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Myanmar to hold mini-marathon, track and field contests in different regions

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:16 +0000

YANGON, Feb. 10 — Myanmar will hold mini-marathons and track and field contests in different regions of Ayeyawady, Yangon and Mandalay, official media reported Friday.

These are aimed at seeking new generation track and field athletes to take part in the 27th Southeast Asian Games.

The events include men's and women's 20-kilometer mini-marathon, 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter races, long jump, shot-put, discus and javelin.

They will be held in Ayeyawady region on Feb. 14; Yangon on March 23 and in Mandalay on March 26, respectively, the New Light of Myanmar said.

Athletes, aged between 14 and 20, are eligible to take part in the contests. (PNA/Xinhua) scs/hbc/utb

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UAAP Softball: Lady Falcons in crucial match with Lady Maroons Saturday

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:16 +0000

MANILA, Feb. 10 – Unless University of the Philippines plays the role of a spoiler, Adamson University will crown itself the UAAP softball champion anew on Saturday.

The Lady Falcons battle the Lady Maroons at 11:30 a.m. at the Rizal Memorial Ballpark, protecting their unblemished record and claiming the coveted trophy via a sweep of the six-team, two-round series.

And with the way coach Ana Santiago’s girls massacred the Lady Maroons, 5-0, the last time they met in the opening round, it looks like the Diliman-based sluggers need a miracle to thwart Adamson’s bid and prolong the tournament to two more rounds –- the Final Four and the title playoff.

Tournament format calls for a team that sweeps the double round affair to automatically bring home the crown. Should no team emerges unbeaten under the system, the top four teams advance into the crossover semifinal round pitting the top team against the No. 4 team and the second best team facing the third placer.

The No. 1 and No. 2 squads though will enjoy a twice to beat privilege in the Final Four that decides the two teams to dispute the title.

Despite her team’s overwhelming favorite tag, Santiago, architect of the Philippine Blu Girls’ Southeast Asian Games gold medal victories in 2007 and 2011, is not leaving everything to chances.

“Malakas pa rin ang UP, may pitcher at may hitter. So, Hindi ako naniniwalang kayang-kaya. Kung minsan kasi ang mga bata nawawala sa focus. Kaya kabilinan-bilinan ko sa kanila, ituon lagi ang isip sa laro kung gusto nilang manalo,” Santiago said on the eve of the Lady Falcons’ crucial game.

The Lady Falcons will be banking on their 1-2 punch on the mound –- rookie Rizza Bernardino and sophomore Julie Marie Muyco plus an array of powerhouse batters in the likes of Blu Girls Annalie Benjamin, Luzviminda Embudo and Elma Parohinog, and Marissa dela Cruz and Muyco and Bernardino themselves.

Manning the mound in UP’s first line of defense will be Genalyn Ytario, Maila Devero and Lucila Rote with Blu Girl Alex Zuluaga forming the core in offense. (PNA)

scs/EA/utb

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Sports: 3 Filipino rowers competing in 2012 Asian Rowing Championships

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:16 +0000

By Eddie G. Alinea

MANILA, Feb. 10 — Three Filipino rowers will be competing in the 2012 Asian Rowing Championships in South Korea in the hope of qualifying in this year’s London Olympic Games.

Philippine Rowing Association (PRA) president Benjie Ramos said during Friday's SCOOP Sa Kamayan weekly session that Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Nestor Cordova and two teammates — similarly be-medaled Alvin Amposta and Edgar Ilas — are entered in two of 14 events scheduled in the competition set on April 26-29 in Chungjung, South Korea.

“Andex (Cordova) will be vying in his favorite single scull event where he is highly-ranked in the regional level, while Amposta and Ilas will be racing in tandem in the double scull,” Ramos said during the public service forum sponsored by Coca Cola Export, FILA and UNTV.

And chances are bright that the Filipino boatmen will be able to make the London trip based on their Asian ranking and the clocking submitted in the latest competitions Cordova and company took part in.

Six Olympic slots are up for grabs in the single scull, while only three can make it in the double scull.

“In the two events, it is in the single scull where our chances are stronger,” Ramos told his audience, citing Cordova’s personal best 7 minutes and 18 seconds in winning the two-kilometer distance in the last SEA Games in Indonesia as gauge.

“The Asian championship is open only to Asian countries so that if Andex can approximate that clocking or even if he can only make 7:18, which was his efforts in the last Asian competition, then he could easily qualify to the Olympics,” the PRA head reasoned out.

Ramos said he is also not discounting Amposat’s and Ilas’ chances in the double scull as the duo’s best 6:49 timing is well within the top three finishers in the last Asian tilt.

The nationals have been in deep training for over a month since the Indonesian SEA Games at the La Mesa Dam waters in Novaliches, where their performances are being monitored closely.

Cordova and Amposta, along with national teammates Benjie Tolentino and Roque Abala, will also be sent to Chungjung next month to participate in the Asian Indoor Rowing Championships to gain the needed international exposure. (PNA) scs/EA/utb

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U.P. ekes out 8-7 upset of Adamson in UAAP Baseball tourney

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:32:50 +0000

By Eddie G. Alinea

MANILA, Feb. 9 — University of the Philippines eked out a stinging 8-7 upset of Adamson University on Thursday and held the decision as to which team will occupy the fourth slot in the Final Four of the UAAP Baseball tournament hanging in the air.

