Django elected to BCA Hall of Fame | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

Django elected to BCA Hall of Fame | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 07/30/2010 2:58 PM | Updated as of 07/30/2010 2:58 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Francisco “Django” Bustamante, whose World 9-Ball feat in Qatar this year completed his status as among best in the world, was elected for induction to the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) Hall of Fame by the United States Billiard Media Association.
According to Inside Pool Magazine.com, Bustamante will be formally inducted to the BCA Hall of Fame on October 21 in conjunction with the US Open 9-Ball Championship.
Also elected for induction with Bustmante are Americans Terry Bell and Larry Hubbart, who were cited for Meritorious Service for founding the American Poolplayers Association league system in 1979.
Bustamante, the pride of Puyat Sports, was actually shocked upon hearing the news.
“Really? I’m still young!” said the Filipino billiards legend. “Two things that I always dreamed of were to be world champion and to be in the Hall of Fame. This year, both dreams came true. We all dream to be in the BCA Hall of Fame so I am very happy today. We are heroes in the Philippines but for the American people to recognize me like this makes me very proud.”
Bustamante is the second Filipino to make it into the BCA Hall of Fame after Efren “Bata” Reyes, who was inducted in 2003.
The Tarlac-born Bustamante has been playing since the age of 10, and has won titles such as the Munich Masters, the German 9-ball Championship, and the Japan 9-ball Championship, making him one of pool's greatest international stars. – by Marlon Bernardino

Alcano, Orcollo rip Indon rivals | Manila Bulletin

Alcano, Orcollo rip Indon rivals | Manila Bulletin

Guinness World Series of Pool

July 29, 2010, 6:04pm

Former double world champion Ronnie Alcano opened up the double elimination stages with a convincing win over Indonesia’s William Tanizar, 6-3, to jump start his title bid in the 2010 Guinness World Series of Pool 10-Ball Challenge crown at the Mal Tama Aggrek in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Not to be outdone, former world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo and Carlo Biado also crushed their Indonesian counterparts with scores of 6-0 and 6-2, respectively.

Raring to redeem himself after a heartbreaking fifth place performance last July at the 2010 World 9-Ball Championships, Alcano wasted no time in building an early 3-0 lead as he pounced on the early 1-ball corner pocket miss of his visibly nervous opponent at the first rack which was then followed by routine run-outs in the 2nd and 3rd racks.

However, two scratches off the break in the 4th and 5th racks allowed Tanizar the opportunity to catch up and knot the score at 3-all.

Not wanting to give his Indonesian rival any more chance to further boost his confidence, Alcano regained composure and made up for his earlier miscue by stepping up his game and score three straight table runs to notch the win in the 9th rack.

REYES, BUSTAMANTE OPEN DEFENSE OF WORLD CUP OF POOL VS THAILAND

REYES, BUSTAMANTE OPEN DEFENSE OF WORLD CUP OF POOL VS THAILAND

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 29 Jul 2010

Defending PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool champions Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante open the defense of their coveted title against the comparatively unknown Thai duo of Nitiwat Kanjanasri and Surathep Phoochalam at the Midtown Wing of Robinsons Place in Ermita, Manila on September 7.The Philippines “B” team consisting of World Pool Masters champion Dennis Orcollo and 2007 World Pool Championship runner-up Roberto Gomez will face the Croatian pair of the up-and-coming Carlo Dalmatin and experienced Philipp Stojanovic.

Matchroom Sports executive Like Riches said they were delighted to announce the choice of the Midtown Wing of Robinsons Place whichn was originally built in the 1980s. Robinsons houses more than 330 local shops, dining outlets and entertainment facilities and the Midtown Wing, built in mid-2008, makes it the largest Robinson's Mall in the Philippines.

Riches informed us that for the tournament which opens on September 7, Matchroom Sport will be installing an arena with several hundred seats and there will be balcony space for hundreds more. All the action will be covered by Solar Sports for live coverage across the Philippines.

