‘BILLY RAY BATES IS THE GREATEST IMPORT EVER’

The Philippine Basketball Association has seen many great imports in its 37 years of existence. But one name — Billy Ray Bates — holds a special place in the hearts not just of PBA fans, but of its greatest players.

“Madami na akong nakitang import na dumating, umalis at bumalik, pero walang katulad si Billy Ray Bates,” said Philip Cezar, who played with the man dubbed “The Black Superman” in Crispa’s 1983 Grand Slam run. “He’s not only a great import, but he also made his teammates better. Hindi niya pinupuwersa yung galling niya kasi natural na lumalabas.”


Cezar’s partner-in-crime in those legendary Redmanizers squads, Atoy Co, concurred.

“Bates is the greatest import I’ve ever seen,” said Co. “He can play inside and out and he’s unstoppable, especially during the time he played for Crispa. And he was up against a group of great imports, such as Norman Black and Lew Massey.”

Even opponents remain in awe of Bates’ exploits in the league. Three-time PBA Most Valuable Player Bogs Adornado, who starred for the Great Taste team that battled Bates’ Crispa squad in 1983, shares the opinion of Cezar and Co.

“Definitely, Billy Ray Bates is the best import,” he said.

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MCGRADY TO JOIN DOUTHIT IN CHINA?

By Joaquin Henson The Philippine Star

Smart Gilas center Marcus Douthit is all set to play for the Foshan Dralions in the Chinese league this season and his import partner could be 14-year NBA veteran Tracy McGrady.

The 6-11, 230-pound Douthit has come to terms on a five-month contract to play for Foshan whose head coach is former NBA guard Jay Humphries.

Douthit, 31, said he was told that Foshan officials were trying to sign up McGrady and the deal is “in the works.” A source said Douthit will receive $60,000 a month with the Dralions.

Douthit powered the Philippines to a fourth place finish at the FIBA-Asia Championships in Wuhan last month. He led the tournament in scoring and rebounding. His Gilas contract expires in December and Douthit is scheduled to meet with SBP president Manny Pangilinan today. Douthit will leave for the US on Monday and keep his appointment at the altar with long-time girlfriend Nina on Oct. 21. He expects to be in China by Nov. 1. Nina and her six-year-old daughter Amaree will stay in Manila while Douthit plays in China.

“Foshan is just a two to three hour flight from Manila and maybe, Nina and Amaree can visit on weekends or I could,” said Douthit. “Amaree goes to school in Manila. My contract in China is for a little less than five months so it should be over in time for me to play in the PBA second conference if I’m asked.”

Douthit isn’t eligible to play in the PBA Philippine Cup because he has no Filipino lineage although he is a naturalized citizen. But in the second conference, he could play as an import. The PBA will allow imports with no height limit in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Douthit said he hopes to play for the Philippines in the next FIBA-Asia Championships in 2013, the qualifying tournament for the World Championships in Spain a year later. “I’ll be 33 by then but luckily, I’ve never suffered any major injuries so I hope I’ll be okay,” he said. Douthit was reminded that centers usually enjoy long basketball careers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Robert Parish and Kevin Willis who played into their 40s. Douthit mentioned that guard Jason Kidd, who’s 38, continues to play at a high level.

“It’s been a wonderful experience playing for the Philippines,” said Douthit, the Los Angeles Lakers second round draft pick in 2004 from Providence College. “In the beginning, I’m not sure how the fans thought of me, especially when we were playing in the PBA. But now, everywhere I go, fans come up to me. It’s never happened to me before. I really think Gilas earned the respect and recognition from the fans. I appreciate the fans’ support and I want to thank them for it.”

McGrady, 32, recently went on a 10-day, four-city “Feeling Love” tour of China to reconnect with his Chinese fans, visit cancer patients and raise awareness for an environmental program. Last season, he played with the Detroit Pistons. McGrady hasn’t averaged in double figure points the last two campaigns but led the league in scoring with a 32.1 clip in 2002-03. He has played for Toronto, Orlando, Houston, New York and Detroit. Because of the lockout, NBA players are looking for contracts overseas with opt-out clauses to return when the new collective bargaining agreement is inked. The Chinese league has disallowed the recruitment of NBA players with opt-out clauses but McGrady is a free agent and may agree to sign without an opt-out clause.

