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.