Games on Thursday (The Arena)
10 a.m. - Letran vs EAC (Jrs)
11:45 a.m. - CSB vs Arellano (Jrs)
2 p.m. - Letran vs EAC (Srs)
4 p.m. - Arellano vs CSB (Srs)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Letran, Arellano aim to boost NCAA semis bids
Manila Bulletin -
Letran and Arellano University try to boost their respective Final Four bids when they battle separate rivals on Wednesday in the second round of eliminations in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Knights lock horns with the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals in the opener at 2 p.m., with neither team having an advantage owing to their close encounter during the first round.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, face the College of St. Benilde Blazers at 4 p.m. with Arellano bidding to extend its run to four straight wins.
Both the Knights and the Chiefs sport 5-4 win-loss slates and victories today will give them a piece of fourth spot behind San Sebastian (10-0), San Beda (8-1) and Jose Rizal (8-2).
The Knights nipped the Generals, 85-84, in their first round encounter last Aug. 5 and Letran coach Louie Alas is wary of their rivals today.
"They (Generals) may be down in the standings, but they are capable of pulling an upset. We cannot be complacent against them," said Alas, who last steered the Knights to the championship in 2005.
"They almost beat us. We expect another tight game, but we will be ready."
The Knights are expected to come out fiercer today as they try to bounce back from a 77-74 defeat from the Stags.
Leading the charge for Letran are Smart-Gilas national team members Rey Guevarra and RJ Jazul and Kevin Alas.
Facing them on the other side of the court are brothers Russel and Lowell Yaya, Claude Cubo and Argel Mendoza, the league leader in assist (5.8 per game), boards (5.8 per game), steals (2 per game), and second best scorer (19.8 per game).
In the other game, Leonard Anquilio, the league's smallest player at 5-foot-1, is expected anew to lead the Chiefs, the best-performing guest squad so far.
The Chiefs are on the rise lately with their third straight wins - thanks to the HRM student's heroics the past two games.
Donaire not inclined to train under Roach
Manila Bulletin - Nonito Donaire acknowledges Freddie Roach as a world-class trainer but it is unlikely that he is going to sign up the American ace as his full-time trainer in light of Roach's many commitments.
"I need 100 percent of his attention," said Donaire during a press conference held at TV station GMA-7 on Tuesday. But he said Roach can't give him that kind of attention because not only does he train Manny Pacquiao but many others, including several Filipinos.
Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum had been quoted as saying that the inclusion of Roach in Donaire's corner would only make him better, stressing that Donaire was far from impressive in winning the interim World Boxing Association super-flyweight crown against Rafael Concepcion of Panama over the weekend in Las Vegas.
Donaire is currently being trained by Dodie Boy and Jonathan Penalosa.
"They're part of my family," said Donaire, short of saying that even if Roach gets enlisted, the fighting Penalosas won't be dropped from his battery of trainers.
Donaire said he could have easily disposed of Concepcion had the Panamanian slugger did not come to the fight overweight.
Concepcion was slapped a hefty penalty for tipping the scales at 119 ½ lbs during the weighin, while Donaire was right on target at 115 lbs.
Still, Donaire proved to be the superior fighter as he pounded out a unanimous decision over the rugged puncher who is best known for mauling erstwhile unbeaten Filipino AJ Banal last year.
Meanwhile, Donaire said he will likely return to the ring in December with Mexican Jorge Arce as an ideal opponent.
Also on Donaire's radar screen is another rugged Mexican, Fernando Montiel, who had earlier been penciled to fight him last April at the Araneta Coliseum.
"We were supposed to fight each other but I ended up fighting another guy," said Donaire, who hardly worked out a sweat in stopping Raul Martinez of the US at the Big Dome.
"I need 100 percent of his attention," said Donaire during a press conference held at TV station GMA-7 on Tuesday. But he said Roach can't give him that kind of attention because not only does he train Manny Pacquiao but many others, including several Filipinos.
Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum had been quoted as saying that the inclusion of Roach in Donaire's corner would only make him better, stressing that Donaire was far from impressive in winning the interim World Boxing Association super-flyweight crown against Rafael Concepcion of Panama over the weekend in Las Vegas.
