Call It Karma

The year 2007 appears to be not the year for the Pacman.

With the Barrera-Marquez conclusion last Saturday and Marquez unanimously winning it over Barrera, it seems that the fight was far from over and talks about Barrera finally hanging his gloves for retirement was deemed false. Well, not this year to say the least.

Manny Pacquiao was eagerly awaiting the winner between the two, hoping that he will sign another big contract fight later this year. He is billed to exchange punches with highly acclaim but unknown fighter Jorge Solis on April 14 in the Alamodome, San Antonio.

As he literally expressed that he want to fight whoever emerges as the winner, he may have to wait until September 15 or even longer. A Barrera-Marquez rematch has already been declared putting the WBC International Superfeatherweight champion on queue.

Some analysts even figured the Barrera-Marquez rematch to be the Fight of the Year. Pacman is obviously out of the picture.

It can be recalled last year, Manny was tiptoeing with Golden Boy Promotions in its attempt to lure the boxer to sign with them. GBP claimed that Pacquiao have agreed for a seven-fight contract but this was made prior the Morales-Pacquiao rematch. It turned out Pacquiao can not sign with any other promoter not until November fight was over. Later on, Pacquiao has renewed his contract with Top Rank with a four-year deal. Both camps are now on a legal dispute as to who has the legal right to promote Pacquiao.

Pacman may be the best pound-for-pound boxer, but with the rematch and Pacquiao fighting a nondescript boxer—that could definitely spur a monumental loss if ever Pacquiao gets KOd—the superfeatherweight division clearly belongs to the Mexican.

Karma? You tell me.

If he wins over Solis, there seems to be no other fighter to pair against Manny that could mount an equivalent popularity with that of Pacquiao-Morales trilogy. I doubt that even knockout sensation Edwin Valero could pull this one out.

With that, well, Manny can at least focus on fighting another battle, the GenSan congressional elections.

Import Chandler Saves the Day

Last night’s PBA main event witnessed a great game between two winless teams in the 2007 Fiesta Conference Cup. Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs and San Miguel Beermen both have suffered the worst team start with 0-3 win-loss card.

Prior the game, both teams have made major adjustments to their rosters hoping to stop the drain from losing. Purefoods re-tapped the services of Marquin Chandler whom he helped win big games last year, while San Miguel changed the coaching profile with Siot Tanquingcen leading the Beermen.

However, it appears Purefoods have been favored the wish from the blue fairy. With Chandler reinforcing the team, he amassed an impressive output of 33 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assist with a crucial defensive stop, completely denying the last shot of SMB import Paul McMillan that could have possibly put the game in overtime.

The TJ Hotdogs trailed in the entire ballgame but was able to bounce back. 1:36 in the game clock, Chandler drop-pass the ball to Richard Yee who was all alone in the shaded lane. Yee’s lay-up put the Purefoods ahead with 76-75.

McMillan retaliated with an awkward shot in the middle that came from a looseball, 76-77, the time was 44 seconds remaining.

In an effort to be heroic and lift the team further, Chandler forces a shot that went off the backboard and into the hands of a lone Rey Evangelista for a quick put back regaining the 1-point lead.

Chris Calaguio passed the ball and got interfered in the process, putting the Beermen trapped in the losing end.

Shooting from the free throw line, Chandler only made one of the two, cementing the final score 79-77.

The Beermen still have the chance to tie the ballgame but its import, McMillan failed to make the first free throw that came from a Chandler foul. The second shot was intentionally missed gambling for a rebound and a quick put back.

The plan, however, was foiled by Chandler when he blocked Dorian Peña underneath the basket with only 2 seconds before the buzzer.

Purefoods went home with their first victory while San Miguel added another loss to a string of consecutive defeats.

Gerry's Curtains are Closing

Gerry Launches a left straight into Ponce's head.Photo from Fightnews.com

Before the big fight, Gerry Peñalosa carried with him a genuine promise to the entire Filipino that he will bring pride and glory but not shame. He did not falter. He may have lost the bout according to judges' score sheets but boxing analysts and ringside observers didn't see the way the judges told their outcomes.

Recah Trinidad instead praised the former world junior bantamweight champion in his last Saturday's skirmish against the current title holder Daniel Ponce Deleon for the WBO Superbantamweight.

Peñalosa surpassed himself and came close enough to scoring an upset.

He blasted on the impression that the score cards (119-109, 120-108, and 119-109 by judges Chuck Giampa, Dave Moretti, and Nelson Vazquez respectively) tried to relay, that the fight was won by Daniel with a large margin and that Gerry managed to win only one round in the entire fight.

Ricardo Lois of Boxingconfidential also have a similar afterthought and even branded the fight, alongside with the Forbes-Hopkins results, as robbery matches. He saw the Gerry-Daniel action a draw and noted the varying opinions of ringsiders in which Deleon won by a round or two, and Gerry by a few points.

It would have been a great way if Gerry Peñalosa had won and would now call it quits. His illustrious boxing career now stands with a 51-6-2 record. He floored 35 opponents and I think that massive number isn't an easy task.

