By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

The UAAP men’s volleyball team coaches are ready for Season 82 action starting on March 3. (Manny Llanes)

The anticipated UAAP Season 82 volleyball tournament fires off on March 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena after a two-week delay due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The first round schedule was released on Wednesday with University of the East and Far Eastern University raising the curtain.

The Warriors and the Tamaraws collide at 2 p.m. followed by the Lady Warriors’ tiff against the Lady Tams at 3:30 p.m.

The first round matches will be played at the Mall of Asia Arena and the Philsports Arena in Pasig, with additional Tuesday playdates composed of one men’s and one women’s match to make up for the delay.

Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays will have four alternating men’s and women’s matches starting at 9 a.m.

“With the success of the men’s volleyball team in the last Southeast Asian Games, it is about time that we put men’s volleyball side by side with women’s volleyball,” said UAAP president Emmanuel Fernandez.

National University and Ateneo will defend their titles this season.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

San Miguel Beer guard Terrence Romeo has a good chance of making it to the opening of the PBA Philippine Cup after spraining his right ankle in a recent tune-up game.

Terrence Romeo could be ready in time for San Miguel’s season opener against Magnolia despite suffering an ankle injury last week. (MB photo | Rio Leonelle Deluvio)

Team governor Robert Non said Romeo will be cleared to join regular practices next week after the Beermen guard was only diagnosed with a regular sprain sustained in an exhibition against the Alaska Aces.

Romeo’s status gave the Beermen a sigh of relief since they can’t afford to lose one of their main players with June Mar Fajardo ruled out for the whole duration of the season-opening conference due to a fractured right tibia.

Marcio Lassiter also missed last week’s mini-tournament after breaking his nose during a tune-up against Rain or Shine.

But Non said Lassiter has already rejoined SMB practices and could also be in uniform for the March 8 match against Magnolia to kick off the league’s 45th season at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

SMB is also slated to face Rain or Shine on March 13 at the Big Dome before the Leo Austria-coached squad takes a 12-day break.

The Beermen’s other games in March are against the Columbian Dyip on the 25th and the Aces on the 27th at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Terrence Romeo grimaces in pain as San Miguel PT Edward Bacason and strength and conditioning coach Gerald Tenorio check on his right ankle. Also in the photo is a worried Beermen team governor Robert Non. (Jonas Terrado)

Romeo got hurt after stepping on an exercise machine located at the right baseline at the end of the first half of the game against the Aces last Friday at the Upper Deck Sports Center.

The Finals Most Valuable Player of last year’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup said he heard something popped but was seen after the game walking on his own, though gingerly.

Fajardo’s absence is expected to see a change in direction for the Beermen, with Romeo likely to part a prominent role on offense.

Romeo averaged 12.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 48 games last season that saw SMB capturing a fifth straight Philippine Cup and the Commissioner’s Cup for the second time in three years.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

The Philippine men and women’s boxing teams are flying out of Bangkok on Thursday morning to Amman, Jordan, site of the Asia-Oceania Olympic boxing tournament.

Philippines’ Eumir Felix Marcial (red) (MB Photo / Rio Leonelle Deluvio / Canon 1DX Mark II with 400mm f2.8 lens)

Scheduled March 3-11, the slugfest will be the first of just two screening events for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The Filipino punchers were originally booked to return to Manila from a two-week training camp in Thailand but was advised by the Jordan Olympic Committee to fly from Bangkok instead of Manila the soonest possible time.

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines secretary general Ed Picson said that they were all set to leave for Amman on Friday but it will be just him and coach Roel Velasco who will take that flight.

“Our boxers have been given their tickets and they’ll leave Bangkok early Thursday morning (2am) and will be in Jordan at 4am,” said Picson, noting that Reynaldo Galido and Ronald Chavez are going to join hands in calling the shots.

The reason behind the sudden change of flight schedule was for Jordanian authorities to monitor those taking part in the event given the rapid rise in cases of coronavirus patients worldwide.

Picson said the national team of China, where the disease originated, have been in Jordan since Feb. 2 alongside some other national squads from the former Russian republics.

After Amman, boxers who were unable to secure Olympic slots can try their luck during the World Qualification that Paris will host in May.

The Asia-Oceania was supposed to take place in Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus, last Feb. 3-Feb. 14 but the International Olympic Committee advised that it be staged in another country.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Game Wednesday

(Rizal Memorial Stadium)

7 p.m. — Kaya vs Tampines Rovers

Kaya-Iloilo aims for a second straight win and the solo lead in Group H when it battles Singapore’s Tampines Rovers in the AFC Cup at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Kaya-Iloilo’s Jovin Bedic protects the ball from a Shan United defender during their AFC Cup match in Yangon, Myanmar. (Photo from AFC)

The Philippines Football League side will likely face a tough battle from the 2019 Singapore Cup champions in the match set at 7 p.m.

