Ang tinanghal na Player of the Game na si Jeffrey Quiambao ng Team AFP sa pagsubok na masupalpal ang tira ni Alex Tiongson ng Philhealth sa battle for 3rd ng UNTV Cup Finals nitong Linggo, October 27, 2013 sa Treston International College Gym, Taguig City. (PRINCE MARQUEZ / Photoville International)

MANILA, Philippines — Naiuwi ng Team AFP ang third place ng 1st UNTV Cup matapos talunin ang Team Philhealth, 96-84.

Nanguna sa atake ng Cavaliers si Jeffrey Quiambao na may 23 pts.

P250,000 ang maipagkakaloob ng Armed Forces of the Philippines sa kanilang napiling charity na AFP Educational Benefit System Office (AFPEBSO), samantalang P150,000 naman ang maitutulong ng Philhealth sa Cancer Warriors Foundation Inc. (CWFI).

“Maraming salamat, unang-una kay Kuya Daniel… yung magandang pagkakataon na ito na binigay sa amin para makatulong… Ang ganda nung programa niya kasi, biro mo, naglalaro ka na, nakakatulong ka pa. So maraming salamat Kuya Daniel,” pahayag ni Jeffrey Quiambao.

Ang bench ng Team Judiciary sa pagbubunyi ng kanilang pagkapanalo kontra Team PNP sa Game 1 ng UNTV Cup Finals nitong Linggo, October 27, 2013. (PRINCE MARQUEZ / Photoville International)

Samantala, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay nakaranas ng pagkatalo ang Team PNP sa unang laban ng best of three finals match ng UNTV Cup kontra Team Judiciary sa score na 8-0-76.

Itinanghal na best player of the game si John Hall na may 19 pts.

Ani John, “ginawa ko ang trabaho ko.. I tried to help out sa offense, offensive boards, defensive boards, taga defense. So hopefully, Game 2 same outcome.”

“Natural lang ‘yon, Judiciary yan, number one yan! Dire-diretso na yan, ok na yan,” pahayag naman ni Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Perez, ang manager ng Team Judiciary.

“Siguro, masasabi ko lang, ah magready sila sa next game dahil sigurado mag-aadjust kami,” saad naman ni P02 Allan Omipig, Team PNP. (Ryan Ramos / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

Muling maghaharap ang Team Judiciary at PNP Hinirangs para sa Game 2 sa darating na November 5, Martes, sa Smart Araneta Coliseum. (FREDERICK ALVIOR / Photoville International)

Ang ilan sa mga maglalaro para sa PBA Legends kontra Team Public Servants bilang exhibition game para sa Game 2 ng UNTV Cup Finals ngayong Martes, November 05, 2013 sa SMART-Araneta Coliseum. (UNTV News)

MANILA, Philippines – Puspusang pag-eensayo ang ginawa ng PBA Legends at team All Stars bilang paghahanda sa kanilang exhibition game sa finals ng UNTV Cup, Martes ng gabi sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Binubuo ang PBA Legends nina Atoy Co, Ed Cordero, Freddie Hubalde, Tito Varela, Bai Cristobal, Yoyong Martirez, Jerry Codinera, Ronnie Magsanoc, Gerry Esplana, Manny Paner at Sev Sarmenta.

Kabilang naman sa team All Stars sina Kuya Daniel Razon, Congressman Sherwin Tugna, Vice Mayor Francis Zamora, Ervic Vijandre, Rey PJ Abellana, Bayani Agbayani, Dave Almarinez, Scott Davies Lanete, Congressman Niel Tupas Jr., German Panghulan, Cyril Santiago at Jeffrey Sanders.

Aminado ang mga PBA Legends na malaki na ang pagbabago sa performance ng kanilang paglalaro, ngunit sisikapin nila na makapagbigay pa rin ng kasiyahan lalo na sa fans na nagnanais na masaksihan ang naturang exhibition game.

“I think the theme of exhibition game is solidarity, and oneness, kung sa ganitong aspeto tatagal tayo, kung sa laro pipilitin natin mabigyan ng kasiyahan ang ating mga kasambahay dahil ito ay sa imbitasyon ni Kuya Daniel Razon, sana masiyahan sila,” pahayag ng dating ace point guard na si Ronnie Magsanoc.

“It’s more of a reunion, sa mga tao makapagbigay kami ng kasiyahan sa kanila at siyempre, pagpaumanhin niyo na kung minsan medyo mabagal kami,” pahayag naman ni “Defense Minister” Jerry Codiñera.

Pero sa kabila nito, hindi pa rin nawala ang paghanga ng team All Stars sa mga haligi ng PBA.

Ayon kay Congressman Sherwin Tugna, “makikita natin yung kanilang positioning, fundamentals, specially the “Defense Minister” Gerry Condinera, sumupalpal pa siya, si coach Ronnie Magsanoc, kondisyon na kondisyon pa din.”

“Siyempre mas magulang sila, alam nila lahat ng gulang kahit mas mabilis kami, hindi mo basta magagamit yung bilis sa kanila kasi babanggain ka nun,” anang aktor na si Ervic Vijandre.

“Kung meron man siguro na bago medyo bumagal lang ng konti, medyo bumigat, ganun langnaman, but just the same pare-pareho lang naman kami,” pahayag naman ni Kuya Daniel Razon.

Confident naman ang aktor na si Bayani Agbayani na tatambakan nila ang mga PBA Legends.

“Palagay ko tatambakan naming sila, nakita mo yung laro ko kanina, one fourth pa lang yun ng pinapakita ko, pagnakita mo 100% ko, alam mo sobrang bilis ako, sa sobrang bilis ko, nabangga ko yung likod ko minsan, naitulak ko pa likod ko nag-away pa kami ng sarili ko,” biro ng komedyante.

Inihayag naman ni Kuya Daniel Razon na hindi dito nagtatapos ang UNTV CUP dahil masusundan pa ito ng season 2 na kabibilangan ng mas maraming team.

Aniya, “For certain with God’s help tuloy-tuloy naman to, ngayon nga even before the finals, na i-set na natin yung para sa second season, more or less mga 10 teams, kasali pa rin sila, mayron lang mga teams na madadagdag.” (Mon Jocson / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

Ang Team Judiciary sa pagtanggap ng premyo bilang kampeon ng 1st UNTV Cup. Kasama sa pagtanggap ng koponan ay mismong sina Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno at Associate Justice Jose P. Perez. Inabot naman nina Kuya Daniel Razon at Mr. Larry Henares ang tropeo at checke sa grupo. (KRISTINE LEIGH DOMINGO / Photoville International)

MANILA, Philippines — Tinanghal  na unang kampeon ng UNTV Cup ang team Judiciary matapos talunin ang PNP Hinirangs sa score na 86-83 sa game 2 ng best-of-three championship series ng  UNTV Cup sa SMART-Araneta Coliseum, Martes ng gabi.