Humphries played with Phoenix, Milwaukee, Utah and Boston in the NBA from 1984 to 1995. The former University of Colorado point guard has coached in Korea and China so he’s familiar with the Asian style. In 1998, Humphries joined an NBA legends team, including Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Adrian Dantley, on a tour of China. In 2001, he began his coaching career in Asia.

Rain or Shine squeaks past Ginebra in opening day thriller

Rain or Shine eked out a thrilling 94-93 win over crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra at the start of the 37th season of the PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

JC Intal muffed a potential game-tying free throw with 1.3 seconds left, and John Wilson’s follow-up at the baseline also missed the mark for the Kings, who again dropped an opening-game assignment at the start of the season.

The win somehow preserved the outstanding debut of Elasto Painters rookie Paul Lee, who came through with an all-around effort in 31 minutes.

Lee, the No. 2 overall pick in the August draft, immediately created an impact in the first half, scoring 13 points in the first half where the Elasto Painters grabbed a 44-37 lead.

He finished with a game-high 21 points to go along with five rebounds, eight assists and two steals, despite shooting 0-of-6 from the three-point zone.

The scores:

Rain or Shine 94 – Lee 21, Chan 18, Norwood 11, Buenafe 10, Cruz 8, Quinahan 7, Matias 6, Belga 4, Rodriguez 4, Ibanes 4, Arana 1.

Ginebra 93 – Intal 16, Caguioa 16, Helterbrand 11, Tubid 8, Cortez 8, Wilson J. 6, Canaleta 6, Villanueva 6, Labagala 5, Mamaril 5, Wilson W. 4, De Ocampo 2, Cervantes 0.

Quarters: 20-19, 44-37, 77-62, 94-93
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Toroman out, Chot Reyes in?

MANILA, Philippines — Serbian coach Rajko Toroman will return home next week, his future with Smart-Gilas Pilipinas still uncertain.

Before his departure, Toroman is set to meet with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan who has pledged to continue the program until the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championship.

“Ang plano ni Rajko is to go back to Serbia to rest. Sabi ko go ahead,” Pangilinan said. “Gusto niya makipag-usap before he leaves for Serbia, pag-usapan namin what went right, what went wrong with program.”

“But you should take a rest, I told him. Para luminaw ang kanyang pananaw and on my side also, gusto ko rin pag-isipan what went right, what went wrong. So tignan natin. Wala pa namang decision one way or the other,” added Pangilinan.

Toroman, who steered Iran to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was tapped in 2009 to handle the country’s bid to qualify in the 2012 Olympics.

But Gilas lost to Jordan in the semifinals and bowed to South Korea in the battle for the bronze medal in the just-ended FIBA-Asia event, a qualifying event for London.

Source [ ManilaBulletin ]

KO WIN WILL PUT EMPHATIC END TO TRILOGY'

Freddie Roach wants Juan Manuel Marquez down and out in November. “Victory is no longer enough. I want Manny to knock out Marquez,” declared the celebrated trainer from the City of Pines yesterday.

Pacquiao and Roach are entering their second week of training in Baguio, for the Nov. 12 showdown with Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Roach spoke to reporters yesterday and said he wants Pacquiao to finish Marquez off, and shut him up.

Pacquiao is coming off a unanimous victory over Shane Mosley last May, but experts felt the Pinoy champ was a little too soft on his opponent.

They touched gloves the whole fight, smiled at each other in the days leading to the fight, and hugged like brothers at the end of the fight.

Roach doesn’t want to see that in November.

“No more Mr. Nice Guy,” he said.

But he admitted that it’s not an easy thing to do with Pacquiao because “how can you teach him not to be (nice) when he is the nicest person around.”

Still, if he could have his way, Roach said it should be war inside the ring when Pacquiao and Marquez meet for the third time.

Continue Reading at Philstar

Tickets to Tuesday’s UAAP cage finals to be honored Saturday

MANILA -- Broadcast giant ABS-CBN said Tuesday that tickets to the UAAP men’s basketball championship match between defending champion Ateneo de Manila and Far Eastern University will be accepted on Saturday.

“UAAP Game 2 (was) reset for October 1. Tickets for today will be honored then. Game 3, if necessary, has yet to be announced,” ABS-CBN associate producer Diana Sayson said in a text message.

