RP-SMB: Jones Cup, the Final Leg

The RP-San Miguel National Team, before they plunged into Tokushima, Japan for the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifying tournament, are headed into the final leg of their very rugged training schedule, The Jones Cup.
And the best way to start the 10-team competition is to beat the defending champion team USA. Playing under the banner of AIA or Athletes in Action, Team Pilipinas defeated the powerhouse US cagers led by the relentless shooting of Jimmy Alapag late in the fourth quarter. He shot a perfect 100% field goal percentage, 5 for 5, and led the nationals in a closing game outburst with contributions from Mark Caguioa, Mick Pennisi and Kerby Raymundo to finish the game, 72-67.

Manny Should Learn His Lesson

Manny Pacquiao is all set for a rematch against his old nemesis, Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. It was finally decided that two should meet again inside the boxing ring after legal dispute between the Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank has reached its end.

The dispute, as every boxing fan can remember, started when the Filipino slugger tried to dance with the two at the same time. His contract with Top Rank was about to expire, and prior to his first rematch with Erik Morales last year sometime in September, he reportedly signed a deal and received a pre-bonus amount with the GBP. Later on, he surprised the boxing world by declaring that he was staying with Top Rank and inked a separate contract.

Eventually, GBP sued Top Rank and suddenly, Pacquiao's career was on a tailspin. After his last fight with El Terrible, there seemed to be no interesting fighter to match against him, with Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez and other interesting fighters under GBP's control.

On Friday, we received the news that the supposed fight between Humberto Soto and Pacquiao was canceled to give way for a much better and exciting match worth waiting. Barrera and Pacquiao will do the waltz on a boxing ring with gloves on their hands to be staged on October 6. This match and the future fights Manny is going to battle with an opponent handled by GBP, will be co-promoted by the two camps. For other matches when the opponent isn't a GBP, Top Rank will be promoting Pacquiao whilst the other remaining to have an interest in co-promoting it.

This is good news especially for Pacquiao himself as he will regain the wide options in terms of who will be on his next list. He's on the top of his game and he deserves worthy opponents. Let lessons be learned from this, before putting back that gloves on for practice.

Barakos Even Series Against Phone Pals, 2-2

Import James Penny of Red Bull dunked the ball late in the fourth quarter to even the best of seven series score, 2-2, against Talk and Text Phone Pals. It was an awkward looking dunk coming from deep in the right lane of the basketball court.
Penny however made it appear beautiful with his right hand reaching the ring after passing through defender JJ Sullinger in an almost effortless fashion.

It came at the right moment as it halted the rampage Phone Pals has brewed late, led by Mac Cardona and Sullinger. They've found their rhythm and attempted to bounce back from the game, scoring 20 points for the Filipino and a huge 40 points for the import. But this wasn't enough to contain the big cushion Barakos has created before halftime.

The exclamation point sealed the win for Barakos, 111-104 at the end game.

The semifinals between the two will be decided in the next two games and a possible third.

Step One to Tim Cone's Fear

In the ongoing Fiesta Conference in the country's professional basketball arena, four teams has emerged in the semis, who are now struggling it out in a best of seven series.

• Talk and Text Phone Pals Versus Red Bull Barakos
• Alaska Milkmen Versus San Miguel Beermen

This post is focused on the current situation of Tim Cone's team.

Having been able to accomplish a 2-0 lead in their raise to 4 wins duel, why is it that the coach of Alaska shows a low level of confidence? The loss last night I believe is a first step towards succumbing to the fear of these mighty milkmen. It can be remembered that they were once a great team in the 90's. I still remember the era of Johnny "The Flying A" Abarrientos, Bong Hawkins, Poch Juinio, Bolado, Jojo Lastimosa and the rest of the Milkmen who were able to bag several championships, including that great matchup against Sunkist Orange when Vergel Meneses can still voyage into the air. That year was a preparatory to their greatness into the decade.

In one of the previous conferences, Alaska has been in a similar situation when they are leading, one of which was already 3-1, and eventually lost the series. It can be regarded as traumatic and rule out any position wherein they will brag themselves assurances of winning the series and reaching the finals.

Last night, they drop the third game against the Beermen, 91-81 was the final score. Could this be the step one to repeating what happened in the past or they could face their fears and shrug any trauma of yesterday's lost?

