Ticket sales show Pacquiao remains hugely popular

Source: ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines – The brisk ticket sales for the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight in December proves that the Filipino champ remains popular among boxing fans, according to a fight analyst.

Examiner’s Michael Marley said fans are still expecting the Filipino congressman to come up with an exciting fight, especially against his greatest rival Marquez.

“The Pacquiao Popularity Well has hardly gone dry. People still want to believe that Pacman can produce a crowd-pleasing scrap, one worth their hard-earned live gate or PPV (pay-per-view) TV investment,” said Marley.

Fajardo, Tiu make PBA debuts today

Image Source: Wikipedia
Article Source: Musong R Castillo; Philippine Daily Inquirer
The top overall pick in the last Draft seen by many as a game-changer in the PBA gets his first taste of pro action today when rock-solid Petron Blaze battles Rain or Shine in the Philippine Cup eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

June Mar Fajardo, an agile, 6-foot-10 center with a feathery touch, and the rest of the Boosters take the Big Dome floor in the 7:30 p.m. contest against the Elasto Painters. 

Fajardo adds ceiling and muscle to an already formidable Petron roster, which has been prepared hard in the off-season by former national team coach Rajko Toroman.

Chances of having intact Azkals likely, says PFF chief

Source: Celest R Flores; Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines men’s football squad’s first international title in nearly a century was a product of enough preparation.

That was the assessment of PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta of the Azkals’ success in the recent Philippine Football Peace Cup held here last week.

“It just shows that our preparations really helped. That was the team who went to the United States to train,” said Araneta Tuesday in the weekly PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate in Manila. 

Global begins UFL bid in style

Source: Cedelf P Tupas; Philippine Daily Inquirer
Reigning league champion Global launched its campaign in style, thumping Pasargad, 3-1, last night at the start of the United Football League Cup competition at Rizal Memorial field.

First half goals from Sudanese forward Izo El-Habbib and Carli de Murga and an early second-half strike by Misagh Bahadoran ensured a flying start for the strengthened Global side in Group A.

Pasargad’s Iranian forward Masood Shedidih scored on a sensational strike in the second half to avert the shutout at 3-1. But De Murga moved up to midfield and Global regained control.

Dream shelved, Aguilar now eyeing NBA D-League stint with Bakersfield

Source: June Navarro; Philippine Daily Inquirer
With his NBA dream shelved, Japeth Aguilar could find solace in the NBA D-League.

The 6-foot-9 Filipino could earn a spot in the Bakersfield Jam roster after an impressive workout with Jam assistant general manager Brian Levy in Los Angeles last week. 

According to Hoopshype.com, Aguilar earned positive reviews from Levy, who was fascinated with the former Western Kentucky Hilltopper’s jumping ability and explosiveness around the rim.

“He’s an explosive leaper that runs the floor well and has good instincts when crashing the offensive glass. He can shoot just well enough from the three and that must be respected,” said Levy, who also functions as the team’s director of player personnel. “He has the tools to contribute to a team this year if he finds the right situation.” 

Altas need win vs Stags to enhance semis bid

Source: Joey Villar; Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help faces an uphill battle as it seeks to remain in the Final Four race against San Sebastian in a make-or-break bid on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan.

Tied with Jose Rizal U at fourth spot with 10-7 slates, the Altas battle the San Sebastian Stags (11-5) at the close of their double-round robin elims campaign, needing no less than a victory for at least a playoff for the fourth and last semis berth.

The Bombers are also in a must-win situation but unlike the Altas, the Mandaluyong-based squad will have a rather lighter assignment in the ousted Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (7-10), also on Thursday.

UST's Abdul spared suspension

Source:  Olmin Leyba; Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - The University of the Santo Tomas Tigers will field a full roster when they start their showdown with five-peat-seeking Ateneo Blue Eagles for the UAAP Season 75 men’s basketball crown on Saturday as star center Karim Abdul escaped suspension despite incurring a second unsportsmanlike foul in the previous game.

“Hindi suspended si Abdul (Abdul is not suspended),” commissioner Ato Badolato told The STAR yesterday.

There were concerns that the 6-6 Abdul will have to sit out the finals opener after getting slapped with an unsportsmanlike foul (UF) for nudging an airborne Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. during the Final Four. It was Abdul’s second UF this season after getting one for hitting University of the East’s JR Sumido in an earlier eliminations assignment.