greenarrow

P4.8M MBenz for millionaire Pacquiao

By Abac Cordero

The Philippine Star 10/20/2006

There’s a new addition to Manny Pacquiao’s fleet of cars.

The 27-year-old Filipino boxer, whose love for billiards and cockfighting is matched only by his love for cars, showed up at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood last Monday driving his new pet.

It’s a 2007 Mercedes Benz SL550, which the native of Gen. Santos City reportedly purchased earlier this month. It’s the third vehicle he has acquired in the US while training for a big fight.

The all-black beauty, which has a tag price of $95,575 or roughly P4.8 million, is a two-door light sports car armed with a 5.4-liter V8 engine that could go 60 mph in only 5.4 seconds.

It’s the first Mercedes for the left-handed knockout artist who acquired a Lincoln Navigator in the US in 2004 before buying a more compact and stylish Porsche Cayene last year.

The Porsche, priced a little lower than the Mercedes, has been shipped to the Philippines more than a month ago, but has yet to be released by Customs. The tax alone runs up to close to P2 million.

While there’s always someone who can drive for him in the US, Pacquiao sometimes couldn’t help but take the driver’s seat like when he goes to church on Sundays.

Back home, Pacquiao moves around town in his huge Dodge van, which he reportedly bought for more than P2 million. He also has a 2006 Pajero and an older model Ford Expedition.

There are a couple more cars in the garage of his Gen. Santos City family residence.

Pacquiao is guaranteed $3 million or P150 million for his Nov. 18 match with Erik Morales in Las Vegas, and is bound to make even more if he wins this one.

By then, Pacquiao would probably look good in a Ferrari.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200610201605.htm

Tugade, Adducul traded to Beermen

By Nelson Beltran

The Philippine Star 10/20/2006

San Miguel Beer came away with two blue-chip players in Lordy Tugade and Romel Adducul to boost a sagging campaign in the current season as Red Bull agreed to a trade deal with the SMC group involving four other players and three future draft picks.

On top of its wish list in the off-season, San Miguel eventually got the nod of Red Bull for the services of Tugade, the former National U hotshot, who is among the league’s marquee players at present.

But the SMC management also had to go through Barangay Ginebra to come up with a deal acceptable to Red Bull.

Red Bull acquired Migs Noble and Mark Kong plus the Beermen’s 2007 second round draft pick and 2008 first round pick. Meanwhile, San Miguel gained Tugade, Adducul and Omanzie Rodriguez while Ginebra took in Paolo Hubalde plus Red Bull’s 2007 first round pick.

"They had been persistent on their bid to get Lordy since our annual board meeting in Macau (during the off-season). We thought their offer was good, so we had a deal," said Red Bull team manager Tony Chua.

"We also thought Lordy would benefit in this deal. He might be looking for longer playing time which we couldn’t give under our system. At San Miguel, he could get those minutes specially with Danny Seigle sidelined by injury," Chua added.

Another player who could gain some headway in his career because of the trade is Adducul, who has been languishing in Ginebra’ s frontline rotation on the arrival of Rafi Reavis and Billy Mamaril.

At San Miguel, Adducul is likely to gain starting role with Danny Ildefonso on the injured list.

Tugade and Adducul will play their first game with San Miguel as the Beermen take on the Alaska Milk Aces at the Talk n Text PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center today. Both teams are struggling with the Beermen winless in three starts and the Aces sporting only one win against three defeats.

Meanwhile, Talk n Text’s Jay Washington and Air21’s Homer Se were suspended for one game for misconduct during their game last Wednesday.

Coca-Cola, hot on a two-game run, and Talk n Text, stopped on its tracks the last time out, clash in the day’s other game.

Red Bull gained additional frontliners in Noble and Kong but the coaching staff’s suggestion is for the team to first take in reserve guard Warren Ybanez to fill in the slot vacated by Tugade. The team has two other reserves in Mike Hrabak and rookie Magnum Membrere.

The Bulls play their first game following the departure of Tugade Wednesday against the Sta. Lucia Realtors. Tugade led the Bulls in scoring and placed fourth in the MVP race last year.

With Tugade’s exit, Junthy Valenzuela and Mick Pennisi are left as the only remaining players from the original Red Bull team in 2000.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200610201601.htm

SMB LANDS ADDUCUL, TUGADE, RODRIGUEZ IN 3-TEAM SWAP

Red Bull gets 2 big men, 3 draft picks in blockbuster deal

Thursday, 19 October 2006

After three jolting defeats, San Miguel coach Chot Reyes figures his bench needs some fixing. So the Beermen wasted no time in getting into a three-team trade that netted the ballclub the biggest catch of the young season.

SMB's unexpected revamp brought the most sought after center Romel Adducul and deadshot forward Lordy Tugade to the struggling franchise following well-kept negotiations involving Red Bull and Barangay Ginebra.

Players assignment forms submitted by the teams to the Commissioner's Office Thursday morning for approval indicated that San Miguel acquired Tugade and reserve center Omanzie Rodriguez from the Barakos in exchange for the Beermen’s first and second round draft picks in the 2009 PBA Draft plus reserve guard Paolo Hubalde.

After giving up Tugade, Red Bull dealt its first round draft rights for 2008 and Hubalde to Ginebra in exchange for Adducul, who was then immediately shipped to the Beermen for Migs Noble, sophomore Michael Kong and SMB's 2008 second round draft rights.

The acquisition of the Adducul and Tugade should provide depth to the Beermen – who have been playing without key players Danny Seigle and and Danny Ildefonso – and hopefully swing their fortunes around in the 2006-07 Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup.

Adducul said he is excited to be reunited with Reyes and his teammates on the national team.

