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Hontiveros, Alaska hope to still make playoffs

By Rabboni Centino Borbon @rabCDN

Angeles City, Pampanga -- The Alaska Aces might have ended their long-time losing skid, but that doesn’t call for a celebration just yet as Cebuano triggerman Dondon Hontiveros is still hoping that his team will continue to work their way en route to the quarterfinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup.

Alaska took advantage of a San Miguel team who was parading their new import, 90-79, last Saturday night at the Angeles University Foundation Gym here and finally cut their 14-game losing streak dating back to the Commissioners’ Cup.

“We’ve been working hard for the past two weeks in preparation for this game and also to think that we will be up against an unbeatable team like San Miguel,” Hontiveros, said after the match.

Alaska got into the zone early with a 19-9 edge at the end of the first quarter including a three-pointer at the buzzer by guard Abel Galliguez.

The Beermen tried to pull off some stops and inched to within three at the 2:22 mark of the third quarter, 53-56, but their misfiring shots and turnovers cost them a lot as the Aces continue to manifest their will to put a nail to their longest winning slump in franchise history.

The Aces have four games left in their schedule and a fine showing might give them a flickering chance at the playoffs.

“The remaining games are a must-win for us.  We cannot afford to lose. The next game is as crucial as this game so we are looking forward to finish this conference with a 5-6 record,” Hontiveros said.

Import LaDontae Henton led Alaska with 36 points and 15 rebounds while home crowd-favorite Calvin Abueva netted 13 markers off the bench for Alaska whose largest lead was recorded with less than seven minutes left in the final period, 74-57.

“We started early and nakita raman sad nga na-sustain namo,” The three-time PBA Champion Hontiveros said, “Nindot  kaayo ang practice in the past few days, I was thinking nga mao na gyud ni nga game nga ma break na namo ang losing streak. “

Arwind Santos scored 29 points for San Miguel while Alex Cabagnot and Cebuano June Mar Fajardo backed him up with 14 and 12, respectively. Their new import, Terik Bridgeman only managed to chip in two points.

Alaska next plays Global Port Batang Pier on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena before tangling up with winless Kia Picanto, Meralco Bolts, and Rain or Shine in their remaining games.

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Defending champs Gilas holds off Thailand in SEA Games opener

By Rabboni Centino Borbon @rabCDN

Gilas Pilipinas rallied late to start their 2017 Southeast Asian Games men's basketball title defense campaign with an 81-74 victory over a gritty Thailand squad Sunday night at the Stadium MABA in Kuala Lumpur.

As Thailand's naturalized star Tyler Lamb walked himself back into the bench after he got fouled out with 4:47 left in the fourth, the Philippines took advantage of the situation and ignited a 14-3 run to close out the game with a win in their opening duty.

Troy Rosario, Christian Standhardinger, and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. led Gilas Pilipinas in scoring as they dropped 16, 15, and 14 points, respectively.

Gilas, who were haunted by a nightmare at the charity stripe all thoughout the game where they shot only 15 out of 26, were leading by just a point entering the final period, 60-59. 

At the 7:05 mark of the fourth, Thailand then got control of the steering wheel at the driver's seat with a two-point lead, 66-64, before adding two more, 68-66, in a desperate attempt to upset the defending regional champions.

But the winds suddenly changed for the Thais when Lamb was whistled for a foul on Parks that capped off his night, resulting to two free-throws by the former National University guard at the other end to take back the advantage back to the Philippines, 69-68.

Thailand managed to retake the lead, 71-69, with a three-pointer by Ratdech Kruatiwa but that was their last taste of the cake as Kiefer Ravena and Baser Amer stepped up for Gilas and drained their attempts to erect a six-point cushion, 77-71.

Thailand tried to save themselves from the hole with treys but all they got were miscues. Standhardinger and Parks then did their chores at the free-throw line to close the door on the medal-hungry Thais, 81-74.

Lamb, who plays for the Hong Kong Long Lions in the Asean Basketball League, paced Thailand with 17 points.

Gilas' next assignment will be against Indonesia in a 2015 championship rematch on Monday night. 

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Some of the members of the organizing team for the Cebu Dragon Boat Fiesta headed by Charly Holganza (second from right) gather after a press conference at the Provincial Capitol. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

Organizers of Cebu Dragon Boat Fiesta hope Cebu can be dragon boat haven of PH

Can Cebu become the dragon boat haven of the Philippines? Cebu’s pillars of the sport hope so.

