(ThyBlackMan.com) Bob Arum of Top Rank lashed out at unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. yesterday in an interview, saying that it’s Floyd Mayweather Jr who doesn’t want to make the fight happen with Arum’s fighter WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao.
Arum said to ESPNLosAngeles “What Floyd Mayweather Jr hates is Manny’s right hand. Mayweather has no chin and Manny will knock him out. Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr is a three or four round fight, period.”
Here’s my take on this: Floyd Mayweather Jr isn’t the least afraid of Pacquiao’s right hand because he doesn’t hit as hard as the last guy that Floyd Mayweather Jr beat WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz. Why would Mayweather be afraid to fight someone smaller, weaker and older than Ortiz?
No, Floyd Mayweather Jr isn’t afraid of fighting Pacquiao. But what he does want is for Pacquiao to agree to staying in the U.S to be available for Mayweather’s Olympic style random drug tests for the entire training camp and not having Manny Pacquiao be unavailable for the testing by spending half the training camp time in the Philippines. This is something that could be easily taken care of Pacquiao would simply say yes to staying in the U.S, but thus far it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.
Arum has a negative view on the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight ever happening, saying “That fight will never, ever happen.”
I think it’s up to Arum. If he wanted to make the Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao fight happen he could very, very quickly. Arum has got the ability to convince Pacquiao of practically I believe. If Arum pushed Pacquiao to stay in the U.S so that he could be tested for performance enhancing drugs, I think Manny Pacquiao would agree in a second. But it’s up to Arum. I personally think he doesn’t want Manny Pacquiao to fight Mayweather because the Manny Pacquiao gravy train could come to a screeching halt after Floyd Mayweather Jr humiliates Pacquiao in an embarrassingly one-sided loss.
A lopsided loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr would likely badly hurt Pacquiao in future PPV bouts, and I think Arum doesn’t want this. It’s easier to match Pacquiao up with old guys like 40-year-old Shane Mosley, 38-year-old Juan Manuel Marquez, as well as his Top Rank stable fighters Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey, and Timothy Bradley where there’s not much danger. At the same time, Arum, trainer Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao can throw out Mayweather’s name every once in a while and say he doesn’t want to fight. That way boxing fans will put the blame on Floyd Mayweather Jr instead of looking at Manny Pacquiao and his management as the reason the fight hasn’t been made.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Underdog Boxing: $100,000 bounty on Donaire's head
Top Rank is taking steps to ensure that the travesty that was Nonito Donaire versus Omar Narvaez will not happen again. A ton of blame went their way because of the horrible fight and it is good to know that they are taking steps to prevent the same thing from happening.
Their solution is to promise a 100,000 dollar on Donaire’s head and, truth be told, they should do the same for Manny Pacquiao. Because Pacquiao and Donaire are known for their devastating power, some of their opponents choose to not fight back as an act of self-preservation. If they fight back, chances are they will get beaten to a bloody pulp and lose. If they choose not to fight back, they will still lose but they skip through that nasty business of getting beaten to a bloody pulp bit, which also means they will enjoy their purse better after the fight.
Freddie Roach has employed the same tactic for Pacquiao’s sparring sessions. He always has 1,000 dollars in his pocket, ready to give it away to anyone who would knock Pacquiao down. It is a good amount of money and Pacquiao’s sparring partners have all tried extra hard to push him harder for a shot at the money.
It seems to be a band-aid fix as the best solution is still to choose only those fighters who will now stop fighting but this will have to do for Donaire right now. It’s a good PR move from Top Rank’s part as it will at least show the pissed off fans that they are doing something to rectify the error.
Donaire who was quoted saying that he was bored during the fight had positive things to say about the bounty. “(I’m) excited about the future matchups considering the $100k bounty on my head. Great to be working on the same path as Top Rank Boxing," he said.
Another reason for him to be happy is that he’ll have the equal opportunity to get the money. The 100,000 dollars will be a “win" bonus, meaning the winner will get the money on top of the guaranteed purse. This is currently being done in the UFC and its’ not clear yet if a knockout is required to get the bonus.
Now that Top Rank and Donaire are moving on from the embarrassing event last week, they are looking at three possible opponents for Donaire’s debut at 122. The always entertaining WBO junior featherweight beltholder Jorge Arce (58-6-1, 44 KOs), WBC super bantamweight titleholder Toshiaki Nishioka (39-4-3, 24 KOs), and Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (20-1-1, 17 KOs) are all viable opponents.
Arce seems like the most logical pick as the world knows he does not stop punching. It will be a very good comeback and it will surely wash away the bad taste that Narvaez left. He is signed with Top Rank and the fight will be very easy to make.
Vasquez is also a possible opponent. Although he lost to Arce, he still is a threat in the super bantamweight division. He is scheduled for a comeback fight and if he wins that convincingly, it may convince Top Rank to book him as Donaire’s debut at 122.