Strong rains and winds caused by Typhoon Pedring (international codename: Nesat) pushed the UAAP board to cancel the penultimate game on Tuesday as Ateneo guns for its fourth straight title.

Ateneo leaned on a second half rally to humble FEU, 82-64, before some 19,000 fans at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City last Saturday. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

Source Sunstar

Manny Begins Sparring vs Venezuelan

Manny Pacquiao shifted to high gear when he started sparring as he prepares for his title defense against Juan Manuel Marquez in November.

“Patindi na ng patindi ang training namin (It’s just getting tougher in training),” said the Filipino boxing sensation from the City of Pines.

He’s in his first week of training in Baguio, and while his chief trainer Freddie Roach said sparring should begin next week, it actually did yesterday.

Roach was impressed with what he’d seen in Pacquiao over the last couple of days, and this could be the reason why they went on with four rounds of sparring.

Pacquiao, who started doing light training almost four weeks ago, has lightweight Jorge Linares as his sparring partner in Baguio.

In a TV interview, Pacquiao said he decided to train with Linares because the Venezuelan fighter needs more sparring rounds in his buildup for his Oct. 15 fight against Antonio Demarco of Mexico at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Pacquiao also told local mediamen that while they’re doing the same training regimen, they’re putting more hours into it.

And more hours should mean greater results when the fight is held Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“Padagdag ng padagdag yung oras ng training,” he said.

A couple of weeks ago, Roach said he wants a different Pacquiao to climb the ring against Marquez for the third time since 2004.

Roach said Pacquiao will be “more scientific” this time compared to their two previous fights when they “got a little careless just trying to land a good shot.”

Also training with Pacquiao at the Shape Up Gym of the Cooyesan Hotel are Filipino boxers Lorenzo Villanueva and Rodel Mayol.

“I’m here to share with them everything I know,” said Pacquiao.

Trainer Buboy Fernandez said the “real thing” comes next week, adding that Pacquiao is not taking anyone lightly, including Marquez.

“Hindi basta-bastang boksingero kasi si Marquez kaya dapat paghandaan (Marquez is no ordinary boxer so we need to prepare hard),” said Fernandez.

“Kahit na sabihin na nating tinalo natin siya ng dalawang beses eh dapat handa pa rin si Manny (Even if we say we’ve beaten him twice),” added Fernandez.

The first fight, at 126 pounds, ended in a draw because one of the judges scored the first round at 10-7 when he should have scored it 10-6 because Marquez went down thrice.

“Kailangan nating mag ensayo ng mabuti (We still need to train hard),” Pacquiao said.

(source: Phil Star)

FIBA Asia: De Ocampo steps up for the Philippines

Wuhan, China – Ranidel De Ocampo has produced the game of his life at the right time, helping guide the Philippines past a determined Chinese Taipei and into the FIBA Asia Championship Semi-Finals for the first time since 1987, and a step closer to their first Olympics since 1972.

The 29-year-old power forward had 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot in less than 10 minutes as the Philippines turned a nine-point deficit into a 54-48 lead. De Ocampo would finish with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists in what he rated as perhaps his best ever performance for his country.

“If it’s not the best it’s definitely one of the best,” said De Ocampo, who is playing at his first continental championship after debuting with the national team in 2001. “I am just so happy to be playing at a FIBA Asia Championship, and I am so happy for my country.”

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SMART-Gilas beats Chinese Taipei, enters FIBA Asia semifinals

The Philippines is one win away from entering the finals of the FIBA Asia Championship for Men in Wuhan, China.

Behind an inspired performance from naturalized center Marcus Douthit, the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team defeated a game Chinese Taipei team, 95-78, to advance to the semifinals of the tournament.

Douthit rattled off 37 big points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, and grabbed 10 rebounds in a dominant showing for the SMART-Gilas big man.

But Douthit hardly did everything alone.

Ranidel De Ocampo provided plenty of support, scoring 18 points on an array of impressive moves, and Marcio Lassiter finished with 13 points and eight rebounds on top of his usual tough defensive effort. Jimmy Alapag and Jayvee Casio both finished with eight points apiece.

