IN BOXING, everybody says they?ll knockout their opponent. Right? Haven?t you noticed this? Fighters brag and showboat. ?I am prepared to give a knockout,? said the visitor. But, as we know and unless there?s a draw, at fight?s end there?ll only be one winner.
Donnie Nietes will be the lone man standing inside the stage this weekend, raising his Murcia-bred arms towards the Waterfront Hotel ceiling, blood dripping, sweat raining, applause from his fellow Cebuanos deafening the ballroom.
His opponent: A Mexican named Velarde but not first-named Mike. He?s Carlos and his 26-wins, 3-loss record will become four defeats before midnight. I?m not saying that Nietes is invincible. Unlike basketball that requires 48 minutes or volleyball where each set must reach 25 points, boxing is spine-chilling: You may dominate the entire fight but, in one careless moment, that incoming stab can plunk you to sleep. Remember Marquez?s wallop on Manny?
Let?s wish this doesn?t happen to Ahas. Having witnessed numerous Nietes fights, I think the 32-year-old is too crafty and too clever to be careless?and thus, we anticipate that he?ll break the nearly-half-a-century-old record of Flash Elorde as the longest-reigning Filipino world champ.
My hope this Saturday — in a night loaded with A-list boxers from ALA Promotions that includes AJ Banal, Albert Pagara, Milan Melindo and Mark Magsayo — is this: That Carlos Velarde put up a tough stand. We?ve witnessed many Waterfront Hotel sorties that finish in a few seconds. We want a quarrel, an altercation, a pummel-versus-jab encounter, a clash and scuffle — with Nietes smiling in the end.
CCM. The 2015 Cebu Marathon is this January 11. That?s 58 days from now. Three categories are being offered to all: 10-K, 21-K, and 42-K. While the registration has been on-going for over a month, the Early Bird discounted rate will expire soon. So far, there are nearly 800 runners booked for the full marathon and about 700 for the half-marathon.
Good news: I just got word from Rio de la Cruz and Franco Bambico that the Early Bird registration has been extended for a few days. The original schedule (to expire this Saturday, Nov. 15) has been moved to Nov. 20.
The discounted rates: P900 for the 10k, P1,100 for the 21k, and P1,400 for the marathon. I repeat: these fees will remain as they are only until next Thursday, Nov. 20.
What?s included with these fees? First, the opportunity to join one of Cebu?s top sporting events, held during the Sinulog. The freebies: a singlet (with your personalized name), a finisher?s shirt, a race bib with timing chip, and finisher?s medals for the two longer distances.
How to register? Visit the website (www.cebumarathon.com) or visit the CCM booth at the Active Zone of Ayala Center Cebu. Register now.
PCCL. For basketball fans, this is riveting: the National Collegiate Championship?right here in the Queen City of the South.
Eight teams will compete: From Manila, there?s DLSU, FEU, San Beda, Arellano and National University; from Cebu, there are three: UV, SWU and USC.
The Cebu leg will last for five days. Each afternoon starting today until Monday, there will be games at the Cebu Coliseum. The action moves to Manila on Nov. 21 until the championships are played on Nov. 27 at the Ynares Gym. ABS-CBN Sports+Action will air the games live.
Today?s first game between La Salle and SWU will be exciting because this was the same match-up that played in the finals last year. Plus, there?s Ben Mbala, previously under Coach Yayoy Alcoseba but now playing for the green squad.
?Organizing PCCL chairman Rey Gamboa said the Elite Eight will be a first in the league?s 12 years of existence,? wrote Joey Villar in the piece, ?Best college teams collide in 2014 PCCL,? for The Phil. Star. ??This is historic for collegiate basketball in Cebu because the best of Metro Manila will play the best in the South,? said Gamboa.?
PCCL live. That?s today until Monday, Cebu Coliseum.
