But other Filipinos hold the fort…

But other Filipinos hold the fort…

by rick olivares

The Viloria-Tamara fight wasn’t the only one that featured a Filipino fighter versus a foreign adversary.

Jason Pagara, a 17-year old fighting out of Tony Ala’s stable, was the beneficiary of a hometown decision against Thailand’s Eddy Comaro when he won by majority decision despite being hammered all fight long and looking largely unimpressive. The Cuneta Astrodome crowd let the judges (who scored it 96-94, 98-92, and 95-95) hear it.

Pagara was slow and showed no imagination whatever to his game plan. He would throw harmless punches that missed or hit the Thai’s gloves (that do not score a point) before Comaro would let him have it on the counter. Even after the fight, you could tell that Pagara has been in a scrap while Comaro looked ready to go another 10 rounds.

The second of the undercard of Collision Course pitted the come backing Jimrex Jaca and Indonesian Ramadhan Weiru. The latter showed no ring discipline and no defense as Jaca jabbed at him all throughout before throwing some powerful hooks that rocked him. With 10 seconds left in the 5^th round, Jaca dumped him on the canvass with a powerful combination and was unable to answer the 10-count. Jaca, who had not fought in 15 months, did a headstand at the center of the ring with this big win. His record now stands at 29-6-3.

In the co-main event and in a non-title fight, WBO Minimumweight Champion Donnie Alas foreshadowed the main event when he dominated Mexico’s Jesus Silvestre early on even scoring a knockdown in the first round. But Silvestre, who trains under boxing legend Erik Morales, fought gamely back and seemed to have a chance to steal the fight if he could deck the champion. But in the 10^th and final round, after taking a punch to the face, the challenger spat out his bloodied mouthpiece as he couldn’t breathe. Much to the surprise of everyone, he made the mental mistake of retreating to his corner where his trainer gave him a sip of water forcing the referee to disqualify him.

In an earlier fight, Dodie Boy Peñalsoa Jr., cheered on by an excited crowd, knocked out Anthony Balubar with 24 seconds left in the 2^nd Round to win his first professional fight. Despite being an orthodox fighter, it was Peñalosa’s left fist that twice decked the Baguio-based Balubar. Said, Peñalosa Sr. after the fight, “Na-relieve ako. Ako ninenerbyos eh. Lalagpasan ng anak ko yung mga nagawa ko.” Dodie Sr. is a former IBF Light Flyweight and IBF Flyweight champion. His son is a 3^rd Year Engineering student at Southwestern University in Cebu who took inspiration not only from his father and uncle Gerry Peñalosa’s ring exploits but also those of compatriots Manny Pacquiao, Brian Viloria, and Nonito Donaire.

This article appears in the Monday January 25, 2010 edition of the Business Mirror.

At Collision Course @ the Cuneta Astrodome 1/23/10

With new IBF Flyweight Champion Carlos Tamara who beat Brian Viloria in a dramatic come from behind win at the main card of Collision Course at the Cuneta Astrodome. This was after the press con. It's going to be tough to write this. This is with his trainers Angel and Butch. All these guys are fans of the New York Yankees. I'm writing the fight story for Business Mirror aside from my regular Monday column. It was a long and exhausting day as I arrived at 8am and left at 3pm. Was around the ring taking photos and notes. Seriously, it isn't easy to do both. Will have to choose one next time. But I'm grateful to stay ringside as opposed to the Press Room because there's a different feel to it and you can hear everything that goes on. Will try my best to do the fight justice.

With the Ring Girls of Collision Course. Don't know who was more eagerly awaited -- the Viloria-Tamara fight or the Ring Girls going up the ring between round.

Melo All-Star

"Hey now you're an All Star get your game on, go play.
Hey now you're a Rock Star get the show on get paid,
And all that glitters is gold.
Only shooting stars break the mold."

