Basketball keeps Pacman trim, fit

By NICK GIONGCO Manila, Philippines – It was late in the third quarter when he asked to be substituted and a slender guy with albatross-like arms came in to replace him. Outside the boxing ring, away from the bruising world of prize-fighting, it is inside the basketball court that Manny Pacquiao finds solace and enjoyment, looking and acting as if he is a kid who had just stepped... 

Politics, basketball keep Pacquiao busy

By NICK GIONGCO Manila, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez might find themselves seated next to each other next month in Macau where Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is staging a major show at the Venetian Hotel. Arum said he is bringing Marquez and his wife to the former Portuguese colony and is also extending the same invitation to Pacquiao and wife Jinkee.  Read More »

FITNESS TALK WITH ROCCO NACINO

BY JACKY LYNNE A. OIGA Manila, Philippines – Who would’ve thought that TV hunk and Starstruck alum Rocco Nacino was once called too fat for TV? “During the latter part of Starstruck Season 5, I was told I was way too big and I looked like a dad,“ the GMA star tells Tech Lifestyle. “So every morning, I would go out of our headquarters and jog along Libis and I dropped... 

NBA dunkfest: Bolt vs LeBron

One thing’s for sure, I can dunk, says world’s fastest KINGSTON (Reuters) ­- The world’s best basketballers have little hope of catching him in a race up the court and now Jamaican Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt is getting to ready to show them he can jump as well when he appears at the NBA’s All-Star weekend in Houston.  Read More »

‘I preferred NY,’ says Lin

NEW YORK (AFP) – Jeremy Lin confided to Sports Illustrated that he would have liked to remain a New York Knick, but mostly he’s relieved his NBA future with the Houston Rockets is clear.  Read More »

James MVP

MIAMI (AP) – Miami Heat forward LeBron James is the NBA’s MVP for a third time, putting him alongside some of the game’s all-time greats. A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press that James will be announced Saturday as this year’s winner of the league’s top individual honor, and that he’ll be formally presented with the trophy... 

Pacquiao gives up playing basketball

By NICK GIONGCO BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – All it took for Manny Pacquiao to figure out Tim Bradley is one fight. Speaking to a couple of Manilabased scribes in his suite after an arduous morning workout on Wednesday, Pacquiao said he already knows what to do when he meets Bradley in the ring on June 9 in Las Vegas. Pressed which fight that was, Pacquiao said: “The one when he... 

PBA: Poor free throw shooting blamed

By KRISTINA NOELLE VILLANUEVA Manila, Philippines – Blame it on their woeful free throw shooting. Talk ‘N Text head coach Chot Reyes pinpointed the Texters’ dismal showing from the stripe as their Achilles heel in Game One, allowing B-Meg to gain the lead in their best-of-seven PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals matchup at the Araneta Coliseum Monday night. The Texters... 

Ducks seek 1st CBA title

BEIJING (AFP) – Ex-NBA badboy Stephon Marbury will attempt to lead the Beijing Ducks to victory this week in their first ever Chinese finals, seeking to upset the mighty Guangdong Tigers. Beijing face the four-time Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) champions – and their point guard Aaron Brooks, formerly of the Houston Rockets – in the best-of-seven finals starting Wednesday. Marbury,... 

Ramos buries triple, powers Patriots

By JONAS TERRADO Game Wednesday (Tan Binh Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City) 8 p.m. – Saigon vs AirAsia Philippines (Manila time) JAKARTA – Aldrech Ramos took advantage of a key play Saturday night in this bustling Indonesian capital to help the AirAsia Philippine Patriots score another narrow win on the road. Ramos, no stranger to playing basketball overseas thanks to his stint with Gilas...