"Siyempre mami-miss ko ang mga teammates ko sa Ginebra," he said. "Pero parang home away from home sa akin ang San Miguel dahil nakasama ko sa national team ang marami sa kanila."

Adducul makes his debut in an SMB uniform Friday night as the Beermen battle the Alaska Aces at 7:20 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Tugade may miss a couple more games with a hurting knee.

"This is a win-win situation for both parties. The trade will also provide Lordy more playing minutes," said Tony Chua, Red Bull's team manager and the league's vice-chairman.

The acquisition of Noble and Kong should shore up Red Bull's frontline manned only by Enrico Villanueva, Mick Pennisi and Carlo Sharma. (DBC)

SMB traded Hubalde, Kong, Noble and a draft pick to Red Bull, & got Tugade & Adducul.

Red Bull then traded one or two of these players to Ginebra.

This trade is pending for approval at the commissioner's office.

Hope I got it right.

‘We’ll get Erik before the sixth,’ says Roach

Inquirer

Last updated 05:40am (Mla time) 10/19/2006

Published on Page A20 of the October 19, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

AS FAR AS Freddie Roach is concerned, Erik Morales is going down no later than the halfway point of his match against Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao.

“We’ll get him before the sixth round,” Roach told television network ABS-CBN last night.

That has been the American trainer’s stand since Day One of Pacquiao’s preparations for the third installment of his rivalry against the Mexican sensation, nicknamed “El Terrible.”

Last night, though, Roach sounded confident, anchoring his view perhaps on the progress Pacquiao has shown in training.

Pacquiao appeared on television looking trim and fit.

However, the General Santos City native told the station’s interviewer that he was going for a win in whatever way possible.

“I’m not really going for a knockout,” Pacquiao said in Filipino. “But if it will come, it will be a big bonus.”

Roach, however, said Morales is going to feel the sting of Pacquiao’s punches anew.

“Once he gets hit, he’ll start having flashbacks,” said Roach.

The American trainer was referring to the second match between the two superstar prizefighters.

Pacquiao won that bout by knocking out Morales for the first time in the Mexican’s illustrious career.

It was a fitting revenge for the Filipino, who lost the initial bout between two of the world’s best super featherweights right now.

Pacquiao and Morales square off anew on Nov. 18 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a card that has been dubbed, “The Grand Finale.” Francis Ochoa

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=27501

Five reasons why Erik could upset Manny

By Joaquin Henson

The Philippine Star 10/17/2006

Manny Pacquiao is the logical favorite to win over Erik Morales in their scheduled 12-round rubber match at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Nov. 18.

The reasons are clear.

First, Pacquiao soundly whipped Morales in their second meeting last January and nobody had ever stopped "El Terrible" before.

Second, Morales has lost three of his last four outings and at 30, appears to be approaching retirement while Pacquiao, 27, is at the peak of his career.

Third, Morales has outgrown the 130-pound division and is forcing himself to drop weight for what could be his final big payday. Pacquiao, in contrast, is comfortable as a superfeatherweight.

Fourth, Pacquiao is too quick and too strong for Morales.

And finally, Pacquiao is most dangerous when he is under pressure to win and with a newly-inked contract to be promoted by Oscar de la Hoya, he knows there’s a lot at stake in the fight.

But writer William Dettloff said there is hope for a Morales upset despite the odds. In a cover story for World Boxing Magazine (Winter 2006), Dettloff listed five reasons why Morales could pull off a victory in "The Grand Finale."

"There’s an awful lot working against Morales for this fight but if you’re a Morales fan, we’re here to tell you all hope isn’t lost," said Dettloff. "There are grounds to believe he’s not quite done yet, that he just lost a pair of fights that anyone could have lost and that he could win this one."

Here are Dettloff’s five reasons.

•The first fight. Dettloff said Morales exposed Pacquiao’s vulnerability by pounding out a "close but obvious" unanimous decision (the three judges turned in identical 115-113 scorecards) in their first encounter in March last year.

"The outcome was about Morales keeping his distance, staying outside and spearing Pacquiao with right hands whenever PacMan came chomping into range," said Dettloff. "It was mostly a matter of Morales controlling the distance and choreography of the fight. He won the rounds in which he was able to do that and lost those in which he wasn’t able to. He won more than he lost and even stood right with Pacquiao in the 12th round and slugged with him even though he had the fight won."

•Forget the loss to Raheem. According to Dettloff, Morales‚ defeat to stylish Zahir Raheem in September last year was an aberration and shouldn’t count in analyzing the Mexican’s worth. Dettloff said moving up to lightweight had an adverse effect on Morales‚ ability to move, punch and react.

"Morales wasn’t just powerless against Raheem but he was slow, clumsier than usual and lethargic," said Dettloff. "Another reason you can probably throw out the loss to Raheem when analyzing the rubber match with Pacquiao — the styles. Raheem is a safety-first, run-and-clutch grabber. Pacquiao’s style is about as far away from Raheem’s as you can get.

•The first five rounds of the rematch. Dettloff said Morales swept the third, fourth and fifth rounds on the judges’ scorecards in the Pacquiao rematch "by doing just what he had done so successfully in their first fight — keeping Pacquiao at the end of his jab, outmaneuvering him on the outside and running him into straight right hands."

Dettloff said it’s easy to forget how Morales dominated Pacquiao in the early going because in the end, the Mexican was a bloody mess.

•Too much pressure on Pacquiao. Dettloff said Morales isn’t as revered in Mexico as Pacquiao is in the Philippines so the load is heavy on the Filipino’s shoulders. Morales isn’t even expected to win, continued Dettloff, so he’s got everything to gain and nothing to lose.

