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SPORTS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2024
Angels battle Athletics; Power Spikers take on Crossovers
FESSAP-APUG 3x3 Philippines set March 15-17 NEW league, new hope for collegiate cage players. The One Dream Sportsman, headed by basketball coach Dr. Norman Afable, announced the holding of the APUG 3x3 Philippines – a qualifying tournament for the Asia Pacific University Games 3x3 Championship – slated on March 15 to 17 at the Marikina City Sports Gymnasium and Bulacan Center in Malolos. Under the auspices of the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines, the league is open to all students aged 25-under and currently enrolled in schools, colleges, and universities with a mission to help propagate the development of basketball at the grassroots’ level. It is expected to open more opportunities for Filipino players to hone their skills and reach their potential of playing in local pro leagues and abroad. “It’s an honor and great privilege, kaya nagpapasalamat ako na mapagkatiwalaan ng FESSAP to run this league and help our young players reach their full potential para maging handa sa pagkakataong dumating sa kanilang career,” said Afable, a former collegiate standout and organizers of grassroots’ basketball leagues. “There’s a lot of opportunity now with a lot of pro leagues in the continents. In-demand ang ating mga players sa Korea, Japan and China as well as in the middle east. ‘Yung exposure na makukuha ng ating mga players ay malaking tulong para mas maging handa sila kung dadalhin nila ang career sa abroad,” added Afable, who serves as the league’s Chairman and Sports Marketing and Operation. Another veteran coach, Jojo Castillo, is the tournament director. Afable said the league seeks 20 school participants and is open to non-members and affiliated FESSAP schools. The deadline for the submission of entry is February 28. “Schools are allowed to form two teams. We have targeted 20 participants, but if there are more teams to join, we will divide them into three groups. Format is single-round elimination,” said Afable. Besides the P25,000 total pot purse, the top four teams in the event are automatically qualified for the Asia Pacific University Games 3x3 Championship, which the country is hosting in May.
Games Tuesday (Philsports Arena) 4 p.m. – Petro Gazz vs Strong Group 6 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs Capital1
Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao (left) and Thai Muay Thai fighter Buakaw Banchamek are shown during a press conference in Bangkok to promote their 2024 fight. AFP
Sad Pacquiao accepts Olympic dream is over A “saddened and disappointed” Manny Pacquiao conceded Monday his Olympic boxing dream was over after the ring great was denied a berth at this year’s Paris games.
The International Olympic Committee rejected a special request for Pacquiao to take part, the Philippine Olympic Committee announced Sunday. Pacquiao, 45, who hung up his gloves in 2021 before an unsuccessful presidential run, said he respected the decision of the IOC, which has an age limit of 40 for Olympic boxers. “While I am very saddened and disappointed, I understand and accept the age-limit rules,” said a statement from Pacquiao, who won world
Cua, Go score big wins in Gov. Jubahib Cup netfest UNFANCIED Dhea Cua flashed her burgeoning talent by racking up two victories, while Marcus Go lived up to expectations, matching the former’s achievements in the Gov. Edwin Jubahib Cup national tennis championships in Davao del Norte last Sunday. Cua smothered top seed Camille Clar in the semis, 6-1, 6-0, then overpowered second ranked Faith Lazaro, 6-3, 6-2, to claim the girls’ 16-and-under crown in the upset-marred Group 2 tournament at the DavNor Tourism Sports Complex courts. The rising Kidapawan City star also triumphed in the premier 18-and-U division, toppling No. 2 and doubles partner Sanschena Francisco, 6-3, 6-3, in the semis then drubbing top seed Chelsea Bernaldez, 6-1, 6-2, in the event presented by Dunlop. The top-seeded Go, on the other hand, scored a 1-0(ret.) win over David Lazaro in the semis, then romped past No. 2 Francis Dimzon, 6-0, 6-0, to nail the boys’ 12-and-U diadem. The Quezon City find also posted a shutout victory over Raymond Manatad in the 14-andU finals as he and Cua shared the MVP honors in the last of the two-leg juniors tournament, which served as part of the
Dr. Norman Afable
titles at eight different weights during a glittering professional ring career spanning more than a quarter of a century. The Philippines last year asked the IOC for a “universality place” for Pacquiao, who has never boxed in the Olympics. Universality places are usually awarded to athletes from smaller countries who struggle to secure slots in the Olympics through normal qualification. Philippine Olympic Committee
president Abraham Tolentino claimed Sunday the IOC decision would deprive the country of a “sure podium or first ever gold” in Olympic boxing. Pacquiao said he will continue to support and cheer for Filipino athletes competing in the Olympics. He also reminded his fans that despite his retirement, he intends “to bring pride and honour to my country inside the boxing ring in the near future”. A Pacquiao aide confirmed to reporters Monday that Pacquiao will fight Thai kickboxer Buakaw Banchamek in an April 20 exhibition match in Bangkok. The match against Muay Thai great Buakaw will be fought under international boxing rules, the aide said. AFP
THE Premier Volleyball League unveils its eighth season today (Tuesday, Feb. 20) with a pair of exciting matches featuring seasoned teams raring to flaunt their strength and newcomers looking to impress at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. Petro Gazz, a two-time Reinforced Conference champion, tangles with Strong Group at 4 p.m. with the Angels aiming to build on their recent triumph in the Champions’ League. Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips’ return, along with the addition of Fil-Am hitter Brooke Van Sickle, fortifies the Angels’ roster, making them formidable contenders against the Strong Group Athletics, led by skipper Dolly Verzosa and veteran setter Vira Gillema. Strong Group took over the Gerflor franchise while the Capital1 Solar Spikers filled in the spot left by F2 Logistics. “For me, I just want to be as consistent as possible. I think that will hopefully be my role. I want to be there for my teammates,” said Van Sickle, who joined the team last month. “They have my back; I want to be able to have their backs and the chemistry that we’re already building, and the relationships that we’re building,” she added. Chery Tiggo, the 2021 Open Conference champion, has also bolstered its lineup with key acquisitions, including former F2 Logistics stalwarts Ara Galang and Aby Maraño, who with mainstays Mylene Paat, Shaya Adorador, Cess Robles and sisters EJ and Eya Laure are expected to impose their power and class against the Capital1 Solar Spikers in their 6 p.m. clash. But the Capital1 Solar Spikers are determined under multi-titled coach Roger Gorayeb. The team, owned by sisters Mandy and Milka Romero, features a blend of experienced players and rising starts ready for the challenge. “I do not promise na malaking-malaki kaagad. We’ll do it slowly. Basta lang ayokong magsalita ng tapos. They took me in based on my experience, yung track record ko, gagamitin ko yun,” said Gorayeb.
