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Gilas win over China stokes patriotic fervor
Senators were among the Filipinos who showed support for Gilas Pilipinas en route to its rousing 96-75 win over China in the FIBA World Cup at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Saturday night. Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go was seen wearing matching black shirts with the print “West Ph Sea,” short for West Philippine Sea. “Congratulations Gilas Pilipinas! That’s the heart of the Filipino that you’ve shown fighting to the very end. I salute all the players, coaches, and fans because ‘our never-say-die attitude’ gave us the hope to score a victory in the FIBA World Cup,” Go, himself a prolific basketball player, said in Filipino. “While we were saddened by our not qualifying for the Olympics, Gilas did not disappoint the home crowd by showing a big potential for future competitions,” he added. He said the victory over a Chinese team boosts the morale of Filipinos amid the challenges the country is facing in the West Philippine Sea being claimed by Beijing as part of its territory. WPS ours! Asked about the WPS shirts he and the other senators wore during the game, Go said they were given to them to show their being one with the team and the country’s territorial sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. “The West Philippine Sea is ours!” Go said. “This victory is also for all of us.” For Zubiri, the Philippines, even through basketball, was able to show it would not be bullied by China on the home court, seemingly referencing similarly gallant stands made by the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy in the WPS. “This was the most important game of all! For our pride and for our motherland, the Philippines,” Zubiri said. “We may not have won any of our games for the world championships, but this win was the sweetest of all.” Likewise, Villanueva described the Gilas Pilipinas’ victory over China as the country’s “best win.” Biggest game “Most important basketball game of the year! It feels like we won the championship! Yahoo!” he said. “Our Gilas Pilipinas fought well like each and every one of them knows the story of Ayungin, Recto Bank, Pag-asa Island, etc.” He added: “So proud of them! Everyone contributed! We saw a different Gilas Team; there’s fire in their eyes.” Zubiri explained that their matching shirts with the print “West Ph Sea” was their response to China’s new standard map which also included the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines. 10-dash line “They released a 10-dash line; we wore the T-shirt as a statement that the West Philippines Sea is ours. Mabuhay Gilas! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!” he said. Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said they have worn the shirts to “awaken the patriotic spirit of our Gilas Pilipinas and motivate them to secure the victory which is symbolic for us Filipinos in light of the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea.” The post Gilas win over China stokes patriotic fervor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Legendary Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown dies at 87
Jim Brown, the legendary Cleveland Browns running back who was one of the NFL's most prolific players and a civil rights icon has died at the age of 87, his family and the team confirmed on Friday. Brown's wife, Monique, had announced on Instagram that Brown "passed peacefully" on Thursday night at their home in Los Angeles. "To the world, he was an activist, actor, and football star," said the post, which did not disclose a precise cause of death. "To our family, he was a loving and wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Our hearts are broken..." Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslem issued a statement calling Brown "a true icon of not just the Cleveland Browns but the entire NFL. "He was certainly the greatest to ever put on a Browns uniform and arguably one of the greatest players in NFL history," the Haslems said. Brown, who was named the greatest football player ever by the Sporting News in 2002, was taken in the first round of the 1957 draft and played for the Browns from 1957-65. He led the NFL in rushing in eight of those seasons and finished his career with 12,312 rushing yards and 5.2 carries per game. He was named to the Pro Bowl every season he played and led Cleveland to the NFL championship game three times, winning the title in 1964. The three-time Most Valuable Player ran for at least 100 yards in 58 of his 118 regular-season games, and never missed a game. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in seven seasons. That included 1,527 yards in one 12-game season and 1,863 in a 14-game season. James Nathaniel Brown was born in St. Simons Island, Georgia, in 1936 and was a high school star in football, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, and athletics. He continued to excel as a multi-sport athlete at Syracuse University, his football career gaining steam when he totaled 986 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in his senior year. The Browns selected Brown with the sixth overall pick in the 1957 draft and he made an immediate impact in coach Paul Brown's offense. He led the league his rookie season with 942 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, including a 237-yard performance in his ninth game that stood as the most in a single game in league history for 14 years. He was named MVP that season and remains the only rookie to capture the award. "(Coach Paul Brown) liked me," Brown said in the NFL Network's "A Football Life." "He said to me, 'You are my running back. You are my running back.' It was the sweetest words I've ever heard as a professional football player." Brown was still at his peak when he retired at the age of 30, shocking the sports world. He had led the league in rushing and touchdowns in his final season but announced his retirement while on the set filming "The Dirty Dozen" in London. A hand in the struggle A day after retiring, Brown told Sports Illustrated pro football writer Tex Maule: "I could have played longer. I wanted to play this year, but it was impossible. "We're running behind schedule shooting here, for one thing. I want more mental stimulation than I would have playing football. I want to have a hand in the struggle that is taking place in our country, and I have the opportunity to do that now. I might not a year from now." A year later, Brown founded the Negro Industrial and Economic Union, an organization that would later be known as the Black Economic Union. The goal of the organization was to guide black entrepreneurs, and the organization became the nucleus of Brown's efforts to make the country a more equal place for African Americans. On 4 June 1967, Brown participated in the Cleveland Summit, joining with other prominent Black athletes at the Black Economic Union's offices in Cleveland to interview boxer Muhammad Ali and decide whether to support his stand against being inducted into the US armed forces during the Vietnam War. The group decided to back Ali, the decision becoming a symbol of Black unity during the Civil Rights movement in America. The post Legendary Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown dies at 87 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gilas training intensifies
