#pba matchups

[gme-news]

KAI SOTTO VS CARL TAMAYO: WALANG PAKIALAM SA MGA NAGPAPAHYPE RIVALRY NILA SA JAPAN B LEAGUE

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[bestsportph]

Diving into the Thrilling World of Sports Entertainment News

In the dynamic realm of sports, every game, match, and competition tells a story. It's a world where adrenaline meets strategy, and the excitement is palpable. For sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike, staying up-to-date with the latest news, game schedules, and live updates is essential to feeling part of the action. From NBA live today updates to the latest PBA news, this article delves into the captivating world of sports entertainment news, including PBA live news, game schedules, NBA game schedules, Philippines sports news, and even the fascinating realm of Philippines sports betting.

NBA Live Today: A Global Spectacle

The NBA (National Basketball Association) stands as a global phenomenon, captivating basketball fans around the world. With star-studded teams, iconic players, and exhilarating games, the NBA live today updates provide a front-row seat to the action. From slam dunks that send crowds into a frenzy to clutch three-pointers that determine victory, following NBA live updates connects fans to the heart-pounding intensity of each game.

Latest PBA News: Showcasing Philippine Basketball Excellence

In the Philippines, basketball is more than just a sport; it's a way of life. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) serves as the country's premier professional basketball league, uniting fans and communities through their shared love for the game. The latest PBA news serves as a gateway to the drama, triumphs, and challenges faced by teams and players. From trade rumors to game highlights, PBA news keeps fans in the loop, allowing them to celebrate victories and commiserate defeats with their favorite teams.

PBA Live News and Game Schedule: A Fan's Lifeline

For die-hard fans of PBA, access to PBA live news and game schedules is like having a direct line to the heart of the league. Whether following the progress of their favored teams or eagerly anticipating upcoming matchups, PBA live news and game schedules provide the information needed to plan gatherings, cheer on beloved players, and bask in the camaraderie that sports bring.

NBA Game Schedule: A Global Calendar of Excitement

The NBA game schedule is more than just a list of dates and times; it's a global calendar of excitement. From the regular season to the playoffs, every matchup carries the potential for unforgettable moments. For fans around the world, the NBA game schedule serves as a roadmap to exhilarating showdowns, epic rivalries, and opportunities to witness history being made on the court.

Philippines Sports News: Beyond the Courts

While basketball may reign supreme, Philippines sports news extends beyond the hardwood courts. From boxing to football, volleyball to athletics, the Philippines boasts a diverse sporting landscape. Staying informed about the latest developments in various sports allows enthusiasts to expand their horizons and discover new heroes and triumphs in the realm of athletics.

Philippines Sports Betting: Navigating the Excitement Responsibly

For some, sports entertainment goes hand in hand with the thrill of sports betting. Philippines sports betting adds an extra layer of excitement to games, turning fans into active participants in the outcomes. While the allure of sports betting is undeniable, responsible gambling practices are crucial. Engaging in sports betting responsibly ensures that the focus remains on the enjoyment of the game, while also acknowledging the importance of moderation and mindfulness.

A Window into the World of Sports

Sports entertainment news serves as a window into the world of athleticism, strategy, and camaraderie. Whether it's the nail-biting moments of an NBA game, the latest PBA news, or updates from various sports, following sports entertainment news allows fans to connect with their passions, engage with their communities, and celebrate the achievements of athletes and teams. In a world where sports have the power to unite and inspire, sports entertainment news becomes a vessel that carries the excitement of the game to fans near and far.

For more info:-

latest in sports world

philippines sports news

[osarothomprince]

Jojo Lastimosa commends TNT defense for shutting down hardworking Meralco

TNT defenders swarm Meralco import KJ McDaniels. –PBA IMAGES ANTIPOLO CITY — Coach Jojo Lastimosa lauded TNT for the way it was able to limit Meralco’s offense in Game 1 of their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series on Friday. Billed as a matchup between their offense against the Bolts’ defense, the Tropang Giga succeeded on…Jojo Lastimosa commends TNT defense for shutting down hardworking Meralco

[edelgoth]

hi, may i have an fe3h pba matchup? the partner part isnt necessary, but if you have someone new in mind im all ears 👍 im bi! ive been told that im always smiling awkwardly and that i sound monotone. im bad at conversations and i clam up easily, so i tend to keep to myself. i do enjoy company and i try to put myself out there, but i find it too tempting to just stick with the few close friends i already have. that being said, i can really get going when my interest is piqued. [1/2] 🍀

im an impulsive dumbass and slow on the uptake (imo), yet i get good grades without too much effort. my sleep schedule is a total mess; without a day routine to keep me in check, i would probably be nocturnal. i like to think that im honest and loyal, and i try to be helpful when i can. i tend to push down my own feelings when my friends need comfort. i like dogs, horror (esp movies and games), drawing, and knitting. thank you and i hope you have a great day! [2/2] 🍀

i know it’d make sense for your admirer to be one of your alternate matchups, but I decided to Shake It Up for the fun of the it! i hope you like this!! it’s the first pba ship i’ve done so askjdfhkfsjhfskjh

partner: we’re keeping it with mercedes because you guys are just so cute and I can’t handle it!!

best friend: caspar!! oh my god you two would be so compatible as friends I’m–

you’re very similar, but you have enough contrast to keep each other on your toes? 

it seems like a ‘two sides of the same coin’ sort of deal; you’re both impulsive and a bit slow on the uptake, but you’re the calmer, more grounding force, while caspar is much more the firecracker; he does most of the talking, but he likes your company because you Get Him

i feel like you two would just be constantly getting up to Antics; going back to the impulsive thing, i can imagine one of you running to the other’s dorm at like one in the morning, hissing something like “hey, wanna go climb the roof and see how far we can throw eggs?” through the door, to which the other goes “H E L L Y E A H I D O”

you’re still the arguable brains of this situation, though, the one more likely to go “WAIT” before you go charging into your next “adventure” (let’s just say you’ve saved him a lot of trouble in the past)

caspar is very honest and speaks his mind without really thinking about it, and he wouldn’t take it when you were repressing your own feelings; i can see him dragging you to a nice location and going “just shout it all out! shout! it all! out!” screaming at the top of your lungs turns out to be good catharsis. 

you’d just have so much fun together, you know? i stan two (2) impulsive dumbasses

admirer: ashe!! he’d find you So Cute tbh

the things that’d strike him about you would be that you’re honest and loyal, and that you try to be helpful. they’re traits that ashe really appreciates in people and tries to emulate himself

i feel like he’s much more the sort to admire from afar; especially since he thinks you and mercedes are such a charming couple

(that and he finds you and caspar Deeply Intimidating when you’re together; it’s not like you guys mean to be, it’s just that caspar’s Very Protective and ashe is quite used to his brashness)

he wants to be your friend, but he just can’t muster up the courage to talk to you; what’s he supposed to say to you?

he’s still very polite and earnest when he does get to speak to you, and he always curses the blush on his cheeks 

and honestly bless his little soul bc despite his own feelings, he’s always rooting for you from afar

