LOS ANGELES - Manny Pacquiao proved once again that he is the hottest thing in boxing, at least in this part of the world.

American, Mexican and Filipino media practitioners squeezed themselves in the now famous Wildcard Gym along Vine and Hollywood just to catch a glimpse of the Pinoy phenomenon.

After watching Pacquiao go through his media day workout, I cornered prominent boxing personalities from this part of town and got their thoughts on “Manny Pacquiao: The man and the fighter.”

Larry Pugmire, Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times

“Pacquiao is a cultural phenomenon. It’s his humble nature that makes him appealing, and if you add to that his charismatic style and his boxing skills, the fans just love it."

Henry Bidol, Mexican Writer for boxingstar.net

“He is a humble guy. No matter what race you’re from, he always treats you the same. He is he humblest person I have met.”

Larry Walker, Regional Manager, HBO Pay per View

“Manny is a genuine good person. The way he treats people around him just really makes you want to root for him.”

Bob Arum, CEO, Top Rank Promotions

“When Pacquiao fights Filipinos realize that all these political strife is nonsense. What is important is for every Filipino to get behind Manny, who carries our banner.”

Hearing these comments just made me realize that despite all his faults, Manny Pacquiao continues to provide a breath of fresh air to our politically-torn country.

NACHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand - Covering the exploits of our athletes for nearly two decades, I always thought how it was to be in the middle of a sporting spectacle that allows ordinary men and women to display their own brand of heroism.

In the 24th Southeast Asian Games being held here in Thailand, as team manager of the basketball team, I get to be on the side of the athletes.

I try to live the life of a national athlete and just be in the midst of watching the gallantry of our athletes in motion.

It took the country a while before we nailed that elusive first gold courtesy of the fearless Joey Barba in cycling (downhill).

Win or lose, as we have been emphasizing to our basketball team, what is important is giving it everything we've got.

Go Team Philippines.

LOS ANGELES, California – It’s tough to put into words what Manny Pacquiao has done for our nation by simply fighting his heart out, every time he climbs the ring.

On October 6, at the Mandalay Bay in las Vegas, he faces a fading but equally dangerous opponent in Marco Antonio Barrera.

Our politically divided Philippines, even for a moment, will become one again.

As for the Pinoys who are based in this foreign land, it will be a day when they can proudly claim that they are, indeed… Filipinos.

For many of our brothers and sisters who have lived in the United States, watching Manny Pacquiao means an opportunity to feel proud, a chance to call this great boxer as one of their own.

Paquiao has given many of our ‘kababayan’ now living here something to be proud of.

It’s always nice to know that we have in our midst a true people’s champion.

And that could just be the greatest impact of a Manny Pacquiao…

Things have been said about the RP National Team’s disappointing stint at the 2007 Jones Cup in Taiwan.

While I accept coach Chot Reyes' mindset that this is all about preparing and scouting against possible opponents in the FIBA-Asia in Tokushima later this month, what I cannot stand is the mindset of most of our players who play as if the games don’t matter to those who continue to make sacrifices for our National Team.

Many of our current National Team players take many things for granted as evidenced by our losses to Lebanon, Japan and that humiliating loss to Kazakhstan, which highlighted the lack of a proper mindset of the team.

I feel our current team is oblivious of the fact that Filipinos here and abroad look forward to inspiring stories from our National Team.

There is a lack of effort as evidenced by the team's poor rebounding numbers. (Being outsized is not an excuse for not getting those all important rebounds.)

Others say there is lack of quickness in rotating on defense. I say this is about laziness and the lack of effort to hustle back and cover an open man.

Many have offered antidotes for our national team.

But this so-called national team would near more than just medicine.

It needs a major surgery!

CLEVELAND, Ohio - If there is one term that would best describe the 2007 NBA champions San Antonio Spurs, it would have to be that it is a "sound" team.

Just like franchise player Tim Duncan, the Spurs are so fundamentally sound.

On offense the team shares the wealth. No one can be accused being a ball hog as everyone gets touches as they move the ball around in their vaunted half-court set.

But where the spurs are at their deadliest is when they play defense.

The Spurs' stingy defense is credited to coach Greg Popovich who demands perfection from his players on both ends of the floor. But emphasis should be on stopping opposing teams.

Lebron James found it tough finding an open lane against the Spurs' almost perfect "deny middle" approach, which took away almost all the high-flying acts of LBJ23.

Hounded all series long by the Spurs' defensive specialist Bruce Bowen, the usually prolific Lebron settled for off-balanced jumpers and desperation three pointers to finish with a dismal 36 percent from the field, not only that "the chosen one" turned the ball over 23 times during the four game series versus the Spurs.

