Lakays make weight, all set for ‘Pride of a Nation’

One FC Photo

WITH their toughest mix martial arts fight yet, the trio of Team Lakay’s Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon and Honorio Banario are all set for battle in the One Fighting Championship event Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The three made their weight during Thursday’s weigh-in at the Big Dome, venue of the fight night for Asia’s biggest mix martial arts promotion dubbed “Pride of a Nation.”

But Folayang and Banario have to shed off some pounds in their official weigh-in although Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao sees no problem for both fighters during fight night.

“I think there will be no problem because they have already rehydrated and will get a full rest,” said Sangiao in a text message.

Belingon, the URCC flyweight king, collides with Rising On titlist Soo Chul Kim of Korean, while lightweight champion Banario will also test his mettle against fellow Filipino Andre Benibe.

“Honorio’s game plan is to aim for the knock-out while for Kevin, they have the same style of fighting with Kim, but we’ll try to use Kevin’s speed against the Korean,” said Sangiao where they hold their last week of hard training then cool down next week before fight night.

Although things turned bleak the last time out for the Team Lakay after suffering setbacks, Sangiao said the three mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters are motivated to get back their winning ways, especially with Folayang.

“I’ll try to dictate the phase of the fight and from then on whatever he throws at me, I’ll be prepared,” said Folayang, who will be facing CFC champion Swiss–Jap Felipe Enomoto.

The entourage of Team Lakay left Baguio Monday afternoon following of more than three weeks of high altitude training in the Summer Capital despite the continuous heavy rains brought about by typhoons that frequented the city.

Eric Kelly, a Baguio raised fighter now based in Malaysia, also sees action against American UFC veteran Jens Pulver in a featherweight showdown.

Two former UFC Heavyweight Champions will meet for the fourth time in a grudge match that has escalated over the years.

Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia will clash in Manila after a series of fights that saw Sylvia lose the first bout, and subsequently win back-to-back fights against the tough Belarusian. Sylvia is currently in the midst of a three-fight winning streak and has won seven of his last eight bouts.

The entire card, which is headlined by DREAM Bantamweight Champion Bibiano Fernandes and CFC Australia Bantamweight Champion Gustavo Falciroli, will be available live on Pay-Per-View.

Lady Cards opens title retention bid with big win

Redjie Melvic Cawis Photo

WOMEN’S defending titlist University of Baguio Lady Cardinals needed only 45 minutes to dispatch Pines City Colleges as action heats up in volleyball competition of the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League season 26.

In making short work of the Lady Warriors, the Lady Cardinals scored 25-5, 25-10, 25-3 win as it sets in its motion for another shot at retaining the title they won over rival and neighbor Saint Louis University Lady Navigators.

But it would still be a long way to the top for the Gen. Luna based squad as it lost three in their starting six including Mylene Paat, a vital cog in their last year’s championship run.

“We definitely lack the height but we will try to make it up by strengthening our defense,” said coach Jun Nisperos.

Even with returning team captain Mhey Madulid and Joan Lunday at the front line, Nisperos said their rival SLU will still be the team to beat in this year’s tournament as it beefed up with high school players taken from the Palarong Pambansa.

“SLU will still be the team to beat because of their line up although marami din ang nawala sa kanila,” added Nisperos.

Nisperos said he will just have to rely to his four veterans, five rookies and three come backing sophomores.

Early on, the SLU Lady Navigators opens their title bid during the weekend as it scored a back to back win over the Lady Warriors, 25-5, 25-3, 25-12, then followed it up with three set victory against Baguio Central University Lady Eagles, 25-4, 25-6, 25-14.

Six time champion University of the Cordilleras Lady Jaguars also scored a three set victory against the Lady Eagles, 25-12, 25-8, 25-21 with Cordillera Career Development College Lady Admirals escaping University of the Philippines Baguio, 25-17, 25-7, 25-18.

SLU survives gritty Admirals for third win

BOY Wonder. Follwing his 33 point output against a loss
with the UB Cardinals, rookie sensation Jervy Calibo once
again fired 41 points to lead the BCT atoms  in their first win
in the BBEAL with s 92-88 victory over UP Maroons Baguio.
Photo by Redjie Melvic Cawis 

SAINT Louis University withstood a huge run by Cordillera Career Development College in the fourth quarter to win their third straight in the men’s basketball of the ongoing Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League.

The Navigators stayed unbeaten after three games with a 100-84 victory over the slumping Admirals who suffered their second loss in the three starts despite taking an early lead late in the opening canto at the CCDC gym.

Up by 20 early in the third canto, the Admirals slowly clawed their way back into the ball game that saw them tying the ball game at 72 all with 8:28 remaining in the payoff period but Laurence Gallano fired five successive points to stop the rally and pull the Navigators away by five, 72-77.