Ito ang ikalawang panalo ng Judiciary sa serye na sinaksihan mismo ni Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Nahirang na best player of the game si Don Camaso.

Ang tinanghal na best player of the game na si former PBA Player Don ‘The Hammer’ Camaso na siyang pangunahing sinandalan ng team sa scoring at defense simula pa ng UNTV Cup season. (PRINCE MARQUEZ / Photoville International)

Tumanggap ang Judiciary ng P1million bilang gantimpala, na ipagkakaloob naman nila sa mga biktima ng lindol sa Bohol.

Kasama rin si Chief Justice Sereno na tumanggap sa championship trophy at premyo.

“The boys were really inspiring you saw their hard work, I think they deserve it, the PNP gave us a very good fight I think this all goes well for fighting crime in the country. The PNP and the Judiciary doing their very best. Thank you very much and congratulations UNTV and congratulations to the organizers.” — Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno (JUN RAPANAN / Photoville International)

Ang PNP naman ay nakapag-uwi ng P500,000 para sa Masonic Charity for Crippled Children Incorporated.

Ang Team PNP na nakakuha ng 2nd place sa torneo na nagkamit ng P500,000 para sa kanilang napiling charity institution. Sila ay sinamahan ni former PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome sa buong laro. (ROVIC BALUNSAY / Photoville International)

Nakakuha rin ng P250,000 ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) para sa Educational Benefit System Office o AFP-EBSO.

Napagkalooban ng dagdag pondo ang Educational Benefit System Office ng AFP dahil sa pagkamit ng 3rd place ng Team AFP sa 1st UNTV Cup, AFP-EBSO ay siyang tanggapan ng Sandatahang Lakas na nag-aasikaso sa libreng pagpapaaral sa mga anak ng mga sundalong namatay sa pagganap ng tungkulin. (DOMINIC MEILY/ Photoville International)

Halagang P150,000 naman ang nakamit ng team Philhealth para sa Cancer Warriors Foundation.

Ang Team PHILHEALTH sa pagtanggap ng P150,000 bilang 4th placer para sa kanilang napiling charity institution na Cancer Warriors Foundation na kasama rin nila sa pagtanggap sa pamamagitan ng deligasyon nito. (DOMINIC MEILY/ Photoville International)

PBA Legends, panalo sa exhibition game vs. All Star team

Samantala, naging kapana-panabik din ang exhibition match sa pagitan ng PBA Legends at All Star team sa championship night ng first UNTV Cup.

Cardiac game ang exhibition game ng PBA Legends at All Stars team ni Kuya Daniel Razon.

Ang paghaharap ng Team All Stars at PBA Legends. (FREDERICK ALVIOR / Photoville International)

Nagkatalo lamang sa isang punto, 75-74 ang sagupaang pinagwagihan ng PBA Legends.

Sa three-points ng dating PBA “stalwart” na si Gery Esplana sa huling tatlong segundo na nagbigay wakas sa nakakabang exhibition match.

Sa kabuoan, umiskor si Esplana ng 24 points.

Nakatulong ni Esplana sa paghugot sa panalo sina dating PBA MVP Atoy Co, Bay Cristobal, Ronnie Magsanoc at Jerry Condiñera.

Si PBA Legend na si Gerry Esplana sa isang assist attempt sa teammate niyang si Defense Minister Jerry Codiñera habang binabantayan nina PBA Rookie draftee Ervic Vijandre na miyembro rin ng Team Congress-LGU at ni Mr. Public Service Kuya Daniel sa isang exhibition game sa pagitan ng PBA Legends at Team All Stars. (REY VERCIDE / Photoville International)

Pinangunahan naman ni Kuya Daniel Razon ang All Stars team kasama sina Bayani Agbayani, Rey PJ Abellana, Congressmen Niel Tupas, Sherwin Tugna at Scott Davies Lanete.

“We’re looking forward sa mas intensified game, at ganun pa rin tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang charity na ginagawa natin at ito naman ang pinaka-purpose ng UNTV Cup,” pahayag ni Kuya Daniel Razon. (Bernard Dadis / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

Nag-enjoy ang lahat ng mga nagtungo sa SMART-Araneta Coliseum dahil sa napakagandang at dikitang mga laban nitong UNTV Cup Finals Game 2 tulad ng grupong ito ng mga audience ng Team Judiciary na nakasuot pa ng kulay ube na mga damit. (RUSSELL JULIO / Photoville International)

Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno enjoying the UNTV Cup Finals Game 2 and cheering for the Supreme Court’s Team Judiciary. (KRISTINE LEIGH DOMINGO)

It was a sight to behold. With only a few seconds left in the clock, she could not contain her excitement and the anticipation of knowing who’s going to win. Wishing it would be her team; she waves her purple balloon left and right blending in with the rest of the crowd’s movement. Her face flashes expressions of delight, thrill, and uneasiness that matched that of the people around her. And as the seconds turn to zero, a shower of confetti, a deafening collective cheer erupted from the rabble, she’s up on her feet shouting for joy as her team wins; 86-83.

Who would’ve thought that the Chief Justice of the Philippines had a thing for Basketball? I certainly did not. But I was there and witnessed it firsthand how she showed a wide array of emotions depending on what the situation required. Her usual calm and collected character was definitely shaken as the Game 2 of the PNP vs. Judiciary for the UNTV Cup Finals was commencing. She cheered, she gasped, laughed, clapped—even jumped, and every other reaction possible to a ball game, she did. And for the most part of watching her watch the game and taking pictures of her reaction, I couldn’t help but match the big smile plastered across her face.

I guess it’s refreshing to know that beyond the tough and feisty surface that requires of a Chief Justice she still knows how to have fun. And I know it’s not just for the cameras, seeing it for myself, I know every emotion was genuine and more importantly, she was not afraid to show this side of her. But at the end of the night, one out of the many emotions she conveyed remained, and it was that of pure joy that comes from a splendid and hard-earned victory. (KRISTINE LEIGH DOMINGO)

Supreme Court’s Team Judiciary enjoying the moment of being the champion of the 1st UNTV Cup. Joining the squad is Associate Justice Jose Perez and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. Also in the photo congratulating them is Mr. Public Service Kuya Daniel Razon. (KRISTINE LEIGH DOMINGO)

Dinomina ni Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao ang kalaban nitong si Brandon Rios para sa World Boxing Organisation (WBO) International welterweight boxing title sa labang ginanap nitong Linggo, Nobyembre 24, 2013 sa Macau, China (REUTERS/Tyrone Siu)

MACAU, China — Muling pinatunayan ni People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao ang kaniyang bilis at galing nang talunin ang American boxer na si Brandon ‘Bambam’ Rios via unanimous decsion sa 12 rounds ng kanilang laban sa Macau Cotai Arena nitong Linggo, Nobyembre 25, 2013.

