Global warning

GLOBAL FC of the Philippines did not disappoint the crowd with an emphatic 5-0 rout of Yeedezin FC of Bhutan in the UFL Champion’s debut in the Asian Football Confederation President’s Cup last night at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Global FC now leads Group B with three points, while Dordoi of Kyrgyzstan and KRL FC of Pakistan share second spot with one point each after playing to a 1-1 draw in the opening game.

Aces survive San Mig to take lead

MANILA—Veteran Sonny Thoss and RJ Jazul shared the heroic roles as the Alaska Aces escaped with an 89-82 overtime win over San Mig Coffee to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five semifinal series of the 38th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup before a crowd of 23,000 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Espinosa eyes 3rd title in Smart Head tennis

Cebuana Hanna Espinosa barged into the semifinals of the Girls 18-Under after routing Grace Zapanta, 6-1,6-0, in the 7th leg of the 2013 Smart Head Junior Satellite Tennis Tournament in Bacolod City.

The 18-year-old Espinosa will be gunning for her third title in the 11th- leg series against Erika Manduriao, who won over Judelee Hontraciego, 6-0,6-1. Another Cebuano bet, Elgy Dasian, secured a semifinals seat after routing Angeline Suarnava, 6-2,6-3 and will face Lenelyn Milo, a 7-5, 6-2 winner over Toni Rose Raymundo, 7-5,6-2.

Pages: Memories of Rizal Memorial Sports Complex

MANILA — Twenty five years ago this summer, I stepped inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for the first time. I was a skinny, pimple-faced 16-year-old who was joining the Group 1 (biggest) junior tennis event in Manila.

Time travels fast!

Limpag: Here’s to more miracles in President’s Cup

I SAID Cebu needs a miracle for a succesfsul AFC President’s Cup hosting and I think we got one and aside from the guys in the Cebu Football Association and the guys who worked their asses off to get the pitch back into world-class condition, we have to thank The One above for it.

Anyone who has been outside his or her home the past weeks or so knows that it’s been hot as hell in Cebu, but, for the past few days, we’ve been blessed with good and grass-friendly weather.

Speak out: What’s missing in Oklahoma

Nouia Eco Contributor

WHEN the Oklahoma City Thunder lost Russell Westbrook for the remainder of the season to a lateral meniscus tear, they lost more than just the 24 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7 assists he brings to the table every night. The impact of the other half of the team’s superstar duo goes beyond the numbers he puts up. Sure, the stats are significant but what OKC really misses about their starting point guard is his flair.

Lion Tiger stuns Gaisano Capital

LION-TIGER Katol Aerosols whacked the unsuspecting Gaisano Capital South, 72-69, for their third win in nine games in the Enervon-Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. Partner’s Cup 2013 at the Cebu Coliseum last Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, league leader and defending champion Prime Asia Lending Corp will face the Cebu Landmasters in an out-of-town game in San Remegio at 6 p.m.

Roach to Pacquiao: Win or retire

MANNY Pacquiao can’t afford to lose another fight if he plans to continue his career inside the ring.

Intense action on

AN intense game opener is expected today in the launching of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s Cup Group B stage with Powerhouse Dordoi FC of Kyrgyzstan taking on rising KRL FC of Pakistan at 4:30 p.m. followed by Yeedzin of Bhutan against host team Global FC, 7:30 p.m., at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Pacquiao to make ring return in November

MANNY Pacquiao will return to the ring Nov. 24 to meet Brandon Rios in a welterweight bout in Macau, the eight-division world champion’s promoter said Monday.

To drum up support, Global FC fans to march to CCSC

FANS and supporters of Global FC, who will represent the country in the Asian Football Confederation President’s Cup will lead a march from Robinson’s Fuente to Cebu City Sports Center today.

The group is set to assemble at 3:30 p.m. outside Robinson’s Fuente where they will offer face painting to fans who will join them.

5 Cebuanos to compete in Myanmar

FIVE Cebuano jins along with the RP National Taekwondo Team left for Myanmar yesterday for an international competition this week.

Cebuanos Miguel Calamba, Moses Bullicer, Rinna Babanto, Maegan Bugarin and Nichole Maurin along with the rest of the RP National Taekwondo are competing in the Asean Taekwondo Championships on May 9 to 11.

Quijano: Floyd is the ghostbuster

IT WAS another vintage Floyd Mayweather Jr. performance, and all that pre-fight bluster coming from Robert Guerrero was, well, just talk.

In our last column, we broke down “The Ghost’s” chances of winning and we concluded that it would not be what Guerrero brings to the fight, but rather how much Floyd has lost, if at all.

San Marino gets 4th win in 9

SAN Marino Corned Tuna took the game hard in the second quarter en route to an 89-67 win over the luckless Raphael’s Café in the elimination round of the Enervon-Cesafi Partner’s Cup held at the Cebu Coliseum last night.

