Pacquiao, Diaz assured boxing fans of a treat this June 28

Most of the time, boxing press conference bereft of the usual taunting and arrogant remarks common among professional boxers. WBC super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao and world lightweight champion David Diaz instead heaped praises on each other and assured boxing fans they are in for a great fight.

Manny Pacquiao is a huge favorite as he moves up in weight, and gunning for an early knock out. Fight promoter Bob Arum is having difficulty convincing fans that the fight is no mismatch and that Diaz is a tough cookie.

If Manny fights his guts out on this match I think Diaz will be knocked out in 7th or 8th round.

Pagulayan wins the winner-take-all race-to-100 match

Alex Pagulayan bounced back from a 22-rack deficit to beat reigning world 10-ball champion Shane Van Boening in their winner-take-all race-to-100 match in The ActionReport.com TARPIT 2008 BCAPL Nationals at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pagulayan won, 100-94, to bag the $ 20,000 pot at stake in the match that lasted two days.

With that, the 2004 World Pool (9-Ball) Championship titlist now has raked in a total of $ 40,000, including the $ 20,000 he got for ruling the prestigious World Pool Masters tourney in his current US stint.

Tamaraw just a win away from sweeping the group

Get your brooms, because the Tamaraw's just moved a win away from sweeping the group stages after handing San Beda-Alabang an 80-47 spanking, in the seniors division of the Nike Summer League basketball tournament Tuesday at the FEU Gym.

The Tamaraws unleashed a 32-7 third-quarter blitz and San Beda-Alabang never recovered as the Tams claimed their sixth win, which means one more victory will assure them of the Group C top seed.

ABS-CBN Sports will feature weekly highlights of the Nike Summer League beginning May 17 on Studio 23 and cover the live games starting June 5 when the tournament moves up to the quarterfinals.

Schedules, results and stats are available on www.nike.com.ph.

RP booters face Tajikistan in key match

The Philippines tries to put a lock on the top spot in Group B in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers when it clashes with defending champion Tajikistan at the Iloilo Sports Complex Thursday.

Tajikistan, which defeated Sri Lanka for the title in the maiden edition of the tournament in Bangladesh two years ago, trounced Bhutan, 3-1, for its first win at the Barotac Nuevo Football Plaza Tuesday.

Chelsea reserve Phil Younghusband is expected to start together with Caligdong, midfielders Chris Greatwich and Robert Canedo and the defensive line of Aly Borromeo, Jason Cordova, Joebel Bermejo, Anton Del Rosario and keeper Neil Etheridge, who produced an outstanding display against the Bruneians, making two brilliant saves.

The event is sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Milo, Del Monte, Magnolia, Gatorade, Smart, GNC and Mizuno, the national team’s official outfitter.

Barako whoops Dragons to take the lead

The entire Red Bull Barako line-up contributed in whatever way possible for a strong start that led to a 109-88 annihilation of the Welcoat Dragons, which gave Red Bull the temporary lead in the elimination round of the Smart-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Cup.

The Barako showed their preparedness against the Dragons, breaking out of the gates hard and never letting up on the way to erecting comfortable margins that settled the outcome early.

Red Bull improved to 7-2 in the first half of its eliminations stint, while the Dragons, who came into the game the winners of three of their last four games, dropped to 3-6.

PBA Legends to grace Independence Day rites

Three Manila-based PBA legends were in the list sent by Abe King, chair of the PBA Legends Foundation USA to the organizer of the Philippine Independence day celebration.

Allan Caidic, Manny Paner and Manny Victorino are expected to be with the delegation that will be in New York on June 12 for our nation’s Independence Day festivities, which include a parade and an exhibition game.

Davao City SK to hold Summer Chess Festival at GS Citimall

THE Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Summer Chess Festival and Summer Youth Chess Festival will get going on May 19 to 21 at the Gaisano South Citimall.

The SK chessfest features the male and female 15 to 16 years old and 17-18 categories where the champion will receive an SK trophy, while the next four finishers will get SK medals.

The first three placers will receive medals with Growee and Zeeplus items.

Interested players may sign up for free at the Davao Professionals and Enthusiasts Chess Club at Osmena Chess Park.

Interested participants are required to bring certified true copy of their birth certificated.