The victory was the Fighting Maroons' only first in nine times up in the six-team, two-round affair but that was enough to send the race for the last semis berth muddy.

League leaders Ateneo, National U and La Salle remained in 1-2-3 positions but which of them will make it into the top two and enjoy the twice-to-beat privilege in the crossover semis will also have to be decided at the end of the elimination round on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Ballpark.

Format of the Final Four, which determines the two teams to dispute the title, pits the top team after the elimination against the fourth placer, while the second best squad battles the No. 3 team.

The teams with the best records will have to beat twice a lower-ranked squad to figure out in the one game knockout playoff for all the marbles.

The Blue Eagles barely exerted efforts in a 12-2 mangling of Santo Tomas University in only five innings, but the Bulldogs matched Ateneo’s seven-win, two-losses slate with a close 4-3 decision of the Green Archers, who dropped to third with a 6-3 card.

Despite their defeats, the Falcons and the Tigers still have a chance each in advancing, depending on the results of Sunday’s final day of eliminations where NU faces Adamson, the Tigers going against the Maroons and the Eagles and the Archers extending their basketball rivalry into the diamond-shaped field.

A win though by the Falcons (4-5 over the Bulldogs) decides the issue and eliminates the Tigers (3-6) outright. A setback coupled by a win by the Tigers over the Maroons creates a two-way stalemate between Adamson and UST that will be broken via the quotient system.

The battle for the top two positions will be as circuitous with victories by La Salle over Ateneo and NU over Adamson ending up with the Eagles, the Archers and the Bulldogs all even stevens for the No. 1 and No. 2 sports that will be dismantled also by the quotient the three teams earned.

No problem though will occur if Ateneo and NU both prevail over their respective opponents. (PNA)

DCT/scs/EA/utb

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FIFA: “My game is fair play” in grassroots football project

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:32:50 +0000

By Saul E. Pa-a

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Feb. 9 -– Two days before the historic royal visit of His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein of Jordan to this city, the Department of Education (DepEd) here hosted a three-day workshop for football trainers, coaches and physical education and sports mentors at the DepEd conference hall Thursday.

The workshop covers lectures, power point and video presentations during the morning sessions. The children and youth players joined the actual field demos, practical skills teach-ins and hands-on supervision in the afternoon sessions at the city’s new football arena.

The workshop facilitators briefed training participants and sports coordinators on the football sports philosophy of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) which underscores its universal motto: “My game is fair play."

FIFA teaches the philosophy that “football can be developed in every environment where everyone has the opportunity to play. It aims to bring the game to people around the world where the game could be played everywhere by everyone.”

The premier football world body has endorsed the Philippine Football Federation’s (PFF) Grassroots Development Project for Football through its “Kasibulan Festival” here to support the local government initiatives of Calamba City Mayor Joaquin Chipeco Jr. for the year-round school-based grassroots football partnership project.

The grassroots development project spans to eight years forged by PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr., Laguna Football Association (LFA) president Arturo Pacificador Jr. and the Calamba Football Festival Incorporated (CFFI), headed by former Senator Jose Lina Jr. as chairman and president.

Addressing the workshop opening session, PFF Technical Director Aries Castillo remarked that football stories among countries throughout the world have adopted the slogan “anything is possible.”

Castillo said the PFF is happy that Mayor Chipeco has initiated this grassroots program in Calamba as he shared football advocacy for sports development strategy addressed to aspiring kids.

Castillo pointed out that there are a number of Laguna sportsmen who have served the national team.

Mayor Chipeco expounded his vision for Calamba as a City of World Champions since “the city has proven that an impossible dream could turn to reality,” for sporting a historic first city recipient of the Asian Grassroots Development Program of the Asian Football Confederation.

He enumerated the singular distinctions and world-class achievements of Calambeños in various sports disciplines like billiard champion Ronnie Alcano, Asian youth chess gold medalist Michelle Yaon, the Canlubang Boys baseball champions, Calamba gymnastics team gold medalists in the Hong Kong tournament and top archers and mathematics wizards.

The mayor also underscored to football workshop delegates the city initiatives in providing alternatives and opportunities to kids and youth whose agility, ability and skills are honed in football, than the height required for basketball.

Chipeco expressed that the workshop provides a level-playing field and supports the Filipino children’s rights for the choice of sports and athletic games suited to them. He commended “the DepEd family who has always been instrumental in all our successful undertakings especially for the youth and children.”

With the DepEd Calamba as workshop host, city schools superintendent Dr. Myrna Pamplona lauded the support of training programs and coaches to open up more learning opportunities and skills enhancement for the schoolers. Pamplona counted on the productive football trainings as legacy and key to achieve the dream of “the City of Football champions and be known as the Football Capital of the Philippines.”

LFA General Secretary Allan Payson has announced the Philippine Football Federation Festival slated for March 2 to 5 in a venue to be agreed upon by the federation officials. He explained the regional football elimination rounds to include teams from Baguio, Tarlac, Oriental Mindoro, Laguna and Quezon.

Payson also said the JMC (Mayor’s) Cup could provide the football potentials during the games selection process for Laguna especially for boys under 14 and girls under 13 categories.

According to Payson, PFF programs have scheduled the regional eliminations for youth 16 in Southern Luzon, Laguna, Quezon and Oriental Mindoro for 30 players as well as the “home and away” elimination rounds for the under 23 category.