"Pacquiao has the hopes of an entire nation riding on his back," said Dettloff.

•Too many distractions for Pacquiao. Dettloff said not even Oscar de la Hoya could hold a candle to Pacquiao when it comes to outside interests.

"It’s true that Morales is busy outside the ring also but most of his ventures involve promoting smaller boxing shows along with the musical group he manages," noted Dettloff. "He also has some commercial endorsements in Mexico. But you don’t hear about him suffering from exhaustion or gambling nights away in casinos, as we hear Pacquiao does."

In sum, Dettloff said with the fighter that Pacquiao is, it’s a lot to ask of Morales to win. "But don’t be surprised if he makes it tough," he added. "And don’t be shocked if he pulls it off."

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200610171602.htm

Morales determinadong manalo kay Pacquiao

Ang Pilipino STAR Ngayon 10/16/2006

Sa kabila ng pinanggalingang dalawang sunod na kabiguan, kumpiyansa pa rin si Mexican great Erik Morales na mananalo siya kay Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao.

"I’m still capable of winning," wika ng 30-anyos na si Morales sa panayam ng isang boxing website. "I cannot afford to lose focus on this fight and I will try to win it."

Kasalukuyang nagsasanay si Morales sa Otomi Mountain sa labas ng Mexico City para sa kanilang "Grand Finale" ng 27-anyos na si Pacquiao sa Nobyembre 18 sa Thomas & Mack Center sa Las Vegas, Nevada.

Upang maibalik ang dati niyang tikas at porma, muling kinuha ng dating three-division champion ang kanyang amang si Jose para maging personal trainer.

Unang tinalo ni Morales si Pacquiao noong Marso ng 2005 via unanimous decision bago nakabawi ang Filipino warrior sa kanilang ikalawang pagtatagpo noong Enero nitong 2006 mula sa isang 10th-round knockout.

Matapos mabigo kay Pacquiao, muling nakatikim ng pagkatalo si Morales, naghari sa super bantamweight, featherweight at super featherweight divisions, kay Zahir Raheem.

Ang nasabing kabiguan ni Morales kay Raheem ay nang bumaba siya ng timbang sa lightweight mula sa kanilang super featherweight fight ni Pacquiao.

"I loss to Manny Pacquiao because I was undertrained and not because of the attack of Manny Pacquiao. But I still believe I can beat Manny Pacquiao," ani Morales. (R. Cadayona)

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/PINOY200610167402.htm

Throng salivating for seat in Pacquiao-Morales III

By Hermie Rivera

Inquirer

Last updated 05:41am (Mla time) 10/15/2006

Published on page A26 of the October 15, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE much-awaited 12-round showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Eric Morales in Las Vegas, Nevada, is almost at hand.

As we approach the fight date of Nov. 18 (19th Manila time), the guys taking charge of this ring promo are one in saying that reporters and fans are still in the dark as to who has the edge in the final deal of this intriguing trilogy.

I guess you would be, too, if you count yourself part of the large throng salivating for a seat in boxing’s newest heaven—the Thomas and Mack Center—where Mora-les tumbled to submission courtesy of a 10th round knockout by the hitman from GenSan, Cotabato.

Before that, “El Terrible” Morales halted Pacquiao’s winning streak in May of last year, an outstanding feat that put a dent on Pacman’s winning form throughout much of his comeback.

But the Filipino boxing idol avenged his painful loss with aplomb—dealing the Mexican three-time champ his only knockout loss of his career.

Somehow I find my elation at nearing the conclusion of this bitter rivalry of the two ring icons stressed by the scheduled journey of a parasitic band, primed to leave for this spectacular fight of Manny Pacquiao at (you guessed it) his expense.

Favored officials of the Games and Amusements board have finalized their travel itinerary, unmindful of the need to look for ways to help our boxers needing assistance as mandated by their charter. This agency could not care less for as long as they are snugly ensconced at ringside for such boxing rarity.

Never mind if their presence is needed here to afford them a chance at lobbying for a professional boxing act that could set safety standards for our pugilists.

Not even health insurance is provided for our great unwashed, and the much needed protection for our fighters from absconding promoters is non existent under the current set-up.

Worse, this agency does not implement its own regulation covering purses which provides that prize money of contending parties must be paid in full before a championship match is executed.

Case in point: Luisito Espinosa’s 1997 unpaid purse of $150,000 owed to the boxer by the promoters led by ex Gov. Larry de Pedro, Rod Nazario and Lito Mondejar in that regrettable title setto in Koronadal, South Cotabato

What we’ve been treated to is the spectacle of GAB subalterns headed by their top honchos, constantly touring various capitals of the world attending conventions of dubious alphabet organizations.

Oh yes. These modern-day Marco Polos have been at it since heaven-knows-when, circumnavigating the world boxing capitals instead of finding ways to help solve some of the problems bedeviling the fight game. At our expense.

As in previous Pacquiao fights, it would also do well for everyone to keep track of the continued pilgrimage of our gallivanting politicos who’ll for sure be splurging at the fabulous sights and sounds of glitzy Vegas.

The same aggregation who’ve done nothing to help our bold practitioners of the art—our ambassadors who’ve brought honor and pride to the country.

We are left to stare at the utter helplessness of our ring campaigners utterly neglected by these heartless souls who abound in what the late Jimmy Cannon calls “the red light district of sports.”

Sound management is critical to the health of an organization, office or association. Sadly, the country is saddled with an agency that has outlived its usefulness.

About time a more robust sports body is created, one that could give a much needed-breath of fresh air to our hapless prizefighters. Any takers?

