Records Say Chinese Gymnasts May Be Under Age

China named its Olympic women’s gymnastics team on Friday, and the inclusion of at least two athletes has further raised questions, widespread in the sport, about whether the host nation for the Beijing Games is using under-age competitors.

Chinese officials responded immediately, providing The New York Times with copies of passports indicating that both athletes in question — He Kexin, a gold-medal favorite in the uneven parallel bars, and Jiang Yuyuan — are 16, the minimum age for Olympic eligibility since 1997.

Officials with the International Gymnastics Federation said that questions about He’s age had been raised by Chinese news media reports, USA Gymnastics and fans of the sport, but that Chinese authorities presented passport information to show that He is 16.
Online records listing Chinese gymnasts and their ages that were posted on official Web sites in China, along with ages given in the official Chinese news media, however, seem to contradict the passport information, indicating that He and Jiang may be as young as 14 — two years below the Olympic limit.

Mary Lou Retton, the Olympic all-around gymnastics champion at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, recently watched a competition video of He and other Chinese gymnasts on the uneven bars.
“The girls are so little, so young,” Retton said. Speaking of He, Retton rolled her eyes and laughed, saying, “They said she was 16, but I don’t know.”

An advantage for younger gymnasts is that they are lighter and, often, more fearless when they perform difficult maneuvers, said Nellie Kim, a five-time Olympic gold medalist for the former Soviet Union who is now the president of the women’s technical committee for the Swiss-based International Gymnastics Federation.

“It’s easier to do tricks,” Kim said. “And psychologically, I think they worry less.”
The women’s gymnastics competition at the Beijing Games, which begin Aug. 8, is expected to be a dramatic battle for the team gold medal between the United States and China. At the 2007 world championships, the Americans prevailed by 95-hundredths of a point.
On the uneven bars, He and Nastia Liukin of the United States are expected to challenge for the individual gold medal.

In Chinese newspaper profiles this year, He was listed as 14, too young for the Beijing Games.
The Times found two online records of official registration lists of Chinese gymnasts that list He’s birthday as Jan. 1, 1994, which would make her 14. A 2007 national registry of Chinese gymnasts — now blocked in China but viewable through Google cache — shows He’s age as “1994.1.1.”

Another registration list that is unblocked, dated Jan. 27, 2006, and regarding an “intercity” competition in Chengdu, China, also lists He’s birthday as Jan. 1, 1994. That date differs by two years from the birth date of Jan. 1, 1992, listed on He’s passport, which was issued Feb. 14, 2008.

There has been considerable talk about the ages of Chinese gymnasts on Web sites devoted to the sport. And there has been frequent editing of He’s Wikipedia entry, although it could not be determined by whom. One paragraph that discusses the controversy of her age kept disappearing and reappearing on He’s entry. As of Friday, a different version of the paragraph had been restored to the page.

The other gymnast, Jiang, is listed on her passport — issued March 2, 2006 — as having been born on Nov. 1, 1991, which would make her 16 and thus eligible to compete at the Beijing Games.

A different birth date, indicating Jiang is not yet 15, appears on a list of junior competitors from the Zhejiang Province sports administration. The list of athletes includes national identification card numbers into which birth dates are embedded. Jiang’s national card number as it appears on this list shows her birth date as Oct. 1, 1993, which indicates that she will turn 15 in the fall, and would thus be ineligible to compete in the Beijing Games.
Zhang Hongliang, an official with the Chinese gymnastics federation, said Friday that perhaps Chinese reporters and provincial sports authorities made mistakes in listing He’s and Jiang’s birth dates differently from the dates given on their passports.

“The two athletes have attended international sports competitions before, and I’m sure the information is correct,” Zhang said of the athletes’ passports.

Matthias Rietschel/Associated Press

He Kexin is 16, the minimum age for

Olympic eligibility, according to

her passport.

The International Gymnastics Federation said it had contacted Chinese officials in May about the gymnasts’ ages after receiving inquiries from fans and reading newspaper accounts, including one in The China Daily, the country’s official English-language paper, stating that He was 14.

“We heard these rumors, and we immediately wrote to the Chinese gymnastics federation” about He, said André Gueisbuhler, the secretary general of the international federation. “They immediately sent a copy of the passport, showing the age, and everything is O.K. That’s all we can check.”

If someone provided proof that any gymnast was under age, or filed a formal complaint, Gueisbuhler said, he would be “quite happy to check and ask again.”
“As long as we have no official complaint, there is no reason to act, if we get a passport that obviously is in order,” he said.

Steve Penny, the president of USA Gymnastics, said he had asked Kim of the international federation about He’s age after receiving e-mail messages referring to newspaper accounts and comments made on blogs and in Internet chat rooms that said she was 14. But Penny said he was not really concerned.

