UAAP Final: Ateneo Wins Game One

Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles battle it out over University of Sto. Tomas' Growling Tigers on their first game of the UAAP Season 75 for the Men's Basketball game final. Though UST dominates the first half of the game, Blue Eagles regain the leading of the game ending an 83-78 with the lead of 5 points. Salva who scores 30 pts. for the team setting him a new record on his final game on the league

On the other hand Teng contributed a whooping 25 points for the Tigers. Remember that it was back in 2006 when both team faced finals on the UAAP Finals which UST won the championship.

Azkals Wins Peace Cup, Defeated Chinese Taipie

History happened tonight after the Philippine Azkals beat Chinese Taipei 3-1 to earn the Peace Cup, the PH's first international title in 99 years!

China crowned new AVC Cup champions, smashing Iran’s dreams of making it three in a row

Fired-up China stopped the Iran’s invincibility by pulling off a dramatic 3-1 (25-18 25-14 13-25 31-29) victory over the defending two-time champions to reign supreme in the 3rd AVC Cup for Men at the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium on Friday.

In a 2010 final rematch, the FIVB world No. 15 China and old foes Iran, the team they suffered a bitter 2-3 loss in the pool preliminaries earlier, started almost with the same style, using their amazing power and exceptional skills.
 

However, China performed superbly to push the Iran’s aggression to the limit. The formidable Chinese took the thrilling first set 25-18.
 

Their confidence went sky-high following the remarkable win in the opener and China still took control in the second set, with hefty Dai Qingyao producing lightning-fast spikes to gain valuable points for his team in some critical moments. Despite putting up a brave fight, Iran failed to make their mark to go down 14-25 in the set.
 

Cheered on by nerve-wracking, noisy crowds of more than 2,000 who apparently threw in their full supports to Iran, the Asia’s powerhouses came to life in the third set. The 210cm Mohammad Hassan Senobar, the tournament’s tallest player, and Ali Sajjadi were the Iran’s comeback when both scored several points from their devastating spikes.
 

Learning that the Iranians proved too strong in this set, Chinese head coach Xie Guochen decided to rest his best players and replace them with substitutions including  Ji Daoshuai and Cui Jianjun. With the drastically-improved teamwork, Iran captured the one-sided battle 25-13.
 

The fourth set became more thrilling when both teams were locked in a tight battle. Iran got off to a confident start to lead 10-6, thanks to great serves of Mahammadreza Soleymani and effective blocking from Mohammad Hassan Senobar and Alireza Jadidi.
 

Dai Qingyao silenced the Iran’s cheering supporters with his spectacular spikes to help his team come close at 13-15. From then, it was like a “catch me if you can” game when Iran attempted hard to hold the rivals off and China sped up to move ahead.
 

Mohammad Hassan Senobar and Mohammadreza Soleymani blocked Chinese Zhong Weijun for the Iran’s 23-22 lead, but a short time later Dai Qingyao attacked the Iranian blockers to tie it 23-23. Dai himself served out wide, allowing the rivals a set point. However, Zhong Weijun executed a deadly spike to save the day for China. The scores were tied again at 24-24.
 

From then on, the battle turned out to be a heart-pounding match when both sides gave it all-out to win the set. At 29-29, a serve from Alireza Jadidi went wide, giving the Chinese another match-point to try. Dai Qingyao and Liang Chunlong solidly blocked Mohammad Hassan Senobar to put the icing on the victory cake of China. The Chinese captured the exhausting set 31-29 and the historic championship.    
   
Zhang Chen scored a match-high 22 points for China, while Ali Sajjadi topscored 19 points for Iran.
 

After the match, the Chinese players celebrated their victory by having their hands over ones’ shoulders and ran cheerfully into a circle. They shouted in great joy and helped lift head coach Xie Guochen and throw him into the air.
 

The victory was a sweet revenge for China, which lost to Iran in the final showdown of the 2010 AVC Cup for Men and the 2011 Asian Championship, both held in Iran.
 