“I told the boys not to panic, we need to step up a bit because the Admirals are stepping up also in their game,” said returning Navigators coach Tony Dela Cerna, who once steered the Admirals to its first championship way back in 2007.

Gallano, together with Alvin Ray Dumuk finished with 22 points while Raymund Austria chipped in 19 for the Navigators.

Trailing at 18-21 at the end of the first period, the Navigators pulled off a 13 -2 run to take an early 31-23 lead with 7:45 left in the first half.

The Navigators then had their biggest lead at 54-34, with 8:20 remaining in the third quarter before the Admirals unleashed a 48-18 run to tie the ball game at 72 all.

“We are relatively a young team, we lost key players this season but we are moving on and I hope we could rebuild around these young players,” said Admirals coach Delson Terceno who suffered their back-to-back defeat following a loss against Philippine Military Academy during Sunday’s game, 89-70.

Jayford Pacis had a game high of 34 points for the Admirals who is off to their worst start in years despite a huge victory over University of the Philippines-Baguio Maroons , 77-66 in the opener Saturday.

SLU rode high on their two game winning streak after opening the league with a win over Benguet State University Buffalos, 104-87 and another win against Baguio Central University Eagles, 78-71.

The Eagles however scored a victory over the PMA Cavaliers, 81-61, but lost against defending champion University of the Cordilleras Jaguars, 105-76.

University of Baguio meanwhile scored another back to back win over UP Baguio, 126-65 and PMA, 111-62.

Newcomer Baguio College of Technology Atoms barged into the win column as it leaned on the heroics of Jervy Calibo’s 41 point production in defeating UP Baguio, 92-88.

In the women’s division, defending champion SLU Lady Navigators scored a two straight wins by defeating UP, 69-39 and CCDC, 82-45.

Last year’s runner-up in UC Lady Jaguars meanwhile pulled off a convincing 119-44 victory with UB scoring a 40-36 victory over the Lady Buffalos.

Jaguars devour Buffalos to open title retention bid

DEFENDING champion University of the Cordilleras Jaguars opened their title retention bid in men’s basketball with a bang in clobbering Benguet State University Buffalos at the SLU Gym to give newly appointed Haynes Acdong his first win as head coach.

The Jaguars also welcomed the return of JP Jularbal in annexing a 120-75 victory in the Baguio – Benguet Educational Athletic League season 26 where he conspired with Leilmar Garcia to top the scoring with 23 markers each.

From a 66-33 lead at the close of the first half, the defending champion was a bit off in the third period that saw the Buffalos cut the deficit to 24, 72-48 on a 15-6 run with 5:26 remaining in the quarter.

“We just went hard on our offense and defense and I told them not to let up on this game,” said Acdong where he is picking up the chores left by another former Jaguar, John Carlo Domingo who migrated to Canada early this year after delivering the school’s first crown in 16 years.

Back-up court general Andrew Payas added 19 points for the reigning champions  with Jopson Dail and rookie Erwin Jay de Guzman adding 16 points each while Chad Russel Villanueva chipped in 11 points.

After an 84-55 count at the close of the third canto UC unleashed a  12-6 run in the first three minutes to simply close out the Buffalos and enjoy a 96-60 lead with 7:26 remaining in the ball game.

Despite the lopsided win, Acdong said he still needs to find the right rotation for the team where four of the five starting line-up in last year’s title run returned with the addition of Jularbal after two years of absence in the league.

Jeconiah Solamo, a vital cog in last year’s championship run will not be eligible to play but Acdong will pin his hopes on the returning Garcia, Dail, Villanueva and Payas for this year’s BBEAL including four more veterans, six rookies and two sophomores.

“Marami pang dapat gawin, lalong-lalo na kulang kami sa no.2 at no.3 position pero kailangan mag step-up din nung ibang player para mapunuan yung kulang,” added Acdong.

The Buffalos were led by Joey Kimao’s 23 points and the 10 markers courtesy of Zanny Liquidan.

Cardinals too classy for newcomer Atoms

Photo by Redjie Melvic Cawis

UNIVERSITY of Baguio showed too much class in welcoming Baguio College of Technology, scoring a 100-67 victory as men’s basketball gets going in the opening of the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League season 26 at the UB gym.

Clyriel Elefante had a team high of 20 points for the UB Cardinals that pulled away from a 7-6 lead early in the ball game and conspired with an eight to zero run and earn a 15 – 6 with 6 minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Elefante stood the tallest as they made BCT look like what they really are: Atoms, amidst a pro-BCT crowd who stormed the Cardinals gym to see how their team would fare in the big leagues.