Gilas Pilipinas shifts its training to high gear in preparation for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. Gilas team manager Butch Antonio told Daily Tribune that they will have an intense nine-day training in Manila before leaving for Phnom Penh on 6 May, just in time for the opening of the men’s basketball event on 9 May at the Elephant Hall 2 inside the Morodok Techo Stadium. “We will practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Then, we’ll take a break on Saturday. We will resume on Sunday until before departure on 6 May,” Antonio said. Leading the way for Gilas Pilipinas will be players from TNT Tropang Giga and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – the protagonists in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup best-of-seven finals series that wrapped up last week. Tropang Giga stars Calvin Oftana and Poy Erram as well as Kings stars Japeth Aguilar, Stanley Pringle, Christian Standhardinger, Jeremiah Gray, Scottie Thompson, and naturalized player Justin Brownlee will be at the helm when the Filipinos reclaim the glory they lost to Indonesia in the previous edition of the Games in Hanoi. For good measure, Gilas coach Chot Reyes invited Filipino-American hotshot Mikey Williams to be part of the pool following the absence of injured Roger Pogoy. Playing for the national team has been a dream of the 31-year-old gunner from Los Angeles. The closest thing he ever got to represent the country was when he played for Mighty Sports in the William Jones Cup and the Dubai International Tournament. Pogoy was supposed to join the aspirants but was sidelined by a fractured pinky he suffered in the middle of their championship series. He was reduced into a mere cheerleader starting Game 4 and was ruled out for the biennial meet. Also sitting out will be June Mar Fajardo, who suffered a torn medial collateral ligament during his stint with San Miguel Beer in the East Asia Super League last March. Although the six-time PBA Most Valuable Player is already doing strengthening procedures, he has yet to do some on-court workouts and scrimmages. A member of the national team program for a decade now, Fajardo confirmed to Daily Tribune that he will not be able to see action in the biennial meet. “I haven’t had hard court activities yet because I’m still doing some strengthening exercises,” said Fajardo, who appeared fit when he showed up as one of the local ambassadors of FIBA World Cup during the partnership launching of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, San Miguel Beer and Cignal/TV5. “I haven’t even touched a basketball as I’m more focused on my rehab.” While Pogoy and Fajardo won’t be able to see action, returning Ginebra veteran forward Japeth Aguilar is determined to rejoin the team, according to Kings coach Tim Cone, who serves as one of the assistant coaches of Reyes at Gilas along with the younger Reyes and Jong Uichico. “He certainly wants to join and play,” wrote Cone in a Viber message. “But only if he’s 100 percent fit and that is to be determined by the SBP medical team.” Aguilar is also coming off a knee injury and he only returned to action midway the championship series. Other PBA players included in the Gilas pool are CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross of San Miguel Beer, Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser of NLEX, Chris Newsome, Aaron Black and Raymond Almazan of Meralco, collegiate stars Michael and Ben Phillips and Kevin Quiambao of La Salle, incoming Ateneo forward Mason Amos and Adamson’s Jerom Lastimosa. The post Gilas training intensifies appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chot sees solid turnout
The buildup of the Gilas Pilipinas team tasked to regain supremacy of the Southeast Asian Games next month in Cambodia intensifies this Wednesday. Head coach Chot Reyes was thinking of holding a workout Monday but he opted to call it off and scheduled a scrimmage instead on Wednesday so all the invited players can attend. Key players from newly-crowned Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup champion TNT and Barangay Ginebra are expected to show up as the preparations for the 5 to 17 May sportsfest enters the twilight zone. “We’re not yet complete (by Monday), so most likely we will hold it on Wednesday,” Reyes said. ‘Hopefully I’ll get selected.’ Whether this is going to be the start of the daily workout remains to be seen. “That’s the plan,” Jong Uichico, another Gilas assistant coach, said. Mikey Williams, who just won his second title and second Finals Most Valuable Player award in the process, will lead the Gilas pool players coming from TNT and he will be joined by Calvin Oftana and Poy Erram. For Oftana, getting selected and being able to play for Gilas in the SEA Games will be a dream come true. “Hopefully I’ll get selected,” said Oftana, who just won his first championship in the PBA right in his first finals appearance. Roger Pogoy, who was originally included in the expanded pool, will miss the action in the SEA Games as he suffered a fractured pinky which will sideline him for the next six weeks. Justin Brownlee, the beloved Barangay Ginebra import, and the Philippine team’s newest naturalized player, will once again backstop Gilas’ campaign along with fellow Gin Kings Scottie Thompson, Governors’ Cup Best Player of the Conference winner Christian Standhardinger, highly-athletic wingman Jamie Malonzo, Jeremiah Gray and returning 6-foot-9 center/forward Japeth Aguilar. Aguilar is coming off a knee injury which forced him to miss the sixth and final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers held a few months ago at the Philippine Arena. “In the meantime, it’s going to be back to work for us, Justin, Scottie, Jamie, Christian and hopefully Japeth, he can continue to get better,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who also serves as one of the assistant coaches of Reyes. “It’s back to work for us, so no rest for the weary.” But Gilas also have several other prospects outside of the two protagonists in the recent championship series. San Miguel Beer stars CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross are eager play as well as Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort, a long-time member of the pool. Meralco stars Chris Newsome and Aaron Black had also worked out in the previous training session, so as brothers Michael and Ben Philipps from La Salle and incoming Ateneo freshman Mason Amos. Last year, the Philippines was dethroned as king of the SEA Games after losing the gold medal match to Indonesia in Hanoi. The post Chot sees solid turnout appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Concio joins leaders
Filipino International Master Michael Concio Jr. defeated Malaysian FIDE Master Lye Lik Zang with the black pieces to join compatriot IM Daniel Quizon and Indonesian IM Mohamad Ervan at the helm after four rounds in the Asian Zonal 3.3 Chess Championship Tuesday. Concio, who was held to a draw in the third round, picked up […] The post Concio joins leaders appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Saso wavers with fat 77
A fading Yuka Saso bid her aspirations at the ANA Inspiration Championship goodbye after coughing out a 5-over par 77 on Black Saturday in Rancho Mirage, California......»»
Reminiscing the Black Mamba: Tributes pour a year after Kobe Bryant’s death
Tenement photo from Tenement Visual Artists’ Facebook page Several tributes poured on social media Monday as Filipino fans pay homage to the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant. The Tenement Visual Artists posted photos of their new mural at the Tenement in Taguig City, paying homage to Bryant’s legacy and joyful days before his untimely demise last Jan. 26. The new mural features a much colorful vibe, converting the monochromatic gray scheme from last year’s painting to the Lakers-inspired purple and gold colors. Tenement photo from Tenement Visual Artists’ Facebook page In Valenzuela, 2nd District Rep. Eric Martinez is set to hold a program as well for the “Black Mamba” at the House of Kobe tomorrow, Jan. 26. House of Kobe photo from Rep. Eric Martinez’s Facebook account The ceremony includes a groundbreaking of “Gigi’s Cradle,” unveiling of Black Mamba markers, raising of Lakers’ 17th championship banner, and opening of an art exhibit in Karuhatan, Valenzuela. Local rapper and artist Mike Swift, one of the masterminds from Tenement’s creation last year, announced on Instagram that he will be performing at the House of Kobe before revealing a separate project for the five-time NBA champion at the Oksana Park, also in Valenzuela. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mike Swift (@iammikeswift) Kobe, along with 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, perished in a tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California last January. The passengers were en route for a basketball game at the Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks......»»
