AIR21 VIRTUALLY ELIMINATES BARAKO ROOKIE Rabeh Al-Hussaini fired 30 points to power Air21 Express


to an 82-77 win over Barako Bull Sunday in the 35th Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino Cup at the Araneta Coliseum. The 6’7” slotman Al-Hussaini single-handedly saved the day for the Express by scoring all their final eight points to secure their fifth win in 12 matches.


A 8


FRANK CALAPRE BY JOSEF T. RAMOS CORRESPONDENT


sports The Manila Times MONDAY D ecember 6, 2010


Antonio Barrera, the Filipino pound-for- pound king should fight new contenders and avoid aging opponent to keep his title as the world’s present popular boxer in the world.


Barrera, who was badly beaten twice via technical knockout by Pacquiao, said he understand the reason why Pacquiao doesn’t like to put a third fight against the 38-year- old Juan Manuel Marquez because of possible low pay-per-view and monetary gain.


Barrera wants Mosley for PacMan F


OR Manny “PacMan”Pacquiao’s former nemesis Mexican Marco


Pacquiao’s handlers, would not be an exciting match and nobody might watch it unlike before since Pacquiao, winner of eighth title in many weight divisions, had al- ready proven enough that he can beat Marquez. Pacquiao drew against Marquez


“Marquez is now 38 years old,” said Barrera to boxing site sports examiner.com on Sunday. “I don’t know. Maybe it’ll be better to put a new fight like [Andre] Berto. He’s now very strong.”


Marquez (52-5-1 win-loss-draw with 38 knockouts), according to


in 2004 but scored a split decision win in 2008, which Marquez could not accept. After the recent victory against Michael Katsidis, Marquez has called Pacquiao for a third match over and over again. Barrera encouraged Pacquiao to fight Shane Mosley (46-4-1 card) or rising star Andre Berto if they can’t convince Floyd Mayweather Jr. since the two fights are very challenging. “I want to see Berto or Shane


Mosley. Mosley is my friend, he’s a very good fighter too,” he said. Although spectators said that a fight against the 39-year-old former World Boxing Association welter- weight champion Mosley would be boring, Barrera said you can’t under- estimate Mosley’s willingness and determination despite his age when he goes up against Pacquiao (52-3- 2 with 38 knockouts). Paquiao’s promoter Bob Arum of


Top Rank Promotion said that his main priority now is to arrange a bout against Mayweather or chooses among Mosley, Berto and Marquez. Barrera also congratulated Filipino Nonito Donaire for scoring a knock- out against Ukrainian Wladimir Sidorenko Saturday in California.


■ Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao POC TO IMPOSE STRICT GUIDELINES FOR NSAS NEXT YEAR


IN its effort to improve the coun- try’s chances in international com- petitions, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will be imple- menting a strict guidelines to insure productive performances by all Na- tional Sports Associations (NSAs) starting next year.


POC President Jose Cojuangco said they will be creating a special committee, which will be tasked to review and scrutinize the annual pro- grams and budgetary requirements


Patriots absorb 4th loss in ABL


THE Philippine Patriots suffered their third straight setback follow- ing a 78-82 loss to Indonesia’s Satria Muda BritAma late Saturday in the second Asean (Association of South- east Asian Nations) Basketball League (ABL) at the BritAma Arena in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was a heartbreaking setback for the defending titlist Patriots, who were leading by a lone point 74-73 in the crucial stretch but with only one import, they failed to stop BritAma’s last ditch effort en route to the Indonesian’s only third vic- tory in 11 games.


The 6’9” Marcus Morrison put the BritAma on top anew with a tough one-handed shot off the outstretched arms of Jun Jun Cabatu before former Philippine Basketball Asso- ciation player Kiko Adriano sealed the win for the home team with a put back just a few minutes left. The Patriots third straight loss was their longest losing streak since the birth of the regional professional home-and-away league last year. The Filipinos now dropped to a share of second place with the Kuala Lumpur Dragons at 6-4 apiece.


In the other match, the Chang Thai- land Slammers boosted their hold of the lead by downing the Singapore Slingers, 77-66, for an 8-2 record. Head coach Loiue Alas also missed the match for the second straight following a bout with flu. Morrison led the Indonesians with 22 points and 13 rebounds while Adriano added 20 markers. Cabatu and Pari Llagas top- scored for the Patriots with 14 points apiece while Jordanian im- port Rashiem Wright was held to just eight points on a horrible 3- of-17 shooting, including 1-of-8 from the three-point zone. FRANK CALAPRE


of all NSAs under the POC umbrella. Cojuangco, maternal uncle of President Benigno Aquino 3rd, said that the committee will be co- chaired by no less than the POC President and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richie Garcia.