But the bid to accomplish that will depend on the success of the Cebu Dragon Boat Fiesta, which will be held this April 28 to 30 at the Cebu Yacht Club in Lapu-Lapu City.

The organizing Dragon Boat Cebu Central (DBCC) said it would be important for the race to be successful since this will help make Cebu one of the dragon boat destinations in the country.

“We are hoping to make this event as one of Cebu’s annual tourism offering aside from the Sinulog and the IronMan,” organizer Charly Holganza said in a press conference yesterday at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

By the looks of it, the event looks very promising with the confirmation of international teams. More foreign teams have also expressed their interest to join.

“We have two teams from the USA and one from Guam,” co-organizer and former national team member Nonnie Lopez said.

“Teams from Korea, Italy, Singapore and Malaysia are also interested to join.”

Team DNA and Team DPW from the United States will be spicing up the event alongside the Guam Aces from Guam. Local teams Kugtong EXR, Gruppo Habagat and the Pads Cross-Disability Paddlers are also expected to show their prowess.

“There will be a fiesta atmosphere in the event,” Holganza, a retired general, said. “Families of the participants will be there for sure, that’s why we will be putting up food stalls, organize side events such as photo contest and fire dances.”

Four categories will be raced in the three-day event: the open, mixed, women’s and masters categories.

The event will be for the benefit of Philippine Acceptable Disability Services Inc. (Pads), who willl join the 2017 Paradragonboat Championships in Hong Kong in June.

The Pads team is composed of Cebuano persons with disabilities who were also trained under the DBCC. | @rabCDN

Pubished in Cebu Daily News January 31, 2017 issue

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Cebuana jin eyes big tournaments this year

Nica Garces competes in the National Milo Little Olympics in this 2015 photo. (CDN FILE)

Promising Cebuana taekwondo star Nica Garces has set her goals for this year.

The 17-year-old former University of Cebu (UC) jin, who is now with the National University (NU) Bulldogs, said she is hoping to be selected again by the Philippine National Team so she could compete in various tournaments outside the country, particularly the World Championships, Southeast Asian Games, and the Korea Open.

Garces is already in the Philippine National pool but the Philippine Taekwondo Association will still evaluate who among the members of the pool will be given the right to represent the Philippines in prestigious tournaments.

“I have to maintain my weight, attend every national team training, and perform well during the evaluations,” Garces said.

The evaluation dates have yet to be announced.

Last year, Garces won a silver medal in the Korea Open and also had a respectable finish in the World Junior Championships.

The World Championships is set on June 22 at a yet to be announced place while and the Southeast Asian Games is slated on Aug. 19 in Malaysia. The Korea Open is scheduled on Sept. 12 to 17. | @rabCDN

Published in Cebu Daily News, Jan. 17, 2017

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IN PHOTOS | 2016 coverages 

Photos by me (except for those with my face on it lol)

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OPINION: HAND-WRITTEN GEHAPON?

Duol na ang Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) ug nangandam na kami sa akong kauban nga sports writer kaniadto nga si Johnlery Bugas nga naa na karon nageskwela og Accountancy sa La Salle University sa Ozamiz City. Mosulti dayon tong coach namo - nga maestra ra gehapon nako – sa akoa og, “Taronga na imong penmanship dong Rabboni. Mao ra nay kapildihan nimo sa contest.”

Second year high school ko adto ug nababa-an gyud sa akong maestra - napildi ko sa akong event nga sports writing.

Ang purpose nga naa kining DSPC ug mga school publications sa high school man o elementary mao ang pag-train ug pag-develop sa journalistic skills sa mga tinun-an - labi na sa katong naay damgo nga mahimong sakop sa media puhon. Usa sad kini sa pamaagi nga makakat-on og appreciate ang mga bata sa effort nga gibubo sa mga nag-practice og journalism para makahatag lang sa impormasyong angay mahibaw-an sa kadaghanan.

Pero ang pangutana, mu-matter ba gyud ang penmanship sa usa ka bata para lang makadaog sa mga contest aning DSPC?

Ngano man nga hantod karon, wala pa nabag-o ang sistema sa DSPC sa Oroquieta City ug sa nagkalaing dapit nga dapat hand-written ang mga articles nga i-submit sa mga contestants? Ang naka-pait, makurat na hinuon ang bata kay murag nahimo na kini nga criteria for judging sa mga mohukom sa ilang mga articles.