Sa unang round pa lamang ay nagpakita na ng bagsik ng kaniyang suntok si Manny na nagresulta ng sugat sa magkabilang kilay ni Rios.

Pahayag ng Pambansang Kamao, “In the beginning of the fight, I already announced that before, before the fight, I am gonna be like a young Manny Pacquiao and show may performance, throw them side by side, I used my boxing skills so I think I proved it. Im happy that God give me strength.”

Todo ang suporta sa kanya, hindi lamang ng mga Pilipino, kundi ng international boxing fans sa laban.

Ilan sa kilalang celebrities na namataan sa laban ay sina Paris Hilton, David Heckham at si Miguel Cotto na minsan nang tinalo ni Pacman.

Iniaalay ni Manny ang kaniyang pagkapanalo sa ating mga kababayang nasalanta ng Bagyong Yolanda.

Dagdag pa ni Pacman, “I hope na,especially to all Filipino people na nakapagbigay ako ng karangalan kasiyahan sa inyong lahat, not only Filipino people but all the fans around the world.”

Sa labang ito pinawi ni Manny ang mga haka haka na wala na siyang kakayahang makipaglaban sa larangan ng boxing.

Pinatutunayan din niya na hindi pa ito ang panahon ng kaniyang pagreretiro.

“I told them that this is not my time yet, my journey will continue and I said we will rise again and that’s what happen. Thank God for everything,” ani People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao. (RAMIES NARRAL / UNTV News) 

Ang pagkapanalo ni Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao sa laban kontra Brandon Rios para sa World Boxing Organisation (WBO) International welterweight boxing title nitong Linggo, Nobyembre 24, 2013 sa Macau, China. Itinuturing din ng mga kababayan nating nasalanta ni Bagyong Yolanda ang pagkapanalong ito ni Pacquiao na pagkapanalo rin nila kontra sa kanilang sinapit na pananalasa. (REUTERS/Tyrone Siu)

MANILA, Philippines — Sandaling nakalimutan ng buong Pilipinas ang iniwang pinsala ni Super Typhoon Yolanda sa Visayas Region habang nakikipagsagupa si Cong. Manny Pacquiao kay Mexican-American boxer Brandon Rios.

Napuno ng sigaw ng kagalakan ang convention center sa Tacloban matapos na ianunsyo ng ring announcer na si Michael Buffer na panalo si Pacquiao via unanimous decision laban kay Rios sa WBO international welterweight title fight.

Ayon sa residenteng si Jacob Mado, dahil sa laban ay pansamantala niyang nakalimutan ang nararamdamang lungkot dulot ng nakaraang bagyo.

“It’s hard to explain because, because when he’s fighting you forget, you forget something that’s happened here. You don’t feel the sadness that’s happened here. You just feel happy.”

Walang bakas ng sakit sa mukha ng mga survivor sa bawat pagtama ng suntok ni Pacquiao kay Rios.

Naniniwala ang 70-anyos na si Filemon Corro, na nawalan din ng bahay dahil kay Yolanda na nagbibigay pag-asa sa mga tao sa Tacloban ang pagkapanalo ni Pacquiao.

“His win has given strength and confidence to the people, and helped us to forget the terrible things that happened here. Everything doesn’t seem as bad now.”

Nagset-up ang lokal na pamahalaan ng mga wide screen sa tatlong lugar sa Tacloban City at isa na rito ang nasirang paliparan kung saan naka-standby ang mga foreign at local aid worker at security forces.

Ang iba, nagdagsaan sa open field mapanood lamang ang kanilang idolo. Tanging ang mga plywood, cardboard at styrofoam scrap ang ginawang panangga sa sikat ng araw.

Mayroon ding umakyat pa sa puno o jeepney, para lamang masilip ang laban ni Pacquiao.

Ayon sa typhoon survivor na si Nenita Male, “it was a good fight by Pacquiao. He fought for the typhoon victims. He fought for us. We will rise again. Pacquiao lifted us up.”

Maging sa Marikina ay dumagsa ang may dalawang libong residente sa isang public park upang matunghayan ang laban.

“All of his fights are dedicated to Filipinos. That’s one asset of Manny — because of his good heart, the Lord granted him with blessings,” pahayag ni Cecilio Digamon.

Maliban sa pagiging isang boksingero, si Pacquiao rin ang congressman ng probinsya ng Sarangani.

Taos-puso namang nagpasalamat si Pacquiao sa lahat ng mga Pilipinong sumuporta sa kanya, at nangakong bibisitahin ang ating mga kababayang naapektuhan ng bagyo. (Bianca Dava / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

FILE PHOTO: Philippine Azkals Angel Guirado. (REUTERS / Tariq Al-Ali)

SINGAPORE — Tinalo ng Singapore Lions ang Philippine Azkals sa isang friendly match sa score na 6-0 sa Huogang Stadium sa Singapore.

Layon ng laro na makalikom ng salapi at relief goods na ipadadala sa mga kababayan nating nasalanta ng Bagyong Yolanda.

“We come together obviously is a set time everyone in ah you know and the rest of the world not just the Filipino, and we just want to do we can to bring love and comfort as much as comfort as we can to our friends in Philippines,” pahayag ni Winston Lee, Secretary ng Football Association of Singapore.

Masaya naman si Coach Leigh Manson sa ipinakita ng Team Philippines at Team Singapore sa kanilang laban.

Aniya, “the guys are rooming together, playing together so we get that quite quickly so that’s the biggest challenges not seeing the player in off every national team will tell you that.”

Nagpasalamat naman ang Singapore Lions sa pagkakataong makaharap ang Azkals gayun din ang layong makatulong sa relief operation sa mga biktima ng bagyong Yolanda.

“I would like to say thank you so much for the Azkals to come and give us a fight I mean ah it’s ah really entertaining game, I wish the best in the Philippines and I hope the recovery is doing well in the Philippines to the people there,” pahayag ni Faris Ramli, isa sa mga player ng Singapore Lions.

Ang laro ng Azkals kontra Young Lions ay pang-apat na sa relief effort na dinaluhan ni Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Minda Calaguian-Cruz upang makakuha ng tulong para sa Yolanda victims sa mga kaibigan nating Singaporeans.

“Thank you so much for them I think they came here for a very noble caused. I know they haven’t trained really yet for this you know, but since it was an invitation really to raise funds for Typhoon Haiyan. I’m very grateful to them they came and also to the Singapore football association for organizing this in a very very short time…. these are all indications really of how people care to those have been victims,” pahayag nito. (Maila Guevarra / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

Inaasahan ang mas maaksyong UNTV Cup sa ikalawang season nito dahil sa mas pinalakas na mga teams at 4 na bagong koponan. Ang public service basketball tournament na ito ay inaasahang magsimula sa buwan ng Pebrero sa 2014. (PHOTOVILLE International)

MANILA, Philippines — Apat na bagong koponan ang lalahok sa Season 2 ng UNTV Cup na sisimulan sa Pebrero ng susunod na taon.