The victory also stopped the remarkable winning streak of the consecutive two-time winners Iranians and carried China to the victory podium for the first time in history of the AVC Cup for Men.
 

Japan stun India in a magnificent come-from-behind victory to finish third place
The FIVB world No.19 and the Guangzhou Asian Games winners Japan returned with great despair following the eighth-place finish from the previous edition two years ago. This time, they set a higher target in Vinh Phuc – to stand in the top-three podium. Their dreams were eventually fulfilled on Friday.
 

In the third-place playoff against India, things initially turned sour for the Japanese side when they lost their touch to go down 16-25 in the first set.
 

Japan, powered by ace spiker Takashi Dekita, jumped to a 16-9 lead in the second set. As India became more prone with attacking and service errors, Japan seized the chance to attack relentlessly.
 

India tried to pull their game together, with smashing machine Gurinder Singh attacking powerfully from the mid-court. However, their attempts were in vain when Japan remained in top form, overpowering the taller blockers with fast spikes at the post. Japan took the set 25-18.
 

The Japanese still controlled the game marvelously well in the third and fourth sets. They put on a brilliant form to spike, block and serve to foil the rivals’ counter-attacking efforts. After a long rally, Japan were on cloud nine when they won 25-20-25-21 to eventually beat India 3-1 for the third place.
 

Takashi Dekita led Japan with 23 points, 20 of them from explosive kills, while Gurinder Singh bagged the highest 15 points for India.    
 

Korea struggle to beat fighting hosts in action-packed 5th-6th place playoff

Determined Korea, the third place at the last year’s Asian meet in Tehran, Iran, played Vietnam with a high hope of regaining their pride lost in the quarter-finals.

There, the Koreans failed their mission on making the cut for the semi-finals following the disappointing 2-3 loss to India. In the 5th-6th playoff on Friday, the Koreans pulled off a scintillating 25-22 25-18 25-19 victory over the host side.
 

Against the fast-improving Vietnam, the team they had beaten in closely-contested three sets in the pool preliminaries, Korea fielded substitutions including Sim Kyoung-Sub and Park Jin-Woo to give them a chance to obtain international experience and exposure.
 

The Koreans opened up an attack game, with terrific Song Myung-Geun exploding thundering back-row spikes in an effort of foiling the rivals’ blocking abilities. Vietnam put on a brave fightback to challenge the speedy visitors seriously. Still, Korea had enough left in the tank to hold them off. The first set was won by the Koreans 25-22.
 

In the error-filled second set, while Vietnam were leading 8-7, the Control Committee members on duty found the position fault in the Vietnamese side. As a result, the hosts suffered the points deduction and had to restart from trailing 0-8 instead. As expected, Korea took the second set 25-18.
 

Vietnam still faced the similar fate in the third set. When both sides were tied at 1-1, it was found again that the host team had a position fault and had to suffer the points deduction. Korea led 2-0 and stretched it to 12-7, thanks to the excellent offensive combination between Song Myung-Geun’s non-stop onslaughts.
 

Holding a 22-17 lead, Korea advanced 24-18. They allowed the host team only one more point before Son Hyun-Jong produced a lightning mid-court spike to win the set 25-19 and the encounter.
      
Song Myung-Geun scored the highest 18 points for Korea, while Bui Van Hai led Vietnam with13 points, all of them from deadly attacks.
 

With the victory, Korea finished fifth overall, while hosts Vietnam came in sixth place in this tournament.
 

Young Aussies thrash underdogs Myanmar in convincing straight sets to finish seventh 

A clash among the two winless teams, Australia and Myanmar, saw the in-form former fare much better than the laclustrous latter, tactically and technically. Aussies finished seventh in this top-flight tournament following the sensational 25-22 25-21 25-17 win.
 

Australia, the current FIVB world No.11 which finished fifth in the previous episode in Urmia, Iran two years ago, fielded a young, inexperienced team preparing for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Three of them experienced the London Games including Luke Smith and setter Grigory Sukochev.
 