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=26780

Genius Digital Video Camcorder

G-Shot DV-611

Pacquiao brod faces Velazquez in Vegas

The Philippine Star 10/13/2006

Bobby Pacquiao will take on Hector Velazquez on Nov. 16 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas after his scheduled fight against Robbie Peden for the IBF elimination bout failed to push through.

Pacquiao’s management team, composed of Michael Koncz, Rex Salud and brother Manny, announced yesterday that its promoter, Top Rank, failed to reach agreeable terms with the Peden camp, thus paving the way for a clash with Velazquez.

"Rather than going to a purse bid with the possibility of the fight taking place in Australia, the management team elected not to participate in the elimination bout," said Koncz in a report at Fightnews.com.

Koncz added that contracts were signed yesterday for Bobby to face Velazquez, a one-time opponent of his brother. The bout will be a 12-round main event non-title fight. The card will be televised nationally to millions of homes by Versus Network (formally OLN).

Bobby Pacquiao has been undergoing extensive preparation along with his more illustrious brother at the Wild Card gym since Sept. 19.

Manny, according to Koncz, said that "Velazquez is a tough opponent but Bobby is training very hard for this fight and will be ready for the challenge. I will be at ring side to give Bobby encouragement and my support."

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200610131608.htm

Realtors trip Beermen for win No. 2

By Nelson Beltran

The Philippine Star 10/12/2006

Sta. Lucia struggled for only four points in the last seven minutes of the game but came through with crucial defensive stops at endgame as the Realtors stopped the injury-plagued San Miguel Beermen, 98-95, for a second straight win in the Talk n Text PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Fil-Am players Kelly Williams and Alex Cabagnot lost their shooting touch in the fourth quarter but leaned on their tough defense in the closing seconds, helping the Realtors book a second successive victory following a 96-88 whipping of the Air21 Express last Friday.

"I think we played well most of the way but relaxed a bit towards the end. But we showed heart at crunch time to preserve the win," said Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua.

"Without Danny Seigle, we expected them to trap (in defense). They did but I think we lost only one possession," Chua added.

Realtors gamely defused the Beermen’s pressure defense, but in the process ran into an offensive spell, enabling the Beermen to get back into the game after falling behind by 17 points thrice early in the contest.

The Beermen came within one play of completing a big come-from-behind win but bungled the attempt, staying winless in two starts in the season.

With San Miguel down by just one at 95-96 with eight seconds to go, Christian Calaguio couldn’t shake off Williams and fumbled Gabby Espinas’ side-court inbound pass.

Dennis Espino, fouled by Willy Wilson in the ensuing play, sank his charities to make it 98-95.

With one final chance to send the game into overtime, the Beermen again went to Calaguio whose three-point attempt was foiled by Cabagnot, one of 12 blocked shots pulled off by the Realtors.

Offensively, sophomore forward Cesar Catli and veteran guard Paolo Mendoza shone brightest for the Realtors with each one firing four three-pointers and finishing with a total of 16 points.

Curiously, Catli, a 6-foot-2 wingman out of Far Eastern U, converted six straight field-goal attempts after missing his first three.

The Realtors had their last 17-point spread at 94-77 before blowing cold, scoring only four points all courtesy of Espino in the last seven minutes.

Calaguio presided over San Miguel’s searing attack on the other end of the court, rifling in three treys in an 18-2 romp that pushed the Beermen within one with still 29.6 seconds left to play.

Aris Dimaunahan failed to complete what could have been a game-tying four-point play in the closing seconds, allowing his former team Barangay Ginebra to escape with a 114-113 thriller over Air21 in the second game.

"Maganda na rin na na-push ang team. It gave us something to think about. Positive pa rin ito sa amin," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200610121601.htm

Pacquiao training rated ‘A’ by Roach

By Nick Giongco

ALL PUMPED up and raring to get it on.

That was how Freddie Roach described Manny Pacquiao yesterday in an interview with the Bulletin from the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.

After another "great day" with the Filipino puncher, Roach said that Pacquiao’s sparring sessions and gym workouts have been graded as A+ and that everything is going on smoothly with 38 days remaining before the third clash with Erik Morales in Las Vegas.

"Manny is fired up and hungry for work (training)," said Roach, who was still working on a fighter when the Bulletin caught up with him Tuesday night (early Wednesday morning in Manila).

No major concerns, according to the former featherweight contender from Boston save for one thing.

"I have no worries except that a lot of people are beginning to show up at the gym and I have decided to close the door starting on Monday from 1-3 pm," said Roach, who began working out with Pacquiao for the Nov. 18 battle with Morales three weeks ago.

Before the Wild Card begins to get the look and feel of a circus, Roach wants to limit the entry of people inside the sweat shop "so Manny don’t get distracted."

On Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), the 27-year-old Pacquiao will again spar with Vicente Escobedo, a skillful Mexican-American who, like Pacquiao, fights under the Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar dela Hoya.

Roach revealed that Juan Lazcano, the tall and long-armed super-lightweight from Texas, will no longer be called in to spar but might be tapped after his scheduled bout this month.

Meanwhile, Morales was quoted as saying by the Mexican media that Pacquiao is "scared" to fight him in the rubber match.

In an interview conducted in his high-altitude training camp in the Otomi Mountains of Mexico, the 30-year-old Morales lashed at Pacquiao, who he described as just being lucky during the rematch.

"I was teaching a lesson in the first five rounds but I just got tired," boasted Morales, who had to be rescued by the referee in the tenth round of that January 2006 slugfest.

"I am the better fighter compared to him," said Morales, who won the first fight on points.