Sa isinagawang final briefing sa Atoy’s Bar Metrowalk sa Ortigas nitong Miyerkules, mula sa pitong team noong unang season ay sampung koponan na ang maglalaban-laban sa season 2 ng UNTV Cup.

Ang dalawang bagong team na sasali ay mula sa Malakanyang at Senado, samantalang bumuo naman ng magkahiwalay na koponan ang House of Representatives at Local Government Unit o LGU.

“The way I talk to the teams talagang they are really preparing for this kasi they are not expecting na yung 1st UNTV Cup natin ay successful and then parang na-frustrate sila na they weren’t able to fill in their best best players so now the way I look at it everybody is looking forward and beefing up their teams to be more competitive,” pahayag ni UNTV Cup Commissioner Atoy Co.

Kapwa excited naman ang Team Senate at Team Malacanang na makalaro sa public service league.

Ayon kay Kit Navea ng Team Senate, “we’re privileged na nakasama kami for the 1st time na mapapakita naming yung skills namin sa buong league na’to. It’s very challenging din and hopefully, we’re targeting for the championship.”

“Good and may disadvantage and hindi, dahil na nagkaroon na kami ng very close bonding ng Congress but then again it gives a chance for other players as well na makapaglaro both teams,” saad naman ni Dave Almarinez ng Team Congress.

Ang naging pagpupulong ng mga UNTV Cup teams at organizers bilang paghahanda sa season 2 ng public service league. (UNTV News)

Samantala, target naman ng Team Philhealth na makapasok sa Top 3 ng UNTV Cup season 2.

Napagkasunduan pa ng mga koponan sa pangunguna ng Philhealth na magkaroon ng on-site public service ang kani-kanilang ahensya habang ongoing ang liga.

“Ang Philhealth po ay kaisa ng UNTV dahil ang UNTV being a public service channel, ang Philhealth po ay walang hinangad kundi magbigay ng serbisyo sa mga miyembro, sa pamamagitan po ng palakasang laro na basketball, maipapakita po ng empleyado natin ang kanilang kagalingan at the same time hindi po tayo lumalayo sa goals ni Brother Eli saka ni Kuya Daniel na talagang tumulong sa kapwa,” pahayag ni Coach Delio Aseron ng Team Philhealth.

Ang 10 official team ng UNTV Cup season 2 ay ang Team Judiciary, PNP, AFP, Philhealth, MMDA, DOJ, Congress, LGU, Senate at Malacanang. (Ryan Ramos / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

FILE PHOTO: Former F1 world champion Michael Schumacher (REUTERS)

Nasa kritikal na kondisyon pa rin ngayon ang seven-time Formula One World Champion na si Michael Schumacher.

Ayon sa kampo nito, nagkaroon ng severe cranial trauma at coma si Schumacher bunga ng aksidente sa kanyang skiing trip nitong weekend sa French alps.

Agad din itong isinailalim sa brain surgery nang dalhin sa university hospital center of Grenoble. (UNTV News)

Si Mr. Public Service Kuya Daniel Razon kasama ang mga kinatawan ng mga teams na lalahok sa season 2 ng UNTV Cup na magpapasimula sa February 11. Ito ang 10 teams mula sa Congress, Senate, Malacanang, MMDA, PNP, AFP, PhilHealth, LGU, Department of Justice at Supreme Court. ( JUN RAPANAN / Photoville International )

MANILA, Philippines — Naging matagumpay at napuno ng excitement ang kick-off celebration ng UNTV Cup Season-2 nitong Martes sa One Esplanade, Pasay City.

Mas pinalakas ang kauna-unahang inter-government agency basketball tournament.

Ngayong second season, sampung koponan na ang magso-showdown sa hard-court.

Nadagdag sa mga maglalabang koponan ang Team Malacañang at Team Senate, samantalang pinaghiwalay naman ang dating iisang team ng Congress at Local Government unit (LGU).

Ayon kay UNTV Cup Deputy Comm. Ed Cordero, asahan na ang mahigpit at matinding tungalian ng bawat koponan sa hard court.

“We expect a lot of competition, a lot of new talents so that the fans can follow more and more players from these government agencies dabbling as public servants and players. And we are having a format that more or less would balance the strengths of these teams and I think that would be a recipe for a very exiting second season.” — UNTV Cup Deputy Commissioner Ed Cordero (RUSSEL JULIO / Photoville International)

Pinangunahan naman ni Mr. Public Service Kuya Daniel Razon ang pag-welcome sa dalawang bagong koponan sa nag-iisang charity basketball league on TV.

“We’re very happy kasi sa Malacañang marami talagang mahilig maglaro. Ang tawag namin basketball for a cause, magandang motivation para sa mga players, nag-eenjoy ka na, naglalaro ka at may chance ka pa makatulong sa kapwa mo,” pahayag ni Maj. Paul Yamamoto, Team Leader ng Malacañang.

“May magagaling din kaming senador na maglalaro sa amin, si Senator Sonny, Senator Bam Aquino at Senator Allan, para ma-promote din namin ang senado as goodwill team. Kaya lalong sumali ang senate kasi yun din ang objective ng Senate katulad ng UNTV, public service,” saad naman ni Atty. Rodelio Dascil, Team Leader ng Senado.

Samantala, binigyang pagkilala rin ng UNTV Cup organizers ang pitong koponan sa nakaraang palaro, at kinilala ang husay na ipinakita ng mga napiling most outstanding players of season-1.

Pumasok naman sa mythical 5 sina SPO1 Julius Criste at PO2 Ollan Omiping ng Team PNP, Don Camaso ng Team Judiciary, Wilfredo Casulla ng Team AFP at ang celebrity player na si Ervic Vijandre ng Team Congress-LGU. (JUN RAPANAN / Photoville International)

Hinirang naman na most valuable player o MVP si PO2 Ollan Omiping na tinaguriang ‘The Sniper’.

“Sa akin hindi ako pressure eh, ang iniisip ko lang talaga maglaro at makatulong eh. Siguro sa pagbibigay ko ng lahat ko hindi ko nalalaman nag-excel na pala ako sa somewhere,” saad ni Omiping.

Sa kanyang mensahe, ipinamalas ni Mr. Public Service Kuya Daniel Razon ang pagkahilig nito sa larong basketball.