The Australians, whose height average is 199cm against the rivals’ 186cm, took the height advantage in blunting the Myanmar’s fierce attacks led by Win Thun Oo and Aung Myat Tun. Australia captured the first two sets 25-22 25-21.
 

Myanmar tried to make amends in the third set, with hard-attacking Aung Myat Tun overpowering the much taller blockers with his difficult spikes. However, the rhythm remained with Aussies, who shone through their talents beyond their years. Australia won the set 25-17, the match and the seventh place. Myanmar lost all their matches in this tournament to finish eighth place overall.
 

Aung Myat Tun scored a match-high 13 points for Myanmar, while the top scorer of Australia went to Sam Walker, who bagged 14 points.
 

In the awards presentation, newly-crowned champions China won the prestigious AVC Cup plus gold medals and bouquets of flowers. Runners-up Iran and Japan were also presented with trophies, medals and flowers. The three teams and the audience in the venue stood up for the China’s National Anthem. Team players then opened for photo opportunities.
 

Friday’s Finals
7th-8th playoff: Australia b Myanmar 3-0 (25-22 25-21 25-17)
5th-6th playoff: Korea b Vietnam 3-0 (25-22 25-18 25-19)
Third-place playoff: Japan b India 3-1 (16-25 25-18 25-20 25-21)
Championship match: China b Iran 3-1 (25-18 25-14 13-25 31-29)
 

Final Rankings
1. China
2. Iran
3. Japan
4. India
5. Korea
6. Vietnam
7. Australia
8. Myanmar
 

Individual Awards
Best Spiker: Zhong Weijun (China)
Best Setter: Hideomi Fukatsu (Japan)
Best Blocker: Alireza Jadidi (Iran)
Best Server: Taher Vadi M. (Iran)
Best Scorer: Gurinder Singh (India)
Best Libero: Kong Fanwei (China)
MVP: Zhan Guojun (China)

from AVC

Serena Williams calmly rolling along toward another US Open women's championship

There was a point in the second game of her semifinal on Friday when Serena Williams thought she had struck a winner and yelled, “C’mon!” while the ball was still in play. Sara Errani extended her racket on the backhand side, kept the rally going one more shot until Williams knocked an inside-out forehand winner.

The chair umpire, Marija Cicak, did not call hindrance on Williams, which is exactly what happened with a different, more aggressive umpire last year in a final against Sam Stosur. There was no need for a confrontation this time, no tantrum. What followed was only brutal, one-sided tennis. Williams went on to cruise in 64 minutes, 6-1, 6-2, a steamship straight on course for harbor.

If something weird or self-destructive is going to happen to Williams at this 2012 U.S. Open, which always seems to occur here, it better arrive in a hurry. She is running out of melodrama time.

“Hey, it’s not done yet,” Williams warned. “I did grunt once today and thought, ‘God, I hope I don’t lose the point.’ My goal this year was not to get in any fights, but something happens, then . . . I try to count to 10.

Hopefully I can make it.

“I mean, I’m a really good sportsman. I think I’m really nice. I talk to everybody in the locker room.”

There is only the final Saturday night against Victoria Azarenka, one last test of her temper. Azarenka has a 1-9 career record against Williams and has dropped seven straight in those matchups over the last three years. She would appear to own only a slightly better chance of beating Williams than Errani did, which was approximately 0%.

“I definitely need to find something to surprise her tomorrow,” Azarenka said.

She might try calling a foot fault.

Give the tennis gods credit for their sense of humor, pairing Williams and Errani at Ashe Stadium in a semi. There could not possibly have been a greater contrast in power, in size and in serving ability. While Williams ripped three aces in the fourth game of the second set, Errani was dumping 68-mph floaters into the box and did not serve a single ace in the entire tournament. Williams finished with 38 winners, while Errani managed six.

“I tried the first set to be more on the defense, a bit more far away, play high balls,” Errani said. “That was not so good, so I changed. I was a bit more aggressive. To me, she’s incredible. When she plays like this, she’s the best player in the world. Serena is another level.”

Through it all, right up until she won match point with her ninth ace, Serena was serene. She maintained her composure and her game face throughout. This calm march through the flawed female field — Williams has not dropped a set and lost only 19 games in six matches — has teetered on tedium.

