by John Paul Marquez LONDON - Filipino’s pride Mark Anthony Barriga bid adieu to his shot for the gold medal as he fell to advance in the quarter finals after a loss to Kazakhstan’s Birzhan Zhakypov 17-16 in the light flyweight division in 2012 London Olympics.
Barriga was penalized because of headbutting in the third and final round of the game after he led 10-8 in the two rounds.
Philippine officials decided to file a protest about the call. They want to review that call but it didn’t happened for the officials of that match rejected the complaint. Referee Roland Labbe called the penalty to Barriga that leads to deduction and a plus point to Zhakypov.
In the first round Zhakypov dominated the game (5-4) by throwing punches but in the second round Philippines Barriga found some opening in his opponent and made him land all his punches. He became more aggressive and ended up that round leading by 10-8.
In the third round Zhakypov became desperate to win the match and to advance in the quarter that’s why he almost turn the sport into wrestling. He was grabbing Barriga and force it to lay on the floor. In that round Barriga called for headbutting but in the latter part of the round both fighters was called for deduction.
Philippine officials were disappointed about the result when it was declared that the Kazakhstan fighter won. ABAP executive director Ed Picson was the one who filed the complaint but it was unfortunately rejected.
Barriga failed to advance in the quarter after he defeated Italy’s Manuel Cappai in the round of 32, 17-7. Philippines lost again another athelete for our medal hopes. BMX Rider Daniel Caluag, Long Jump participant Marestella Torres and Rene Herrera of 500m run are the only Filipinos left in the competition, hoping to grab medals in the Olympics.
by Kattryn Erryc Sayo A new wave of pride transpired as a Filipino Olympian with Bulakenyo roots competes in the 2012 London Olympics, with the flag of the Philippines on his back.
Tomohiko Aldaba Hoshina, nicknamed as “Tomo” by his relatives, is a son of a Japanese judoka and serviceman, and a Filipina named Vilma Aldaba, a pure Bulakenya from San Juan, Malolos City, who works as a cook. Hoshina has two siblings, namely Yuki, 32, and Ayaka, 24.
Being born and raised in Fuji City, Shizuoku Prefecture Japan, Tomo was not able to mingle much with his relatives in Bulacan. There are times when he’ll visit the Philippines, but only a few days were allotted for staying with his relatives since he has practices and trainings in Manila. Aside from this, Tomo has troubles talking to them, for he doesn’t know how to speak Tagalog.
“Hindi ‘yon marunong mag-Tagalog kasi doon na sa Japan lumaki,” said his 53-year-old uncle, Zaldy Valenzuela.
His interest in Judo wasn’t taken in from his mother side. Valenzuela said, “Wala namang nahilig sa sports sa pamilya namin, maski Judo." But with his father as a judoka, it is apparent that it was one of the reasons why Tomo became fascinated with it.
“’Yong kapatid niyang si Ayaka, naglalaro din ‘yon pero martial arts,” added his uncle.
His relatives also said his passion for judo bloomed in his adolescent years.
The 25-year old judoka decided to represent the Philippines for he believes he has a bigger chance in entering the Olympics as a Filipino, rather than as a Japanese.
His uncle also shared, “Pilipinas mismo ang kumuha kay Tomo.”
Representing the Philippines in the Olympics, Hoshina isn’t new to joining competitions. In the Philippines, he had been a contender in Judo twice, in an event in Cebu. Internationally, he had already battled at World Championships and Southeast Asian games events.
Aside from being fond of judo, the 5’11 and 125 kg judoka is also a highschool teacher in Japan. He told The Philippine Star that he also likes basketball and swimming but will never be a pro. Instead, he’ll concentrate on his career as a teacher.
Meanwhile, Hoshina’s uncle showed support for him. Valenzuela hopes for the victory of his nephew in his upcoming game in London. As a message to Tomo, he said, “Umuwi ka ng may medal. Alam kong kayang-kaya mo ‘yan dahil maganda ang naging training mo. Pagbutihin mo ang laban, para sa karangalan, unang-una ng Pilipinas, ng Bulacan, at ng ating pamilya.”
Two other Filipinos with Bulakenyo lineage are included in the list of Philippine delegates. They are Jessie Lacuna, a contender in swimming, and Daniel Caluag, a Fil-Am competitor in BMX Cycling.
by John Paul Marquez B-Meg Llamados forced the sudden death game on Sunday as they escaped Rain or Shine Elasto Painters with a convincing victory, 97-81, in the PBA Governors Cup Finals last August 3, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
James Yap once again led the campaign of B-Meg, building 20 points with nine rebounds, almost a double-double performance for him. B-Meg rained with seven rainbow shots to outlast the E-Painters. B-Meg led by as much as 24 points but E-Painters never let their hopes gone after TY Tang shot to cut the lead to just seven (63-70) in the final canto. But PJ Simon (16 points) and Jonas Villanueva (11 points) helped their team dropping a 22-5 blast as they ride the last sentence of the game.
