Lady Cardinals take volleyball BBEAL crown

UNIVERSITY of Baguio (UB) sustained its winning streak against Saint Louis University (SLU) to capture its first crown in six years at the close of the women’s volleyball in the Baguio–Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) season 25.

The Lady Cardinals eked out a first victory in game one of their best of three finals series, 25-21, 25-23, 21-25, 25-18, before closing out the Lady Navigators in game two via a four set decider, 25, 18, 25-22, 20-25, 25-22, at the UB gym recently.

“This is our first time since winning the championship six years ago and talagang binuhos din ng mga player ko kaya masaya kami,” said coach Jun Nisperos after their two-game sweep against the perennial runner-up SLU.

It was indeed another display of mastery for the Lady Cardinals, who earlier defeated the Lady Navigators in their first encounter via a five-set thriller, 22-25, 25-15, 29-27,20-25, 15-11, in the eliminations round.

“We tried to adjust sa set play, and at the same time, sinabi ko na kailangan naming magbawas sa error at ang maganda dun, eh, talagang determinado ding manalo yung mga bata,” added Nisperos.

It was another sorry loss for the Lady Navigators after topping the eliminations race and even reigned supreme in the late 90s failed to win at least one championship for the last seven years, seven long years of being relegated as runner up.

In the battle for third, defending titlist University of the Cordilleras (UC) brought their A-game with them by diffusing the University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio Lady Maroons in three sets, 25-4, 25-14, 25-16.

In the men’s side, SLU Navigators breezed through against arch rival UB Cardinals as in sweeping their best of three series.

The Navigators, who topped the eliminations, swooped down the Cardinals in their first meeting, 25-26, 25-13, 25-16.

The defending titlist Navigators then made a repeat in game 2 with another three set victory, 25-12, 25-21, 27- 25 to claim their back to back title in the annual collegiate competition.

In the battle for third, the UC Jaguars finished of Cordillera Career Development College Admirals in three easy sets, 25-22, 25-20, 25-18.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on October 07, 2011.

No Bradley for Pacquiao yet

Even without the megabuck Pacquiao–Mayweather bout, the eight-time weight division’s camp will not likely face any opponent whose caliber cannot match the pound for pound champion.

News that super lightweight champ Timothy Ray Bradley Jr. would be Pacquiao's next opponent this May, unless Floyd Jr. finally agrees to one of the greatest match in history, hardly caused a stir in the training camp.

"Who cares?" said coach Freddie Roach about Top Rank's recent signing of Bradley as a prelude to his match with Pacquiao.

"It's really premature. (There is) no contract signing so it’s just talk," he added.

"It's a sham. It's going to be one of the [biggest] mismatches ever," said Pacquiao's conditioning coach Alex Ariza.

Despite having an unbeaten record, the 28-year-old American is not being taken seriously by Pacquiao’s camp.

"He's too small. They should try to picky somebody his own size," Ariza said.

Bradley, being the super lightweight champion, is fighting at 140 pounds, while Pacquiao, who is fighting Juan Manuel Marquez this November for the welterweight title (140 to 147 pounds), even climbed to 150 pounds in his light middleweight fight against Antonio Margarito last July 2010.

The lopsided fight almost cost Margarito his career, as he had to undergo eye surgery.

"And what has he done lately?" asked Ariza about Bradley.

Bradley fought only once last year and again this year, in a January defeat of Devon Alexander. He declined a July fight against fellow 140-pound titleholder Amir Khan.

He is expected to be in the highlight of the Pacquiao-Marquez undercard on November 12, fighting against 40-year-old Joel Casamayor.

Pacquiao is set to close his three-week training camp this weekend, according to "Team Pacquiao" assistant trainer, Boboy Fernandez.

Fernandez said the Filipino ring idol is just about to complete his scheduled training activities here before his departure to Los Angeles, California on Monday.

According to Fernandez, American boxing coach Freddie Roach was impressed on the dedication and training of his ward while he was here in the city, where legion of fans had already found their time to be with their idol in his various roadwork, sports events and social works. (Roderick Osis)

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on October 07, 2011.

Merciless Pacman on November 12 bout

A DIFFERENT Manny Pacquiao will step inside the ring come November 12, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Vowing he would no longer be compassionate inside the ring, Pacquiao said he is hungry for a knock out and vows to be ruthless when he faces Juan Manuel Marquez for the third time in their World Boxing Organization welterweight clash.

The fighting lawmaker from Sarangani Province even vowed for an early finish against the last Mexican boxer standing.

