Tag: mma betting

Alas Pilipinas loses to Vietnam, bows out of FIVB Challenger Cup

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Alas Pilipinas against Vietnam in the FIVB Challenger Cup quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen and Vietnam shut the doors on Alas Pilipinas’ hopes of qualifying for the Volleyball Nations League next year after a 25-14, 25-22, 25-21 victory Friday night in the FIVB Challenger Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Tuyen peppered the Filipinas with 30 points built on 27 attack points and three blocks to show Alas the exit after just one game in the knockout quarterfinals.

“We are very grateful that we faced Vietnam. We learned a lot, realized many things we still need to improve on, and of course, we are very happy because many people watched, especially our fellow Filipinos here in the Philippines. So, I am thankful for all the support,” Sisi Rondina said.

HIGHLIGHTS: Alas Pilipinas vs Vietnam FIVB Challenger Cup

Rondina led the hometown bets with 15 points, all from attacks, with Canino backing her up with 12 points, all but one from kills.

Middle blockers Fifi Sharma and Thea Gagate added six and five points respectively for the world No. 55 hosts.

Sisi Rondina leads Alas Pilipinas in scoring in the loss.

Sisi Rondina leads Alas Pilipinas in scoring in the loss. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“Earlier during the huddle, Ate Jia [de Guzman] just said that we shouldn’t think about anything else, just show what we can do. We know we have abilities that they don’t have, and even if we fell short, the fight is still there. Of course, it’s about not giving up,” Rondina added.

“As I always say, you never go home a loser because you learn something, you always learn something, especially now that we faced Vietnam,” Canino said.

READ: Alas Pilipinas hit with reality check ahead of Challenger Cup

Already down by two sets and giving its all to try and extend the match and somehow take the game from behind, Alas managed to tie the deciding frame at 14-all with Vanie Gandler’s attack from back row.

Rondina put her all into a cross-court hit to knot the game again at 16-all before Alas took the lead for the first time since the first set at 18-17 as Gagate rose for a quick hit.

But Tuyen was not going to allow the visitors to sink and wasted no opportunity to carry Vietnam on the verge of victory, 24-20.

Gandler squeezed in an attack through the block before Rondina committed a deadly attack error that sailed out and ultimately handed Vietnam a ticket to the semifinals opposite Czech Republic, which moved on with a straight sets win over Argentina earlier in the day.

The other semifinal bracket will feature Belgium and Puerto Rico.



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“Facing Vietnam was a huge opportunity and a lesson for us because experiences like that don’t happen often in our lives or with our team. We learned a lot of lessons inside the court,” Canino said.

Novel format spices up Reinforced PVL action

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Erica Staunton is Creamline Cool Smashers’ import for the PVL Reinforced Conference. –CREAMLINE PHOTO

A two-stage elimination round will be something new when the Reinforced Conference of the Premier Volleyball League gets off the ground on July 16, although the battle for the championship will be just for a single game which assures that no team will run under full speed the entire time.

The 12-team field will be divided into two groups in the first phase of classification, with the top teams from Pools A and B going on to clash with the bottom three teams from the opposite groups to form Pools C and D.

Following the preliminaries, teams will be ranked using the FIVB Classification System. The top eight squads will move on to the knockout quarterfinals. Winners will advance to the semifinals, which will also be decided in a do-or-die match. The top two teams from the semis will compete in a winner-take-all gold medal match, while the losers will battle for bronze.

Creamline headlines Pool A, which will also have Chery Tiggo, Farm Fresh, Galeries Tower, Nxled and PLDT, while defending champion Petro Gazz will be in the other pool together with Akari, Capital1, Cignal, Choco Mucho and Zus Coffee.

Opening day promises intense matchups, starting with the Highrisers, bannered by Brazilian reinforcement Monique Helena, facing the Nxled squad, which has yet to reveal its import, at 2 p.m. at PhilSports Arena.

Nxled is hoping to make the best out of picking fifth overall in the coming Draft after losing several standouts, including Ivy Lacsina and Dindin Santiago-Manabat in a swap with sister team Akari recently.

Lacsina was part of the package that also sent Cams Victoria, libero skipper Dani Ravena and main setter Kamille Cal to Akari. Manabat opted out of being included in that deal and terminated her contract with the Chargers to find her way into Choco Mucho.

