Bribery in FIFA Thickens

As our Philippine team prepares for the 2015 FIFA Asia Qualifying games, issues of bribery within the organization have been increasing and is horrifyingly plausible.

FIFA is the governing body of association football, futsal and beach soccer. (Wikipedia)

The bribery issue sprouted near the end of May 2015, as 14 people were impeached by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) because of wire fraud, racketeering, and money laundering. Since then, more and more irregulatories were reported and the United States Attorney General simultaneously announced the unsealing of the indictments and the prior guilty pleas by four football executives and two corporations.

The most recent bribery case was on October 16th, Friday, the German magazine Der Spiegel averred that around $6 million had been used to bribe four Asian members of FIFA's Executive Committee to give 2006 World Cup in Germany. Earlier accusations also came from another German paper, Die Zeit, saying that Saudi Arabia's support helped South Africa by a 12-11 votes to host the 2010 World Cup.

This is on top of an on-going questioning of the legitimacy and legality of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in Russia and Qatar, respectively, awarded by FIFA.

The German Football Chief admitted receiving 6.7 million Euros fund from FIFA but explained that is was a subsidy for the 2006 World Cup instead being the reported bribery money. The German soccer great Franz Beckenbauer is now under questioning.

Stay tuned for blow-by-blow updates of the current investigation of Ethics Committee and other organization.

Unaffected of the biggest crime in sports, matches around the world continue for the big match at Chile set on 2017 (updates from: http://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/index.html). Making us think that the world is still deaf and blind about the dark side of soccer – or generally, of sports.

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PINOY PRIDE 33: Pinoy Boxers Champs Once More

Boxing is made for and made by Filipinos as the Pinoy Pride 33: Philippines VS The World was reigned by the Filipino fighters in StubHub Center, Carson, CA, USA on October 17, Saturday (October 18 in Manila).

Four of the best ring pugilists of the Philippines braved the toughest contenders in the world for their title bouts:

MAIN EVENT: Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes vs. Juan ‘Pinky’ Alejo (Mexico) – WBO and The Ring light flyweight titles

‘Prince’ Albert Pagara vs. William ‘Chirizo’ Gonzales (Nicaragua) – WBO Intercontinental junior featherweight

Jason ‘El Niño’ Pagara vs. Santos ‘El Toro’ Benavides (Mexico) – WBO International junior welterweight

Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo vs. Yardly Suarez (Mexico) – IBF Youth Featherweight

“El Niño” Jason, the older Pagara, started the victorious win of the Filipinos by giving Benavides three knockdowns: first is a lefthook-upper cut punch at Round 1; second is right jab to the body at Round 2; and the third and last left hook was the final KO punch at 2:53 of Round 2 leading to a stoppage victory for his 38-2 record and still wears the WBO International junior welterweight title belt.

Next bout of the undercard is the Magsayo-Suarez match. “The Magnifico” defended his IBF Youth Featherweight title with a Round 1-right-uppercut-knockout win just two minutes flat serving Suarez his first loss and sealing a 12-0 record for the Pinoy pug, who at the start of the bell hastily released power shots. Magsayo even did a bakcflip as adrenaline still kicking in and a sign of celebration. Magnifico has now a record of 12-0 in which 10 are KOs.

The younger Pagara, “Prince” Albert, came next and delivered the third KO win of Pinoys with his six-round match with Nicaraguan William Gonzalez and cinching the WBO International light featherweight title. Gonzalez was knocked down on the second round and used his reach advantage to play the aggressive counter-puncher. Pagara was given a deduction after punching Gonzalez as he sprawl on the ropes and the referee commanded a stop. Come Round 6 and the newly-energized Pagara released a double jab-straight combo knockout punch to finally cripple Gonzalez at the 2:20 mark.

The main event didn’t disappoint: 12 rounds of fist-on-fist professional fight. Nietes outpointed Alejo with 119-109, 119-109 and 120-108 – unanimous decision victory. It was a test of experience for the 24-year-old Alejo as he was almost became a punching bag for the 33-year-old Ahas who dominated boxes and speed.

