Villaflor: Slave nation

IN case you have forgotten, football fan, tomorrow, June 12, is a special day for Filipinos.

It marks the country’s independence from colonial masters Spain 115 years ago.

Mendoza: When the only option left is surrendering

IN boxing, the trainer of a fighter can toss the towel into the ring in a show of surrender.

The ending is called a technical knockout loss for the ward of the towel-tossing trainer.

Jr. Archers start strong in Friendship Cup

DE La Salle Santiago Zobel School Junior Archers received a rough welcome from Cebuano squad Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildkittens, whom the former thwarted, 79-65, at the start of the Cebu Elite Basketball League’s Friendship Cup 2013 at the University of San Carlos-North Campus gym yesterday.

Speak out: Tim Duncan: The ageless NBA legend

Nouia Eco Contributor

WHEN Coach Greg Popovich subbed Tim Duncan in with eight tenths of a second remaining in the first half of the 2013 NBA Finals opener, we all know the Spurs’ superstar would somehow be the focal point of the upcoming offensive sequence. True enough, the play materialized as a catch and shoot situation with Tony Parker inbounding the ball to Duncan who, with a quick release, buried the jumper just inside the arc as the buzzer sounded.

Limpag: Playing the numbers game

SPORTSWRITERS love stats and some of those who really know what they are doing can bat out significant ones on the fly, while some can spot intriguing stats after checking their notes or memory.

Stream, Sykes get easy wins

DEFENDING champion Stream Ingenyouity scored its first win of the season the easy way after Author Solutions (ASI) Hardbacks failed to show up in the CSCC E-League at the City Sports Club Cebu gym last Saturday.

Pagara joins Pinoy Pride XXI roster

AFTER fighting in small boxing events in his last four fights, unbeaten young prospect Albert Pagara is back in the big stage as he is slated to see action in the Pinoy Pride XXI show next month.

Pages: In tennis, can David beat Goliath in Paris?

IT’S David vs. Goliath in today’s Men’s Final of the French Open.

David Ferrer, in his first-ever Grand Slam final, will be facing a fellow Spaniard who’s called the King of Paris. Rafael Nadal, since he started playing in Roland Garros, has amassed a record that screams, “That’s impossible!”

Mendoza: Who needs a triple-double when you lose?

STARS shine brightly when they are needed most by their teams.

Tony Parker did exactly that on Friday, when he delivered the shot that gave San Antonio a stunning 92-88 victory over Miami in the opener of the NBA Finals.

Quijano: Entrance exams

School’s in. But before you are admitted back to our school of hard knocks, please take time to refresh and recalibrate your fistic knowledge.

All those summer boondoggles may have fogged up your pugilistic wisdom a bit so let’s refocus and try your hand at this exam. Give yourself 1 point for each correct answer:

Sabillo to make changes in fight vs. Estrada

MERLITO Sabillo usually fights aggressively and throws punches in bunches with disregard for getting hit in return.

However, against a world class counterpuncher in Jorle Estrada, Sabillo will incorporate a few changes in his approach.

Booth wins 4 titles in Gymkhana Games

ELLIE Booth won four blue ribbons after sweeping her events in the second group of the Gymkhana Games yesterday at the WhistleJacket Farm Horse Riding School in Sudlon, Lahug.

Booth, 11, of Cebu International School (CIS) topped the ball in the bucket, pole bending, water bottle and the Ball and Spoon event while riding her horse.

La Salle tests Cebu basketball squads

FOR the first time in history, the La Salle Santiago Zobel School in Ayala-Alabang allowed its Junior Archers basketball team to travel outside Manila, and the squad will get to test Cebu basketball in the 4-day Cebu Elite Basketball League’s Friendship Cup 2013.

Head coach Boris Aldeguer is hoping his players will learn something and toughen up for the UAAP tournament, which will open later this month.

Seno makes history in Malacca

BOGO City’s Jan Godfrey “Noynoy” Seno survived a three-hour match against Japan’s Natsuda Koki, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 to capture the boys singles of the 3rd Malacca ATF Asian 14/U Series Tennis Championship at the MITC Tennis Complex, Malacca, Malaysia.

Seno, 13, is the first Filipino to capture the title.

Bro-Erco starts strong

BRO-Erco National started out strong in their game opener and routed University of Negros Occidental Recoletos (UNO-R), 5-1, in the Philippine Football Federation- Barotac Football Club Fiesta Cup yesterday.