Dili penmanship ang basehanan kung nindot ba mosulat ang usa ka journalist o student-journalist. Unsaon man nimo nang murag “Times New Roman” nga agi kung wala kiniy saktong reportage or in other words, sakto nga pagka-report sa iyahang story? Unsaon man nimo nang straight kaayo og margins sa isig ka kilid sa iyang yellow pad kung mubo ra kaayo ang article niini kay kulang ang gihatag niya nga mga facts?

Luoy kining mga estudyante nga kabalo mosulat pero bati lang og penmanship. 

Para fair sa tanan, mas labing maayo nga ipa-encode nalang sa Microsoft Word ang mga articles sa mga contestants gamit ang laptop o desktop computer. Naa na kita karon sa 21st Century ug wala na kita sa panahon sa atong prinsipal adtong bata pa sila. Atoa kanang gamiton ang mga hinatag sa gobyerno nga computers sa mga public schools.

Bisan gane ang mga reporters ug writers sa newspaper karon mag-encode na sa ilang mga articles ug gamiton pa ang email para i-send kini sa ilang editor. Bisan kami nga nageskwela og Journalism ug Communication, mag-encode na ug i-print nalang ang among mga balita nga i-submit sa among mga teachers.

Dugay nako nakadungog sa plano sa DepEd nga dapat encoded na kining mga articles, ma DSPC man, Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) man, o National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) man pero hantod karon mao lang gehapon. Naglibog na hinuon ko unsay gamit adtong tema nila sauna pag RSPC adtong high school pa ko nga, “Promoting Digital Literacy…”.

Kay wa man koy choice, akoang gi-practice og nindot ang akong agi. Nagka-okay na daw ang akong penmanship samtang nagkataas ang akong year level ug apil sad sa nagkataas ang akong rank sa contest nga akong gi-apilan aning DSPC.

Pero pag college na nako, nimaot nasad kini og balik akong agi. 

Rabboni Borbon

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CAS retain rank.

The landscape remained the same for the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) as they once again froze at third place behind the College of Commerce (CoC) and College of Engineering (CoE) in the 2013 edition of the USJ-R University Days and Intramurals.

It was the department’s second consecutive landing at the third-seed spot from the five-day university-wide sports festival slated last September 16 to 20.

“Gusto unta mi ma- second or ma-champion overall this year, pero wa man madala,” A CAS volleyball athlete said.

CAS, who has been consistently making it up to the top three of the rankings every year, piled up a total of 415 points from the minor and major games including the special events like the Dance Sport and Dance Palabas.

Based on the official results, the Celtic-green team snared five silver medals from the men’s basketball, volleyball, and badminton; women’s table tennis and the track and field events which were separately played at the Cebu City Sports Center.

During the awarding night at the TGIF (Thank God it’s Funday) created by the Supreme Student Council (SSC) 32nd Congress, Vice President for Student Welfare and Sports Moderator Rev. Fr. Glynn Ortega, OAR did the honors of handing the coveted medals to the CAS winning athletes.

According to a SSC CAS House Representaive, Czarisse Faller, she is happy with the performance of her co-department allies.

“(Bisan)Wala man miy financial support para sa ilaha, tanan nalang klase sa support amung gihatag nila (CAS athletes).” Faller said.

The Commerce were calculated as the overall champions for the seventh year in a row after collecting 555 points while Engineering found themselves again at second place with 480.

CoC won seven championship games, including the epic loss of the CAS basketball team in their hands, 88-81. | Rabboni Borbon

Published by The Purveyor Publication - the official student publication of the Department of Journalism and Communications of the University of San Jose-Recoletos.

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USJ-R wins Cesafi football title.

Recoletos football is officially back to its glorious days.

 The University of San Jose – Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars sealed their second title in a row in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s football – tertiary division after outlasting the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors via a jittering penalty shootout, 4-3, last October 6, 2013 at the Cebu City Sports Center.

 Both squads failed to break the scoreless deadlock at regulation and at extra time that forced the officials to deal the trophy rights through penalty kicks.

 “We ended up with a nice and clean game. We were really focused on winning the championship.” USJ-R coach Joselito Bono said after the match.