Morales also bared that the men who will work his corner are his father and long-time trainer Jose "Olivaritos" Morales, strategist Fernando Fernandez and Argentine cutman Miguel Diaz.

http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT2006101276833.html

Manny nixes TV shoot with Kobe

By Joaquin Henson

The Philippine Star 10/10/2006

To prove he’s serious in training for Erik Morales, Manny Pacquiao turned down a rare chance to shoot a global TV commercial with pro basketball star Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles yesterday.

A Team Pacquiao insider said Nike is filming an advertisement showcasing its high-profile stars, including Bryant, LeBron James, Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, Tiger Woods and South Korean soccer star Park Ji Sung of Manchester United. Clips of the athletes will be edited for an institutional commercial. Bryant and Pacquiao were scheduled for shooting in the same Hollywood studio. A lunch date to introduce the Los Angeles Lakers star to Pacquiao was cancelled.

"Manny knows what’s at stake in the fight so he’s making sure his focus is 100 percent in the gym,"said the insider. "He’s now in deep training for Morales and that’s why he had to beg off from the shoot."

Bryant plays his first National Basketball Association (NBA) preseason game for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Utah Jazz at Fresno State tonight.

Pacquiao, who recently signed a two-year endorsement contract with Nike, would’ve been the only boxer in the elite circle.

Pacquiao’s contract covers shoes, training equipment (like skipping rope) and gym body-wraps. It does not include apparel as Pacquiao has a live contract with "No Fear" until next year. Pacquiao will pitch for Nike in print ads and billboards. He will also make public appearances.

The Nike contract was described by a Team Pacquiao source as "unprecedented" for a Filipino athlete as it was approved in the company’s Portland headquarters.

The source said Nike plans to fly Pacquiao to Las Vegas for the NBA All-Star Weekend in February next year as Michael Jordan’s special guest at the launch of the shoe Air Jordan XXII. A meeting with Nike boss Phil Knight may be arranged to formally welcome Pacquiao into the company’s league of superstars.

The All-Star Weekend will start off with the opening of the NBA Jam Session at the 350,000 square foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center and end with the All-Star Game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Feb. 18.

Roy Jones was the first fighter signed by Nike to an endorsement contract although it was strictly for the Jordan brand. Pacquiao is the first fighter to endorse the Nike brand.

When Pacquiao meets Morales in "The Grand Finale" in Las Vegas on Nov. 18, several Nike stars may be at ringside. Woods, for instance, may watch the fight if his schedule permits.

"There’s something about a Pacquiao fight that excites the fans," said Manny Pacquiao Promotions vice president for marketing Eric Pineda. "I wouldn’t be surprised if Tiger Woods watches the fight. He’ll be cheering for Manny, of course, since they’re both Nike stars and Tiger is half-Asian. I can’t think of a fight that was more exciting than Manny’s fight against Morales last January and this coming fight will be even more exciting. When you watch Manny fight, you know there will be fireworks."

Several shoe companies offered juicy contracts for Pacquiao to sign. A Chinese brand, that is starting to make waves internationally, made a serious offer and so did a well-known Japanese brand. But in the end, Pacquiao decided to go with Nike.

A source said a huge Nike billboard will be unveiled in Metro Manila on Nov. 2 showing Pacquiao in a fighting pose and the words "Just Do It" at the bottom. The reference is for Pacquiao to get the job done when he faces Morales in the climax of their ring trilogy.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200610101602.htm

Jarencio joins SMB coaching staff

Inquirer

Last updated 01:36am (Mla time) 10/10/2006

Published on page A22 of the October 10, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOR UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas Tigers coach Pido Jarencio, when it rains it pours.

A little over a week after his España-based Growling Tigers clinched the UAAP championship against the highly favored Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, the rookie bench tactician was appointed as an assistant coach of San Miguel Beer in the Philippine Basketball Association.

“Inuulan yata ako ng swerte (I’m still in luck),” said the 42-year-old Jarencio, who himself was a standout as a UST Glowing Goldie from 1981 to 1984, even though his school failed to win a title then.

“Iba yata talaga ‘pag marami ang nagdadasal para sa ginagawa mo (I think this is because many prayed for me for what we have accomplished).”

Jarencio is no stranger to the Beermen, having spent some of his memorable playing days in the pro league with the team under coach Norman Black, who ironically was the mentor of the Ateneo team that Jarencio’s boys beat in the UAAP finals.

In yet another ironic twist, a true-blue Atenean, Chot Reyes, now heads SMB’s coaching staff. Nevertheless, Reyes welcomed Jarencio’s addition to the Beermen’s coaching staff.

“By beating Ateneo, Pido has earned my respect,” said Reyes. “He showed his talent in planning each game, making adjustments and motivating his players.

Reyes had mentored Jarencio at Pop Cola, Pido’s last PBA team.

Jarencio will be reunited with SMB team manager Samboy Lim, who was once his teammate at Northern Consolidated Cement-RP team and the Lagerlite-Magnolia ball clubs of the PABL (now PBL).

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines...rticle_id=25785

Manny says brains to decide ‘Grand Finale’

By Joaquin Henson

The Philippine Star 10/08/2006

All other things being equal, Manny Pacquiao said brains will decide the outcome of his rubber match against Erik Morales in the climax of their ring trilogy at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Nov. 18.

That’s the word from Pacquiao’s marketing whiz Eric Pineda who shared the fighter’s inner thoughts in a STAR interview yesterday.

"Manny expects Morales to be in the best condition of his career for the fight," said Pineda. "And Manny is working hard to be in the best condition of his life, too. So if they’re in the best shape of their lives, what will make the difference is how they use their brains in getting an advantage over the other."