Determined to perform all-out as visiting team, the team started off with a 12th minute goal from University of Southern Philippines-Foundation skipper Aljohn Armamento.

Abarquez routs Anasta

CEBU’s Israel “RJ” Abarquez routed Rolly Anasta, 7-5,6-0, to advance to the Round of 16 of the 3rd Makati Sports Open at the Makati Sports Tennis Court.

Limpag: Call ups in national team a sham?

IT DIDN’T generate as much reaction, but for me, one of the most controversial statements I’ve heard lately was one made by Monchu Garcia of the Green Archers United to writer and TV commentator Bob Guerrero.

Garcia said, “The so called ‘call-ups to the Azkal team have been shams all along to make it look like they are scouting new players when in fact, it’s the same old boys club. The worst part is that many of these players with potential are giving up on their dream to play for their country.”

Mendoza: The fortunate, like Parker, are good—mostly

MIAMI’s Big Three have always been that good. They were again good yesterday, especially LeBron James, the group’s anchor.

Trouble is, San Antonio’s own Big Three were also not only good, but, hey better—and much, much better, if I may so add.

2 Cebuanos make PH youth squad

TWO indoor volleyball players from Abellana National School (ANS) were picked to complete the RP youth team to compete in the 5th Asean Schools Games (ASG) on June 22-30 at Hanoi, Vietnam.

TWO Cebuanos were picked for the PH youth volleyball team in the 5th Asean School Games on June 22 and 30.

Mon Fernandez tells Gilas: keep eyes on prize

IT is a very tough road ahead for the Gilas Pilipinas as they aim to gain a shot at the World Championship next year, through the 27th Fiba-Asia Men’s Championship on Aug. 1-11 in Manila.

Tabal to compete in Singapore Open

CEBU's Mary Joy Tabal will join the pool of runners that will represent the country in the Singapore National Open from June 22 to 23.

The Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) informed her of the good news last Thursday.

Marco wins 3 titles in Grandia Le Tour

ARNOLD Marco made his commanding presence felt in the Grandia Le Tour, winning three titles in different events last weekend all over Cebu.

The Category B rider topped the 80K road race from Danao City to San Remegio last Saturday.

Philippines gets easy group in Fiba-Asia championship

MANILA — Host Philippines joined Chinese Tapei, Saudi Arabia and Jordan in Group A during Thursday’s 16-team draw for the groupings of the 27th Fiba-Asia Men’s Basketball Championship at the Centennial Hall of the historic Manila Hotel.

Pestaño: Worst simul exhibits and billionaire players

HERE are some interesting and fascinating facts.

CCSC urges group to train kids in paddle sports

TO START the paddle sports grassroots developmental program, Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) chairman Edward Hayco and executive director Brando Velasquez advised the local paddlers to start a program for the Badjao kids.

Another comeback

“MARVELOUS” Marvin Sonsona makes yet another ring comeback following another long layoff.

Following an absence from the ring for more than a year, Sonsona, once dubbed as Philippine boxing’s next star, is back in action against Tanzanian Allan Kamote in one of the main fights in SGG Promotions boxing event on July 21 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Cebuanos to compete in Asian beach volley tour

CEBU's men’s and women's beach volleyball teams will start preparing next month for the the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) 2013 beach tour China Xianning Open on September 26-29, 2013.

This was disclosed by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) beach volley consultant Eric Lecain following PSC commissioner Jolly Gomez’s announcement that the top two teams in the recent POC-PSC Philippine National Games (PNG) will be sent to the AVC.

Pages: Spurs vs. Heat: Battle of the Big 3s

MIAMI is in Florida while the city of San Antonio is in Texas. I’ve never been to either state. But, based on my little research, no two cities can be more different.

Miami is the “Cruise Capital of the World” and is located along the Atlantic coastline. We all remember the hit TV show, “Miami Vice,” right? We picture a city with blue skies hovering, red Ferraris sprinting, and green palm trees lined-up along Miami beach.

Limpag: Fiba Asia: Revenge of the Pinoy fans?

FIRST there was the case of Smart Gilas, the defending champion whose invitation to the Jones Cup was taken back, and now this, Pinoy fans—women and children—getting harassed after the Philippines beat Hong Kong, 1-0, for the first time.

Darchinyan: I deserve a rematch with Donaire

WHILE Nonito Donaire Jr. is taking his time off recuperating from shoulder surgery and at the same time awaiting the birth of his son, a familiar foe is just lurking around the corner, hungry to avenge a loss six years ago.