Reyes and Bustamante who won the inaugural staging of the World Cup of Pool before a noisy pro-Filipino crowd in Cardiff in 2006 when they whipped temperamental American Earl Strickland and Rodney “The Rocket” Morris 13-5 came from behind in an epic battle last year to beat the German tandem of Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann and will certainly be the sentimental favorites again this year especially after Bustamante proved he still had the touch by winning the US Open.

But the USA who were champions in 2008 is determined to make its mark with a tandem of Rodney Morris and veteran Johnny Archer although they will be tested right away when they face the Swedish duo of Marcus Chamat and Thomas Mehtala in a tough opener , while the highly fancied English pair of Karl Boyes and Daryl Peach will be optimistic as they face off against unheralded Qatar pair of Mohammad Al Bin Ali and Bashar Hussain.

Last year’s finalists Germany will also fancy their chances as they meet Hong Kong, a team they beat 8-0 in the first round last year. The German team made up of Ralf “The Kaiser” Souquet and Oliver Ortmann will go up against comparatively unheralded Lee Chenman and Kenny Kwok.

Featuring 32 two-player teams representing 31 countries, the PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool takes place from 7th to 12th September and features a $250,000 prize fund with $60,000 going to the winning pair.

First round matches are a race to eight and commence on Tuesday 7th September at midday, concluding on Thursday around 18.00, when the second round gets underway. 

Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.

FARENAS TO GET TITLE SHOT AT IBF FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION SALIDO

FARENAS TO GET TITLE SHOT AT IBF FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION SALIDO

By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Wed, 28 Jul 2010 Hard-hitting Filipino southpaw Michael Farenas is to get a title shot at IBF featherweight champion Orlando “Asis” Salido of Mexico sometime in September.

Former two-division world champion Gerry Penalosa informed us that his protégé Farenas is “set to fight Orlando Salido for the IBF championship by September.” The 29 year old Salido won the title by a split decision over Cristobal Cruz in a rematch on May 15, 2010 after having lost in their first encounter for the vacant title also by a split decision on October 23, 2008. Since winning the title Salido scored a 3rd round TKO victory over Leonard Resendiz and followed it up with a 5th round knockout of Victor Rodriguez on July 31, 2009. The 26 year old Farenas is coming off a 2nd round stoppage of tough Indonesian Simon Butar Butar on July 23, 2010 following a disappointing eight round unanimous decision loss to Marlon Aguilar of May 8, 2010. Last March 13 Farenas figured in a two round no decision against Joe Morales when a cut caused by an accidental clash of heads forced the ringside physician to ask the referee to stop the fight. The talented Farenas has had a somewhat checkered career winning some big fights against worthy opponents abroad but quickly disposing of Thai patsies before hometown crowds which has somehow taken the luster out of his career. Salido has a record of 34-10-2 with 22 knockouts while Farenas has a record of 27-3-3 with 24 knockouts.

RP cue masters face strong players in Guinness Series | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

RP cue masters face strong players in Guinness Series | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

RP cue masters face strong players in Guinness Series

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 07/27/2010 8:51 PM | Updated as of 07/27/2010 9:13 PM

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s best cue artists led by World No. 2 Lee Vann Corteza and 2004 World Pool-Billiards Association (WPA) champion Alex Pagulayan will face top names of the sport in the 2010 Guinness World Series of Pool starting July 29.
The series, which held qualification matches in 13 cities within Indonesia, is entering the Grand Finals stage at the Mall Taman Anggrek, Jakarta.
A stellar list of pool talents from across the globe including current World No. 1 Mika Immonen of Finland, Ralf Souquet of Germany, Thorsten ‘The Hitman’ Hohmann of Germany, Shane Van Boening and Stevie Moore of the US, and current Darren Appleton of Great Britain, will participate in the series.
Among the Filipinos joining Corteza and Pagulayan include Dennis Orcollo, Ronato Alcano, Antonio Lining, Jundel Mazon, and Victor Arpilleda.
Indonesian cue masters will also fight for hometown pride and the $95,000 in prize money at stake.
Harvey Davis, vice-president for ESPN STAR Sports Event Management, said: “We are delighted to partner with Guinness again for this event and we’re committed to offer our expertise to showcase the best cue sport action and ensure that the event will be held at the highest international standards for the competitors and spectators.”
The 2010 Guinness World Series of Pool – 10-Ball Challenge is sanctioned by the Asian Pocket Billiard Union.
The event will run until August 1. -- by Marlon Bernardino