The Western Conference All-Stars starting five:

Carmelo Anthony, Tim Duncan, Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash, and Kobe Bryant.

Nonito Donaire debunks faceless writer

Nonito Donaire Jr. smiled last night as his wife placed a laptop on the table presenting the headline, “Nonito Donaire Jr got ‘no balls’ to fight big names, says one promoter.” The article, written by Simeon Vergara, illustrates a nameless promoter that accuses Nonito of ducking quality opponents. It also quoted Israel Vasquez calling out Nonito Donaire, and going as far as pondering if Nonito’s wife has something to do with the matching of Guerson Guerrero.

It is really sad to see that this ‘writer’ had not done his proper research before reporting on such a topic.

Nonito Donaire Jr, number 6 on Ring Magazine’s pound for pound list, and WBA Interim Champion, has been quoted numerous times calling out big names in and around his weight division. As a flyweight, after capturing the IBF and IBO belts from Vic Darchinyan, he called out Japan’s Naito and Sakata in hopes to unify the titles. But it never materialized. Moving up to superflyweight his dreams are the same, capture all the titles and move up in weight. Trying to break into the higher weight, Nonito served challenges to the likes of Montiel, Arce, and even welcomed a rematch with Darchinyan. He welcomed, let alone rolled out the red carpet with a sign that read, “Come one, Come all!” so he could accomplish his goals and prove he deserves to be in the pound for pound rankings. But alas, no one answered.

Nonito smiled like a little boy when he read Israel Vasquez was calling him out. “I’m honored, you know? I mean, growing up in boxing I never thought my name would be on the tongues of top named fighters. I hear my name here and there and it gets me going. I love the challenge.”

Nonito has been managed by Cameron Dunkin since 2005 and speaks nothing but praises of his current manager. “Cameron looks out for me. I put all my trust in him as far as my career goes. Whatever he decides, I go with.” Cameron has the same sediment about his fighter. “Nonito is a great fighter. He’s had a wishlist for awhile now of fighters he wanted to meet in the ring. Nonito is ready to fight anyone I put infront of him. You’ll never hear Nonito backdown. I guarantee it.”

When we talked to Rachel, we asked her why she selected Guerson Guerrero as Nonito’s next opponent. She couldn’t stop laughing. “That isn’t my job. I’m not his manager, Cameron is. You know what my job is? Waking up at 5am, picking up the sparring opponents for jogging, bringing them back to the house, returning them to the hotel, and doing that whole routing for afternoon practice. I do the laundry, clean, grocery, whatever he needs me to do. But I guarantee you that it has nothing to do with boxing.” What about barring Nonito from media contacts? “Really? I mean if he’s sleeping I’m not waking him up, if that’s what you mean. I think its rude for those who ask me to wake him up for an interview. But ask Mario Serrano who had an scheduled interview with Nonito yesterday or Ronnie Nathanielz, Quinito Henson—who are half way across the world and yet seem to still get interviews. Who says this stuff anyway?” When we told her it was a nameless promoter, she laughed again. “Nameless? As in nonexistent or scared? It’s easy to talk when they hide behind the shadows instead of coming out and saying what they need to say to your face. I would have respected them more if an actual person stood behind his name.”

Nonito is never shocked at his wife’s bluntness. “She’s a strong willed woman. I love her for that. She is a blessing in my life and knows her place by my side. She doesn’t interfere with my boxing, no matter what people think they know. And as far as what this ‘writer’ thinks he knows about the distance with my dad, he is blind enough not to see my dedicated fight to him, and my persistence to show him respect by mano-ing him everytime I see him regardless of our different views. He is still my dad.” Apparently hitting a soft topic, Nonito changes his tone.

“Well wouldn’t it be funny for me to call out a 105 pounder like Donnie Nietes? You’d say it’s a ten pound difference right? Same with me and Israel Vasquez. He’s 122 pounds. And as much as I am flattered that he called me out, I hope after I climb the weights and the contract is infront of him, he doesn’t hesitate to sign it.”