Import Marcus Blakely also joined the must-win-game for them, bidding for 19 points and 15 boards.
RoS import Jamelle Cornley with 14 points was not able to help his team enough to march on their first championship.
Momentum now shifted to Llamados as they go to Game 7. RoS wanted to make history as they try to get their first championship, while B-Meg wanted the same thing, desiring to make history too, for grabbing their back-to-back championship after they captured the last championship crown against Talk n’ Text in the PBA Commissioners Cup, and being the first team since 1991 to come back from a 3-1 deficit in finals.
The do-or-die Game 7 will be on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. This will be the last game of the conference and the 37th season of PBA.
by John Paul Marquez James Yap nailed a conference high 30 points to escort B-Meg Llamados in a crucial victory against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 91-81, to take Game 5, still trailing 3-2, and keeping their championship hopes alive, last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the Finals showdown in the current PBA Governors Cup Finals.
Even without Marc Pingris, the Llamados were able to win the game, B-Meg dropping a 7-2 run. Yap called for fragrant foul after he landed a punch to Jireh Ybanez with 2:54 left, as well as Ybanez, but RoS able to chopped down the lead ending the first quarter 18-19. James Yap was still working hard on his offensive side hitting a buzzer beater three to accompany his team, 44-41 lead after the first half. Yap accumulated a total of 18 points in the first half.
Llamados Import Marcus Blakely also put a show with his total of 24 points. In the third canto Llamados continued to broaden their lead after PJ Simon trey 59-51. Physicality continued on both side as Beau Belga of RoS ejected in the playing court after he blocked hard Blakely. Belga commmited his second technical foul while Blakely was also called for a t-foul for taunting. They ended up the quarter 70-61.
RoS import Jamelle Cornley tallied for 25 markers but it’s not enough to support his team until they collapsed in the final canto. RoS knight in shining armor in game 4 Gabe Norwood's presence was not felt in the last game for he’s got nothing. The same with their hot shot Jeff Chan who dished for only 12 points.
RoS still has two chances for the title but they have to have a gun that can fire on the next game to grab their championship crown.
Before the game started NBA Champion Miami Heat’s Fil-Am Head Coach Erik Spoelstra presented his Larry ‘O Brien to the crowd, and after the game, he went to the bench of the Llamados to congratulate them.
The next game will be on August 3 at the same venue. Llamados will try to push a sudden death game while the RoS wants to end the season as early as they can.
by Deliza Maye Fernandez Despite of crashing the chance to bag the Olympic gold medal, Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz is still looking forward for 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Philippines flag-raiser was able to lift 97 kilograms in the snatch but failed to lift 118kg on the clean and jerk. As a result, she was not able to advance past the group of Women’s 58 kilogram-weightlifting. Though she lost the chance to bring home an olympic medal, Diaz will continue her quest on the 2016 Olympics and will start for a new training according to her interview on ABS-CBN news.
The weightlifter is grateful for all the Filipinos who keep on supporting her despite of her loss.
"Thank you talaga kasi matalo o manalo nandyan sila para sa 'kin para suportahan ako at thank you kasi in-encourage nila ako to fight. Saka may next time pa naman," she said.
Diaz will lift heavier weights in her training to boost her chances for the future competitions.
-With a report from Jomel Anthony Gutierrez, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
by John Paul Marquez Rain or Shine Elasto Painters will try to make a history after routing B-Meg Llamados in their 4th game, 94-89, and taking a commanding series 3-1 in their quest for the trophy in PBA Governors Cup Finals, last July 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Best Import Jamelle Cornley once again serge for the team after putting 23 points, 14 boards and five dishes to led RoS toa commanding series. Gabe Norwood also contributed on his team after chipping for 18 points including the crucial three in the last part of the game to keep their hopes alive. Off the bench Ronjay Buenafe also made a name in this team after contributing 13 points to help his team up.
The first quarter was dominated by the Llamados, ending the quarter 28-11 but in the second quarter RoS backed up and made a strong come back before going to the huddle 47-45. Yap and the Llamados had a lot of opportunity to come back after a triple by James Yap 75-74 who tallied a conference high of 25 points but the Elasto Painters never let the Llamados to come back in the game.