“This time it’s different because this would not be like the other fights. It would be a fight for national pride,” Pacquiao said after his eight-round sparring session with former two-time world champion Jorge Linares of Venezuela, Tuesday afternoon.

Linares, who is scheduled to fight Antonio DeMarco for the vacant World Boxing Council lightweight title in Los Angeles on October 15, also trains under Pacquiao’s coach Freddie Roach.

Showing he’s nearing tip-top shape, Pacquiao did seven rounds of mitt training with Roach after battling Linares.

Pacquiao said he would focus on improving his speed in the last few days of his training. He will close his training camp here Friday afternoon before heading for Manila.

“Manny will be too powerful and too fast against Marquez and there’s no way Marquez can win over Manny,” said Linares.

The two boxers have already engaged more than 20 rounds of sparring since Pacquiao started his training camp in the Summer Capital two weeks ago.

“He’s not yet in tip top shape but Pacquiao is not showing any signs of rust,” added Linares who was bloodied after receiving a powerful left hook that caught the latter’s right eyebrow last week. (Roderick Osis)

One FC chief eyes Team Lakay

IMPRESSED by Eduard Folayang’s performance in his One Fighting Championship debut, chief executive officer Victor Cui is eyeing more fighters for their upcoming events.

Fresh from a plane ride from Singapore and at least a six-hour drive from Manila, Cui traveled all the way to the Summer Capital to meet with members of Team Lakay for possible fight contracts in the future.

“These fighters are probably some of the best in the Asian region and we hope to bring in more Team Lakay fighters in the near future,” said Cui at the Team Lakay gym in La Trinidad, Benguet.

Folayang came in aggressive against Korean A Sol Kwon at the launch of Singapore’s One Fighting Championship: Champion vs Champion last September 3.

Fellow Filipino and another Baguio-based fighter Eric Kelly also saw success, choking out American Mitch Chilson in 3 minutes.

One Fighting Championship is Asia’s largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts (MMA) event. One FC features the best Asian fighters and the largest pan-Asian media broadcast.

MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world today.

In true Darwinian fashion, the sport of MMA allows for any martial arts style to compete against any martial arts style in the most free of artistic expressions for martial artists. MMA athletes utilize the best techniques from any and all martial arts in order to compete standing up or on the ground.

Coach Mark Sangiao is even delightful with his fighters getting the much-needed international exposure.

“We will be making arrangements and at the same time have partnership with One F,” quipped Sangiao, who also received training gears for Team Lakay from the One FC top honcho.

Cui added the partnership with Team Lakay will be one of their priorities within this year, as they eye more fights outside Singapore, which include Malaysia, Macau, and even in Manila.

Once the partnership will be formalized, however, Sangiao said Team Lakay will still be fighting in the Universal Reality Combat Challenge and in fact, will be included in the URCC 20 event to be staged in November this year.

Cui, at the same time, said the partnership is eyed to develop a career for mix martial arts fighter in the country in a long span of time.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on October 04, 2011.

Anton zooms for third win

ACE driver Carlos Anton zoomed his way to the top again to win another podium finish in the third series of the Hill Climb Championship at the hilly Pias in La Union.

The win was made even more special when Anton smashed the old record with a time of 1:26.22 seconds as he edges closer to an unprecedented fifth national title in Hillclimb Racing history.

“It was great to have my Mark Young prepared CRX back for this leg and what an improvement they had done to the car; we smashed the old record by over 5 seconds!” Anton said after his run.

Anton’s Hornitex-Castrol team mates Dennis Aoyong, Alfie Concepcion and Frankie Domingo all finished on the podium in groups 5, 4 and 2.

Concepcion even had to borrow car from fellow Baguio racer Domingo’s group 2 car after his racecar engine failed prior to the start.

Ecko Adan, BJ Frondoso, Pancake Pimentel, Roderick Fallorin, Jimson Balmeo and Mark Sy also won their respective classes. New talented driver for team Mark Young-Castrol Jason Marquez won 2nd in group 1 in his first ever race.

“The team did really well today and we are happy with the results, it shows that Carlos’ car is back to what it was, if not even better than before. We will prepare Jason (Marquez) even better for next race so he can take his first overall win in group 1,” Mark Young said of his team.

The last leg of the series will be held sometime in October at a still undisclosed location. Championships for groups 4, 1, 2 are all closely contested and results of the final round will determine the champions.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on October 03, 2011.

Stallions FC brings home gold

By Roderick Osis

NOT even the lack of corporate backing and the limelight form the media stopped the Baguio Stallion FC from winning the gold medal in the first Asian 5-aside of the Special Olympics.