He also vowed the continued support of the Laguna Football leadership for the city’s grassroots development program for eight years.

The football workshop converged delegates from Davao del Norte, Bicol Region and host province Laguna. Scores of football club members from Masbate; Sta. Rosa, Pagsanjan, and Sta. Cruz, Laguna; Don Bosco and Schwarv of Canlubang and the National Capital Region also attended the workshop. (PNA) DCT/LAM/SEP/utb

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(Sports NBA) Romanov: I’ll hang on to NBA star Weems

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:32:50 +0000

MOSCOW, Feb. 9 — Ex-NBA forward Sonny Weems will not be allowed to leave Euroleague team Zalgiris, owner Vladimir Romanov has told RIA Novosti.

Weems joined Zalgiris during the lockout, but wrote on his blog Tuesday that he would seek to leave unless Zalgiris beat Barcelona on Thursday to keep alive the Lithuanian team’s hopes of reaching the Euroleague Top 8.

“I don’t know what Weems is writing, but he will serve out his contract to the end and will be going nowhere from this club,” Romanov said Wednesday.

While other NBA players signed deals with overseas teams during the lockout, Weems was one of the players whose contract did not include a clause allowing him to return when the lockout ended. The NBA season started December 16. His contract at Zalgiris expires in the summer.

Weems, 25, has not responded to Romanov’s comments, but wrote Tuesday that he had had talks with Romanov, who also owns Heart of Midlothian football club in Scotland.

“I've been in discussions with my agent Roger Montgomery and owner Vladimir Romanov and see where the future lies. We've had strong discussions with the owner to see what can we do if we don't make it [to the Top 8], but I don't think I will stay around for the end of the Lithuanian League,” Weems wrote.

Weems added that he had options in the United States, but said he would not return to the Toronto Raptors, where he played in 2010-11.

“Toronto is not my team. They don't mention me in their future plans or anything like that. A couple other NBA teams are really interested in me and that's what I'm looking for.

“I have some overseas teams also interested, but my main goal is going back to the NBA. If it's not possible, I'll stay in Europe.”

Weems was a 39th pick in the 2008 draft for the Chicago Bulls, but was traded to the Denver Nuggets before he had played a game. In July 2009, Weems joined the Raptors. (PNA/RIA Novosti)

LAM/rsm

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(SCOOP Advancer)"Higanteng Magilas’ program/rowing's Olympic prospects up in Friday's SCOOP sa Kamayan

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:32:50 +0000

MANILA, Feb. 9 — Filipino rowers seeking slots in this year’s London Olympic Games and members and officials of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) D-League champion NLEX squad are Friday’s guests in the SCOOP Sa Kamayan weekly session at the Kamayan Restaurant in Padre Faura, Manila.

Rowing president Benjie Ramos along with top boatmen Nestor Cordova, Edgars Ilag and Alvin Amposta together with coach Ed Maerina will be discussing what international competitions the national rowing team will participate in, to qualify to the 2011 London Games this coming July and August.

Rodrigo Franco, president and CEO of the Manila North Tollways Corp., owner of the NLEX Road Warriors, who had just crowned themselves champion in the Aspirants Cup of the PBA D-League, has been invited to talk about the management’s immediate plans for the team.

Franco will be accompanied in Friday’s forum, sponsored by Coca Cola Export, FILA and UNTV, by coach Boyet Fernandez, Best Player of the Conference Vic Manuel and other members of the team; and Allan Gregorio, current sports director for the Lina Group of Companies, which owns the Barako Bull and Air 21 franchises.

Gregorio will be giving members of the Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines updates on the ‘Higanteng Magilas’ program to develop bigger guards for the national team that he initiated with the support of Air 21 chair, businessman-sportsman Bert Lina. (PNA) LAM/EGA/mec

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Patrimonio says fans to see a revitalized B-MegBy Eddie G. Alinea

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:32:50 +0000

MANILA, Feb. 9 — The enigma of the embarrassing experience suffered by B-Meg in the Philippine Cup where the Llamados were kicked out of the semifinal round after topping the elimination phase is believed to have been totally erased in a four-day team-building exercise the team undergone last Feb. 1-4 in Cagayan de Oro City.

“Tapos na 'yun,“ B-Meg team manager Alvin Patrimonio told Malaya business Insight in an interview when he appeared as guest in the anniversary celebration of the Barcelona Academy in Meycauayan, Bulacan last week.

“That’s already water under the bridge. Nalunod na lahat ang malungkot na ekspiryensang dinanas namin, ng buong team, lalo na sa team members at utility personnel,” assured Patrimonio, the Purefoods franchise’s certified star when he was still wearing the Tender Hotdogs’ uniform until the early 2000s.

“That four-day experience was one of the happiest moment that happened in the team in the past several years,” attested Patrimonio who is now nearing 46 and played only for Purefoods in his 17-year pro-career before retiring in 2005.

“We were all like small kids in those four days, I tell you. Walang basketball, kinalimutan muna naming lahat ang basketball, puro saya ang nangyari sa amin and we were all very thankful to coach Tim (Cone) who thought of such an undertaking.”