At the Weigh-in for Collision Course Manila Hotel 01/22/10

At the weigh-in for the Collision Course Boxing at the Bay 2 fight at the Manila Hotel. With Dodie Boy Peñalosa and his son Dodie Boy who will be in his first fight ever. Said the old man, "Ako ang nininerbyos." But the kid's got long arms and stands 5'7". He'll be fighting this dude from Baguio City -- Anthony Balubar who has a 2-2-1 record -- in a six round match.

With Jimrex Jaca (28 wins 6 losses 3 draws) will be making his comeback fight against Ramadhan Weiru (13-2-1) at Boxing at the Bay 2. Since losing to Juan Manuel Marquez, Jaca sort of lost his edge as he won once only in seven matches. He hung up his gloves after getting knocked out by Saddam Keityongyuth in the second round of a match on October 22, 2008. "Sana." he said. "Sana."

With renowned international referee Bruce McTavish. I'm writing something about him. I thought that the interview was pockmarked with lots of jokes and funny anecdotes.

Carlos Tamara initially didn't make the weight but did after some time in the sauna. He'll be fighting Brian Viloria in the main bout. You might want to read this piece by the Los Angeles Times' Bill Dwyre.

GAB officials discuss urgent ring matters with the trainers of all the fighters. They touched on the safety of the fighters and procedures. Kind of interesting to listen to what was going on.

The ALA Gym fighters were here almost in full force. Took the shot from one of the backs of the fighters.

Collision Course will be shown on Solar TV at 7pm (delayed). So I guess if you want to watch the fight live you gotta go down to the Cuneta Astrodome.

Here's the fight card:

Undercards:

9am Benjamin Bartolome vs. Ivan Soriano (4 rounds)

930am Dodie Boy Peñalosa Jr. vs. Anthony Balubar (6 rounds)

10am Jay Solmiano vs. Arnel Dunal (8 rounds)

11am Jason Pagara vs. Eddy Comaro (10 rounds)

1145 Jimrex Jaca vs. Ramadhan Weiru (10 rounds)

Co-main event

1230pm Donnie Nietes vs. Jesus Silvestre (10 rounds)

130pm Brian Viloria vs. Carlos Tamara (12 rounds)

other fights:

Dennis Laurente vs. Laimungkorn Chuwatana (10 rounds)

Denver Cuello vs. Samuel Apuya (10 rounds)

Joselito Campana vs. Jose Ocampo (6 rounds)

Rey Las Piñas vs. Jaypee Alepio (10 rounds)

Mike Randy Petalcurin vs. Marlon Tapales (8 rounds)

Bryan Diano vs. Johnmark Apolinario (6 rounds)

The Rock Sings to Sacramento

If you thought the adidas Star Wars originals was cool then this one is going to bust ya

The partnership between Tapout and Tekken 6 has six shirts produced for fans of MMA and the popular fight game.

They've got style and they're edgy.

Incidentally, my three favorite Playstation games are as follows: FIFA, NBA Live, and Tekken.

PBA Turns down SMB's protest

At the special meeting today at the PBA offices in Libis, it was decided that the PBA Commissioner acted on good faith to continue the game between Talk 'N Text and San Miguel Beer even if the former did not have the proper uniforms by game time that was pushed back an hour. The PBA Board of Governors also said that matters like this need not be elevated to the Board but that the Commissioner can handle it.

The Tropang Texters weren't getting off the hook for the incident. Sonny Barrios fined TNT PhP50,000 for their infraction. The win of TNT, thanks to the last second basket by Jimmy Alapag puts them in the quarterfinals with an 11-7 record.

UAAP Football News -- Holy Incredible Logic, Batman!