Kaya is coming off a 2-0 win over Shan United two weeks ago in Yangon, Myanmar with Kaya-Iloilo’s Jovin Bedic protects the ball from a Shan United defender during their AFC Cup match in Yangon, Myanmar. (Photo from AFC) and Eric Giganto scoring late in the second half.

Tampines, on the other hand, started its campaign with a 2-1 victory opposite Indonesia’s PSM Makasaar at home.

Coaches Oliver Colina and Yu Hoshide will also bank on striker Takumi Uesato and defenders Marco Casambre, Simone Rota, Carlyle Mitchell and goalkeeper Michael Casas.

Getting the full three points could strengthen Kaya’s bid to secure the top spot in the group and a berth in the ASEAN Zonal semifinals for the first time.

Expected to lead the Tampines attack is Canadian striker Jordan Webb, who has scored 20 goals for the club in all competitions.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

The support of the national team Gilas Pilipinas will continue as far as PBA commissioner Willie Marcial is concerned, particularly when the country plays host to the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial (center) flanked by PBA chairman Ricky Vargas of TNT KaTropha, left, and vice chairman Bobby Rosales of Columbian Dyip. (PBA Images)

The national team opened its campaign in the FIBA Asian Cup qualifiers with a 100-70 win over Indonesia last Sunday, with seven pro players on the squad led by Kiefer Ravena and CJ Perez.

Marcial said the PBA board, chaired by Ricky Vargas of TNT KaTropa, has always been supportive of the programs of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), including the formation of the national team for various international competitions.

“Kung hinihingi ng SBP yung mga players natin and OK sa schedule natin, OK sa teams at players, ganun pa rin naman ang suporta natin sa Gilas,” said Marcial yesterday during the press briefing for the 45th PBA season at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

“Katulad ng 3×3, hinihingi nila yung mga players natin, binibigay natin basta OK ahead of time para maayos namin schedule. Ganun pa rin tayo, kung papaaano tayo sumuporta sa mga nakalipas na taon, ganun pa rin ang suporta natin sa SBP,” added Marcial.

The PBA will formally start March 8 with Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Aside from Ravena and Perez, the SBP – headed by its president Al Panlilio – included in the Gilas squad are Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Poy Erram, Justin Chua and Abu Tratter.

With several more tournaments set this year for the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, Marcial said the league is open to adjusting its schedule to accommodate games of Gilas Pilipinas.

“Puwede naman pag-usapan kung talagang kailangan. Pero ang alam ko gumagawa naman ng sariling team ang SBP para sa Gilas. Pero kapag hinihingi ng pagkakataon, madali naman kausapin ang mga governors,” he said.

“Up to 2023 FIBA World Cup na tayo ang magho-host, kung humingi sila ng tulong sa PBA, tutulungan pa rin natin.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Ceres-Negros settled for a 2-2 draw with Vietnam’s Than Quang Ninh but maintained its hold on top spot in Group G of the AFC Cup at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Ceres-Negros’ Manny Ott battles a counterpart from Vietnam’s Than Quang Ninh for ball possession during Tuesday’s AFC Cup match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. (Photo from Ceres-Negros)

Bienvenido Maranon and OJ Porteria scored in the second half to help the Busmen erase a 1-0 deficit but Quang Ninh equalized on a Nguyen Hay Hui equalizer, forcing the Philippines Football League side to share the spoils with its Vietnamese counterpart.

The result, however, kept Ceres on top of the group with four points after Cambodia’s Preah Khan Svay Rieng stunned Indonesian champion Bali United 2-1 in Phnom Penh.

Svay Rieng and Bali United are level at three points apiece, with the Indonesian club in second place on goal difference.

Ceres fell behind in the 26th minute when Jamaican Jeremie Lynch struck the opener off a through ball, his second goal of the competition.

But Maranon leveled things up with a spot kick shortly before halftime for the Spanish striker’s third goal of the campaign.

Porteria made it 2-1 for the Ceres in the 62nd, only for Quang Ninh to tie the score eight minutes later on Hai Huy’s goal.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

TNT KaTropa governor Ricky Vargas says he sees nothing wrong with the statement made by NLEX mentor Yeng Guiao regarding the proposed trade that would send Road Warriors center Poy Erram to the KaTropa.

TNT KaTropa governor Ricky Vargas (center) (PBA Images)

“Naintindihan ko naman si Yeng,” says Vargas after the PBA press briefing for the 45th PBA Season Tuesday at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

“Hindi naman siya nagsasabi na something negative about the trade. He (Guaio) just feels for Erram, kasi nakasama niya yan, and I understand what he’s saying,” he added.

Vargas was referring to the comments made by Guiao following reports of a three-team trade in the works with Erram ending up with TNT – a sister team of NLEX.