He said that until the respective NSA development programs are ap- proved by the special committee, all requests for funding will be withheld. Among those that should be in-


cluded in the NSA programs are the names and number of athletes to receive monthly stipends and meal allowances from the PSC, the nec- essary foreign exposures and train- ing as well as equipments needed. “Until such development annual program is approve by the special committee, the release of funding will be withheld,” said Cojuangco during Saturday’s second Sports Summit attended by sports leaders, officials of several private corpora-


Arcilla-Tierro pair strikes in PCA Open


THE dynamic tandem of Johnny Arcilla and Patrick John Tierro moved in perfect sync to seize their first victory at the expense of Joseph Arcilla and Noel Capangpangan, 6-2, 6-2, in the first round of the men’s doubles Sunday in the 28th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open at PCA indoor clay-shell court in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila. Arcilla and Tierro started their title bid with unstoppable attacks that were too quick and steady for their unseeded foes in the tournament presented by Cebuana Lhuillier. “We want to get our title back (in the doubles event). But we need to be consistent at all times. One game at a time. We know each other’s game and we’re confident this time,” said Tierro. The second-ranked pair of Arcilla


and Tierro will battle the winner of Kim Polero-Tim Polero and Joseph Victorino-James Wilkinson match. Also bolstering their campaigns


are Davis Cup veteran Cecil Mamiit and Philippine Lawn Tennis Association Vice President Randy Villanueva, and the top-seeded


duo of Filipino-German Marc Sieber and Ralph Kevin Barte. Mamiit and Villanueva clobbered Miguel Belda and Leandro Fernandez, 6-0, 6-1, while Sieber and Barte won by default over Samuel Nuguit and Wilfredo de Leon. In the other matches, Arce Mano and Romel Openiano defeated Inigo Caguiron and Delmer Miranda, 6-3, 6-0; Ronard Joven and Rolando Noel Jr. trounced Paul Magaway and Lawrence Magaway, 6-1, 6-1; Michel Mora 3rd and Ronaldo de Guzman beat Dave Cruz and Raffy Santiago, 6-4, 6-2; Arvin Ruel atnd Michael Mantua thumped Nino Gamos and Jim Jimena, 6-0, 6-3; Mark Balce and Rollyto Litang ousted Carlito Rojo and Robilito Saga, 6-4, 6-2; and Martin Ramos and Raymond Padigos outplayed Russel Arcilla Jr. and Elson Solon, 6-2, 6-2. The second round of the men’s singles will resume today while the ladies’ singles takes center stage on Tuesday in the event also supported by Accel and Dunlop. JOSEF T. RAMOS


tions and local government officials. The many-time Tarlac congress- man stressed that the requirements for all NSAs to be registered with the Security and Exchange Commission has already the blessings of the In- ternational Olympic Committee, headed by Jacques Rogge. “Allowances and training expenses of the athletes are to be included in the budgetary request for funding so they have to be stated in the NSA plans and programs,” noted Cojuangco, who


is also president of the Equistrian As- sociation of the Philippines. He also said that all NSAs will


now be required to fill-up member- ship accounting books because at the end of the year they will be au- dited by the Sycip, Gorres and Velayo (SGV) auditing firm. “The SGV voluntered for free to be the POC-NSA auditing firm. At the end of the year, all NSA books will be audited by SGV,” he added. FRANK CALAPRE


Pinay ice skating champ in US training


FILIPINO-AMERICAN figure ice skat- ing sensation Zhaira Costiniano will leave the country on Tuesday to resume her training in Texas, US for two major events early next year that considered to be the biggest test in her promising career. The 15-year-old Costiniano, who recently became the young- est national senior ladies cham- pion after winning the 2010 Na- tional Figure Ice Skating Champi- onship, is eyeing a decent finish in the seventh Asian Winter Games in Kazakhzstan on January 30 to February 6 next year. Besides the Kazakhzstan meet, she will participate in the 2011 World Junior Figure Skating Championship in Korea on February 28 to March 6. Both events are sanctioned by the In- ternational Skating Union. “It’s so very challenging to com- pete abroad, but I’m going to do my very best for the sake of the country,” said Costiniano, whose campaign abroad is mostly supported finan- cially by her parents and help from relatives and friends.


Costiniano, a current Ninth Grade student in Heritage High School at Frisco Texas, will undergo train- ing with coach Alexey Letov and Olga Ganitcheva.


