Time Cone Retires: Joel Banal is Aces New Head Coach

Whoaaa, when I first saw PBA, Jawo was still playing, Ginebra was for me the Bad Boys of the PBA, I think purefoods at that time look like the glamour boys of basketball - as for Alaska, I always say to my self the team with the American coach, who always wear sleeves and ties.

There were many coaching change during those year's and Tim Cone remained as an Alaska coach for so long, and now HE'S RETIRING OR PLANNING TO RETIRE?

I first saw this in a newspaper. Tim Cone will no longer be the head coach of the Alaska Aces as he will retire soon. His retirement will be announced by Mr. Fred Uytengsu, the President of the Alaska Milk Corporation. The possible replacement of Cone will be coach Joel Banal who steered the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a championship in 2002.

Some of the Alaska fans doesn't want coach Tim to leave. They are saying that Alaska could no longer give the salary that Cone wants that's why he's leaving the team. But apparently, they are all wrong because Mr. Uytengsu said that it's about coaching fatigue. Here's what he said:

"Coaching fatigue. He wanted to do something different. Tim's assistant, Joel Banal, will replace him"

FATIGUE? All I know is if you loved your job, you wont even feel fatigue. But hey, that's just me.

RP Gilas team will compete in the 2011 Commissioner's Cup

With the Leave of Absence of the Barako Bull approved, this has now allowed the entry of RP Smart Gilas national team for the second conference 2011 Commissioner's Cup.

This will be part of the Smart Gilas preparation for the 2011 FIBA-Asia championship, a qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics. With their entry, it completes a 10 team league for the import laden Cup, won for the last time by Red Bull in 2005.

Smart Gilas will play by the rules of the professional league and will only have 14 man in its line up. Gilas will be led by naturalization candidate Marcus Douthit.

With the leave of absence, all players of Barako Bull will be put on a dispersal draft to allow them to play for other teams. However, they will return to their mother club if the team sees action in the Governor's Cup.

I dunno if this will be a good thing for the Smart Gilas team, I would prefer them playing some International Games than rather playing in the PBA.

Manny Pacquiao Demolishes Bigger Antonio Margarito

Well he did, watching the television yesterday, and witnessing how Pacquiao just demolish Margarito round after round. Although Pacquiao slowed down a bit I think in the 9th round, he came back strong again in the 10th until the 12th round. Pacquiao was just too fast for Magarito, who has no answer to the combination's that Pacquiao has thrown at him. At the 11th round Pacquiao even turned to the referee several times, hoping the referee would stop the fight. Paquiao won the fight via unanimous decision. Who's next? would it be Mayweather? But for now Congratulation Manny Pacquiao.

BROCK LESNAR DEFEATS CARWIN

Its nice to see Brock Lesnar back at the octagon. Everybody was waiting for this fight to happen, between this two monster. Lesnar the defending heavyweight champion against the perfect 12-0 record of Shane Carwin. At the start of the first round, Brock was in trouble after being rock by a right by Carwin, I though to myself, was Brock out of shape? or maybe it was just too early for him too comeback from that intestinal disorder that really threatened his career. But as the champion, Brock weathered the storm, surviving the barrage of punches that Carwin unloaded on him. And as the first round ended. It looked like he has consumed all the gas in his tank. And when the second round started, it was evident he has no more stamina to go up against the Lesnar. Lesnar easily takes down Carwin to the mat, then later when for the choke, and after Leasnar tightened the submission from the side Carwin has no choice but to tap out.

Congratulations to Brock Lesnar, nice to see you back again.

Los Angeles Lakers repeat as NBA champions

It was a great game yesterday, i had to take my lunch a bit late, just to finish watching the game between the Lakers and the Celtics. I was really hungry that time, but the game was just too good to pass up. The Celtics was much in control over the 3 quarters, but the Lakers just won't give up, and just keep hanging close to the Celtics's lead. Before taking the lead midway through the fourth period. The game for some maybe ugly, because of the low scoring of both team, but for me, that's how you play a winner take all championship game, you grind it out, play defense to the end.

The Lakers won the game 83-79, even though Kobe Bryant has 23 point on 6-24 shooting. The other Lakers step up, especially Ron Artest. This was Bryant's 5th title and Jackson 11th. Congratulations to the Lakers and hope to see them go for the their 3rd straight title next season.