With the deadly James in check, it became a lot easier for NBA finals MVP Tony Parker and pivotal player Manu Ginobli to put the finishing touches on San Antonio's 4th championship in nine years once again proving that indeed "defense wins championships."

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Nothing beats playing as a team!

This is the bitter lesson that the mighty Lebron James discovered when the San Antonio Spurs scorched the Cleveland Cavaliers in Games 1 & 2 of the 2007 NBA finals.

How else can you beat a team led by a no-nonsense coach in Gregg Popovich, that plays tough on both ends of the floor.

Nahilo nga si Lebron sa mga ibat-ibang looks na ibinibigay sa kanya ng Spurs sa depensa.

In the first two games Popovich gave Bruce Bowen the task of stopping the prolific James, but Bowen wasn’t alone. Pop designed a defensive scheme that switches Bowen quickly with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, Fabricio Oberto and Michael Finley in tailing Lebron.

Sa kabila naman, the Cavs, regarded as the 3rd best defensive team in the NBA still has to find the antidote against the "three kings" namely Tony Parker, Ginobli and Duncan, who connived to score 88 of the 103 points of the Spurs in Game 2.

With the series moving to Cleveland for the next three games, would Lebron finally get the help he needs from the rest of the Cavs?

What do you guys think?

Will the Spurs end it all here or will Lebron and the Cavs do a repeat of their mighty stand against the Pistons?

Mahirap lunukin kung paano natatalo ang ating National Team sa ginaganap na FIBA-Asia Club championships sa Iran.

Lalong mahirap ito sa ating mga players mula sa PBA na ang nais lamang ay maibalik ang ningning ng larong 20 buwan na sinuspinde ng FIBA.

Ngunit bago ang pagbatikos, mabuti sigurong tingnan muna natin muli ang mga hard facts ukol sa performance ng PBA All Star team natin.

Una, di tulad ng ibang teams, ang Philippine Team ay tumungo sa Tehran ng walang dalang kahit na isang import. (Mapwera na lang kung ang tingin niyo kina Asi Taulava at Mick Pennisi ay imports.) Yung ibang team may tig-dalawang import sa kanilang mga line-up.

Ikalawa, salvage situation ang team natin. Ang ibig kong sabihin ay ipinilit na lang natin ang team natin na dapat ay tatlong taon ang planadong paghahanda. (Natigil ang preparasyon gawa na rin ng ating suspension to play international ball)

At ikatlo, in the words of coach Chot Reyes: The real mission of the trip is to prepare the team for the Seaba in Thailand.

Ang mas mahalagang bahagi ng lahat ng mga nilalaro ng PBA selection ay ang pangingibabaw sa Seaba na siyang qualifier sa FIBA-Asia Championships, na kung saan natin malalaman kung hinog na ang Pilipinas na makasaling muli sa Olympics.

Mainam na nga rin siguro na ang lahat ng pangyayari gaya ng 20-month suspension at ang natikmang mga talo ng Philippine team ay naganap na.

Mukhang ito na ang pinaka-mainam na paraan para makita nating lahat ng malinaw ang mga dapat gawin sa Philippine basketball.

Kung meron kayong mga nais imungkahi, halina at mag-blog na para sa ika-aayos ng Philippine basketball. Peace.

First male bowler named to the bowling Hall of Fame (1993), four-time World Cup winner in three different decades (1970,1980 and 1990), youngest (19 years old) to win a World Cup title (1976 Tehran, Iran), IOC President's Trophy awardee and FIQ Bowling Athlete of the Millenium.

Eto ay ilan lamang sa mga nakamit ng ating kababayang si Rafael 'Paeng' Nepomuceno na hinirang ng United States Bowling Congress bilang Ambassador of the Sport.

Sabi ni Paeng he will try to convince the International Olympic Committee to include bowling in its calendar of events.

Idagdag pa natin na si Paeng has under his belt 117 career wins.

Wala ni kahit sino sa buong mundo ang makalalapit sa kanyang mga nakamit sa loob ng tatlong dekada ng paglalaro ng bowling.

In a recent piece that appeared on bowl.com, Patrick Brettingen describes our very own Paeng as the icon of bowling.

He is what Madonna is to music as Pele' is to soccer.

And did I say that the southpaw legend from the Philippines is regarded as the greatest international bowler in history?

Nakakatuwang isipin na isang Pilipinong katulad ni Paeng ang tinitingala sa buong mundo lalo na sa Amerika.

Ito ay patunay na ang mga Pinoy ay hindi lamang sa mga isport ng boksing at bilyar may ibinubuga. Pati rin sa bowling ay walang katapat ang pinoy.

Salamat na lang at meron tayong nakilalang Paeng Nepomuceno in this lifetime.