Pineda said Pacquiao has a lot of surprises in store for Morales.

"Manny has studied Morales’ style carefully and thinks there’s nothing more Morales can show," said Pineda. "On the other hand, Manny is going to show things Morales has never seen before."

According to Pacquiao, he’s got 20 new moves to unravel in "The Grand Finale."

"He didn’t tell me what those 20 moves are," said Pineda. "But you know Manny, if he says something, he means it. He doesn’t say things just to say things."

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said his workouts at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles are proceeding without a hitch. Roach said Pacquiao is working on more head feints and sharpening up his right hook but wouldn’t reveal what’s being planned for Morales.

Pineda said not too many fans realize Pacquiao began working out in General Santos City before he left for the US last Sept. 18.

"That’s why when Manny reported for camp in Los Angeles, Freddie was surprised he was in shape," said Pineda. "It’s because in General Santos, all Manny did was run in the morning, work out in the gym for two hours then play basketball for at least another two hours a day."

Pacquiao showed up at the Wild Card Gym for his first workout weighing 138 pounds, only eight over the stipulated limit for the fight – an indication that he never let go since the Oscar Larios fight last July.

Pineda said fighter Gerry Peñalosa phoned the other day reporting that no one can keep up with Pacquiao in his early morning jogs in Los Angeles. Peñalosa, who joins Pacquiao in the dawn runs, is booked to face a still unnamed opponent on Oct. 21 in El Paso, Texas.

"It’s full-steam ahead for Manny in training for Morales," said Pineda. "He knows what’s at stake so he’s not leaving anything to chance."

Pineda said Roach is preparing a fight plan to counter a possible strategy where Morales will stick and run like Marco Antonio Barrera did to Rocky Juarez in scoring a dull decision recently.

"Morales will try anything to win and survive," said Pineda. "But I don’t think he can do to Manny what Barrera did to Juarez. For one thing, Manny’s a lot faster than Juarez. And he’s a lot smarter."

Although Pacquiao is not looking beyond Morales, Pineda said plans are now being laid out by Oscar de la Hoya for the Pacman’s schedule next year. Pacquiao recently signed a seven-fight deal with de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.

Pineda said Pacquiao’s affiliation with de la Hoya brings a dangerous dimension to the Morales fight which is promoted by Golden Boy’s archrival Top Rank.

"Morales is promoted by Top Rank and Bob Arum," said Pineda. "With Manny signed to Golden Boy, Top Rank will obviously want Morales to win. In a close fight, I don’t think the judges will give the decision to Manny. That only means for Manny to make sure he wins, he’s got to knock out Morales again. He did it once before so there’s no reason why he can’t do it again."

Pineda said there’s a special bond between Pacquiao and de la Hoya because they’re both fighters and they understand each other.

"De la Hoya doesn’t want Manny to fight two consecutive hard fights," said Pineda. "He knows how a fighter feels because he’s a fighter himself. De la Hoya plans to space out the big money fights and put in tune-ups in between so Manny doesn’t burn out. Look at what Morales’ promoters did to him. At 30, he’s taken a heavy toll because they kept on giving him hard fights."

Pineda said it looks like Pacquiao will take on Barrera in a much-awaited rematch in June or July next year. A tune-up in March, possibly at the new Wynn Hotel and Casino in Macau, is an option.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200610091603.htm

Pacquiao sharpens up, decks big sparmate

Inquirer

Last updated 03:28am (Mla time) 10/09/2006

Published on page A25 of the October 9, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

HERE’S FAIR warning to Erik Morales. Manny Pacquiao already looks a winner.

This after the Filipino superstar knocked down his Swedish sparmate, Shadi Hamsho, an unbeaten super featherweight prospect, on Thursday at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles where he is revving up for his rubber match with Morales next month.

The 5-foot-11 Hamsho, still unbeaten in eight fights, went down after Pacquiao unleashed a series of blows, based on an account by Los Angeles-based correspondent Ed De la Vega of Philboxing.com yesterday.

The knockdown, De la Vega reported, was confirmed to him by boxers Bobby Pacquiao, Gerry Peñalosa and Ernel Fontanilla.

“Manny knocked down his sparring partner and no one was there to take a picture,” said De la Vega, quoting the three boxers while they were on their way to the Wild Card Gym.

Pacquiao, who recently inked a deal with Oscar De la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, reported to the Wild Card Gym a bit ahead of his training schedule last month.

The Pacquiao-Golden Boy contract is good for seven fights. The Filipino ring icon reportedly received a $300,000 signing bonus on top of an assurance from De la Hoya himself that, win or lose, on Nov. 18 against Morales, he would be getting a rematch with WBC super featherweight champ Marco Antonio Barrera.

The third Pacquiao-Morales fight, dubbed the “Grand Finale,” is scheduled at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The Filipino lost in their first meeting by a close but unanimous decision last year before the Filipino exacted revenge last January with a 10th-round stoppage.

Aside from Barrera, Pacquiao’s victim in their first encounter, Golden Boy also promotes or co-promotes other big names in the super feather and lightweight division, such as Jesus Chavez, Joan Guzman, Jorge Barrios, and Juan Manuel Marquez.

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines...rticle_id=25572

Morales bares secret how to beat Pacman

Inquirer

Last updated 02:04am (Mla time) 10/07/2006

Published on page A24 of the October 7, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

AFTER playing it mysteriously out in Mexico’s Otami Mountains, Erik Morales yesterday came out in the open to bare he would beat Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 18 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

The Mexican boxing idol said Pacquiao would be meeting a totally different Morales when they clash for a third time.

In an announcement at his own website Thursday, Morales, said people “will see a different El Terrible,” who will show the old form that made him a multi-division world champion.

