Chieffy boosts Erco

CHIEFFY Caligdong showed up with his golden boot to tow Erco FC to an easy, 6-2, win over the Hijos Del Pueblo in Group B action of the 13th Cebu Interclub Football Cup men’s open division at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Corteza tops China Open, earns $40,000

FILIPINO master Lee Van Corteza extended the Pinoys’ reign by winning the World Pool Association (WPA)-organized 2013 China Open 9-ball tournament in Shanghai last Sunday.

Corteza defeated veteran Fu Che Wei of Chinese-Taipei 11-6 to win the richest WPA tournament. The 34-year-old Davao native succeeded the title from compatriot Dennis Orcollo, who was eliminated during the Round of 16 by Wei, 11-8.

Bitoon starts strong in Pacquiao Chess Cup

CEBUANO Grandmaster Richard Bitoon joined five other Filipino masters who trail the early leaders by half a point after Round 2 of the Manny Pacquiao Cup–Asian Continental Open and Women’s Chess Championships at the Midas Hotel in Pasay City,

Lancers start strong

CEBU is off to a hot start in the National Finals of the Coca Cola PBA Youngstars after winning its first two games.

Cebu, represented by the Lancers, defeated first-timers Cagayan de Oro, 40-31, in the opening day at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao last Sunday, while they won by default against San Juan yesterday.

Deftac Cebu wins 10 medals

DEFTAC Cebu had a fruitful stint at the 2013 Pan Asian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Gi and No Gi International at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City over the weekend.

Deftac Cebu snagged five gold medals, three silvers and two bronzes in the annual meet of BJJ practitioners in Asia.

Pages: Samsam, Dennis preview the NBA’s final four

WHEN the NBA season started last Oct. 30, there stood 30 teams. Today, there are only Memphis, Miami, Indiana and San Antonio.

Of the “Final Four,” my good friend Dennis Que is most impressed with the Memphis Grizzlies. Weeks back, he picked Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers (East) and San Antonio Spurs-Oklahoma City Thunder (West); he got three out of four right.

Mendoza: Amazing sweet sweep ignites Alaska upgrade

IF you were not amazed, didn’t ooze with praise, over the way Alaska defeated Barangay Ginebra, I surmise you must be a zombie, maybe?

Alaska scored a so-called sweet sweep over Ginebra, completing a rare 3-0 victory in the best-of-five title playoffs for the Cebuana Lhuillier-PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Villaflor: What Champions League final?

IT’S been more than a week since the AFC President’s Cup group stage came to its not-too-ideal conclusion, but some football circles in Cebu are still talking about the international event, particularly Philippine representative Global FC’s matches.

But despite losing its last match 1-6, first-timer Global FC hardly became an object of ridicule, as the spectators were sensible enough to attribute the club’s poor performance to a lack of experience in international tournaments.

Aces complete sweep

MANILA—The Alaska Aces proved their mastery over Barangay Ginebra Kings with a 104-80 rout to sweep the best-of-five titular series, 3-0, last night to bring home their 14th title in the 38th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

After a close battle in the first three quarters, the Aces suddenly exploded with a fiery 12-0 run and went on to hold the Kings to only two points in the last 6:31 of the game to secure their first crown under the post-Tim Cone era.

Queen City, CAFC nab 2nd win

CEBU Queen City United (CQCU) and Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC) booked their second win to top their brackets in the 13th Cebu Interclub Football at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Ryan Hemedia had a hat trick to tow CAFC to a 3-0 win over Mactan Camellanz, their second straight after a win over Don Bosco United in the opening day. CAFC leads Group B with two wins, while Mactan Camellanz United suffered its second consecutive loss.

CFA beats Iligan, 1-0

THE Cebu Football Association kept its unbeaten run in the Philippine Football Federation – Suzuki Under-23 National Cup after beating Iligan-Lanao FA, 1-0, last night at the Perdices Coliseum in Dumaguete City.

CFA’s Lorenzo Magbanua picked up a cross from Agapito Baclaan from the left flank and took it straight to the net for the lone goal.

Arche, Arias win Primary Homes Run

RALPH Arche and Merlita Arias Dunkin took advantage of their athletic edge over others as they ruled the 6K accredited broker category in the Primary Homes Run yesterday at the Sumilon Road, Cebu Business Park.

Arche, a triathlete, topped the men’s 6K exclusive category in a walk in the park 24:44 official time, leaving no room for runner-up Nars Jumonong to catch up. He clocked in 33:37, while third placer Lodivino Alvez finished in 36:50.

Dueñas beats Macasieb in Dipolog triathlon

IN A few short months, John Philip Dueñas has built himself up into one of Cebu’s strongest triathletes. This time, he cemented this after defeating RP’s top triathlete Arland Macasieb in the Dipolog Centennial Triathlon yesterday in Dipolog.

Dueñas, a former runner who transitioned to triathlon in the past year, banked on his original sport, running, to save him in this race.