At 4 p.m., American spiker Katherine Bell and the Crossovers will challenge Asaka Tamaru and the Foxies. The main event at 6 p.m. will see the Cool Smashers, led by Erica Staunton from the USA, against returning Russian hitter Lena Samoilenko and the PLDT High Speed Hitters. —Angel B. Dukha III



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LeBron James agrees to a 2-year extension with Lakers

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Los Angeles Lakers draft pick Bronny James, left, and his father, LeBron James, share a light moment as they arrive for the NBA basketball team’s news conference in El Segundo, Calif., Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

LeBron James is making it official: He’s coming back for a record-tying 22nd season in the NBA, one where the league’s all-time scoring leader could share the floor with his son Bronny as teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers.

LeBron has agreed to a two-year contract to remain with the Lakers, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Wednesday. The second year of the deal is at James’ option and means he could become a free agent again next summer, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced publicly.

ESPN reported that the Lakers and LeBron’s agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, may agree on a salary slightly less than the max that LeBron could have gotten — a move that could keep the team from reaching the second apron and preserve some roster flexibility going forward.

READ: Lakers coach JJ Redick still hopes to create great content with LeBron

Either way, the expectation is that James will make around $50 million — give or take a little bit — this coming season, pushing his career on-court earnings to around $530 million and making him the first player in NBA history to eclipse the $500 million mark.

It will be LeBron’s 22nd season in the NBA, tying Vince Carter for the league record. The Lakers selected Bronny James last week in the second round of the draft, putting them in position to have the first on-court father-son duo in NBA history.

Bronny James already has signed his first NBA contract, the Lakers announced Wednesday. It is a four-year deal, the last of those years at the Lakers’ option, worth $7.9 million — with about $1.2 million as his rookie year salary.

Getting his latest deal done clears one logistical hurdle for LeBron James: He needed a contract to be in place before he could take the floor with USA Basketball for the start of its training camp in Las Vegas this weekend, one where the squad will start preparations for the Paris Olympics. James will play in the Olympics for the fourth time, his first since helping the U.S. win gold at the 2012 London Games.

READ: NBA: Bronny James says he can handle playing with LeBron, Lakers

He’ll turn 40 in December and averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists last season — as the oldest active player in the league.

Not only is James the all-time leader in points (40,474), but he’s fourth in assists (11,009), sixth in games played (1,492) and eighth in both 3-pointers made (2,410) and steals (2,275).

His 20 All-Star selections is a record, as are his 20 appearances on the All-NBA team. He holds the records for being both the youngest player, and oldest player, to make an All-NBA squad.

James became the youngest to make All-NBA when he was voted onto the team for the 2004-05 season. This past season, he became the first player to be age 39 or older in what became an All-NBA campaign.



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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Tim Duncan were both just a few days from turning 39 when the regular seasons ended in what became their final All-NBA campaigns, Abdul-Jabbar’s being 1985-86 and Duncan’s being 2014-15. James played in 71 games this past season, the last 42 of those coming after he turned 39.

End of an era as Andy Murray withdraws from Andy Murray singles

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Britain’s Andy Murray attends a Pre-Championships Press Conference in the Media Theatre in the Broadcast Centreon the eve of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships on June 30, 2024. (Photo by Florian EISELE / various sources / AFP) 

Two-time champion Andy Murray called time on his Wimbledon singles career on Tuesday after the “extremely disappointed” former world number one lost his battle to recover from back surgery.

However, the 37-year-old, who plans to retire after the Paris Olympics, will still experience an emotional farewell to the All England Club when he plays doubles with brother Jamie later in the tournament.

Murray underwent surgery to remove a cyst from his back last month, a procedure he described as “not insignificant.”

READ: Andy Murray faces agonizing decision over Wimbledon farewell

The operation left him without full feeling in his right leg and placed in peril his final appearance at the tournament.

As a result Murray doubted if he would recover in time to face Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic in his scheduled first-round clash on Centre Court on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, despite working incredibly hard on his recovery since his operation just over a week ago, Andy has taken the very difficult decision not to play the singles this year,” said a statement from Murray’s representatives.

“As you can imagine, he is extremely disappointed but has confirmed that he will be playing in the doubles with Jamie and looks forward to competing at Wimbledon for the last time.”

READ: Andy Murray uncertain if he’ll play in Paris Olympics

Murray famously ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a men’s champion at Wimbledon when he triumphed in 2013.

He added a second title in 2016, taking his career majors total to three after breaking his duck at the 2012 US Open.