It was a gallant but losing stand for the newcomers who lorded over the Cordillera Higher Education Sports Athletic Association and who knocked at the BBEAL’s door three years ago.

Richard Bilibli’s return took him nearly 10 months as the most needed man in last year’s third and final game returned with a bang, adding 18 points for the Cardinals which is raring to get the title back from arch rival University of the Cordilleras which upset them last year.

“Medyo hirap pa.  Adjustments na lang at okay na,” said team captain and play maker Kevin Orduña as he allowed his team mates to score nearly at will against the debutantes, who were rather manhandled in their coming of age at the BBEAL.

Big man Noel Cathedral, Jr. added 10 points for UB, which is seeking its 22nd BBEAL title.

Jervey Calibo scored half of the Atoms total with 33 as BCT struggled to find form in the BBEAL but still one of the teams to watch despite its poor opener.

“Adjustment lang talaga, mabigat ang simula dahil mabigat ang kalaban since we don’t really know them,” said coach Roger Basto, whose debut last year was foiled by a Jaguars upheavel.

But Orduña and the Cardinals expect UC to be still their biggest threat. “It could be UC or SLU (Saint Louis University),” said Orduña referring to the teams that could really give them the difficulty.

“SLU, because they have the system although they may not have an explosive player,” assessed Orduña.

Aritao riders shine in Bontoc MTB Cross Country Challenge

TEAM Aritao came up with a 1-2 finish in the senior male category to top the Bontoc MTB Cross Country Challenge participated by 85 biking enthusiasts from across northern Luzon.

Dennis Pelerio edged fellow Team Aritao Rider Jason Omilao for the top purse in the 19-39 years-old age group, while Baguio’s Edison Morales (BGH) finished third with Nelson Sonny Inyoh(Nomads Team), Sonny Lamsis(BGH) Jun Cruzat, Larry Alingcayon, Benjie Vallo, and Jerson Gimmik completing the top nine finishers.

In the Executive class or the 40 years old and above division, Ricky Atienza of Cauayan City Riders topped the class with Edgar De Guzman (Aritao) bagging the first runner-up finish. Second runner-up went to Bong Tolentino (Aritao), third runner-up was Brett Carlos Garcia, and fourth runner-up was Ben Pudlao, both from BGH team.

Anna Liza Maran topped the female division with Prescilla Ekid placing second in the event organized by Xtreme Igorot Multisports Group, Foresite 1911 Gun Club and Team Montañosa.

Judron Acay of Bontoc was the lone participant in the junior category of the event also backed by provincial sports development office, Provincial Tourism Office with Barangay Gunaang and Mainit Communities.

Special awards also went to Mapetak Bikers of Tabuk as the best team for having the most number of participants in the fun ride while the 2nd best team was given to Aritao Bikers Club.

The youngest rider plum, meanwhile, went to Rexan Saguitan of Mapetak bikers, while the toughest veteran rider was awarded to Juan Peralta of Aritao Biker with the top 5 winners given Trophies, medals and cash prizes.

Participants in the one day bike fest came from as far as Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya; Tabuk, Kalinga; Roxas, Isabela; Baguio City; Benguet; Cauayan; Isabela; and Mt. Province.

SEAG medalists open 26th BBEAL season

SOUTHEAST Asian Games (SEAG) medalists Alice Kate Aparri and Katherine Kaye Santos will lead the opening rites as the annual collegiate wars in the Baguio–Benguet Educational Athletic League formally kicks off its 26th season.

In opening the season hosted by University of Baguio, Aparri, the SEAG boxing gold medalist in 2011, will light the symbolic torch while Santos, long jump bronze medalist also in the 2011 SEAG, will lead the Oath of Sportsmanship.

The city’s Big Three universities defend their respective titles with Saint Louis University leading the charge as it defends in eight of the 15 events from eight sports discipline during the first semester of play.

“Laban talaga kami,” said SLU athletics director Henry Fuentes as the city’s biggest school of more than 25,000 students defends the titles in women’s basketball, men’s volleyball, women’s chess, women’s table tennis and both the titles in archery and badminton.

“Kayang sumabay sa mga sport na medyo alanganin,” added Fuentes, referring to table tennis and archery.

Fuentes is also hopeful that his female volleyball team returns after 11 years to the top podium and after last year’s upset loss to neighbor rival UB.

He added: “Although we have a relatively young team, we will be there against the city’s best volleyball squads,” referring to rivals UB, a three-time and defending champion, and six-peat winner University of the Cordilleras, owner of nine straight men’s crown and eight straight women’s titles.

Host UB Cardinals is expected to make a big splash anew this year as swimming was moved to the first semester while the University of the Cordilleras defends the most coveted men's basketball crown since the BBEAL was started 16 years ago and nine years before that, and in sepak takraw, the only event this semester open to men.