In another incredulous decision that might seem to be tempered with mercy but in my opinion is more of stupidity and the lack of balls, the UAAP Board cleared FEU's Kim Chul-So to sit on the Lady Tamaraws' bench. Kim if you recall was assessed a 2-year ban for assaulting a referee along with three of his players during a hotly-contested match with UST in last season's women's football tournament.

However, this being the UAAP and the UAAP Board being well... the UAAP Board, they pulled another astounding piece of logic by disrespecting the referees, the tournament commissioner, and the teams by saying that they only have the power to suspend and to uphold or disapprove the recommendations of the football commissioner. This is a blatant slap to the rules of FIFA. Oh, shit. Wait... this is the Philippines.

What the Board did was sleep on it last season and in their infinite wisdom, now they say that any ban should have only been until the end of last Season 71. So they excuse their laziness or lack of complacency by throwing out the findings of the tournament officials.

So Kim can sit on FEU's bench albeit on a short leash. If he does something out of line again daw...

Waittaminute... this Board is out of line.

Let's revisit that.

In the last UAAP Basketball Tournament, the UST reps -- when they should have abstained from voting or making their voices heard -- allowed Dylan Ababou to play on and not be suspended in spite of throwing a punch. They gave all sorts of excuses that precedents should not hold all the time and he wasn't thrown out. The UST rep was skewered by the coaches etc. but the decision was upheld. And they kept quiet on the next move -- they transferred power to League Commissioner Joe Lipa to decide on suspensions etc. They kept a lid on it so as not to embarrass the Board and the rep.

And now they take it back.

I find it suspicious that Kim sat on the bench for their first match of the season versus Ateneo. But the matter, as questioned by tournament officials, was only taken up in a meeting at noon today January 21. So if you ask me, FEU already knew that something was afoot and allowed Kim to sit down on the bench last Sunday January 17.

And these people are supposed to be educators. No wonder our country is in a world of shit.

How did the voting go here? Was this unanimous? Who voted in favor of this decision? If we find out, someone should suspend these board officials.

As DLSU Coach Hans Smit said about this latest joke by the board: "This is a mockery of what is right!"

Results Thursday January 21, 2010

Women's Division

UST def. Ateneo 2-1

DLSU draw FEU 0-0

I Eat Man United Birds

I swear. That's what I thought Carlos Tevez was saying and gesturing towards his former team as he scored a pair of goals in Manchester City's FA Cup win over their city rivals Manchester United. I know that Sir Alex Ferguson dislikes these competitions and only save his strong sides for the Premiership and the UCL. But this is a derby and you know what that means.

Unfortunately, Gary Neville flipped Tevez the bird and was caught for that. Not sure what kind of sanction will be forthcoming since this is like a second infraction this season. Got the photos from The Sun.

Let me backtrack, all this animosity began when ManU did not want to commit to re-signing Tevez who they felt was not worth the price asked for. Neville backed up his gaffer and Tevez took affront to that. And since then there's been a war of words between the two camps. I'm no United fan but City, in spite of this win, still has to bring it. The gap between the two clubs is still an ocean. You have to hand it to Roberto Mancini though. He has his club close to their first bit of silverware in quite a long time.

Ateneo Men's Football Game 2 The Drawing Board

The Drawing Board

Ateneo 0 vs. UP 2

story by rick olivares picture by martin romero

This is a game where you can say, “Back to the drawing board.”

The defending champions University of the Philippine Fighting Maroons knocked the hard-fighting Ateneo Blue Booters out of their opening day reverie with a convincing 2-0 win that at times seemed liked they scored at least three more goals.

The Maroons had plenty of motivation heading into the match. With their Ghanaian player Ayi Aryee prevented from playing their first match of the season against the University of the East, the champs came out playing stifling defense and it was a battle of 4-3-3 teams.

The first scoring chance however went to the blue and white but striker Anton Amistoso’s shot lack power and direction with a shot from 10 feet out heading straight into UP keeper Gabby Tañada, now the full time starter at the net.