Unity Cup Underway

Will the Batang Pier bag the grand slam or the Moneymen pass up for a tough challenge?
Forgive me for focusing too much on boxing lately, but, I am trying to absorb the euphoria of amateur basketball that is the PBL.
Philippine Basketball League showcases the future greats of Philippine basketball. And it is only in the creation of Pinoy Balls that I had the chance to watch out for these tournament, when all the majority of fans are watching PBA, and the NBA.
Right now, Harbour-Centre is leading (1-0) the Cebuana-Lhuillier Pera Padala in the best of five Unity Cup series that started last week.
Independence Day, June 12, game 2's tip off will commence at 3:30 pm, Manila time.
Watch out for Kenneth Bono, Doug Kramer and the rest of the Moneymen battles it out, as they hamper the winning momentum of Jason Castro, JC Intal and the Batang Pier cagers.

The Revenge Episode

Humberto Soto unleashes a shocking left hook.

Bobby Pacquiao humbly received it and kissed the Madison Square Garden canvass at the 7^th round.

His brother, Manny, was at the ring side at the start of the match in his support.

I was in the bus so I missed watching that fight.

Later on, the local Channel 2 showed video clips of Bobby losing.

Days before the fight, Manny was awarded Fighter of the Year by a group of American boxing writers.

It could have been a double celebration had Bobby win.

Instead, it made Manny furious and seeks to avenge his kin’s loss.

However, still, there is no confirmation as to who will be Pacman’s next opponent.

If it would be Humberto, I guess his mindset will be focused on revenge.

Now that’s a great next episode to watch out.

Stupid

Is Manny Pacquiao really afraid fighting Juan Manuel Marquez again in the boxing ring?

Yesterday, my favorite broadsheet quoted the WBC president saying that he is scared of facing the current super featherweight champ after declaring that Pacquiao formally denied through a letter, his gaining of the mandatory status in challenging Marquez.

Their last meeting was swarmed with controversies when the fight was decided a split draw, after Marquez was knocked down, three times in the first round. He managed though, to stay up until the last bell sounded. That failed Pacquiao to capture the title belt Marquez was currently holding that time, the WBA/IBF super bantamweight.

My take on the issue is this: Pacquiao is not scared. Actually, I’m not sure if there is anyone or anything he fears these days. He’s alleged to have his own private army as the news reports tell. He isn’t even afraid of any critics with regards to his nerve in singing, that’s why he basked into that career by launching his own music album. He even had his own concerts.

Declaring Pacquiao scared of Marquez or of anything or anyone is a little bit of an off shoot.

The news article cited further that Pacquiao has now three mistakes in his career.

1. Signing contracts with Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank
2. Losing in the political arena
3. Rejecting a bout against the current champion

Think about this, in any matter that involves signing a contract that would tie you up in certain conditions set in agreement between two parties, would you let yourself be in a situation where you’ll have to agree with two different parties of conflicting interest? Of course not! That is plain stupid.

Manny was reported having talks and plans of joining GBP, because last year, months prior Morales-Pacquiao II, his contract with Top Rank was about to expire. It was alleged that he even received a sum of money as a term of pre-payment for his supposed inking a deal with GBP. Then all of a sudden, he surprised everyone to have already closed a deal with Top Rank.

Think about this, if you’re studying engineering, would you be applying for a nursing job after you graduate? Of course not! That is simply stupid.

The boxer from GenSan was born from a poor family. He wasn’t able to finish high school. And he’s been into boxing since he was a young boy who fled his home and went to Manila to in search for a better life. He was once a baker boy and he showed us Filipinos how he rose from the pit of poverty with his pure boxing talent and raw power. Running for a congressional seat is clearly out of his league.

Lastly, I can’t think of any reason why he would deny an offer where he can show to the world that he’s the best pound for pound fighter (and not the Pretty Boy Mayweather) by facing just about any fighter, let Marquez feel his power once again and prove to the judges wrong about their 2004 match up ending in a split decision. Is he now a paycheck fighter looking for a bigger purse because he lost a lot last May elections? I am not sure.

But one thing is certain, these aren't really mistakes. These are results from very unwise decisions.