Baguio College of Technology, the youngest member in the BBEAL will also be tested when it goes up against many time champion Cardinals in the men’s basketball after the simple yet colorful opening program.

“Our main weapon is our defense. Walang player na malas sa depensa, yan ang laging emphasis ko sa aming team,” said BCT coach Wilfredo Antonio.

BCT will be called Atoms now after carrying the name Eagles in the other league but has to change it since the name is carried by Baguio Central University.

Eight of the 10 schools will also debut today in men's basketball with SLU facing Benguet State University, now named the Buffalos from Musangs (Wildcats), two-time champion Cordillera Career Development College up against the University of the Philippines Maroons and Philippine Military Academy against BCU.

Defending champion UC Jaguars, meanwhile, opens their title retention bud against BSU Sunday at the SLU gym.

On Sunday, men’s volleyball champion SLU debuts against BCT after rivals UB and UC played BCT and UP-Baguio Saturday at the SLU gym. CCDC goes up against PMA, while BSU opens the games against Pines City College.

Also to be played on Sunday, SLU plays PCC, UP up against CCDC and UC tests BCU in women’s volleyball at the UB gym. PMA goes upo against UC, UP against UB and PCC and CCDC collide in the afternoon games for men.

Bantiag, Wanawan gear up for PXC 33

TROY Bantiag will try to give a good follow–up of his victory as he battles a Guamanian this time in the Pacific Xtreme Combat 33 slated September 1 at the Ynares Sports Center.

Following his second victory in the Guam based mix martial arts promotion, Bantiag seeks his third win against bantamweight Jon delos Reyes in tone of the main bout slated in the event featuring the lightweight title match between champion Harris Sarmiento (Hawaii) and challenger Jon Tuck (Guam).

A member of Team Lakay, Bantiag will also be joined by fellow Lakay fighter flyweight Jerome Wanawan, who also holds a clean 2-0 win slate and will face Victor Torre with a record of six wins and one loss.

“Considering na mapalaban ng todo silang dalawa, we are making sure that they get the best training that’s why we’re letting them train alongside Kevin Belingon and Honorio Banario who will also fight on Aug. 31 in One FC,” said coach Mark Sangiao.

But Sangiao said his two wards seeing action during Baguio Day’s charter celebration need to work on their skills to continue their streak.

“Troy needs to work out more on his boxing skills while Jerome has to train more on his grappling defense,” added Sangiao.

And improving their skills might give them a bigger chance of winning against their opponents with Delos Reyes having won his three of his last fights via technical knock-out with one submission while Torre, in all his first five fights ended via submission.

PXC-33 will feature the best MMA fighters from the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region, featuring Filipino MMA stars taking on fighters from the US, Guam, Japan and Korea.

Unfortunately, due to a recent training injury, the much anticipated title fight between PXC Flyweight champ Ale Cali and Erwin Tagle will be postponed. Cali suffered an injury to his face and was not cleared to fight for 4 weeks.

Lakays all fired up for OneFC bout

ENTERING their final week of training, Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao remains upbeat of his wards’ chances in the One Fighting Championship event slated at the Smart Araneta Coliseum next week.

This with barely a week before Kevin Belingon and Honorio Banario faces off against their rivals in Asia’s largest mix martial arts event dubbed “Pride of Nations” set on August 31.

Belingon, the URCC flyweight king, collides with Rising On titlist Soo Chul Kim of Korean while lightweight champion Banario will also test his mettle against fellow Filipino Andre Benibe.

“Honorio’s game plan is to aim for the knock-out while for Kevin, they have the same style of fighting with Kim, but will try to use Kevin’s speed against the Korean,” said Sangiao where they hold their last week of hard training then cool down next week before fight night.

Eric Kelly, a Baguio raised fighter now based in Malaysia, will also see action against American UFC veteran Jens Pulver in a featherweight showdown.

Philippine pride Eduard Folayang, also of Team Lakay will also be in the main card of the event and will face Swiss – Jap Felipe Enomoto.

Although things turned bleak the last time out for the Team Lakay after suffering setbacks, Sangiao said the three mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters are motivated to get back their winning ways, especially with Folayang.

“If he hurdles Enomoto, there’s a chance that he will have a shot at the One FC belt in the next fightcard,” added Sangiao.

One FC is set to return to Singapore in October, with the highly anticipated Lightweight Super Fight between Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki and French MMA Champion Arnaud “The Game” Lepont at the 12,000-seater Singapore Indoor Stadium in what is expected to be the greatest fight card ever compiled.

Dubbed 'Rise of Kings' will be a historic moment for Asian MMA because for the first time ever, three championship belts will be awarded. Three ONE FC weight divisions will see a World Champion crowned.