“If they have valid passports, bring ’em on,” Penny said. “If they say they’re good, we’re going to beat them.

“You can’t worry about it. You do your job, and you expect other people are doing theirs and you expect it’s a fair field of play.”

Privately, some gymnastics officials said that even if other countries had real concerns about the Chinese, they might be reluctant to make accusations for fear of reprisals by judges at the Beijing Games.

If it is true that under-age gymnasts are competing, Kim said: “It’s a bad thing. It should not be acceptable.”

Yang Yun of China won individual and team bronze medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and later said in an interview on state-run television that she had been 14 at the time of those Games. A Hunan Province sports administration report also said later that she had been 14 when she competed in Sydney.

Bela Karolyi, who coached Retton of the United States and Nadia Comaneci of Romania to their Olympic gold-medal triumphs, said the problem of under-age gymnasts had been around for years. Age is an easy thing to alter in an authoritarian country, he said, because the government has such strict control of official paperwork.

He recalled Kim Gwang Suk, a North Korean gymnast who showed up at the 1991 world championships with two missing front teeth. Karolyi, who said he thought Kim must have been younger than 11 at the time, and others contended that those front teeth had been baby teeth and that permanent teeth had not yet replaced them. Her coaches said she had lost them years before, during an accident on the uneven bars.

At those world championships, Kim was 4 feet 4 inches and about 62 pounds, and she claimed to be 16. At one point, the North Korean Gymnastics Federation listed her at 15 for three straight years; the federation was later barred from the 1993 world championships for falsifying ages.

“Oh, come on, she was just in diapers and everyone could see that, just like some of the Chinese girls are now,” Karolyi said. “If you look close, you can see they still have their baby teeth. Little tiny teeth!”

But it is not likely that anyone could prove that the Chinese gymnasts are under age, Karolyi said.

“It’s literally impossible,” he said. “The paperwork is changed just too good. In a country like that, they’re experts at it. Nothing new.”

Source: nytimes

Related links:

http://astig-sports.blogspot.com/2008/07/lebron-james-guarantees-gold-in.html

Lebron James guarantees gold in Basketball for USA

O.K., world, pin this one on your locker-room wall. LeBron James is picturing himself on the Beijing medal stand, gold draping his gargantuan chest. "It's going to be like waking up on Christmas Day," says James, the Cleveland Cavalier and global icon who led the NBA in scoring this season. "All you dreamed about this whole month was having that bike you wanted, and you get down to your living room — it's there. It's like one of the greatest things that has ever happened to you." So you're going to bring a hoops title back home to the U.S., the country that gave birth to the game, reared it and then lost the ball to more graceful global neighbors? "Absolutely," James responds. Guarantee it? "Absolutely."


Nothing gets the sports world in a tizzy quite like a guarantee. Those who deliver are divine, like Joe Namath; those who fail — and there are too many to mention — get blamed for foolishly firing up the opposition. But is LeBron's promise vintage American vanity?
After all, a constellation of the world's best players — the U.S. team features James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade — should always shine. Over the past six years, however, U.S. teams have gagged, falling to countries like Argentina and Greece; there was even a humiliation by Puerto Rico. And the world's ballers relish a chance to beat the Yanks. Yup, it's LeBron's hubris we hear.

Having been to one Olympics, James knows the frenzied forces of national pride that will oppose his team. But hoops is America's gig: the U.S. has won 12 of the 15 Olympic gold medals, excluding the one awarded during the boycotted 1980 Games. James has spent three years prepping for this moment. If this team of supremely gifted, seemingly motivated players loses in Beijing...it will hurt. It should hurt. "For us, it's now or never," says James. "It's the gold, or it's failure."

After the Athens embarrassment in '04, when a bickering bunch of Americans sulked their way to third place, the U.S. restructured its hoops hierarchy. One man, former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, now has the power to pick a coach — Duke University's Mike Krzyzewski — and the players. "We didn't respect the Olympic name," says James, a 19-year-old benchwarmer on that '04 team. "We didn't respect what Team U.S.A. meant." Colangelo required players to give up parts of three summers so the team could train for Beijing. In that first year, 2006, the experiment blew up: Greece shocked the U.S. at the world championships. Last summer the team romped through Olympic qualifying; James shot an astonishing 76% from the field and also topped the team in assists.