That win in New York came just weeks after he had lost his first Wimbledon final to Roger Federer.

 ‘Great guy’

Andy Murray Paris Olympic tennis great britain

Britain’s Andy Murray gestures to the public after playing against Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka during their men’s singles match on day one of the French Open on May 26, 2024. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP)

Murray, who has never been defeated in the first round at Wimbledon, has not progressed past the quarter-finals since his 2016 triumph.

The physical stress of 20 years on the tour has taken its toll.

He missed the 2018 tournament with injury and 12 months later sat out the singles after undergoing hip surgery.

READ: Andy Murray’s French Open career ended by Wawrinka in first round

That year, he played men’s doubles with Pierre-Hugues Herbert and mixed doubles with Serena Williams.

Murray has competed with a metal hip since 2019 while this season he damaged ankle ligaments in Miami when he went down to defeat to Machac.

The Scot made his Wimbledon debut in 2005, reaching the third round, where he took a two-set lead before losing in five to 2002 runner-up David Nalbandian.

Fellow three-time Grand Slam title winner Stan Wawrinka hailed Murray as “an amazing champion”.

“He pushed everybody. He won everything in the sport that you can win. He’s been No. 1. He’s been an example for many players,” said the 39-year-old Swiss, who has faced the Briton 23 times since their first clash in 2005.

“He’s a great guy. We’re good friends. We spent so many times together. On the court, in practice court, we practice tons of times together. We always had a good relationship.”

Murray fans had been desperate to see their hero make his Wimbledon farewell.

“He feels like one of our own,” said 40-year-old Lorna Kennedy, who had traveled down to London from Dundee in Scotland.

“He’s done so well and he’s just been so good for the sport.”



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Murray was replaced in the draw on Monday by Belgium’s David Goffin, a lucky loser from qualifying.

Gilas Pilipinas stuns world No. 6 Latvia to open Fiba OQT bid

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Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas’ rout of host Latvia to open the Filipinos’ Fiba OQT campaign. –FIBA PHOTO

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba OQT in Riga, Latvia

Gilas Pilipinas pounced on Latvia’s early shooting woes and played with steely nerves down the stretch to topple World No. 6 and host Latvia, 89-80, in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) on Thursday.

The No. 37-ranked Filipinos, overwhelming underdogs in the short meet at Arena Riga that will send a winner to the Paris Olympics, raced to an 8-0 start and built a sizable cushion that they never yielded until the final horn.

“I’m totally shocked to be sitting in front of you guys after winning this basketball game. This is not something we thought we were gonna do, I’ll be honest with you,” said Gilas coach Tim Cone after the Philippines beat a European team for the first time in 64 years.

“We wanted to come in and compete and really put on a good show. We got started early. We hit shots early. And thankfully Latvia missed shots.”

Naturalized ace Justin Brownlee delivered a near triple-double of 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, while young cornerstones Kai Sotto and Dwight Ramos tossed in 18 and 11 points, respectively, for a triumph that got Gilas’ campaign off to a rousing start.

READ: Tim Cone dismisses notion that Gilas not big, fast, strong enough

Barring a massive blowout at the hands of World No. 23 Georgia, the Philippines is on track to advance to the crossover knockout phase which could pit the Filipinos against Cameroon, Brazil or Montenegro.

Chris Newsome scored 10 points, including a couple of late baskets in the final period that kept the Latvians at bay with the results significantly shaking up the Group A race.

Gilas Pilipinas' Kai Sotto among the top performers against Latvia in the Fiba OQT.

Gilas Pilipinas’ Kai Sotto among the top performers against Latvia in the Fiba OQT. –FIBA BASKETBALL

The Latvians, having won 24 of their last 27 Fiba games, were projected to sweep the preliminaries, but struggled against a determined Gilas side and dropped to 1-1 in the OQT.

It also didn’t help the hosts that their outside shooting abandoned them just as the Filipinos hit theirs. Latvia was 10-for-42 while Gilas wound up 9-of-20 from deep.

“There were a couple of stretches, like Kai said, that we kind of lost our way a little bit but it seems like when Latvia was just about ready to make huge run at us, they would miss an open three-point shot,” Cone said.

“And that’s just one of those night for Latvia—they just won’t hit shots tonight.”

Rodions Kurucs and Rolands Smits joined hands for a last-ditch effort for the Latvians, but the Gilas cushion—which swelled to as big as 26 points—proved too big to overhaul.