“From the time we took the plane from Manila last Feb. 1 until we boarded from Cagayan de Oro Feb. 4, we never thought of what happened in the Philippine Cup,” he said. “Na-washed out na lahat ng bad memory as we all in unison that it was already history and that we should move on,” said Patrimonio, one of only two players to win an MVP four times and the pro-league’s ‘Man of Steel;’ having played a record 586 consecutive games from 1992 to 2004.

Patrimonio said the Llamados, including Cone, assistant coaches Coy Banal, Richard del Rosario, Jeffrey Cariaso and Johnny Abarrientos, import Denzel Bowlse and himself, spent the first day in CDO water-rafting where six players were in one boat together with two guides.

“First time sa marami sa amin ang experience, so ang saya. We were given a paddle each and we enjoyed the rough for 18 kilometers. Para kaming isang team sa bangka na nagka-karera, so kantiyawang umaatikabo,’ he recalled.

The second day, Patrimonio reminisced, was river-trekking where members of the entourage had to walk for four kilometers in the river bank capped with everybody making at least a 15-foot slide.

“It was, indeed a challenging experience but very fruitful as far as renewing the bond that made us together as a team before is concerned,” he said. “Marami kaming gunitaing nakuha naming balikan para magkasama-samang muli.”

“Hopefully, makikita na ng aming fans ang resulta in this coming Commissioner’s Cup where this early, I can say na hindi na mauulit ang nangyari sa amin noong nakaraang conference, “ Patrimonio promised.

The PBA’ best player in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1997 said B-Meg is a lot stronger than the Philippine Cup top team in the eliminations with the addition of the 22-year-old Bowlse, a 6-foot-10 forward-center from West Virginia, and guard-forward JC Intal (traded from Barangay Ginebra).

Two-time MVP James Yap has completely recovered from a recent injury and will, as usual, be teaming up with co-captain Roger Yap, high-leaping Mark Pingris, P.J. Simon, Joe Devance, Jerwin Gaco and Val Acuna in the offensive side.

“Unlike in the Philippine Cup when we were still groping in coach Tim’s triangle offense, everybody, including the newcomers, looked to have adjusted completely to it,” Patrimonio assessed.

Helping Bowlse inside the paint are Raffy Reavis, Yancey de Ocampo, and John Ferriols. Practice player Aris Dimaculangan, Patrimonio said, can be elevated in active play anytime if needed.

The vacuum left by the injured Jonas Villanueva has been aptly filled up by rookie Mark Barroca who, the team manager said, is a workaholic. (PNA)

LAM/EGA/mec

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Cebu’s junior cyclist Luis Miguel Maximo joins national team

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:35:12 +0000

CEBU CITY, Feb. 9 – Cebu’s rising junior cyclist Luis Miguel “Igimax” Maximo of YKK Bikes has joined the Philippine National U-23 and junior teams to represent the country in the 19th Asian Junior Cycling Championships which started Wednesday and winds up Feb. 18 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sixteen-year-old Igimax is the youngest member of the Philippine National Cycling team and the youngest Philippine delegate to the Asian Cycling Championships.

”Actually, he is the only junior cyclist from Cebu, Visayas and Mindanao who made it to the Philippine National Cycling Team,” Jonathan Maximo, his father, said.

Igimax, who is a graduating student of Paref Springdale, has an advocacy to prove that an athlete can also be an effective student, as long as he knows time management.

He wants to prove that no matter how hard the demands of being an elite athlete can be, quitting school was never an option.

”In spite of the demands of being a member of the National team, like the need to go to Manila to train with the team, going back and forth from Cebu to Manila many, many times, he never quit school,” Jonathan said.

Igimax will depart on Feb. 11 to recon the race venue -its terrain, climate, wind conditions and more. The road race will be on February 16 in Kuala Lumpur.

This is Igimax’s first international stint since becoming a member of the RP team last December 14, 2011.

Igimax is still eligible to compete in next year’s 2013 Asian Cycling Championships.

”At first, he only dreamt of being included in the National Pool so that he can get a more serious, high-level training in Manila. He surprisingly made it to the Philippine National Cycling Team staring December 2011 at 16 years old,” the older Maximo said. (PNA)

LDV/EB/MJT/bh

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Jordanian prince to “kick off” grassroots football program in Calamba

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:11:14 +0000

CALAMBA CITY, LAGUNA, Feb. 8 -– Four months ago, the seeds of grassroots football program for schoolers were planted at the seven-hectare lot next to the world’s tallest monument of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

In the sprawling area stands the 22-foot historical structure fronting the imposing City Hall building of the martyr’s birthplace – Calamba – against the background grown with tall reeds and weeds.

By coincidence right in his hometown, Rizal planted the seeds of fervor for the country’s youth as hope of the fatherland centuries ago.

Now, the seeds have grown for the grassroots schoolers’ aspirations to be like their sports idols in the league of the Philippine Azkals and Philippine Volcanoes.

And the child’s football dream now finds fulfillment that the seven-hectare lot is transformed into an expansive football arena – all spic and span, to welcome the Jordanian royal visitor who will grace the city’s sports milestone and the country’s national grassroots football program.

This Saturday, His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein of Jordan will lead the national, provincial and city sports organizers, officials and aficionados in launching the year-round school-based grassroots football program in the city’s new football complex.