James is the rarest of athletes, a phenom who has actually exceeded the enormous expectations that trailed him out of an Akron, Ohio, high school. He skipped college for the pros in 2003 and guided his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, to the NBA finals last year. This season he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 10,000 career points. He has earned more than $165 million in salary and endorsements.
nly 23, James is now the voice of the U.S. team. "When you watch us play this summer, you're going to be hearing LeBron on the court, yelling and screaming, talking on defense," says Wade. "There's going to be that leadership that we need." On a team filled with All-Stars and Great Wall-size egos, James insists he can still treat Jason Kidd, a 14-year NBA vet, and Bryant, the league's reigning mvp, like green rookies if they screw up. He'll feel free to scream in their face. "I can't play unless I'm that type," he says. "There's no way I can hold back."

He's not demure off the court either. "Loud," says Wade when asked to describe James' personality. "Loud," says Bryant. "He talks sunup to sunset," says U.S. forward Carlos Boozer. Kidd is expressing the same sentiment when he stops and glances up. "Hear that?" Kidd says. "See what I mean?" James is marching down a hallway, belting out rap lyrics.
While fame seemed to trap Michael Jordan, James clearly loves the life of LeBron. The endorsement loot (Nike, Coca-Cola, Upper Deck) surely helps. But give James credit for staying playful. As the U.S. team filed onto a bus during a New York City promotional tour, James was the only one dancing. When each player was introduced to young, squealing crowds at Rockefeller Center, James was the only guy who ran into the front row, slapping high fives, nearly inciting the 8-year-olds to riot. "I got a lot of kid in me," says James, who, at 6 ft. 8 in. and 240 lb., has always looked, oh, a decade older than he is.

James has also matured. Nike-clad icons like Tiger Woods and Jordan resist politics at all costs. In 1990, when Jordan refused to back a black candidate running against Jesse Helms for a Senate seat, he famously noted that Republicans buy sneakers too. James, however, is diving in. "I'm at the point in my life where I should really start paying attention," he says. He recently met Michelle Obama at a fund raiser, and he told Time he plans to campaign for her husband, a well-known hoophead. (Call him, Senator Obama. You need Ohio for the White House, and LeBron knows how to score in the Buckeye State.)

James has already had his political baptism by fire. Last spring, Cleveland player Ira Newble asked his teammates to sign an open letter to China protesting the country's interests in Sudan, where the government has sponsored atrocities in the Darfur region. Only James and Damon Jones, a Cav with a shoe deal in China, refused. James took a ton of heat — the Chinese buy sneakers too. But he wanted time to understand these international issues, and he's grown more comfortable speaking out on Darfur. "I'm not going to get up on a panel and sit in front of a board or something like that," he says. "But if I'm asked the question, I will definitely answer it."

Right now, the U.S. needs him homed in on the international game, with its wider foul lane and emphasis on spacing, ball movement and outside shooting. So the U.S. roster is built to spread the floor and shoot, with just one true center, Dwight Howard, to bang the boards. Spain, the defending world champions, will feature Los Angeles Lakers standout Pau Gasol and Toronto Raptors point guard José Calderón. If San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginóbili bounces back from an ankle injury, Argentina, with its beautiful brand of pass-first basketball, could repeat as Olympic champs.

The '92 Olympic hoops squad of Magic, Michael and Larry was "the Dream Team." The nickname du jour for '08: "the Redeem Team." James likes the ring of it. "I want U.S.A. basketball to be dominant again," he says emphatically. "Every time people see the red, white and blue, they fear us." But the world won't cower until LeBron comes through. That's a guarantee. Source: time.com

--------------

Meanwhile in the UAAP, UST Tigers needed an overtime to win against the strong Adamson Falcons 86-80. Ateneo stays undefeated as they beat NU 74-62 in the first game and remain ahead of the pack.

UE filed a protest for their loss against FEU 71-69 on Saturday as they claim there was a technical error in the last minutes of the game. They said that the FEU Tamaraw Marlon Adolfo's basket should not have been counted in the final three minutes since the 24 shot clock already expired. The two teams displayed a classic battle and the Tamaraws who dedicated the game to their fallen teammate, Mac Baracael eventually won the game. Baracael is still recovering from a gunshot which is rumored to be related to game fixing syndicates in the basketball scene.

James Yap Kick and Run

Araneta Coliseum - On July 9, 2008 a brawl happened between the Purefoods TJ Giants and Talk N' Text Phonepals.

Things to look for:
- How the hot headed import threw the ball to Jondan Salvador's face.
- The infamous kick-and-run of James Yap, thus the 'Queen' tag on his name.
- Ali Peek's hulking performance in pacifying everyone even the so called 'bull', Rico Villanueva.

Green Archers Outlast Growling Tigers

The De La Salle Green Archers hammered an 85-84 win over a never-say-die UST Growling Tigers during their Thursday match-up in the 71st UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament held at the Philsports Arena (formerly Ultra).

The Archers quashed the Tigers’ thrilling late-game run by applying tight defense on UST’s veteran players.