Morales also stressed that, this time, he won’t be having weight problems in his rubber match with Pacquiao.

Morales stressed that he will win the fight easily.

“This fight is not about the money. This is to prove that I still have it, and I am fighting for Mexico,” Morales declared.

In a clear dig at Pacquiao, Morales insisted that the Filipino’s much-ballyhooed left did not hurt him in their second fight which the Filipino won by technical knockout last January to avenge a close but unanimous loss in 2005.

Morales added that he runs in the morning and spars in the evening under the watchful eyes of his father, Jose “Olivaritos” Morales.

The elder Morales has defied doctors’ orders to stay out of the high-altitude Otomi, due to his diabetes, in order to closely monitor the training of his son.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao and Freddie Roach swore they can again beat Morales, although the trainer had reiterated that the Filipino should come into the fight “in the best shape of his life” as Morales will most likely fight like a wounded tiger to regain lost pride.

Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s Filipino trainer, said they are closely reviewing tapes of Morales previous fights for a fall-back strategy should the Mexican decide to resort to a hit-and-run tactic the way Marco Antonio Barrera did in winning his last fight.

Fernandez said they have a plan B to keep the Mexican from using the ring to his advantage.

Pacquiao had to take a day-off due to a little cold, but Roach said there was no need to worry as the Filipino hero was “a little ahead of schedule.”

Pacquiao was scheduled to resume sparring yesterday.

Roach claimed Pacquiao appeared in terrific shape in his last four-round sparring.

Roach also announced for the first time that Pacquiao’s right hook is coming along pretty well, “something Morales will have to watch out for.”

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines...rticle_id=25284

De La Hoya confirms 7-fight deal with Pacquiao

Inquirer

Last updated 01:03am (Mla time) 09/27/2006

Published on Page A27 of the September 27, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE GUESSING game is over.

Oscar De La Hoya, the world’s most charismatic boxer-cum-promoter, has finally confirmed that he has signed a seven-fight deal with Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao.

The hitherto secret pact immediately drew furious catcalls and a threat of legal action from Top Rank chief Bob Arum, the powerful promoter of Pacquiao’s final fight with Mexico’s Erik Morales.

De la Hoya revealed in an exclusive interview with ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael that, indeed, Pacquiao is now under his promotional outfit, Golden Boy Promotions.

Angry Arum

“Yes, we have signed Manny Pacquiao,” De La Hoya told Rafael, who first broke the news in an earlier report. “Manny wants to finish his career with us. It puts a smile on my face because he trusts us. He is putting his career in our hands. It says a lot about our company.”

Rival promoter Arum was furious over the development.

Arum said the De La Hoya contract violated a stipulation in his separate agreement with Pacquiao which bars the Filipino hero from signing a promotional deal before his Nov. 18 fight with Morales in Las Vegas.

“Golden Boy has torturously interfered with our contract,” Rafael quoted Arum as saying. “Under the specific language of the contract, they had to wait until after the fight was over to sign [any promotional contract].

“I’m not going to let it slide,” Arum, a man both feared and respected in the world boxing community, told Rafael.

“What we do is up to the attorneys. I don’t like my contracts to be violated. Manny’s lawyer [Jeng Gacal] went through my contract with a fine-toothed comb. I negotiated with him and specifically this paragraph.”

Arum’s American lawyer, Michael Marley, in a report carried by fightnightnews.com, said there is nothing his client can do about the deal if Pacquiao signs it after the Morales fight.

“There is nothing he [Arum] can do about it [contract]... which becomes effective even two minutes after the Morales match,” Michael said.

De La Hoya said they merely beat Arum to the draw.

“It was basically us out-thinking the competition,” De La Hoya told Rafael. “I had a goal and that goal was to sign Manny Pacquiao. We strategized and we figured it out and we were willing to do whatever it took to sign him.”

Airport interception

According to De La Hoya, he first met Pacquiao at the airport when the Filipino arrived to begin training for the Morales fight.

“Manny looks up to me and I think he can be one of the greatest fighters ever to come out of the Philippines,” De La Hoya said. “We just clicked and we were able to come to an agreement.”

De La Hoya said the Filipino superstar requested that the signing be kept a secret until after the fight with Morales because he was worried about retribution from Arum.

Pacquiao, according to De La Hoya, was “concerned” that Arum, the judges or the referee might go against him during the Nov. 18 match.

“It was Manny’s request to keep it a secret until after the fight, but we talked about it yesterday,” De La Hoya said. “I told him we can’t keep secrets from the media or the boxing world. He understood and I assured him that everything would be OK.

De La Hoya said he assured Pacquiao that “everything would be fair” and that they would “make sure it is an even playing field.” Salven L. Lagumbay, contributor

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines...rticle_id=23310

Sev Sarmenta -yaps endlessly while the game goes on; distract the viewers from the game

Boom Gonzales - dj trying hard to be a sportscaster

TJ Manotoc - makulit, sometimes, nonsense ang sinasabi, parang syang bakla

Noli Eala - mr. know it all, social climber naman ang dating

you may also want to check out these websites for camera reviews:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html

http://www.dpreview.com

any low priced digital cameras around P 6,000 to P 7,000 with video & audio?

Fruits In Ice Cream

I've been craving for real ice cream for a while now. I think FIC is the best locally made ice cream. It's better than Magnolia, Selecta, and Arce. I've tried 2 flavors so far, Raspberry and Cappucino. I like the Cappucino a lot. It's very smooth and creamy.

Share lang...for the real afficionados, there is this place called 'Crepes and Ice Cream' at the Royale Place in front of Ever Gotesco Commonwealth. Its an Iceberg-like establishment that uses only FIC products.