[ajokeformur-ray]

@charlie-sisters  asked:

Sending in for that matchup, please! 💖 My name is Jess and lol putting it simply, I am a mess. 😅 This is starting off depressing, but I honestly don't like myself at all and I struggle finding anything nice to say about myself at all. Sometimes i cope with that with self-depreciating humor. (My sense of humor in general can get dark, lol) I have bad anxiety and I do not cope with it well. I need a lot of reassurance and I feel like it annoys people around me. (1/3)

I am kinda hard to get to know because of social anxiety. I second guess everything and never really believe anyone likes me, so I kinda pull away and isolate myself more than I should. On lighter notes, I LOVE rainy days, listening to music, and relaxing at home. Quiet nights in are all I need to be happy, lol. my sense of humor can be dark, but I'll just as easily laugh at silly puns and 'stupid' jokes (like the 'arr' rated pirate movie joke, lol). So anything goes, I guess. 😂 (2/3)

I'm not great at opening up when things bother me, but I like to think I'm good at listening and offering comfort when it's needed. (3/3) Thank you AGAIN and so sorry to be such a bother!! 💖💖💖

Edit: and Patrick Verona <3

Under a cut because there’s lots here <333 Enjoy, darling! <3

Word count for the three: 2, 312 (uhh... woops??)

Arthur // wc: 751.

Don’t think for a minute that Arthur doesn’t know where your self-deprecating sense of humour stems from. He dislikes it but he can’t really say anything about it because he’s exactly the same way. Whenever you say something bad about yourself, Arthur frowns at you and quietly says, “Do you really think that, Jess?” and for everything you say by way of explanation is noted quietly; there are pages in his journal filled with things that you’ve joked about or said and all the ways in which Arthur thinks he can prove you wrong. He just can’t get his head around the fact that you don’t see yourself as he does; it’s a cruel joke, he thinks, and he’s determined to change your punchline. Generally speaking, you have a dark sense of humour and Arthur really connects deeply with you over that. Over the weeks and months that you spend time together, Arthur’s comedic material becomes more tailored to you and what is guaranteed to make you laugh, so deeply in love with you is he that unless you’re smiling, the entire world is wrong and it must be corrected. You don’t cope well with your anxiety but it’s something that Arthur is more than familiar with so he’s more than willing to help you in any way that he can, learning all of your verbal and non-verbal cues as quickly as he can so that he can help you best. He’s never afraid to give you reassurance and anything you need is immediately given to you.There is nothing that Arthur won’t do for you, to you, and he proves himself to be true time and time again; even as exhausted as he is.

There are beginning difficulties between you and Arthur because you’re both quite hard to know initially. Arthur hides within himself a lot of the time and he keeps to himself as best as he can, used though he is to being targeted by other people. Try though he might to hide, to avoid any trouble, it seems that it always finds him. You find it hard to believe that people like you and truly is Arthur the same; but with many reassurances and shocked, quiet glances, you find your own ways to each other. You are each other’s rock in so many ways and you come through for one another again and again. You pull away and isolate but Arthur does the same sometimes, and there are times when you don’t talk for hours or days but the other person will definitely approach, knowing each other as well as you do. You adore rainy days and listening to music and on those days, Arthur invites you over, wanting nothing more than to spend the entire day with you dancing to Sinatra, Durante and others. You both enjoy your quiet nights together, your solace away from the busy and harsh reality that you both have to endure. The nights are for the both of you to spend time together; even if you barely talk to each other, you enjoy nothing more than dancing around Arthur in the kitchen when you’re doing the necessary chores or otherwise tidying up the apartment, so tidy is Arthur. You’re always laughing around each other; so alike are your senses of humour and so desperate is Arthur to truly make you laugh. His eyes close every time he hears such a sweet sound and he longs to cradle it in his hands and to cherish it forever. It’s a daily goal for the both of you to make the other person laugh. All is not lost so long as you can do that.

You’re not great at opening up when things bother you and it’s the same for Arthur, but you can read each other so well that you both just know when something is amiss and though you don’t push him, you make it known that you’re there for him and that you want to comfort him. When he suffers a PBA attack, you’re there to hug him tightly and to comfort him as best as you can. Arthur is infinitely grateful for you and for everything that you do for him and anything  that you do do for him is returned to you tenfold. Arthur loves you so, so much that he can’t bare the thought of you being anything less than happy. He’s there for you through it all, no matter what. He loves you, Jess. You’re his entire world.

Joker // wc: 699.

By this point in your relationship, Joker is with you for the rest of your life. You were with him through it all and you stayed, you stayed, and that means more to him than anything else. A lifetime of loyalty and of protection is definitely the very least that he can do for you, and indeed, he can’t see himself with anyone else. You are his first and his only and by now is Jess Fleck something that he whispers to himself on his darkest of nights. Your name entwined with his is his reason, his purpose, his joy and his strength. By now, as well, Joker knows you. He knows your every tone, your every expression, your every way of joking and all the ways in which you insult yourself. He eyes you disapprovingly but he doesn’t ever stop you; he knows that he can’t. Your ways of expressing yourself aren’t too dissimilar to his own. Every time you insult yourself, Joker smiles without humour and then says something which insults him. When you defend him from himself, Joker watches you with a slow growing smile which is tight around the edges as he waits for his point to sink in. He’s a clever man, is your Joker. Your anxiety is bad and Joker helps you with it in all the ways that he can; there’s nothing he won’t do for you. Come rain or shine, hell or high water, Joker is there for you, with you, through it all. You never annoy him, no matter how many times you ask him if you are. Joker typically displays a tender kind of frustration as so far as helping you; can you not see how beautiful you are, how much he loves you? He feels as though he hasn’t loved you properly or even enough for how many thoughts cross your mind that he can’t intercept and stop before they’re even registered in your mind; for once they are registered do they fester and stick.

You second guess everything but by now does Joker know exactly what to say and do to help you. It’s second nature to him to support you, just as it is to you to help him, so deserving of it is he and so long was he deprived of the very things which you make sure to daily give him in abundance. You pull away and you isolate and when Joker is really feeling bad, he does the same thing as well, so even now there are days where you don’t talk to each other, but you’re so good at reaching out to him when he needs comforting and so is Joker with you, so despite your mutual social anxieties and self depreciation, both of you reach out to and find solace and comfort in the other person. There are many quiet nights passed in which the two of you sit in silence, each feeling too much to be able to talk to the other. You cuddle into each other’s sides and cling to each other as best as you can and even though you only quietly murmur to each other, you’re both still there and that means more to the both of you than anything else. Dancing together is also something which the two of you use both in happy times and in darker ones; feeling each other’s heartbeats and Joker’s fingers which filled the spaces between your own and kept you both from tipping too far over the precipices in your fragile minds. Oh, but you’re so in love and though it doesn’t heal or fix issues, you both soothe one another’s injuries.

You’re not great at opening up and neither is Joker; he typically holds it all in until he explodes in anger, a secondary emotion which hides his true pains and sadness. You’re really good at listening and comforting people and often in comforting and being there for Joker are you able to receive your own comfort; for there is nothing more comforting or more grounding than being surrounded in red. Joker loves you, Jess, he loves you, and there’s no one more suited to him than you are.