La Salle relied on mainstay Jayvee Casio, who poured in 19 points, and Bader Malabes, who scored 16.

The Archers led by four points, 38-34, at the end of the first half.

The Tigers, however, picked up the tempo in the final quarter forcing the Archers into a neck-and-neck game in the last two minutes.

The Archers then raised their defense, prompting UST to rely on their outside shooters who could not make their mark.

Except for Dyan Ababou’s late-three pointer, the Tigers’ offense crumpled during crunch time, allowing the Archers to score their second win.
FEU routs UP

The Far Eastern University Tamaraws routed UAAP host University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 88-64, in the first game.

Benedict Fernandez led the Tamaraws in their second win in three games.

The scores:
First Game
FEU 88—Fernandez 16, Ramos 14, Adolfo 12, Baracael 9, Barroca 8, Kave 7, Cawaling 5, Alisbo 4, Cervantes 4, Knuttel 4, Tanuan 2, Sanga 2, Macazo 1, Romero 0, Cabagnot 0.
UP 66—Agbayani 12, Reyes 11, Co 8, Sison 7, Pajela 6, Sorongon 5, Fortu 4, Gamboa 3, Marfori 2, Lopez 2, De Asis 0, Hipolito 0.Quarters: 23-14, 52-31, 67-50, 88-66

Second Game
LA SALLE 85—Casio 19, Mangahas 18, Malabes 16, Maierhofer 8, Barua 7, Revilla 6, Walsham 4, Villanueva 3, Webb 2, Atkins 2, Mendoza 0, Bagatsing 0, Ferdinand 0.
UST 84—Ababou 23, Cruz 20, Canlas 18, Allera 12, Fortuna 5, Cuan 4, Taylor 2, Fenequito 0, Camus 0, Bautista 0, Mirza 0.Quarters: 18-14, 38-34, 63-58, 85-84

Source: abs-cbnnews

Sunday Basketball Updates

Sunday was a big day for basketball fans. In the UAAP, Ateneo proved that they are a strong contender for the UAAP championship as they eliminated UE 64-58 in a closely fought battle of undefeated teams. Rabeh al-Hussaini had an impressive game leading the Eagles with 18 points and 17 rebounds.

Meanwhile in the PBA, Ginebra Gin Kings escaped with a come from behind win over the Sta Lucia Realtors 92-90. Junthy Valenzuela showed late heroics as he grabbed a crucial rebound of his own miss with 6 seconds left while the Kings were ahead 90-87. Earlier, he also shot two crucial three pointers. Caguioa topscored with 30 points. The Gin kings now enjoys a twice to beat advantage over the Realtors.

In the first match, Magnolia stopped the Coca-Cola tigers, 108-96 even without dynamite Danny Siegle. Lordy Tugade had a career best 15 rebounds and added 20 points as he put the beverage masters a win away from the semifinals.

Profile: Who is Brandon Vera?

Name: Brandon Michael "The Truth" Vera
Sport: Mixed Martial Arts fighter of UFC
Born: October 10, 1977
Age: 30
Race: Filipino, Italian-American
Biography:
Vera is the son of a Filipino father, Ernesto, and an Italian-American mother, Amelia, and grew up in a family with seven boys and three girls. He was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, and attended Lake Taylor High School, where he excelled in wrestling and earned a four-year athletic scholarship to Old Dominion University. He however dropped out of Old Dominion after a year and a half when he felt college was not for him, and he enlisted in the United States Air Force.

He was however released from the air force due to medical discharge when he shred ligaments in his elbow while wrestling.

Lloyd Irvin later recruited him to join his school of mixed martial arts and eventually, also trained with Linxx Academy, and Hybrid Academy, where he received a foundation of his Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Career:
8 wins 2 losses 0 draws. Vera made his UFC debut at Ultimate Fight Night 2 on October 3, 2005 against Fabiano Scherner. Vera won the fight via TKO mid-way through the second round. Following the Scherner bout, he faced Justin Eilers at UFC 57, winning early in the first round by knockout. At UFC 60, Vera defeated Assuerio Silva with a guillotine choke. Vera's career as a mixed martial artist flourished under the management of Mark Dion. It reached its zenith on Nov. 18, when he needed just 69 seconds to stop ex-heavyweight champion Frank Mir at UFC 65 in Sacramento, Calif.

Vera lost his most recent fight against Fabricio Werdum by TKO at UFC 85. The fight was controversially stopped by referee Dan Miragliotta as Werdum was doing some ground and pound. After the stoppage Vera was visibly upset as he felt he was defending himself effectively. Dan Miragliotta was the same referee involved a week prior in the controversial stoppage in the Kimbo Slice/James Thompson fight.