Chinese Taipei took an early lead in the game as they outhustled the Filipinos to several offensive rebounds, including a couple off of missed free throws. But SMART-Gilas closed the first half with a 14-3 run to take a three-point lead at the half.

The Philippines would take leads of as high as 19 points in the fourth quarter.

But Chinese Taipei made things interesting when they scored 11 straight points, including three triples, to cut an 18-point SMART-Gilas lead down to just seven with about two minutes to go in the game.

Unfortunately for Chinese Taipei, their top big man Tseng Wen-Ting, who led them with 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting, had already fouled out of the game at that point, and the Filipinos would score the last 10 points in the game to complete the final margin.

Chen Hsin-An scored 14 points and Lin Chih-Chieh had 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists but was held to just 3-of-11 from the field by the staunch SMART-Gilas defense.

In the semifinals, the Philippines will face off against familiar face Jordan, whom SMART-Gilas faced in a tune-up game here in Manila before the FIBA Asia tilt and during the second round of this tourney, both SMART-Gilas wins.

Jordan earlier upset tournament favorites Iran in a tight 88-84 encounter.

SOURCE VIA INTERAKSYON

Raymundo inks P9.2 million pact under new wage ceiling

WUHAN – Kerby Raymundo became the first player to benefit from the wage hike formulated and approved by the PBA board of governors as he signed a two-year contract extension deal with B-Meg guaranteeing him a pay of P420,000 a month in the 2012-13 season.

“(B-Meg team manager) Alvin Patrimonio just called up, informing me of the signing,” said B-Meg governor Rene Pardo, among PBA officials who flew in here to support Smart Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the ongoing 26th FIBA Asia Championship.

“Negotiations took a while to finish as Kerby wanted to get the new maximum for the next two years. We told him ‘wait, let’s see how he fares first this season (coming from injury),’” Pardo said.

The two parties agreed to a P9.24-million deal for two years with Raymundo to get the old maximum of P350,000 per month in 2011-12 then an increase of P70,000 a month in the next campaign.

The board approved a new wage and bonus scheme in its most recent meeting a few days back.

Unable to take advantage of the new scheme are star players like Mark Caguioa, Eric Menk and Gabe Norwood, who have signed new contracts before the board passed the wage hike proposal of commissioner Chito Salud.

Salud, board chairman Mamerto Mondragon, vice chair JB Baylon, treasurer Robert Non, Talk n Text’s Patrick Gregorio and PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial also came here to cheer for the Nationals in their games versus Jordan and Japan on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

They flew back to Manila yesterday morning. Baylon and Gregorio, however, are set to return here tomorrow.

Pardo said the Llamados are upbeat on their chances in the upcoming season with Raymundo, Rico Maierhofer and Rafi Reavis back from injuries. They’re also excited to play under new coach Tim Cone.

“The team is a joy to watch even in practice. The starting five and the second unit are well balanced. They compete in practice,” said Pardo.

SOURCE PHILSTAR

MAYWEATHER BELIES LACK OF CLASS

MANILA, Philippines - While the consensus is Floyd Mayweather Jr. did nothing illegal in knocking out Victor Ortiz with a sucker punch when the naïve southpaw wasn’t looking in their Las Vegas fight last Saturday night, boxing aficionados agreed the newly recrowned WBC welterweight champion violated the spirit of sportsmanship in showing a lack of class.

Mayweather 34, belted Ortiz, 24, during what seemed to be a lull as referee Joe Cortez was distracted and fans expected a touch of gloves. Worse, Ortiz tried to catch Cortez’ attention after he got hit as if to call for a ceasefire, took his eyes away from Mayweather and absorbed another jolt, this time a right straight that toppled him for the 10-count.

Clearly, Mayweather exploited the lapse in Ortiz’ concentration or naivete. Ortiz had just been slapped a point deduction for an intentional headbutt and even kissed Mayweather to apologize for his infraction. Although he was the defending champion, Ortiz showed too much undeserved respect for Pretty Boy who co-promoted the fight and paid for his opponent’s paycheck. Ortiz looked like he surrendered himself as a sacrificial lamb to pave the way for Mayweather’s showdown with Manny Pacquiao- – if it ever happens.

Continue reading at Philstar

SMART-GILAS TURNS BACK SYRIA, MARCHES TO FIBA ASIA QUARTERFINALS

It took the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team 25 minutes to get into a groove against Syria in its crucial last elimination game in the second round of the FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship in Wuhan, China.