We could use an over-eager lines judge or chair umpire right about now to stir things up, make it interesting. If nobody rankles her soon, Williams may walk away with two awards — her fifth U.S. Open championship chalice and the newly established good sportsmanship trophy. “I’m American, guys, the last one standing,” she reminded the crowd after the win, exhorting the fans to cheer for her against Azarenka.

She’s right about that. There isn’t another American tennis player in sight. Williams is single-handedly carrying this tournament for CBS now, Atlas holding up an HD television set. If she weren’t doing this, she said, there is only one other vocation that would interest her. “I decided the other day I’d be a rock star, though I don’t have a good voice,” she said. “I’m great on stage.”

Dailynews

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo Being "Sad"

Madrid- Teammates of Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid were suprised to learn that the star player was not happy, as speculation still continued about Portugal forward's future at he club.

Ronaldo said Sunday that he was "sad" for professional reasons and he said the club was aware of it, but the former world player of the year would not go onto details.

Alvaro Arbeloa says Ronaldo "doesn't have the problems that the majority of Spaniards do buy its perfectly reasonalbe that he's sad." As he added "we're family so we have to help him. I dont think money is the problem."

Ronaldo remained being talked point in Spain as media speculated he is reffering to his contract or problems with his teammates.

Marquez waiting for Pacquiao's decision on 4th bout

MANILA, Philippines – Juan Manuel Marquez said the ball is now in Manny Pacquiao’s court, as far as he’s concerned.

Marquez said he has accepted the proposed fourth-ring battle with Pacquiao and is already consulting with his boxing coach, Nacho Beristain, about his training schedule.

"It's up to Manny Pacquiao," were the Mexican counter puncher’s exact words on Boxing Scene. 

Marquez’s promoter, Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions, said that everything is OK from their end.

He added that they are merely waiting for a signed contract from Pacquiao to formalize the deal.

"Verbally we can announce that on December 8, we will have this fight, but nothing more because I am being conservative. I say that 95% it is closed [a done deal],” Beltran said in another Boxing Scene report. 

"The only reason I cannot guarantee the fight is because there is not a signed contract from Pacquiao before us, however, in the coming hours, we will have it," he added.

Marquez said he already has an alternate plan in place should the fourth fight fail to materialize.

He said he’ll push through with a fight either in November or December.

"We have discussed fighting in Arena Mexico [if Pacquiao doesn't agree]."

The two boxers already fought each other three times.

Their first fight in 2004 ended in a controversial draw, followed by Pacquiao’s split-decision victory four years later.

Last November, Pacquiao came out winning again, this time by majority decision.

ABS-CBN/News

Buenafe shines as Eagles repeat over Archers

RYAN Buenafe pumped in a career-high 24 points to power Ateneo past arch rival La Salle, 77-67, and keep the Eagles on top in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I was already fired up to play in the last game, so I made sure to control myself this time,” said Buenafe, who was ejected in his last outing against Far Eastern University for figuring in an unsportsmanlike play in the first quarter.

Kiefer Ravena also shone with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Nico Salva buried seven of his 12 points in the final quarter of the blockbuster game that drew a 17,000-strong crowd.

“The focus of the game today was to reestablish the fact that we are a good defensive team,” said coach Norman Black after the Eagles hiked their record to 9-1, just a win away from formally securing a Final Four berth. “In addition to that, we got a big lift from our players. In the case of Ryan, he really stepped up offensively for us.”

Earlier, University of Santo Tomas overcame a scoring outburst from an Adamson rookie Jericho Cruz to forge an 83-79 victory that gave the Tigers solo second at 8-3.

Jeric Teng dropped 22 points, including four straight inside the final two minutes that pushed the Tigers for good at 80-77 after trailing at 70-76 as Cruz exploded for 33 points, 15 from beyond the arc.

Buenafe reached the 20-point mark for the first time this season since scoring 23 points in Game 2 of the 2010 title series where he bagged the Finals MVP.