Mayol, Tirado arrive September for Baguio Day fight

FORMER light flyweight champion Rodel Mayol is expected to arrive at the Summer capital first week of September as he gears up for an upcoming Baguio day fight.

Mayol, who has been in Cebu for his training is the main event in the September 22, box-off being handled by local businessman Anson Tiu Co where he will face Mexican slugger Jose Alfredo Tirado for the interim WBO Asia Pacific flyweight title.

“Sa ngayon nasa 60 percent na yung conditioning ko at pagdating ng Baguio dyan na yung hard training,” said Mayol.

Mayol earlier said he started training since first week of August and his sparring session officially begun two weeks ago.

Tui Co owns and manages the Shape-Up Boxing Gym where eight time weight class champion Manny Pacquiao trains every time he stays in Baguio City.

“We want to invite everybody to watch this biggest boxing event here in Baguio City,” said Tiu Co.

Mayol, a native of Mandaue City, Cebu, guns for his 32nd victory in 39 fights. He comes in with a five fight win streak including that 10 round stoppage of Julio Cesar Miranda last May 13 at the Ynares Sports Arena, in Pasig City.

The 32-year-old Tirado, meanwhile, will gun for the 30th victory of his boxing career and is also coming off a unanimous decision win against Jesus Ceja last May 25, in Sinaloa, Mexico for his fourth straight win in his last five fights.

Mayol’s 12-round encounter with Tirado is part of the stacked card being arranged by Shape-Up Boxing Gym’s Anson Tui Co which will also include flyweight prospect Froilan Saludar whose opponent will also be an unnamed Mexican fighter.

Tirado will arrive in the city a week later than Mayol arrival.

MP Promotion’s Eric Sanchez is also featured in the undercard.

Four other undercards are also being lined up for the event, which will be top billed by Cordillera’s upcoming boxers who will challenge fighters from all over the country said Tui Co.

Folayang sets game plan vs Swiss–Jap foe

CONTROLLING the tempo of their fight is Eduard Folayang’s main game plan when he steps inside the ring against Swiss-Jap Felipe Enomoto in the upcoming One Fighting Championship Event on August 31.

Facing his toughest battle yet in his mix martial arts career, Folayang will carry the country’s flag together with two more Team Lakays in the event dubbed Pride of Nations slated at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I’ll try to dictate the phase of the fight and from then on whatever he throws at me, I’ll be prepared,” said Folayang.

Kevin Belingon and Honorio Banario are the other Team Lakay members seeing action in Asia’s largest MMA event while Eric Kelly is the other fighter from Baguio part of the stacked fight card.

Folayang will also seek a win after his sorry loss the last time out against Ole Laursen and if things go well with the many time wushu gold medalist, he might have a chance to fight for a belt in the upcoming One FC event.

“I’ve seen [my opponent’s] fights and most of his losses came from submission, but I’ll prove to him that I can match his skills even in stand–up fighting,” added Folayang.

Dream Champions Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki and Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes are set to headline Asia’s biggest mix martial arts promotion.

Aoki is the deadliest submission grappler in MMA and Fernandes is ranked amongst the best bantamweight fighters in the world with both fighters known as astounding athletes with a huge fan base amongst Asian and international fans alike.

Aoki’s opponent is due to be announced shortly while Fernandes will take on Cage Fighting Championship (CFC) Australia Bantamweight Champion Gustavo Falciroli.

In addition, two former UFC Heavyweight Champions will meet for the fourth time in a grudge match that has escalated over the years.

Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia will clash in Manila after a series of fights that saw Sylvia lose the first bout, and subsequently win back-to-back fights against the tough Belarusian. Sylvia is currently in the midst of a three-fight winning streak and has won seven of his last eight bouts.

Handig eyes no. 1 spot in next bout

WBC Asian Boxing Council minimum weight titlist gets a possible chance of being ranked no. 1 after the International Boxing Federation Championship Committee to challenge former minimum weight world champion Katsunari Takayama of Japan.

The 22-year-old Handig has a record of 12-5 with 7 knockouts, including a win on October 16, 2011 when he won the vacant WBC Asia Boxing Council title with a 7th round TKO of Bimbo Nacionales, dropping Nacionales twice in the seventh round after himself being dropped in the first.

Handig, a native of Catarman, Northern Samar, is now based in La Trinidad and is being handled by Brico Santig’s Highland Boxing where he shares the stable with WBO Oriental bantamweight champion Dayer Gabutan.

Takayama who has a record of 24-5 with 10 knockouts and the former WBC straw-weight world champion having won the title by a unanimous twelve round decisions over Isaac Bustos of Mexico in April 4, 2005.