Be it in Vegas or Mexico : Pacquiao ready to face Margarito - Pinoy Boxing Republic - GMANews.TV Sports

Be it in Vegas or Mexico : Pacquiao ready to face Margarito - Pinoy Boxing Republic - GMANews.TV Sports

The feeling is mutual as far as Antonio Margarito is concerned. With a November 13 showdown with Manny Pacquiao looming in the horizon, the 32-year old Mexican can’t help himself but be thrilled by the prospect of meeting inside the ring the man considered today as the best fighter in the world, pound-for-pound. “I’d love to get that fight. I think everyone’s talking about it," said the `Tijuana Tornado’, a former two-time world champion. Pacquiao also expressed his willingness to face Margarito in a possible title bout, believing the Mexican is the best available option for him after Floyd Mayweather Jr. refused to sign the contract to face the Filipino ring icon in what many sees as possibly the richest boxing duel in history. Now it’s Margarito who stands to benefit from it, just a year after falling from boxing grace following the discovery of a hardened substance in his knuckle pad shortly before his January 2009 title match with Sugar Shane Mosley. In the aftermath of the controversy, Margarito was slapped a one-year suspension by the California State Athletic Commission, prohibiting him from fighting in the U.S. Although the ban had already elapsed, Margarito has yet to secure a license to fight in America, and his chance to secure one rests the decision of where the fight will be held. In the event he failed to obtain a license, Top Rank Promotions’ Bob Arum has already expressed his intention of bringing the fight in Mexico. The 31-year old Pacquiao, the fighting Congressman from the Philippines, doesn’t see any problem facing Margarito in front of an expected rowdy crowd, mentioning that it will be his first time to fight in Mexico. At 5-foot-11, Margarito will also be the biggest opponent ever for Pacquiao, who stands 5-foot-6. The Mexican also has a reach of 73. Owing to the size disparity, negotiations are now being made to have the match be made at a catch weight of 150 pounds and the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) light middleweight belt at stake. - RCJ, GMANews.TV

PHILIPPINE BOXING: HOW IT CAN FLOURISH AFTER PACQUIAO RETIRES

July 25th, 2010 | by Carl Guevara

His legacy has already been established. He is already considered to be one of the greatest fighter who ever lived. With or without fighting his greatest rival, his legacy has already been cemented. If we talk about boxing here in the Philippines, the Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is a Demigod. Time stops, crime rates go down to zero, and even the Abu Sayyaf from Mindanao brings fighting to a standstill whenever he fights. Countless accolades have been bestowed upon him, locally and internationally. He has placed our country on the map once more because of his accomplishments. He has already achieved more than any man could ever dream of. You name it, he’s got it. What more could he ask for? Personally, I think there’s still one more thing left that he MUST do before hanging up those gloves.

Every Filipino loves his rags-to-riches story. For everyone who dreams of becoming successful, he’s their inspiration. But in a couple of years from now, Manny Pacquiao, the Pound-for-Pound King and Fighter of the Decade, will retire from boxing. That fact is quite inevitable given that he’s turning 32 this year and there are no more big fights ahead of him. He may stay a little longer, but I believe he won’t allow himself to fight just for the sake of money. He wants to walk away from the sport as the best. His accomplishments will never be duplicated nor be surpassed. Maybe in a couple of decades from now, someone can at least try, but that will be a long shot.