Donaire is currently being trained by Dodie Boy and Jonathan Penalosa.
"They're part of my family," said Donaire, short of saying that even if Roach gets enlisted, the fighting Penalosas won't be dropped from his battery of trainers.
Donaire said he could have easily disposed of Concepcion had the Panamanian slugger did not come to the fight overweight.
Concepcion was slapped a hefty penalty for tipping the scales at 119 ½ lbs during the weighin, while Donaire was right on target at 115 lbs.
Still, Donaire proved to be the superior fighter as he pounded out a unanimous decision over the rugged puncher who is best known for mauling erstwhile unbeaten Filipino AJ Banal last year.
Meanwhile, Donaire said he will likely return to the ring in December with Mexican Jorge Arce as an ideal opponent.
Also on Donaire's radar screen is another rugged Mexican, Fernando Montiel, who had earlier been penciled to fight him last April at the Araneta Coliseum.
"We were supposed to fight each other but I ended up fighting another guy," said Donaire, who hardly worked out a sweat in stopping Raul Martinez of the US at the Big Dome.
Donaire gets 'simple'welcome upon return to RP
GMANews.TV -
Fresh from his victory over Panama's Rafael Concepcion last Sunday, Filipino boxing champ Nonito Donaire Jr. returned to a simple welcome at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Tuesday.
Donaire arrived at the NAIA about 3:50 a.m. on a Philippine Airlines Flight PR-107 to cheers from fellow Filipinos, according to a report by dzBB radio’s Denevin Macaranas.
Unlike Filipino boxing icon Emmanuel “Manny" Pacquiao’s returns from his victories, Donaire’s welcome was a quiet one: there were no banners, streamers or politicians on hand to welcome him at the airport.
Donaire, who was with his wife Rachel, wore a jacket, short pants and T-shirt, and held his World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight belt.
During Sunday's fight, Donaire weathered the pressuring style of Concepcion to score a unanimous decision victory over the Panamanian fighter.
With the win, Donaire (22-1, 14 KOs) became a two-division champion, having entered the fight as the IBF flyweight champion.
On the other hand, Bernabe Concepcion, who also fought in Las Vegas, was disqualified in his title attempt against WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano, when he hit the latter with punches after the bell.
“Kaunti lang [ang hirap ko], malaki siya sa akin (I had a little trouble because Concepcion was bigger than me)," Donaire said in an interview on dzBB radio, when asked if he found the fight hard.
Donaire said he thought he could wrap up the bout with a knockout in the early rounds but "I didn’t know he was going to be that tough."
He thanked Filipinos who watched the bout and gave him their support. "Kayo ang motivation, kayo ang drive na lumaban ako kahit bali-bali ang buto ko, kahit may injury ako (You are my motivation, my drive, even if I had a broken hand)," he said.
Donaire said he expects his next bout to come in December, depending on whether his hand would heal.
Pacquiao tickets almost sold out
Manila Bulletin -There would only be a little over 2,000 tickets for the November 14 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto that will go on sale starting Wednesday, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum disclosed on Tuesday.
Tickets are priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300, and $150 and "only 2,100 will be sold to the public," said Arum from Las Vegas.
The casinos have placed bulk orders and Arum expects a sellout as soon as they become available on line.
This early, internet ticket sellers are dangling tickets for the fight with the low-priced $150 seats selling for as much as $340 (P16,320) and a premium ringside floor seat that retail for $1,000 going for as much as $11,760 (P564,480).
The 17,000-capacity MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas will host the Pacquiao-Cotto brawl.
To perk up more interest in the fight, regarded as the biggest bout of the year, Arum will go on a four-city press tour beginning on Sept. 10 at Yankee Stadium in New York with the two fighters in tow. Other stops will be Puerto Rico (Sept. 12), San Francisco (Sept. 13) and Los Angeles (Sept. 14).
After the Los Angeles leg, the 30-year-old Pacquiao said he will return to the Philippines to start the first phase of his eight-week training camp possibly in Baguio City.
Arum said the highly-acclaimed resort city of Cancun in Mexico looks like it as far as the venue of Pacquiao's training camp is concerned.
In contrast, Cotto is about to start the third week of his light training since the 28-year-old slugger plans to go heavy once his conditioning coach Phil Landman arrives in Puerto Rico this week.