The Filipinos fell behind early, but bounced back strong in the second half before hammering out a convincing 75-52 beating of Syria and marching to the quarterfinal round of the Olympic qualifying tournament.

No SMART-Gilas player aside from Marcus Douthit finished in double figures for the squad, but the Filipinos banked on a solid defensive effort in the fourth quarter to finally put away the Syrians.

Douthit finished with 20 points and six rebounds, but was not used in the fourth quarter when the rest of the Gilas players went to work on both ends of the court.

The Filipinos held their counterparts without a basket for over six minutes of the fourth period to break the game wide open.

Marcio Lassiter had a completed three-point play and a bucket, Chris Tiu nailed a three-pointer and Asi Taulava split his charities as the Filipinos coasted to a 64-45 lead before Syria made its first basket of the fourth quarter when the game looked already decided.

The curtains finally fell on the Syrians when Tiu drilled in his second trey of the quarter,

The Filipinos secured their spot in the next round that begins on Friday.

SMART-Gilas came out very relaxed and appeared to take the Syrians lightly, which led to an early deficit in the first half. The Pinoy cagers trailed the entire first half and were down 23-32 at halftime.

But the Philippines outscored Syria, 26-13 in the third period for a 49-45 lead then buckled down to work on the defensive end when they held their rivals to a long scoreless stretch.

In beating the Syrians, the Philippines look likely to secure the No. 2 spot in their group going to the quarterfinal round and should face Chinese Taipei in its next assignment.

SMART-Gilas is looking to be the first Philippine national team to make it to the semifinals of the tournament since the 1987 national side helmed by Joe Lipa that featured PBA legends Alvin Patrimonio, Ronnie Magsanoc, Jojo Lastimosa and Jerry Codinera.

By Reynaldo Belen, InterAKTV

SMART-Gilas deals Japan 1st loss, gains quarterfinals berth

Marcus Douthit scored 25 points, including 17 in the 2nd half, to lead SMART-Gilas past Japan. InterAKTV file photo/Niko Bolante

Another day, another comeback.

One game after surviving Jordan in a controversial game that was put under protest because of eligibility issues surrounding Filipino-Americans Marcio Lassiter and Chriz Lutz, the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team sprung another surprise by holding off undefeated Japan, 83-76, in the FIBA Asia Championships for Men Tuesday in Wuhan, China.

The Filipinos jumped off to a 8-2 lead to start the game, but the streaking Japanese went on a 15-0 run that bridged the 1st and 2nd quarters to take a 26-18 lead.

Japan looked like it would take a similar eight-point cushion to halftime before Lassiter finished a layup to beat the buzzer and cut the lead to just six.

SMART-Gilas, behind Marcus Douthit, Kelly Williams and Lassiter, took control of the game with masterful efforts on both ends of the floor in a dominant 26-12 quarter to enter the final period with an eight-point lead at 60-52.

From there, PBA MVP Jimmy Alapag kept the Philippines ahead with timely hits from three-point range and the free throw line. Alapag hit two threes early in the period and went 6-for-8 from the charity stripe as he scored 12 of his 15 points in the crucial 4th quarter.

Douthit scored a game-high 25 points, including 17 in a dominant second half, to lead the Filipinos in the win. Lassiter added 15 points while Williams scored 12.

Joji Takeuchi scored 22 points to lead Japan but missed a layup in the final minute that could have cut the SMART-Gilas lead down to just four.

Alapag knocked in two free throws to extend the lead to 82-74, but Chris Tiu made the mistake of fouling a Japanese player taking a three-pointer to give up three free throws.

Japan made two and intentionally missed the third shot, but the Filipinos successfully recovered the board and got the ball to Alapag, who completed the final margin with a split from the free throw line.

Japan stayed close by waxing hot from three-point range, knocking in 12 of their 33 shots from beyond the arc. But they missed plenty of easy opportunities from the charity stripe, hitting just 16-for-28 for a 57.1 percent clip.

With the win, the Philippines tied Japan in their group with similar 3-1 records, behind just China at 3-0. A win over Syria on Wednesday would likely give SMART-Gilas the 2nd seed in their group and the opportunity to avoid tougher competition in their first assignment in the knockout stage.