Given these facts, we can now ask, what’s left for Philippine boxing? Is there anyone that could fill that outrageous hole once Pacquiao retires? As of now, I believe there is no one. That’s why I feel the one thing that Pacquiao MUST still do is ensure that our country will be continue to be represented in world-class fights. As of this writing, we only have three world champions in Manny Pacquiao [WBO welterweight champion], Donnie “Ahas” Nietes [WBO Strawweight champion] and Nonito Donaire Jr. [WBA super flyweight champion]. There are a lot of promising stars from our country, like the cousins Eden and Marvin Sonsona, as well as Bernabe Concepcion, that need to be developed and trained properly. This is the one last thing that Manny Pacquiao must do in the sport of boxing.

Given his influence in the sport, Pacquiao must first look for great trainers. If he needs to support them financially, so be it. Secondly, try not to rush his fighters, as was the case with Bernabe Concepcion’s title challenge against Juan Manuel Lopez. Give proper training and support to all aspiring Filipino boxers and maximize their experiences before having them engage in title shots. Third, give them maximum international exposure. I know it will be hard on him financially, but there may be no better person that can do it except him.

These are some of the things I believe Pacquiao must contribute before retiring from the sport that has brought him fame and fortune. It’s a sacrifice on his part, but I think this will be his greatest contribution to Philippine boxing and will leave him a more meaningful and lasting legacy.

For questions or anything you want to discuss, you can write me atcguevara@fighthype.com. You can also follow me and my articles atwww.fighthype.com and of course here at filipino.fighthype.com.

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CASIMERO FADES IN CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS, LOSES INTERIM TITLE BY SPLIT DECISION

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 25 Jul 2010



Promising 20 year old Johnreil Casimero faded in the championship rounds and lost his WBO light flyweight Interim title to Ramon Garcia Hirales in Sinaloa, Mexico on Sunday, Manila Time. 


Casimero who was undefeated in 14 fights with 8 knockouts suffered his first setback in defending the interim title he won with an impressive 11th round TKO over highly fancied Cesar Cancilla of Colombia on December 19, 2009.

Casimero started strong and went after Garcia to take the early rounds but he quickly began to fade in the later stages of the fight and Garcia, the brother of former IBF minimum weight champion Raul “Rayito” Garcia who won the title with a somewhat controversial split decision over Florante Condes in La Paz, Mexico on June 14, 2008, turned the tide in his favor.

Journalist and broadcaster Dennis Principe who covered the fight which was telecast on a delayed basis by GMA 7 said “it was a fair decision although the fight was close.”

He also told us that referee Samuel Viruet who was the third man in the ring when Z “The Dream” Gorres lost his chance to win the WBO super flyweight title from Fernando Montiel in Cebu in February 2007 in a hugely controversial decision did a fair job. Principe said there were a couple of clashes of heads but they were clearly accidental and no damage was done to Casimero.

Ramon Garcia Hirales upped his record to 13-1-1 with 8 knockouts. The 27 year old had evarloer won the vacant WBC International title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Jose Luis Varela on May 20, 2009 and scored a 6th round TKO over Luis Alberto Zarraga on August 29, 2009.

In his last fight Garcia Hirales won by a 2nd round TKO over Michael Arango on February 13, 2010.

In the undercard veteran Federico Catubay who has an unimpressive record of 25-16-3 with 13 knockouts and has lost 8 of his fights also by knockouts gave young super flyweight Rodrigo Guerrero (13-2-1, 9 KO’s) who is coming off a gallant effort against WBC/WBA super flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan who is also the IBO bantamweight champion, all he could handle but the Filipino still came up short.

Catubay who is known for his ugly wild-swinging style lost a 12 round unanimous decision to Juan Alberto Rosas at the Mandalay Bay House of Blues in an IBF super flyweight eliminator on November 13, 2009 inexplicably figured in another IBF super flyweight title eliminator against Guerrero. 

Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.

Fil-Brits to promote football, education

Fil-Brits to promote football, education By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star) Updated July 25, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (4)

MANILA, Philippines -  Filipino-Britons Phil and James Younghusband are throwing their full support to 1GOAL: Education for All  a campaign by the 2010 FIFA World Cup using football to help over 72 million children around the world, including six million Filipinos, get a chance to have an education.
“I’d been wanting to support a charity for some time. I think this is it for me,” said Phil Younghusband in yesterday’s Youth League organized by the Muntinlupa Parañaque Las Piñas Football Association coinciding with the launch of the 1GOAL program at the Alabang Country Club grounds.
“1GOAL is a football campaign ideal for me and my brother (James). We want to promote football as well as education because sports is a great way to have an education through scholarships,” Phil added.
The Younghusbands and the MPLFA headed by RP women’s team manager Cathy Rivilla are promoting the program together with VSO Bahaginan, an organization committed to fighting poverty through a wide range of volunteering development programs.
“We organize the MPLFA Youth League on a regular basis because we believe that is an effective method to develop the skills of each player,” said Rivilla.
“Along the way, we also hope to build the spirit of sharing teamwork among players in the hope that they can see beyond themselves,” she added.
The Younghusbands are so dedicated in encouraging Filipinos to embrace football that they put up The Younghusband Football Academy (TYFA), which is under the MPLFA.
“I guess this is our calling,” said Younghusband.

Davadilla, Marcelo lead Asiad passers

Phil. Daily Inquirer

First Posted 03:34:08 24/07/2010

Filed Under: Cycling,Other Sports

 

Two-time tour champion Warren Davadilla and veteran Arnold Marcelo sparkled on the second day of the Koten Unification Races National Cycling Tryouts as they ruled their respective events at the Amoranto Velodrome in Quezon City.

Davadilla, winner of the 1998 and 2005 Tours, topped the men’s points race by tallying 40 points to beat Tomas Martinez, while Marcelo weathered Jan Paul Morales’ late surge to claim top honors in the Keirin race.

Ronnel Hualda reigned sup-reme in the men’s sprint, after beating Ronnel Calla in three races.

The victories were enough for Davadilla, Marcelo and Hualda to clinch berths to the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

For his second-place finish, Martinez also made the squad that already includes early qualifiers Nilo Estayo, Reinhard Gorantes, George Oconer, Reinhard Gorantes, Lloyd Lucien Reynante, Mark Julius Bonzo and John Mier.

Estayo, Gorrantes and Oconer will vie in the men’s Olympic sprint, while Gorantes, Reynante, Bonzo and Mier will be the country’s entries in the 4-km individual time trial and men’s team pursuit.

April Effinger, Marites Bitbit and Annalisa Dysangco, who also qualified in the 500m ITT Monday, added the 3-km individual pursuit and points race to their Asian Games program by also finishing 1-2-3 yesterday.

The selection competition resumes Friday at Subic Bay, where the road race individual time trial, Massed Start Race and the cross country mountain bike events will be held.

PBA revives plan to build new coliseum

July 24, 2010, 8:35pmBy TITO S. TALAO
Manila Bulletin

Site of the proposed coliseum the PBA is planning to build.

Like some modern-day archeologists, PBA chairman Rene Pardo has dug up a visionary gem from the past, crystallized during the time of chairman Ricky Vargas but which has lost its sheen through the years and laid buried until now.

“Oh yes, we’re reviving the PBA’s long-ago dream of having its own coliseum, a permanent home it can call its own,” said Pardo, representative of B-Meg Derby Ace to the Board of Governors.

“And we want it built in the EDSA Central Complex on Shaw Boulevard because of its strategic location and proximity to the MRT station.”

The league had tossed around the idea of building its own venue from as far back as the PBA commissionership of Rodrigo ‘Rudy’ Salud, father of current PBA deputy commissioner Chito Salud.