Host City Mayor Joaquin Chipeco Jr. took “the great honor to welcome the Jordanian Prince to the city which is officially chosen to be the site of the football events by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the “Kasibulan Festival”, now a grassroots football program sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and recognized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)

The program as announced by Calamba City Mayor Joaquin Chipeco Jr,, is a four-leg series in the boys 9-under, 13-under and 17-under categories and girls 17-under level spread until December this year.

“Sa dinami-rami ng bansa, the Philippines was chosen and the city of Calamba was chosen to host this event,” the mayor beamed with pride. Calamba City is the first recipient of the Asian Grassroots Development Program of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Veering away from the Filipino’s incessant trademark of pomp and pageantry, Calamba and national organizers spruced up the venues for the city’s hospitality setting ceremonial foyer honors rites for the Royal visitor at the City Hall facade.

Prince Ali is ushered by Mayor Chipeco to the City Session Hall for the welcome reception and lunch. The traditional exchange of gifts and the memorandum of agreements to be forged by Asian and national football federation top officials follow.

The Jordanian Prince shall also be briefed on the grassroots football program through a video presentation. The royal guest is formally introduced to the national sports and city officials followed by the press conference.

Escorted by the mayor and sports officials enroute to the Calamba football arena, His Royal Highness will also offer the ceremonial wreath at the Rizal Monument.

The PFF “Kasibulan Football” opening ceremonies and launching program begins with the consecutive playing of the Philippines and Jordan national anthems as the two flags are hoisted.

Mayor Chipeco delivers the welcome remarks. Laguna 2nd District Representative Justin March Chipeco formally introduces the Royal Prince and His Royal Highness delivers his message.

Mariano Araneta Jr, PFF president shall officially declare the launching of the PFF’s Kasibulan Grassroots Football Program.

Organized by the Department of Education (DepEd) Calamba, the special number shall be presented simultaneous with the Jordanian Prince’s “ceremonial kick-off” to signal the formal opening of the football games.

Mayor Chipeco, in an earlier press conference stated that “the city’s grassroots football program augurs well for the city as the center for sports excellence.” He also thanked the provincial and national sports officials “for choosing football which is experiencing renaissance in the country to be the flagship of our school-based grassroots sports development”.

The Laguna Football Association (LFA) has since extended its coaching and training services for the grassroots football project as the Calamba Football Festival begins Thursday with the three-day workshop activities prior to the Jordanian Prince’s arrival Saturday.

The football festival winds up on Sunday for the competing school teams vying for the JMC (Mayor’s) Cup.

Top government and sports officials are expected to grace the launching events including DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair Richie Garcia, Philippine Olympics Committee (POC) president and former Congressman Peping Cojuangco and the board of trustees of provincial and national football federations.

“Kasibulan” or grassroots football is close to Prince Ali’s heart as he holds the coveted post as FIFA vice president representing Asia in last year’s elections.

The Prince bagged the leadership for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress in Doha, Qatar in January 6, 2011. And five months later, he rose to become the FIFA Vice President from Asia during the FIFA Congress in Zurich in June last year.

Prince Ali, son to former Jordanian King, the late His Majesty King Hussein and the late Her Majesty Queen Alia, is no stranger to the grassroots football program.

In Jordan, the Prince was instrumental in energizing the youth teams and strengthening football community centers across his country to promote the unifying, educational and cultural values of football.

Clinching the presidency of the Jordan Football Association in 1999, Prince Ali successfully brought the Jordanian youth team to the FIFA World Cup in Canada in 2007.

The Prince also made Jordan’s sports history in bringing the three Jordanian national teams to the Asian finals in 2010, sporting his country’s first and a feat only few Asian countries have achieved thus far.

Imbued with the spirit of uniting the region’s football confederations, Prince Ali also established the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) to increase the membership in the football league. He also organized and expanded international championships for men and women and succeeded to become the WAFF president.

A sports achiever even during his college days at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, United Kingdom and the Salisbury School in Connecticut, in the United States, His Royal Highness has demonstrated to be the accomplished Prince, a bemedalled Jordanian Armed Forces Brigadier and holder of Jordan’s Al-Nahda decoration of the first degree.

He also received a number of foreign decorations including the British Knighthood, the French Legion de’honneur and the Order of the Rising Sun of Japan. (PNA) LAM/SEP/utb

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Donaire, Orcollo PSA Athletes of the Year awardees

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:11:14 +0000

MANILA, Feb. 8 — Producing four world champions and the first Filipino to qualify in the London Olympics, there was no doubting Philippine sports in 2011 belonged to both billiards and boxing.

World No. 1 player Dennis Orcollo, and the tandem of Rubilen Amit and the great Efren `Bata’ Reyes kept the pool flame burning in the country, while youthful Eumir Marcial and Mark Anthony Barriga kept the country’s tradition as home to some of the world’s finest boxers.

For developing world class athletes on a consistent basis, both the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) and Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) share the distinction as the National Sports Associations (NSAs) of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA).

On March 3 at the Manila Hotel, the two sports bodies will stand side by side when the PSA pays tribute to the top achievers of the year in its Annual Awards Night.

For the BSCP, it marked only the first time the federation will be honored with the award by the country’s sportswriting community composed of editors and sportswriters from the different national broadsheets and tabloids.

As one of the most active NSAs all-year round, ABAP will receive the award for the second time in a row under the leadership of chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and president Ricky Vargas, but its third in the last five years after likewise being bestowed of the title in 2006.