Within minutes, the visitors tightened up their defense by taking the Blue Booters’ playmaker Gabriel Siojo out of the equation with aggressive double-teaming and tackling. Attempts at the long ball were being turned back. Over at the right wing, if James Arco and Jacobo Lorenzo got their 1-2 game going in their match versus FEU, UP’s speed, size, and intensity further stifled Ateneo’s attack.

And that placed more pressure on the home team’s back four. As the first half wore on, it seemed as if it was only a matter of time before UP scored. The champs had 10 shots on goal with four corner shots to Amistoso’s lone blast.

After taking away another feeble attempt at short passing Jay Eusebio sent the ball ahead to the right flank that midfielder Deo Segunial tracked down.

Seguinal rose to the air for control as Ateneo’s central back Mario Marcelo fell. The Maroon turned, ditched Fred Ozaeta and booted home a shot from virtual point blank range. Ateneo keeper RS Mantos, playing valiantly from the aggressive play of UP, had no chance.

The goal hurt particularly because it came at the 44^th minute and three minutes away from the half (with added time) where the respite was sorely needed.

Ateneo’s Luigi Meer was incensed at how UP was having their way throughout the first half where they had possession for 90% of the time. “This is our home field,” he emphasized.

Any adjustment only came when rookie Miguel Monfort was added to the midfield as Merida subbed off Lorenzo. The rookie, showing steel nerves and a good eye for passing helped ease up the pressure as Ateneo got their offense going. Not soon after that, Ateneo had several scoring chances off two corner shots and three more direct kicks. Paul Cheng’s strike from outside the box had the best chance but as the ball cleared the wall, it curved straight into Tañada’s hands.

Gerard Cancio was brought down inside the penalty area but the referee was behind the action and didn’t blow his whistle. The game, as any derby between the two Katipunan neighbors, was not without its rough spots. Five yellow cards were issued with four of them going against Ateneo. Something Merida did not need with a match with La Salle around the corner.

But UP deflated Ateneo when Aryee, in the 88^th minute and time running down and was on several occasions told to reign in his emotions, lost his defender with a deft turn inside the kill zone then flicked it over Mantos who never had a chance.

“Man, they did their homework,” sighed a disconsolate Arco after the match. Dominated was the word.

“Bawi na lang,” said Merida.

Starting XIs

Ateneo – Anton Amistoso, James Arco, Derrick Candelaria, Paul Cheng, Keith King, Jacob Lorenzo, RS Mantos, Mario Marcelo, Luigi Meer, Fred Ozaeta, and Gabriel Siojo

UP – Ayi Aryee, Jay Eusebio, Albert Francisco, Francis Liza, Andre Mercader, Nate Octavio, Steve Permanes, Jed Rances, Deo Segunial, Allen Serna, and Gabby Tañada

Men’s Football Results

In other UAAP matches, Far Eastern University broke into the win column with a gutsy 1-nil win over DLSU. It was a tough loss for La Salle as they had a chance to level when Rafi Milan was brought down by Tamaraws keeper Bricks Caballero just outside the box. Caballero was red carded but DLSU was unable to score on the set piece.

With 10 players left, Ronnie Aguisanda who had been moved to the midfield took over the goalkeeper slot that he tended last year. They also moved Jason Cordova to the back four while adjusting on their forward position.

In the day’s other match, UST kept pace with UP by demolishing UE 2-0. The defending champs and the Tigers part ways this Sunday at 1pm as Ateneo takes on DLSU at 3pm. FEU, in second place with Ateneo with identical 1-1 slates, takes on winless UE that is struggling without Mark Madrona.

On the SMB protest on their game vs TNT

Last January 16, 2010, the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters played San Miguel Beer in Zamboanga City. The Texters brought the wrong uniform to the venue prompting PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios to grant them a one hour extension to get the proper uniform. When the two teams played, TNT won 93-91. Immediately after the match, SMB Manager Hec Calma and Head Coach Siot Tanquincen placed the game under protest citing that the game should have started on time. Commissioner Barrios on the other hand made the decision to accommodate the fans more so since they hardly play in Zamboanga.