“Wala ako masabi diyan kasi ako ayoko i-trade si Poy, as of now. Wala pa akong masabi. I think, it’s not at my level so I cannot comment on it,” said Guiao, on his third season with NLEX.

Vargas says he respects Guiao’s comments.

“I did not think there was anything wrong in what coach Yeng said, he’s just being very honest about how he feels and we respect that, we respect his honesty and his wisdom and what he has said,” Vargas says.

“I don’t think that he said anything against management.”

NLEX coach Yeng Guiao. (MB photo | Rio Deluvio)

The league’s trade committee, headed by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, has yet to approve the proposed deal with Anthony Semerad going to NLEX, and Ed Daquioag and Marion Magat joining Blackwater with future picks involved.

Vargas says they’re hoping to get an approval soon since chemistry would be a concern once TNT gets the services of the 6-foot-9 Erram.

“That’s a possibility that they reject it, there’s a possibility they accept with some changes. But my experience with the trade committee is they have not disapproved any trade, they just improved on the trade on how they view it as fair to everybody,” says Vargas.

“Gusto sana naming matapos agad e, pero we were patient and we need to follow the rules. As a professional leagues, and as Talk ’N Text we value going through the process so that’s important to us.”

He adds: “One of our biggest challenges at TNT as it is now is building chemistry, building teamwork, and everybody being on the same page. If Poy comes to us finally, he has to… the more time we wait the less time for him to be integrated with the team. So we await for that moment, sana sooner the better.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

The PBA will introduce the men’s 3×3 basketball tournament when the 45^th season fires off with the Philippine Cup conference next month.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, seated second from right, joins members of the league’s Board of Governors after Tuesday’s press launch at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City. Seated beside Marcial are, from left, Blackwater’s Sillman Sy, PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas of TNT KaTropa and Columbian’s Bobby Rosales while standing are Magnolia’s Rene Pardo, Rain or Shine’s Mamerto Mondragon, Alaska’s Dickie Bachmann, Phoenix Pulse’s Raymond Zorilla, Meralco’s Al Panlilio, San Miguel Corporation Sports Director Alfrancis Chua, NorthPort’s Erick Arejola and San Miguel Beer’s Robert Non. (MB Photo / Manny Llanes)

PBA Vice Chairman Bobby Rosales said on Tuesday 14 teams will participate in the inaugural staging composed of the 12 PBA squads and two additional.

Member teams are Alaska Aces, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Blackwater Elite, Columbian Dyip, Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok, Meralco Bolts, NLEX Road Warriors, NorthPort Batang Pier, Phoenix Pulse Fuelmasters, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, San Miguel Beermen and TNT Ka Tropa.

Additional squads are Mighty Bond and Dunkin’ Donuts, who expressed their intention to participate.

Rosales said games will be held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the PBA playdates. The 14 teams will be split into two groups for the 42 elimination games and 12 playoff matches.

Semifinals and finals will be competed in a best-of-three format.

There will be no drafting for the team compositions and no age restrictions. Teams will be composed of four to six players and will be allowed with two Fil-foreigners.

“I’m happy to have 3×3 in the PBA. It’s a different but exciting track, and it is a path to the Olympics. We’re thankful for the support of the PBA in this endeavor,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio.

The country is currently ranked No. 19 in the FIBA 3×3 rankings and is scheduled to compete in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament next month.

The PH team also made its presence felt at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games where Jason Perkins, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez and Mo Tautuaa clinched the gold medal.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Jeth Romy Morado (UAAP Images)

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

CJ Perez will continue to lead the way for the Columbian Dyip this 45th PBA Season.

No less than Bobby Rosales, PBA vice chairman and Columbian governor, confirmed this to the Manila Bulletin Tuesday during the pre-season press conference at Conrad Hotel in Pasay.

CJ Perez of Columbian Dyip (PBA Images)

“We don’t have plans [to let him go.] Let’s put it that way,” Rosales said.

“He will be playing for the Columbian and that is the plan for the season. Any speculation is just not true.”

In fact, before the press conference, Rosales said he was able to talk to Perez’s manager  (PJ Pilarez) and he also denied the rumors.

PBA vice chairman and Columbian governor Bobby Rosales during the 45th pre-season press conference at Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

Perez, the top pick of the 2018 PBA draft class, was linked to trade rumors following an impressive rookie stint, with fingers directed at San Miguel Beermen.

The 26-year-old guard is the league’s new leading scorer, averaging 20.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals last season.

The former Lyceum ace is also a frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year honors after garnering a statistical point average of 33.47.

That said, Rosales believes that the future is bright for Perez, who recently made headlines after helping Gilas Pilipinas rout the Indonesians 100-70 in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

“I’d like to believe that he’s happy playing for Columbian,” Rosales added.” “He’s getting the exposure that he needs. He’s very young and the future is really for him to make.

Source: Manila Bulletin