Llamados import Marcus Blakely with 22 points, missed a crucial two charities with 8.1 seconds left that leads to the fall of Llamados.
Pingris of B-Meg and Arana of Elasto Painters went to cross the boundary after Arana hits Pingris with the elbow that’s why Pingris hits Arana with his head.
The next game might be a close out for the Elasto Painters and they desire to make history with this game. On the other side, B-Meg should keep their emotion not to lead them to stay away in the game. The Llamados needs to win three consecutive games to get a rare back-to-back title after getting the Commissioners Cup title last conference. Only one team in the history of PBA was able to bounce back in a 3-1 deficit in the Finals and that is their rival Brgy. Ginebra Kings in 1991 after beating Shell.
by John Paul Marquez The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters once again takes on the lead as they hammered B-Meg Llamados, 93-84, in the PBA Governors Cup Finals, July 27 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After Paul Lee’s shoulder injury in the last game, RoS faithfully wished for a good luck. Import Jamelle Cornley once again lead the RoS tallying for 25 points, 15 rebounds and six dishes. Jireh Ybanez of RoS started their rally but B-Meg answers him back making an 11-point deficit to put them on top but the RoS revive by putting 15-3 run to end the first half 40-38.
Continuing their rally as they extended their lead to 2-1, hot shot Jeff Chan connected with a two rainbow shots for a total of 18 points from him (all scored in second half) and Ryan Arana as well attached for another two three's. In the last canto Elasto Painters continued to make a deficit to B-Meg. B-Meg Coach Tim Cone decided to pull-out Import Marcus Blakely, PJ Simon, Marc Pingris and James Yap in the game with less than five minutes left and putting up Jonas Villanueva, Mark Barroca on the floor. Llamados sees some light as Jonas Villanueva hits a three with under 30 seconds left to put down the lead to seven but time is not on their side as the RoS wasted a lot of time and not letting the Llamados to score again.
Jonas Villanueva led the Llamados with 18 markers but it was not enough to carry the Llamados to a victory. RoS are hoping to win the next two games in the series to take their very first crown in the big league on their initial finals appearance while B-Meg wanted to stay alive in the series to make it a best-of-three series.
Game four will be on Sunday after the Leo’s award ceremonies at the same venue. James Yap of B-Meg will be a contender for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) while Rain or Shine’s franchise player Paul Lee is the number one candidate for the Rookie of the Year Award (ROY).
by John Paul Marquez After a disappointing loss in Game 1, B-Meg Llamados recovered with a win in game 2 against the championship rival Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 85-80 in the PBA Governors Cup Finals last July 25 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
James Yap lifted the Llamados dishing 24 points including the turnaround shot that sealed the game, 82-78, with 15.6 seconds left. Import Macus Blakely also contributed for the Llamados as he butted in 26 points, 16 rebounds and three monster blocks. The E-Painters made a rally in the third knotting a 74-all with 5:25 left. With under a minute left Best Import of the Conference Jamelle Cornley made things possible for the E-Painters as he drew two free-throw shots, 78-80, but James Yap sealed the deal after hitting the turnaround jump and never let the E-Painters to get some breathing room.
The E-Painters tasted a double-black eye when their second overall rookie guard Paul Lee reinjured his shoulder after he tries to get the ball to the hands of PJ Simon. He immediately lied on the floor with 2:22 left. He is carried out off the court on a stretcher and the crowd gave him a round of applause as well as the B-Meg Bench and even Coach Tim Cone.
Before the game started, Mark “The Spark” Caguioa of Brgy. Ginebra Kings got his second straight "Best Player of the Conference" award, receiving three overall, after collecting 1,121 points in the conference. RoS rookie Paul Lee came out second with 694 points, followed by B-Meg’s very own Marc Pingris with 586 as well as his teammate two time MVP James Yap with 537 and Gary David with 528 total points. On the other hand Rain or Shine’s Import Jamelle Cornley won the "Best Import of the Conference" after garnering 1033 points and his counterpart Marcus Blakely falls in second place with 886.
The game 3 of the finals will be on July 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
by Kattryn Erryc Sayo and John Paul Marquez Even with PNoy’s detailed summary of the country’s condition in his SONA, sports personalities and enthusiasts came out disappointed for they believe he must have acknowledged the greatness of the country’s athletes, especially now that the London Olympics is fast approaching.
These sportsmen think that citing the sport situation in the country is a must since there are many athletes that bring honor and glory in the country and that the SONA was a good time to give these athletes the recognition they all deserve.