Pretty boy // wc: 862.

OMGGGG this boy loves you so so so much <3333 there is nothing that he won’t do for you and if he has to, Pat will use his own reputation, a lie though it is, to help you even further than he can just by being his wonderful self. To begin with, Pat didn’t think of anything that you said and he maybe even cracked a few deprecating comments of his own. But then, one day, you said something and there was an edge in your voice, something which Pat really didn’t like. “Hey, no, wait - “ Pat stopped you by taking your hand, his fingers slipping into the spaces between your own, “You’re not joking, are you?”  // “No, I’m not” and Pat asked for you to talk him through everything. He wants to know you, all of you, and that includes the parts of yourself which you wish to hide or the parts of you that you dislike the most. There is nothing you could ever say or do which would ever make Pat love you any less; you are the girl who defended him from people spreading rumours about how he had set a State Trooper on fire (that was how you had met), and he had been determined to thank you for it ever since. You wouldn’t accept gifts or anything of the sort so instead he offered you his friendship, which no one else in the school has... you said yes, of course you did, and from there had a natural and beautiful relationship blossomed. You don’t cope well with your anxiety and though Pat was unsure, he recognised the signs and he went and did some ‘research’ - and by that I mean he sought out the counsellor and pretended that he had been feeling a certain way and from there did he find out everything that he needed to know to properly help you. You never annoy him by asking for reassurance - he loves you for all of you.

Both of you are quite hard to get to know. No one ever bothers to get to know Pat because of his reputation and you have social anxiety and you can’t wrap your head around the thought that people want to be your friend, but Pat is stubborn and he can sense that you want to believe that he wants to be your friend and then something more, and that’s why he pushes it. Not in an aggressive way, more in a “oh, hush. Let me sit here - I want to, okay?” way. Pat won’t let you pull away from him because he knows that your thoughts are just that - thoughts - and they have no real bearing on reality, though of course that doesn’t make them any easier to deal with. You love rainy days and listening to music and Pat makes sure that he learns your favourite songs so that he can sing or hum them to you when you’re especially anxious in a public place, one hand holding a cigarette and the other wrapped tightly around your hand, his thumb stroking soothingly along the back of your hand. You adore quiet nights in and Pat is forever knocking on your door late at night because “I can’t sleep” and by that he means he wants to be cuddled and to wake up with you in the morning. Silly puns are his go-to to make you smile and he adores the way the smile lights up your face.“You’re so beautiful when you smile”  and when you shake your head because you don’t believe him, he shakes his head but he lets it rest. He loves all of you.

You’re not great at opening up when you’re bothered by something but Pat knows you, he knows you, and he knows that you’re not okay. He knows all of your verbal and non-verbal cues and he just tucks you into the side of his body. “Talk to me, love. What’s going on up there?” and to emphasise his point he’ll kiss your temple, lips lingering against your skin. He then moves to sit in front of you, the both of you cross legged and your hands held tightly. His intense chocolate eyes watch you as you open up to him and with gentle smiles and frowns does Pat get you to tell him everything. He’ll ask questions if he doesn’t understand and then when he does understand he pauses and then says something really silly but true like, “I hate peas”. Your laugh is his goal and Pat won’t rest until he achieves it. Sometimes, his reputation gets to be too much for him or he gets upset about the death of his grandfather and Pat needs comfort, in which case he’ll pout and just... be a koala. He will physically cling to you and he might not tell you exactly what’s wrong, but you’ll know that he doesn’t feel good and he just wants to be with you. He’ll cry silently but he’ll want to stay by you. Your presence is everything he needs to feel okay again. He loves you.

[dpinoycosmonaut]

A PODIUM FINISH FOR GILAS WOULD BE PHENOMENAL

by Bert A. Ramirez / August 17, 2018

               For all intents and purposes, Gilas Pilipinas, the glamor team of the Philippine delegation to the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the men’s basketball competitions.  After the Filipinos’ surprisingly easy 96-59 blowout victory over Kazakhstan last Thursday, it would take an upset of catastrophic proportions by the Kazakhs of powerhouse China for the Philippines to fail to make it among eight teams to qualify for the quarterfinal phase of the event.

               As we were writing this, defending champion South Korea and Thailand are leading Group A with unbeaten slates of 2-0 and 1-0, respectively, 2014 runner-up Iran and Syria have advanced to the quarterfinals from Group B regardless of the result of their head-to-head matchup on August 25 after the United Arab Emirates, the only other team in their group, withdrew, while Chinese-Taipei (1-0), Japan (1-1) and Qatar (1-1) are engaged in a three-way battle for the two slots in Group C.  The Philippines and the Chinese, fifth-placers in 2014, are now expected to make it from Group D regardless of the outcome of their game on Tuesday, August 21, as Kazakhstan is given no ghost of a chance to upset the Chinese, who are parading two NBA players – 7-foot-2 Zhou Qi of Houston and 6-7 Din Yanyuhang of Dallas – plus 7-foot, 270-pound center Wang Zhelin, 6-8 ethnic minority Abudushalamu Abudurexiti, and 6-2 Sun Minghu.

               If the Filipinos, as the wise-money odds indicate, lose to the Chinese on Tuesday, they would be up against the topnotcher of Group A on August 27 in a knockout game to determine one of four semifinal slots. This will most likely be against South Korea, and the Filipinos’ chances to advance further would be effectively stymied if that happens as the Koreans, just like the Chinese, are a tough team to beat.

               If, however, Gilas upsets the Chinese, the Filipinos’ chances of making it to the semis would be geometrically enhanced as they would be up against just either Thailand or perhaps Indonesia if the host country upsets the Thais or Mongolia.  Either way, however, the Philippines would be a shoo-in for the semis as the three other Group A teams outside of South Korea are simply not in the class of the Filipinos.

               But what are the chances of Gilas scoring a huge upset against the Chinese?  Coach Yeng Guiao, on loan from NLEX to coach the core of the Rain or Shine team – his old team of six years no less – which was hastily called to represent the country when the core of the Gilas Pilipinas team was suspended after that FIBA World Cup Asia/Pacific qualifying game brawl against Australia early in July, said that the Filipinos are the definite underdogs against China, despite the last-minute clearance given by the NBA for Cleveland guard Jordan Clarkson to play for the country of his mother Annette Davis and grandmother Marcelina Tullao.  It was one of the last-minute hurdles the team had to overcome beyond the earlier withdrawal decided by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas after the PBA earlier stuck to the original agreement to send only one team to the Asiad, which meant the Elastopainters with no reinforcements despite a request by Guiao to be given a few.

               The public backlash, of course, was so fierce that the PBA, probably afraid of the effects of a league-induced Asiad absence to its already-dwindling drawing power, later relented, with five other players from other teams reinforcing the ROS core of Gabe Norwood, James Yap, Maverick Ahanmisi, Chris Tiu, Beau Belga and Raymond Almazan.  The league allowed San Miguel Beer’s Christian Standhardinger, Magnolia’s Paul Lee, North Port’s (formerly Globalport) Stanley Pringle, Blackwater’s JP Erram and NLEX’s Asi Taulava to reinforce the ROS core in an attempt to give the country a decent representation, and perhaps improve on the Filipinos’ seventh-place finish in the event four years ago.

