that I’m wiser now than yesterday,” said Pacquiao, drawing laughter from those listening to the phone-patch interview.

“Next time I will really think it over and not get carried away by emotions,” he said during a press conference at the Skyline Restaurant on the 17th floor of the GMA-7 Bldg. along Edsa.
He assured everyone that the incident won’t happen again.
In attendance were GMA-7 chairman and chief executive officer Atty. Felipe Gozon, chief operating officer Gilberto Duavit, Solar COO Peter Chanliong, and chairman William Tieng.

“It’s time to move forward. It’s all in our hopes that Manny Pacquiao triumphs in his coming fight,” Duavit said.GMA Network also said it welcomed the decision of Pacquiao to retract his earlier announcement and honor his contract with Solar Sports.

A profile of a young Warriors of great potential — Anthony Randolph

By Angelo Merino

Oakland, CA—At 6’ 10", 205lbs, Anthony Randolph, Born: Jul 15, 1989 in Wurzbach, West Germany at 19 is the youngest player in the NBA today. On June 26, 2008, Randolph was the 14th pick by the Golden State Warriors. In his very first professional game, playing in the Summer League for the Golden State Warriors, Anthony Randolph scored 30 points on 12-18 shooting, made 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and blocked 2 shots.

Randolph went to school in Pasadena, California, and Little Rock, Arkansas, before coming to Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas as a junior. Playing for Pat Washington at Woodrow Wilson, he averaged 25.8 points per game and 12.6 rebounds as a senior. He was named to the first team All-Area Dallas Morning News boys basketball team and had 21 points in the 2007 Round-ball Classic in Chicago.

In college, Randolph made an impact on the court immediately, as he had six blocks in just the third game of his freshman season. He was the only LSU Tiger to start all 31 games. Although the team ended up with a 13-18 record, Randolph finished strong, averaging 20.1 points during the last nine games.

Although Anthony has a long way to go on this league, he is being compared to players whom the leagues considered amongst most exciting player on the court today. His high-energy blocks and acrobatic dunks keeps spectators off their feet and alert for what more daring moves he is going to do next. Anthony is getting much more confident and accurate in his perimeter shots too. He is a player of great potential.

My prediction, if Anthony will stay with Golden State, free from injury and of the same tutelage from Coach Nelson, Smart, Jackson, etc., he will be a player that teams be closely guarding and will not be long to be a member of the all star team—NBA.

NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)