Pacman vs. dating sparmate sa Exhibition bout sa Saudi

ni VA - @Sports | September 21, 2022

Muling tatangkain ng dating 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao na pakinangin ang karera sa loob ng ring at patunayan pang may ibubuga bilang boxing sport icon.

Makakaharap ng 43-anyos na si Pacquiao ang French superstar na si Jaber Zayani sa isang ring confrontation na unang pormal na nilagdaan bilang kasunduan noong nakaraang linggo sa bahay ng dating senador sa Makati City. “I personally negotiated with the senator together with my team and after months of talks, we finally agreed to a face-off next year. He already signed the contract so it is a go,” saad ni Zayani na kasama ni business manager Nico Rojas.

Samantala, hinirang ng Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) ang basketball legend at kasalukuyang presidente ng national baseball federation na si Joaquin “Chito” Loyzaga bilang chef de mission (CDM) ng Team Philippines para sa 32nd Southeast Asian Games sa Cambodia sa susunod na taon. Itinalaga din ni POC President Representative Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino sina sambo association president Paolo Tancontian at canoe-kayak head coach at international technical official Leonora “Len” Escollante bilang mga deputies ni Loyzaga para sa May 5 -16 SEA Games na idaraos sa Cambodia sa unang pagkakataon.

“Their handling of their respective NSAs [national sports associations] and their management skills make them deserving of the posts,” pahayag ni Tolentino. Ayon pa kay Tolentino, nakatakdang magdaos ang Cambodia ng 49 na sports na may 608 events. “I want to express my appreciation to POC President Bambol for his trust and confidence in me to be the head of the Philippine delegation for Cambodia SEA Games,” wika ng 64-anyos na si Loyzaga.

Tennis Star Eala, pakay ang pagsabak sa Olympics at SEAG

ni VA - @Sports | September 18, 2022

Mag-qualify at makapaglaro para sa bansa sa darating na 2024 Olympics sa Paris ang hangad ng bagong US Open juniors champion na si Alex Eala.

"If my ranking allows it, it's definitely one of my goals," pahayag ng 17-anyos na netter sa idinaos na online press conference kaugnay ng kanyang makasaysayang pagwawagi ng US Open girls title. "I talk a lot about representing the country and it's one of the biggest stages to do that. So definitely one of my goals."

Dahil sa kanyang naging tagumpay, umangat ng husto si Eala sa International Tennis Federation (ITF) world junior rankings.

Buhat sa ranggong 167th, umakyat ang Filipina tennis pride sa 132 baytang at ngayo'y nasa No.35th spot makaraang makatipon ng 1,106.75 puntos.

Sa kasalukuyan, bilang professional ay nasa No.297 siya sa WTA (World Tennis Association (WTA) rankings.

Nagpahayag din ito ng interes na makapaglaro sa Southeast Asian Games, kasunod ng kanyang bronze medal finish noong nakaraang Vietnam Games. "There hasn't been any talk yet about SEA Games so far... But I'm definitely open to join the SEA Games again. I think I have good chances of getting better results," wika ni Eala.

Samantala, nagpahayag din ng kanyang pasasalamat at kasiyahan ang scholar ng Rafael Nadal Academy sa Spain sa suportang kanyang nakuha at tinatamasa ngayon mula sa mga Filipino sports fans lalo na noong lumaban siya sa finals ng nakaraang US Open kung saan nagpuyat ang mga ito para mapanood ang kanyang US Open title conquest sa USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

"Definitely super surprised when you know that the Philippines is a basketball-volleyball dominated country," sabi pa ni Eala. "I think it's good that they are starting to appreciate other sports. It's important to give attention to all the athletes."

Shuttlers, naka-3 gold sa doubles event ng Benin

ni VA - @Sports | September 14, 2022

Winalis ng national badminton team lahat ng tatlong doubles event ng 2022 Benin International sa pagtatapos ng kompetisyon upang makapagwagi ng tatlong gold medals sa mga larong idinaos sa Gymnase Institut Régional de Santé Publique sa Ouidah noong Linggo.

Kinopo nina Alvin Morada at Yssa Leonardo ang dalawa sa nasabing gold medals kabilang na ang mixed doubles na nagkaroon ng all-Filipino finals.

Ginapi nina Morada na isang National University alumnus at Leonardo na produkto naman ng De La Salle University ang kapwa Filipino na sina Christian Bernardo at Thea Pomar, 21-13,18-21, 21-17, para sa mixed doubles gold.

“It was a great performance for the players these past two tournaments in Africa, and to have both pairs in the finals in mixed doubles showed what we can do,” pahayag ni head coach Rosman Razak.

Nauna rito, pinadapa nina Morada at Bernardo sina Nigerian Saddam Sidi Rufai at Khalil Safana Shamsuddeen, 21-12, 21-9, sa finals ng men’s doubles habang namayani sina Leonardo at Pomar ang mga Egyptians na sina Jana Abdelkader at Nour Ahmed Youssri, 21-13, 21-17, para magkampeon sa women’s side.

Bigo naman ang mga singles players na sina Jewel Angelo Albo at Mika de Guzman na makalagpas ng second round.

Natalo si Albo kay Malaysian Kim Sheng Chua, 10-21, 21-8, 19-21, habang yumukod naman si De Guzman kay third seed Amro Domou ng Jordan, 21-19, 16-21, 14-21.