               The question is, how good will this squad be with just two weeks to practice together and with Clarkson, the 6-4 Cavalier, coming in only as Gilas was pulverizing the Kazakhs last Thursday? Clarkson will finally be available against China, but chances are the Philippines will still play from behind against the Chinese, who are not only tall and big – two are seven-footers and three others are at least 6-8 – but are also young – their average age is 24.6 – and talented, with Zhou, Din, Wang, Abudushalamu and Sun representing a tremendous upgrade from that inexperienced squad that placed fifth in Incheon, South Korea four years ago.

               “Of course, we have to admit na talagang favorite sila,” the 59-year-old Guiao said.  “But we may have cut a little of the odds.  It’s still a powerhouse team.  We are just a team that kumbaga hastily set up.  Even if we have Jordan Clarkson, we are still going to be the underdogs.  As I said, if we (were a) 100 to 1 underdog before, baka 100 to 20 na, nadagdagan ‘yung odds sa atin.”

               But Guiao would be in there trying to upset the odds.  After all, there’s no use playing if one doesn’t believe he has at least a chance to win.

               “The more important thing is we feel that we have a chance to win.  Dati parang wala talagang chance.  (Now) we feel that we have a chance to win. The more important thing is to keep the game close, be aggressive for 40 minutes, and try to duplicate the defense that we played against Kazakhstan,” said the veteran mentor, who also coached the national team in the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship, three of whose players – Yap, Taulava and Norwood – are reunited with him in this year’s Asiad campaign.

               If the Filipinos do advance past the quarterfinals, they’d surely be improving on that prosaic seventh-place finish where Gilas coach Chot Reyes at one point ordered his players to shoot at their own basket in a futile attempt to get a more favorable quotient.  But dreaming of a medal finish – as Clarkson has expressed, perhaps so naively – is a different story altogether.  This is because the teams in the way – China and, after that, most likely South Korea if they fall to the Chinese – make the odds really daunting. It will take a lot of luck, and a perfect storm, for that podium finish to materialize and make this campaign really phenomenal and the stuff from which legends are born.

(Photo from Chris Tiu's INSTAGRAM account)  

[trendingph]

Robinson in high praises of Wright’s resilience Phoenix guard Matthew Wright (R) drives past TNT center Poy Erram in their Game 3 matchup of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. PBA Images MANILA, Philippines—Matthew Wright has long established hi... https://trendingph.net/robinson-in-high-praises-of-wrights-resilience/?feed_id=13632&_unique_id=5fba682a0a87c #high #praises #resilience #robinson #wrights

[astro-onechampionship]

Eko Roni Saputra’s Must-Watch Bouts at ONE: A NEW BREED II

Indonesia’s Eko Roni Saputra from the Evolve Fight Team is a multiple-time Indonesian national wrestling champion. He’s dominated on the canvas most of his athletic career. But that doesn’t mean he can’t appreciate some good, striking action.

In fact, Saputra is currently honing his skills at Evolve MMA in Singapore, learning from some of the best strikers in the game such as ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, and WBA Boxing World Champion Drian Francisco, among others.

Looking at the ONE: A NEW BREED II card, a pre-recorded event held in Bangkok, Thailand set for broadcast on Friday, 11 September, Saputra has his eye on a handful of interesting matchups which he feels fans shouldn’t miss.

Here are Eko Roni Saputra’s must-watch bouts at ONE: A NEW BREED II: 

Pongsiri PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym vs Sean Clancy

In the main event of the evening, 4-time Muay Thai World Champion Pongsiri PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym of Thailand takes on WBC Super Lightweight World Champion Sean “Clubber” Clancy of Ireland.

It’s a battle of striking veterans ready to advance to the next stage in their careers, all in search of the elusive ONE World Title. ONE Super Series features the absolute best striking talents in the world, and the bantamweight division is stacked with talent, including Saputra’s teammate Nong-O, who holds the division’s title.

“Fantastic main event. I’ve long appreciated the striking arts, and this one between Pongsiri and Sean Clancy is going to be absolutely epic,” said Saputra.

“I think fans are going to love the action in this fight. Both men are at the top of a very deep bantamweight division, and whoever wins here is going to advance forward. ONE Super Series has so many amazing fighters and it’s so entertaining to watch everyone jockey for top position.”

Pongsiri already challenged for the ONE World Title just recently, and he wants nothing more than to get right back into title contention. A win over Clancy could get him there.

Superlek Kiatmoo9 vs Fahdi Khaled

2-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9, also known as “The Kicking Machine” for his ability to rail off multiple kicks in succession, is one of Thailand’s most prolific Muay Thai fighters. He is widely considered one of the very best strikers in the world.

Fahdi “The Gladiator” Khaled, on the other hand, is a WMC Intercontinental Muay Thai Champion and a man on a mission. With heavy hands and a fearless, forward-moving style, Khaled is determined to make a name for himself on the world’s biggest stage.

Saputra can’t wait to witness the action this fight promises to bring.

“This is another fantastic fight. Obviously, Superlek is one of the most beloved Muay Thai fighters in Thailand. He’s young and still going very strong in his career,” said Saputra.

“On the other hand, Fahdi Khaled is carrying incredible momentum heading into this fight. He’s so aggressive but accurate with his strikes. It’s just a beauty to watch. I want to see what he does in this fight, and how he will be able to handle Superlek’s unique style. Whoever connects with something big here first, wins.”

Khaled is coming off a fantastic victory over China’s Huang Ding, and he looks to add another victory over one of the biggest names in ONE Super Series.

Supergirl Jaroonsak Muaythai vs Milagros Lopez

Rounding out ONE: A NEW BREED II, is a bout between PBA Thailand Champion Supergirl Jaroonsak Muaythai of Thailand and Argentinian Muay Thai Champion Milagros Lopez. It’s a debut for Supergirl, the younger sister of phenom Wondergirl Fairtex.

Saputra has a close eye on this fight, because of the elder Wondergirl’s spectacular performances inside the ONE Championship ring.

“I have my eye out on this one because Supergirl is the younger sister of Wondergirl Fairtex. And we all know just how impressive Wondergirl is so far in ONE Super Series. There are whispers that Supergirl is even better!” said Saputra.

“I want to see just how good she really is. If she’s at least as good as her older sister, that’s going to be huge. We will have two sisters ruling the ONE Super Series ranks soon, and to me, that’s very exciting.”

Saputra asks all Indonesian fans of ONE Championship to tune in to ONE: A NEW BREED II, broadcasting this Friday, 11 September.

Watch the previously recorded ONE: A NEW BREED II this Friday, 11 September, at 8:30 p.m. Singapore Standard Time (SGT) on meWATCH or by downloading the ONE Super App. Also, Channel 5 will provide a same-day delay at 10 p.m. SGT.