Coaching great John Thompson of Georgetown dead at 78
By JOSEPH WHITE AP Sports Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement released by Georgetown on Monday. No details were disclosed. “Our father was an inspiration to many and devoted his life to developing young people not simply on but, most importantly, off the basketball court. He is revered as a historic shepherd of the sport, dedicated to the welfare of his community above all else,” the statement said. “However, for us, his greatest legacy remains as a father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. More than a coach, he was our foundation. More than a legend, he was the voice in our ear everyday.” One of the most celebrated and polarizing figures in his sport, Thompson took over a moribund Georgetown program in the 1970s and molded it in his unique style into a perennial contender, culminating with a national championship team anchored by center Patrick Ewing in 1984. Georgetown reached two other title games with Thompson in charge and Ewing patrolling the paint, losing to Michael Jordan’s North Carolina team in 1982 and to Villanova in 1985. At 6-foot-10, with an ever-present white towel slung over his shoulder, Thompson literally and figuratively towered over the Hoyas for decades, becoming a patriarch of sorts after he quit coaching in 1999. One of his sons, John Thompson III, was hired as Georgetown’s coach in 2004. When the son was fired in 2017, the elder Thompson -- known affectionately as “Big John” or “Pops” to many -- was at the news conference announcing Ewing as the successor. Along the way, Thompson said what he thought, shielded his players from the media and took positions that weren’t always popular. He never shied away from sensitive topics -- particularly the role of race in both sports and society -- and he once famously walked off the court before a game to protest an NCAA rule because he felt it hurt minority athletes. “I’ll probably be remembered for all the things that kept me out of the Hall of Fame, ironically, more than for the things that got me into it,” Thompson said on the day he was elected to the Hall in 1999. Thompson became coach of the Hoyas in 1972 and began remaking a team that was 3-23 the previous season. Over the next 27 years, he led Georgetown to 14 straight NCAA tournaments (1979-92), 24 consecutive postseason appearances (20 NCAA, 4 NIT), three Final Fours (1982, 1984, 1985) and won six Big East tournament championships. Employing a physical, defense-focused approach that frequently relied on a dominant center -- Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo were among his other pupils -- Thompson compiled a 596-239 record (.715 winning percentage). He had 26 players drafted by the NBA. One of his honors -- his selection as coach of the U.S. team for the 1988 Olympics -- had a sour ending when the Americans had to settle for the bronze medal. It was a result so disappointing that Thompson put himself on a sort of self-imposed leave at Georgetown for a while, coaching practices and games but leaving many other duties to his assistants. Off the court, Thompson was both a role model and a lightning rod. A stickler for academics, he kept a deflated basketball on his desk, a reminder to his players that a degree was a necessity because a career in basketball relied on a tenuous “nine pounds of air.” The school boasted that 76 of 78 players who played four seasons under Thompson received their degrees. He was a Black coach who recruited mostly Black players to a predominantly white Jesuit university in Washington, and Thompson never hesitated to speak out on behalf of his players. One of the most dramatic moments in Georgetown history came on Jan. 14, 1989, when he walked off the court to a standing ovation before the tipoff of a home game against Boston College, demonstrating in a most public way his displeasure against NCAA Proposition 42. The rule denied athletic scholarships to freshmen who didn’t meet certain requirements, and Thompson said it was biased against underprivileged students. Opposition from Thompson, and others, led the NCAA to modify the rule. Thompson’s most daring move came that same year, when he summoned notorious drug kingpin Rayful Edmond III for a meeting in the coach’s office. Thompson warned Edmond to stop associating with Hoyas players and to leave them alone, using his respect in the Black community to become one of the few people to stare down Edmond and not face a reprisal. Though aware of his influence, Thompson did not take pride in becoming the first Black coach to take a team to the Final Four, and he let a room full of reporters know it when asked his feelings on the subject at a news conference in 1982. “I resent the hell out of that question if it implies I am the first Black coach competent enough to take a team to the Final Four,” Thompson said. “Other Blacks have been denied the right in this country; coaches who have the ability. I don’t take any pride in being the first Black coach in the Final Four. I find the question extremely offensive.” Born Sept. 2, 1941, John R. Thompson Jr. grew up in Washington, D.C. His father was always working — on a farm in Maryland and later as a laborer in the city — and could neither read nor write. “I never in my life saw my father’s hands clean,” Thompson told The Associated Press in 2007. “Never. He’d come home and scrub his hands with this ugly brown soap that looked like tar. I thought that was the color of his hands. When I was still coaching, kids would show up late for practice and I’d (say) ... ‘My father got up every morning of his life at 5 a.m. to go to work. Without an alarm.‘” Thompson’s parents emphasized education, but he struggled in part of because of poor eyesight and labored in Catholic grammar school. He was moved to a segregated public school, had a growth spurt and became good enough at basketball to get into John Carroll, a Catholic high school, where he led the team to 55 consecutive victories and two city titles. He went to Providence College as one of the most touted basketball prospects in the country and led the Friars to the first NCAA bid in school history. He graduated in 1964 and played two seasons with Red Auerbach’s Boston Celtics, earning a pair of championship rings as a sparingly used backup to Bill Russell. Thompson returned to Washington, got his master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of the District of Columbia and went 122-28 over six seasons at St. Anthony’s before accepting the job at Georgetown, an elite school that had relatively few Black students. Faculty and students rallied around him after a bedsheet with racist words was hung inside the school’s gym before a game during the 1974-75 season. Thompson sheltered his players with closed practices, tightly controlled media access and a prohibition on interviews with freshmen in their first semester -- a restriction that still stands for Georgetown’s basketball team. Combined with Thompson’s flashes of emotion and his players’ rough-and-tumble style of play, it wasn’t long before the words “Hoya Paranoia” came to epitomize the new era of basketball on the Hilltop campus. Georgetown lost the 1982 NCAA championship game when Fred Brown mistakenly passed the ball to North Carolina’s James Worthy in the game’s final seconds. Two years later, Ewing led an 84-75 win over Houston in the title game. The Hoyas were on the verge of a repeat the following year when they were stunned in the championship game by coach Rollie Massimino’s Villanova team in one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. Success allowed Thompson to rake in money through endorsements, but he ran afoul of his Georgetown bosses when he applied for a gambling license for a business venture in Nevada in 1995. Thompson, who liked playing the slot machines in Las Vegas, reluctantly dropped the application after the university president objected. Centers Ewing, Mourning and Mutombo turned Georgetown into “Big Man U” under Thompson, although his last superstar was guard Allen Iverson, who in 1996 also became the first player under Thompson to leave school early for the NBA draft. “Thanks for Saving My Life Coach,” Iverson wrote at the start of an Instagram post Monday with photos of the pair. The Hoyas teams in the 1990s never came close to matching the achievements of the 1980s, and Thompson’s era came to a surprising and sudden end when he resigned in the middle of the 1998-99 season, citing distractions from a pending divorce. Thompson didn’t fade from the limelight. He became a sports radio talk show host and a TV and radio game analyst, joining the very profession he had frustrated so often as a coach. He loosened up, allowing the public to see his lighter side, but he remained pointed and combative when a topic mattered to him. A torch was passed in 2004, when John Thompson III became Georgetown’s coach. The younger Thompson, with “Pops” often watching from the stands or sitting in the back of the room for news conferences, returned the Hoyas to the Final Four in 2007. Another son, Ronny Thompson, was head coach for one season at Ball State and is now a TV analyst. ___ Joseph White, a former AP sports writer in Washington who died in 2019, prepared this obituary. AP Sports Writer Howard Fendrich contributed......»»