PUREFOODS SWEEP ALASKA TO WIN 2010 KFC PHILIPPINE CUP

Defense is again the key to Purefoods victory as it limited Alaska below 80 points to win 86-76, sweeping Alaska in the best of seven finals. Before the game Purefoods James Yap was named Best Player of the Conference then at the end of the games was honored as Finals MVP, which was fitting as he led Purefoods in scoring in 4 games. But its not all James Yap, its all in the teams effort and their excellent defense. It was a nice run for the Purefoods TJ Giants which went on a roller coaster ride during the elimination round, then being pushed to the limit by Rain or Shine, survive the star studded San Miguel Beermen, then sweeping the number1 team Alaska.

Purefoods also became the first team in the PBA to sweep a best of seven affair in an all Filipino tournament. Congratulations Purefoods for a job well done.

And now we wait for the import reinforced tournament.

BROCK LESNAR WITHDRAWS FROM MATCH AGAINST CARWIN

Ohhh, what a shame, i was waiting for this to happened, and now will have to wait next year for it to happen. I really like to see this two behemoth fight each other in the octagon. But Lesnar the reigning UFC heavyweight champion was forced to withdraw Monday from his highly anticipated fight this November 21 against Shane Carwin.

UFC president Dana White confirmed the news, saying Lesnar has been ill for more than 3 and a hlaf weeks and unable to train. With the bout at UFC 106 less than a month away, Lesnar was forced to postpone the title defense.

"He said he's never been this sick in his life," White said. "He said it's been going on for a long time and he just hasn't been able to shake it."

The fight matched two of the biggest and most powerful heavyweights in the UFC. Lesnar (4-1), a former WWE star, was a junior college and NCAA division 1 wrestling champion. Carwin (11-0) is a former Division 2 national wrestling champion. Both weight around 295 pounds and cut weight to make the heavyweight division's 265 pound limit.

MACHIDA RETAINS TITLE

I haven't seen the live coverage so I have to wait another day for the replay which was shown on studio 23 at about 12 midnight. I was anticipating this fight for days now, being that Lyoto Machida has never been defeated going up against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua who was impressive in his last two fights.

At the start of the fight you can just see how prepared Shogun was against Machida's counters, and it was the first time that Machida have been dominated at a round. During the course of the fight Shogun was patient, waiting for the right time to attack with his powerful kicks, unlike past opponents of Machida who would just storm at Machida and receive powerful counters from the champ. Shogun was very tactical, he concentrated more on kicks to Machida body and legs and rarely attempted to take down the champ.

At the end of the fight Machida has a bloody mouth, bruised ribs and maybe have injured his legs cause looking at the fight the quickness of his legs weren't there.

Then came the announcement of the winner. The 3 judges scored it 48-47 for Machida winning it via a unanimous decision. Fans booed the result, I too was disappointed of the result.

After the bout, Machida refused to say whether or not he agreed with the decision, just noting that all three referees saw it that way.

But was ask another question if he would like to give a rematch for Shogun.

"Whenever he wants, I'll try again," Machida said about the prospect of a rematch. "No problem."

I hope there would be a rematch.

WHERE'S RICKY RUBIO GOING?

That's the question most sports fan are wondering, will he finally be signed by the Minnesota Timberwolves or will he be staying in Spain with the DKV Joventut.

The first time i saw Ricky Rubio play was at the 2008 olympics, and he was good for his age that is. He was the Spanish team point guard , having been able to play toe to toe against NBA superstar Jason Kidd, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade, was just a remarkable sight.

On Wednesday a Spanish report said that Ricky Rubio will be staying in Spain for another 2 years. The Spanish Web site Marca.com reported earlier in the day that Regal Barcelona had reached a buyout agreement with Rubio's team DKV Joventut for $5.3 million. The report said Rubio would sign a 6 year deal with the team that included an affordable buyout in 2011 that would allow him to come to the NBA.

But Minnesota's Timberwolves President David Khan issued a statement saying no deal has been reached.

"Based on the information I have attained today, no team in any league has reached a deal with DKV Joventut concerning Ricky's buyout, which must be accomplished before Ricky is released from his contract with DKV Joventut," the statement read.

Which means the Saga of Ricky Rubio continues.

I wish this would be settle once and for all, and Rubio be able to play in the NBA.