Although no fight schedule has been announced, Santig’s Highland Boxing promotion won the rights to promote the event over Ala Promotions of Cebu where Takayama trains.

Talks are also ripe that the Takayama–Handig match-up will be part of the Rodel Mayol–Jose Alfredo Tirado fight this coming September 22 in the summer capital for the interim WBO Asia Pacific flyweight being primed up by businessman Anson Tiu-Co.

Mayol, a native of Mandaue City, Cebu will gun for his 32nd victory in 39 fights. He comes in with a five fight win streak including that 10 round stoppage of Julio Cesar Miranda last May 13 at the Ynares Sports Arena, in Pasig City.

The 32-year-old Tirado, meanwhile, will gun for the 30th victory of his boxing career and is also coming off a unanimous decision win against Jesus Ceja last May 25, in Sinaloa, Mexico for his fourth straight win in his last five fights.

Familiar faces rule 2nd Donaal archery cup

PALARONG Pambansa stalwarts Gaway Bomogao and Jezreel Hongitan made their mark anew in winning gold medals at the close of the Indoor Archery Donaal’s Cup 2 at the BCNHS gym.

Bomogao, a multi-gold medalist in the 2012 Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association, snatched the gold medal in the cadet girls qualification round while Hongitan, now playing for the University of Baguio, bagged the gold in the BBEAL women’s qualification round.

Another Hongitan in Kareel took home the gold medal in the cadet girls division with Manalee Fangroy and Bomogao taking home the silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the event supported by Gandiva Archery.

Daryl Jade Bolislis meanwhile had the silver while Kareel won the bronze in the event hatched by BCNHS Ipanayon Archery.

The cadet boys saw Abellardo Villamor winning the gold medal in the Olympic round while Janus Ventura and Christian Balageo settled for silver and bronze as Villamor earned his second gold medal in the qualification round while Ventura and Simon Aragona took the silver and bronze.

Rosa Patricia Legaspi topped the BBBEAL Women’s Olympic round with Jexreel Hongitan and Mylene Manogan salvaged silver and bronze while Hongitan, Manogan and Legaspi were the gold, silver and bronze medalist in the qualification round.

Mark Vincent Hidalgo topped the BBEAL Olympic round while Eugene Russel Canelas and Ralph Allen Geronimo as Canelas, Hidalgo and Geronimo was the first three placers in the qualification round.

In the seniors division, Andy Villamor topped the event while Ronnie Santos and Melchor Velasco settled for silver and bronze while Santos, Villamor and Velasco were the gold, silver and bronze winners in the qualification round.

In the advance bowman girls, Keisha Andrada topped both the Olympic and qualification round for the gold while Johnny Daliling and Winselle John Espiritu took home the gold medal in the boys division for the Olympic and qualification round, respectively.

Jayson Mendoza won the gold while Joel Tristan Aragona snatched the gold medal in the qualification round.

Lahainan Digermo and Danielle Jasmin Espiritu topped the yeaoman girls in the Olympic and qualification round respectively while Tristan Travis Ngayos won the gold in the boys division for both Olympic and qualification round.

The bowman Tyro boys saw Rondeyle Pioquinto winning both Olympic and qualification round’s gold medal.

Motivated Lakays all revved up for One FC

MOTIVATED to get back at their winning ways, the trio of Team Lakay’s Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon and Honorio Banario training camp goes into full gear as they prepare for Asia’s biggest mix martial arts promotion.

From grappling to striking, coach Mark Sangiao said there will be no stones unturned inside their training camp in their groundwork for the One Fighting Championship event slated August 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Everything is going well here in our training camp and the guys are seating it out like never before because they wanted to get back at winning,” said Sangiao.

The former MMA champion Sangiao added they will have a twice a week four-round sparring until the 21st before wrapping up their training camp with their ground and wrestling games.

Folayang, the URCC welterweight champion and multi-medalist in wushu in the World and Asian and Southeast Asian Games, battles CFC Europe titlist Felipe Enomoto of Japan, while Belingon, the URCC flyweight king, collides with Rising On titlist Soo Chul Kim of Korea to headline the local bid in what’s billed as “Asia’s largest MMA event.”

Another URCC champion in Banario will also test his mettle against fellow Filipino Andre Benibe with Eric Kelly colliding with American UFC veteran Jens Pulver in a featherweight showdown.

“Enomoto is a tough fighter with all-round skills which makes him a dangerous opponent,” said One FC lightweight Eduard Folayang. “I’ve been training three times a day for this fight with my team in Baguio. Each time I enter the cage, I fight for my country and my family. Manila can expect the best from me when I enter the cage on August 31. I will not let my country down.”

Tickets for One FC: Pride of a Nation are on sale now through TicketNet at www.ticketnet.com.ph or at all TicketNet outlets located at the SM department store customer service area and at the Smart Araneta Coliseum ticket booth. For inquiries and reservations, please call +63 911 5555.

