Author Archives: markthatmike

By TITO S. TALAO MILAN — Two of the PBA’s elder statesmen —Sonny Thoss of Alaska and Asi Taulava of NLEX — may be having their swan songs in the 45th season Philippine Cup which starts March 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. NLEX’s Asi Taulava and Alaska’s Sonny Thoss (PBA Images) Dickie Backmann, governorContinue reading “PBA Philippine Cup: Swan song for Sonny Thoss, Asi Taulava?”

By Nick Giongco John Riel Casimero isn’t awed by fellow bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue, the Japanese puncher everyone calls ‘The Monster’. Naoya Inoue, left and John Riel Casimero (AP / PSA Photos) “I am the real monster,” Casimero told the Manila Bulletin on Wednesday. Casimero (29-4 with 20 KOs) and Inoue (19-0 with 16 KOs)Continue reading “John Riel Casimero to Naoya Inoue: I am the real monster”

By Jan Carlo Anolin ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio believes that whoever comes up to be the ‘well-rounded’ fighter will emerge victorious when he faces Alex Silva in the main event of ONE: Fire and Fury at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday. ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio, left, and challenger AlexContinue reading “ONE Championship: Striking or grappling?”

By TITO S. TALAO PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial. (TST) MILAN — What about a special PBA tribute for Kobe Bryant? Nothing is cast in stone just yet but it could happen. PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, when asked about the possibility of coming up with a highlight event for the NBA great who perished with hisContinue reading “Special PBA tribute for Kobe Bryant?”

By Kristel Satumbaga Coaches and officials led by Philippine Badminton Association-Smash Pilipinas president Albee Benitez, third from right, pose with the men’s and women’s trophies at stake in the Badminton Asia Team Championships slated next month in Manila. (Kristel Satumbaga) The Philippine Badminton Association-Smash Pilipinas unveils its program this year by hosting the Badminton AsiaContinue reading “PH hosts Badminton Asia Team Championships”

By Kristel Satumbaga Philippines’ top junior netter Alex Eala crashed out of the Australian Open Junior Championships girls singles on Wednesday after bowing to a Hong Kong rival in Melbourne. Alex Eala (Photo from Rafa Nadal Academy Facebook page) Eala yielded to Hong Yi Cody Wong 6-1, 6-3 in the third round to dash herContinue reading “Alex Eala bows out of Australian Open Juniors singles”

PBA governors, from left, Alfrancis Chua (Brgy. Ginebra), Robert Non (San Miguel), Erick Arejola (NorthPort), Raymond Zorrilla (Phoenix) and Dickie Bachmann (Alaska) awaiting their flight to Milan Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. (TST) By Tito S. Talao DUBAI — News of the tragic death of Kobe Bryant hours before a Philippine Basketball AssociationContinue reading “PBA governors have Kobe Bryant memories ahead of Milan planning session”

By Reuters (Reuters) – The tall hillside where Los Angeles Lakers basketball great Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others perished in a helicopter crash was cleared on Tuesday of all wreckage and human remains as the on-scene phase of the investigation drew to a close. REUTERS/ MANILA BULLETIN A National Transportation Safety Board teamContinue reading “Site of Kobe Bryant’s fatal helicopter crash cleared of debris, remains”

By Reuters (Reuters) – Nearly 2 million people have signed an online petition to use Kobe Bryant’s image as the new logo for the National Basketball Association following the death of the Los Angeles Lakers great on Sunday. FILE PHOTO: Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant celebrates a shot by Steve Blake against the Houston RocketsContinue reading “Petition to make Bryant the new NBA logo nears 2 million signatures”

By Reuters Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie and Orlando Magic swingman Terrence Ross changed numbers on Tuesday to honor the late Kobe Bryant. FILE PHOTO: Jan 24, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Javonte Green (43) shoots over Orlando Magic guard Terrence Ross (8) during the second half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: KimContinue reading “Dinwiddie, Ross change numbers due to Kobe’s death”