Seems like “adrenaline rush” is the theme of the Pinoy Prides as Nietes rifled punches such as 1-2 combinations, left-right uppercuts and hooks at the body and the head at the start and throughout the fight. The undefeated champ’s chance to knockout the contender was slimming and slimming as rounds go by – Alejo’s proving what he is built. The only thing Pinky cannot prove is a strong defense having rounds four, seven and eight favorable to Nietes. Rounds 5 and 6 was exchange of blows to the head-face part as Alejo had a mouse below the right eye in Round 5 and he gave Nietes a small cut over his left eye in Round 6. Even though Alejo was weakened in the knees with Nietes’ concussing left hook in the seventh, he lasted until the twelfth and failed miserably.

Following the footsteps of “Mexican Killer” Pacman, Nietes listed Alejo as his 13th Mexican fatality. Now, Nietes is known as the Philippines' longest-reigning champion in boxing history with a record of 37-1-4, 21 knockouts.

The entire Pinoy pugs’ U.S. debut was all thanks to the Cebu-based ALA Promotions and the unwavering solo training from coach Edito Villamor.

Meanwhile at Madison Square Garden in New York City on the same day, the Mega Full Fight Showdown presented the unprecedented match between Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria (36-5, 22 KOs) and Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez (44-0, 38 KOs) for the WBC flyweight title belt. Gonzalez peppered Viloria to the head en route to a stoppage win at the ninth round with a knockdown (Viloria’s first in his amateur and professional) at the third round.

After Viloria’s loss, Donnie and ALA Promotions expressed great interest for a match-up with Chocolatito which may be another greatest pound-for-pound bout we have to watch out.

Watch replay at http://www.boxingreplay.com/2015/10/pinoy-pride-33-donnie-nietes-vs-juan.html


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Azkals Goalless But Fearless To North Korea

The Azkals, Philippine national men’s football team, continues to go through the hard battle of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers with the recently held match against higher-ranked DPR Korea Football Association on October 8 at Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea.

North Korea had already risen above Bahrain, Uzbekistan, and Yemen in Group H of the qualifiers. Now, the Azkals, considered as the first Philippine sports team to enter this isolated kingdom, were also the first team to ever match-up with NoKor in its home soil.

This goalless draw brought the Azkals to second position in Group H with seven points (2-1-1 win-draw-loss). This is a much sought-after boost after a shocking defeat from Uzbekistan. North Korea remained on the group’s apex with 10 points (3-1-0) despite dropping a point for the first time in the history of FIBA qualifiers.

Both Azkals and NoKor wore their game faces on and were fearless with each other. Amidst the huge crowd cheering for the home team, Azkals mustered all courage and tighten the defense with the towering goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

Immediately after the whistle, the battle was tensed and Azkals kept the Koreans engaged in every corner. Consequently, Koreans used long shots, using their height advantage like 6-foot-3 striker Pak Kwang-ryong, who was heavily guarded by Amani Aguinaldo.

Jerry Lucena, together with 19-year-old Luke Woodland, held the backline intact and sturdy from the continuous attacks from the host team.

Then here comes Stephan Schrock with a fine pass to misfiring Korean Daisuke Sato before the halftime.

As the 50,000 Korean crowd hoorayed deafening cheers for their home team, it wasn’t enough to fright the visiting team, especially with the last 10 minutes of the game where the dauntless Etheridge went Superman and deflected two straight supposedly game-winning shots.

Azkals coach Thomas Dooley applied a different strategy with this match. The “conservative approach” was used; making the team less aggressive, managing time, and maintained poised and focused on the dead-ball situations.

It is not over until the soccer lady sings for Azkals, as for Tuesday, October 13, the team will fly to Bahrain for another face-off with the host country since they beat them 2-1.

Live updates from http://www.24liveblog.com/live/1305115

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Pacman’s New Bout: Senator of the Philippines

The Pambansang Kamao, eight-world division boxing title holder, Emmanuel “Manny/Pacman” Pacquiao has officially announced on Monday, October 5, his unbended and ultimate decision to be a Senatorial candidate in Halalan 2016.