Tickets are priced at P4,770 for VIP experience seating that includes exclusive Red Carpet entrance as well as access to the VIP lounge, followed by P2,120, P1,060, P690, P530 and P215, respectively.

Anton wins in Circuit Showdown anew

ACE driver Carlos Anton continued his magical run by copping another crown in the Circuit Showdown round 6 in the rain soaked Batangas Racing Circuit.

The Yokohama-Castrol-Mark Young driver prevailed against over 50 racers and a host of 4-wheel drive super cars despite remnants of Typhoon Gener, giving drivers the hardest conditions.

Using his trusted Mark Young-Hornitex prepared CRX, Anton clocked the day’s best time of 1 min 34.822, three seconds clear of Mato Tan (1:37.859) and Nino Garcia (1:38.981) who finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

With the win, Anton clinched the Top Bracket A Time Attack Championship of the Circuit Showdown series with two races to spare as it is now mathematically impossible for anybody to catch up with him in the series.

“I’m very pleased we already bagged the Circuit Showdown title this early in the series, it has been a good year since we also clinched the Hillclimb Championship last May. We have won so far 12 of the 13 races we joined in 2012, our only hiccup being the round our transmission failed in CS-5 after my first timed lap,” Anton said.

Anton adds this CS-Time Attack title to his over 20 championships in Philippine Motorsports over the past 23 years which include Hillclimb racing (6), Circuit Racing-touring cars (7), Formula Toyota (1), Karting (2), Slalom (3), Autocross (1) and Rallycross/Dirt Trials (1), making him one of the most diverse and successful drivers of his era.

Anton is backed by Mark Young Racing, Yokohama, Castrol, Hornitex, Special Stage, Cars Unlimited, Home Outlet and Autoshack.

“It has been my dream since four years old after watching my dad race Go Karts to one day win a racing trophy of my own. The Lord has blessed me and kept me safe all these years, fulfilling every dream I ever had,” Anton added.

BCT formalizes entry in BBEAL

BAGUIO College of Technology is now formally the tenth member of the Baguio–Benguet Educational Athletic League when it opens August 25 with the University of Baguio hosting its 26th season.

BCT’s entry into the nine school conclave was formalized Tuesday morning after the BBEAL’s board of directors came into terms of accepting the school’s membership who has been applying since 2009.

“It’s finally approved,” quipped UB athletic director Eduardo Laureano in an interview.

Ten sports disciplines, including the premiere basketball tournament, get underway in the first phase of the tournament with eight other sports events to be staged in the second semester of the season.

Volleyball, archery, badminton, chess, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, tae kwon do and arnis will be played in the first part of the 26th season.

Meanwhile, BCT president Wilfredo Abad Jr. felt elated of their participation for this year’s BBEAL after five years of waiting.

“Finally our long wait is over, now we can compete with the big guys,” added Abad.

The Technical Vocational school was originally asked to pay P250,000 as membership fee on a staggered basis way back in 2010 when the University of the Philippines hosted the annual collegiate tournament.

But for this year, the P250,000 was lowered to P100,000 for its membership dues.

“The P100,000 will be paid on a staggered basis and will have to pay P50,000 for the tournament aside from the P100,000 membership dues.

BCT, formally called the Eagles in their Cordillera Higher Education Sports Athletics Association will don the Atoms jersey and will join at least five sports events in the first phase of the competition.

The Atoms, according to Abad, will joining the premiere men’s basketball competition, men’s volleyball, badminton and table tennis.

BBEAL was organized in 1986 with just 7 member schools but has increased to nine member schools from Baguio City and Benguet before BCT came into picture.

The member schools are Baguio Central University Eagles (BCU), Benguet State University Wildcats (BSU), Cordillera Career Development College Admirals (CCDC), Philippine Military Academy Cavaliers (PMA), Pines City Colleges Warriors (PCC), Saint Louis University Navigators, UB Cardinals, University of the Cordilleras Jaguars, and UP Baguio Maroons (UP).

23rd BCM chess list-up ongoing

TOP woodpushers from all over northern Luzon including those coming from the National Capital Region are expected to swarm Baguio City anew for the staging of the 23rd BCM Non-Masters Chess Tournament slated Sept.1-2.

Dubbed “Baguio Day Cup”, the tournament to be held at the Baguio Centermall chess gallery is now open for registration with P150 for the open category and the kiddies division.

Deadline for registration is only until August 29.

Late registrants who wish to sign up will be charged P250 for the open category while the kiddies division registration is pegged at P200 in the seven round Swiss system scoring tournament.