“Bata pa ho ako talagang mahilig na ako mag-basketball. And when I was to talk to somebody. Ang sabi nya sa akin, alam mo dito sa atin sa Pilipinas 3 bagay lang lagi pinag-uusapan: religion, politics and basketball. Now that tumanda na po ako nang kaunti kaysa dati, sabi ko, siguro pupwedeng hindi na paglalaro lang ng basketball isipin natin — na gamitin as vehicle para naman dun sa public service,” pahayag ni Kuya Daniel Razon. (RUSSEL JULIO / Photoville International)

At sa pagpasok ng season-2, isang bagong ideya ang idinagdag ni Kuya Daniel sa bawat game ng UNTV Cup. Hinikayat nito ang lahat ng joining agencies na magtayo ng public service booth sa game venue na maaring lapitan ng mga manonood.

“Lahat yan nandyan na, kahit na representatives lang. May reklamo kayo sa Philhealth, punta kayo sa booth ng Philhealth punta kayo sa booth ng Philhealth. May reklamo kayo sa PNP, punta kayo sa booth ng PNP. May reklamo kayo sa AFP punta kayo sa booth ng AFP. May mga representatives na sila doon na hihilingin natin para makaupo at directly makalapit sa kanila at pagkatapos saka kayo manood ng game. Kung papayag yung mga teams, kung okay sa kanila yung ganun, at least mailapit pa rin natin ang mga agencies na ito sa taong bayan. Magkakampi po tayo sa public service, magkakampi po tayo sa paglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan.”

Abangan na sa February 11 ang opening game ng UNTV Cup season-2 sa Smart-Araneta Coliseum. (Pong Mercado / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

Ang lahat ng kalahok na koponan tulad ng Team PNP ay excited na sa pagbubukas ng season 2 ng UNTV Cup. (JUN RAPANAN / Photoville International)

FILE PHOTO: Si Charlotte Bobcats point guard Kemba Walker sa isang laro kalaban ang Toronto Raptors. (CHRIS KEANE / Reuters)

(REUTERS) – Ang  Charlotte Bobcats leading scorer na si Kemba Walker ay hindi muna makakalaro sa susunod na 10 hanggang 14 na araw dahil sa na-sprain na kaliwang ankle, ayon sa pahayag ng team nito.

Si Walker na may average point production na 18.7 points at limang assists kada laro para sa Bobcats ngayong season na siyang pinakamataas ay nagtamo ng injury sa ikatlong yugto ng  kanilang laban sa Miami Heat nitong Linggo sa oras ng Pilipinas kung saan sila ay natalo sa score na 104-96 sa overtime.

Bagaman nag-negative sa mga naging X-Ray, sa isinagawang magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam ay lumitaw na may second degree sprain si Kemba.

Ang point guard na ito ng Charlotte Bobcats ay isa sa mga pinaka-exciting sa mga batang manlalaro sa NBA.

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Gene Cherry)

Nagsagawa na ng tune up games ang mga participating team sa UNTV Cup Season 2. Ang unang laro ay sa pagitan ng Team PNP at Team LGU. Ibinaba na rin ng mga UNTV Cup commissioners ang mga house rules ngayong season 2. (PRINCE MARQUEZ / Photoville International)

MANILA, Philippines — Inilatag na sa lahat ng team coaches at managers ang house rules and regulations sa sampung koponan na kalahok sa Season 2 ng UNTV Cup.

Binigyang diin ni UNTV Cup Commissioner Atoy Co at Deputy Commissioner Ed Cordero ang layon ng istasyon na mai-promote ang magandang pagsasamahan ng mga manlalaro.

“Camaraderie, bonding, family-oriented tayo, kaya as much as possible talagang clean fun basketball. Ni-reiterate ko rin yung mga physical contacts sa games na napapanood natin sa PBA eh ayaw kong mangyari sa UNTV Cup, ang gusto ko dito sa UNTV Cup clean fun basketball,” pahayag ni Co.

Ayon kay Raffy Bretanico, pinuno ng Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas na FIBA rules ang gagamitin sa UNTV Cup bilang isang amateur league.

“Even NBA and other tournament, ‘pag dumating sa world basketball and Olympics, we use FIBA rules so dapat talaga this is about time lahat ng tournament natin is using FIBA Rules,” saad nito.

Base sa inilatag na house rules, ang bawat koponan ay may hanggang labing walong player na lehitimo at may isang taon nang empleyado sa ahensyang kinakatawan.

Ang ikalawang laro sa tune up games ay sa pagitan naman ng Team Supreme Court at Team AFP. (PRINCE MARQUEZ / Photoville International)

Pinahihintulutan naman ang isang team na gumamit ng dalawang guest player. Maaring dating PBA player basta’t itoy limang taon ng retirado sa professional game, o kaya’y celebrity player o nakasali sa non-professional league basta’t hindi bababa sa edad na 32.

Nais ng kauna-unahang inter-agency basketball tournament on TV na mabigyang pagkakataon ang mga empleyado ng gobyerno na maipakita ang kakayahan at makatulong sa mga nangangailangan sa larangan ng basketball.

Positibo naman ang naging pagtanggap ng coaches ng bawat koponan.

“Maganda yung intension ng mga commissioners at ng UNTV because ang purpose naman siguro nito hindi naman yung pro-league. Ang ano dito eh yung for mga empleyado. Ang gusto nila ay magkaroon ng panibagong star within the rank ng mga empleyado,” pahayag ni Coach Lino Ong, Team Senate.

Ayon naman kay Team MMDA Assistant Coach John Cardel, “I’m very excited, you know magandang liga ito. At least kahit medyo retired ka na, we have the TV and all the interviews, so sisikat sila at least kahit ganung age na sila, sabi nga ni commissioner yun nga mga kapitbahay, they cheer for them na manood ng game na to, I’m very-very excited talaga for the first game.”

Kahapon, sinimulan na ang tune-up practice ng iba’t ibang team bilang preparasyon season two ng UNTV na magbubukas sa Pebrero.

“Kaya ko ginawang re-enforce yun para naman yung ibang team na nasa ilalim nung nakaraan eh magkaroon ng tsansa na magpalakas at maging competitive sila sa ibang team,” dagdag pa ni Atoy Co. (Pong Mercado / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

Isang maliit na pag-uusap-usap sa pagitan ng ilang team members and coaches kasama sina Deputy Commissioner Ed Cordero (black shirt) at Commissioner Atoy Co (green shirt) pagkatapos ng mga laro. (PRINCE MARQUEZ / Photoville International)

FILE PHOTO:  Si Timothy Bradley at ang People’s Champ na si Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao pagkatapos noong una nilang laban. Sa April 12, 2014 ay nakatakda ang kanilang ikalawang paghaharap. (REUTERS)

MANILA, Philippines – Kasado na ang ikalawang paghaharap nina Manny Pacquiao at Timothy Bradley.

Ayon kay Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, gaganapin ang Pacquiao-Bradley rematch sa Abril 12 sa MGM Grand Garden Arena sa Las Vegas.

Matatandaang unang nagharap ang dalawa noong Hunyo 2012 kung saan tinalo ng American boxer si Pacquiao via split decision.