Congressman Pacquiao has served for eight years in two terms. In his State of the District Address at the provincial gymnasium in the capital town of Alabel. “In the coming days, I will be embracing new levels of responsibility. I will be confronting tough challenges. My second term as your congressmen will soon be over, but I will continue to be of service you and to our fellow Filipinos. Yes, I'm going to run for (a) Senate post this coming 2016 election."

It was on May 2015 that we saw Pacquiao’s loss with Mayweather, and perhaps his last fight within this given period, and this May 2016, he will be fighting more “Mayweathers” as the upper chamber vacate. Recent senatorial preference surveys confirm Pacquiao to be one of the “Magic 12” or to have a high chance of winning the senatorial race and be included in the vacated 24-seat upper chamber.

Pacquiao did not bluntly confirm the political party he would belong to and said “that’s still to be determined.” Speculations include People’s Champ Movement of Manny Villar’s 2010 Nacionalista Party, Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance, the Liberal Party, and independent presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe.

As Pacquaio empties the seat in Congress, his brother, Rogelio “Roel”, plans to run to replace him in Saranggani while his wife, Jinkee, Pacquiao is not seeking re-election as Sarangani vice governor.



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UAAP 78 Game Schedules

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 78 is the latest athletic season for A.Y. 2015-2016. Hosted by the University of the Philippines, it opened on September 5, 2015 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Eight universities will be competing in fifteen sports for the general championships: Basketball, Badminton, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Taekwondo, Poomsae, Table Tennis, Lawn Tennis, Swimming, Judo, Baseball/Softball, Football, Fencing, Chess, and Track and Field. Cheerdance and Street Dance will be special events.

Here is the prepared schedule for the following games:

FIRST SEMESTER

Sport/Division	Event Host	Date	Venue
Junior's Volleyball[3]	Adamson	August 29-October, 2015	Adamson University Gym
Men's Basketball	UP	September 5-December 6, 2015*	SM Mall of Asia Arena, Smart Araneta Coliseum
Women's Basketball	UP	September 6-December 6, 2015*	Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym
Badminton (M/W)	FEU	September 19, 2015*	Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall
Cheerdance	Special Events Committee	October 3, 2015**	SM Mall of Asia Arena
Beach Volleyball (M/W)	UST	October 9, 2015	Sands at SM By The Bay, SM Mall of Asia
Taekwondo (M/W/J)	Ateneo	October 13-14 and 23, 2015	Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym, Filoil Flying V Arena
Poomsae (M/W/J)	Ateneo	October 21, 2015	Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym, Filoil Flying V Arena
Table Tennis (M/W/J)	UE	October 17-18 and 24-25, 2015	Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Swimming (M/W/J)	NU	October 22-25, 2015	Rizal Memorial Swimming Pool
Judo	La Salle	November 2015	Filoil Flying V Arena
Junior's Basketball	FEU	November 14, 2015	Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym

*on going

**concluded

SECOND SEMESTER

Sport/Division	Event Host	Date	Venue
Baseball (M/J),  Softball (W)	La Salle	January - April 2016	Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium
Football (M/W/J)	Ateneo	February 9 - April 2016	Moro Lorenzo Field, FEU Diliman Field
Volleyball (M/W)	UP	February 13 - April 2016	Smart Araneta Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena, Filoil Flying V Arena
Chess (M/W/J)	Adamson	February 28 - March 2016	To Be Announced
Fencing (M/W/J)	FEU	February 2016	To Be Announced
Lawn Tennis (M/W)	UST	2nd week of February - March 2016	Rizal Memorial Tennis Court
Track and Field (M/W/J)	NU	2nd week of February - March 2016	ULTRA Track Oval
Streetdance	Special Events Committee	March 2016	SM Mall of Asia Arena

The game schedules were adjusted to almost two months after the usual July opening of the league during previous seasons. This is due to the shift in the academic calendars of the member universities, including Ateneo, La Salle, UP and UST. As well as, avoiding the monsoon rains or typhoon months.

25.6M Tweets is AlDub’s World-Trending Record

Will it qualify as a new Guinness World Record?