Nonetheless, I agree with Mr. Recah installing Gerry to the high post as one of the greatest warrior in Filipino Boxing.

Jorge Solis vs Manny Pacquiao set on April 14

To those who are die hard Manny Pacquiao fans, I bet they already know about Jorge Solis.

For those who don't, well, he isn't the politician he will battle this coming May elections in his hometown General Santos City. It is, however, confirmed Pacman will be running for a seat in Congress as far as the news reports are concern.

Jorge Solis is a nondescript Mexican fighter next in the line for Manny Pacquiao. Rooting from the town of Guadalajara, he is a tough nut to crack having an highly impressive record of 32 wins (23 made his opponents kiss the canvass), 0 loss and 2 draws. He is currently ranked 2 in WBC Superfeather Weight division and could spur a monumental loss and major upset to Pacman.

Dubbed as the Blaze of Glory, the opening bells will sound on April 14 at the home of the San Antonio Spurs, the Alamodome in Texas.

I was hoping for a Pacquiao-Valero tango because the war of words between a 'tricycle driver beater' and the supposed 'cab driver' has made an itch for boxing fans. But I guess the decision to enter the dirty political spectrum has mired the people's champ's focus on the boxing sport.

The result will definitely impact on his venture to politics and possibly the turn out of elections in May for his congressional stint.

Arwind Santos is the New Main Man

I was able to watched late night Philippine basketball over at ABC 5 with Air21 Express annihilating last conference's runner up San Miguel Beermen. Fourth quarter, more than 5 minutes left in the game, Air21 has already concocted a huge 14-point lead that made the Beermen appear lifeless and unwilling to bounce back.

There was no mob in the audience that could spur inspiration to the losing party but only bunch of eager fanatics of both sides. Since, a full house Araneta Coliseum happens only when Barangay Ginebra are wearing their jerseys and pushing balls.

However, last night's game was quite boring in the end. San Miguel beermen had a small fire burning down the stretch and trimmed the lead by as much as 8 points. I was waiting for the outburst to come but to no avail. Several three point shots from LA Tenorio went hay wire and turn the ball over to Air21.

It was, however, Arwind Santos who packed the goods for the Express. With a double-double outing, he helped his team trample on the Beermen, 88-78 as the final score. He put up a leading score of 18 points, 10 rebounds, shot 5 of 6 free throws and was hailed as the best player of the game.

I'll be keeping an eye on this guy. It is probable that he will make a name for himself that will put him in the pedestal where former greats such as Alvin Patrimonio and Vergel Meneses dwell.

RP's National Heroes

During my travel to Bohol and the islands beyond last December of 2006, I had the slightest idea that I would be having a photo-op with a promising national hero. His name is Chot Reyes and he has currently on his shoulders the biggest task put ever in Philippine Basketball history since the time when our country is in the limelight of the sport.

Coach Chot is to lead the newly revamped RP Team that were taken from a pool of professional PBA players. These players were announced late February as plans for hoisting the elusive chance of playing for the World Olympics is being revealed.

The 2007 national team will be composed of 5 guards, 5 forwards and 2 centers with 3 proxies that will join the team’s preparation. They are:

The Guards

• Jimmy Alapag, from Talk and Text
• Renren Ritualo, from Talk and Text also.
• Mark Caguioa, from Ginebra San Miguel
• Jayjay Helterbrand, also from Ginebra San Miguel
• Dondon Hontiveros from San Miguel Beer

The Forwards

• Kerby Raymundo of Purefoods
• Rudy Hatfield of Ginebra San Miguel
• Danny Seigle of San Miguel Beer
• Air 21s Ranidel Ocampo
• Tony Dela Cruz of Alaska Aces
  

The Center

• Mick Pennisi of Red Bull
• Asi Taulava of Talk and Text
  

The Alternatives

• Enrico Villanueva of Red Bull
• Rommel Adducul of San Miguel Beer
• Rafi Reavis of Ginebra San Miguel
  

Except for the alternates which will stay at home and be called upon whenever alternate or replacement is necessary, the 12-man roster will sweat it hard enough and play to their very best so we could win a spot to play for the Olympics. They have to struggle through these tournaments for them to reach that goal.

• SEABA Qualifying Tournament for FIBA-Asian Champion’s Cup, Indonesia on April 9 – 14
• SEABA, Bangkok Thailand, May 24 – 28

If they win in SEABA and place at least a runner up, they will automatically gain a slot to the FIBA-Asia Olympic Qualifier which we hope they would win to play for the real deal, the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Olympic Qualifying tournament will be held in Tokushima Japan in July.

The list is easy to memorize but still very hard to picture the moment we are being awarded the Olympic berth, since in the past years, neighboring countries such as South Korea, Japan and Taiwan have shown similar determination and will, albeit, China is still a powerhouse to reckon with.

When that day comes, Coach Chot Reyes will be a national hero and so the rest of the "Team Pilipinas".

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