SSA eyes grandslam in Nopsscea girls’ bootfest

ST. Scholastica’s Academy (SSA) is looking forward for its third straight title in the Negros Occidental School Sports, Cultural and Educational Association (Nopsscea) secondary girls’ football tournament.

This as they battle University of St. La Salle (USLS) Saturday in the championship match of the Nopsscea at the University of Negros Occidental-Recolletos (UNO-R) football pitch.

Vinluan: Sporting with Masa and Hiko

THEY train them young! Part of our trip to Kobe, Japan aside from visiting the famous Peace Park and museums, and walking through the “ historical temple walk” in appreciation of old Japan, was the sight of the wonders of modernization.

Time bounded, I had the chance to visit Kobe YMCA, what was the sight of a rather old building outside, was a surprisingly highly modernized facility inside, from swimming pool, to the bodybuilding gym is not comparable to what we have here in the local YMCA.

Chesaa caging tilt takes one week respite

EARLY crown favorites Baguio College of Technology and Data Center College of the Philippines Baguio will take to the bench as basketball action in the Cordillera Higher Education Sports Athletic Association takes a week respite to give way for the upcoming CARAA 2011.

After notching two victories at the start of the season, last year’s finals protagonist BCT and Data Center get their much needed rest as they take on tougher opponents in the next playing dates.

Calputora stops Korean in JVOFI Golf

CHESTER Calputora defended the home turf stopping two Koreans in Class A division of the 6th Jaime V. Ongpin Golf for a cause presented by the JVO Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Texas Instruments Philippines at the Baguio Country Club fairways during the weekend.

Calputora fired a net of 58 points for the championship crown and edged Kim Tae Hong who fired 59 points to settle for the first runner-up honors while Kim Hwa Rang churned in 60 points to claim the second runner-up honors.

‘Football fiesta time’

THE longest-running football festival in Cebu, the Thirsty Football Cup, kicks off its eighth edition this afternoon at the Cebu City Sports Center.

This year’s edition has drawn 243 teams in 14 divisions, making it the country’s biggest football festival in terms of participation. Last year’s events drew 210 teams.

Borgonia: We are reviewing Cviraa’s Palaro lineup

AFTER Cebu City Vice Mayor Augustus Joy Young expressed his disappointment with the Department of Education (DepEd)for not sticking with the plan for Palarong Pambansa the other day, DepEd Regional Director Recaredo Borgonia said they are doing their best to to complete their list of athletes within this week.

“We are reviewing our list of athletes because we don’t want to commit mistakes. We want to send the best team,” Borgonia said.

Pestaño: Bobby Fischer’s descent into madness

BOBBY Fischer against the World” is a documentary about the late chess genius who was admired by chess players as the greatest of all time but was also considered as one of the most reviled persons by the rest of the world.

The film is produced by documentary filmmaker Liz Garbus, who decided to do it after reading the New York Times obituary on the chess legend in 2008.

Cagayan de Oro hosts 64th PAL Interclub

THE Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub, the country’s longest running and most prestigious amateur golf tournament, goes to Northern Mindanao for just the fourth time in its 64-year history when Cagayan de Oro hosts the annual event from Feb. 16 to 26.

A record field of 167 teams are taking part, 12 more than the previous high of 155 teams set last year in Bacolod.

SWU to revive girls volleyball team this year

WITH the Southwestern University (SWU) collegiate women’s team dominating major indoor and outdoor volleyball tournaments, SWU is bringing back their high school team starting this year to put up a presence in thedivision.

SWU used to have a girls volleyball squad but it was disbanded in 2002. It was a strong team spearheaded by today’s top players such as Kenneth Garces, Juliette Marikit Yola Gendrauli and Joreen Sanchez.

Only eight of 10 teams confirm CBA entry

FROM 10, the teams in the inaugural Cebu Basketball Association (CBA) have been cut to eight.

This was learned during the meeting of team owners and representatives at the Yayoy’s Resto Bar and Grill yesterday.

TNT goes for title

MANILA—After regaining the momentum, Talk ‘N Text tries to end the series and secure their third title when they face San Miguel Beer Friday in game six of the best-of-seven title series of the 36th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) All-Filipino Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Coach Chot Reyes of the Tropang Texters, who won 99-77 on Wednesday, said they will suit up in the match more confident against the Beermen.

Loyzaga arriving in Davao

PHILIPPINE Sports Commissioner Chito Loyzaga will keynote major sports events opening on February 11 to 13 here in Davao City.

Neilwin Joseph Bravo, Evangelista Aquatics and Sports Management Inc. director for corporate affairs, said Thursday that Loyzaga will have his hands full with speaking engagements during his three-day visit.

AIESEC-AdDU eyes 1,000 runners in fun run event

SOME 1,000 runners are expected to join the R.A.I.N. (Raising Awareness for Individuals with Needs) Chase Fun Run for Autism that will hit the road on February 13 at 5 a.m. in an out-and-back course at Victoria Plaza Carpark.

Angeli Cristine Lungtad of the organizing AIESEC-Ateneo de Davao University said they hope to attract a huge turnout to be able to raise more funds for children at the Rainbow Intervention Center for Autism Foundation Inc.