Trivia:

• He has a tattoo on his back inked in the Filipino writing system called Alibata. Clockwise, it reads mundo (earth), hangin (wind), apoy (fire), and tubig (water).
• While staying in the Philippines, he trained Filipino actor Richard Gutierrez in martial arts and has been given a role as The Assassin for Philippine primetime television show Kamandag on the GMA Network.
• UFC is rumored to come to the Philippines some time next year 2009.
  “I kept telling them to bring the UFC to the Philippines any time soon because I know Filipinos love the UFC,” UFC President Dana White said.
  “I’m open to fighting in the Philippines,” said Vera. “It would be great if I win in front of my countrymen.”

Source: Wikipedia

Sta Lucia, Talk N Text lives another day. Alaska, Purefoods end their campaign

Antipolo City - Joseph Yeo scored a career high 27 points and Kelly Williams added 23 as the Realtors ousted Alaska 99-86 in their do or die game.

The ninja scored 8-of-12 shots from the field and 9-of13 from the free throw lane and more importanly scored key baskets in the fourth period.

Early in the first half, the realtors were trailing by as much as 11 points.

“I just told the boys that we had to believe in ourselves,” coach Boyet Fernandez said. “We had to have the belief that we can get past the wildcard, that we could get past Alaska in this game.”

In the second game, Talk 'N Text prevailed over Purefoods 98-83 in a fight marred-game. Terrence Leather, the import of Talk 'N Text was ejected after he and Jondan Salvador figured in a skirmish that involved a bench clearing incident. Jimmy Alapag top scored with 26 points and Mac Cardona added 25.

The realtors will now battle Talk 'N Text for the last quarterfinal slot against Barangay Ginebra.
The scores:

First Game:
STA. LUCIA 99—Yeo 27, Williams 23, Omolon 13, Reyes 12, Benson 11, Miranda 5, Espino 3, Aquino 3, Mendoza 2, Coronel 0, Gonzales 0.
ALASKA 86—Miller 26, Holcomb 18, Tenorio 13, Cariaso 10, Thoss 8, Laure 5, Capus 2, Ferriols 2, Dela Cruz 2, Fonacier 0, Hugnatan 0.Quarters: 19-19, 37-43, 67-70, 99-86

Second Game:
TALK ‘N TEXT 98—Alapag 26, Cardona 25, Allado 15, Leather 13, Washington 9, Peek 4, Chia 3, De Ocampo 2, Ritualo 1, De Guzman 0, Carey 0, Lao 0.
PUREFOODS 83—Simon 15, Yap J. 14, Salvador 10, Yap R. 10, Rhalimi 8, Villanueva 8, Raymundo 8, Evangelista 7, Larong 3, Sanz 0, Lanete 0, Castillo 0.Quarters: 22-17, 48-36, 77-56, 98-83

Related News:

• Ginebra captures Last Quarterfinals Slot

The Ladies of UAAP Courtside Reporting!

A short profile for each of the hardworking and fresh faces of UAAP basketball courtside reporting.


Sharon Yu
School: De La Salle University
Age: 20
Birthday: April 15, 1988
Degree: Advertising

Sharon Yu, regarded as the lucky charm of DLSU, returns as courtside reporter for the second year.

She was chosen for the job because they said she had "a certain freshness to her and that she is also trainable" enough to get the work done.


"I do target shooting with my brother, do wall climbing, rappelling, graphic arts and all that jazz."

She is also a self confessed organic convert and is very particular with health and nutrition.


Patricia Ann Roque
School: University of the Philippines
Age: 20
Birthday: June 26, 1988
Degree: BA Journalism
H.S.: Holy Spirit School

Trish, a former childstar, started her showbiz career in the segment of Eat Bulaga's Little Miss Philippines and won 2nd runner up and Miss Telegenic.

Her other previous shows were "ATBP", "Ging-gang Gooly, Gidiyap, I Love You Daddy..". She also appeared on GMA shows: "Majika" and "Magpakailanman".





Alexis Sy Go
School: Univerity of the East
Age: 19
Birthday: July 9, 1988
Degree: Dentistry
H.S.: ICA - Greenhills

Alexis is a commercial model for Palmolive and Sun cellular. She won Miss University of the East 2006 and was a semi finalist for Chinese International 2008.





Kamae de Jesus
School: Ateneo de Manila University
Age: 20
Degree: BS CTM



She was a former host of the now defunct Rush TV and has modeled for Sun cellular and Dutch Milk. She will be reporting on weekends only due to prior commitments.