Read More From ONE Championship:

Pongsiri’s Journey From The Countryside To The Global Stage

How To Watch ONE: A NEW BREED II

Muay Thai Helped Superlek’s Family Survive – And Then Thrive

[trilotechcorp]

New Post has been published on PBA-Live

New Post has been published on https://pba-live.com/tenorio-plays-down-ginebra-tag-as-san-miguel-grand-slam-spoiler/

Tenorio plays down Ginebra tag as San Miguel 'grand slam spoiler'

WILL the grand slam spoilers strike once more?

Barangay Ginebra gets another shot at avoiding San Miguel of drawing nearer to an uncommon PBA title cap stunt in their Governors’ Cup quarterfinal matchup on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Gin Kings earned the notoriety two years back in a similar release of the period finishing gathering where they delighted in a twice-to-beat advantage and trapped the Beermen, 104-84, to finish off their first-round matchup in one game last September 27, 2017.

Justin Brownlee remained at the bleeding edge of the assault with 37 points and 12 sheets against the Terrence Watson-drove Beermen as the Gin Kings went on their approach to dispatching TNT in the elimination rounds, before shielding their crown to the detriment of finals rival Meralco.

After two years, Ginebra is actually similarly situated with a success once motivation against the Beermen, who controlled the initial two gatherings, however are right now ambushed as they attempt to proceed onward from a battle that broke out by and by this week.

The Beermen asked import Dez Wells to take a hike, while suspending nearby veterans Arwind Santos, Ronald Tubid, and Kelly Nabong for their association in the battle, leaving them with an undermanned squad against the full-quality Gin Kings.

In any case, LA Tenorio, played down the Gin Kings’ elevated tag, anticipating that the Beermen should recapture their heading as they play their third game with substitution import and previous NBA player John Holland.

Tenorio, however, is trusting the Gin Kings augment their quarterfinal reward and preclude the Beermen from securing setting out of a vaunted rebound in a sink or swim game.

[hotshotslafam]

Magnolia stalls TNT’s playoff bonus bid in Davao City win Led by import Romeo Travis, Magnolia deals TNT its third straight loss and marches to the quarterfinals on a winning note Delfin Dioquino Published 8:05 PM, November 16, 2019 Updated 8:05 PM, November 16, 2019 MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia stalled TNT from nailing the playoff bonus in the 2019 PBA Governors' Cup with a 100-93 win at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao City on Saturday, November 16. Import Romeo Travis led the attack with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 steals for the Hotshots, who will head into the quarterfinals with a 6-5 record after handing the KaTropa their third straight loss. Travis proved to be the stabilizer in the win, giving Magnolia its biggest lead at 92-69 with a three-point play – an enough advantage to survive an inspired comeback attempt from KJ McDaniels and TNT. A fiery 22-6 run capped by a McDaniels and-one put the KaTropa within 7 points, 91-98, with 53 seconds left, but time was not on their side as Paul Lee sealed the win for the Hotshots with a pair of free throws. Lee finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds, Chris Banchero had 13 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, Mark Barroca added 9 points and 4 steals, while Aldrech Ramos fired 8 points in 8 minutes in the win. Magnolia, the reigning Governors' Cup champion, finished the elimination round at 6th place and will face a twice-to-beat disadvantage against the No. 3 team. On the other side, TNT saw its chances of securing a top 4 finish and the twice-to-beat bonus get complicated as it dropped to 7-3, meaning it needs to win its final game against San Miguel, which carries a 6-4 card. If the KaTropa lose, the Beermen will instead clinch the quarterfinals incentive despite finishing with identical 7-4 slates due to their head-to-head matchup. McDaniels paced TNT with 33 points and 15 rebounds, Ray Parks had 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Roger Pogoy racked up 13 points and 2 steals in the loss. Cto https://www.instagram.com/p/B47ibHUDfwi/?igshid=1a3eaqj7nqays

[junker-town]

A guide to the best things on TV at the same time as the 2019 Super Bowl

Puppies, cats, Lifetime Original Movies, New York the city, New York the person, and plastic surgery ... all at your fingertips if you’d like to watch something other than the Super Bowl.

At 6:30 p.m. EST, televisions across the world will be tuned in to Super Bowl 53. While a matchup between the Patriots and Rams might not be the highest-rated game in NFL history, it’s a safe bet to be the highest-rated program on television throughout 2019.

That doesn’t mean the NFL is the only game in town, however. Networks across your channel lineup will still be competing for your consolation viewing. Maybe you’re so burned out on Tom Brady you’ve decided to sit this one out. Maybe you realize just how awful a Maroon 5 halftime show is going to be, regardless of special guests. Or maybe you’re just not that into football (and if so, congratulations on using your Sundays constructively).

No matter what your reason for flipping away from the Super Bowl, here’s what you’ll find across the broadcast spectrum Sunday. All times are Eastern.

America’s Funniest Home Videos (ABC, 7 p.m.)

It’s not old reruns hosted by Bob Saget, man of approximately three voices. I checked.

Masterpiece Theater (PBS, 6:30 p.m.)

PBS comes out swinging with 90 minutes of Downton Abbey and two hours of Victoria, in case you were looking to trade in the brutality of American football for the brutality of subtle class warfare in the British Isles.

Puppy Bowl (Animal Planet 6:03 p.m.)

Animal Planet isn’t stupid. It knows to run its most popular program for roughly 16 hours on game day. And I will watch every single free minute of it, because oh my god look at all these adorable stupid faces oh my god.

The Mummy (A&E, 5 p.m.)

This is the original Brendan Fraser version, without a single Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson or Tom Cruise to be seen. It boasts the best special effects 1999 had to offer, which means Fraser is basically fighting a spooky screen saver for three hours.

The Karate Kid, Part II (AMC, 5:30 p.m.), Jurassic Park III (AMC, 8 p.m.)

AMC has been stretching the definition of “movie classic” for quite some time now.

The Bobby Brown Story (BET, 6:20 p.m.)

It’s the first half of the BET limited series, so you get all the good New Edition stuff and Whitney Houston and all of Bobby’s young love drama. I can’t imagine the second half is as optimistic.

The Office (Comedy Central, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.)

Comedy Central will run you through the tail end of season three and through the entirety of season four over the course of a full-day marathon. That misses the bulk of the series’ best episodes, but it still tapers off long before Michael Scott leaves, Kevin Malone becomes a giant toddler, and Catherine Tate shows up and ruins everything.

Botched (E Network, 4 a.m.-noon Monday)

Imagine what kind of person you’d have to be to watch 32 hours of people’s terrible plastic surgery stories. This is television only suitable for lichen.

Wake Forest at Clemson (ESPNU, 6 p.m.)

An 8-12 college basketball team vs. a 12-8 one. They’re polar opposites! Can they coexist?

The PBA Lubbock Bowling (Fox Sports 1, 6 p.m.)

This seems like as good a time as any to drop in the greatest sports advertisement ever made.

Kitten Bowl/One Winter Proposal (Hallmark Channel, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.)