Dhea Cua (left) and Marcus Go (right) hold their trophies as they pose with Davao del Norte’s Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Tommy Bernaldez during awards rites.
country’s longest talent-search organized by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro. Other singles winners were Davao City’s Rossel Judabal, Jason Battad of the host province, Christian Otig of
Davao Oriental, Rhea Palac, also from Davao City, and Sultan Kudarat’s Justine Gumbao. Judabal, also an unseeded bet, repelled No. 3 Bench Neri, 4-6, 6-1, 10-5, in the semis then stunned No. 1 Battad,
7-5, 6-3, to snare the boys’ 18-and-U plum; Battad redeemed himself in the 16-and-U category with a 6-1, 6-2 rout of Errol Giducos in the finals; Otig upended top seed Dannea Sinsuat, 4-2, 4-1, to clinch the 10-and-U unisex trophy; Palac blasted Maria Tuyor, 6-1, 6-1, for the girls’ 14-andU crown; and No. 2 Gumbao foiled top seed Sinsuat, 6-1, 6-3, in the girls’ 12-and-U championship. Cua completed a triumphant run by teaming up with Francisco to bag the 18-and-U doubles title, while Judabal and Neri topped the boys’ side. Gian Luna and Jhazz Fernando secured the boys’ 14-and-U doubles diadem while Palac and Sinsuat ruled the girls’ side. Dimzon and Otig took the 10-and-U unisex doubles trophy. Meanwhile, action in the circuit, sanctioned by Philta and UTR Rating and supported by Slazenger, moves to Digos City for the Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas Championships on Feb. 22-26 while the Gov. Yvonne Cagas leg will be held on Feb. 29-March 4 in the Municpality of Bansalan, both in Davao del Sur. For details, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 09154046464.
MVP, Badminton Asia execs explore sport’s growth in PH PLDT Inc., Smart Communications, Inc. and Badminton Asia plan to work together to help advance badminton in the Philippines. In a recent meeting, Badminton Asia President Kim Jong Soo, Chief Operating Officer Chooi Weng Sheng, and Marketing Chair Bambang “Rudy” Roedyanto, along with other executives, met with PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT and Smart Head of Sports Jude Turcuato, and Smart Go-to-Market and Subscriber Management Head Melvin Consunji Nubla. They explored possible future collaborations to help develop badminton in the Philippines. “We are honored to collaborate with Badminton Asia as we take even bigger steps to promote Philippine badminton. We will continue to work with national sports agencies
and partner organizations to give our smashers the best chance to bring glory to the country through badminton,” said Pangilinan, who also serves as the Philippine Badminton Association (PBAD) Chairman, and is an avid badminton player. Driven by the belief that supporting and engaging in sports enable nation-building, the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) has sponsored numerous local and international tournaments such as the Badminton Asia Championships, the MVP Badminton Cup, among others. A long-time supporter of PBAD, the Foundation is also establishing the MVP Center for Sports Excellence in Antipolo, a training facility to support the national badminton team. “We hope to open more doors and opportunities for Asian badminton athletes to play
in international competitions, to further promote and improve the region’s capabilities to compete in the world stage,” said Kim. PBAD has been working closely with Badminton Asia to further develop the sport in the country through various training programs for athletes, coaches, and technical officials. With the support of Smart and MVPSF, PBAD has also launched a strong grassroots initiative with the Junior National Ranking System and the Junior Regional Badminton Series - a ten-leg regional tournament to identify rising stars across the country. Badminton Asia is the governing body of the badminton sport in Asia under the flagship of Badminton World Federation, represented by 43 member associations from five sub-regions across Asia.
Badminton Asia executives meet with PLDT and Smart executives led by Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan to explore collaboration for badminton development in the Philippines.