“Other teams kept double-teaming Greg (Slaughter) using the man guarding the small forward,” said Black. “With Ryan out there, it makes it more difficult for them to do that because he’s an offensive threat.”

By halftime, Buenafe already shot 11 after just averaging only 4.6 points, including a horrendous 1-of-18 clip from three-point-range, in his first nine games.

Jeron Teng fired 22 markers to pace the Archers, who fell to a share of fourth with idle National University at 6-4.

An early shooting spree that saw the Eagles drilling three straight triples—two coming from Buenafe—propped the defending champions up by 16 points, 26-10, by the end of the first quarter.

The scores:

First Game

UST 83—Teng 22, Abdul 19, Mariano 16, Bautista 11, Ferrer 8, Fortuna 7, Vigil 0, Pe 0, Lo 0, Afuang 0.

ADAMSON 79—Cruz 33, Rios 12, Etrone 11, Trollano 7, Camson 5, Cabrera 5, Brondial 5, Agustin 1, Monteclaro 0, Abrigo 0.

Quarters: 16-16, 36-42, 61-58, 83-79

Second Game

ATENEO 77—Buenafe 24, Ravena 18, Salva 12, Tiongson 10, Slaughter 4, Chua 4, Sumalinog 3, Gonzaga 2, Golla 0, Elorde 0.

LA SALLE 67—Teng 22, Vosotros 20, Van Opstal 8, Tampus 8, N. Torres 4, Manguera 3, Mendoza 2, Andrada 0, Paredes 0, T. Torres 0, Tallo 0, Webb 0.

Quarters: 26-10, 35-29, 57-46, 77-67

Inquerer.net

Teng, Parks duel as DLSU wins double OT thriller

It was a classic shootout, the reigning best player of the UAAP going head to head with the league’s super rookie in a duel that needed two extra periods to decide a winner.

DLSU's Jeron Teng prepares to take a free throw as NU's Bobby Ray Parks looks on. Both scored 35 points. (Angela Galia/NPPA Images)

Jeron Teng and Bobby Ray Parks both scored career-highs of 35 points each, but in the end, Teng’s De La Salle Green Archers came out on top, 87-86, over Parks’ National U Bulldogs in a double-overtime thriller in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Teng, the rookie sensation out of Xavier, shot 14-of-24 from the field, including a crucial triple in the second overtime that gave the Archers a six-point lead, as he became the first La Salle player to score at least 30 points since Joseph Yeo poured in 31 on September 24, 2003.

Parks registered the fourth 30-plus-point game in his young UAAP career, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the gritty Archers, who blew two chances to win the game outright at the end of regulation and the first overtime but finally held off the Bulldogs in the second extension period.

Teng’s output was the highest for a rookie fresh out of high school since UP’s Mike Gamboa scored 25 points in 2007. It was the first time that two players had at least 30 points each in the same game since the league’s current statistics provider took over in 2003.

The result allowed DLSU to tie NU at 4-3 at the end of the first round, with the Green Archers officially finishing fourth via the winner-over-the-other rule.

“We’re very happy about this win,” said a visibly relieved DLSU head coach Gee Abanilla. “We were telling the boys that we cannot afford to be left behind. We have to be within striking distance. It was a good win for us.”

La Salle was ahead for most of the match and looked poised to take full control when Parks had to sit down after picking up his fourth foul with 4:28 left in the third period and DLSU ahead 54-45. The Archers added three more points to their lead, and with Emmanuel Mbe joining Parks on the bench, things looked bleak for the Bulldogs.

But with role players Jeth Troy Rosario, Robin Rono and Glenn Khobuntin leading the way, NU dropped a 16-5 bomb bridging the third and fourth periods to creep to within one at 62-61 with 4:58 left as the Archers suddenly couldn’t penetrate the Bulldogs’ zone defense.

Big man Norbert Torres, ineffective for most of the game, came alive with back-to-back baskets to give DLSU more breathing room at 66-61, but Parks scored six straight points to give NU their first lead since the first period with only 47 seconds left.