Rains hamper training of Davao City athletes

THE Davraa Meet-bound Davao City athletics teams suffered a major setback on their preparations as rain prevented them from training at the now-muddied Davao City National High School (DCNHS) oval.

Secondary girls coach Mamerto Aventurado of Emar, in text messages Thursday, said they have been confined to training indoors instead.

6th Baseball Cup set Feb. 11-12

BAGUIO Central Elementary School (BCES) is expected to pose a threat to defending champion Lt. Col. Villafuerte Sr. Elementary School (LCVSES) when the 6th Davao City Baseball Cup tips off at the University of Mindanao (UM) Matina diamond on February 11 to 12.

Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School (PNJKIS) school administrator Ines Mallari, secretariat in-charge of the annual event, said Baguio CES just dethroned Villafuerte batters in the Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) Meet last year.

Glory days of golf

A FOURSOME of senior golfers hit the course with waning enthusiasm. "These hills are getting steeper as the years go by," one complained. "These fairways seem to be getting longer too," said one of the others. "The sand traps seem to be bigger than I remember them too," said the third senior.

After hearing enough from his senior buddies, the oldest and wisest of the four of them, at 87 years old, piped up and said, "Just be thankful we're still on the right side of the grass!"

3 Misor boxers disqualified

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte--The country's boxing hero Roberto "Bobby" Jalnaiz took it heavy from the heart.

After guiding his son, 15-year-old Roberto Miguel to initial boxing stardom in the recently-held Abap-PLDT National amateur boxing championships, the elder Jalnaiz's dream of adding the Palarong Pambansa belt to his talented son's early conquests had apparently went for naught.

Oro tankers off to 14-gold start

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte -- Secondary swimmers Dominic "King" Saburnido and Maxine Gail Carbajal each picked two golds as Cagayan de Oro plucked 14 of the first 28 golds at stake Thursday in the opener of the 2011 Palarong Pampook swimming competition here at the Mindanao Civic Center.

Muay Thai confab held

FOUR-time world Sanshou champion and new Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) Region 6 Director met Negros Occidental martial arts instructors for an organizational meeting and seminar last January 26, 2011 at the Tribu Hangaway Gym, Golden Heritage Bldg. in San Juan St., Bacolod City.

More Fil-foreign players join Team Azkals

GEARED towards building a tougher and a powerhouse Philippine football squad to be a top contender in the Asian Region and in the world, four more Fil-foreign players are expected to suit up for the Azkals as the team draws closer to its battle against the Mongolian squad for the 2012 AFC-Challenge Cup qualifying match on February 9 at Panaad Stadium.

Iloilo-Korean booters test Azkals today

AFTER finishing a four-goal draw against the Negros Selection team last Monday, the Philippine Football Team-Azkals will play another friendly game against the Korean-reinforced team from the Central Philippine University International Football Team 4 p.m. today at the Panaad Stadium.

'We work hard to be a good host'

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte--With sunlight now occasionally peeping through the cloudy skies amid intermittent rain, the 2011 Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (NMRAA) Meet opened here yesterday afternoon at the wet and beautiful Mindanao Civic Center sports complex.

Tennis ace Resma may not see action

TUBOD, Lanao Norte--While JJ Licayan of taekwondo and Jerwen Ebcas of athletics are definitely sure that they'll be competing for their final regional meet campaign, much younger Cagayan de Oro compatriot Roxanne "Dimple" Resma may not be winning gold anew in lawn tennis event as the 2011 Palarong Pampook goes in full action today at the Mindanao Civic Center here.

Abucejo's hot hands lift Eagle Heart; Auto Planet caging starts

FORMER Liceo de Cagayan standout James Abucejo on Tuesday exploded for 33 points as the Eagle Heart eked out a thrilling 76-71 win over early tormentor Eagle Claw, 76-71 in the ongoing Eagles Friendship Club inter-color basketball tournament at Bulua gym in Cagayan de Oro.

Council shuns funding fiestas

GOOD thing the Cebu City Council did not give in to the temptation.

President's Cup HCDC downs Agro

THE Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) Alumni rallied past the Agro-Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines (AIFCP) Sailors, 105-98, to enter the winning column of the President's Cup inter-collegiate men's division at the HCDC Gym Tuesday night.

Rains hamper training of '11 Davraa athletes

THE Davraa Meet-bound Davao City athletics teams suffered a major setback on their preparations as rain prevented them from training at the now muddied Davao City National High School (DCNHS) oval.

Liga Dabaw resumes Saturday

FOUR games are on tap when the Liga Dabaw resumes on Saturday at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Vice Mayor accuses DepEd of deviating from original plan for Palarong Pambansa training

“I AM disappointed. I am angry.”

These were the strong words of Cebu City Vice Mayor Augustus Joy Young after accusing the Department of Education (DepEd) of derailing their game plan for the Palarong Pambansa.

Infighting, postponement hit Prisaa

ALL through the past weeks, Foundation University have led a faction urging other members to boycott the Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) meet until “reforms are instituted.”

They put up a group called the Reform Prisaa Movement, spearheaded by Dr. Mira Sinco and Dr. Apricio Mequi of Foundation University and Atty. Peachy Alfelor-Moraleda, President of the University of Northeastern Philippine (UNEP) in Bicol.