However, a fight against Nishioka, who’s coming of the biggest win of his career by beating Rafael Marquez, is the better match-up. The Japanese champion is a lanky fighter and is as tall as Donaire. If Donaire wants to make a statement, he should go for the current top dog of the division.
The Narvaez fight was supposed to signal Donaire’s emergence as one of the very best in the sport but an unwilling opponent prevented it from happening. If Donaire still wants to stake his claim as one of the best, he should do away fight tune-up fights to get himself acclimated to the super bantamweight division. - OMG, GMA News
Their solution is to promise a 100,000 dollar on Donaire’s head and, truth be told, they should do the same for Manny Pacquiao. Because Pacquiao and Donaire are known for their devastating power, some of their opponents choose to not fight back as an act of self-preservation. If they fight back, chances are they will get beaten to a bloody pulp and lose. If they choose not to fight back, they will still lose but they skip through that nasty business of getting beaten to a bloody pulp bit, which also means they will enjoy their purse better after the fight.
Freddie Roach has employed the same tactic for Pacquiao’s sparring sessions. He always has 1,000 dollars in his pocket, ready to give it away to anyone who would knock Pacquiao down. It is a good amount of money and Pacquiao’s sparring partners have all tried extra hard to push him harder for a shot at the money.
It seems to be a band-aid fix as the best solution is still to choose only those fighters who will now stop fighting but this will have to do for Donaire right now. It’s a good PR move from Top Rank’s part as it will at least show the pissed off fans that they are doing something to rectify the error.
Donaire who was quoted saying that he was bored during the fight had positive things to say about the bounty. “(I’m) excited about the future matchups considering the $100k bounty on my head. Great to be working on the same path as Top Rank Boxing," he said.
Another reason for him to be happy is that he’ll have the equal opportunity to get the money. The 100,000 dollars will be a “win" bonus, meaning the winner will get the money on top of the guaranteed purse. This is currently being done in the UFC and its’ not clear yet if a knockout is required to get the bonus.
Now that Top Rank and Donaire are moving on from the embarrassing event last week, they are looking at three possible opponents for Donaire’s debut at 122. The always entertaining WBO junior featherweight beltholder Jorge Arce (58-6-1, 44 KOs), WBC super bantamweight titleholder Toshiaki Nishioka (39-4-3, 24 KOs), and Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (20-1-1, 17 KOs) are all viable opponents.
Arce seems like the most logical pick as the world knows he does not stop punching. It will be a very good comeback and it will surely wash away the bad taste that Narvaez left. He is signed with Top Rank and the fight will be very easy to make.
Vasquez is also a possible opponent. Although he lost to Arce, he still is a threat in the super bantamweight division. He is scheduled for a comeback fight and if he wins that convincingly, it may convince Top Rank to book him as Donaire’s debut at 122.
However, a fight against Nishioka, who’s coming of the biggest win of his career by beating Rafael Marquez, is the better match-up. The Japanese champion is a lanky fighter and is as tall as Donaire. If Donaire wants to make a statement, he should go for the current top dog of the division.
The Narvaez fight was supposed to signal Donaire’s emergence as one of the very best in the sport but an unwilling opponent prevented it from happening. If Donaire still wants to stake his claim as one of the best, he should do away fight tune-up fights to get himself acclimated to the super bantamweight division. - OMG, GMA News
Alaska eyes first victory
Games today:
Araneta Coliseum
5:30 p.m.- Alaska vs. Meralco
7:45 p.m.- Talk ‘N Text vs. Petron
THE LISTLESS Alaska Aces face a dangerous opponent in their quest to finally end their misery as they play the Meralco Bolts in today’s first game of the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
In the main game, the defending champions Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters and the Petron Blaze Boosters play against each other in a rematch of last conference’s championship showdown.
Alaska is one of the two teams that have yet to win in the tournament, sporting a 0-4 (win-loss) card. The lowly Shopinas.com Clickers are the other winless squad with a 0-5 slate.
Alaska has yet to win under new head coach Joel Banal and is fresh from their worst defeat in franchise history after they got mangled by the league-leading Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 84-120, last Sunday.
The pressure to stop their slide is mouting for the Aces and they are hoping that their off-season success against the Bolts will give them the needed boost going into today’s game.
The Aces defeated the Bolts, 67-61, last Sept. 24 during the Cebu City Mayor`s Cup Invitational Games and also logged an 82-80 win against the same team in a tune-up game last Sept. 17.
The Bolts are looking for a good follow-up of their impressive 80-70 trashing of the erstwhile unbeaten Petron Blaze Boosters. That was Meralco’s third win in five games.
Petron tries to rebound from that loss against the Texters, who are looking some sort of revenge.
The Texters lost to the Blazers in the Governor’s Cup Finals that denied them what could have been a rare grand slam accomplishment.
Both teams sport 3-1 records, joing the Barako Bull Energy at second place behind the 4-1 Rain or Shine.
