Nietes, Baclao, Millegen lead local sports headliners (Part 1)

BEFORE the Murcia-born and current World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight champion Donnie Nietes stakes his crown on a mandatory defense against Mexican challenger Raul ‘Rayito’ Garcia either in March or April this year, the champion has already made a notation as another Filipino ‘Mexicutioner’ after his successful defense over Mexican Mario Rodriguez on August 16, 2010 in Guasave, Mexico.

Nietes, who fights under the revered ALA Stable of Tony Aldeguer, for the fourth time defended his belt by scoring a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision over Rodriquez, 119-109, 118-110 and 116-112.

Meanwhile, another Negrense cager, former West Negros University (WNU) Mustang slotman Siverino "Nonoy" Baclao Jr. surprised and stunned everyone who attended the Philippine Basketball Association’s Annual Draft Pick last August 29, 2010 at the Market! Market! in Taguig City after he was chosen as the number 1 overall pick of this league.

The 23-year-old, 6-foot-4 forward Baclao upstaged his Ateneo teammate Rabeh Al-Hussaini, after incoming PBA commissioner Atty. Rudy Salud called his name as Air 21 Express' top choice while 6-foot-7 Al-Hussaini, was Express' second choice followed by former Letran small forward Rey Guevarra at No.3.

Baclao attended high school and his first few years of college at WNU, where he led the Mustangs to the 2005 National University Games (Unigames) crown in Bacolod and the 2006 Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) National Students Championship (Inter-Collegiate) title. In 2006 he was recruited by AdMU after Manila-based college scouts noticed his capability as a major defensive contributor, especially in blocking and rebounding.

Bacoleño Mark Jason Melligen improved his record to 20-2-0, 14KO let Mexican Bladimir Hernandez kissed the canvas via a third TKO victory in front of an appreciative hometown crowd at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu City last October 30, 2010.

Melligen who fought his last eight bouts in the United States in the last two years displayed quickness and his boxing ability to dominate the slower and bulkier Hernandez.

The Bacoleño pride has also posted a sixth round TKO over Raymond Gatica of Austin, Texas in February 13, 2010.

Melligen is now looking forward to continue his campaign in the United States where he is expected to fight the elites of the welterweight division under the Top Rank banner.

January

On January 28, 2010, following the successful inaugural Philippine-Malaysia Veteran Soccer Tournament in 2009, another match between the two countries took place at Panaad Stadium football pitch.

It was the top sports event in the province of Negros Occidental for the month of January where the Bacolod-based Bacolod United Football Club (BUFC) represented by erstwhile RP national team standouts faced visiting International Football Club of Malaysia led by Tony Mariadass.

Mariadass was also responsible for the team's flying in the Malay Mail Veteran Soccer Team to Bacolod in 2009.

February

On February 21, 2010, Art “El Matador” Villanueva and Jun-Jun “D’Tiger” Sabillo, both of the Top Prime Stable scored contrasting victories against their separate rivals at the Casino Ampi-theater of the PAGCOR Hotel, Golden Fields Commercial Complex.

Villanueva notched a seventh round stoppage over Sherwin Manatad of Butuan of the scheduled 10-rounder in the flyweight division while Sabillo won via a unanimous decision against Roel Honor of Agusan del Sur in the minimum weight division.

Both boxers currently the Philippine champions and Oriental-Pacific Boxing Federation number 1 contender.

March

On March 1, 2010, Canlubang rejoiced after winning its 5th PAL Interclub men’s crown. Canlubang pooled in 141 points in the final 18 to beat rival The Country Club (TCC) and earn its fifth straight victory in the championship division of the prestigious 63rd Philippine Airlines (PAL) men’s golf tournament at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Bacolod City.

Del Monte, meanwhile, assembled 128 points to overtake erstwhile leader Manila Southwoods for the crown in the Founders Division over at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Murcia.

April

On April 24, 2010, the 2010 National Women's Selection Tournament was staged at Panaad Sports and Recreational Park in Bacolod City.

The event which was played April 24-28 was spearheaded by the Executive Village Football Club in cooperation with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).

The said tournament was the venue of selecting members for the national U18 and U14 teams that played in the U14 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Festival of Football in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in June, and the AFC U18 qualifying event scheduled in October.

May

On May 16, 2010, the 1992 Barcelona Olympics bronze medalist Roel Velasco of Bago City has been named by the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines as head trainer of the country’s elite boxers composed of Charly Suarez, Annie Albania, Rey Saludar, Victorio Saludar and Mark Anthony Barriga.

Velasco is the elder brother of 1996 Atlanta Olympics silver medalist Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, Jr. (to be continued)