Sa kanilang muling paglalaban, pag-aagawan nila ang WBO welterweight title. (UNTV News)

Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland waves with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup as Rafael Nadal of Spain (R) reacts in their men’s singles final match at the Australian Open 2014 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 26, 2014.
REUTERS/Jason Reed

(Reuters) – Stanislas Wawrinka staged the biggest upset in a grand slam final for nearly half a decade when he put down a wounded Rafa Nadal 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 in a surreal Australian Open final to win his maiden major title on Sunday.

The record books will record a shock on a par with Juan Martin del Potro’s victory over five-times defending champion Roger Federer at the 2009 U.S. Open but it was a far more complex evening than that.

The Swiss had started brilliantly to take the opening set of a match few had given him a chance of winning but the contest changed irrevocably when world number one Nadal pulled up with a back injury at the beginning of the second stanza.

After medical treatment, the Spaniard remarkably came back to win the third set and it took some time before the eighth seed was able to sufficiently regather himself to serve out for victory after 141 extraordinary minutes.

Wawrinka sat on court in tears after receiving the trophy from Pete Sampras, who, if the pre-match script had held, would have handed it to Nadal after the Spaniard matched his haul of 14 grand slam titles.

“It’s quite crazy what’s happening right now,” said Wawrinka, the first player since Del Potro to break the grand slam monopoly of Nadal, Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

“I never expected to win a grand slam. I never dreamed about that because for me, I was not good enough to beat those guys.”

Nadal, top seed and holder of the French and U.S. Open titles after a brilliant 2013 season, did everything in his power to avoid taking the limelight away from Wawrinka’s arrival into the grand slam winner’s circle.

“That’s not the real moment to talk about (the injury),” said Nadal, who admitted his back had troubled him from the warm-up.

“It’s the moment to congratulate Stan. He’s playing unbelievably. He really deserved to win that title. I’m very happy for him. He’s a great, great guy. He’s a good friend of mine. I am really happy for him.

“So just congratulate him for everything.”

His tears, though, told of the frustration of an ultra-competitive man whose path to a second Australian Open title had been blocked by injury for a fourth time in five years since his sole triumph in 2009.

“IMPOSSIBLE TO WIN”

The 27-year-old retired in his quarter-final against Murray in 2010, slumped out while clearly injured against compatriot David Ferrer in the 2011 last eight and missed the entire tournament in 2013.

“I tried hard until the end, trying to finish the match as good as I could for the crowd, for the opponent, for me,” Nadal added.

“So that’s what I did, tried everything until the last moment, but it was impossible to win this way.”

After also beating defending champion Djokovic in the quarter-finals, Wawrinka became first man to defeat the top two seeds at a grand slam since Spain’s Sergi Bruguera at Roland Garros in Paris in 1993.

Wawrinka will now move above Federer in the world rankings to become Swiss number one, an almost inconceivable thought not more than 12 months ago when he was considered no more than a decent top 20 journeyman.

The 28-year-old has been a revelation under new coach Magnus Norman over the last six months, though.

Serving like a dream and smashing winners from both wings, he grabbed a break for 3-1 when Nadal netted a backhand and held firm to hold his own serve and take his first ever set off the Spaniard in their 13 meetings.

Nadal had been glancing nervously up at his uncle and coach Toni in the stands in the first set but it was not until he had been broken to love to start the second that it became apparent that something was wrong.

RUBBER-NECKING

When he came to serve again at 2-0 down, he suddenly pulled up short and at the next change of ends, raced off court for a medical timeout.

Wawrinka raged at umpire Carlos Ramos for not explaining clearly what was going on and the crowd booed the 13-times grand slam champion when he returned to court, obviously suspecting some gamesmanship to arrest his slide.

It soon became obvious that was not the case as, clearly impeded, Nadal shuffled lamely along the baseline.

For the remainder of the set the crowd were like rubber-neckers at a car crash, watching to see how long Nadal could last before retiring.

After winning the second set, though, Wawrinka appeared to have been knocked off his stride by Nadal’s predicament and whatever treatment the Spaniard had received kicked in and he incredibly won the third.

“It wasn’t easy,” said Wawrinka. “He got injured. I saw that. He wasn’t serving at all. He wasn’t moving during one set.

Then was a completely different match. I had to focus on myself, to try to find the way just to win it.”

Wawrinka grabbed the first break in the fourth set with a thumping forehand winner only for Nadal to break right back but another huge forehand soon had the world number eight serving for the match at 5-3.

By now he could scent victory and, after punching himself in the head a couple of times, he served out to love, marching up to the net to slap another forehand past Nadal to deliver the coup de grace.

“I was unhappy because normally that’s not the way I want to win the match,” Wawrinka said.

“But it’s a final. At the end I won in four sets. I think I finished the match well. To get the win, it’s just amazing for me.”

ARTICLE:  NICK MULVENNEY / Reuters

(Editing by Justin Palmer)

Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a news conference after losing his men’s singles final match against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland at the Australian Open 2014 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 26, 2014.
CREDIT: REUTERS/BOBBY YIP

(Reuters) — For the third time in five years, Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open title hopes were ended by injury as he was beaten by Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka in the final on Sunday.

Victory would have given the Spaniard a 14th grand slam title but as in 2010 and 2011, his body failed him and he was swept away in a 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 defeat.

The world number one said that he first felt pain in the warm-up and he was then reduced to tears at the start of the second set but battled on because another injury-affected exit would have been a tough pill to swallow.

“It is true that I was not very lucky and this is a tournament that is painful for me,” an emotional Nadal, who missed the 2013 tournament, told reporters.

“It is a tournament that I really had some troubles physically in my career and is something that is painful for me. But that’s part of life. That’s part of sport. It’s not the end of the world. Is just another tough moment.”

Nadal captured the Melbourne major in 2009 but suffered a knee injury against Andy Murray in 2010 and a hamstring injury the following year scuppered his chances of winning a fourth successive grand slam title.

The 27-year-old had looked unbeatable when he crushed Roger Federer in straight sets in the semi-finals but on Sunday, his injury woes struck again.

Although he improved after treatment to take the third set, his movement was still severely affected and the speed of his serve was hugely reduced.

Nadal said he had not wanted to quit in a grand slam final and that Wawrinka fully deserved his win.

“The last thing that I wanted to do was retire,” said Nadal, who would also have become only the third man to win all four majors at least twice if he had triumphed. “I hate to do that, especially in a final.

“At the same time, it is tough … (when) … the whole year you are working for a moment like this and the moment arrives and you feel that you are not able to play at your best.

LOUDLY BOOED

“So it was not an easy situation for me to be on court like this but I tried hard until the end, trying to finish the match as good as I can for the crowd, for the opponent, for me.

“I tried everything until the last moment, but was impossible to win this way. Opponent is too good.”

Nadal was loudly booed by the crowd when he returned from a lengthy medical time out early in the second set, with the fans failing to realise the severity of the injury.