Talk ‘N Text is fresh from a gripping 96-94 win over the B-Meg Llamados. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA
Araneta Coliseum
5:30 p.m.- Alaska vs. Meralco
7:45 p.m.- Talk ‘N Text vs. Petron
THE LISTLESS Alaska Aces face a dangerous opponent in their quest to finally end their misery as they play the Meralco Bolts in today’s first game of the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
In the main game, the defending champions Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters and the Petron Blaze Boosters play against each other in a rematch of last conference’s championship showdown.
Alaska is one of the two teams that have yet to win in the tournament, sporting a 0-4 (win-loss) card. The lowly Shopinas.com Clickers are the other winless squad with a 0-5 slate.
Alaska has yet to win under new head coach Joel Banal and is fresh from their worst defeat in franchise history after they got mangled by the league-leading Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 84-120, last Sunday.
The pressure to stop their slide is mouting for the Aces and they are hoping that their off-season success against the Bolts will give them the needed boost going into today’s game.
The Aces defeated the Bolts, 67-61, last Sept. 24 during the Cebu City Mayor`s Cup Invitational Games and also logged an 82-80 win against the same team in a tune-up game last Sept. 17.
The Bolts are looking for a good follow-up of their impressive 80-70 trashing of the erstwhile unbeaten Petron Blaze Boosters. That was Meralco’s third win in five games.
Petron tries to rebound from that loss against the Texters, who are looking some sort of revenge.
The Texters lost to the Blazers in the Governor’s Cup Finals that denied them what could have been a rare grand slam accomplishment.
Both teams sport 3-1 records, joing the Barako Bull Energy at second place behind the 4-1 Rain or Shine.
Talk ‘N Text is fresh from a gripping 96-94 win over the B-Meg Llamados. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA
Fiba Asia U16: PH Youth bows to Korea, ends world berth bid
Vietnam—A familiar basketball nemesis dealt the Philippines another heartbreak.
The Energen Pilipinas Under-16 team’s bid for a historic world berth came to an end as South Korea handed the young Nationals its first loss, 67-58, in the Fiba Asia U16 semifinals Thursday night at the Khanh Hoa Sports Center here.
In a run fueled by Henry Asilum, the Philippines came within a basket twice, the last at 58-60, after trailing by as many as 13 points, 44-57 in the second half.
But Korea held the Philippines scoreless in the final six minutes as the young Nationals also started missing even at close range.
Asilum and Jay Alejandro paced the Philippines with 12 points each.
The loss relegated the Philippines to a bronze-medal battle against Japan on Friday afternoon.
Hoon Heo torched the Philippines with a game-high 22 points, while Nakhyeon Kim and Gookchan Kim had 16 points apiece.
Heo, son of the legendary Hur Jae, drilled seven points in a 12-2 tear that gave Korea its first double-digit advantage, 37-27, after a deadlock at 25 late in the first half.
The hot-shooting Koreans continued to sizzle in the third period, extending the lead to as many as 13 points, 57-44.
Defending champion China, the only unbeaten team in seven games, and South Korea will dispute the crown Friday in a rematch of the 2009 edition’s championship.
Both finalists will represent Asia in the 2012 Fiba U17 World Championship from July 17 to 26 in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Boasting a pair of seven-footers, China downed Japan, 82-43, in the other semifinal match last night.
A win by the young Nationals could have been historic as no other Philippine basketball team in any division has reached the World Championship for over 30 years.
Manila’s hosting of the 1978 Fiba Worlds was the last time a Philippine team reached this lofty stage, where American coach Ron Jacobs steered the country to an eighth-place finish.
An all-amateur National squad (National Consolidated Cement) also qualified in the Worlds after topping the 1985 Asian Championship in Kuala Lumpur, but the team disbanded due to the 1986 People Power.
The boys’ loss added to the many heartbreaks that South Korea dealt the Philippines in past international campaigns.
Just last month, Korea pulled off an incredible come-from-behind win over Smart Gilas Pilipinas, 70-68, in the battle for the bronze in the Fiba Asia Men’s Championship in Wuhan, China.
The Philippines also had a meltdown in the 2002 Asian Games where Olsen Racela—now the youth team’s coach–bungled two crucial free throws before Lee Sang-min buried a triple at the buzzer that spoiled the country’s bid to advance to the gold-medal match against China.
The seeming jinx continued in the 2009 Fiba Asia in Tianjin, China where the Nationals blew the lead and lost seventh place to the Koreans.
Last year, Smart Gilas also absorbed a Korean setback in the quarterfinals of the Guangzhou Asian Games.
“I reminded the players that I’ve played Korea in the past, I’ve seen them play our recent teams and we know we cant relax,” Racela said the night before his team’s crucial match.
“This Korean team is no different from the others. Their three-point shot is a big factor, that’s what we have to contain.”
Before the Korean loss, the young Nationals were on a a six-game roll, the last an 82-69 stunner over West Asian champion Iraq in the quarterfinals.
An upset over Japan (83-72) also capped the team’s 5-0 sweep of the first two rounds.
The Philippines, the reigning champion in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (Seaba), routed Indonesia (93-30) and Vietnam (111-25) in the preliminaries, before cruising past Qatar (107-28) and Saudi Arabia (100-42) in the second round.