For a change, it surely makes you feel proud being a Pilipino!

Bago pa man magkaharap sina Manny Pacquiao at Jorge Solis sa ring mamayang 11 p.m. (San Antonio time), there were serious doubts about the caliber of Solis as a fighter.

I gave “Coloradito” the benefit of the doubt. In fact, despite the unknown fighters he faced to amass an unblemished record of 32 wins (23 KOs), 0 loss, 1 draw, I give him the respect due a contender.

After failing to make the 130-pound weight limit on the prescribed period, however, my doubts have been validated: Solis is a poor excuse for a contender to Manny Pacquiao's throne.

Paano niyo ipapaliwanag ang hindi pagpasa ng isang dapat ay de-kalibreng mandirigma sa timbangan samantalang ang ating kampeon na si Pacquiao had plenty to spare (128.5 pounds).

Jorge Solis doesn't belong in the same ring with Manny Pacquiao! I wont be surprised if the Pacman knocks Solis out in the first round!

Walang karapatan ang mapagpanggap na si Solis na tumayo man lang sa harap ng people's champion.

Peace!

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – There is no doubting the popularity of Manny Pacquiao at the world stage! No exaggeration that he is considered as the best pound-for-pound fighter nowadays. He brings a package of excitement to every bout that he fights.

But what caught my attention even during his third and final bout with Erik Morales is his calm demeanor.

Dati-rati si Manny ay halos lamunin ang kalaban sa gigil kahit na hindi pa sila sumasampa sa ring. Pero ngayon iba na ang tindig ni Manny. Naging malumanay sa pagdadala ng kanyang sarili lalo na pag malapit na ang laban.

For his upcoming fight with Jorge Solis, Manny is the consummate diplomat. Offering a smile and a firm handshake to an overwhelmed Solis, who at this point is just happy to get a shot at sharing the stage with today's most exciting fighter. (Manny even posed for a picture with Jorge and his brothers right after their press con at the Alamodome.)

I say this comes from a newfound confidence which is the result of all the hard work that has brought him this far in his boxing career.

The only thing that we could hope for is that he doesn't become overly confident with his status as the world's best fighter.

Has Manny Pacquiao's foray into politics affected his boxing?

Is he in shape for his April 14 clash with Jorge Solis at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas?

These were the two questions I wanted answered when I flew to Los Angeles last March 21 for an assignment for GMA News.

The first question, we will tackle later on.


He is about 85% ready for his April 14 outing in San Antonio. In fact, if not for a minor injury (gash above his left eye), he could have gone 12 rounds of sparring last Wednesday (March 28) at the Wildcard Gym.

Nagulat ako at the way he has been attacking the hills of the famed Griffith Park in Los Angeles. He just keeps bettering his personal best in negotiating the course that is known for its legendary giant Hollywood sign.

Before the actual gym work, mahalaga makita 'yung cardio endurance ni Manny. It is from his legs that Manny draws the speed and power that have victimized some of the best Mexican fighters around.

Pagdating sa Wildcard, Manny is just all business. Walang makikitang sandali man lang na hinihingal ang Pambansang Kamao. This, all throughout his grueling regimen that includes the punch mitts, speedball, skipping rope, the California ball, and the excruciating abdominal circuit.

Justin Fortun, Wildcard deputy trainer and Manny's conditioning coach, is just as impressed with the shape and condition of his ward.

"Usually, it takes 7 to 8 weeks when we work with Manny. But the first time I saw him back in the gym, he was great. He actually did his homework when he was still in the Philippines," Fortun remarked.

Sabi ng trainor ni Manny, wala raw siyang nakikitang balakid sa preparasyon nila for April 14. He even gave the assurance that Manny will be 100% ready when they hit San Antonio on April 8.

With his body in check, we can now discuss Manny's frame of mind. Pero sa susunod na blog na 'yun. Peace!

For lack of proper travel documents, Mexican boxer Jorge Solis failed to arrive in the United States for the much-anticipated first meeting with Manny Pacquiao.

The unbeaten Mexican challenger got knocked out by US immigration for not having the visa necessary for Mexicans wanting to cross the border.

Hindi pala fiction ‘yong mga nakikita natin sa mga movies na mga Mexicans trying desperately to cross the nearest US border in search for a better life.

Pero ang story ni Jorge Solis is different.

He wanted to enter the US the legal way. Unfortunately an oversight in the travel arrangements by his handlers prevented Manny from actually sizing up his tall opponent. Top Rank promised that the face off between Pacquiao and Solis will take place on Friday (Los Angeles time) at the Wildcard Gym.