Playing as if it will be their last for the country, the Stallion FC blasted home team Malaysia B in their opening game, 3-0 then wrapped up their second victory with a 5-1 drubbing of Indonesia.

"Hirap kami sa umpisa against Malaysia kasi sobrang init buti na lang madaling naka pag adjust yung mga bata kaya lahat ng goals namin eh sa second half na,” said coach Maribeth Jaravata.

The squad then followed it up with another 3-2 win against Singapore in an exhibition match before closing their campaign with another 3-0 triumph with team captain and striker Rommel Bautista scoring seven goals in that four games.

Returning back to the country after their feat, the squad came home unnoticed when the Phl Volacanoes, arriving the same day, hogged the limelight after winning the silver in the 2011 Asian Men’s Rugby 7s Championship.

But their efforts did not go to naught as members of the rugby team had a photo opportunity with the team and even congratulated the Baguio squad for their feat.

“Masaya din kami kasi nung nakita namin sila sa airport nagpapicture kami sa kanila tapos nag-congratulate sila sa amin,” said Bautista.

Making that victory much sweeter for the Baguio Stallion FC is they almost failed to join the contest for the second time after the Special Olympics Philippines almost had the playing dates mistaken.

While on their way to the airport, another setback for the Baguio squad representing the country encountered another glitch, as they had to pay the travel tax and the terminal fee before boarding the plane. This, however, was settled by good Samaritans in the team.

And when they landed in Malaysia, the team was just like a well oiled machine playing for the flag and country.

“Nahirapan kami sa Singapore kasi masyado silang systematic tsaka mabibilis ang kanilang passing pero determined pa rin yung team that's why nanalo pa rin,” added Jaravata.

And by winning the gold medal, this will not stop the Stallions from playing in another Asian tournament hopefully to be hosted by the country later this year after their Malaysia win supported by FRB Foundation and Victory Liner.

This time, the Stallions, composed of Bautista, Mark Louie Moran, Raymund Galiste, Roy Abraham Atienza, Jerry Sanchez Jr., Rustom Mulle, Kirk Napeek, and Ted Joshua Sabino will be eyeing a spot in the six or seven aside of the tournament and adding other players in their roster.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on October 01, 2011.

Igorot southpaw pug retains title

DAYER Gabutan continues to dominate his weight class.

Fighting in a neutral crowd, Gabutan scored another unanimous victory to retain his World Boxing Organization oriental bantamweight crown at the Kowloon Bay International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Hong Kong.

By retaining his regional title, Gabutan now boasts of 15 wins, including six knockouts, a loss and two fights even, after stopping another Thailander in Petch Twins Gym during the main card of the evening.

"Mula first round hanggang sa 12th round, maganda yung kondisyon niya kaya kahit gusto kong patumbahin yung Thailander eh hindi rin bumagsak ng basta basta," Gabutan told Sun.Star Baguio.

Gabutan's second title defense also saw him knocking out Meechai Kiatpracha in the third round of their scheduled 12-round event last April in La Trinidad.

This will be the third successful defense for Gabutan, a native of Ambagiw, Besao in Mt. Province.

"Bumgasak siya ng isang beses pero matindi din yung resistensya kaya hindi rin sumuko," added Gabutan, referring to the 12th round knock down of the Thai fighter but refused to go down without a fight until the last sound of the bell.

Although Gabutan clearly won on points from the three judges, 119-108, 118-109, 119-108, the 22 year old fighter said he had a hard time adjusting during the fight because he was also fighting a lefty, just like him.

"Nung una medyo nahirapan ako kasi first time kong lumaban sa southpaw kaya and ginawa namin eh sinabayan ko na lang siya sa kaniyang mga galaw," added Gabutan, who dealt Petch his seventh loss of his 18 fights.

While Gabutan was laying out his plan on how to put down the Thai fighter early, Petch was also looking for an opening as they try to hit Gabutan's abdomen.

But it did not materialize as Gabutan's superb condition and timely jabs put the Thai in defensive mode.

"Yung game plan ata nila eh sa tiyan ako suntukin kasi mas matangkad ako pero hindi tumalab kasi talagang nasa 100 percent yung condition ko," added Gabutan.

In the undercard, super featherweight Randy Megrino (10-8-2, 6KOs) of Kidapawan City scored a 2nd round knock out against Thailander Lertsila PakdeeGym.

Jujeath Nagaowa also registered a first round TKO victory against Thai fight girl Leokkaew Sithpracha.

Dennis Padua, however, was the unluckiest of the three after suffering a 2nd round knockout loss against Thailand's knockout seeker Ekapol Yothinpanawet. (Roderick Osis)

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on September 30, 2011.