Trailblazing coach Thompson dies at 78
John Thompson, who made history as the first black coach to win a US national college basketball championship when he led Georgetown to the title in 1984, has died, his family said Monday. He was 78. Thompson, who played a pioneering role in advancing black coaches, also helped develop the careers of several NBA stars […] The post Trailblazing coach Thompson dies at 78 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SUPER SHOWDOWN: La Salle Paraiso vs UST Paraiso
Brent Paraiso made his name as a determined defender during his days in De La Salle Zobel. He rode that effort and energy all the way to a spot on the fully loaded lineup for De La Salle University in UAAP 79. Not only that, the 6-foot-2 swingman actually started five games for the Green Archers in their dominant 16-1 title run. Paraiso's norms were not necessarily eye-opening, but he contributed nonetheless to a championship - especially to a defense predicated on "mayhem." The year after, he yet again started five games as they wound up as runners-up. From there, however, the La Salle lifer decided to take his talents somewhere else - University of Sto. Tomas, to be exact. And in his first year as a Growling Tiger, he showed off a more well-rounded game, averaging 7.2 points and totaling 28 threes. The numbers were higher, without a doubt, but he also became less of an enforcer in black and gold. Meaning, the Brent Paraiso of now is not necessarily the Brent Paraiso of before - a fiery competitor that got under the skin of opponents all while getting his teammates going. Do you miss that old Brent? Or do you like the new Brent better? That is what we weigh against each other in this week's ABS-CBN Sports Super Showdown. To figure out who comes out on top between the old Brent and the new Brent, we will be judging them in five categories (shooting, finishing, defense, role, and attitude) with a boxing-style 10-point must system determining the decision. SHOOTING The new Brent is well on his way to becoming a 3-and-D guy. Paraiso made good on a respectable 32.6 percent of his 86 shots from downtown. For reference, he only attempted 11 triples in his two years in La Salle and only converted one of them. Of course, more minutes meant more openings for him to put up shots, but there is still no doubt that his stroke is now surer. Advantage, UST Paraiso 10-8 FINISHING Paraiso has never been known as a shot-creator. In black and gold, however, he has become more confident with his ballhandling. With that, the new Brent no longer settles for jump shots and could slice and dice his way to the ring if he wants to. Once inside, he prefers floaters and still has work to do in terms of taking it up strong. Still, this is an improvement from his days in La Salle when he was more of just a catch-and-shoot threat. Advantage, UST Paraiso 10-9 DEFENSE Quick feet and active hands have always been there for Paraiso. And in UST, he has coupled those with wisdom coming from age and experience. Still, the new Brent could not come close to the old Brent in terms of sticking to his man and standing his ground. That Paraiso was only third to Ben Mbala and Kib Montalbo in energizing La Salle's "mayhem." While his steal counts were never up there, but head coach Aldin Ayo always knew full well he could count on his youthful workhorse to do his best against an opposing team's weapon. Advantage, La Salle Paraiso 10-9 ROLE Starting games has been one of Paraiso's roles since his rookie season. From being a quality minutes guy in La Salle, though, he is now a regular rotation piece in UST. The old Brent proved worthy of being a sparkplug for the Green Archers in their first- and second-place finishes. As a Growling Tiger, however, he also proved he could be much more than that as they made it all the way to the Finals. Now, the new Brent is somebody who could impact the game on offense just as much as he could do so on defense. Advantage, UST Paraiso 10-9 ATTITUDE The old Brent is the classic played you would love on your side and you would hate on the other. The new Brent is no longer like that as he has matured and just puts his full focus on his role for UST. For out taste, though, Paraiso the enforcer remains a player to remember - much more than the more well-rounded player now in black and gold. Advantage, La Salle Paraiso 10-9 FINAL: 48-46 for UST Paraiso --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
Miocic retains heavyweight crown with decision over Cormier
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Stipe Miocic defeated Daniel Cormier by unanimous decision in a five-round bout Saturday night to win the rubber match in a fantastic trilogy between the fighters and retain his heavyweight championship at UFC 252. Miocic (20-3) swept the scorecards 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47 to stake his claim as perhaps the greatest heavyweight in UFC history. “I'm happy to cement my legacy,” Miocic said. Miocic tagged Cormier with a vicious poke to his left eye late in the third round that sent the challenger staggering to his corner. Cormier's eye was about swollen shut, but he gamely fought on the final two rounds in the main event of UFC 252 at the UFC APEX complex in Las Vegas “I can't see anything out of my left eye,” Cormier said. “It's black.” Miocic said he apologized to Cormier for the poke. “I totally poked him in the eye, my bad," Miocic said. Cormier was taken to the hospital after the bout. There was no immediate word about his condition. The 41-year-old Cormier (22-3, 1 NC) is a former two-division champion and has already cemented his status as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in UFC history. The amiable Cormier, who has found his niche as a successful broadcaster, had vowed to retire after Saturday and end a career in which 10 of his last 11 fights were fought with a championship on the line. Cormier said he stood by his decision to retire. He won the first fight between the two but dropped two straight to Miocic. “I’m not interested in fighting for anything but titles and I don’t imagine there’s going to be a title in the future,” Cormier said. “That will be it for me. I’ve had a long run, it’s been great, I just fought my last fight for a heavyweight championship and it was a pretty good fight.” UFC President Dana White had said Francis Ngannou was next in line for a heavyweight title shot. “Great performance to both guys. ... Congrats to Stipe on the performance. See you soon,” Ngannou tweeted. Jon Jones, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, tried to stir the pot on social media by teasing a challenge to Miocic. “Heavyweight world championships I will be seeing you real soon. Victorious,” Jones tweeted. Miocic nearly got the finish at the end of the second round and had Cormier in trouble until time ran out. “One hundred percent I would have finished him,” Miocic said. Cormier knocked out Miocic at UFC 226 in the first round in their 2018 bout to win the heavyweight belt. Miocic defeated Cormier last August in the rematch at UFC 241. The winner of this bout could make an argument as the greatest heavyweight champion in UFC history. Miocic has plenty left in the tank to keep cementing his legacy as the best big man UFC has seen inside the cage. “Great heavyweight fight!! #UFC252 #TeamStipe,” Lakers star LeBron James tweeted. Cormier finished with a 1-2 mark against Miocic and a losing mark against Jones. Cormier lost both fights to Jones, though the second one was overturned when Jones failed a doping test. The result was changed to a no contest. Miocic, who continues to work shifts for the Valley View (Ohio) Fire Department, has won eight of his last night fights. “I don't get any special treatment,” Miocic said. “I'm just one of the dudes.” The only thing missing was the crowd. UFC hasn't missed a beat during the pandemic and continued to run some of its most successful shows over the last few years. But no doubt a packed and crazed crowd would have added another dimension to the epic trilogy. White said UFC will return to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island. “I don't see fans happening any time soon,” White said. “I'm not even thinking about it.”.....»»