Yutien Andrada scored underneath off a feed from Torres, and after Parks missed a triple, Almond Vosotros split his charities to give DLSU a 69-67 edge with only 8.2 ticks left. Rushing downcourt, Parks found Rosario all alone under the basket, and the six-foot-seven junior tied it up with only seven-tenths of a second remaining. 

Vosotros missed a turnaround jumper at the buzzer, and the game headed into overtime.

The first extra period featured highlight plays by Parks and Teng. First, with DLSU leading 73-69, the reigning MVP shook off Teng, drove hard to the basket and unleashed a powerful one-handed slam over Arnold Van Opstal, who had to turn his back in mid-air to avoid a painful collision.

Then after the Bulldogs came to within one at 75-76, Teng hit a big triple to beat the shot clock and give the Archers a four-point lead with only 1:01 left. But NU wouldn’t go away, with Parks scoring four straight points to tie it up anew at 79 with 18.5 seconds left.

DLSU again had the last shot, but Andrada muffed an open jumper to force the Archers into their second overtime game of the season.

Vosotros and Teng both hit triples to give DLSU an 85-79 lead, which proved to be enough of a cushion down the stretch as the Bulldogs came up empty on several offensive thrusts that could have brought them to within one. Vosotros split his free throws with five ticks left to make it 87-83, and Parks hit a meaningless triple at the buzzer for the final score.

For Abanilla, it was a relief to come out on the winning end this time after falling in double-overtime to UST two weeks ago.

“It’s a good learning experience for them,” said the first-year coach. “The composure, I was really happy because all or games are close games. This special group of boys just hung tough.”

Two of La Salle’s three losses have been by two points, while three of their four wins have been by four points or less.

“Madaming pang kailangang ayusin,” said Abanilla when asked about his team’s first-round performance. “Siguro number 1 would be maturity. I just feel that all our games, kahit papaano may pag-asang manalo. I just hope we learn from this. NU is a really good team, and I just hope that somehow beating NU by one point will really boost their confidence.”

Yahoo|Sports

Donaire started training for Nishioka fight

By Chris Williams:
IBF/WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (29-1, 18 KO’s) is starting his training for his October 13th title defense against 36-year-old former WBC super bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka (39-4-3, 24 KO’s) at the Home Depot Center, in Carson, California.

Nishioka is seen by some boxing fans and writers as the best fighter in the super bantamweight division, although it’s hard to agree with that belief given how mediocre Nishioka looked recently in barely beating a badly faded Rafael Marquez last October.

If Nishioka was the best in the division, it was well before guys like Abner Mares and Guillermo Rigondeaux arrived at this weight class, because Nishioka certainly doesn’t look like the best now. Sadly, Nishioka looks like a step down for Donaire from his last two opponents Jeffrey Mathebula and Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. Nishioka now looks like just another beatable fighter for Donaire to pick up a ‘W’ against.

Donaire’s knockout power has seemingly disappeared on him since he moved up to the super bantamweight division in 2012. He’s fought twice at this weight and not gotten close to knocking out anyway. It’s still too early to tell for sure if Donaire’s power has abandoned him for good, but you’d have to figure that he’s not going to knockout Nishioka on October 13th and that’ll be yet another sign that Donaire doesn’t have power at this weight.

Donaire will almost surely fight 33-year-old Jorge Arce after the Nishioka fight. Although the boxing fans have already made it clear that they want to see Donaire fight Rigondeaux as their number one choice for his next fight, Donaire likely will stay with the Arce fight. I have no doubts that Donaire will beat Arce and Nishioka, because I see both of those guys as old and beatable guys. What will be interesting is to see what Donaire does then. If he chooses Rigondeaux or Abner Mares then you got to give him credit for showing a lot of courage for taking those fights, but I just don’t see that happening. My guess is Donaire will find someone else to fight at super bantamweight or he’ll move up in weight to the featherweight division where there’s a lot of paper champions holding belts. There’s one good fighter in WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido, but Donaire likely won’t take him on, because champions like Chris John and Billy Dib would be too much of an inviting target.