Nadal’s uncle and coach, Toni Nadal, told reporters in French that at one stage, the world number one said: “‘It’s over’.

“Then later, he asked me what to do. I said, ‘play – you don’t quit in a final’.

“We thought he would lose 6-2 6-3 6-0.”

Former world number one Pete Sampras had expected Nadal to draw level with his haul of 14 grand slam titles on Sunday but instead the American great could only offer words of consolation to the Spanish warrior during the presentation ceremony.

“I thought he was going to stop, I really did,” Sampras said. “But he continued to play, he’s a fighter.”

“I think Rafa just wanted to complete the match and he actually looked pretty good at the end. He wasn’t moving great though, and I think Stan deserved to win.”

Nadal said that even without the injury he might have struggled to beat Wawrinka, a man who had not won a set from him in 12 previous matches.

“He was playing amazing,” Nadal said. “It is very tough to stop him when he’s playing that way.

“So I just congratulate him because he’s playing better and better and he’s playing with amazing confidence, hitting every ball very, very hard, moving himself great.

“(For me) … just a bad day, tough day. But lot of people in the world have lot of very tough days. I am not this kind of person, so I feel very lucky.”

ARTICLE BY:  SIMON CAMBERS / Reuters

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Rafael Nadal of Spain receives treatment during his men’s singles final match against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland at the Australian Open 2014 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 26, 2014.
CREDIT: REUTERS/BRANDON MALONE

(Reuters) – Rafael Nadal should recover from the back problem that wrecked his Australian Open final after a few days rest, his uncle and coach Toni told Spanish radio on Monday.

The ailing world number one lost to Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in Sunday’s final, preventing the Spaniard drawing level on 14 grand slam singles titles with American Pete Sampras.

Nadal needed lengthy treatment at the start of the second set, hit back to win the third but Wawrinka eventually captured his debut slam with a 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 success.

His uncle told Cadena Ser’s El Larguero show his nephew planned to return to his native Mallorca from Melbourne before heading to Argentina where he is due to take part in a clay event in Buenos Aires starting on February 10.

“The doctor said it’s a tightening of the muscles and a few days rest should be enough,” said Toni.

“He went into the match after feeling twinges during the week but very minor ones that normally do not affect you at all.

“In the second game of the second set he felt a pinch. When I asked him after treatment what was happening he said ‘it’s over’.”

(Reporting by Iain Rogers editing by Tony Jimenez)

Feb 2, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Colin Fleming, Dominic Inglot, James Ward, Andy Murray and Captain Leon Smith (GBR) pose with the British flag after defeating the USA in their Davis Cup tie at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports via REUTERS

(Reuters) – Britain beat the United States to reach the Davis Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1986 on Sunday as Japan finished off an injury-hit Canada to set up a maiden appearance in the last eight.

They joined holders Czech Republic, Italy and Kazakhstan as Sunday’s other qualifiers and Switzerland, Germany and France, who booked their places in the World Group last eight with a day to spare.

Britain, making their return to the World Group after a five-year absence, came into Sunday needing a solitary victory in the singles, but knowing their best chance of success rested with Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, who was facing the big-serving Sam Querrey.

After claiming the first set on a tiebreak, world number six Murray was forced to dig in against his 49th-ranked opponent and lost the second, but went through the gears to stamp his authority in the third before comfortably closing out a 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 6-1 6-3 win.

The result opened an unassailable 3-1 lead in the tie and completed Britain’s first win over the U.S. since 1935.

Britain will now face Italy, who advanced when Fabio Fognini overcame Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq 7-6(5) 4-6 6-1 6-4 to give them a winning 3-1 lead.

“He came out playing extremely aggressively, especially on my serve. I changed tactics at the beginning of the third set and I was able to dictate many of the points after that. So that change of tactics helped,” Murray told the BBC.

“You have a responsibility to your team mates to play well, but I also have a lot of experience in the Davis Cup and the slams, so you know how to deal with it relatively well.”

While Murray will accept the plaudits for getting the job done, the victory was built on the 175th-ranked James Ward’s surprise win over Querrey on Friday.

That put them 2-0 ahead and meant their destiny was in the hands of two-time grand slam winner Murray.

Japan began Sunday’s action 2-1 ahead and also needing one win the reverse singles to progress.

They were handed victory when Canada’s Frank Dancevic retired with injury when trailing 6-2 1-0 to Japanese number one Kei Nishikori, surrendering the tie in the first meeting of the countries since 1938.

At Tokyo’s Ariake Coliseum, Japan’s Nishikori pocketed the first set in 29 minutes and broke Dancevic in the first game of the second when the world number 119 took an injury timeout but could not continue because of a stomach muscle injury.

“The pressure is always on me to win both singles matches,” said Nishikori, who won his opening match against Peter Polansky on Friday before teaming up with Yasutaka Uchiyama to claim Saturday’s doubles.

“This time I was able to help win three matches.

“The quarter-finals was our goal after getting back in the World Group. To do it in the first year is very rewarding.”

PERFECT RECORD

Back in World Group after a one-year absence, Japan now have a perfect 6-0 Davis Cup record against last year’s semi-finalists, who were laid low by a spate of injuries.

Canada’s top-ranked player Milos Raonic withdrew on Thursday with a foot injury he sustained at last month’s Australian Open and world number 25 Vasek Pospisil also missed Saturday’s doubles with an injury he picked up at Melbourne Park.

Japan will host cup holders Czech Republic in the quarter-finals in April after they eased into the next round with a 3-2 win over the Netherlands.

Two months after clinching the title, the Czechs were taken to a final day by the Dutch, but comfortably booked their place in the next round when Tomas Berdych proved too classy an opponent for Thiemo De Bakker.

The world number seven secured a 6-1 6-4 6-3 victory to move the Czech into a 3-1 lead before Igor Sijsling beat Lukas Rosol in the dead rubber.

“We really wanted to win this one,” Berdych, who completed a hat-trick of wins, said.

“Always the first round is the cutting edge of success; (losing) means playing off to stay in the World Group, which could be extremely difficult. But we passed that, we won the first one.”

Kazakhstan secured a tie against Switzerland in the next round with a 3-2 victory over Belgium in Astana.

Belgium’s David Goffin twice came back from a set down to level the tie at 2-2 with a five-set win over Mikhail Kukushkin, before Andrey Golubev claimed the decider 6-2 6-3 6-1 over Ruben Bemelmans.

The other quarter-final will pit France against Germany.