UAAP 77 Finals MVP Aroga on Coach E: He s my Phil Jackson
In 2014, Eric Altamirano guided National University to its first championship in 60 years. It may be just one title in his six-season stint there, but for a blue and gold side which has long been suffering, it was an all-important one. And so, coach Eric will remain a beloved figure in Sampaloc for all his life. Apparently, he also remains a beloved figure in Dallas in the US - at least in the house where Alfred Aroga now resides in. Reminiscing about the Bulldogs' historic championship in The Prospects Pod, that year's Finals MVP was asked about what Altamirano means to him. "Coach E, as I've always said, he's my Phil Jackson," he answered. Jackson was the coach for the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls' six championships, the Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers' three-peat, and, finally, the Kobe-led LA Lakers' back-to-back. In terms of rings, Coach Phil has Coach E beat, without a doubt. In terms of life lessons, though, "The Zen Master" is apparently not that far from the always amiable Filipino mentor. "I will call his house 'The Promised Land' because there are a lot of players that went in that house and look where they are today," Aroda said. "In his house, he didn't care where you came from, if you're black, green, yellow, blue. He didn't care about it. As long as you're in his house, there are rules to follow and those rules help you be a better person." Transferring from Cameroon to Manila, the 6-foot-7 big man stayed in the Altamirano household for all of his time in blue and gold. There, he learned all about discipline - something he had formerly failed to grasp. "There's a curfew, first of all. Then there are things you can't do - you can't drink, you don't smoke, you don't womanize, you go to Church, you got to be respectful," he shared. He then continued, "His family really embraced me and I needed that because I remember when I first went to the Philippines, I was like a wild animal, I was so aggressive, I didn't know how to respond to adversities so he had to coach me on that." For all of that, Aroga is nothing but thankful. "Coach E is always there for me. Coach, I would never repay you for everything you did for me so the only thing I can do is be successful and be grateful that I had you," he said. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
GREATEST PERFORMANCES: Kevin Ferrer s UAAP 78 Finals Game 2
University of Sto. Tomas is still longing and desiring for its first championship since 2006. Five years ago, the Growling Tigers came oh so close, but bowed to Far Eastern University in three games. In that game, the black and gold actually led by six inside the last five minutes only to see RR Pogoy and Finals MVP Mac Belo come up clutch for the Tamaraws. In the end, the final score read 67-62 in favor of Morayta. In the end, Pogoy had 14 points to his name, with half coming in the last five minutes, while Belo had for himself 23 markers and eight rebounds. Those two, hands down, outplayed UST's Big 2 of Ed Daquioag and Kevin Ferrer as the former finished with 21 points while the latter ended with just six markers. Of course, Espana would have welcomed more from Ferrer in the winner-take-all Game 3. Unfortunately, the two-way force had an off-game right then and there. Still, the Growling Tigers would not even have been in that position if not for Ferrer's heroics. Back in Game 2, he dropped 29 big points to lift his side to a much-needed 62-56 decision. The skipper was actually limited to a solitary point in the last 10 minutes of that game, but his 24-point eruption in the third quarter made it possible for his side to fight another day. And before his big third quarter, Ferrer was actually struggling, only mustering four points and only making one of his eight attempts from the field in the first half. Still, his and UST's faith never wavered. "Nung halftime, nag-usap kami na i-enjoy lang yung game," he said then. They did just that, with that season's "co-MVP" in particular scoring all but two of his team's 26 points in the third. By his lonesome, he outdid their opponents who only had 11 points in the same timeframe. "Nagpapasalamat lang din ako sa teammates ko kasi binibigyan nila ako ng tiwala," he said. Behind Ferrer, the Growling Tigers mounted a six-point lead entering the final frame - a six-point lead they would be able to protect until the final buzzer. And so, UST and FEU were headed to a winner-take-all Game 3. We all know how that ended. But it still should not be forgotten that, in fact, it was Kevin Ferrer who made that happen. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
WHAT IF… Dave Ildefonso stayed in Ateneo
History lesson: As a rookie and then as a sophomore, Dave Ildefonso was the main man of National University. The 6-foot-3 swingman made an immediate impact by putting up per game counts of 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists as a rookie. He only built on those with averages of 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals in his sophomore season. Safe to say, Ildefonso made the most out of his moment as the most prized prospect in recent history for the blue and gold. And, to this day, he does not regret moving from Katipunan to Sampaloc. This, even though Ateneo de Manila University head coach Tab Baldwin memorably made it a point to make the scoring wing "rethink his decision" in their first meeting. In response, Ildefonso said then that he stands by his decision. Right decision as it may have been, his individual brilliance in National U, unfortunately, did not translate into team glory. In his first year, the son of Philippine basketball legend and school great Danny Ildefonso saw his squad stand at 4-10 at the end of eliminations. The next year was not that much better as the Bulldogs struggled to a 2-12 standing. Not long after, with a coaching change in the offing, Ildefonso announced that he was transferring to Ateneo - or, more accurately, coming home to the Blue Eagles' nest. Now 20-years-old, he will have to sit out UAAP 83 before being eligible for the blue and white in Season 84. Did you ever think, though, what would have happened if he never left, and would have never had to come home in the first place? What if Ildefonso just moved on up from Ateneo Jrs. to Srs.? If he did, he would be joining a team already loaded at the wings with Thirdy Ravena, Mike Nieto, Gian Mamuyac, Adrian Wong, Aaron Black, and BJ Andrade. As a rookie for the Blue Eagles, he would not even come close to the 27.6 minutes he actually got in National U. If so, his impact would have been still much-welcome for the blue and white, but more or less negligible to just about everybody else. Still, he would have been part of a terrific team that won it all for the second straight season. Then with Anton Asistio