The scores:
SOUTH KOREA 67–Heo 22, Kim N. 16, Kim G. 16, Kim M. 7, Lee 2, Yun 2, Park 2, Koh 0, Shin 0,
PHILIPPINES 58—Asilum 12, Alejandro 12, Javelosa 7, Diputado 6, Ramos 6, Rivero 6, Cani 5, Lao 4, Heading 0.
Quarters: 19-21, 37-29, 58-50, 67-58
The Energen Pilipinas Under-16 team’s bid for a historic world berth came to an end as South Korea handed the young Nationals its first loss, 67-58, in the Fiba Asia U16 semifinals Thursday night at the Khanh Hoa Sports Center here.
In a run fueled by Henry Asilum, the Philippines came within a basket twice, the last at 58-60, after trailing by as many as 13 points, 44-57 in the second half.
But Korea held the Philippines scoreless in the final six minutes as the young Nationals also started missing even at close range.
Asilum and Jay Alejandro paced the Philippines with 12 points each.
The loss relegated the Philippines to a bronze-medal battle against Japan on Friday afternoon.
Hoon Heo torched the Philippines with a game-high 22 points, while Nakhyeon Kim and Gookchan Kim had 16 points apiece.
Heo, son of the legendary Hur Jae, drilled seven points in a 12-2 tear that gave Korea its first double-digit advantage, 37-27, after a deadlock at 25 late in the first half.
The hot-shooting Koreans continued to sizzle in the third period, extending the lead to as many as 13 points, 57-44.
Defending champion China, the only unbeaten team in seven games, and South Korea will dispute the crown Friday in a rematch of the 2009 edition’s championship.
Both finalists will represent Asia in the 2012 Fiba U17 World Championship from July 17 to 26 in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Boasting a pair of seven-footers, China downed Japan, 82-43, in the other semifinal match last night.
A win by the young Nationals could have been historic as no other Philippine basketball team in any division has reached the World Championship for over 30 years.
Manila’s hosting of the 1978 Fiba Worlds was the last time a Philippine team reached this lofty stage, where American coach Ron Jacobs steered the country to an eighth-place finish.
An all-amateur National squad (National Consolidated Cement) also qualified in the Worlds after topping the 1985 Asian Championship in Kuala Lumpur, but the team disbanded due to the 1986 People Power.
The boys’ loss added to the many heartbreaks that South Korea dealt the Philippines in past international campaigns.
Just last month, Korea pulled off an incredible come-from-behind win over Smart Gilas Pilipinas, 70-68, in the battle for the bronze in the Fiba Asia Men’s Championship in Wuhan, China.
The Philippines also had a meltdown in the 2002 Asian Games where Olsen Racela—now the youth team’s coach–bungled two crucial free throws before Lee Sang-min buried a triple at the buzzer that spoiled the country’s bid to advance to the gold-medal match against China.
The seeming jinx continued in the 2009 Fiba Asia in Tianjin, China where the Nationals blew the lead and lost seventh place to the Koreans.
Last year, Smart Gilas also absorbed a Korean setback in the quarterfinals of the Guangzhou Asian Games.
“I reminded the players that I’ve played Korea in the past, I’ve seen them play our recent teams and we know we cant relax,” Racela said the night before his team’s crucial match.
“This Korean team is no different from the others. Their three-point shot is a big factor, that’s what we have to contain.”
Before the Korean loss, the young Nationals were on a a six-game roll, the last an 82-69 stunner over West Asian champion Iraq in the quarterfinals.
An upset over Japan (83-72) also capped the team’s 5-0 sweep of the first two rounds.
The Philippines, the reigning champion in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (Seaba), routed Indonesia (93-30) and Vietnam (111-25) in the preliminaries, before cruising past Qatar (107-28) and Saudi Arabia (100-42) in the second round.
The scores:
SOUTH KOREA 67–Heo 22, Kim N. 16, Kim G. 16, Kim M. 7, Lee 2, Yun 2, Park 2, Koh 0, Shin 0,
PHILIPPINES 58—Asilum 12, Alejandro 12, Javelosa 7, Diputado 6, Ramos 6, Rivero 6, Cani 5, Lao 4, Heading 0.
Quarters: 19-21, 37-29, 58-50, 67-58
Mayweather cleared of harassment charges
Justice Diana Sullivan ruled in favour of the fighter, saying she was not convinced that homeowner association security guards Aaron Ryan and Miguel Burgos feared for their safety last October in a squabble over parking tickets.
Mayweather, 34, faced up to a year in jail and a $US2000 ($A1930) fine if convicted on both charges of threatening to call in gunmen to confront guards who ticketed cars parked near his home in violation of neighbourhood rules.
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Mayweather, 42-0 with 26 knockouts inside the ring, must face two more court tests that could result in time behind bars.
A November 4 trial is set for Mayweather on an unrelated battery complaint accusing the boxer of poking a different security guard in the face during another dispute over parking tickets. Mayweather has pleaded not guilty.