READ: Tim Cone ‘not satisfied’ until Gilas reaches optimal FIBA OQT form

Kurucs had 18 points, Davis Bertans, Kristers Zoriks and Janis Strelnieks 10 each while Smits had 9 in the Latvian effort that left many in the home crowd in disbelief.

Gilas and Georgia tangle in 18 hours (8:30 p.m. Manila time) at the same venue.



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After VNL success, PH plays host anew as Challenger Cup fires off

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FILE–A general view of the crowd during a game between Team USA and Japan in the VNL 2024 at Mall of Asia Arena.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines looks to continue its string of successful hosting gigs with the FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup (VCC) for Women from Thursday to Sunday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Behind the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), the country will be hosting a third straight international competition this year with the VCC, which serves as a qualifier for the Volleyball Nations League.

Alas Pilipinas will see action in the VCC when it clashes with Vietnam in a knockout game on Friday at 6:30 p.m. following the 3 p.m. match between Argentina and the Czech Republic.

SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas at FIVB Challenger Cup

Puerto Rico and Kenya raise the curtains on Thursday at 3 p.m. while Belgium and Sweden plunge into action at 6:30 p.m.

Aside from developing Alas’ core for bigger international tournaments slated next year including the Southeast Asian Games, the PNVF is also preparing for its historic hosting of the 2025 Men’s World Championship.

“We’re down to 14 months to go and at the rate we’re going, we look forward to aiming for a well-hosted world championship in 2025,” said PNVF president Tats Suzara following a successful hosting of the VNL men’s Week 3 two weeks ago at Mall of Asia Arena.

The PNVF brought the AVC Challenge Cup at Rizal Memorial Coliseum last May with Alas winning a historic bronze medal. The country then hosted the VNL for the third straight year, drawing big crowds every night, especially for fan favorites Japan and USA.

READ: AVC Challenge Cup official praises PH hosting, Alas Pilipinas

The FIVB even lauded the hosting of the Philippines, looking forward to next year’s World Championship at MOA Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

“The Philippines’ love for volleyball was clear, setting the stage for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025,” the FIVB wrote on its official website. “The Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s pool in Manila … attracted a massive turnout of 45,886 fans eager to witness world-class volleyball, an exciting sign of what is to come for the upcoming FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 in the country.”

“The event [VNL Men’s Week 3] was marked by excellent organization and hospitality, which allowed the action on the court to take center stage. As the tournament unfolded, fan excitement and engagement visibly grew.”

The highest attendance, the FIVB said, was recorded on the final day when it peaked at 93.82% with 12,497 tickets sold as fans packed the SM Mall of Asia.

READ: Alas Pilipinas’ Jema Galanza won’t play libero in FIVB Challenger Cup

The men’s world championship featuring the top 32 nations, including the host Philippines, is set from September 12 to 28 next year.

Suzara, who was also part of the country’s hosting of the Fiba World Cup last year, is eager to improve its hosting of the prestigious men’s world championship, following another successful VNL in Manila.

“Of course, still a lot of improvement that we have to do. As you know this is the first time that the world championship will have 32 teams. So we have to divide 16 teams here and 16 in Araneta. But there are still a lot of logistical discussions with FIVB. And also on accommodation, and transportation after the VNL finals in Poland,” Suzara said. “Maybe, the discussions may also fall after Paris because everyone’s busy with the Paris Olympics. But we are looking forward to the one-year countdown on September 12.” 



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The one-year countdown on September 12 features the FIVB Draw, where the country expects 300 foreign delegates. Alas will also play Japanese club in friendlies against the Panasonic Panthers, Suntory Sunbirds, and Wolfdogs Nagoya. 

Rhenz Abando still weighing his next options after KBL run

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Rhenz Abando during an open training with the Jones Cup bound Strong Group Athletics team. -SGA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Rhenz Abando is still thinking about his next move after his run in the Korean Basketball League.

Abando, a member of the Strong Group Athletics squad that will compete in the upcoming William Jones Cup, revealed that he still doesn’t know his next move after his stint with the Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (formerly Anyang KGC),

“So far, I’m just waiting and weighing my offers,” said Abando in Filipino during SGA’s training at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong on Tuesday.

READ: Rhenz Abando leaves KBL club Anyang after 2 years

“[Those offers are from] other leagues. My status in Korea now is, I can’t go back because of the rules. They offered me a contract, but I didn’t sign with them so I can’t come back until after a year.”