 The Jaguars, who are now six-time champions winning the first four football tourneys of the Cesafi, maintained their pace dominating most of ball possession in the early goings of the first half.

 Jaguars striker Rikko De Guzman kept pushing the intensity on the pitch beating defenders off the dribble and receiving through passes from midfield allies that kept USC goalkeeper Leonard Tan stressed.

 But, De Guzman’s attempts went off wide and Tan managed to stretch and deflect some of his booming shots.

 USJ-R’s defense got groggy in the second half that let the Warriors took advantage and created shots on goals of their own including a near one inside the penalty box but, Jaguars’ goalie Joel Cahilog’s reflexes were keen enough to save the attempt.

 The Warriors and Jaguars have not been able to find the back of the net until the 30-minute extra time spread that forced a down to the wire penalty shootout.

 De Guzman tallied the first goal in the standout with an immense low ball that dazzled Tan, but Karl Arcinas quickly equalized with his strike outwitting Cahilog.

 The next two kick-takers, USJ-R’s Harold Daga and Matthew Minoza of USC, scored their shots to tie it again at 2-2.

 Anthony Tabuelog of the Jaguars loaded pressure on the Warriors targeting his attempt successfully and took a 3-2 lead before a looming miss by USC’s Carlo Abellana.

 However, USJ-R’s Junifer Ebero missed his justifying kick before John Daniel Caballero grabbed the opportunity and turned it even, 3-3.

 Jaguars’ last kicker, Jestone Pialago fired through his attempt, 4-3, and Warrior Noel Madraga critically outdirected his boomer to finally hand the Josenians their back-to-back championship.

 Despite an ugly loss to the Warriors during the eliminations where Cahilog found himself on a red card for punching USC’s Yves Caballero, the Jaguars focused more on avoiding emotional trauma and wrote another historical championship chapter in their colorful football story. | Rabboni Borbon

Published by The Purveyor Publication - the official student publication of the Department of Journalism and Communications of the University of San Jose-Recoletos.

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Pilots gain opening win against Taboc Norte.

Seven players scored double-digits as the Lower Langcangan-Harbor Pilot demoralized Taboc Norte, 101-61, in their opening game of the 2014 Oroquieta City Inter-Barangay Basketball Tournament last April 16, 2014 at the Oroquieta City Plaza.

Isidro Animas (left) of the Harbor Pilot tries to draw a foul from his opponent (right) in their 101-63 rout of Taboc Norte last April 16, 2014 at the Oroquieta City Plaza. Photo by Rabboni Borbon

Harbor Pilot's new acquisition Janjan Quilab and shooting machine Anthony Jamorol were the top-notch scorers of the game with 18 and 16 points, respectively. STI College's Roberto Tamparong had 12 points, while Jay Calang ang Richard Kwong - who play together with Tamparong at STI - added 10 points apiece for the Pilots.

The Pilots pumped up their defense from the start of the game that disabled the hungry Taboc Norte squad to cause headaches down the stretch.

Landoy Albios of Taboc Norte led their team with 20 points while versatile teammate Marly Villafuerte was contained to four points only.

BOX SCORE:

Harbor Pilot 101 - Quilab 18, Jamorol 16, Tamparong 12, Kwong 10, Calang 10, Lucernas 10, Llantos 10, Centino J. 6, Centino I. 4, Bongcac 4, Animas 3, Daguinod 2.

Taboc Norte 61 - Albios 20, Pano 14, Serojales 12, Pano 5, Villafuerte 4, Albios 3, Bularon 2.

 RABBONI MARK JAY C. BORBON

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Harbor Pilot stumbles to LJ.

The Harbor Pilot team’s winning barrage hit to a sudden pause after slipping their championship game to Team Lopez Jaena, 79-75, in the Mayor Michael Gutierrez Commercial Basketball Cup last November 28, 2013 at the Lopez Jaena Gym.

Team Lopez Jaena was led by former Southwestern University Cobra, Eric Zanoria with 20 points, while ex-UV Green Lancer, Harold Cincoflores added 14 markers.

The Harbor Pilot were dominant until the end of the third quarter before falling short down the stretch making only 3 out of 11 in field goals.

Lopez Jaena blasted in transition from missed shots of their opponents in the fourth quarter that contributed much in their scoring run.

Zanoria scored from an offensive rebound that gave Lopez Jaena the lead, 77-75, with less than a minute to go.