Rigondeaux has said he’ll be moving up in weight to follow Donaire if and when he moves up in weight in order to continue to try and force a fight, but I think he’ll be wasting his time if he does this. If Donaire wanted the fight Rigondeaux wouldn’t have to do anything because it would be offered to him. But since Donaire is continually moving the opposite direction you have to figure that the interest just isn’t there for Donaire in fighting the dangerous counter punching Rigondeaux.

2012 London Olympics:Russia power past Brazil at Men's Volleyball

Sidnei Dos Santos Junior #5 and Lucas Saatkamp #16 of Brazil celebrate during the Men's Volleyball gold medal match on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Earls Court- london2012.com

Russia defeated Brazil on the final of Mens Volleybal Team  at the London 2012 Olympics scores 19-25, 20-25, 29-27, 25-22 and 15-9 grabbing the Gold medal. After struggling the first two set over Brazil, Russia strikes back on the 3rd set extending the set point to 30. Dimitry Muserskiy lead the Russian team with the total of 31 points.

Yury Berezhko of Russia serves against Brazil during the men's Volleyball gold medal match on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Earls Court.- london2012.com

Russia where they will look to go one step further than they did in Beijing four years ago, when they were undone in the final by the USA. Their game is built on aggression and power rather than the Brazil guile.

'Pacman-Cotto 2 more interesting for fans'

MANILA, Philippines – A second face-off between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto would be an interesting follow-up of their all-out slugfest in 2009, according to an ESPN sports analyst.

ESPN's Brian Campbell said "Pacquiao-Cotto 2" would look fantastic from fight fans' perspective, especially when compared to the Filipino's possible rematches against Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez.

"The best option -- for boxing, at least -- might not seem so apparent," Campbell said in hisblog. "Whether or not it's the best option for Manny Pacquiao, a rematch with Miguel Cotto would be fantastic news for boxing."

The 2009 bout that took place at a 145-pound catch weight saw Pacquiao hammering the Puerto Rican superstar with a 12th-round stoppage.

The Filipino boxer walked away with the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title, his 7th world title.

But Campbell said things are not the same since Pacquiao's victory over Cotto three years ago.

"Cotto, meanwhile, appears completely removed from the version of the fighter who had been labeled damaged goods in the aftermath of a brutal loss to Antonio Margarito, and has rebuilt his confidence at 154 pounds," said Campbell.

"[On the other hand] Pacquiao is also clearly not the same dynamic force who once steamrolled Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Cotto in consecutive bouts, as evidenced by his past three fights."

Pacquiao is set to choose between Cotto, Marquez and Bradley for his next opponent in November.

The Filipino superstar lost a controversial decision to Bradley last June.

Pacquiao also had his third fight against Marquez in November last year. The fighting congressman managed to come out with a unanimous decision win during that tiff.

from ABS-CBN News

Caluag is last Pinoy standing

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: Daniel Caluag of Philippines competes during the Men's BMX Cycling on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at BMX Track on August 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

This is the second time that BMX is making an appearance as a medal event in the Olympic games.  This thrilling extreme sport is all about which rider can negotiate a quarter mile long course that features different types of obstacles in the fastest possible time.

In the field of 32 riders, there’s only one Asian who’s competing.  Filipino-American Daniel Caluag is hoping to be amongst the top contenders.  

He was the first one to be tested and though an indicator on the level of competition, Caluag’s 40.9-second clocking in the seeding round is not conclusive of his fate in the game.  He came out at the bottom of the field till Latvia’s Edzus Treimanis registered a DNF (did not finish).  That was merely the seeding to determine how the heats would be.  He might have opted for a more cautious run to prevent injuries or spills.

The 32 riders will be divided into four quarterfinals heats.  The top four finishers in each heat then move up to the next level.  

Those 16 riders will then be split into two semifinal groups.  The top 8 from the semis will compete in the finals.

In Beijing, Latvian rider Maris Strombergs’ 36.19-second run got him the first BMX Olympic gold medal.
Americans Mike Day and Donny Robinson took home the silver and bronze respectively.