Hallmark’s Kitten Bowl hardly overlaps with the game itself, instead leaving the channel’s heavy listing to a house-made movie described thusly in the official listings:

“Jack, Taylor, Rukiya, and Deshawne return to the ski resort where it all began.”

Hmmmmm. Go on.

Revenge of the Nerds, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and Crocodile Dundee (IFC, 5 p.m.-11:15 p.m.)

A tremendous lineup for people who still own a fresh pair of Z. Cavariccis.

The Perfect Girlfriend (Lifetime Movie Network, 6 p.m.)

This one’s got a little bit of everything. A job relocation. A strained long distance relationship. A spurned new lover. A Seattle backdrop that looks suspiciously like Toronto. Highly recommend.

The Stepfather (Lifetime, 6 p.m.)

It’s not the Terry O’Quinn version, so don’t waste your time.

World Cup Curling (NBC Sports, 5 p.m.)

A little something for the ladies.

Spongebob Squarepants (Nickelodeon, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.)

If we’re not getting a Spongebob halftime show, at least we can still watch 22 straight episodes of the daily antics of Bikini Bottom.

Dr. Pimple Popper: The Poppy Bowl (TLC, 5 p.m.)

Ugh ew ew ew gross no no

The Intern (TNT, 5:30 p.m.)

Robert DeNiro is like half a step away from appearing in the next live-action Garfield movie.

Impractical Jokers (TruTV, 10 a.m.-4 a.m. Monday)

I’ve never seen it, but it was the favorite show of like, half a dozen kids at the Little League World Series, so it must be pretty good.

I Love New York (VH1, 10:30 a.m.-9:55 p.m.)

Hot take: I Love New York isn’t even a top-three VH1 trainwreck dating show.

It’s still pretty good, though.

You’re the Worst, streaming on Amazon Prime and Hulu

It’s not actually being broadcast against the Super Bowl. It’s just a really good show.

[edelgoth]

Hello! (Omg I accidentally sent this ask to pokemagines instead of you sdkjjfscgfd) If it's alright, would it be okay for me to request a pba matchup as well? I just think they are so cute hehe!

akjhsdkfsjhfdk Big Mood honestly,,, and you absolutely can!! glad to see you back

partner: keeping this as claude bc i love you guys,,, 

best friend: it has to be mercedes,,, i am weeping as i write this you have no idea… 

you’re both? angels?? oh my goodness you two would have the cutest friendship in the world??? 

mercedes is naturally a very affirming person, and there’s really not much time to feel insecure while in her company. she’s the sort of person who’d constantly be reminding you of all your good qualities, and wouldn’t be shy about letting you know how much you mean to her. 

she’s very gentle and kind, and i can see her being an excellent shoulder to lean on when you’re not feeling so good. she’s very perceptive and she has a talent for reading people, so you can bet she’d know just what to say and when to say it. 

i think she’d also really enjoy talking about your interests! she seems quietly curious to me, and her interest in what people have to say is very genuine. you could talk for hours with her, and she’d be smiling and nodding, asking the occasional question or two. 

honestly your number one fan!! always checking in on you, making sure you’re okay, asking you how you’re going. she’s much more of a calming influence than claude, and i think the two of them would balance out quite nicely for you akjdfhdkfjh

you’re the sort of friends who are always helping each other out, so  please teach this poor girl to cook, i’m b e g g i n g you,,, you guys would be so wholesome pls love her she’s So Good

admirer:  dimitri! okay i really wanted to choose ashe for this (bc he’s a Good Boy and he’d adore you) but he was one of your alternate matchups, and we enjoy mixing things up in this house

dimitri strikes me as someone who just. doesn’t know what to do with himself around his crush

the two of you had something of a friendship beforehand (or a friendly acquaintanceship), but you were never really close since you’re both more reserved. but oh boy, did dimitri catch Those Feelings,,, and he caught them hard

he just thinks you’re very sweet and charming, and i feel like he’d even see you as a little bit of a kindred spirit; he knows, deep down, that you could understand him

he constantly finds himself wanting to talk to you, but not knowing how to 

it’s not for a lack of trying, either; there have been many an awkward conversation that he’s initiated, where neither of you quite know what to say to each other; it’s obvious that you’d get along, it’s just that you’re both shy

of course, once he noticed you and claude were together he decided that he wouldn’t try to pursue you, but he just can’t help it if his eyes wander towards you every so often 

[spicynbachili1]

Romeo Travis drops 50 as Magnolia ousts Ginebra to enter PBA Finals

ANTIPOLO—Magnolia silenced the gang and eradicated Barangay Ginebra, 112-108, in Recreation four to advance to the finals of the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at Ynares Heart right here.

Import Romeo Travis unleashed 50 factors, 21 within the fourth, and 13 rebounds to assist Magnolia dethrone the Gin Kings, who’ve dominated the third convention for 2 straight years.

The Hotshots recovered from their 107-103 loss in Recreation three and can face the winner within the different semifinals matchup between Alaska and Meralco.

READ: Magnolia nears finals, overcomes Ginebra

It took a number of pulsating moments for the Hotshots to lastly  oust  the Gin Kings and it featured an irate Chito Victolero getting known as for a technical foul after contesting an obvious goaltending violation on Justin Brownlee’s block on Paul Lee with 2:17 left to play.

Ginebra even took a 106-101 lead with 1:44 remaining within the sport however the Hotshots confirmed their resolve in a time of dread.

Magnolia, with its coronary heart stuffed with unbridled emotion, went on a heart-pounding 9-Zero run to take a 110-106 lead after Jio Jalalon’s free throws with 23.7 seconds to play.

READ: Victolero stumped by freethrow disparity vs Ginebra 

“Our battle cry for this collection is ‘imagine’ and my gamers confirmed the braveness, the willpower, the laborious work and all of it paid off,” mentioned Victolero who missed his son Charles’ seventh birthday.

“It is a nice reward for him, for us, and for the Magnolia followers as a result of this collection was actually emotional and all of us realized from this.”

A serious a part of Magnolia’s late-game run was 5 clutch factors from Travis together with a three-point play with 44.1 seconds that pulled Hotshots forward, 108-106.

READ: Paul Lee takes blame for letting Recreation three slip from Magnolia

Ian Sangalang added 14 factors, six rebounds, and 6 assists to Magnolia’s trigger whereas Paul Lee had 11 factors together with the sport’s two closing factors from the free throw line.

Brownlee completed with 32 factors, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists for Ginebra whereas Japeth Aguilar added 25 factors and 14 boards.