And the concept gained momentum when Talk ‘N Text governor Ricky Vargas assumed the chairmanship in 2007.

“We’ve had a meeting three weeks ago with people from the Greenfield Development Corporation, and another yesterday,” Pardo said shortly Friday before the Llamados went up against the San Miguel Beermen in Game 2 of their Fiesta Cup semifinal series at the Araneta Coliseum.

“I’m sure a series of meetings will follow, and by then the PBA hopes to bring with it a group knowledgeable in finance, construction and development to actually discuss details of the project.”

With Pardo during their first meeting were Buddy Encarnado of Sta. Lucia Realty, the man directly acquainted with the Greenfield executives – chairman Jeffrey Campos of Unilab and executive vice president and general manager Atty. Duane Santos – Atty. Mert Mondragon, PBA vice chairman from Rain or Shine, Atty. Manny Mendoza of Barako Bull, and JB Baylon of Coca-Cola.

“Si Buddy ang point guard namin dito, siya ang in charge,” said Pardo, who said he is just picking up from where Vargas had left off. “Carry on lang ‘to from the initial PBA coliseum dream of chairman Ricky Vargas,” said Pardo, who assumed the post after Air21’s Lito Alvarez, who should have been chairman until the end of the 35th season, was appointed by President Aquino to the commissionership of the Bureau of Customs.

During the tenure of Vargas, a site occupied by the Manila Seedling Bank at the corner of EDSA and Quezon Avenue was visited by the PBA as a potential location, with telecommunications tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, the Talk ‘N Text team owner, expressing preference for the area.

But events overtook the plan and the project was shelved where it gathered dust but was apparently not forgotten.

“It is a dream of every PBA chairman,” said Pardo. “And it will be wishful thinking on my part if the groundbreaking takes place under my term.”

The sprawling EDSA Central area is up for grand development, Pardo said, with high-rise buildings and malls to be put up.

“I think they are very interested at the prospect of having the PBA there because of the crowd it will bring to the area,” Pardo said of the Greenfield developers.

“And we also feel it’s a good site because of the ample parking space and the proximity to the MRT station. But, of course, marami pang idi-discuss like whether it will be a joint venture or they will lease the property to us and we will put it up. Basta ngayon, buhay na naman yung plano.”

DRIAN FRANCISCO WANTS TO FIGHT MIJARES FOR WBA INTERIM SUPER FLYWEIGHT TITLE

DRIAN FRANCISCO WANTS TO FIGHT MIJARES FOR WBA INTERIM SUPER FLYWEIGHT TITLE

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 25 Jul 2010


Drian Francisco.

When Drian Francisco fought Ricardo Nunez in a WBA super flyweight eliminator last April 17, 2010 and won by a convincing 5th round TKO, he had been promised a crack at the world title. 


Hugo “El Increible” Cazares of Mexico ( 32-6-2, 23 KO’s) won the title by a twelve round unanimous decision in a rematch with Japanese champion Nobuo Nashiro on May 8, 2010 after their first title clash ended in a draw on September 30, 2009.

However, Francisco’s manager Elmer Anuran informed us that the camp of Cazares wants to avail of a nine month period wherein the champion was free to have a voluntary defense before being forced to fight the mandatory challenger, Francisco, and he expects the WBA to grant the request of Cazares.

Anuran said that since WBA super flyweight interim champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire has made it clear he is moving up to fight as a bantamweight or even a super bantamweight in his next bout, he has informed the WBA that Francisco is willing to fight former world champion Cristian Mijares for the interim title in the last week of September.

The youthful manager said he expects the Mijares camp to respond by Wednesday.

Anuran said a clash with Mijares would be “a huge and tough fight for Drian but Drian h imself told me that wherever the fight is he is willing and ready to face anyone at 115 pounds.”

The manager said he would talk to Solar Sports Peter Chanliong about promoting the fight in the Philippines oyerwise they would be prepared to fight Mijares n Mexico.

Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.

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