The Pilots had the chance to tie the ball game, but Egay Echavez missed his free-throws off his penetration. Vanni Aguilar then had the chance to tie it also at free-throws and yet again missed both.

Lopez Jaena’s Sunogan made one-of-two in the free-throw line to claim a three-point cushion, 78-75. And with 12 seconds left on the clock, Echavez launched a three to tie it, but unluckily went off.

Sunogan was again fouled and split his free-throws to push their lead, 79-75, before Aguilar missed his three-pointer on the other side at the sound of the buzzer.

The Harbor Pilot could not answer to Lopez Jaena’s scoring spree that caused their first setback for more than a year of being undefeated.

J.P Villaver was the high man for the Pilots tallying 16 points. Lyndon Gudez also contributed 13 points and six rebounds while former PBA D-League players, Chris Dumapig and Kris Lucernas scored 11 and 10 respectively.

Box Score:

Lopez Jaena 79 - Zanoria 20, Cincoflores 14, Gabas 13, Laniton 13, Sunogan 10, Luga 5, Tampi 2, Echavez 2.

Harbor Pilot 75 - Villaver 16, Gudez 13, Dumapig 11, Lucernas 10, Aguilar 9, Echavez 7, Rebuya 4, Cavan 3, Dacia 2, Ababon 0, Alvarado 0, Capotolan 0, Jamorol D.N.P.

Rabboni Mark Jay C. Borbon and Jan Klark C. Tecson

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ALA boxers win at all-star Pinoy Pride 23.

Photo courtesy of Yahoo! Sports PH

ALA Gym stablemates, Donny "Ahas" Nietes, AJ "Bazooka" Banal, Milan "El Metodico" Melindo, Jason Pagara, and Merlito Sabillo iced their respective opponents in the all-star Pinoy Pride 23 - Filipinos Kontra Latinos last November 30, 2013 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

At the main event, Nietes defended his WBO World Light Flyweight belt against Mexico's Sammy Gutierrez after the referee stopped the fight at 2:58 in the third round.

Nietes knocked down his opponent twice in the first round and finished him for good in the third.

Banal, Melindo, and Pagara failed to knock out their opponents but still managed to win on the score cards.

Sabillo, on the other hand, pulled away with a close split-decision win over Nicaragua's Luis Buitrago for the WBO Minimumweight title. 

One judge scored the fight, 115-113 for Sabillo while the other had the same score for Buitrago. Another judge scored the bout with a draw, 114-114. Sabillo remained undefeated and defended his belt.

A rematch between Sabillo and Buitrago is eyed in the nearest future because of the outcome of the match.

 Rabboni Mark Jay C. Borbon

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WELCOME TO INSIDE THE SPORTS ARENA.

I.T.S.A. STAFF:

Publisher/Editor-in-chief:

Rabboni Mark Jay C. Borbon

Writers/Content Creators:

Jan Klark C. Tecson

Jules Karl C. Tecson

Albert T. Destura

Rabboni Mark Jay C. Borbon

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College of Arts and Sciences vs College of Commerce championship game. Photos by Joymie Jay Rafaeles

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Nakapambomba ug 33 puntos si Jake Semblante para ihungit pagka-kampeon ang College of Commerce sa 2013 University of San Jose - Recoletos (USJ-R) Intramurals human mabalhibo-an ang College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), 88-81, sa USJ-R Main Campus basketball court niadtong Septyembre 20, 2013.

Sa...

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Nat Cruz was on a warrior aura with 19 points and 8 rebounds as the Harbor Pilot demoralized the D’Marchan Yanna Team, 81-65, to be hailed champions of the 2013 Proper Langcangan Open Commercial Tournament last April 24, 2013 at the Proper Langcangan Basketball Court.

Cruz, who was a former...

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The Seniors spoiled the sophomores’ Twice –to-Beat advantage and cruised on to be hailed champions in basketball of the 2012 SMC High School Intramurals on September 21, 2012 at the SMC basketball court.

Thanks to an “Air Jordan” performance from the captain, Howell Santiago, the...

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Lower Langcangan Harbor Pilots were hailed champions of the 2nd Harbor Pilots Cup as they defeated Taboc Sur, 92-85, last May 25, 2012 at the all-new Lower Langcangan basketball court.

Taboc Sur were shooting the ball well at the perimeter that caused little problems on the Pilots’ defense all...