Since first handed out to the Philippine Taekwondo Association in 2004, only seven distinguished NSAs had received the award, including the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (2005), Philippine Aquatics Sports Association (2007), Philippine Wushu Federation (2008), and the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (2009).

“The award is a testament to the BSCP and ABAP’s commitment to continue developing sports heroes for the country,” said Rey Bancod of Tempo, president of the oldest media organization in the country responsible for taking the lead in honoring Filipino athletes during its yearly awards rite presented by Smart, ICTSI, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Milo, Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Harbour Centre, SM Prime Holdings, and Coca-Cola.

Vice-President Jejomar Binay is the guest of honor and keynote speaker during the formal, two-hour bash.

Orcollo, who shares the coveted Athlete of the Year honor with reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-bantamweight title holder Nonito Donaire Jr., won the 8-ball championship by routing Neils Feijen of the Netherlands in the finals, 10-3, at the Fujairah Exhibition Center in United Arab Emirates .

The 32-year-old former fisherman turned world champion then added to his collection the eight-ball gold medal of the 26th Southeast Asian Games, where lady cue artist Irish Ranola accounted for the other two gold medals of billiards.

Orcollo ended the season as the Player of the Year by the World Pool and Billiard Association (WPA) and finished as the top player in the world rankings.

Reyes and Amit, meanwhile, renewed their partnership and dealt the American duo of Johnny Archer and Jeanette Lee a 10-6 beating in retaining the World Mixed Doubles Championship in Hangzhou , China .

Marcial on the other hand, became the first ever Filipino to win a gold medal in the AIBA Junior World Boxing Championship in Kazakhstan, outclassing Onat Cengiz of Turkey in the 52 kg final, 9-7.

Barriga failed to win a medal of any color in the AIBA World Championship in Baku , Azerbaijan , but the quirks of an AIBA rule allowed him to book a berth in the 2012 London Games despite only reaching the Round-of-16 of the world tournament.

The Filipino boxers actually, saved their best for last as they accounted for four gold medals in the Indonesia SEA Games courtesy of lady warriors Josie Gabuco and Alice Kate Aparri and male counterparts Charly Suarez and Dennis Galvan.

Athletes of the Year: Dennis Orcollo Nonito Donaire Jr.

Presidential Achievement Award: Juvic Pagunsan
Major Awardees: Brian Villoria (pro boxing)
Ana Julaton (pro boxing)
Donnie Nietes (pro boxing)
Mark Anthony Barriga (amateur boxing)
Efren `Bata’ Reyes (billiards)
Rubilen Amit (billiards)
Jessie Aligaga (wushu)
Dembert Arcita (wushu)
Dragon Boat team
Jimmy Alapag (pro basketball)
Calvin Abueva (amateur basketball)
Bobby Parks Jr.(amateur basketball)
Jhonnel Ababa (pro golf)
Dottie Ardina (amateur golf)
Rupert Zaragosa (amateur golf)
Magna Carta (Horse of the Year)
Jesse Guce (Jockey of the Year)
Kenneth San Andres (motocross)
Malvinne Ann Alcala (badminton)
National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year: BSCP and ABAP
Citations: Gold medalists, 26th Southeast Asian Games (PNA)
DCT/LOR/PR

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Ovechkin scores 2 to help caps lead division in NHL

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:11:14 +0000

MOSCOW, Feb. 8 — Alex Ovechkin grabbed two goals to help his Washington Capitals defeat the Florida Panthers 4-0 and take the lead in the National Hockey League (NHL) Southeast Division.

Ovechkin missed the Capitals' last game against the Panthers, a 4-2 away defeat February 1, while serving a three-match suspension for a brutal hit on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Zbynek Michalek last month.

The Capitals’ first goal Tuesday night came after just 13 seconds from Mathieu Perreault, and Ovechkin added the second on a power play in the first period. Jason Chimera scored the Capitals’ third, before Ovechkin returned to seal the victory with his 22nd goal of the season.

"This is when our team is at its best," Perreault told the NHL's website. "When Alex is going, this team is going. Obviously, he is our best player and we need him to be flying like that more often."

The win puts the Capitals top of the Southeast Division by one point, although the Panthers have a game in hand.

Finishing top of the division would guarantee a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, while the runner-up's fate depends on results elsewhere. (PNA/RIA Novosti)

LAM/rsm

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Football: Spartak's Copa del Sol win is important mentally – Karpin

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:11:14 +0000

MOSCOW, Feb. 8 — Spartak Moscow's victory in the off season Copa del Sol gives the team a massive psychological boost ahead of the final part of the Russian Premier League season, coach Valery Karpin said Wednesday.

Spartak beat FC Copenhagen 1-0 on Tuesday in the final of the 12-team competition in Alicante, Spain, to win its first trophy of any kind in eight years.

"When you are playing in the final, regardless of the rank of the competition, you still want to win," the club's website quoted Karpin as saying.

The victory over the Danish champions "is important as for each player separately, so for the team as a whole. First of all, psychologically," he said.

The Copa del Sol, played January 28 through February 7, included fellow Russian team Anzhi Makhachkala, Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk, four teams from Norway, two from Sweden, and one each from Slovenia and China.

Nine-time Russian champions Spartak's last silverware came in 2003 with the Russian Cup, beating Rostov 1-0 on a Yegor Titov goal.