graduating, Black moving on, and Raffy Verano and Jolo Mendoza being sidelined, he would then be given a bigger burden in accordance with Ateneo's "next man up" philosophy. And, without a doubt, with Ildefonso, the Blue Eagles have yet another weapon in its arsenal for its triumphant march towards a historic season sweep. In this light, he would have been a champion for all of his last three seasons - one in the Jrs. and two in the Srs. And then he would enter Season 83 as one of Coach Tab's main men alongside SJ Belangel, Ange Kouame, and Dwight Ramos. For sure, Ildefonso would still shine like a star if he would have stayed in Ateneo. It would just have taken more time for him to do so. That, after all, is one of his reasons for committing to the Bulldogs in the first place. "Isipin mo, si SJ, limited minutes. Kung nag-stay ako dun, mas lalo na ako, mas limited," he said then, when the two of them were prized rookies. Indeed, the heavy minutes and the heavy workload would not have been there for Ildefonso if he would have decided to move on up from the Blue Eaglets to the Blue Eagles. At the same time, though, two championships would have been there for him. And that would have been the exact opposite of what had actually happened. The story is far from over, however, as Ildefonso has a golden opportunity to have the best of both worlds. He already is a shining star after two years standing out for National U. And now, he will still be doing so, just for an Ateneo championship juggernaut that is not going away anytime soon. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
SUPER SHOWDOWN: rookie Dindin Santiago vs. rookie Jaja Santiago
Towering sisters Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Jaja Santiago left lasting impacts in the UAAP. Versatile, talented and intimidating are just some of the traits the siblings share. Both are vital cogs in their local commercial league club and are valuable assets to the national team. International clubs even took notice of the Santiago sisters’ dominant presence and high-level volleyball skills that they landed deals to play in the prestigious Japan V. Premier League. And of course if you’re a University of Sto. Tomas faithful you’ll often wonder what the Tigresses would have achieved if the sisters stayed in Espana instead of moving to National University. Looking back, we saw how the Santiago sisters evolved into what they are today. With their towering presence, both immediately made valuable contribution during their debut seasons? But then again, which Santiago made a bigger impact in their rookie year? Dindin’s first year with UST or Jaja’s maiden tour of duty for NU? OFFENSE and DEFENSE Dindin right now stands at 6-foot-2 while Jaja is listed at 6-foot-5, even if we deduct a few inches from their current height during their respective debuts they’ll still be pretty tall compared to the rest of the field. In Season 72, Dindin complemented an already stacked Tigresses. Though overshadowed by legends Aiza Maizo and Angeli Tabaquero, Dindin made a decent contribution on offense averaging almost six points per game. Dindin was on UST’s top five in the blocking department. Compared to her older sister, Jaja’s rookie year in Season 76 was more impressive. Jaja averaged 10.7 points per outing behind her Dindin (16.7), who was then on her last year after transferring to NU. Jaja had a 41.99% success rate in attacks – landing at second spot overall after Dindin’s (46.10%). The younger Santiago normed 0.50 kill blocks per set to anchor the Lady Bulldogs’ net defense. TEAM IMPACT Dindin was a welcome addition to the Tigresses. However, playing in a squad filled with veterans left Dindin little room to display her full potential. Maizo and Tabaquero shared much of the scoring load while Maika Ortiz, Maru Banaticla and Judy Ann Caballejo provided the extra punch. But Dindin did play her role well as one of head coach Shaq delos Santos’ prized recruits. Dindin, indeed, made her presence felt in her own little way as UST climbed its way into the Finals. Jaja’s entry in Season 76 put NU as one of the top contenders to challenge the then reigning three-peat champion De La Salle University. Together with her sister, they formed NU’s dreaded twin towers and with the likes of Mina Aganon, Aiko Urdas and Myla Pablo, many predicted the Lady Bulldogs would make it all the way to the Finals. In fact, NU almost did before the Alyssa Valdez-led Ateneo de Manila University spoiled everything. As a consolation for all her hard work, Jaja was the runaway winner of the Rookie of the Year award COMPETITION Dindin played in a very competitive field. She took on a number of powerhitters and precision spikers like De La Salle University’s Big Three in Paneng Mercado, Jacq Alarca and Cha Cruz. Dindin also faced Adamson University’s Angela Benting and Pau Soriano, Ateneo had Dzi Gervacio and Fille Cainglet, Far Eastern University’s Cherry Vivas, NU’s Mervic Mangui, Mela Lopez of University of the Philippines and Kite Rosale of University of the East. Jaja, on the other hand, had to contend with an equally powerful field. Valdez was on a different level that season, so was DLSU with the trio of Ara Galang, Aby Marano and Mika Reyes. Bang Pineda was wreaking havoc for Adamson, FEU had Bernadeth Pons, Mela Tunay and Pam Lastimosa were the stars of UST, UP had their own towers in Kathy Bersola and Angeli Araneta while Shaya Adorador was UE’s standout. LASTING IMPRESSION Dindin, of course, was the fortunate one among the siblings. She experienced the glory of winning championship after helping the Tigresses dethrone the Lady Spikers in her first year. That championship remains as UST’s last title to this day. But what really stuck was Dindin’s decision to jump ship a season after winning the crown. Dindin made the headlines when she left UST to join the Lady Bulldogs in a move that drew mixed reactions and a whole lot of speculations in what convinced her to drop the black and gold for NU’s colors. Dindin’s transfer was followed by Jaja committing to NU after a successful run with UST’s high school team. Jaja won the RoY award and helped NU move a win closer to a Finals appearance. The Lady Bulldogs were armed with a twice-to-beat advantage but NU’s twin towers and talents were not enough to overcome the steamrolling Lady Eagles. Jaja’s career started off at least on a good note considering how far NU advanced after years of frustrations. Jaja would eventually lead the Lady Bulldogs to two more Final Four appearance with their last in Season 80 – the same year when she bagged the Most Valuable Player award. Now who’s the better rookie Santiago? Hard to tell. On one side, you have Dindin who won a championship while on the other you have Jaja with her individual accomplishments and accolades. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles.....»»