Mayweather is scheduled to appear at a December 21 evidence hearing on felony charges of grand larceny, coercion and robbery from a domestic dispute with former girlfriend Josie Harris and two of their children in September last year.
Mayweather, whose attorneys have denied any wrongdoing by their client, faces up to 34 years in prison if convicted of striking and threatening Harris, stealing her mobile phone and threatening their children.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/boxing/mayweather-cleared-of-harassment-charges-20111027-1mm2m.html#ixzz1bzZKufHg
NBA lockout: Owners, players focus on fixing system issues
NBA Commissioner David Stern smiled as he struggled recalling what day it was after wrapping up a 15-hour negotiating meeting early Thursday morning.
NBA Players Assn. executive director Billy Hunter smiled as he joked that players union vice president Maurice Evans should answer questions for him.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver smiled when Stern needled him for "allowing all hell to break loose" when he missed last week's contentious meeting because of flu symptoms.
National Basketball Players Assn. President Derek Fisher smiled when he acknowledged what he called a "slim" possibility both sides could salvage a full, albeit delayed 82-game season should they reach a deal by this weekend.
The reason for such a sudden mood change less than a week after talks broke off points to one simple reason: After reaching a stalemate on how to divide the basketball-related income, both sides instead talked about system issues. Neither side would quantify the exact progress. Stern still acknowledged the likelihood the league will scrap the games played in the last two weeks of the season. And he said, "There's no deal on anything, unless there's a deal on everything."
But the talks proved at least productive enough for another meeting to take place in New York at 2 p.m. EDT, with some optimism that Thursday's meeting will bring both sides closer to a deal.
That a 15-hour-long meeting resulting in only undefined progress on system issues would bear such optimism surely reflects on slowly the lockout has proceeded. But it also shows owners and players recognize that they were better served focusing on that area rather than on the basketball-related income.
After all, that issue caused last week's talks to end abruptly. The players union dropped their percentage from 53% to 52.5%, and even considered a bandwidth between 50%-53% depending on how much revenue the league accumulates. But Silver and San Antonio Spurs owner Peter Holt accused the players union of refusing to continue discussions unless they met their basketball-related income demands. Likewise, Hunter and Fisher accused the owners refusing to budge on a 50-50 split.
"If we had any hope of trying to recapture the lost games, we had to get back in and talk," Hunter told reporters. "So we parked the [basketball-related income] and talked about the system."
It's possible meetings will go sour as soon as both sides return to that issue. But for now, the strategy shift as at least has ensured more meetings, more agreements and more possibilities of brokering a deal.
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Royal rumble: PHL Cup titlist Texters take on 3rd conference tormentor Boosters
Expect a battle royale Friday night in the PBA Philippine Cup as defending champion Talk 'N Text and powerhouse Petron clash in a highly-anticipated encounter at the Araneta Coliseum.
The two teams go into the 7:30 p.m. game, a rematch of its classic Governors Cup Finals last season, carrying similar 3-1 (win-loss) slates in a tie for second place with surprising Barako Bull. The winner will join idle Rain or Shine (4-1) on top of the standings.
The Boosters are coming off their first loss in the tournament, an 80-70 setback against the Meralco Bolts. But not even that could take the shine out of a team that won its first three outings this season.
"It's a tough game with Petron fresh from a defeat," said Talk 'N Text coach Chot Reyes. "I still believe they're playing the best basketball in the league."
In contrast, the Tropang Texters escaped with a 96-94 win over the B-MEG Llamados in their last outing in a game that saw Jared Dillinger fire a career-high 31 points.
The match also saw Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag's return to Talk 'N Text’s active roster after missing the team’s first three games.
Williams heralded his return by firing 23 points, while Alapag hardly saw action after suffering an ankle sprain early in the match.
While Alapag remains a doubtful starter, Ranidel de Ocampo is still not ready to suit up for the Tropang Texters.
"Petron is playing above its talent, so we need to be at our best against them," added Reyes, whose bid to give the telecommunication franchise a Grand Slam ended with a heartbreaking loss to the Boosters in Game 7 of the Governors Cup Finals.
In the 5:15 p.m. curtain raiser, Meralco seeks a fitting follow up to its big win over Petron as it takes on winless Alaska.
The Bolts (3-2), however, is taking on the Aces with a lot of caution.
"Their 0-4 mark is not an indication of their roster power," said Meralco mentor Ryan Gregorio. "They are one of the elite teams in the league and they are bound to break out of the slump. We will do our best to prevent it."
The Aces suffered their worst defeat in their last game against Rain or Shine, a 120-84 rout.
"We are very cautious with our approach against Alaska. No way are we going to the game thinking that it is going to be a sure victory. We will definitely come out with a strong defensive mind-set similar to our approach when we battled the erstwhile unbeaten team Petron," said Gregorio. — JVP, GMA News
The two teams go into the 7:30 p.m. game, a rematch of its classic Governors Cup Finals last season, carrying similar 3-1 (win-loss) slates in a tie for second place with surprising Barako Bull. The winner will join idle Rain or Shine (4-1) on top of the standings.