Portia Silva
School: Ateneo de Manila University
Age: 18
Degree: Communication Major
H.S.: St. Scholastica


Courtside Reporter for Ateneo on Thursdays, she has been published in several teen magazines already. (Candy Mag, Bounce Mag, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Junior Inquirer). She was also part of the Candy Council of Cool 6.

Dianne Carmella Querrer
School: University of Sto. Thomas
Degree: Accountancy


Dianne Querrer won the 2005 Miss Commerce and was second runner-up in the 2006 Ms. Thomasian personality.


Playing for the accountancy women's basketball has also given Querrer working knowledge of the hoop sport.


"The courtside reporting job came unexpectedly after I was told to audition for studio 23 just a few a weeks before the UAAP started," Querrer told the Varsitarian. "I thought that would not make it since I was among the last to audition."



Krystel Filart
School: Far Eastern University
Age: 21


The fresh faced Krystel replaces Andi Manzano as courtside reporter for the FEU Tamaraws.



Rizza Diaz
School: National University


Together with Sharon Yu and Dianne Querrer, Rizza returns to the courtside bringing with her the maturity and finesse of an experienced reporter. She currently supervises the newbies and helps them cope up in delivering the news under pressure.




We didn't bother featuring the courtside reporter for Adamson since it wouldn't fit with the title anyway.

Source: Pinoyexchange.com

Related News:

• Ateneo Defeats La Salle in their first game for the season
• UAAP Season 71 Opens at the Big Dome

Mapua Cardinals Reign over PCU Dolphins

Kelvin de la Pena, the previous season's mvp, took charge when it mattered most delivering key baskets in the final period to beat the tough PCU Dolphins 77-71.

Dela Pena scored seven of his 12 points in the fourth quarter as they endured the run of the dolphins.

Coach Leo Isaac told reporters that he was waiting for someone to take charge and he was glad that Kelvin responded to the challenge.

“It was a big factor that Beau Belga and Leimar Navarro also got into foul trouble, so we took advantage of it,” Isaac also pointed out.

In the first game for the seniors, Jose Rizal Bombers barged into the win column as they beat College of St. Benilde Blazers 75-67. Sena topscored with 21 points.

The scores:

First Game (Srs) JOSE RIZAL 75—Sena 21, Cagoco 20, Wilson 10, Njei 7, Hayes 6, Bulangis 5, Apinan 4, Nocom 2, Almario 0, Kabigting 0, Agas 0, Lopez 0.ST. BENILDE 67—Morial 17, David 12, Manlapaz 8, Mañalac 6, Dalanon 6, Santos 6, Montecastro 5, Umlas 3, Abolucion 2, Sevilla 2, Johnston 0, Dela Paz 0.Quarters: 22-11, 34-29, 53-53, 75-67

Second Game (Srs) MAPUA 77—Sarangay 13, Dela Peña 12, Pascual N. 12, Mangahas 9, Banal 8, Guillermo 6, Mazo 6, Soriano 5, Pascual J. 2, Acosta 2, Palomique 2, Ranises 0.PCU 71—Belga 15, Navarro 15, Amparado 12, Arce 8, Busa 7, Allen 5, McCoy 4, Santos 3, Gomez 2, Sumera 0, Vidal 0, San Pedro 0.Quarters: 18-14, 36-36, 55-54, 77-71

Nadal is the new Wimbledon Champion!

It was the latest finish to a men's final that anyone on Wimbledon's centre court could remember - not to mention one of the most compelling.

Just before 9.20 last night, with the court festooned in semi-darkness after almost five hours of epic, see-saw tennis, Rafael Nadal finally prevailed in one of the sport's all-time classics, vanquishing Roger Federer in his attempt to become the first man since the 1880s to win six consecutive Wimbledon championships.

Onlookers were running out of superlatives by the denouement, and not just about the quality of the groundstrokes. It was Wimbledon's longest men's final, perhaps its greatest, a match Nadal finally won 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7.

Federer, who was thrashed by Nadal in straight sets in the French Open final last month, remains the world number one, but the 22-year-old Spaniard may claim the position by the end of the year.

His win gave Spain its second major sporting victory in eight days, its footballers having won Euro 2008. Nadal became the first Spaniard in 42 years to win the Wimbledon men's title, ending Federer's run of 41 unbeaten matches at the All England club, where he last lost in 2002.

In doing so, Nadal had to beat not just his rival but the weather and the light: downpours twice sent the players running for covers. Lewis Hamilton, another victor over the squally conditions, can count himself unlucky to be thoroughly upstaged on a day when he won the British grand prix.

Nadal was magnanimous in victory: "Roger is always fighting. He's still the number one, still the best, still five times champion here - I've just won one. It's very tough to play Roger. He is excellent when he wins and when he loses."