UAAP 2nd sem athletes celebrated as UST claims general title anew
For the fourth year in a row, there is no movement at the mountaintop of the UAAP. University of Sto. Tomas has been hailed as General Champion for the Srs. Tournaments once more as it ran away with the crown with 209 total points. The Growling Tigers were officially recognized as such in the Season 82 closing ceremony held online Saturday. They built their overall win on gold medals in men's and women's beach volleyball, men's and women's table tennis, and men's judo. All that was more than enough to grant them a more than 30-point lead over runner-up De La Salle University. And all that was more than enough to notch the 44th mark in Srs. General Championships for the black and gold. UST's high school was not going to be outdone as well as it rode its 159 total points all the way to the mountaintop of the Jrs. Tournaments. On the back of wins in boys' and girls' swimming, boys' baseball, boys' judo, and boys' taekwondo, the Tiger Cubs got the better of second-placer La Salle Zobel for their sixth straight Jrs. General Championship. Meanwhile, student-athletes whose campaigns were cut short by the continuing COVID-19 crisis were recognized in the event shown on ABS-CBN Sports' online platforms. Those include competitors in athletics, baseball, football, indoor volleyball, lawn tennis softball, and track and field which were all set to go, or even already underway, before the pandemic forced all second semester sports to end earlier than expected. That was exactly why the UAAP went out of its way to still give these student-athletes their shine. Even better for so-called super seniors from those second semester sports, the league has already reportedly discussed and deliberated the proposed one-year extension of their eligibility. According to outgoing president Em Fernandez, the proposal is just awaiting the approval of the league's Board of Trustees. That means that student-athletes such as Arlyn Bautista from Adamson University softball, Jho Maraguinot and Kat Tolentino from Ateneo de Manila University women's volleyball, Diego Lozano from De La Salle University men's baseball, Ricky Marcos from National University men's volleyball, and Miggy Clarino from the University of the Philippines' men's football have an option to play out their last year of eligibility next season instead. Next season will see De La Salle University taking over hosting duties from Ateneo. The formal passing of the hosting of baton officially wrapped up UAAP Season 83. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
PBA: 'Mr. 100%' Norman Black has no patience for lazy players
When he was a PBA import, Norman Black earned the nickname "Mr. 100%". Black was one of the most athletic reinforcements the PBA has ever seen, and he's certainly one of the most hardworking. His PBA accomplishments include two championships as a player and two Best Import awards. As a coach, Black has 11 PBA titles, including the 1989 Grand Slam with San Miguel Beer. Outside of the pros, coach Norman likewise has five UAAP championships, all in succession, with the Ateneo Blue Eagles. With over three decades of coaching experience, Black has been around a lot of players, but there's only one kind of baller that coach Norman absolutely just cannot stand. "No matter who you are, no matter how old you are, you're always trying to improve your skills. I have big problems with lazy players, it just drives me nuts because it's probably the exact opposite of what I was as a player," Coach Norman said on The Score Philippines. "I'm into guys that put the effort out there, if you're lazy, you may not last that long with me because I don't have much patience for it," Black added. Coaching PBA teams like the San Miguel Beermen, the Sta. Lucia Realtors, the TNT KaTropa, and the Meralco Bolts, Black just can't do it with players that don't give enough effort. "It used to pain me sometimes, and I won't go to any names, but some guys would show up at exactly 1:59 for a 2:00 p.m. practice every single day," Coach Norman said. "It almost made me feel that he was just waiting in his car until it was 1:55 and then he decided to walk to the gym," he added. Fortunately for Coach Norman, his current Bolts team don't have such problem players. In Meralco, Black has a nice and solid group of hardworkers, which is very much to his liking. "I'm really into discipline. I need my players to be disciplined. One thing I can say about my Meralco team, despite the fact that we haven't won a championship, is that I don't have any attitude problems, off the court problems," he said. "I don't have to tell them to be on time in practice, my guys know to come in a hour or an hour and half early to get ready for practice to get their work in," Coach Norman added. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
ONE Championship: Eduard Folayang wants Eddie Alvarez rematch
In August of 2019, Filipino mixed martial arts icon and two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang came painfully close to recording what would have been the biggest win of his MMA career when he faced former UFC and Bellator Lightweight World Champion Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez in a high-stakes lightweight matchup. The winner would earn a spot in the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix Finals against Turkey’s Saygid Guseyn “Dagi” Arslanaliev at ONE: CENTURY in Tokyo, Japan, later that year. Early in the first round, it looked like Folayang was on his way to Tokyo after chopping Alvarez down with a nasty leg kick that obviously hurt the American star. What followed suit however, was a heartbreaking turn of events for Folayang, and an impeccable comeback from Alvarez. Looking to finish Alvarez off, Folayang pounced and began raining down heavy shot after heavy shot. Alvarez meanwhile, covered up and then waited for his opportunity to reverse things. Alvarez flipped Folayang over, took his back, and locked in the rear naked choke for the first-round submission win. Folayang admitted to rushing things as he was a tad bit too excited to get the finish. (READ ALSO: WHAT IF: Eduard Folayang had stopped Eddie Alvarez back in 2019?) Now, looking to make his way back up to the top of the lightweight ladder, Folayang hopes to be able to draw another meeting with Alvarez. “[If I could face anybody], it’s definitely Eddie Alvarez,” Folayang told ONE Championship’s Christian Jacinto. “I want to face him again.” As he had said before, Folayang acknowledges that he could have done a lot of things better in their first encounter. “Back in our match, I had a lot of regrets, I made a lot of mistakes…If given the chance, I believe my performance would be a whole lot better,” the Team Lakay star stated. “I definitely got careless in that match. We expected Eddie to be more of a striker, so I was confident when the match hit the ground,” he continued. Indeed, Alvarez has been known to be a brawler, which has helped him become a crowd favorite during his time in the UFC and in Bellator. Against Folayang however, Alvarez - who’s a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Ricardo Almeida - let his grappling and his experience shine. In the past, Folayang has shown that he can hold his own against some dangerous grapplers, as evidenced by his stunning world title win against former champion Shinya Aoki back in 2016. Folayang hopes that he can channel that same level of defense again if and when he gets to share the cage with Alvarez again. “If there would be a rematch, I’d address my issues in the ground, and hopefully, I’ll be better this time around.".....»»
