PHILIPPINES VS. VIETNAM TODAY IN SUZUKI CUP THREE days after forcing a 1-1 draw against Singapore, the Philippine football team is aiming to upset defending champion and host Vietnam today for their second game in the 2010 Association of Southeast Asian Nations Football Federation’s Suzuki Cup at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam.


JOSEF T. RAMOS


A sports8 The Sunday Times SUNDAY


with world champion Fernando Montiel by beating Wladimiro Sidorenko today. Donaire, on a 23-fight win streak


over nine-and-a-half years, fights for the interim World Boxing Associa- tion (WBA) bantamweight crown against the Ukranian former WBA champion with an eye to facing World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Montiel. “I want to make a statement of who Nonito Donaire really is,” Donaire said. “This is finally the chance I have been looking for.” Former world flyweight cham- pion Donaire, 24-1 with 16 knock- outs, must dispatch Sidorenko, 22-


Prospect of Montiel bout inspires Donaire F


ILIPINO bantamweight star Nonito Donaire Jr. will try to stay on course for a planned February 19 showdown


2-2 with seven knockouts, in order to get to Mexico’s Montiel, 43-2-2 with 33 knockouts. “When I have Montiel in my sight, as my target, I feel totally motivated. I have no fear,” Donaire said. “They are going to see a differ- ent guy going in there. I’m moti- vated with Montiel on the horizon. This is where I want to be. “I want to send a message to Montiel but I won’t take Sido- renko lightly.”


Montiel has some work to do as well to set up the showdown. He


THE Philippine Olympic Commit- tee (POC) thanked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for pro- viding scholarship grants to 12 Fili- pino athletes. The solidarity schol- arship program will last until the 2012 London Olympics. “We are very thankful for the op- portunity,” said POC President Jose Cojuangco Jr., also the presi- dent of the Equestrian Association


of the Philippines.


The beneficiary athletes are Jessie King Lacuna and Jasmine Alkhaldi (swimming), Marlon Avenido and Japoy Lizardo (tae kwon do) Marestela Torres and Henry Dagmil (athletics), Hayen Topacio and Paul Bryan Rosario (shooting), Roque Abala (rowing) Emerson Segui (fencing), Margarito Angana (wres- tling) and Mark Javier (archery).


Palarong Pambansa, PSC’s Batang Pinoy merger looms


THE country’s top sports leaders vowed to work together for a com- prehensive nationwide grassroots development program by merging the Palarong Pambansa and the defunct Philippine Sports Com- mission (PSC)-organized Batang Pinoy project.


PSC Chairman Richie Garcia and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose Cojuangco espoused the plan in the second Sports Summit held Saturday at the Century Park Hotel. Cojuangco, younger brother of the late former President Cory Aquino, said that he would seek an Executive Order from President Benigno Aquino 3rd to unify the Department of Education (DepEd)- organized Palarong Pambansa with the Batang Pinoy, which the PSC planned to revive next year. The former Tarlac congressman, who is also president of the Eques- trian Association of the Philip- pines, said that the only way to boost the country’s chances in in- ternational competitions is pro- duce more fresh talents. “That is why we need to have a unified grassroots development pro- gram, which will be done in five ar- eas throughout the country every year,” said Cojuangco.


He said that they would present to President Aquino the POC-PSC- NSA (National Sports Association) Development plan after they arrive


from the 2010 Asian Beach Games in Oman later this month. “We have a scheduled meeting with President Aquino as soon as we get back from the Asian Beach Games in Oman. That would be the time we would present our whole program for sports in our country,” stressed Cojuangco during the one- day Summit also attended by Garcia and officials of private corporations and local governments. The staging of the annual Pala-


rong Pambansa has been transferred to the PSC during the administra- tion of former President Joseph Estrada in 1998, but was again re- stored to the care of Education de- partment during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Batang Pinoy was mothballed during the administration of former PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez because of financial con- straint. The planned merger of the two grassroots program will insure that the winners in the Palaro would have a chance to be included in the national developmental training pool, from which members of the national team are selected. “If the Palaro would just be under the DepEd, then where would the win- ners go after that? It’s the NSA and the POC, which have the final say on who will be included in the train- ing pool,” said POC Chairman Monico Puentevella.


FRANK CALAPRE


National cycling tourney commences tomorrow


RIDERS who could have easily made it to the national team to the last Asian Games head the impressive list of partici- pants in the National Open Cycling Championships starting tomorrow at the Amoranto Velodrome in Quezon City. Former Marlboro Tour champi-


ons Warren Davadilla and Arnel Quirimit, among those left out of the Asiad squad because of politics will actually spearhead the cam- paign in the 170-kilometer road race slated December 11 from Quezon City to Mabitac in Laguna and back to Quezon City, announced organ- izing committee Chairman Emmet Penson during yesterday’s SCOOP Sa kamayan weekly session at the Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura. Southeast Asian Games medalists Nilo Estayo, Alvin Binosa and Eboy Quinones, who, too, could have sal- vaged a medal or two in the recent Guangzhou Games had they been included in the line up, are also among the elite entries in the six- day affair held under the auspices of the Integrated Cycling Federation