Team SMB has denied that they are protesting to enable their sister teams to catch up to TNT in the standings. They agreed to play the match because of the 10,000 fans that showed up.

I think that this was a unique and an unusual circumstance. The fact that SMB saw it fit to continue playing for fear of a riot means the game has some bearing on the Commissioner's decision. It shouldn't be the norm but rather open to interpretation depending on the circumstances. If SMB had won would they have placed it under protest? That's sounds pretty weird, don't it? But I don't think they will. Suck up this loss, SMB.

I think the Commish called it right on this. However, the PBA Board will tackle this issue in a meeting today Thursday at the PBA offices.

Some will cite a precedent when former PBA Commish Leo Prieto forfeited the match between Presto and Emtex of Brazil in 1977. Presto brought the wrong uniform and the match was rendered an exhibition game. I'm not sure how lawyers treat precedent but IMHO, it's a case-to-case basis matter. Any league will always be challenged by situations like this; stuff that is not covered by league rules. For example in the NBA, the League has banned players from tweeting and engaging in social networking applications during games. That is something not previously covered in any league rule.

While Prieto's ruling might have been good for the time (that competition was an Invitational Cup), this match between TNT and SMB has bearing on the current standings. I would, however, fine TNT. Don't they have an equipment manager for this?

All I can say is this will certainly stoke the fires of the rivalry between these teams considering that TNT Chot Reyes came from SMB where Tanquincen replaced him.

With Señor Juan Cutillas

With former Philippine National Football Coach and Atletico Bilbao Youth Player Juan Cutillas. We've become good friends in the past year. We're both hoping for that chance to watch the World Cup in South Africa. Hahaha. Sure is nice to know that coach reads my stuff but he clearly wishes for more football. Well, I will have the DLSU Men's and Women's Football Team soon. Also something on FEU's Ronnie Aguisanda and Jason Cordova. Oh, yeah, the Ateneo Women's Football Team.

Brian Viloria on boxing, patience, and the eye of the tiger

This appears in the Thursday January 21 edition of the Business Mirror.

http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/sports/21140-brian-viloria-talks-about-boxing-patience-and-the-eye-of-the-tiger.html

Brian Viloria on boxing, patience, and the eye of the tiger

by rick olivares

The first time Brian Viloria arrived in the Philippines as a world champion in 2006, there was a youthful gleam to his eyes. That was a time when he was at 20-0, a former US Olympian, and the man of the moment. He was at 5’4” – the next big thing.

Four years later, 10 wins, 2 losses, and a 1 draw since to be exact, he is still the champion, this time the International Boxing Federation Junior Flyweight king. The eyes, well of course he’s now 29 years of age, seem older but the wisdom that comes with it. If he made his name as a power puncher, and he still is, patience is ever more a virtue.

In his early years as a boxer, the moniker “the Hawaiian Punch” wasn’t just a novelty. He was knocking out foes at a tremendous rate. His all-out action style forced opponent’s to adjust by sticking and jabbing, grappling when need be, then landing a punch or two before dancing away.

“It’s understandable,” said Viloria of those fights that went the distance. “They do what they need to in order to survive.”

The losses seemed to stall his career that was on a continuous ascent. “I have to admit that it was frustrating and I did some soul searching. I asked myself, ‘Do I still have what it takes?’ In boxing, anything can happen. You might be leading on the cards but one lucky punch and it can be all over for you. That’s how fragile it can be. It was frustrating but quitting wasn’t an option. I changed my mentality for my fights and prepared myself better not just for the early rounds but also for the long haul. This is where patience plays a big part. All of it, schedule changes, different opponents and time zones, it’s all a part. I know it’s overused but focus is real important.”

