Suzuki Cup 'completely different' from Peace Cup: Weiss

Source: ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Azkals head coach Hans Michael Weiss reminded Filipino football fans that the AFF Suzuki Cup is a completely different tournament from the recently concluded Philippine Football Peace Cup.

The Azkals ended a 99-year drought without an international football title when they ran through Macau, Chinese-Taipei and Guam to win the Peace Cup last week.

But in a report on the official Suzuki Cup website, Weiss stressed that the biennial tournament in November will be a whole different animal.

Marquez may retire if he KOs Pacquiao

Article Source: ABS-CBNnews.com
Image Source: unknown
MANILA, Philippines – Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez may consider hanging up his gloves if he can beat his greatest rival, Filipino ring icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, via a knockout in their fourth encounter.

Marquez and Pacquiao will meet for a fourth time on December 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas after their first three encounters failed to produce a decisive result.

“I want to knock him out,” Marquez told Boxing Scene. “I know I can do it, although I know that it won’t be easy.”

The Azkals make history in an eventful Peace Cup finale

Source: Bob Guerrero; The Passionate Fan

My postgame thoughts on the Azkals' Peace Cup-clinching win over Chinese Taipei.

This was a feel-good moment the Azkals desperately needed. The Philippines was hugely favored to lift this trophy, but the title means more because of the timing. The loss at Laos, the dropping of the team's two most popular players, and the general waning of interest for the team had hung like a cloud over the squad. All that vanished in the wake of a solid 3-1 win over Chinese Taipei. The atmosphere at pitch-side afterwards was jubilant and somewhat reminiscent of the win over Sri Lanka last year. Once again the team is enveloped in good vibes. It needs plenty of that with the Suzuki Cup looming.

Tigers' stint vs Eagles still hangs in balance

Source: Olmin Leyba; The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines -  The status of University of Santo Tomas’ Cameroonian center Karim Abdul for Game 1 of the UAAP Season 75 men’s basketball finals against Ateneo is still hanging in the air as the league weighs whether his unsportsmanlike foul in the Tigers’ 63-57 win over the National U Bulldogs, his second for the season, merits sanction.

“No decision yet,” UAAP commissioner Ato Badolato said yesterday afternoon in reply to The STAR’s query on Abdul’s case.

League rules call for a one-game ban if a player accumulates two unsportsmanlike fouls that could be classified as “intended to hurt.”

Jose Rizal, Perpetual brace for crucial matches

Source: The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines -  Jose Rizal University and Perpetual Help gear up for a pair of crucial matches on Thursday when they close out their respective elims campaigns in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, both needing victories to assure themselves of at least a playoff for the last Final Four berth.

Between the two, however, the Heavy Bombers seem to have the inside track for the last semis seat as they will take on the ousted Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (7-10). In contrast, the Altas will have a tougher opponent in the San Sebastian College side still in chase for one more win to nail the No. 2 spot and the other twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.

Down-the-wire NCAA Final Four race looms

Source: Cedelf P Tupas; Philippine Daily Inquirer
Four teams brace for a down-the-wire finish in the second round of the 88th NCAA basketball tournament as they contest the three remaining Final Four berths.

With the elimination round down to its final week, the postseason picture remains muddled as only San Beda has gained a spot in the semifinals with San Sebastian, Letran, Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal U all in contention for the three slots. 

The Stags, Knights, Altas and Bombers could end up in a quadruple tie at second, which could mean an extended season for the league.

Gins give Batang Pier rude welcome

Source: Musong Castillo; Philippine Daily Inquier
Frolicking in a free-flowing game in front of the PBA’s biggest season-opening crowd, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel got off to a dream Philippine Cup start last night after posting a thorough 110-90 destruction of Global Port at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Six players scored in twin digits and LA Tenorio showed his true worth in his first game as a Gin King as Ginebra finished off the newcomer Batang Pier with a flurry. 

“We got over opening day jitters, the distractions,” Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen said. “It is good to start this way.”