The Letran product did not disclose the teams that have sent him offers.

With the PBA offseason in full effect, Abando was expectedly asked if one of his options was declaring for the Rookie Draft.

READ: Road to recovery gives Rhenz Abando time to decide what’s next

The former University of Santo Tomas swingman, however, quickly clarified that the PBA Draft isn’t in his options, but he is not completely shutting the door on playing in the PBA.

Just not anytime soon.

“The PBA, it’s just there. I don’t want to declare for the draft right away. Of course, I need to talk to some people and it wouldn’t be nice if I just apply for the draft all of a sudden.”

Right now, Abando is just glad to represent the country anew after having raised the flag in the 2023 Fiba World Cup.

Only this time, he’ll do it under SGA colors for the Jones Cup happening later this month.

“Now, I’m just thankful for coach Charles (Tiu) and Rajko (Toroman) because before all of this even began, they already prioritized getting us. One month before [official] practice, they were already messaging and prioritizing us.”



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During his rookie year with Anyang, Abando reached the top of the KBL right away, winning the 2023 season championship at the expense of the Seoul SK Knights.

Alas Pilipinas’ Jema Galanza won’t play libero in Challenger Cup

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Jema Galanza with fellow Alas Pilipinas players Cherry Nunag and Dell Palomata. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas at FIVB Challenger Cup

MANILA, Philippines — After initially being listed as libero, Jema Galanza is back to her original position as an outside spiker in the FIVB Challenger Cup on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Two days before their knockout game against AVC Challenge Cup champion Vietnam, Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza De Brito said that Galanza will no longer have to play as libero following a minor foot injury during their preparation.

“She is [doing] better and she’s ok. She will be a regular player,” De Brito told Inquirer Sports.

De Brito also bared that Dawn Macandili-Catindig will be the lone libero of Alas as Chery Tiggo’s Jen Nierva and Eya Laure didn’t train with the nationals. 

READ: Alas Pilipinas hit with reality check ahead of Challenger Cup

Alyssa Solomon, meanwhile, asked permission to skip the tournament as she needs more time to recover after leading National University’s title redemption tour in the UAAP Season 86 last May. She will likely join Alas for the SEA V.League in August.

“Solomon, as I mentioned, she is still in recovery. She requested more time since we contacted her. And the other guys did not attend,” said the Brazilian coach.

Alas battles Vietnam on Friday at 6:30 p.m., hoping to advance to the knockout semifinal on Saturday with only one of the eight participating countries — including Argentina, Belgium, Czech Republic, Kenya, Puerto Rico, and Sweden — qualifying for the Volleyball Nations League next year.

Facing a tough Southeast Asian rival, De Brito banks on Challenge Cup Best Setter Jia De Guzman and Best Opposite Spiker Angel Canino in leading the bronze medal team also composed of newcomer Bella Belen, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, Sisi Rondina, Vanie Gandler, Faith Nisperos. Arah Panique, Julia Coronel, Dell Palomata, and Cherry Nunag.

READ: Alas Pilipinas women draw tough first FIVB assignment

Meanwhile, Sweden and Belgium clash in a knockout match to open the 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup on Thursday at 5 p.m.

Sweden, the European Golden League champion, brings a formidable team led by league Most Valuable Player Isabelle Haak against European League bronze medalist  Belgium led by star outside hitter Britt Herbots and middle blocker Silke Van Avermaet.

Puerto Rico and Kenya collide at 3 p.m., hunting for the other semifinal berth also on Thursday.

Puerto Rico was among the first to qualify for the Challenger Cup, topping the North, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation International League Final Four last year.



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Bound for Paris Olympics, Kenya boasts of the top-ranked women’s team in the African Volleyball Confederation led by captain and veteran middle blocker Trizah Atuka.

Mangliwan vows to keep away from wrong lane

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FILE–Jerrold Mangliwan—TEAM PH PHOTO

Jerrold Mangliwan frantically pushed his wheels and unintentionally crossed the adjacent lane, automatically dashing all hopes of landing a medal.

Mangliwan is now driven not to commit a similar lapse in the coming 2024 Paris Paralympics.

“It’s hard to control it when you’re at full speed. I hope I don’t cross to the wrong lane again,’’ said Mangliwan.