Spartak are fourth with 57 points in the Premier League, which resumes March 3.

The team were to return to Russia on Wednesday after their plane had a technical issue with the engine before takeoff late Tuesday.

Karpin scored 28 goals in 117 total appearances at Spartak in the 1990s. He spent 11 seasons in Spain, scoring 68 goals in 378 games playing for Real Sociedad, Valencia and Celta Vigo.

The Russian Premier League is now ranked 7th by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the governing body of football in Europe. (PNA/RIA Novosti)

DCT/LAM/rsm

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Danny: Zenit can cope without Arshavin

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:11:14 +0000

MOSCOW, Feb. 8 — Zenit St. Petersburg’s injured midfielder Danny said Wednesday that the club has enough talented players to cope with his absence without signing Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin.

Danny is expected to be sidelined until October after tearing a cruciate ligament in training Sunday.

Arshavin’s former club Zenit are among a number of teams linked with the Arsenal midfielder, and could yet make a move before the Russian transfer window closes February 24.

“Arshavin, without doubt, is an excellent footballer. He could play at any club,” Danny told Sport-Express. “But at Zenit, without him, there are players capable of performing the same role on the field as I usually do.

“But the final decision will of course be made by the club management. It’s their right to sign a player in my position or not,” said Danny, who first injured his cruciate ligament in 2009 and was out for six months.

“I can’t just take it and lose heart, give up,” he said. “I will work on my recovery. I’ll do everything I can to return to the field as soon as possible.

“I hope that next season I’ll be in the lineup and will be able to help my team to win yet more trophies.”

Danny has scored 24 goals in 72 games for the Russian Premier League leaders since arriving in 2008 from Dynamo Moscow as a replacement for Arshavin, who moved to Arsenal after helping Zenit to win the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Cup that year. UEFA is the biggest of FIFA's six continental confederations.

Arshavin made a big impact on the English Premiership in his first season, but has featured mostly as a substitute for Arsenal this season, coming off the bench 10 times and starting eight games of the 24 the team has played. (PNA/RIA Novosti) DCT/LAM/rsm

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Preparations for the Palarong Pambansa 2012 formally starts

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:11:14 +0000

By Leonardo V. Micua

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Feb. 8 — Preparations have finally begun for this year's Palarong Pambansa, the biggest and most colorful yearly sporting event under the auspices of the Department of Education (DepEd) slated May 6 to 12 to be hosted by the province of Pangasinan.

This was gleaned from a meeting here Wednesday (Feb. of the Special National Management Committee of DEpEd in charge of the preparation of the Palarong Pambansa, attended by DepEd regional directors throughout the country.

The meeting held at the Sison Auditorium here was co-presided by DepEd Undersecretaries Francisco Varela, Rizalino Rivera and Alberto Muyot as well as assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, attended by DepEd regional directors.

Also in attendance on the Pangasinan side were Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan and Provincial Board Members Jeremy Rosario, Von Mark Mendoza and Raul Sison.

Varela said DepEd allocated P205.375 million for this year's Palarong Pambansa, at least P135.6 million of which will be spent for the repair of facilities in the playing venues.

The remaining amount will be spent in pre-regional and regional athletic meets all over the country.

At the same time, Undersecretary Varela said he was very pleased over the preparations and arrangements now being done by the host province of Pangasinan headed by Governor Amado Espino Jr. for this year's Palaro.

It will be the second time since 1995 that Pangasinan is hosting the event. In 1995, Governor Espino was then the police provincial director of Pangasinan.

Francis de la Cruz, DepEd Sports Coordinator and member of the Technical Working Group of the Palarong Pambansa, said this year's Palarong Pambansa will be joined by some 10,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 17 regions of the country.

The athletes, he said, will not only come from the public elementary and secondary schools but also from the private elementary and secondary schools.

Last year's host to the Palarong Pambansa was Dapitan City with the National Capital Region as champion in both the elementary and secondary division.

Undersecretary Rivera said they will exert efforts to invite President Benigno S. Aquino III to grace the opening of the Palaro on May 6.

Most of the events for the Palarong Pambansa will be played at the Narciso Ramos Sports Center in Lingayen but some games will be given to the cities of Dagupan and San Carlos as well as the towns of Binmaley and Bugallon. (PNA)

DCT/LAM/LVM/rma

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All football festivals slated in San Carlos City

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:11:14 +0000

BACOLOD CITY, Feb. 8 -– San Carlos City is hosting an All Visayas Football Festival for girls’ Under-13 and boys’ Under-14 on Feb. 23-26.

This will be followed by the Summer Football League on March 24 and Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Caravan on April 14-15, football coach and PFF coordinator in north Negros Occidental John Carmona disclosed.

Carmona, who is also the San Carlos Football Club Secretary General, said these series of football tournaments in San Carlos City is supported by the offices of Mayor Gerardo Valmayor Jr. and 1st District Congressman Jules Ledesma IV. San Carlos City is some 144 kilometers from here.

Last year, the San Carlos City Football Club also hosted a successful staging of football festivals. The city hosted the PFF National U19 football championships and the FIFA Grassroots Instructors Course.

This came after San Carlos City FC has also been a beneficiary of equipment, training, and coaching materials from the US South Cal Soccer Federation.