Viloria arrived in the Philippines January 11 after training in former Mexican champion Robert Garcia's La Colonia Gym in Oxnard, California. He figures that the two weeks is just right to get acclimated to the local conditions before he makes second title defense of the belt that he took after knocking out Ulises Solis in a spectacular finale in his first ever fight before his countrymen at the Araneta Coliseum last April 19, 2009.

On January 23, Viloria will face Carlos Tamara, a fellow Olympian who fought under the flag of Colombia in the 2004 Athens Summer Games, in a 12-round match dubbed Battle of the Bay at the Cuneta Astrodome. He previously won a unanimous decision against Jesus Iribe in his first IBF title defense.

“El Olimpico” the nickname Tamara goes by, is three years Viloria’s junior, spots a 20-4 record and is on a three-match win skein. In those three matches, he won two via unanimous decision and one by TKO. The latter two were fought in Colombia. Tamara is making his first fight on foreign shores since outlasting Mexican Juan Esquer in a bout in the Florida, USA.

Viloria on the other hand is on a seven-match win streak of his own since he lost to Edgar Sosa via unanimous decision.

“For sure there’s pressure to fight in front of the fans but I use that to motivate myself and train harder and to do good for the fans. I want to be at my best. I’ve fought in some of the best and worst places. So where you enter the ring isn’t a factor because once it does then it plays inside your head.”

As it was before, Viloria knows that his is entering his prime and will only be in the sport for a few more years. There is no question that he gets up for every fight and his eyes – “Eye of the focused Tiger” he describes -- light up when talking about the sport, his opponent, or even what he wants to achieve.”

“Greatness and to fight for the fans and to bring honor to your fellow countrymen.”

Just then, his fiancée, Erica Navarro, a Filipino-American from Hawaii and a childhood friend of Viloria’s, enters the training room. The champ’s eyes light up.

“Yeah, and for her too.”

My Vote for the 2010 NBA All-Stars

The votes for the 2010 NBA All Star Game in Dallas will be announced by January 21. And here were my votes:

Eastern Conference All-Stars: Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat), LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors), Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks), David Lee (New York Knicks), Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls), Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards), Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics), Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats), Al Harrington (New York Knicks), Vince Carter (Orlando Magic), Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics), Ray Allen (Boston Celtics)

Western Conference All-Stars: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma Thunder), Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs), Monta Ellis (Golden State Warriors), Dirk Nowitski (Dallas Mavericks), Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns), Amare Stoudmire (Phoenix Suns), Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers), Zach Randolph (Memphis Grizzlies), Brandon Roy (Portland Trailblazers), Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies), Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets), Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz)

Just ditch it, Masha!

Why?

Because Masha's got VESTed interests.

It's her version of military fatigues. Goes well with her GRUNTS. Bwahaha!

It doesn't weigh her down since it's air cool.

It's her bathrobe and she forgot to take it off. Whatever that means.

She hoped to distract Maria Kirilenko with it.

Or she thought it was cool.

Now does it qualify her for Mr. Blackwell's Worst Dressed List?

Bewitched and dismantled

This photo of the old Yankee Stadium was taken yesterday and it shows the slow dismantling of the House That Ruth Built. Lots of good memories here. And now it's time to take them next door.

If I drew the Eiffel Tower on her dress then we can see the world

The world thinks of new ways to express oneself. With technology and social networking, I'd say that this is the real Me Generation. But... you can say that it's kind of cool, huh?

Eighteen cities. I figure there's no Kabul and Baghdad here.

As for other news around the globe --

Two-time NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury will become the highest profile American to play in the Chinese Basketball Association after he agreed to join the league's Shanxi club currently 15th in a 17-team league.

Gunners fans… there’s a Cesc Fabregas jersey on sale at the Arsenal Store in Bangkok.