IRAN THE NEW POWERHOUSE IN ASIA

Iran beat China 70-52. Hamed Ehadadi scored 19 points and 17 rebounds, who helped Iran won against the highly favored China team. It was the first time I saw China being manhandled in a game( well in Asia of course, China has been the powerhouse in Asia Basketball for years now) and the first time China has lost a gold medal in FIBA Asia Championship. As I watched the game, I noticed that the Iran played like a European team while China played like the style of the NBA, is it because 3 of their players are either are current and former NBA players? At the start of the period Iran raced to an early lead and never relinquished it until the end of the game, they hit from all cylinders and even their bench contributed to the massacre. And their defense was unforgiving especially against Chinas superstar Wang Zhizhi and Yi Jianlian.

Jordan won the bronze medal by beating Lebanon 80-66, and qualified along with China and Iran for the 2010 Turkey World Championships on August 28-September 12.

SILVA KNOCKS OUT GRIFFIN

Of all the fights in UFC 101 this match is what I was waiting for, well its because of Anderson Silva, probably the best pound for pound fighter in mixed martial arts, and it just proves how great he is after demolishing Forrest Griffin in the first round of their non-title match. Griffin is a fine athlete a former champion in UFC but Silva was just a too much. So dominating was Silva that after knocking Griffin, Silva waved him in, after docking several punches from Griffin, Silva knocked griffin again and then to add insult to injury( i don't know if it was a good gesture by Silva??). He helped Griffin up and this time Silva lowered his hand as if to invite Griffin to attack, as Griffin attacked Silva, Silva just evaded Griffin's attacked by dodging it using head movement, then knocked Griffin out again with a right jab. Ending the match at 3 minutes and 23 seconds.

"I want to fight against the best," Silva said when asked after the fight if he'd continue competing as a middleweight or light heavyweight. "Whoever the best is at the time, that's who I want to fight."

SHARAPOVA ADVANCES

Maria Sharapova overcame problems with her new service motion to outlast Urszula Radwanska on Friday and book a place in the semifinals of the L.A. Women's Tennis Championships.

Sharapova beat the eighth-seeded Pole 6-4, 7-5 to set up a semi against either second-seeded Russian compatriot Vera Zvonareva or tenth-seeded Flavia Pennetta of Italy, who were to play later Friday.

Sharapova who was sideline for several months because of her injury, is trying to work on an abbreviated service motion to take pressure off the joint.

Sharapova who is currently ranked 61 has yet to win the title in Carson.

TALLEST HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

As of to date, the tallest Heavyweight Champion is the World Boxing Association Heavyweight Champion, Nicolay Valuev who measures at 2.13 m(7 ft) tall and weighs 150 kg (330 lb). Nicknamed the "Beast of the East" he is the reigning two-time WBA Heavyweight Boxing champion. Born on August 21, 1973, in Leningrad. He is of Russian descent, but he also had a Tatar grandfather.He wooed his wife, Galya, with poetry that he composed himself. He has two young children, a son and a daughter. He hunts deer, ducks and wild boar and goes fishing with his son. In his professional boxing career Valuev has been defeated only once - by Ruslan Chagaev.

ESPY's BEST FIGHTER AWARD GOES TO "THE PACMAN"

Philippines pride Manny Pacquiao, was declared the winner of the Best Fighter trophy, during the ESPY Awards at the Nokia Theather at Los Angeles. Pacquiao, the Filipino pound for pound king bested the likes of Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva of the mixed martial arts, and fellow boxer Shane Mosley.

Pacquiao was not present during the event as since The Pacman is in the Philippines. Pacquiao who's been racking up almost every sports awards. Lately he has won the Boxing Writers Association of America last month as Fighter of the Year for 2008.

BASKETBALL TRIVIA

YOUNGEST PLAYER TO SCORE 9,000 POINTS

At 22 tears 252 days, Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers is the youngest player in NBA History to score 9,000 career points. He reached the mark while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 18, 2007.


YOUNGEST PLAYER TO REACH 20,000 POINTS(CAREER)

While playing for the Los Angeles Lakers on December 23, 2007, Kobe Bryant reached 20,000 career points, at the age of 29.


YOUNGEST PLAYER TO RECORD 3,000 REBOUNDS

At 21 years old, Dwight Howard is the youngest player in NBA history to record 3,000 career rebounds. He reached the mark while playing for the Orlando Magic on November 16, 2007.