Allan Dimco scored eight and Rick Brigoli, Floyd Taboada and Michael Graf made six points each for a combined 26-16 run that gave San Marino/CIT-U a 43-32 lead at the half-time break.

Lancers bound for Coca Cola Youngstars

THE Lancers earned another trip to the Visayas Regional Finals of the Coca- Cola PBA Youngstars Basketball Tournament 2013 after another win over the Warriors in their Cebu Leg championship rematch.

The Lancers overcame a sluggish start to claim back-to-back Cebu Leg championships with a 67-59 victory over the Warriors.

Global FC cast complete for Asian Football Confederation Cup

GLOBAL FC is shaping up well for the Asian Football Confederation President's Cup now that all the players have come together.

After head coach Brian Reid announced the two foreign reinforcements, Ben Starosta and Moussa Sagono, Fil-Spanish Juani Guirado had already joined the team to strengthen the backline of the squad.

CCSC holds qualifiers for PNG

THE Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) has started conducting its qualifying tournament to form a strong delegation for the Philippine National Games (PNG) on May 26 to June 2 in Manila.

Win or bust for Pagara

ONE minute you’re at the top of the heap, and the next you are out of the picture.

Pages: Bring back the PBA All-Star Weekend to Cebu

I’LL admit it: I don’t follow the PBA. I used to. My dad’s younger brother, Rey Pages, used to play for the Crispa Redmanizers together with Bogs Adornado, Atoy Co and Philip Cezar.

Mendoza: Still good for 2, 3, more years atop the ring

WHEN was the last time you heard a ghost break his promise?

On Sunday, of course.

Villaflor: A ‘vote’ for Cebu and Philippine football

THERE couldn't be a more urgent reason for me to resurrect this column: it's only two days before the historic AFC President's Cup 2013 kicks off here in Cebu. And it's a couple of firsts not just for Cebu but for the country as well: it's the first time for Philippines to host an AFC interclub tournament and to field a club to any AFC tournament.

Olango swim looks to raise more funds

THE Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) looks to raise P800,000 in this Saturday’s 6th Olango Challenge at the Crimson Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

Lancers, Warriors set another finals duel

THE LANCERS and Warriors set up another championship battle in the Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars Basketball Tournament 2013 Cebu Leg, following lopsided wins in the semi-final round.

The defending champions Lancers demolished the Easternians, 69-49, while the Warriors trashed the Greywolves, 70-55.

Gumban beats Ocon in Cobra boxing

MELVIN Gumban continues to show signs of promise following a unanimous decision win over Fernando Ocon in the main event of Cobra Tunay na Lakas Boxing last Saturday night at the Mandaue City Plaza Square.

All three judges saw Gumban as the winner with scores of 97-92, 96-93 and 95-94.

Mebei, Tabal win Dash for Scholarship

AFGHAN James Mebei and Cebu’s very own Mary Joy Tabal conquered the Dash for a Scholar Race yesterday at The Parkmall, Mandaue City.

Mebei clocked 41:45 to win the men’s 12K open, edging out Kenyan Abraham Missos who came in second in 41:49.

Limpag: Trolling Dan and his Global FC

IT WAS the perfect opportunity to pull a prank and I took the chance to troll Dan Palami and his Global FC team.

Everyone was wearing black, the colors of Global FC, during the welcome dinner for Global FC slash birthday party for host Ricky Dakay at his sprawling mansion.

Noval sets another record, could play for SEA Games

HE did it again.

Cebu’s Daniel Noval shattered the Philippine 100-meter senior record last Saturday in the first leg of the Asian Grand Prix in Bangkok, Thailand increasing his chances for a Southeast Asian Games debut.

Hoping to get into the spotlight

PLAYING second fiddle in the national team, Global stars Misagh Bahadora, Jeff Christiaens and Patrick Reichelt hope to seize the moment when the reigning United Football League champions compete in the most prestigious competition a Filipino club has played in, the AFC President’s Cup.

The three standouts have played cameo roles for the Azkals in recent matches with the Europe-based standouts preferred in their positions in the recent AFC Challenge Cup.

Cebuanos join Dipolog tri

SEVERAL Cebuano triathletes will be joining the Dipolog Centennial Triathlon set on May 18-19 in Dipolog City.

According to Sugbutriathlon technical director Benjoe Gimenez, those who have showed interest to join are the members of the Cebu Loves Tri Team Championship Series over-all champion team of Parklane tri composed of Ralph Arche, Kristiane Lim, Allan Ting, Love Casidsid and Hannah Galo.

IM Yap, FM Makinano stay clean in Mandaue chess

THE race to win the Mandaue Mayor’s Cup Open Chess title has been narrowed down to eight players with two leading the way after Round 6 yesterday at the J Center Mall Activity Center.

After six rounds, only International Master Kim Steven Yap and Fide Master Anthony Makinano were playing with perfect 6.0 points out of the 126 participants.