The Filipino wheelchair racing ace will battle the world’s best in his third consecutive Paralympics—this time, in the French capital from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.

He will race in the men’s 400-meter T52, three years after committing a lane infringement in the final where he achieved a personal best.

“I’ve been practicing daily to avoid committing that mistake,’’ said Mangliwan, ranked No. 6 in the world in the event.

Podium contenders

But a lot has changed since that inadvertent fault as Mangliwan refined his skills while navigating at full acceleration on the track.

The 44-year-old pride of Tabuk, Kalinga, is the current Asian Para Games champion in the 400 m after beating Japanese Hirokazu Ueyonabaru in Hangzhou, China, last year. Ueyonabaru was the bronze-medal winner during the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics.

Mangliwan also brought home a silver medal from the 100-m T52, another event where he could figure prominently in Paris.

“The competition (in the Paralympics) has become stronger, but there’s a chance (for a medal),’’ said Mangliwan.

Podium contenders Raymond Martin of the United States, Japanese Tomoki Sato, Yuki Oya and Ueyonabaru count as his possible foes along with Mexico’s Leonardo de Jesus Perez Juarez.

And then there’s Maxime Carabin of Belgium, a 23-year-old who won a pair of gold medals in the 400-m and 100-m T52 during the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris.



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Carabin became much bolder in the worlds early this year in Kobe, Japan, where he won golds in the 100 m, 400 m and 1500-m T52 events. INQ

Sprint king Jan Paul Morales rules Go For Gold Criterium Series 2

On: By: admin


Jan Paul Morales rules the Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 2 in Cebu City.

Jan Paul Morales blazed the road to victory in a thrilling, high-speed bunch finish during the Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 2 on Sunday at City Di Mare in Cebu City.

The reigning national champion from Standard Insurance continental team sprinted away in the final 50 meters to beat Esteve Hora Jr. of SIP team and Go For Gold’s Marc Ryan Lago.

Morales, a two-time local Tour champion and sprint specialist, clocked 55:00.79 in the men’s elite category after racing through 35 laps at the 1.1-kilometer course with Hora, the Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 1 champion early this year, and Lago less than a second behind.

“I waited for the chance [to pull away] and I got a good chance in the end,” said Morales in Filipino at the end of the day-long series of races that aimed to bring back the animated local atmosphere in the sport.

READ: Jan Paul Morales snatches leader’s jersey

Mathilda Krogg shared the limelight by topping the women’s open in 41:04.71 (20 laps) while her Standard Insurance teammates Raven Joy Valdez and Angela Joy Marie Bermejo checked in second and third with just a fraction of a second behind.

Steven Tablizo saw a narrow path to victory in the men’s under-23 category to the frustration of SIP’s Rrking Roque and James Paul Ryan Escumbien, while John Arwin Velasco cut loose in the last three laps to show the way in a 1-2 finish for Go For Gold in the men’s junior category.

Velasco soloed it home in completing the 22km top-acceleration pursuit in 32:03.37 followed by teammate Marvin Mandac (23.14 seconds behind) and UTB’s Clent Detalla (23.20).

Mary Gweniele Francisco nosed out Vianne Angel Pagnanawon in claiming the women’s junior title after racing for 16 laps in 36 minutes and 35 seconds.

READ: Go For Gold pulls off historic win in national cycling championships

Prince Jay Elbanbuena secured the men’s youth crown in 26:45.48 after beating Clyde Deiparine of Gealon Racing Team and Juanito Gilbuela III of MACYC, while Maritanya Krog ruled the women’s side after 12 laps (28:11.64) over Maria Louisse Alejado and Yvonne Alejado.

In the manager’s category, Philip Sainz rode solo to the finish in 27:25.71 for the win with Edgar Pastor arriving second (17.80) and Ryan Sayre placing third (33.70).

“Aside from organizing safe and well-run races to elevate the sport of cycling in the Philippines, these races serve as talent identification,’’ said Go For Gold founder Jeremy Go.

Veteran cyclist Ronnel Hualda zoomed to the finish in the last few hundred meters to topple Jessie Sanchez of Keith Defiebre Cycling Team and Ramonito Espinosa to rule the men’s 40 and above category in 32:21.36.

Roy Carbonera reigned supreme in the men’s 30-39 category over 20 laps (34:46.32) with Ramonito Espinosa at second and Albert Basirgo and third places.



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The final leg of this year’s criterium series will be staged in either September or October in Mindanao.