There were apprehensions if Pacquiao would even allow Solis to enter his kingdom. Informed of Top Rank's plan to hold the media day at the now famous Wildcard Gym in Vine St, the diplomatic Pacquiao blurted: "That won’t be a problem."

With barely three weeks to "Blaze of Glory," Pacquiao, according to deputy trainer Justin Fortun is about 75 percent ready.

During an eight-round spar, Pacquiao showed the anticipated rustiness in the first three rounds, but when he got his rhythm going, the Filipino fighter was again in his element.

“Madali maging mabuting tao kapag okay ang buhay at walang krisis. Pero ‘pag masama ang situation, hindi ito excuse para mag-complain. Mas maraming taong may problema na mas mabigat.”

Ito ang pahayag ng Philippine equestrienne na si Toni Leviste in an interview with GMA News at the Leviste Farm in Lipa City.

Maganda ang ginawa ng atletang Pinay na ito.

Akalain niyo, sa gitna ng kanilang family crisis, dala na rin ng murder case na kinakaharap ng kanyang ama, si dating Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste, Toni flew to Bahrain and became the first non-Arab to compete in the World Arab League Jumping Qualifiers last February 23.

She bested a field that included riders like Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Al Eid, 2000 Sydney Olympics bronze medalist, and Qatar’s Ali Al Rhumahi, 2006 Asian Games gold medalist. By the way, Toni was one of only two female riders in a field of 45 competitors.

Toni belongs to a special breed of Pinoy athletes.

She had all the reasons not to fly to Bahrain but she had a commitment to fulfill… her commitment to flag and country.

Ang sabi ni Toni: “I didn’t want to disappoint my countrymen and my Dad as well.”

“I know in my own little way, binigyan ko ng something positive ang bansa. It’s not in the winning or losing… as long as I did the country good, I feel my life is worth something,” dagdag pa niya.

It takes character to be able to do what Toni has achieved.

She triumphed amidst a crisis!

Tennis muna tayo mga kapuso.

Last Sunday, February 11, I got the chance to be at the old but refurbished Dacudao Courts at the Rizal Memorial Complex to watch Fil-American Cecil Mamiit as he almost single-handedly carried the fight for the Pinoys against the Pakistanis in the Asia-Oceania Group II tie of the Davis Cup.

On that sunny Sunday morning the American-born ATP campaigner turned back Aqeel Khan in straight sets and gave the Philippines a shot at returning to the world play of the Davis Cup when we play against the New Zealanders in two months time.

But more than the fine play of the 181 ranked Mamiit, It is his expression of his being a Pilipino is what caught my attention. Sa kanyang victory speech sabi ni Cecil: "I am as Pilipino as adobo and kanin."

Salitang banyaga man ang lumalabas sa kanyang mga bibig, the fact that he gave up a chance to play in the money-rich tournaments like the Australian Open speaks well of his intention to help bring Philippine tennis back on its feet.

What can be more Filipino than that?

In a postmatch interview with GMA News sinabi ni Cecil that if there's one thing he would want to teach his kapwa-pinoys i'ts striving to be the best.

Sinabi ni Mamiit:"I want to show my Filipino brothers and sisters that we can strive to do great things. We just all have to go after it."

Isn't it nice to know that we still have people who can give us the inspiration we all need in the midst of all the frenzy of promises (meant to be broken) from our "exposure depraved" politicians, who continue to disappoint most of us!

Hope we could encounter more Cecil Mamiits in this lifetime!

Tanggal na ang tinik sa Philippine basketball!

At exactly 2:30 pm today, February 5, 2007, FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann announced the lifting of the suspension of the Philippines from international play.

At isang dumadagundong na palakpak ang sumalubong sa punong ballroom ng Dusit Hotel sa Makati.

Marami nga ang halos mapaluha matapos marinig ang announcement mula mismo sa FIBA SecGen.

Sinabi ni Baumann: "Forget yesterday and look forward to your return to FIBA play as soon as possible. See you in the next FIBA qualifying qualifying event."

Ibig sabihin nito ay makasasali na ang ating team sa Olympics qualifying tournament sa gaganapin sa Hulyo.

Time to celebrate muna tayo mga kakampi... This took quite an effort pero everything was well worth it.

Gaya ng sabi ni Baumann, forget yesterday. Pero dagdagan ko rin kasi we could definitely learn from our experience dito sa suspension na ating natikman.

Para sa akin, may positive that came of this predicament.

It was prove that our love and passion for the game of basketball chooses no politics, social class, age, educational background, and maybe even nationality (no pun intended)...

Importante at the end of the day, even for a brief moment, we, Filipinos, can agree to work together...

MABUHAY KAYONG MGA TUNAY NA NAGMAMALASAKIT SA PHILIPPINE BASKETBALL!