The Boosters are coming off their first loss in the tournament, an 80-70 setback against the Meralco Bolts. But not even that could take the shine out of a team that won its first three outings this season.
"It's a tough game with Petron fresh from a defeat," said Talk 'N Text coach Chot Reyes. "I still believe they're playing the best basketball in the league."
In contrast, the Tropang Texters escaped with a 96-94 win over the B-MEG Llamados in their last outing in a game that saw Jared Dillinger fire a career-high 31 points.
The match also saw Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag's return to Talk 'N Text’s active roster after missing the team’s first three games.
Williams heralded his return by firing 23 points, while Alapag hardly saw action after suffering an ankle sprain early in the match.
While Alapag remains a doubtful starter, Ranidel de Ocampo is still not ready to suit up for the Tropang Texters.
"Petron is playing above its talent, so we need to be at our best against them," added Reyes, whose bid to give the telecommunication franchise a Grand Slam ended with a heartbreaking loss to the Boosters in Game 7 of the Governors Cup Finals.
In the 5:15 p.m. curtain raiser, Meralco seeks a fitting follow up to its big win over Petron as it takes on winless Alaska.
The Bolts (3-2), however, is taking on the Aces with a lot of caution.
"Their 0-4 mark is not an indication of their roster power," said Meralco mentor Ryan Gregorio. "They are one of the elite teams in the league and they are bound to break out of the slump. We will do our best to prevent it."
The Aces suffered their worst defeat in their last game against Rain or Shine, a 120-84 rout.
"We are very cautious with our approach against Alaska. No way are we going to the game thinking that it is going to be a sure victory. We will definitely come out with a strong defensive mind-set similar to our approach when we battled the erstwhile unbeaten team Petron," said Gregorio. — JVP, GMA News
Ginebra slips past Shopinas in overtime
MANILA, Philippines - For the second straight game, the Barangay Ginebra Kings overcame a late-game deficit to claim victory from the jaws of defeat, stunning the Shopinas.com Clickers, 94-90, in overtime Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Kings overcame a 5-point deficit in the final minute and forced an extra period, allowing Mark Caguiao to take charge and push his team to victory.
"I can't explain it. God's graces lang talaga, allowing us to get through," said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen in an interview with PBA.ph.
Jay-jay Helterbrand made a trifecta in the dying seconds of the game to force overtime.
"Broken play iyon. Jayjay was supposed to go somewhere else. Pero na-deny si Mark, and Jayjay had to take the shot," Tanquingcen said.
The win puts Ginebra at 5th place in the league standings with a 3-2 record, while Shopinas remains winless through 5 outings.
It was a sorry loss for the Clickers, who held a 79-74 advantage with 50 seconds left in the game, but RJ Jazul muffed his charities, allowing the Kings to get back in the game.
The Kings took control in overtime after Caguio and KG Canaleta conspired to boost Ginebra to an 86-79 lead.
The scores:
GINEBRA 94 - Intal 16, Caguioa 16, Villanueva 9, Helterbrand 9, Canaleta 8, W. Wilson 8, De Ocampo
7, Tubid 5, Cortez 5, Wilson J. 3, Cervantes 2, Labagala 2, Aquino 2, Menk 2.
SHOPINAS.COM 90 - Jazul 15, Espiritu 13, Hubalde 11, Sena 9, Canlas 7, Menor 7, Daa 6, Mirza 5,
Ritualo 5, Hermida 4, Aquino 4, Sison 2, Se 2.
Quarterscores: 24-15, 35-38, 55-55, 79-79, 94-90
Other Headlines
Shopinas seeks first win vs Ginebra
Barako beats Shopinas for share of No. 2
Caguioa, 5 others get fresh deals from Ginebra
Kings snatch win from brink
Cabagnot leads Petron past Barako Bull
Petron standouts to be feted by PBA Press Corps
The Kings overcame a 5-point deficit in the final minute and forced an extra period, allowing Mark Caguiao to take charge and push his team to victory.
"I can't explain it. God's graces lang talaga, allowing us to get through," said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen in an interview with PBA.ph.
Jay-jay Helterbrand made a trifecta in the dying seconds of the game to force overtime.
"Broken play iyon. Jayjay was supposed to go somewhere else. Pero na-deny si Mark, and Jayjay had to take the shot," Tanquingcen said.
The win puts Ginebra at 5th place in the league standings with a 3-2 record, while Shopinas remains winless through 5 outings.
It was a sorry loss for the Clickers, who held a 79-74 advantage with 50 seconds left in the game, but RJ Jazul muffed his charities, allowing the Kings to get back in the game.
The Kings took control in overtime after Caguio and KG Canaleta conspired to boost Ginebra to an 86-79 lead.