Source interaksyon

Roach arrives for Pacquiao training camp

Four-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach arrived in Manila early Tuesday morning from Los Angeles, California.

Roach will go straight to Baguio, where he will begin training pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao for his bout against Juan Manuel Marquez.

"Manny's motivated to get ready for this fight, and we're right on schedule," Roach said.

Along with Roach, Venezuelan boxer Jorge Linares will also go to Baguio to be one of Pacquiao’s sparring partners. According to Roach, there are 2 more sparring partners for Pacquiao on their way to the Philippines.

Pacquiao will train in Baguio for 1 month before completing his training camp in Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.

Pacquiao starts training in Baguio

Filipino boxing icon and pound-for-pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao arrived in Baguio City Monday night to start his training camp.

Pacquiao will train at the Shape Up Gym for his trilogy bout against Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez.

His coach, Freddie Roach, arrived in Manila Tuesday morning, along with Pacquiao’s main sparring partner Jorge Linares.

Pacquiao will train in Baguio City for 1 month, but will finish their training camp in the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California. -- Report from Maira Wallis, ABS-CBN News North Luzon

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Mayweather dodges Pacman

MANILA, Philippines — The prospect of a long awaited mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and world pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao seemed as distant as ever after the flamboyant American’s fourth-round knockout of Victor Ortiz.

Though Mayweather improved his perfect professional record to 42-0 by claiming the WBC welterweight title from Ortiz, he was reluctant to commit to the showdown most desired by the boxing world.

“I don’t need Pacquiao,” Mayweather, 34, told reporters after beating Ortiz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. “With or without Pacquiao, every time Floyd Mayweather goes out there, he’s going to make over $70 million.

“I don’t need him. Where was Pacquiao in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 when I was dominating the game? He never asked me (for a fight) when I was in my twenties or when I was in my teens.”

But as Mayweather continues to blabber about how great he is and how inferior his foes and rivals are, Pacquiao has decided to put a zip on his lip for the meantime.

“We are not giving any reactions to what Floyd is saying,” said Pacquiao’s adviser Mike Koncz Monday afternoon as Team Pacquiao was preparing to leave for Baguio City for the three-week buildup for the Nov. 12 trilogy with Juan Manuel Marquez.

Continue Reading at manilabulletin

Arum on Floyd outburst: It was a disgrace

MANILA, Philippines - Bob Arum, who’s been in boxing more than half of his life, called Floyd Mayweather’s actions in the ring last Sunday “a disgrace” to the sport.

“Whether it was legal or not legal it was unsportsmanlike behavior and it was a cheap shot,” the 79-year-old promoter told www.boxingscene.com.

“I’m disgusted by what I saw,” he said.

Mayweather, who claims to be the best fighter ever, scored a controversial knockout over Victor Ortiz with just a second left in the fourth round.

He landed the winning blows, a 1-2 combination, when the erstwhile WBC welterweight champion and the referee weren’t looking.

But many felt there was nothing illegal with what Mayweather did because as the age-old adage says, “You must protect yourself at all times.”

“We touched gloves,” said Mayweather, meaning after Ortiz apologized for the intentional headbutt on the American, it was fair game.

“Time was in,” said the referee afterwards.

But what really left a bad taste in the mouth was when Mayweather took on HBO resident analyst Larry Merchant during the post-match interview.

Mayweather, 34, accused Merchant, who’s 80, of never giving him “a fair shake.”

Mayweather just couldn’t take Merchant’s questioning, particularly when the legendary boxing analyst said he took “unfair” advantage of the situation.

“You don’t know (expletive) about boxing,” Mayweather told Merchant right in the face.

Arum must have felt that was unforgivable.

“For the kid (Mayweather) to take off on Larry Merchant the way he did and use the language that he did – it was a disgrace,” Arum told Rick Reeno.

Arum did not talk about the possibility of Mayweather fighting Pacquiao next year, saying there’s a job on and it’s not an easy one, the fight against Juan Manuel Marquez in November.

Pacquiao took a 250-km drive to Baguio City yesterday afternoon to begin his three-week, high-altitude training before he moves to the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles for the tougher grind.