Nadal survived a scare in the third set when he slipped and appeared to hurt his right knee. Otherwise the only other time he was on his back came at the end when Federer hit a forehand into the net. A victorious Nadal clambered up to embrace his family before walking over the commentary box roof to shake hands with the Spanish crown prince and his wife.

Trivia:

• Nadal’s nickname is “The King of Clay.”
• Nadal has “Vamos Rafa” (”Let’s go Rafa”) written on his shoes, a common exhortation by his fans.
• Rafael Nadal plays tennis left-handed but off the court is normally right-handed.

Sources:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
http://www.rafaelnadalnews.com/

Ginebra Captures the Last Quarterfinal Slot (PBA 2008)

The Kings completed a 6-0 (win-loss) closing romp in the double-round elimination phase and snatched the last outright slot in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference quarterfinal round with a 97-90 win over the Alaska Milk Aces Sunday night at the Astrodome.

Ginebra avoided the wildcard as it beat out Alaska for the last slot in the Magic Five, closing out its elims stint with 10 wins against eight losses.

The Kings even finished third behind the Air21 Express and the Red Bull Barakos with better quotient than the Coca-Cola Tigers and the Magnolia Beverage Masters who also wound up at 10-8.

Ginebra takes a shot at the semifinal round against the survivor of the wildcard round. The other quarterfinals pairing pits Magnolia and Coca-Cola.

Air21 (12-6) and Red Bull (11-7) gained the two outright seats in the semifinals. They will await the winners of the quarterfinals for at least two weeks.

Ronald Tubid failed to finish the game as he suffered a suspected dislocated left ankle. He was rushed to the hospital at halftime. (NC)

The scores:
Ginebra 97 – Helterbrand 20, Alexander 18, Valenzuela 18, Caguioa 15, Menk 8, Tubid 6, Mamaril 4, Artadi 3, Salvacion 3, Pacana 2, Crisano 0.

Alaska 90 – Miller 16, Holcomb 15, Tenorio 14, Fonacier 14, Thoss 10, Dela Cruz 9, Cariaso 9, Ferriols 2, Hugnatan 1, Quinahan 0.

Source: http://pba.ph/

Ateneo Defeats La Salle

Ateneo prevailed over their bitter rival 79-73 amidst the 22,008 crowd of green and blue gathered at the Araneta Coliseum.

Rookie Ryan Buenafe proved that he can be a reliable scorer down the stretch. Eric Salamat and Al-Hussaini were also consistent in their 4th quarter run but it was the captain Chris Tiu who made the difference topscoring with 26 points.

La Salle's defense crumbled in the last few minutes and they were terrible in the free throw department all game long.

Before the Ateneo-La Salle tussle, Manny Pacquiao was awarded the UAAP Sports Excellence award to honor him for his achievement of being the only Asian boxer to win four championship belts.

In the first game, UP won against NU Bulldogs 86-72. It was a good start for the fighting maroons, considering they lost all their games in the last season. Martin Reyes had a game high 21 points to lead all scorers.

First Game:

The scores:
UP 86--Reyes 21, Marfori 11, Agbayani 11, Sison 9, Gamboa 8, Sorongon 8, Braganza 7, Co 5, Hipolito 4, Lopez 2, Astorga 0, De Asis 0.
NU 72--Jahnke 17, Aguilar 13, Garcia 13, Ponferrada 9, Baloran 7, Asoro 4, Tungkul 3, Fabula 3, Dela Cruz 2, Berry 1, Galapon 0,Luy 0, Catamora 0.Quarters: 17-28, 48-38, 68-56, 86-72

Second Game:
ATENEO 79--Tiu 26, Salamat 10, Al-Hussaini 10, Buenafe 8, Nkemakolam 7, Baclao 7, Burke 4, Austria 3, Long 2, Salva 1, Escueta 1, Baldos 0, Reyes 0.
LA SALLE 73-Casio 19, Maierhofer 16, Mangahas 13, Webb 7, Villanueva 4, Bagatsing 4, Revilla 3, Walsham 2, Atkins 2, Barua 2, Ferdinand 1, Malabes 0

Pacquiao Vs. Hatton?

It seems that the fight between the pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and the British sensation Ricky 'the Hitman' Hatton, will likely push through, however it may be delayed until next year.

The 29 year old boxer, Hatton plans on retiring after two more fights. The first one will be Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas for the IBO and IBF light-welterweight title. His last fight will either be Manny Pacquiao or Oscar de la Hoya at Wembley Stadium in front of 100,000 fans.

"I don't want to go on forever and would have done everything I dreamed off, so two more fights and then I think I'm done," Hatton told BBC Sport.

"In the New Year (2009) I’m hoping to fight either Manny Pacquiao or Oscar de la Hoya at Wembley Stadium in front of 100,000 people and after that I’ll probably retire," he said.