ONE Championship: Angela Lee banking on grappling experience against Denice Zamboanga
Reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela “Unstoppable” Lee has been nothing short of dominant at the top of the women’s atomweight division. The Singaporean star has been able to dispatch every challenger put in front of her, and when she finally steps into the ONE circle once again, Lee will face another new challenger in Filipina newcomer Denice “The Menace Fairtex” Zamboanga. Just two fights into the Asia-based promotion, Zamboanga has been impressive, posting wins over Jihin Radzuan and two-time title challenger Mei Yamaguchi. Those two outings were enough for Zamboanga to earn a shot at the queen of the atomweight division. For her part, Lee believes that it will be an great matchup. “I’m just excited to get back in the ONE Circle again. I’m feeling extremely motivated for my next matchup. I think it’ll be a great fight,” Lee told ONE Championship. In her two wins, Zamboanga was able to utilize superb wrestling and grappling to grind out victories, which poses an interesting challenge to Lee, who has put her elite-level grappling to good use as well. “I think Denice is very well-rounded,” Lee said. “She’s an up-and-coming fighter. I also think that her team did a great job in creating a smart game plan for her in the Yamaguchi fight, and she was able to execute that plan and get the decision win.” “She’s young, hungry, and well-rounded. She is the new breed of MMA fighter that can do it all. She can strike, wrestle, and grapple. But I think she may be inexperienced in certain areas of the game,” Lee added. Lee’s grappling has been her number one weapon throughout her career, winning seven of her ten career fights via submission, including her latest victory over reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight titleholder Xiong Jing Nan. Having a top-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt for a husband and training partner surely helps Lee’s cause. Lee is married to fellow ONE Championship athlete and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Bruno Pucci. “I love training with my husband. He always pushes me hard and brings out the best in me,” said Lee. “I’m very grateful to have him as my partner in life and in training. Bruno is a second degree BJJ black belt and a two-time No Gi world champion. He has a lot of knowledge and I really appreciate everything that he shares with me.” Zamboanga definitely provides a refreshing challenge for Lee, but the reigning champion is confident in her chances of holding on to the title. “I just think it’ll be a great fight. The fans will love it. It will definitely be exciting. But when that final bell rings, you will hear the words, ‘and still,’” Lee concluded......»»
Four champion martial artists who are also champion dads
Father’s Day comes but once a year, and is a time to celebrate the incredible patriarchs in our lives who have guided us through our toughest challenges. They are the foundation of every family, working tirelessly through day and night to make sure the people they love are happy and safe. This Father’s Day, let’s honor the men in our lives who embody strength, discipline, and loyalty. Great fathers provide their children with a feeling of security, both physically and emotionally, but aren’t afraid to let them stumble and fall in order for them to learn the lessons they need to make it through life. These four men have given their children the gift of martial arts, but more importantly have also proven to be amazing dads. Ken Lee Brazilian jiu-jitsu and taekwondo black belt, Ken Lee, introduced martial arts to his children at a young age because he believes it can help develop them into great fighters, not just in competition, but also in life. Together with his wife Jewelz -- also a champion martial artist -- they’ve raised four incredible children, including reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee, and ONE Lightweight World Champion Christian Lee. Their two youngest children, Adrian and Victoria, are both on their way to following in their footsteps. Needless to say, martial arts is the family tradition. “Martial arts has always been a way of life for my family,” said Lee. But as much as he is the powerful voice in each of his children’s corners whenever they compete, Lee takes pride in being their father first and foremost. Guiding their careers, he says, is only his second priority. “I will always be their father first and coach second. As a father, the most important thing for me when it comes to my children is their safety and good health, that they are happy and able to live their dreams,” said Lee. Mark Sangiao Filipino martial arts icon Mark “The Machine” Sangiao is a well-known pioneer in the Philippines’ local martial arts community. He is a loving father to two boys, and a father-figure to his students in the famed Team Lakay. Many seek Sangiao out for his wisdom, not just in competing at the highest levels of martial arts, but also for his experience in traversing the hardships of life. The principles he imparts on his two sons, and many young Team Lakay athletes who could very well be considered his own children, have helped guide them down the right path. “As a father, what matters most for me when it comes to my children is providing them what they need,” said Sangiao. “I’m not just referring to their material or financial needs, but most importantly giving enough attention to their emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. It is essential that I can provide these to my children, because these are the very core of their development and formation as good and responsible people.” Sangiao has cultivated and developed many world champions, including former titleholders Eduard Folayang, Honorio Banario, Geje Eustaquio, and Kevin Belingon, as well as ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio. While his eldest son Jhanlo has decided to take after his father in becoming a martial artist, Sangiao says he would support his children regardless of their chosen profession. “I may end up raising a martial artist, a gardener, a businessman, a lawyer -- it doesn’t matter. I will raise them the exact same way. I will support whatever they want to be in life, and what they want for their future. I just want to raise my children to be good, strong, and responsible people,” said Sangiao. Eduard Folayang For two-time former ONE Lightweight World Champion and Team Lakay veteran Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, being a father means imparting his wisdom to his children, and helping them become good members of society. Folayang is a proud father to two young girls, and hopes to instill in them the right values and principles. “I think we have to give our children the right principles to live by. They must be strong in both the body and the mind, but also kind and generous,” said Folayang. While he will support his children no matter what they decide to do when they get older, Folayang still plans on introducing them to martial arts, which is what helped turn his life around as a young man raised in hardship and poverty. “Being a father feels great. I do want my children to practice martial arts. It’s a great way of life and will teach them a lot of lessons. I just want them to find their own talents and help make the world a better place,” said Folayang. Danny Kingad Former ONE World Title challenger and ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Championship Finalist Danny “The King” Kingad is relatively new to fatherhood, with his son Gleurdan Adrian becoming his pride and joy after being born just two years ago. Being a father, Kingad says, is his single greatest purpose, and he vows to do everything in his power to give his son a good life. “I want to spend every day with my son. It’s important to me to be there for him. I want to help prepare him for the challenges life will bring,” said Kingad. Kingad grew up a troubled youth who fell into bad company and many vices. It wasn’t until he discovered martial arts that his life gained meaning and direction. He hopes to one day introduce martial arts to Gleurdan, when his son is ready. “Martial arts was a saving grace for me, and I learned a lot from training and competing. I would love for my son to learn the core values that martial arts instilled in me when I was younger. I think it will teach him a lot about respect and honor. But of course, I’m here to support my son in whatever he wants to be in life,” said Kingad. “What’s important to me is that he learns to be humble and respectful, and most especially strong, to be able to handle tough times. Having a strong mind is the best asset of a martial artist.”.....»»