His chief trainer, Freddie Roach, flies in from Los Angeles this morning, and will head straight to the country’s summer capital.

Source Philstar

SMART-Gilas comes back to defeat Jordan as Lassiter, Lutz return

Buoyed by the return of previously disallowed players, the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team bucked a bad start to turn back a familiar foe in Jordan, 72-64, in the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship in Wuhan, China.

Naturalized center Marcus Douthit bounced back after injuring his ankle in the third quarter to lead the Philippine team with 19 points and 15 rebounds, while Marcio Lassiter finally made his tournament debut with 14 points highlighted by four three-pointers.

SMART-Gilas was once again the recipient of bad news after being told by FIBA Asia officials that Filipino-American wingmen Lassiter and Chris Lutz were once again being barred from playing, mere minutes before the start of the game. This happened even though the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas was able to secure clearance from the FIBA head office for the two players to finally suit up, after missing the first round of the competition because of questions about their eligibility.

The bad tidings seemed to weigh heavily on the Filipinos, who allowed their opponents to run out to a 17-5 lead behind nine points by Jordan star point guard Sam Daghles.

SMART-Gilas was able to right the ship momentarily after springing a 2-3 zone on Jordan coupled with timely sniping for Jimmy Alapag. At the end of the first quarter, the Filipinos managed to trim the lead to a more manageable nine points, 20-11.

Meanwhile, the Philippine team also got a break off the court, after tournament officials in the arena received a phone call from FIBA advising them of the decision to allow Lassiter and Lutz to play.

“Supposedly, FIBA Asia [officials] in Wuhan claimed [that the] letter of decision from [the FIBA office in] Geneva was not clear [about the status of Lassiter and Lutz' eligibility],” said SBP executive director Sonny Barrios. “[FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann] called them to straighten it out.”

Lassiter and Lutz checked in to the game shortly after the phone call from FIBA. While SMART-Gilas opened the second quarter with another shaky start, the Philippine team was able to trim the lead down to five points, 31-26, at halftime as Jordan struggled because of Daghlas’ foul trouble.

The Filipinos looked visibly energized to start the second half, tying the game quickly. They had a brief scare at the 5:23 mark of the third quarter as Douthit went out of the game limping as he rolled his ankle after stepping on the foot of a Jordanian defender. He would return to the game, and SMART-Gilas took a six-point lead, 47-41, on back-to-back three-pointers by Lassiter and Alapag.

Jordan, however, bounced back with six straight points of its own to tie the game heading into the fourth quarter, 47-all.

SMART-Gilas opened the fourth quarter with a 12-4 run to take a 59-51 lead capped by Lassiter’s fourth three-pointer. But a pair of fouls on Lutz — a personal and a technical — swayed the momentum and allowed Jordan to creep back into the game. A three-pointer by Daghlas with 3:36 remaining in the game cut the Philippine lead to two points, 64-62.

The two teams exchanged baskets, and Jordan had a golden opportunity to take the lead. But Rasheim Wright missed an open three-pointer in transition with 36 seconds to go, and steady free-throw shooting by SMART-Gilas — two each from Chris Tiu and Kelly Williams — allowed the team to hold on to the victory. A reverse dunk by Williams toward the end of the game sealed the final score.

Despite the victory, the bad news may not yet be over for the Philippine team. Reports coming out of Wuhan indicate that Jordan is putting the game under protest because of Lassiter and Lutz’ performance.

Daghlas led Jordan with 18 points, but the trio of Lutz, Lassiter, and Tiu hounded him into shooting just 4-of-12 from the field, including 1-of-8 from the two-point area. Rasheim Wright had 16 points, but missed all nine of his three-point attempts, while Zaid Abbas carried the fight in the frontcourt for Jordan with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

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Floyd Mayweather: I don't need Manny Pacquiao - Reuters

The prospect of a long awaited mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao seemed as distant as ever after the flamboyant American's fourth-round knockout of Victor Ortiz on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Though Mayweather improved his perfect record to 42-0 by claiming the WBC welterweight title from Ortiz, he was reluctant to commit to the showdown most desired by the boxing world.

"I don't need Pacquiao," Mayweather, 34, told reporters after beating Ortiz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in a controversial fourth-round stoppage. "With or without Pacquiao, every time Floyd Mayweather goes out there, he's going to make over US$70 million [Dh257m]."