Partner’s Cup semis cast complete

THE Cebu Landmasters needed extra time before eliminating Lion-Tiger Aerosols, 93-88, in overtime in the quarterfinal round of the Enervon-Cesafi Partner’s Cup 2013 tournament held at the Cebu Coliseum Saturday evening.

It was not an easy victory for the Landmasters, who had to endure playing without their Cameroonian reinforcement Amhed Salihou, who fouled out of the game still with 8:17 left to play in the fourth.

Karters laud Bohol track

THE level of competition in karting is expected to rise in the Visayas with the building of Kartways Sports Park and Resort in Panglao,Bohol.

Karters from Cebu competed in the second leg of the 2013 Kartzone series for the first time, and they hope their presence will drum up interest among locals and that Bohol will form a team that can join competitions.

Limpag: It’s time for Cesafi to consider some changes

NOW on its 13th season, this year’s Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. would be just like the first one and I hope it’s time for changes to be adopted.

I’m not saying we should get rid of the officials. I’m just saying it’s time for some changes, and you can change, of course, without changing officials.

Partner’s Cup semis cast complete

THE Cebu Landmasters needed extra time before eliminating Lion-Tiger Aerosols, 93-88, in overtime in the quarterfinal round of the Enervon-Cesafi Partner’s Cup 2013 tournament held at the Cebu Coliseum Saturday evening.

It was not an easy victory for the Landmasters, who had to endure playing without their Cameroonian reinforcement Amhed Salihou, who fouled out of the game still with 8:17 left to play in the fourth.

San Marino beats Raphael, earns semis slot

THE San Marino Corned Tuna secured a slot to the semifinal round after eliminating Raphael’s Café with an 81-63 bashing in the quarterfinal match of the Enervon-Cesafi Partner’s Cup 2013 tournament at the Cebu Coliseum yesterday.

Raphael’s Café/USJ-R put up a gallant fight for the first two quarter before slowly losing steam in the final two quarters and San Marino/CIT-U clobbered the hapless opponent with varied shots.

Gilas schedules nat’l. tour in July

THE Gilas Pilipinas will embark on a national tour together with the PBA Selection starting July 19.

The national tour will serve as the final stage of the national team’s build-up for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship that the Philippines will host on Aug. 1-11 at the Mall of Asia.

Alaska eyes sweep

MANILA—The Alaska Aces try to sweep the best-of-five titular series when they face Barangay Ginebra Kings Sunday in Game 3 of the 38th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Favorites rout foes in Interclub

THE favorites started out strong in the first day of the 13th Cebu Interclub Football Tournament yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center and Aboitiz Sports Field.

Samba FC, Hiroshi FC and Cebu Amateur Football Cup won in Group B, while Cebu Queen City United and Erco FC won in Group A of the men’s open.

Jaca pushes himself up

THERE was a point when Jimrex Jaca’s boxing career was going nowhere. He was losing his fights, he had personal problems and he was jumping from one promoter to another.

But that is not the case now, as he is slowly preparing himself for another shot at greatness under the ALA Promotions banner.

Coach wants continuity

A CONTINUITY plan will be proposed by the Teen Azkals coaching staff, which will make sure that the development of Under-19 Cebuano players will be monitored.

This was revealed by Teen Azkals head coach Glen Ramos, who assisted head coach Marlon Maro in last week’s tryouts held at the Aboitiz Sports Field from May 14 to 17.

Quijano: Rios is the perfect metric

CONGRATULATIONS Manny on your successful reelection bid as Member of the House of Representatives for the Saranggani district.

What’s this I hear… some snickering? Well, to hell with all the brickbats. We have had actors, basketball players and nincompoops strutting their wares around those august halls, haven’t we?

Mendoza: Thunder gone but Heat keep suspense alive

DID it hurt enough that Chicago got blasted 4-1 by Miami?

In a way, yes, because Chicago took Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals.

Lucky Rojo posts comeback win

“MUST be my lucky day.”

This was what 2012 KT novice class winner Vince Rojo shouted after taking the overall lead in the KT 100 class in the second leg of the 2013 Kartzone Karting Series at the Pangalo Kartways Sports Park and Resort in Bohol.

Q’finals kick off today

THE teams will be battling for a bigger stake when the Enervon-Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. Partner’s Cup enters the quarterfinal round today starting at 4 p.m. at the Cebu Coliseum.

Aces survive Kings for 2-0 lead

MANILA—Cebuano hotshot Dondon Hontiveros fired three straight triples in the fourth period as the Alaska Aces crushed the Barangay Ginebra Kings,104-90, to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five titular series Friday in the 38th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Go goes for 2nd win in Kartzone Series

NEOPHYTE driver Harold Justin Go of Harold’s Hotel will gun for another win in the KT novice class in the second leg of the 2013 Kartzone Karting Series at the Pangalo Kartways Sports Park and Resort in Bohol.

Limpag: Cebu impresses AFC officials

I ALWAYS knew that crowd behavior would be one of the factors for a successful hosting of the Asian Football Confederations (AFC) Cup. I just didn’t know how huge a factor it would be.