Donnie Nietes on boxing, dangerous and murderous shirts, Facebook, and the drive to the top

Donnie Nietes on boxing, dangerous and murderous shirts, Facebook, and the drive to the top

words and pictures by rick olivares

Donnie Nietes skips rope for at least ten minutes everyday. At the Punch Out Gym in Makati City while training for his upcoming fight with Jesus Silvestre in the Battle of the Bay 2 on January 23 at the Cuneta Astrodome, the current World Boxing Organization Minimumweight Champion does it facing a picture of Muhammad Ali. The symbolism isn’t lost on the Bacolod native. He’d like to be considered as one of boxing’s greatest if given the opportunity.

He wraps his own tape not because he has no one to do it but he likes it that way. He has a better feel for it he explains.

He is wearing a shirt that he got in Mexico that reads: “Muerte! Peligro! Guitarras!” He doesn’t understand what it says; all he knows that it looks cool and dangerous. Co-trainer and fellow Bacolod native Franklin Albia translates it for him (Death! Danger! Guitars!). “Dangerous din naman ako,” Nietes laughs.

These days, training is somewhat lighter and more for conditioning and watching his weight as the fight is around the corner. Two matters occupy his daily routine – training and Facebook. He laughs at the absurdity. “Naka-relax,” he says of the latter, a social networking phenomenon, that has allowed him to stay in touch with friends. Surely Ali never trained like that.

The modern complexities – living in a rented apartment in Gilmore (and three days before the fight he will transfer to the Manila Hotel) and applications of the digital age are far from the old life in the slums of Bacolod where he hung out not knowing what was to become of him. Nietes was inspired by his uncle, Dan, who had taken up the sport and he soon found a way to Tony Aldeguer’s famed ALA Gym in Cebu. Not as a boxer but as a janitor first and it’s something he did for over a year. When his duties were done and when the gym was empty, he trained and drove himself with a passion. More than boxing being in his blood, he saw it as a way out.

He’s fought twice in Mexico and came away with wins on both occasions (flooring Eric Ramirez and surviving a split decision against Manuel Vargas). The partisan crowd jeered him but he wanted more. Inspiration for him, he says as he used the unsavory words as motivation. Fighting out of the country has also changed his approach. He knows he has to knock out his foe or else the decision can go against him such as his first and only loss so far to Indonesian Angky Angkota in a match in Jakarta in 2004.

But he knows the path to success lies in fighting out of the country and he hopes that soon after this fourth title defense of his World Boxing Organization Minimumweight title, he’ll log more flyer miles and victories to add to his 25 wins (with 14 knockouts, 1 loss and 3 draws). He’s 27 and approaching his prime. The big push has to be now.

Silvestre, who hails from Nayarit, Mexico, comes in with a 15-1 record with 12 KOs and was the World Boxing Council’s Minimumweight titlist in 2008. That’s serious knockout power but Nietes is confident. Another modern complexity – watching game tape of his opponents – is readily available for his strategy and he likes what he sees. Nietes hopes to send his foe to La La Land in the first five rounds.

Nietes was original scheduled to fight Ivan Meneses first then Sammy Gutierrez but things didn’t work out with the purse of the match before Silvestre agreed to the stipulations. Because of the delay in the fight, the champ has sparred for over a hundred sixty rounds. It might seem a heavy toll but Nietes admits that he is used to it and it keeps him sharp. Hard to shadow box all day he reasons with a smile.

The fight couldn’t come soon enough.

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This article also appears in today -- the Tuesday January 19 2010 edition of the Business Mirror. Thanks to Paolo Diaz and Dana Errazo as well as Mike Ochosa.

Donnie Nietes during training

Donnie Nietes skips rope in front of a picture of the Greatest. Everyone's gotta aspire for something. All the pics are by me. Have more actually but will send them to Donnie. I thought these shots would make a nice addendum to my Monday column in Business Mirror (that you can find directly above this post).

Gonna fly now. Shadow boxing and looking at posters of Manny Pacquiao's recent fights for inspiration and aspiration.