The victory over Ortiz came as the two fighters emerged from a break, in which Ortiz had embraced Mayweather in the centre of the ring.

As they broke, Mayweather shot out a left hand and followed it with a right that put Ortiz down in his corner. Ortiz struggled to get up as Joe Cortez, the referee, called an end to the fight.

"I don't need him. Where was Pacquiao in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 when I was dominating the game? He never asked me [for a fight] when I was in my twenties or when I was in my teens," said Mayweather.

A duel between the defence-minded Mayweather and the aggressive Pacquiao, the two biggest drawcards of their generation, would decide the mythical title of the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

Five-division world champion Mayweather had been expected to meet the "Pac-Man" last year until negotiations collapsed over the American's demand for random drug testing.

Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in November and, should he win that bout, there is speculation the Filipino southpaw could finally meet Mayweather next May.

However the American, who made a minimum of $25m from his victory over Ortiz, repeatedly questions how Pacquiao could have won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight classes.

"Sugar Ray Leonard, we knew he was going to be great from his Olympic days," Mayweather said. "Floyd Mayweather, from the beginning of his career in the '90s, we knew he was going to be a great professional. Now ask yourself, a fighter just don't get to 25 years old and all of a sudden he becomes great," he added, referring to Pacquiao.

Mayweather also criticised Pacquiao for riding on his coat tails financially and also with the selection of his opponents.

"Pacquiao is famous because he is attached to my name," he said. "When they say Pacquiao, they say that's the guy they are trying to get to fight Floyd Mayweather. When they say Floyd Mayweather, they say the greatest ever. All Pacquiao is doing is fighting my leftovers, man."

Spain defeats France to retain Eurobasket title

KAUNAS, Lithuania – Spain won their second successive European basketball championship after beating France 98-85 in a spectacular final in the Zhalgiris Arena on Sunday.

Spain’s starting five scored a whopping 86 points, more than the entire 12-man French roster, as the champions demonstrated their class and finished the gruelling 24-team tournament with an impressive 10-1 record.

Spain, who were led by inspirational point guard Juan Carlos Navarro with 27 points, also became the first team to win back-to-back titles since the former Yugoslavia did it in the 1995 and 1997 tournaments.

Jose Luis Calderon and Los Angeles Lakers centre Pau Gasol added 17 points each for Spain, the latter also collecting 10 rebounds, Rudy Fernandez added 14 while Marc Gasol chipped in with 11 and six rebounds in front of 15,000 fans.

Tony Parker scored 26 points for France as the two teams, who have 11 NBA players between them, produced a match worthy of the tournament’s favourites.

Navarro also claimed the event’s Most Valuable Player award and it was no more than he deserved after yet another breathtaking performance, having overshadowed his opposite number Parker.

Navarro hit audacious three-pointers from almost impossible angles every time France, who trailed throughout the contest, threatened to catch up.

The Spanish were completely dominant in the paint, where Serge Ibaka dished out six blocks in defence while quick movement of the ball in offense allowed the Gasol brothers to score almost at will.

Outplayed by Navarro, triple NBA champion Parker still tried to inject some energy into his team which had no answer to Spain’s fast breaks and pick-and-roll in offense, despite scoring nine three-pointers at the other end.

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Lutz, Lassiter cleared to play for SMART-Gilas game vs Jordan

SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team swingmen Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz will finally get clearance to see action in the ongoing FIBA Asia Championship. A highly-placed basketball official told InterAKTV that the two Filipino-American players will be cleared to play before the start of the SMART-Gilas’ second round campaign on Monday.

“Their clearance is to be signed by Patrick Baumann, FIBA secretary-general, anytime now,” wrote the official, who requested anonymity, in a text message to InterAKTV late Sunday night.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios said that his office is still awaiting official communication from FIBA.

“Nothing official yet on my end,” wrote Barrios in a text message. “I hope it is true, but we have to wait for official written decision before I can officially confirm.”

The SBP decided to raise the matter to the FIBA leadership in Switzerland after hitting a roadblock with FIBA Asia officials. Lassiter and Lutz missed all three of the national team’s games in the first round of competition after eligibility issues were raised against them by FIBA Asia deputy secretary-general Hagop Khajirian.

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