They have FIC shakes, FIC smoothies, FIC sundaes and FIC crepes!.

You can customize your orders!

There's also Tsoko-nut, Avocado, Cookies n' cream, Rocky Road. I wanna try them all but I've been eating a bit too much ice cream lately. I like Strawberry better than the Raspberry.

It also cost just a bit more than regular ice cream. It's P265 to P295 per half gallon at Shopper's mart binondo.

Here's how to handle the withdrawal effects

GIVING Up smoking isn't an event. It's a process involving a number of reactions over a period of time. While some of these reactions are psychological or emotional, others are physical symptoms of withdrawal from a powerful drug, nicotine.

The severity of physical withdrawal symptoms depends on the degree to which a smoker is addicted. Dr Karl-Olov Fagerstrom, a psychologist at Uppsala University in Sweden, has found that one of the best indicators of levels of addiction was how soon smokers took their first cigarette of the day. Those who lit up before their feet hit the floor would experience the severest withdrawal effects. Among these effects are irritability, anxiety, difficulty in concentrating, restlessness and headaches.

Many withdrawal effects are paradoxical. The day's first dose of nicotine stimulates the brain and central nervous system, while later doses can be sedative. This might explain why those who give up smoking often suffer two kinds of sleep disturbance. Daytime drowsiness is a common complaint. Yet at night, people who have recently stopped smoking may suffer from insomnia. While awake, they seem to miss nicotine's kick: at night. They find they need its tranquillising effect.

Similarly, the day's first nicotine doses stimulate the intestines, while later doses slow down digestion. Addiction to a drug with such potential for behaviour control and such see-saw intestinal effects may explain why many who give up cigarettes experience increased craving for sweet or fatty foods, accompanied by nausea, constipation and diarrhoea.

Craving for tobacco-the most frequent and -severe withdrawal symptom-usually reaches its peak within the first 24 hours and tapers down over a seven-day period. Then it begins to rise again and persists for up to eight weeks in most smokers. In fact, it has been seen to recur occasionally as long as nine years after giving up smoking.

Though recurrent, the tobacco craving usually lasts in its most intense form for only three to five minutes. It is least insistent in the morning, and reaches its peak in the evening. According to one study, it disappears most rapidly in smokers who immediately give up altogether. Those who merely cut down suffer most, for they feed their habit just enough to whet its appetite.

All addictions have emotional, psychological and social aspects as well as physical effects. Giving up cigarettes not only interrupts the flow of a drug demanded by the body, but also cuts out of the smoker's life a habit deeply rooted in daily activities-eating, drinking, working, driving, watching television.

How have several million smokers succeeded in giving up such a pervasive habit? By studying the successes and failures of 183 men and women who stopped smoking, one research team has learnt that the most dangerous threats to abstinence are: drinking alcohol, particularly in the company of people who are smoking; relaxing after the evening meal; pressure or frustration at work; periods of boredom or depression. The investigators set up four basic strategies for coping with these high-risk situations:

Avoidance. During the first few weeks after giving up, it is wise to stay away from parties and other smoking-conducive situations. To eliminate the temptation to smoke after a meal, leave the table immediately after eating.

Escape. Take a break from a stressful meeting. Move away from smokers at a party. Don't have a drink. Since tobacco craving comes in bursts, escaping it for just a few minutes can prevent relapse.

Distraction. When the suddenly craving ex-smoker has no chance of escape-driving a car, for example-he needs to focus his mind on-, something besides the temptation. One ex-smoker found that humming worked. Others think about something pleasant: a holiday or a treat.

Delay. If you get a craving, wait five minutes and then decide whether to have a cigarette. It's easier to say no for a few minutes than for ever.

These strategies provide an immediate "first line" against relapse. But the ex-smoker also needs defence in depth, especially to cope with those negative emotions-frustration, anxiety, depression-that are likely to trigger smoking. Here are a few "second line" techniques that have been employed successfully:

Imaging. Some find it helpful to conjure up images of smoke blackened lungs. Others do better with positive images of their non-smoking selves as healthy, active, easy-breathing individuals.

Interior dialogue. When temptation strikes, try to identify the source of stress by asking: "What's going on in this situation? What do 1 really want out of it?" Rather than thinking things through, many smokers simply reach out automatically for the solace of a cigarette when they encounter stress.

Substitution. Some find relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation helpful. For others the answer is increased activity: jogging, gardening, golf. Munching low-calorie foods-celery, carrots, sunflower seeds-can help too.

Tests have shown that buffered nicotine, taken orally in tiny doses equal to what is inhaled while smoking, can help many people give up. Your doctor can write a private prescription for chewing-gum containing such doses. It costs about £7 for enough to last a 20-a-day smoker for ten days.

Managing failure. Sadly, many ex-smokers give in to temptation at some point and, taking a single lapse to mean total defeat, resume smoking steadily. The difference between those who eventually succeed in giving up permanently and those who don't is their ability to manage failure. If you slip, emphasise to yourself the number of cigarettes you haven't smoked. Then ask this key question: "Am 1 going to let one small slip wipe out that long, hard-won record?"

THERE i sn't just one reason for smoking, and there isn't just one way to stop. But application of these basic principles can make it possible to create a whole new habit - not smoking. Try it.

I think the thread should be renamed "Celebrities na naka enrol sa School nyo habang nag aaral kayo dun"

 

and I think, Campus Athletes should not be included

 

Maaring sikat sila sa Campus nyo, pero nde sila masyadong kilala sa ibang schools

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Santiago Brothers - Rowell & Randy

Gary V