Tickets are priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300, and $150 and "only 2,100 will be sold to the public," said Arum from Las Vegas.
The casinos have placed bulk orders and Arum expects a sellout as soon as they become available on line.
This early, internet ticket sellers are dangling tickets for the fight with the low-priced $150 seats selling for as much as $340 (P16,320) and a premium ringside floor seat that retail for $1,000 going for as much as $11,760 (P564,480).
The 17,000-capacity MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas will host the Pacquiao-Cotto brawl.
To perk up more interest in the fight, regarded as the biggest bout of the year, Arum will go on a four-city press tour beginning on Sept. 10 at Yankee Stadium in New York with the two fighters in tow. Other stops will be Puerto Rico (Sept. 12), San Francisco (Sept. 13) and Los Angeles (Sept. 14).
After the Los Angeles leg, the 30-year-old Pacquiao said he will return to the Philippines to start the first phase of his eight-week training camp possibly in Baguio City.
Arum said the highly-acclaimed resort city of Cancun in Mexico looks like it as far as the venue of Pacquiao's training camp is concerned.
In contrast, Cotto is about to start the third week of his light training since the 28-year-old slugger plans to go heavy once his conditioning coach Phil Landman arrives in Puerto Rico this week.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
super pinoy power
LAS VEGAS (AP)—Nonito Donaire unanimously outpointed Rafael Concepcion on Saturday night to take the WBA interim title in his super flyweight debut.
Donaire, the 26-year-old Filipino star who vacated his IBF flyweight title to move up in weight, improved to 22-1 with his 21st consecutive victory. Judge Max De Luca scored the fight 117-111, Duane Ford had it 115-113, and Jerry Roth called it 116-112.
“I’m here to give honor to my country,” said Donaire, cheered on by a large Filipino crowd at the Hard Rock. “We are great fighters. I came here to represent and fight with all of my heart.”
Donaire used a potent jab to cut open a gash under Concepcion’s left eye midway through the second round.
“The cut really bothered me in the first few rounds, but I got used to it,” Concepcion said. “This fight was a marathon and I was here to run the entire race.
“I was expecting a fight from a real Filipino fighter, not a runner. He didn’t want to fight. He wanted to run. … I knew he was a great fighter, a great technician. If he would have had a warriors’ heart, we would have exchanged more.”
Donaire ended the third round with a flurry of punches that nearly knocked down Concepcion (13-4-1), who fought with blood dripping down his face most of the night.
Donaire did show some weaknesses in the middle rounds. That inconsistency led to Concepcion landing a few big punches, but Donaire was never in danger.
He closed the fight by relying on his jab to control the final two rounds to secure the win. It resembled his success in the opening rounds.
Donaire, who successfully defended his flyweight title three times, is determined to get fights with Fernando Montiel and Jorge Arce, the super flyweight division’s two biggest names, before moving up, perhaps eventually to lightweight.
“Those are the guys on top of me,” Donaire said. “I want to fight them to prove I belong.”
Concepcion, who earned the respect of the crowd for going the distance, weighed in four pounds over the 115-pound limit, a violation that cost him 20 percent of his $65,000 purse. Even with a win, he wouldn’t have been awarded the championship.
“Those extra pounds were definitely a disadvantage,” Donaire said. “But I am a warrior. I would have still fought if he was 20 pounds over weight. If he didn’t have the extra weight, I would have knocked him out in the beginning.
“I’m ready for the big guys in that weight class. That guy was a 122-pounder tonight and he was tough, but I proved I could fight at that weight.”
Donaire said he hurt his right hand landing an upper cut in the early round.
“But no matter how messed up or sprained it was, I am here to fight,” he said.
On the undercard, Steven Luevano retained his WBO featherweight title after being floored by challenger Bernabe Concepcion following the seventh round bell. Concepcion, who was trailing on two of the three judges’ scorecards, was disqualified.
“The bell definitely rang and he hit him late,” said Freddie Roach, Bernabe Concepcion’s trainer. “I don’t have any argument with that. But it was not intentionally by any means. My fighter was just excited. The disqualification was justified.”
yahoo! sports canada
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
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