The club has also produced top caliber athletes with four members of its Under-14 girls – Isabelle Carmona, Jojiel Junco, Janice Samillano, Edniella Sijub joining the national team, while Mason Trent Vergara was recruited to the national Under-14 boys’ squad, Jhoguev Ybanez in the Under 16, and Jomar Caruscay in the Under 19.

Also from San Carlos City are South East Asian games campaigners Gerardo Jinggoy Valmayor and Lemuel Unabia.

The San Julio Realty Incorporated and the City Tourism Office are also supporting the events as part of the sports tourism of the city, Carmona said. (PNA)

DCT/LAM/AJP/CMG/vlo

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Gullit expects Holland, Germany to reach Euro 2012 final

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:11:14 +0000

LONDON, Feb. 8 — Talking about the upcoming European Championships, Ruud Gullit, once remarkable Dutch footballer, said here he hoped that Holland and Germany could get through to the final.

"Of course Spain is a favorite (too). We all know about that," the Dutch said on Monday. The football legend who was awarded as World Soccer Player in 1987 and 1989 praised his national team "a very good team".

"I think they are one of the first teams to qualify for the European Championships," he said. However, in the European Championships Holland were drawn in the same group together with Portugal, Germany and Danmark.

"We are in a very difficult group," he added. "It is going to be tough. But it (Holland) has a great chance to get through."

Gullit admitted that Holland "didn't play very well in the practice match a few months ago."

"Germany are an excellent team, with good young players. So it is kind of tough to get a good result," he commented. Talking about Portugal, he noted it "a difficult opponent for Holland". He especially talked about Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

"He is such a great player. He could run around. He could score goals. And he has good free kicks."

In private, Gullit said he was a man who can always be relaxed and enjoying life. He also noted that his personal idol was Dutch football master Hendrik Johannes Cruijff.

"He is very important in my life, and he is a legend also," he said.

Gullit had been to China for a couple of times and felt the change of the country. He said he liked Chinese basketball player Yao Ming and was impressed to see pandas in China for the first time of his life.

When asked if he planned to help China's football, Gullit said: "There is already a plan going." Without giving details, he said "when opportunity comes, I will consider." (PNA/Xinhua) DCT/mmg

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NYC holds giant parade to celebrate Giants Super Bowl win

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:11:14 +0000

NEW YORK, Feb. 8 — New York City held on Tuesday a massive ticker-tape parade in honor of the Super Bowl XLVI champions New York Giants.

About one million fans were estimated to have lined the confetti-strewn parade route in lower Manhattan as they cheered for Giants MVP quarterback Eli Manning, defensive end Justin Tuck and the rest of the winning team.

"I feel it's really great because it doesn't happen too often, and it's great that the Giants could win, because it was unexpected that a regular season team losing seven games could actually win," a New York Giants fan named Zane told Xinhua.

Immediately following the parade, team members gathered at City Hall where Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented them with keys to the City.

"We are here today because this team of Giants believed in each other and because you believed in them," Bloomberg told the crowd.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said during the ceremony that the Giants were successful because they never gave up.

"The key thing was to remember this: all things are possible for those who believe," Coughlin said. "We always believed."

The City estimated that the parade will have an economic impact of up to 38 million U.S. dollars, boosting the city's thriving tourism industry, which has a record 50.5 million tourists in 2011. (PNA/Xinhua)

LAM/mmg

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Inaugural World Ladies Championship to kick off in South China

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:11:14 +0000

HAIKOU, Feb. 8 — The inaugural World Ladies Championship will kick off from March 2 to 4 in Haikou, capital city of South China's Hainan Province.

A total of 108 top golfers from 25 countries and regions in the world will compete for the total prize of 600,000 US dollars.

The World Ladies Championship will include individual 54-hole stroke event, professional team 54-hole competition and amateur Individual 54-hole tournament.

South African golfer Lee-Anne Pace, who won the "champion king" of 2010 European Women's Golf Tournament, and Lydia Ko, a 14-year-old amateur golfer from New Zealand who had just won the New South Wales Open have confirmed to compete in the championship. Chinese golfers Feng Shanshan and Ye Liying will participate in the team competition.

According to Zhang Xiaoning, secretary general of China Golf Association, the World Ladies Championship is a brand new tournament and will create a new history in the world ladies golf.

"This championship, with a total prize of 600,000 US dollars, is a professional women's tournament with the highest prize in China. In the future, we will try to make the championship the most important professional women's tournament in the world," said Zhang.

The World Ladies Championship has been jointly recognized by LET and China LPGA Tour, and golfers can aggregate points for the two tours. (PNA/Xinhua) LAM/egr

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Soccer coach Joel Santana debuts with Flamengo

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:11:14 +0000

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 8 — In his customary humoristic style, Joel Santana commanded his first practice as the head coach of Flamengo on Tuesday, although the practice was marked by team captain Ronaldinho Gaucho's absence.

Santana quickly gained the respect of the Flamengo players and captivated them with stories of his career and widespread jokes.

Upon his arrival at Flamengo, Santana said team captain and star midfielder Ronaldinho Gaucho will be the key in his team's offensive strategies. However, Ronaldinho was absent from the team practice for healthy reasons.

Despite of Ronaldinho's absence, Joel Santana said he was confident that the veteran player would be ready to play in the team's match against Madureira on Friday in the Rio de Janeiro state championship. (PNA/Xinhua) LAM/egr

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