Azkals Won Over Cambodia 8-0

The Philippine Azkals held a commanding 6-0 lead against Cambodia in their AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers match last night when match officials suspended play in the second half due to the heavy downpour that flooded the Rizal Memorial pitch. Referee Gamini Nivon Robesh of Sri Lanka halted the action with 30 minutes left in the match after rains turned the field made out of natural grass into an artificial lake. At presstime, officials are studying whether to resume the match last night or move the conclusion of the action today. Prior to the suspension, the Azkals were completing their dominance of the hapless Cambodian side with Phil Younghusband setting the tone with his second career hat trick. Younghusband, who was coming off an inconsistent showing in the AFF Suzuki Cup, delivered a trio of sensational scores in the 25th, 31st and 34th minutes to stretch his number of international goals to 31. Midfielder Stephan Schrock, playing his first match on home soil since 2011, scored a curling shot a minute into the second half while Fil-Spaniard Javier Patiño debuted in style with goals in the 45th and 57th minutes. The Azkals certainly made a splash in their Group E qualifiers debut. Only Mother Nature put a temporary stop to their onslaught. It had been a bizarre match even before the rains fell. Play was halted for almost five minutes before halftime when power outage left the historic stadium in near-darkness. source: Manila Bulletin

Coach Tim Cone Fined P23K

PBA FINALS 2012 - Tim Cone Throws a Chair

B-Meg coach Tim Cone apparently has gotten away with a slap on the wrist after being fined a total of P23,400 for throwing a chair on the court while the game was ongoing during Game 1 of their PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-seven title series with Rain or Shine last Sunday.

He was assessed P20,000 for the more serious offense of throwing the chair, and P3,400 for a technical foul resulting from that outburst.

The incident – perhaps the first of its kind in the league – took place at 7:23 mark of the payoff period.

A similar outburst by popular US NCAA basketball coach Bobby Knight resulted in a one-game suspension and two years probation from the Big 10 conference in 1985.

Known for his outburst, tongue-lashing and combative mood towards the referees when protesting a call or a ‘no call,’ Cone flung a chair while action was ongoing after he thought his player James Yap was fouled while driving to the basket.

Rain or Shine went on to win Game 1 of the best-of-seven series, 91-80.

Cone apologized for his rant, saying: “Our guys are hit on the testicles. I tried to tell the refs but it fell on deaf ears. I made a mistake. I let my frustrations get over me. But at some point you have to make a statement.

Last Monday, he issued another statement via text message.

Read the rest of the story at:  Manila Bulletin

photo credit to : anythingencee

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Paquiao-Hatton will not be shown on GMA?

GMA Network mentioned in a statement last Thursday that “it is very disappointed with the reported decision of Manny Pacquiao to transfer from Solar Sports to ABS-CBN the rights to broadcast his fight with Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009 and his other fights."

GMA also cleared that the present contract for the brodcasting of Pacquiao’s fights in the Philippines is between Manny Pacquiao and Solar Sports and not between Manny and GMA Network.

It aforementioned Solar Sports just enters into blocktime arrangements with GMA Network for the broadcasting of Pacquiao’s fights in the Philippines.

GMA Network also quoted Beth Celis column with the Philippine Daily Inquirer last March 18, 2009, which revealed, “The network (ABS-CBN) is said to have offered Manny full media support in the next election to ensure victory in the next year’s congressional elections."

GMA Network said that they did not offer this kind of arrangements with Manny Pacquiao because it will be in violation with the Omnibus Election Code that does not allow television companies to contribute of partisan political activity either directly or indirectly.

Currently Manny Pacquiao airs to existing programs with GMA network, "Pinoy Records" and "Totoy Bato". GMA Entertainment group are also offering other programs to Manny as soon as his schedule allows it. Future programs with Manny includes having his own sitcom, a drama series, concert in Las Vegas and Los Angeles in the United States including key cities in Canada and boxing clinics in the Philippines.

Furthermore, GMA’s legal counsel, Dick B. Perez said that Manny Pacquiao has a separate contract with GMA Network, which disallows the boxing icon from appearing on “any TV program, show, promotion or event of any other broadcast media entity other than GMA and its subsidiaries and affiliates without the written consent of GMA." As of to date GMA has not given him its consent to appear in ABS-CBN.