The scores:
GINEBRA 94 - Intal 16, Caguioa 16, Villanueva 9, Helterbrand 9, Canaleta 8, W. Wilson 8, De Ocampo
7, Tubid 5, Cortez 5, Wilson J. 3, Cervantes 2, Labagala 2, Aquino 2, Menk 2.
SHOPINAS.COM 90 - Jazul 15, Espiritu 13, Hubalde 11, Sena 9, Canlas 7, Menor 7, Daa 6, Mirza 5,
Ritualo 5, Hermida 4, Aquino 4, Sison 2, Se 2.
Quarterscores: 24-15, 35-38, 55-55, 79-79, 94-90
Other Headlines
Shopinas seeks first win vs Ginebra
Barako beats Shopinas for share of No. 2
Caguioa, 5 others get fresh deals from Ginebra
Kings snatch win from brink
Cabagnot leads Petron past Barako Bull
Petron standouts to be feted by PBA Press Corps
Floyd Sr. predicts Pacquiao victory over Marquez
Says only Floyd Jr. can beat 'Pacman'
MANILA, Philippines - Floyd Mayweather Sr. is predicting a victory for pound-for-pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao when the Filipino champion takes on Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"Marquez won't win this one," he said in a FightHype.com interview. "Marquez is gonna get his a** whooped. Marquez is gonna get the sh*t beat out of him."
Mayweather said that only one fighter right now is capable of beating Pacquiao - his son, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"Freddie Roach knows that Lil Floyd is the only fighter that can beat Pacquiao," he said.
The older Mayweather is also slamming Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, for saying that Floyd Jr. came out "slow and flat-footed" in his bout against Victor Ortiz last September 17.
"How the hell did Lil Floyd look slow when he hit Ortiz with anything he wanted to hit him with? He hit him with so many straight right hands and left hooks," Mayweather said.
Mayweather Sr. said he will try to attend Pacquiao-Marquez III. "I will try to make it out there. I like going to those fights," he said.
Other Headlines
Floyd told: Just call Manny to start fight talks
I can't force Floyd to fight me - Pacquiao
Marquez offended about possible Pac-Floyd fight
Floyd will keep making up excuses, says Khan
Pacquiao beats up Floyd's former sparring partner
MANILA, Philippines - Floyd Mayweather Sr. is predicting a victory for pound-for-pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao when the Filipino champion takes on Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"Marquez won't win this one," he said in a FightHype.com interview. "Marquez is gonna get his a** whooped. Marquez is gonna get the sh*t beat out of him."
Mayweather said that only one fighter right now is capable of beating Pacquiao - his son, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"Freddie Roach knows that Lil Floyd is the only fighter that can beat Pacquiao," he said.
The older Mayweather is also slamming Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, for saying that Floyd Jr. came out "slow and flat-footed" in his bout against Victor Ortiz last September 17.
"How the hell did Lil Floyd look slow when he hit Ortiz with anything he wanted to hit him with? He hit him with so many straight right hands and left hooks," Mayweather said.
Mayweather Sr. said he will try to attend Pacquiao-Marquez III. "I will try to make it out there. I like going to those fights," he said.
Other Headlines
Floyd told: Just call Manny to start fight talks
I can't force Floyd to fight me - Pacquiao
Marquez offended about possible Pac-Floyd fight
Floyd will keep making up excuses, says Khan
Pacquiao beats up Floyd's former sparring partner
It's final: Beckham's Galaxy to face Azkals
MANILA, Philippines — Roll out the red carpet for David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Robbie Keane.
The trio will be the stars of the Los Angeles Galaxy when the two-time Major League Soccer champion meets the Philippine Azkals in a friendly match on December 3 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
LA Galaxy President Thomas Payne said the face-off between the Galaxy and the Azkals, a team made up mainly of Filipinos who grew up in Europe and the United States, is a breakthrough for the development of the sport in the Philippines.
“We want to leave something behind,” said Payne during Thursday’s press conference at a hotel in Makati City, noting that visiting exotic locales like Manila “is part of what we do to promote the sport.”
Payne said the Galaxy stars will be in full force, something that should leave Filipino fans in awe since it is rare that a top-caliber and popular squad strut their stuff on local shores.
Philippine Football Federation head Nonong Araneta said the last time a top foreign club visited the Philippines to play was in the 1970s when Cruzeiro of Brazil took on the national team.
“This is a big match for us to end the year,” said Araneta. “What more can you ask for in football?’
Dan Palami, who manages the Azkals, said he has al ready sent out invites to goalie Neil Etheridge, who plays for the Philippine team, and those based in Denmark and Germany.
The Manila leg will be a part of the Galaxy’s multi-tour in the Asia-Pacific region, according to Payne, who gave the Rizal pitch a thumbs-up sign during an inspection.
“The field was wonderful. More than what we expected. We’ve done these games all over the world. This will be a memorable night for the sport of soccer,” he said.
The Galaxy team is playing New York for the MLS crown starting Nov. 20.
Beckham remains one of the biggest players today; while Donovan is the US’s top attraction, owing to his scoring prowess; and Keane, Ireland’s main man.