“Are you Officially Amazing™?” asks the Guinness Book of World Records to anyone who dares to be a renowned record holder, either breaking a record or setting a new record. This is the same question we raise with the recently Twitter-smashing episode of AlDub Kalyeserye show last September 26, Saturday.

On that very same day, the “second date/second actual meeting” of Yaya Dub (Maine Mendoza) and Alden Richards shook Twitter with 25.6 million tweets of #AlDubEBforLOVE that might qualify as a breaking Guinness record outshining the Super Bowl XLIX episode in the US with 25.1 million tweets. As reported by GMA News Online, hashtag AlDubEBforLOVE recorded an exact total of 25,652,800 tweets from 12:00AM to 11:00PM on September 26, Saturday. They also mentioned that the episode generated 2.5 million tweets per hour.

But the Philippines’ history of breaking and setting records isn’t just for social media or the Internet. We have a fair share of official Guinness certified feats, particularly in sports. We were able to enlist personalities and events:

RAFAEL NEPOMUCENO, Bowling

The 2003 World’s Greatest International Bowler of All Time Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno holds 3 world titles: (1) most number of career titles with 130, (2) youngest world bowling champion at the age of 19 upon winning the Bowling World Cup in Teheran, Iran in 1976, and (3) for most Bowling World Cup wins of 4 in three different decades.

EMMANUEL PACQUIAO, Boxing

*The most boxing world titles won in different weight divisions is eight by Manny Pacquiao (Philippines) when he defeated Antonio Margarito (USA) to win the WBC Super Welterweight title on 13 November 2010. He has also held sanctioned belts in the WBC Flyweight, Super Featherweight and Lightweight divisions, plus The Ring Featherweight, IBF Super Bantamweight, IBO and The Ring Light Welterweight and WBO Welterweight.

LONGEST BASKETBALL GAME PLAYED

The recorded time of the longest lengthy playing basketball is 120 hours, 1 minute and 7 seconds, accomplished at the Meralco Gym in Manila, Philippines from 24-29 March 2014, organized by Asian Cable Enterprises Inc. The teams competing were Walang Iwanan & Bounce Back and ended with the score of 783 – 16, in favor of Team Bounce Back.

LARGEST GOLF EVENT

The largest amateur golf tournament is in Baguio City, called Fil-Am Golf Championship. It showcases 72-hole golf tournament for a thousand of neophyte golfers. Included in the course are par-69, 5,001-yard Camp John Hay golf course and the par-61, 4,038-yard Baguio Country Club.

LARGEST SYNCHRONIZED AEROBICS EXERCISES

The Department of Health organized the largest synchronized aerobics exercises in Rizal Park, simultaneous with Cebu City and Davao City, gathering 107,000 attendees to do a 30-minute exercise last 16 February 2013.

LARGEST ZUMBA CLASS

The largest Zumba class was participated by 12,975 yellow-t-shirt-wearing individuals in the streets of Manadaluyong City last July 2015. Previous record was also from the Philippines, Cebu City with a record of 8,232 Zumba partakers.

LARGEST BOARD GAME TOURNAMENT

*The largest board game tournament consisted of 43,157 participants playing chess and was achieved by the Cebu City Sports Commission (Philippines) in Cebu, Philippines, on 22 January 2012. The record attempt started on 13 July 2012 when 750 school teachers were trained in playing chess who then went on to teach school children. From October to December 2011 classroom tournaments were held, followed by school tournaments. The top 32 players from each of the 100 schools went on to the grand finals at the Cebu Chess Festival, where the 3,200 finalists competed from 21 to 22 January 2012 at the Cebu City Sports Center. The overall winner of the tournament was Allan Pason.

MOST PARTICIPANTS IN A RACING EVENT

*The most participants in a racing event was 116,086 at the Run for the Pasig River in Manila, Philippines, on 10 October 2010. The event consisted of three races: 3 km (1.86 mi), 5 km (3.11 mi), and 10 km (6.21 mi) runs all occuring simultaneously on different routes through the city before converging at the end of each circuit.

Let’s wait for the official announcement of record from Guinness World of Records or relationship from AlDub, whichever may come first.

*Lifted directly from the Guinness Book of World Records’ website**