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My personal opinion:
I hope that Manny Pacquiao, Solar Enterntainment , and GMA will sort out the case before the fight with Ricky Hatton because this will be an "additional baggage" to Manny. One suggestion is to let Solar and GMA run this show and sa susunod na lang umeksena ang ABS-CBN.

Good luck Manny!

Manny Pacquiao Number 1 on Sports Illustrated Pound for Pound List

The pride of Filipinos, Manny Pacquiao hailed as Sport's Illustrated world's best pound for pound king. Sports Illustrated, the widely read sports magazine described Manny as "dazzling at whatever weight class he chooses to fight."

Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to fight British superstar Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand. A victory on Hatton will give Manny the fifth world title in different weight classes that includes the flyweight, super-bantam, super-feather and lightweight.

The other Sports Illustrated pound for pound kings are:

1. Manny Pacquiao (48-3-2)
Pacquiao has been dazzling at whatever weight class he chooses to fight. On May 2, the Pac-Man gets an opportunity to rule the junior welterweight division when he takes on 140-pound king Ricky Hatton. A win over Hatton all but guarantees a shot at former pound-for-pound champ Floyd Mayweather Jr., who many feel is lurking in anticipation of a Pacquiao victory.

2. Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1)
Marquez's power seems to increase with his weight. He ended his first two fights at lightweight with spectacular knockouts and has clearly established himself as the world's dominant 135-pounder. A fight with another lightweight contender like Nate Campbell could be a prelude to an eventual showdown with Hatton at 140.

3. Shane Mosley (46-5)
The 37-year-old Mosley looked 10 years younger in dismantling Antonio Margarito in January. Forget titleholder Andre Berto -- the world wants to see a rematch between Mosley and Miguel Cotto to determine the true welterweight champion.

4. Bernard Hopkins (48-5-1)
Who will the ageless Hopkins fight next? Chad Dawson is a logical opponent if Hopkins stays at light heavyweight, but B-Hop has expressed an interest in fighting cruiserweight champ Tomasz Adamek. Is fighting at 200 pounds biting off more than he can chew?

5. Chad Dawson (27-0)
Dawson's May 9 rematch with Antonio Tarver is a waste of everyone's time; Tarver was outclassed the first time, he will be outclassed again this time. The real fight for Dawson, if he can somehow raise his profile enough to make himself appealing enough, is against Hopkins.

6. Israel Vazquez (43-4)
Vazquez, who has been sidelined for more than a year following retina surgery, says he wants to return to the ring this summer, and he may do it at featherweight. That's only a good idea if Rafael Marquez moves up to 126 pounds with him. Vazquez will need a tune-up fight before any major showdown, but when he is ready, it should be a fourth fight with Marquez.

7. Kelly Pavlik (35-1)
Memo to HBO and Showtime: one of you needs to step up and make Pavlik-Arthur Abraham happen. If that means enticing Abraham to come Stateside this summer for a look-at-me fight with a fringe contender, so be it. Make it happen. The world needs to see a fight between the two most explosive middleweights in boxing.

8. Miguel Cotto (33-1)
Cotto rebounded nicely from last summer's savage beating at the hands of Antonio Margarito with an equally savage victory over Michael Jennings. Word is that Cotto will fight granite-chinned fellow titleholder Joshua Clottey in June in New York. That's a good fight for Cotto, who will probably have to box for 12 rounds to defeat Clottey.

9. Paul Williams (36-1)
I keep hearing how Williams isn't exciting enough or a big enough name to warrant a fight with any of the welterweight, junior welterweight or middleweight contenders. Huh? Has anyone actually been watching Williams the past two years? He has ricocheted in and out of three different weight classes and has been winning in staggeringly impressive fashion. If he can be equally as impressive against Winky Wright next month, Williams will have earned a shot at either Mosley or Pavlik.

10. Vic Darchinyan (32-1-1)
First, Darchinyan beats (and shuts up) Cristian Mijares. Then he goes out and dismantles Jorge Arce after telling everyone he was going to do just that. My kind of fighter. Rumor has it that Darchinyan is looking to move up to bantamweight to fight either Anselmo Moreno or Joseph Agbeko.

Go Manny! We are proud of you.