of the Philippines (ICFP). As envisioned by ICFP President,


Dr. Philip Juico, the races is a sort of “Pamaskong Handog ng ICFP sa Siklistang Pilipino” in the advent of the Holiday Season. “This is the reason why we are inviting all cyclists regardless of fac- tion to register and join the races so they will have a chance to earn something for the Christmas sea- son,” Penson said. Penson disclosed during the ses- sion, sponsored by TV5, Mang Inasal and FILA that the first four days of the multi-event classic will be con- fined to the track races at Amoranto. Monday will see the participants try their luck in the 1-km. individual time trial and individual and team pursuit for men and 600-meter in- dividual time trial for women. The centerpiece road race starts in front of the Quezon City Hall and will proceed all the way to Mabitac via the mountainous Antipolo City terrain before ending up at Amoranto.


EDDIE ALINEA


Over 2,000 running enthusiasts joined the Second McHappy Day Fun Run on November 28 at the Venice Piazza, in McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. The event aims to support Ronald McDonald House Charities’ (RMHC) mission of helping kids learn how to read. This year’s McHappy Day Fun Run was for the benefit of RMHC’s banner program Bright Minds Read.


La Salle netters clinch 3rd straight wins


DE La Salle University bagged its third consecutive win in the 73rd University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball event by beating National Univer- sity, 25-11, 25-14, 25-9 Sunday at The Arena in San Juan City. Reminiscent of their wins against


Adamson and University of the Phil- ippines, the Lady Green Archers sim- ply relied on blockings remain on


top of the standings.


Jacq Alarca and Stephanie Mer- cado, two key players who are play- ing their final year for La Salle, posted 24 hits while Abigail Maraño contributed 10 points.


The Lady Archers collected nine


blocks, with three coming from Maraño and two from Mercado, the daughter of former Asian sprint queen Lydia de Vega.


Cai Nepomuceno notched six hits while Mervic Mangui, Elaine Sagun and Rialen Sagun added four mark- ers apiece for the Lady Bulldogs. National University suffered its second setback in three games. In men’s division, the Far Eastern


University Tamaraws secure their third successive victory with a 25- 12, 23-25, 27-25, 28-26 triumph vs. the Bulldogs.


JOSEF T. RAMOS D ecember 5, 2010


ADAMSON GUNS FOR 1ST PCCL CROWN THE Adamson University Falcons gun for their very first Philippine


Collegiate Champions League title as they face reigning champion Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles today at the Philsports Arena. JOSEF T. RAMOS


Arcilla scores easy win against Anasta


faces a 10-round nontitle fight on December 11 in Mexico against compatriot Eduardo Garcia. Sidorenko lost the WBA bantam-


weight crown to Panamanian southpaw Anselmo Moreno in 2008 and dropped a title rematch in 2009 but bounced back from his only defeats with an August deci- sion over Tanzanian southpaw Mbwana Matumla.


“I’m really confident and work- ing really hard,” Donaire said. “I want to be the first guy to knock this guy out and that’s what I’m going to try to do.”


Also on the card is an all-Mexi- can showdown with Humberto Soto, 53-7 with two drawn and 32 knockouts, defending his WBC lightweight crown against Urbano Antillon, 28-1 with 20 knockouts. AFP


BANKING on good form and experience, reigning champion Johnny Arcilla routed Rolly Anasta, 6-1, 6-1 Saturday in the start of the men’s singles event of the Philippine Columbian Associa- tion (PCA) Open at the PCA indoor shell-clay courts in Paco, Manila. “This is a great start with a little bit


■ Pinoy bantamweight star Nonito Donaire Jr. IOC GRANTS BOOST FILIPINOS’ QUEST FOR OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL


Cojuangco announced that the Olympic body is set to screen at least 60 more elite athletes next year for inclusion in the said program. “We will talk with different NSAs [national sport associations] so we can complete the 60 athletes. Be- cause if in six months and we can- not see any improvement in the original 12, they could be replaced,” said Cojuangco, adding, “Our ath-


letes should use this [opportunity] to improve their skills and qualify for the London Olympics.” Cojuangco said the IOC’s solidar- ity scholarship would provide the ben- eficiaries $500 training allowance a month. Those who would compete in any Olympic qualifying event would get $5, 000 allowance from the IOC. “This is big help for us. This could cover everything that we can’t for the


coming year, where there are Olympic qualifying tournaments lined up for all the Olympic sports,” said Cojuangco, noting that the national coaches can also become part of the program. The Philippine Sports Commis- sion, headed by Richie Garcia, will also have a big involvement in the program aiming to end the country’s drought for Olympic gold. JOSEF T. RAMOS


Beermen take on Aces in PBA All-Filipino Cup


SOLO leader San Miguel Beer tries to formalize its claim of the first “twice-to-beat” advantage when it faces Alaska today in the 36th Phil- ippine Philippine Basketball Asso- ciation (PBA) All-Filipino Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.