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from SpicyNBAChili.com http://spicymoviechili.spicynbachili.com/romeo-travis-drops-50-as-magnolia-ousts-ginebra-to-enter-pba-finals/

[sekhar8100]

Norm Duke crowned King of the Lanes, beats Walter Ray Williams Jr, Wes Malott | PBA on FOX

Norm Duke crowned King of the Lanes, beats Walter Ray Williams Jr, Wes Malott | PBA on FOX

Video Details

Jul 21, 2020 at 2:20a ET | Bowling | Duration: 14:45 bowling After defeating Walter Ray Williams Jr. in their legendary matchup to kick off the King of the Lanes tournament, Norm Duke then took down reigning King Wes Malott. In the second hour, Anthony Simonsen took out EJ Tackett before becoming Duke’s third victim of the night. Duke now awaits his next challenger…

[tkmedia]

Austria, San Miguel aim to continue winning ways in PBA restart

FILE – San Miguel Beer head coach Leo Austria. PBA IMAGES MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel was just hitting its stride in the PBA Philippine Cup when the league was, once again, went into hiatus due to the recent spike of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila. More than a month of inactivity, the league is ready to get going in Bacolor, Pampanga and Beermen head coach Leo Austria will try to do the same with his team. ADVERTISEMENT Austria said the first order for his team is to get into proper game shape and hopefully extend their three-game winning streak once play starts. “We have to refocus and think of what we did in the past especially in our past games,” said Austria in Filipino. “Going into the bubble would be fairly easier now because this is our second time and we’ll try our very best to get our chemistry right away.”FEATURED STORIES “Conditioning-wise we’re improving and you can see that the players are very eager to play and we already had a good start at 3-1. We’re still a contender so that’s why most of the players are very excited for the resumption of the conference.” San Miguel lost its first game of the season to Meralco, 93-87, but racked up three straight wins after returning to the usual starting lineup of Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Arwind Santos, and June Mar Fajardo. Austria had Cabagnot and Fajardo, who was returning from injury, off the bench in their opener and had CJ Perez with Moala Tautuaa in the starting lineup against the Bolts. The eight-time champion coach said Perez understood his role as s sixth man and that it even produced better results for the former Terrafirma guard. Perez averaged 17.67 points and 6.0 rebounds during the Beermen’s three-game winning streak and was the team’s best scorer in two of those matches. “We had a close fight with Meralco and we’re still adjusting in every matchup,” said Austria. “We were going up, we had momentum but unfortunately it got stopped so now it’s a matter of adjusting once again. It’s important for the players to get their chemistry together otherwise we’ll just be struggling again.” RELATED STORIEShttps://sports.inquirer.net/433268/cj-fitting-in-with-beermen-both-on-and-off-the-floor

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[dpinoycosmonaut]

P.J. SIMON: AN APOSTLE TILL THE END

by Bert A. Ramirez / September 28, 2020

PJ Simon uncorks one of his patented one-hand push shots against a Giñebra defense. (Photo from humblebola.com)

                              Apostle.  Based on the modern dictionary, an apostle is a disciple, a follower, a missionary, an evangelist and an advocate.  Peter June Simon, the Scoring Apostle, is all that and more.  Throughout his legendary career as one of the greatest off-the-bench players in PBA history, Simon preached, exemplified and lived the life of a player who gave his team, the Purefoods franchise for which he played all his 16 years as a professional, whatever it needed, whether it was manufacturing points where he excelled, giving his team an offensive spark off the bench, a clutch shot to win a game, a great teammate, an excellent ambassador for the team outside the playing court, or simply a cheerer and supporter from the bench like he mostly did towards his last two years as a Magnolia Hotshot.

               Yes, PJ earned the moniker “Scoring Apostle” mainly through his excellent scoring prowess and ability to create his shot that would fit alongside his given and family name – Peter Simon – which matched that of the Apostle Peter Simon whom Jesus Christ anointed as the first leader of the Catholic Church, but perhaps unknowingly and in a providential way, that nickname also fit the 5-foot-11 guard so perfectly for the virtues that he exemplified and the character that he carried as a player and as an individual.

               It’s very rare that anyone, particularly with Simon’s caliber that frustrated many an opponent or made them lose a matchup or a game, could earn universal respect and admiration. Yes, from even some of his most bitter rivals on the court.

               When PJ announced that he is retiring from the game this past week, Mark Caguioa, a fierce adversary considering the rivalry between Simon’s team and Caguioa’s Giñebra club, was quick to pay tribute to Simon.  “My only batchmate left from (the) 2001 draft.  One of the nicest guy(s) on and off the court,” the Giñebra veteran said. “PJ might be a nice guy but don’t let that fool you.  I call this guy a quiet assassin because he usually goes under the radar.  He is a born winner and a true champion.  Thank you for all the great battles.  Bro, good luck on your next chapter.”

               Sol Mercado, another Giñebra adversary, also took note of Simon's kind demeanor, but stressed that he was a "real killer” on the hardcourt.  “Always respectful and classy, never took your kindness for weakness," Mercado said.

               And players from other teams were similarly effusive in their praise of Simon.  Veteran Gabe Norwood, Rain or Shine’s captain, said on Instagram, "I always respected the way you competed and the way you played the game."

               "It was my pleasure playing against you," San Miguel's Chris Ross also remarked, while teammate Alex Cabagnot said, “Congrats on the retirement!  Wonderful career. Enjoy life!   #idolsOnly #legend.”

               Retired PBA star and many-time Gilas Pilipinas member Jimmy Alapag said, “Congrats on a Hall of Fame career my friend!  Always had my utmost respect!  One of the best!”

               Former Alaska star Jeffrey Cariaso, whose playing career intersected with that of Simon and who served as Purefoods assistant from 2011-2014 during Tim Cone’s tenure with the ballclub, validates what his rivals said about PJ.  “One of my favorite people in the PBA.  Congratulations on a great career.” the current Alaska mentor said.  “Such a warrior and winner on the court.  And a genuine, high-character individual off it.”

               Ryan Gregorio, who coached Purefoods for nine years and is mainly responsible for turning Simon into the PBA legend that he became, probably knew PJ as much as anybody and, just like the rest, was impressed most of all by his inherent good personality both on and off the court.  "More than his on-court exploits, his demeanor separates him from the rest,” Gregorio said.  “There is no mean bone in his body.  He is your consummate player and a model person.  I wish him all the best in his future undertakings."

                PJ’s teammates, of course, only have good words and wishes for their well-liked comrade.

               “Salamat tol @pjs08 sa binigay mo na saya sa team at sa PBA!  Salamat sa mga kwentuhan, champion, kulitan at samahan natin!” said Marc Pingris, who with Simon and James Yap used to form the so-called Big Three for the Purefoods ballclub.  “Saludo ako sa yo. mabait na kaibigan at mapagmahal sa family at sa fans!  It’s time na mag-enjoy ka kasama ang maganda at mabait mo na asawa!  Basta kung may problema tol alam mo number ko!”

               “Love and prayers my brother… been a pleasure playing next to and learning from you every day.  All love and respect,” backcourtmate Justin Melton said in a comment to Simon’s retirement post on Instagram.

               “One of my best teammates!!!  Love you brotha!” wrote former teammate and now-Barangay Giñebra forward Joe Devance, with whom PJ and the then-San Mig Coffee Mixers won a Grand Slam in 2014.

               And the accolades did not only come from contemporaries.  Even a relative youngster, like NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena, also had good words for him.  “One of the greatest stories out there.  Just goes to show there are different ways to make it to the league!  It was a pleasure guarding you and playing against you kuya @pjs08!  God bless sa next chapter!” Ravena said in response to Simon’s Instagram post.