(Additional reporting by Josh Reich and Amlan Chakraborty; Editing by Ed Osmond)

Kahanay ng Gilas Pilipinas sa Group B ng 2014 FIBA World Cup ang Argentina na pinangunahan nina NBA stars na Manu Ginobili at Luis Scola sa mga nakaraan FIBA series. Bukod sa Argentina, ka-grupo rin ng Philippine team ang mga bansang Senegal, Croatia, Puerto Rico at Greece. FILE PHOTO: (Andres Stapff / Reuters)

MANILA, Philippines — Inilabas na ang resulta ng draw ng mga bansang maglalaban sa 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Kabilang  sa Group B ang Pilipinas at makakalaban nito ang powerhouse team ng  Senegal, Croatia, Puerto Rico, Greece at ng Argentina na  koponan nina NBA star Manu Ginobili at Luis Scola.

Unang makakasagupa ng Pilipinas sa August 30 ang bansang Croatia.

Upang makausad sa next round, kailangang manalo ng dalawang beses ang Pilipinas laban sa Argentina, Senegal, Greece at Puerto Rico.

“You know for the team like the Philippines there is really no easy group for us in a competition like this everything is really going to be hard and in my mind I had mentally prepared psychologically already to be against very very tough competition,” pahayag ni Gilas Pilipinas Head Coach, Vincent “Chot” Reyes.

Ang final round ng FIBA World Cup ay gagawin sa September 6 hanggang September 14 sa Barcelona at Madrid. (UNTV News)

Undefeated WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley Jr. of the U.S. reacts after entering the ring for his title fight against Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 12, 2013.
CREDIT: REUTERS/STEVE MARCUS

(Reuters) – World Boxing Organisation welterweight champion Timothy Bradley of the United States and his challenger, Manny Pacquiao, will both be seeking redemption when they clash for a second time on April 12 in Las Vegas.

Bradley believes he never gained the recognition he was due after controversially beating the Filipino southpaw on a split decision when they first met in June 2012 while Pacquiao feels he was robbed with that result.

“This is all about redemption,” Bradley (31-0, 12 knockouts) said during a news conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Tuesday to promote the fight. “I need Manny. He needs me.

“I’m going to beat him again. I am younger and a better fighter. Manny fights for the money; I have the hunger to win. I am a different fighter than the one who fought Pacquiao in our first fight.

“I scored our fight eight rounds to four in my favor. No way he won that fight,” said the 30-year-old American who trains in Indio, California.

“Manny is great but he is also mortal. I’m not intimidated by him or his legend.”

Pacquiao told the news conference he was on a mission.

“I thought I was leading after every round,” he said. “I thought I won the fight easily. I controlled the fight every round. I was very surprised by the decision.

“But that’s part of the game. He got the decision and my title. Now I want to get back that belt he won off of me. Boxing has always been fun for me. This time the fun is secondary. This is a mission to prove I am the best.”

ROUND OF BOOS

Bradley’s victory over Pacquiao was met by a chorus of boos from the crowd in Las Vegas after the shock split decision was announced, and promoter Bob Arum later described the judges as “The Three Blind Mice”.

Judge Jerry Roth (115-113) awarded the fight to Pacquiao while CJ Ross (115-113) and Duane Ford (115-113) gave it to the American, who had been a 5-1 underdog.

The faster and more powerful Pacquiao seemed to be in cruise control for at least nine of the 12 rounds, and Bradley himself made comments immediately afterwards suggesting he had not done enough to win.

While Pacquiao was stunned after suffering his first defeat since he lost to Erik Morales in Las Vegas in March 2005, he took the decision with good grace at the time.

He went on to lose his next fight, a sixth-round knockout at the hands of Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in December 2012 which prompted retirement talks.

However the Filipino rebounded two months ago with a decisive, unanimous decision victory against American Brandon Rios in Macau, improving his career record to 55-5-2 with 38 knockouts.

“The only way Bradley can beat me this time is to knock me out,” said the 35-year-old Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion. “He cannot outbox me. I will be the aggressor.

“I will throw a lot of punches at him – more than I threw against Rios – and I will land them. Last time I was too nice. This time, I will finish what I start.”

“Desert Storm” Bradley won his most recent fight in October, beating Mexico’s three-division world champion Marquez on a split decision in Las Vegas after a display that captured the attention of Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach.

“Tim Bradley is one of the toughest guys in the world and I saw that up close when he fought Ruslan Provodnikov last year,” said Roach, who worked Provodnikov’s corner that night.

“Tim looked even better in beating Marquez in his last fight. Tim is the champion and Manny and I know we have our work cut out for us to successfully challenge him.”

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Gene Cherry)

FILE PHOTO: Ang delegasyon ng Pilipinas noong London 2012 Olympics (REUTERS)

PASAY CITY, Philippines — Kakulangan sa pondo ang isa sa mga nakikitang dahilan ng ilang sports official kung bakit hindi nagiging maganda ang performance ng ating mga atleta’t manlalaro.

Dumalo sa Senate inquiry sa kasalukuyang estado ng Philippine sports ang ilang sports officials ng bansa.

Sa pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Games, Amusement and Sports kanina, na pinangunahan ni Committee Chairman Senator Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara, pinag-usapan ang mga “stakeholder-driven and sustainable” sports program para sa ating mga atleta’t manlalaro.

Ito aniya ay kasunod ng poor performance ng Philippine delegation sa kakatapos lamang na Southeast Asian Games o SEA Games  na ginanap sa Myanmar noong Disyembre.

Pinuna rin ni Senator Antonio Trillanes IV ang ranking ng Pilipinas sa SEA Games.

Aniya, taong 2005 nang naging overall champion ang bansa ngunit unti-unti itong bumaba sa pagdaan ng panahon.

Pinuna rin ni Angara ang hindi pa pagkakapanalo ng gold medal ng Pilipinas mula nang sumali ito sa Olympic Games noong 1924.

Aniya, ang huling pagkapanalo ng bansa sa olympics ay noon pang 1996 nang makuha ng  silver medal  ang boksingerong si Mansueto Onyok Velasco.

Isa naman sa nakikitang dahilan ng ilang sports officials dito ay ang kakulangan ng financial support ng pamahalaan sa mga national sports association.

Pahayag ni Philippine Olympic Committee Gymnastics President Cynthia Carreon, “The reason we’re going down is because other countries are getting more money and we’re not getting any support. We don’t have any funds.”

Ayon pa kay Commissioner Luis Gomez ng Philippine Sports Commission o PSC, P8.5 billion ang inilalaan ng Singapore at Ondonesia sa kanilang sports program; P4.2 billion sa Thailand; P1.2 billion sa Malaysia; habang P883 million lamang sa Pilipinas.

Samantala, patuloy namang isinusulong ni Trillanes ang pagtatayo ng Department of Sports bilang solusyon sa problema sa kasalukuyang setup ng sports sa bansa.

Pahayag ni Sen. Trillanes, “Ang gagawin natin, ire-restructure natin lahat, para matutukan talaga ng national government ang sports program.”

Bukod dito, pinapagawa na ni Angara ng roadmap ang PSC sa mga long-term plan nito para sa Philippine sports. (BIANCA DAVA / UNTV News)