Little Azkals demolish Chelsea in first match

source: Cebu Daily News

CAGAYAN de Oro's Jeremiah "JB" Borlongan scored a hattrick as the Little Azkals once again showed their unbeatable team work by routing the Korean-based Chelsea FC Under 14 team, 6-1, yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in the first of their two exhibition matches.

The Philippine Under-14 football team proved that they have an unbeatable bond despite coming from different parts of the country by surprising the visiting Chelsea FC with their press to the goal and their agility on the pitch.

All of the goals in the match were scored in the first half, with Little Azkals team captain Jed Ramos Diamante of Davao starting the scoring spree with just minutes into the match. This was followed by Borlongan's three straight goals.

Davao's Javier Romero-Salas further stretched the Little Azkals' lead to five while Diamante capped the junior national team's win with his final goal in the first half.

Chelsea FC scored its lone goal in the last minute of the first half. The second half saw both teams scoreless.

With the sizable lead that the Little Azkals posted, head coach Oliver "BingBing" Colina felt confident to field all of his players in the second half to give those on the bench enough exposure.

"We dominated the first half but Chelsea was able to adjust in the second half and managed some counter attacks. We surprised them with our press and speed, it was clear that they weren't expecting that," Colina said.

Despite having won convincingly, Colina said more adjustments will be done today in their second match against Chelsea FC at the Turf Bonifacio Global City (BGC) at 4 p.m. since he is anticipating that the visiting team will be making their own adjustments.

"The Chelsea FC has a high-level of understanding of the game and they play physical," Colina said.

Pacquiao admits boxing career nears end

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA – Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao admitted that his colorful career in boxing is nearing its end.

When asked by his friend, former North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol, if he’s boxing for three more years, the Filipino boxer said no.

“Three years? That’s too long,” the “Pacman” said in a casual conversation with Piñol, who manages several boxers.

Pacquiao, acknowledged as the best boxer ever produced by the Philippines, has been fighting for nearly two decades now.

He has collected a total of eight world titles in eight weight classes, beating the likes of Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Oscar de la Hoya.

Last December, he got stung by a crushing sixth round knockout at the hands of his long-time foe, Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao said he remains hopeful that he can fight in April before he gets busy with his re-election campaign as the lone representative of Sarangani province.

He and his adviser Michael Koncz are still looking for a suitable venue for the April fight.

“I am looking at Manila or Singapore as the venue of my next fight,” said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao gets $10-M offer to fight in Dubai

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao received a $10-million offer to fight in Dubai in April, according to his boxing trainer Freddie Roach.

“I got a phone call from someone in Dubai on Monday, who offered $10 million for Manny to fight there in April,” Roach told Sport360°'s Jon Turner.

“But I told him to call [Top Rank promoter] Bob Arum because I don’t make his fights; I just get him ready.”

Pacquiao has been planning to make his ring comeback in April following his sixth-round knockout defeat to Juan Manuel Marquez last December.

His camp, however, is still looking for a suitable venue that could host his tune up bout prior his supposed fifth ring encounter with Marquez.

Among the locations being considered for the April bout are Singapore and Manila. But with the $10-million offer, Roach said Dubai could also be an ideal venue for Pacquiao as well.

“A place like Dubai for a fight could be great. It’s a great location for pay-per-view and TV networks and it would be seen worldwide,” the boxing coach said. “There would definitely be a lot of interest for a fight to take place there so it has the potential to be a great event.”

Arum earlier said Pacquiao no longer wants to fight in the US because of tax issues.

"Pacquiao doesn't want to fight in the United States because he'd have to give close to 40% [in taxes] to the government,” Arum had said.

Spurs’ Duncan, Heat’s Bosh headline NBA All-Star reserves

source: www.interaksyon.com

NEW YORK – San Antonio’s Tim Duncan and the Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh headline the 14 players selected by NBA coaches as reserves for the 2013 All-Star Game next month.

Duncan was selected to his 14th All-Star Game and he’ll be joined by Spurs teammate Tony Parker, who was also named a reserve on Thursday.

The Chicago Bulls, keeping themselves in the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference despite the prolonged injury absence of Derrick Rose, also had two players named as reserves in Joakim Noah and Luol Deng.

Noah is among five first-time All-Stars among the Eastern Conference reserves along with Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving, Philadelphia’s Jrue Holiday and Indiana’s Paul George. Bosh was named to his eighth All-Star team.

Joining Duncan and Parker as reserves in the West are Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge, Houston’s James Harden, David Lee of Golden State, Zach Randolph of Memphis and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook.

The mid-season exhibition will be played in Houston on Sunday, February 17.

The starters, selected by fan voting, were named last week with Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant leading all players in votes in earning a record 15th successive All-Star selection.

Bryant is joined in the West starting lineup by the Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, Lakers teammate Dwight Howard and Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant.

Miami’s LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, New York’s Carmelo Anthony and Boston’s Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo will start for the East.

The East and West All-Star coaches will be determined by the best record in the conferences through February 3.