The Beermen, with its 11-2 slate,


would actually complete its elimina- tion round assignment. They would


suit up in the game coming from 98- 94 victory over Meralco on Friday. A loss by the Aces would endan- ger their quest for another semifi- nal appearance because they may end up occupying either the eighth or seventh spot after the eliminations. Such turnout would pit them against the Beermen, Talk ‘N Text or Ginebra in the quarterfi-


nal round.


The Beermen face the Aces at 6:30 p.m. while cellar-dweller Barako Bull would try to keep its hope alive when it meets Air 21 at 4:30 p.m. This will be the second time the


Aces and the Beermen will collide; the first was on October 27, won by the latter 99-97.


FRANK CALAPRE Because bright minds read


of warm-ups. I’m expecting a tough second round beginning Monday,” said the 28-year-old veteran campaigner. The 28-year-old Arcilla, a member of the Philippine team for a long time, would face Filipino-American Andrew Cooney in the second round on Monday. Cooney defeated Jessie Lapore, 6-1, 6-0, earlier. “I haven’t seen him [Cooney] earlier but I guess he’s good. I have to review his attack and use my court familiarity as an advantage,” said Arcilla. Filipino-American Rickey Baylon and


veteran Patrick John Tierro also won against their separate rivals in the event presented by Cebuana Lhuiller and supported by Accel, Dunlop, PVL, Whirlpool, Coca Cola, San Miguel, Lizardo Tennis Academy, Tennis Athletes Unlimited, Babolat, Wilson, Prudential Life, Carlo Rossi, Bayan ng San Jose Occidental Mindoro, Alagang Cebuana Plus, Just Jewels, Le Soleil de Boracay, Phiten and Pera Padala. Baylon survived qualifier Martin


Ramos, 6-4, 7-5, to arrange a second- round encounter with Tierro who beat Ronald Dazo, 6-1, 6-1. Other opening day winners were


Elbert Anasta over Allan Antigua, 6-3, 6-1; Rolando Ruel Jr. over Rolee Joven, 6-1, 6-3; Antonio Sagansay over Russel Arcill Jr., 6-3, 6-3; Ronald Joven over John Antiche, 6-3, 6-1; Ruel Arvin over Michael Basco, 6-2, 6-2; Jovan Divinagracio against Andre Banate, 6-1, 6-2; and Chris Cuarto over Ferdie de Guzman, 6-1, 6-2. A total of P500,000 is up for grabs with the men’s champion getting P100,000 and the women’s bagging P50,000.


JOSEF T. RAMOS


Pinay duo scores win in HK beach volleyball


MICMIC Laborte and Nerissa Bautista scored their second win in the 2010 Asian Women’s beach volleyball invitation in Hong Kong when they upset Thailand Saturday. The Filipinas, under American coach Eric LeCain, rallied past the Thais, 16-21, 21-14, 15-12. The duo currently owns a 2-1 win-loss log in the tournament.


“These girls are playing great and I’m hoping they can go to the Asian Beach Games in Oman this year,” Philippine Volleyball Federation Vice President Gener Dungo told The Manila Times via text message. “The AVC [Asian Volleyball Confedera- tion] expects us to be there in Oman.” Earlier, the Philippine team defeated host Hong Kong for first win. The only loss by the Philippines came up against Japan in an exciting crucial three sets decision.


“Japan is one of the top teams in Asia and we are happy that we are the only one that won a set against the Japanese,” said Dungo, who is hoping the Filipina pair would make it in the quarterfinals or even the medal round of the event.


JOSEF T. RAMOS UCI backed Le Tour de Filipinas kicks off April 2011


THE Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has approved anew the inclusion of the Le Tour de Filipinas (Tour of the Philippines) on the Asia Tour calendar for road in 2011 The UCI race also held under the


auspices of the Asian Cycling Confederation and the Asean Cycling Association is scheduled April 16 to 19. The four-stage race will again


feature at least four UCI continental


teams vying against the Philippines’ best cyclists as well as club teams from Asia and all over the world. Last year, Ireland’s David McCann


topped the inaugural staging of the Le Tour. McCann, a former Tour of Ireland champion and riding for one of Asia’s top continental teams, Taiwan-based Giant Asia, ruled the four-day race that included stages in Tagaytay City, Manila (Roxas


Boulevard) and Subic. A brainchild of former PhilCycling


President Bert Lina, who is consid- ered today’s godfather of Philippine cycling for having revived the Tour in 2002, the Le Tour de Filipinas is one of 27 races on the busy 2011 calendar of the UCI’s Asia Tour. The Le Tour also conspicuously put the Philippines back on the world cycling map after more than a


decade. The Philippines was on the radar of the world’s top cycling teams when the Marlboro Tour went international from 1996 to 1998 through the efforts of now UCI President Pat McQuaid. At least four European teams and


Marco Polo, perhaps the most competitive continental squad in Asia, have already asked to be invited to the 2011 Le Tour de Filipinas.


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