The tournament aims to promote the board game of chess, especially among the youth while facilitating the development of talented enthusiast's skills and confidence.

The grand winner in the open division is set to clinch the top prize of P7,000 with a trophy, while the second placer will bring home P5,000 and a trophy.

The third placer will receive P3,000 plus a trophy, while the fourth and fifth placer gets P1,000 and 800, respectively, with the 6th to10th finishers to bring home P500 each.

A P5,000 prize and trophies await the top winner in the kiddies division, while trophies and cash prizes of P3,000 and P1,500 will be given to second and third placers.

Fourth place finishers in the kiddies division will bring home P1,000 and the fifth place gets P800 while the 6th to 10th placers will salvage P500.

Trophies also await the special awardees for top junior, top lady and top senior while top nine kiddie players will receive P300 in the seven-round Swiss system tournament.

Interested participants may call or text chief arbiter Teddy Sarmiento at (0910)773-1000, Romeo Samson at (0907)944-2211 / (0906)224-7638 and tournament director Arnie Ignacio at (0916)217-0477.

Aoki, Fernandes topbill One FC Manila

DREAM Champions Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki and Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes are set to headline Asia’s biggest mix martial arts promotion seen to take place on Aug. 31 at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Aoki and Fernandez will headline the One Fighting Championship event dubbed Pride of Nation that will also feature Filipino MMA star and Baguio based fighter Eduard Folayang together with Team Lakay teammates Kevin Belingon and Honorio Banario.

Folayang, the URCC welterweight champion and multi-medalist in wushu in the World and Asian and Southeast Asian Games, battles CFC Europe titlist Felipe Enomoto of Japan, while Belingon, the URCC flyweight king, collides with Rising On titlist Soo Chul Kim of Korea to headline the local bid.

Another URCC champion in Banario will also test his mettle against fellow Filipino Andre Benibe with Eric Kelly colliding with American UFC veteran Jens Pulver in a featherweight showdown.

“The guys are motivated to get back at their winning ways,” said Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao in an earlier interview.

Aoki is the most deadly submission grappler in MMA and Fernandes is ranked amongst the best bantamweight fighters in the world. Both are well-known as astounding athletes with a huge fan base amongst Asian and international fans alike.

Aoki’s opponent is due to be announced shortly while Fernandes will take on Cage Fighting Championship (CFC) Australia bantamweight champion Gustavo Falciroli.

In addition, two former UFC Heavyweight Champions will meet for the fourth time in a grudge match that has escalated over the years.

Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia will clash in Manila after a series of fights that saw Sylvia lose the first bout, and subsequently win back-to-back fights against the tough Belarusian.

Sylvia is currently in the midst of a three-fight winning streak and has won seven of his last eight bouts.

The legendary Gracie family will also be represented thrice in event with Rolles Gracie taking on Tony Bonello, Igor Gracie will battle Korea’s Jung Hwan Cha and Gregor Gracie will look to get back to his winning ways when he goes toe-to-toe with Nicholas Mann.

Baguio judoka-led nat’l team opens campaign in Singapore

THE Baguio led Judo Philippine team formally opens their campaign today in the Singapore Judo Federation sponsored “International Cadet Judo Championship” at the the Bedok Sports Hall, Bedok North Street 2, Singapore.

Franz Darren Kim of University of Baguio, Franz Jedd Andre Kim of SLU High School and Dereck Klarence Dino of the Baguio City National High School together with David Alexander Gordon and Sean Ernest Regal.

Click here to get the latest Kadayawan 2012 updates.

Kim will fight in the under 18 category, 81 kgs., while Dino competes in the under 17-years old 69-kilogram (kgs) division with Jedde Andre Kim squaring off in the 14 years old 66Kgs.

The three are members of the YMCA Kaitagi Judo Club under the Cordillera Judo Association.

Both Gordon and Regal came from De La Salle University and will compete in the under 15-years old -60 Kgs and 17 years old under 60Kgs, respectively.

Other members of the team are Jasmin Dino, coach/team manager; Gerard Teruel, referee; and team leader Suzzane Dino.

The Philippine delegation arrived in Singapore Thursday to prepare for a delegates conference and a Judo Training Camp after the competition on the 20th of August.

The day camp will be facilitated by 1996 Atlanta Olympics champion Sensei Jeon Ki Young.

Previously known as the National Age-Group Championships, the International Cadet Judo Championships brings in the best of each country'sunder-21-years judokas to Singapore to compete for championship gold.

The tournament is seen to have spectacular matches with memorable finishes and throws which are unique to the Judo martial art.

The Singapore tournament is one of the many national and international tournaments being eyed by the CJA in its aim to re-establish the sport in the Summer Capital and at the same time serves as a feeder program for Baguio in the hopes of being part of the national team.