Mr. Geronimo Clemente a coach of basketball in Bulacan State University (BSU) gave his reaction to that issue,“Hindi sila masyadong aware sa sports eh, hindi nila binibigyan ng importansya, pero ang laki ng naibibigay nito sa Pilipinas. Ang daming problema pero hindi pinansin. Dapat may improvement unang-una, in terms of training then 'yong mga facilities, syempre 'pag naglaro na sila sa mga national and international competitions, nakakaapekto sa performancesnatin 'yong mga facilities. Dapat 'yong mga nakaupo sa sports bigyan nila ng programang maganda, hindi 'yong basta may programa lang na ma-i-apply. Kaya napagiiwanan tayo. Dati nga raw sa basketball nung um-attend kami ng i sa SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) 'yong basketball ng Pilipinas nag-ranking na pang-54 sa buong mundo, napakababa nglevel natin although 'yong basketball dito sa atin ay number one sports, siguro ay mayroong konting problema samanagement at sa pamumuno ng mga lider na nakaupo. Magbigay sana ng training, yung makabagong training.”
Mr. Norman Giron, a Physical Education professor in the same university also shared his feelings about the issue as a sports concern citizen. “Baka nakalimutan ng writer niya 'yong sports although maraming aspect din 'yong hindi binigyang pansin. Maaaring hindi sya sportsman although 'yong mga Aquino at Cojuango ay puro sportsmen at karamihan ng sports organization sila ang may hawak, nagtataka lang ako na 'yon pa ang nakalimutan.”
"Disappointing na hindi man lang nabanggit ang sports kasi alam naman natin na our national athletes are giving their all to represent the country well, tapos parang walang government support. We’re aware na maraming national concerns more worthy of the president’s attention, pero sana kahit in passing man lang, na-mention ang delegates natin,especially at this time na nalalapit ang London Olympics,” said Patricia Perez, a Journalism major and sports writer from the University of Santo Tomas.
Queenie Mondejar, a BS Psychology student and a university athlete from Colegio de San Juan de Letran shared,“Nakakasama ng loob syempre, kasi kung sino pa ‘yong nagbibigay ng karangalan sa bansa natin sila pa ‘yong nakakalimutan.”
“The SONA was good, but I think it will be better if he included more happenings in other sectors in the country. Like ‘yong sports, para tuloy itong na-te-taken for granted. It’s sad kasi hindi man lang nabanggit especially that 2012 Olympics is on. There is a need to support our athletes to be more competent than the rest of the world,” said Nikko dela Cruz, taking up BS Secondary Education in CEU Mendiola.
However, Cedric Ruivivar, a MassCom student from CEU Malolos and a sports fanatic as well, opposed these ideas. He said, “Sa totoo lang, okay lang kahit hindi nabanggit ‘yong sports. Mas maraming bagay na dapat unahin kaysa sports. Sa dinami-rami ng problema ng bansa parang hindi na dapat ‘yon banggitin sa SONA.”
by John Paul Marquez Surprising the crowds, the underdog Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (RoS) clinched game 1 of their finals showdown against the crowd darling B-Meg Llamados, 91-80, in the PBA Governors Cup Finals, last July 22 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Even without a Finals experience, the young E-painters still managed to get a victory. Import Jamelle Cornley erupted with 25 points to lead the way for the E-painters. Both team shows physicality as Jay-R Quinahan (RoS) and Marc Pingris (BMeg) both called for the technical foul in the first quarter. The Lee-thal weapon Paul Lee (RoS) butted 3-points in final 10 seconds of the first quarter to put them up, 18-16. He also added 14 points, four rebounds and three assists. B-Meg fought back after a two 3’s of Marc Barroca and a buzzer beater three for Jonas Villanueva, 39-35.
E-Painters surged a rally after James Yap (BMeg) misses his two attempts, 9-2. B-Meg import Marcus Blakely hooked his fifth personal foul with 3:45 mark of the third canto with this RoS continued to put pain on the B-Meg after Cornley scored with 0.3 of a seconds left, 66-59. Gabe Norwood of RoS stretches their lead to 10 after his two-hand slam and B-Meg Coach Tim Cone ejected in the game with 7:23 left after throwing a monoblock chair in the playing court. And RoS never looked back and took on the driver’s seat.
It has been six years since the Rain or Shine joined the big league in 2006 carrying the Welcoat Dragons name. This is the first time that they will enter the Finals, while B-Meg marks their 23rd Finals appearance and they are hoping for a back-to-back title after they won the Commissioners Cup last conference.
The next game will be held at the same venue, July 25.
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