The trio will be the stars of the Los Angeles Galaxy when the two-time Major League Soccer champion meets the Philippine Azkals in a friendly match on December 3 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
LA Galaxy President Thomas Payne said the face-off between the Galaxy and the Azkals, a team made up mainly of Filipinos who grew up in Europe and the United States, is a breakthrough for the development of the sport in the Philippines.
“We want to leave something behind,” said Payne during Thursday’s press conference at a hotel in Makati City, noting that visiting exotic locales like Manila “is part of what we do to promote the sport.”
Payne said the Galaxy stars will be in full force, something that should leave Filipino fans in awe since it is rare that a top-caliber and popular squad strut their stuff on local shores.
Philippine Football Federation head Nonong Araneta said the last time a top foreign club visited the Philippines to play was in the 1970s when Cruzeiro of Brazil took on the national team.
“This is a big match for us to end the year,” said Araneta. “What more can you ask for in football?’
Dan Palami, who manages the Azkals, said he has al ready sent out invites to goalie Neil Etheridge, who plays for the Philippine team, and those based in Denmark and Germany.
The Manila leg will be a part of the Galaxy’s multi-tour in the Asia-Pacific region, according to Payne, who gave the Rizal pitch a thumbs-up sign during an inspection.
“The field was wonderful. More than what we expected. We’ve done these games all over the world. This will be a memorable night for the sport of soccer,” he said.
The Galaxy team is playing New York for the MLS crown starting Nov. 20.
Beckham remains one of the biggest players today; while Donovan is the US’s top attraction, owing to his scoring prowess; and Keane, Ireland’s main man.
US supports PNoy's approach to solving Mindanao conflict
The United States fully supports the stand of President Aquino to pursue an all out justice in parts of Mindanao in the wake of the clashes that are exacting toll on civilian, military and rebel populations, saying the government the and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) must stick to the ceasefire agreement in pursuit of the peace process.
US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell relayed the message to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario in a meeting on Wednesday.
“We fully support the government of the Philippines’ efforts to bring security and stability to the southern Philippines, including through the ongoing peace process," Campbell said in a statement Thursday.
Japan, United Kingdom, and the European Union also voiced their support to the peace process, which is supposed to end more than 40 years of Moro rebellion in Mindanao.
Skirmishes in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay between government troops and the MILF started when Army soldiers went deep into a rebel stronghold in Basilan last week, prompting at least 19,000 people to seek refuge from the firefight.
Measured approach'
US Ambassador Harry Thomas said a “measured approach" on the part of government could help avoid a repeat of MILF attacks against civilian communities in Mindanao in 2008.
The attacks occurred after an expanded homeland agreement that would have given the MILF autonomy and control over vast territories in Mindanao was not signed and was later on declared as unconstitutional by the Surpreme Court, which argued that it would require a constitutional amendment.
“Recalling the sorrow and tragedy that affected hundreds of thousands of lives when violence erupted in 2008, the United States welcomes and expresses its full confidence in the careful, measured approach of the Government of the Philippines at this time of heightened tension," Thomas said.
The MILF leadership denounced one of its commanders, Ameril Umbra Kato, who responsible for the attacks.
Thomas said the US welcomes efforts to reinforce the ceasefire that has been in place since 2009. “We fully support the ongoing peace process and hope the parties can avoid violence and continue to work toward an agreement that will provide for a peaceful and prosperous future," he said. — KBK/VS, GMA News
US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell relayed the message to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario in a meeting on Wednesday.
“We fully support the government of the Philippines’ efforts to bring security and stability to the southern Philippines, including through the ongoing peace process," Campbell said in a statement Thursday.
Japan, United Kingdom, and the European Union also voiced their support to the peace process, which is supposed to end more than 40 years of Moro rebellion in Mindanao.
Skirmishes in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay between government troops and the MILF started when Army soldiers went deep into a rebel stronghold in Basilan last week, prompting at least 19,000 people to seek refuge from the firefight.
Measured approach'
US Ambassador Harry Thomas said a “measured approach" on the part of government could help avoid a repeat of MILF attacks against civilian communities in Mindanao in 2008.
The attacks occurred after an expanded homeland agreement that would have given the MILF autonomy and control over vast territories in Mindanao was not signed and was later on declared as unconstitutional by the Surpreme Court, which argued that it would require a constitutional amendment.
“Recalling the sorrow and tragedy that affected hundreds of thousands of lives when violence erupted in 2008, the United States welcomes and expresses its full confidence in the careful, measured approach of the Government of the Philippines at this time of heightened tension," Thomas said.
The MILF leadership denounced one of its commanders, Ameril Umbra Kato, who responsible for the attacks.
Thomas said the US welcomes efforts to reinforce the ceasefire that has been in place since 2009. “We fully support the ongoing peace process and hope the parties can avoid violence and continue to work toward an agreement that will provide for a peaceful and prosperous future," he said. — KBK/VS, GMA News
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