Hatton has a record of 44 wins and only 1 loss which came from the previous pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr who recently retired from the boxing scene.

Although the fight between the two is sure to be another blockbuster, Manny is not really concerned on who or where he will fight next. During the interview after his latest fight with Diaz, he told reporters that it is all up to Bob Arum, his promoter, to decide who he will face. He said that he is willing to move up to 140 lbs for Hatton.

The other boxers that are being picked to line up against Pacquiao are Edwin Valero, Nate Campbell or Humberto Soto.

Sources said that Bob Arum has completed the deal with Edwin Valero's promoter. The said boxer boasts a 24-0 record wherein all of the wins are via a knockout, with the first 18 done in the first round.

However, it should be noted that the opponents of Valero are said to be weak fighters. This was well noted by Manny Pacquiao when he commented that "All Valero's opponents were tricycle drivers."

Indeed, Edwin Valero may still lack the skill to beat Pacquiao. Sure he has the punching power, but with the speed and defense that Pacman showed in his last fight, Edwin Valero seems to have a slim chance. But if he can land his punches, he will be a dangerous opponent for Pacquiao.

UAAP Season 71 Kicks Off at the Big Dome

The 71st season of the University Athletic Association formally opened today at the Araneta Coliseum.

Another big crowd trooped over at the big dome to watch the elaborate opening ceremony which was hosted by centennial celebrating University of the Philippines.

Season 71 promises to be an exciting year for the men's basketball competition, since any team can win the title and there is not a single powerhouse favorite. As De La Salle coach Franz Pumaren puts it, "The beauty of collegiate basketball is that anything can happen."

UE Red Warriors, University of Santo Thomas Tigers, Ateneo Blue Eagles and Far Eastern University Tamaraws are the top teams picked during the pre-season.

Defending champions De La Salle green archers are expected to have a difficult time keeping their crown as two key players in Tyrone Tang and Cholo Villanueva have already graduated and left the team. However, nobody also expected them to win the tournament last season.

Marcy Arellano, Elmer Espiritu, Hans Thiele, Pari Llagas, James Martinez and Paul Lee are the reliable gunners of the hungry UE squad who is seeking to end a 23-year drought. Even with the absence of Mark Borboran and Kelvin Gregorio, coach Dindo Pumaren is confident that their speed and aggresiveness will overcome the team's loss of their big men.

Returning for the tamaraws are Benedict Fernandez, Mac Baracel and last season's top rookie JR Cawaling. They are one of the regulars in the final four and one of the title contenders this year.

The dangerous UST growling tigers is bannered by last year's MVP Jervy Cruz and is spearheaded by the speedy point guard Japs Cuan. Although its players are hurting with minor injuries, the battle cry of coach Pido Jarencio "Pride Puso and Palaban" is sure to fire up the team.

Ateneo Blue Eagles is up again for another campaign to thwart their bitter Taft-based rival's bid to defend their title. Team captain Chris Tiu heads the blue eagles and hot shot rookie Ryan Buenafe will join the formidable team of Jai Reyes, Yuri Escueta, Kirk Long and Noy Baclao.

Updates on today's game:

In the first game, FEU Tamaraws won over Adamson Falcons 74-71. Sophomore Jens Knuttel, shot a three pointer with 16.1 seconds left which made them the firt team to win in the 71st UAAP Men's Baskteball.

The scores:
FEU 74 -- Cervantes 15, Barroca 12, Cawaling 11, Alisbo 10, Fernandez 9, Ramos 6, Knuttel 5, Baracael 4, Sanga 2, Kave 0, Adolfo 0.
ADAMSON 71 -- Galinato 22, Colina 11, Gonzalgo 11, Nuyles 5, Agustin 5, Cañada 4, Santos 4, Olalia 3, Lozada 2, Margallo 2, Alvarez 2, Yambot 0, Gorospe 0.Quarters: 25-18, 47-41, 55-55, 74-71

In the Second Game, best player of the game Hans Thiele of the UE red warriors contained the injury stricken Jervy Cruz to beat the UST growling tigers 78-73. The warriors were magnificent and dominated the Tigers throughout the four quarters.

The scores:
UE 78 -- Espiritu 15, Thiele 13, Arellano 11, Martinez 10, Noble 6, Lee 6, Llagas 5, Etrone 4, Lingganay 4, Bandaying 3, Zamar 1, Tagarda 0.
UST 73 -- Cruz 26, Ababou 15, Taylor 10, Allera 8, Cuan 7, Canlas 3, Fenequito 2, Mirza 2, Vargas 0, Fortuna 0, Camus 0, Bautista 0.