               Indeed, that captures Simon’s story and how he made it into the PBA.  The Makilala, Cotabato native was drafted in the fifth round of the 2001 PBA draft, the 43rd overall selection by the now-defunct Sta. Lucia Realtors.  But he went unsigned by Sta. Lucia and had to take his talent instead to the then-Metropolitan Basketball Association with the Davao Eagles.  He then signed with Dazz Dishwashing Liquid, the Lamoiyan Corporation franchise in the then-semi-pro Philippine Basketball League, when the MBA disbanded in July 2002 and proceeded to validate the talent he had shown earlier with the Eagles and, before that, with the University of Mindanao varsity squad, with whom he earned three MVP trophies.

               Gregorio, who was looking to fortify the Purefoods team then, always had his sights trained on Simon, whom he believed had a complete set of basketball skills even then.  “I was impressed by his basketball instincts,” recalled Gregorio, who saw PJ at ringside leading the then-renamed Fash Liquid team tangle with the star-studded Welcoat Paintmasters squad in the 2004 PBL Platinum Cup finals.  Welcoat then counted on Simon’s future Purefoods teammates Yap, Paul Artadi and Ervin Sotto (Kai’s father) as well as Jojo Tangkay, but PJ outplayed them all as he sparked Fash to the title, his second with the team after earlier leading then-Hapee Toothpaste to the 2003 PBL Unity Cup championship.

               Simon in the process bagged the MVP award, beating both Yap and then-teammate Rich Alvarez, who would go on to become the top pick in the 2004 PBA draft ahead of Yap.   “PJ couldn’t be stopped.  He took all of them to school and won,” recalled Gregorio.  “The next day, I talked to Mr. (Rene) Pardo and said, ‘Sign this free agent.  This guy is legit.’”  The rest of course is history as PJ would prove his coach right.

               “That year, we were able to draft James at No. 2 and Paul (Artadi) at No. 11.  Then we got PJ from the free agency.  So, as if we got three blue-chip recruits that season,” said Gregorio, now retired and currently an executive at Meralco and a special assistant to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al S. Panlilio.

               Gregorio then orchestrated a trade that brought Marc Pingris from FedEx the next year to form a lethal two-man frontcourt with Kerby Raymundo, and the Purefoods club won two more championships under Ryan with that core, giving PJ his first two PBA titles.  “We had Kerby at the ‘5’ spot, Ping at ‘4’, and a solid three-man and two-guard rotation involving James, Noy Castillo, and PJ.  And Paul and Roger Yap were our point guards,” Gregorio, now 48, explained.  “PJ came off the bench.  He was my super sub.  He would come in and manufacture instant offense for us.”

           True enough, Simon established a reputation as probably the league’s most explosive reserve.  On November 10, 2010, for example, he scored a career-best 42 points in B-Meg Derby Ace's 102-97 victory over Air21, hitting 13 of 15 shots from the floor (2-of-4 from three-point range), while making 14 of 18 free throws.  

               On December 17, 2010, he also exploded for 35 points in B-Meg's 106-97 double overtime win over then-newcomer Meralco in Game One of their quarterfinal series en route to sweeping that series before losing to Talk ‘N Text in six games in the semifinals.  

               Other exhibits of the Scoring Apostle’s offensive game was a 32-point job on December 13, 2006 in Purefoods' 114-73 blowout of Coca Cola in the 2006 Philippine Cup, where PJ combined with Yap splendidly to power the Chunkee Giants to the title by beating Red Bull in the finals in six games, and a 31-point game on May 13, 2007 in a 117-105 loss to Giñebra in the 2007 Fiesta Conference, Simon’s top scoring night in an import-laden conference.

               Simon’s ability to manufacture points when needed made him one of the most feared players even coming off the bench.  In fact, Alapag, who was already two years into the league when PJ finally got his break from Purefoods, singled him out as the toughest defensive assignment he had in his stellar career.

               Speaking during his guest appearance in the podcast 2OT, Alapag answered when veteran broadcasters Carlo Pamintuan and Magoo Marjon asked that question: “Easy.  PJ Simon.  I had nightmares about that one-arm floater with him posting me up.  One of the best.”

               The 5-foot-9 Alapag, a six-time PBA champion himself who made an excellent international career playing for the national team, said nothing worked against PJ as he recalled even trying to play physical with him.  Those matchups, in fact, gave PJ’s amiable character an opportunity to shine even more, making it even more challenging for Jimmy as Simon carried himself very well despite all the hits he took.  “He would never say a word, which made it even tougher!  Because I would do everything – push him away from the block, hit his arm, hold him,” Alapag shared with a smile.  “Nothing worked.”

               Simon would go on to take an even more stellar role when he later became one-third of the team’s Big Three along with Yap and Pingris as Gregorio would resign from the team to coach the Meralco Bolts under the MVP Group of Companies in 2010.  The trio’s partnership produced five more championships with Tim Cone at the helm, including only the fifth grand slam in PBA history in 2014.  Tim Cone’s reassignment to Barangay Giñebra in 2015, as well as Yap’s controversial trade to Rain or Shine in 2016 for Paul Lee, however, would somehow put a damper on Simon’s role on the team with the constant adjustments that had to be made, although the now-Magnolia Hotshots won another crown under current coach Chito Victolero in 2018 with the import-laden Governors’ Cup title.

               No matter if Simon’s career would seem to have ended with a whimper with the way his role had been diminished on the team, it can’t take away from the luster that it enjoyed for more than a decade, which he marked with eight All-Star selections, a PBA Mythical Second Team berth in 2014, an All-Star Game MVP award in 2008, a Three-Point Shootout title in 2019, and two Mr. Quality Minutes Award (the PBA’s equivalent of the NBA’s Sixth Man Award) in 2008 and 2014, one of only four players to do so twice, the others being Jayson Castro, Rodney Santos and Ronald Tubid.

               He of course won eight PBA championships, more than the two players regarded as the greatest in franchise history ever won in their legendary careers – Alvin Patrimonio, who got five, and Yap, who took seven.

               Simon’s career scoring average of about 11 points, which of course had been diminished by his warming the bench through the last two years under Victolero, is also deceptive, as he played approximately just half of a possible 48 minutes.  Taken on a per-36-minutes basis which would have been normal for a player of PJ’s caliber, that average would have risen to over 16 points.

               For Simon, however, that wouldn’t have mattered much, true to his apostle’s reputation in terms of character and values.  For him, having played for 16 years in this basketball-crazy nation’s top hoops league was good enough.

               It’s no wonder there is no player the candid Gregorio could be prouder of. “Truly one of the best players that I have coached,” he said.  “Seventeen years after and many championships given to Purefoods, I am so happy to be proven correct.”

               And so are the legion of Purefoods fans who have reveled in Simon’s exploits, and, now, memories.

PJ would now have more time to spend with his wife, the former Jehza Huelar, the 2018 Miss Supranational Philippines who is due to give birth to their first child shortly. (Photo from Peter June Simon’s Facebook account)