For tomorrow’s quarterfinals heats set at 3pm in London, 10pm in Manila, Caluag will be on heat number 3.  He has been seeded with three riders who landed in the top 10 from the seedings.  France’s Joris Daudet who got a 38.221 and was ranked second , seventh seeded Nicolas Long from the USA who clocked in at 38.601, and Mark Willers from New Zealand who had a 38.687 which ranked him 10th.

Daudet is ranked third in the world while Willers is fourth.

Others in Caluag’s heat are USA’s David Herman who is ranked 15th with a 38.955, Manuel de Vechi from Italy who got a 39.385 good for 18th, Roger Rinderknecht from Switzerland who’s ranked 23rd with a 39.618, and Argentina’s Ernesto Pizzaro who landed on 26th place with his 39.765 result.

Caluag has a strong chance of moving on to the semis.  His wife, BMX US champion Stephanie Barragan-Caluag, not only is giving moral support but also accompanies a team of advisors calculating and overseeing the needs of this Pinoy rider. 
 
He’s the country’s last hope for an Olympic medal in London.  

from
Yahoo.com/sports

Olympics 2012: Philippines Game Schedule

London Olympics Update: As of 3:06pm 8/6/2012 Medal tally

Here is the broadcast schedule of the game for the Filipino athlete to compete on the 2012 London Olympics.

Marestella Torres (Long Jump)

August 7, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on AKTV

Rene Herrera (5,000m Race)
August 8, 2 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. on AKTV and Aksyon TV

Daniel Caluag (Cycling)
August 8, 11 p.m. to August 9, 1 a.m. on AKTV and August 9, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Hyper

OLYMPICS 2012: Murray drubs Federer for gold at Olympics

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) - Andy Murray had Centre Court rocking Sunday, winning gold for the home team and beating Roger Federer 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 in the tennis final at Wimbledon.

The result was a royal rout. Murray swept nine consecutive games, breaking Federer's serve four times in a row.

The victory marked a breakthrough for the Scotsman, who has lost all four of his Grand Slam finals, three against Federer.

For Federer, the drubbing marked another Olympic disappointment. Playing in the games for the fourth time, he sought a victory to complete a career Golden Slam but still earned his first singles medal.

From the start, there was no doubting spectators' loyalty. The retractable Centre Court roof opened shortly before the final, and Federer walked onto the sun-splashed grass to a standing ovation. Then Murray entered, and the roar tripled.

At the far end of the All England Club, thousands of happy fans with grounds passes enjoyed a carnival atmosphere on the picnic hill known as Murray Mount while watching the match on a huge video screen.

Federer wore red and Murray blue in the most colorful tournament ever held at Wimbledon. Their tactics were also in sharp contrast.

Murray returned aggressively to repeatedly put on Federer on the defensive when serving. Federer tried to come forward more than in any match this summer, but Murray answered with a succession of crisp passing shots for winners.

The fans loved it, waving Union Jacks of all sizes. "An-dy! An-dy" they chanted. They applauded when Federer won a point, but they roared when Murray won one.

And the bounces seemed to go Murray's way. One of his service breaks came when he hit winners that clipped the net cord on consecutive points. But then the net, after all, was British.

Federer showed little frustration as the match slipped away. Instead, it was Murray tossing his racket in the second set when he made a rare error.

Otherwise, the usually dour Scotsman had little to get upset about. When he netted an easy forehand on break point early in the match, he laughed at his mistake.

Murray won with plenty of flair and a succession of spectacular shots. A lunging backhand pass in the corner had fans on their feet. And he erased a break point with an acrobatic leaping overhead, followed by an improbable reflex volley winner after Federer fired at him from point-blank range.

Murray fell behind 15-40 serving in the opening game but rallied to hold, and from 2-all he took charge, winning every game until 5-0 in the second set.

Federer struggled to hold but had his chances to break, including in the third game of the second set. He held six break points but Murray erased them all and won the game on the 20th point on an errant Federer backhand, one of many.

from: Yahoo.com