■ Johnny Arcilla FILE PHOTO


She is determined to be the first Filipino to represent the country in figure skating at the 2014 Winter Ol- ympics in Russia. Costiniano, a mem- ber of the Philippine Skating Union, voluntarily worked in different char- ity works while here in the country. She is planning to have a fundraisings activity for poor children when she goes back next year here. She personally gave snacks to less fortunate children on Wednes- day in the Center for Health Im- provement and Life Development at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office compound. JOSEF T. RAMOS


Heat stars finding their form as winning streak hits four in NBA


MIAMI: Chris Bosh scored 27 points and Dwyane Wade added 26 to power the Miami Heat to their fourth consecutive NBA victory, an 89-77 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. Two-time NBA Most Valuable


Player LeBron James added 22 points for Miami in his first game since an emotional homecoming victory at Cleveland two nights earlier, where


sportsinbrief


■ REIGNING University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion Ateneo de Manila University forced a rubber match after routing Adamson University, 70-59, in Game 2 of their best-of-three championship series in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.


JOSEF T. RAMOS


■ UNIVERSITY of the East (UE) posted the biggest upset in University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball this 73rd season—a 25-12, 20-25, 25-21, 13-25, 15-13 win on Sunday at The Arena in San Juan City. UE is now 1-1 and Ateneo de Manila University dropped to 1-2 slate.


JOSEF T. RAMOS


■ SYDNEY: Geoff Ogilvy claimed his first Australian Open title after a final round of three-under 69 at The Lakes Golf Club on Sunday. Showing the class that has helped him to eight other international career titles, Ogilvy maintained his dominance to win the Stonehaven Cup by four shots with a total of 269 over Alistair Presnell (67) and Matt Jones (68) who both finished at 15-under 273.


AFP


■ LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom: Gerard Houllier has called on his struggling Aston Villa side to cut out the “stupid” mistakes that have punctured their season as he prepares to make an emotional return to Liverpool on Monday. Houllier led Liverpool to FA Cup, UEFA Cup and two League Cup triumphs during six years in charge at Anfield between 1998 and 2004.


“King James” was booed by the fans he spurned to come to Miami. Miami improved to 13-8 to pull into a share of second place in the South- east division with the Hawks, who saw their five-game win streak snapped. Only Orlando and Boston have better records in the Eastern Con- ference, the Heat appearing to have found the form expected of them when Bosh, James and Wade were


assembled as a superstar trio. “We’re figuring it out,” James said. “We’re figuring out what it takes for us three to be successful and to have the team win.” The Heat scored 11 points in a


row in the dying minutes to deny Atlanta after the Hawks rallied to make it tight. “It’s just a better feel in the locker room, away from the game, but also on


the basketball court,” Wade said. “We’re starting to ‘get it’ with each other. “It’s making a world of difference.” Wade and Bosh each grabbed 10 rebounds for Miami, who saw their lead trimmed to 74-72 with 4:39 to play. But the Hawks missed their next six shots and Miami went on their run, which included a slam dunk by James, for an 85-72 edge. James supporters chanted “Miami


loves you”—a response to Cleveland chants of “Akron hates you” in a ref- erence to the hometown of James. “We got the crowd into it and we


won,” Bosh said. Al Horford led Atlanta with 22


points, hitting 10-of-11 from the field, while Jamal Crawford and Josh Powell each added 12 for the Hawks, who trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half.


AFP Woods has victory in sight at World Challenge


THOUSAND OAKS, California: Tiger Woods capped a third-round 68 with a birdie on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) as he homed in on his first victory in more than a year at the World Challenge golf tournament. Woods’ four-under effort gave him a 17- under total of 199 and maintained his four-shot lead over US Open champion Graeme McDowell.


After a bogey at the par-five second,


Woods rebounded with three birdies in a row from the par-five fifth.


He put an exclamation mark on his round with an approach that left him a tap- in for his sixth birdie of the day at 18. Northern Ireland’s McDowell also carded a 68 for 203. The next closest rival in the 18-man


field was England’s Paul Casey, who carded a 69 for 207.


“I’m excited about tomorrow because of AFP


the way I’m playing,” said Woods, whose last victory was at the 2009 Australian Masters.


In 2010, his stuggles on the course have mirrored the personal travails that saw his marriage end.


Although this unofficial event that Woods hosts for the benefit of his charitable founda- tion wouldn’t give him a PGA Tour title, it is worth world rankings points and could pro- vide a valuable boost as he heads into 2011. Certainly over three days of play in roll- ing country west of Los Angeles, Woods has looked more like a 14-time major cham- pion than he has all season. Woods has won the title here four times, but missed last year as a sex scandal ex- ploded around him and missed the year before as he recovered from knee surgery. As Woods bogeyed the second, where his approach found the creek left of the green, McDowell notched a birdie, then picked up another shot at the par-three third to nar- row the deficit to one stroke. But Woods got things going with a birdie from a bunker at the par-five fifth, drained


■ Tiger Woods AFP PHOTO


a 20-footer for birdie at six and made a short birdie putt at the seventh. Woods led by five at the turn, but found it far from smooth sailing coming in. AFP


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