Friday, July 30, 2010

Discipline, skills key to fighters' conquest

DISCIPLINE, patience and right strategies did the trick for Team Phoenix-Moo Duk Kwan Davao's sterling triple victories in the Ultimate Strikers Championship (USC) 5 Saturday at the SM Bicutan in Parañaque City.

"Our players were very disciplined and patient. We instructed them not to brawl early and to study their taller and bigger opponents. What happened at the USC 5 was a very good break for Davao Muay Thai players," head coach Edgar Alan Paulino said. "Hopefully we can bring more Davao talents to compete in Manila."

Steve "Red Knight" Grandeza hacked out a knockout victory over Francis "Baguio" Romero while Rudy "4K Kevkatchi" Tacogue beat Christopher Tamayo via unanimous decision and Carlo "Red Rock" Laude scored a third round knockout win over Manuel "Cobra" Silvano of Quezon City.

"We are happy with the result. We performed well considering that our rivals were more seasoned in Muay Thai competitions than us. But there is no time to relax though as I will resume rigid training for my world title fight in Dubai on Oct. 1," Grandeza said in yesterday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn.

Assistant coach Bryan Grandeza also praised the performances of their wards saying.

"They really had good preparation and listened to us very well," Grandeza said.

Laude, a first Dan MDK blackbelt, said he didn't expect to win as it was his first time to compete in full contact sport.

"It was also my first time to compete in Muay Thai and to had done so outside the city. It was really a whole new experience for me and I'm so happy. I thanked my coaches for their help with my techniques. My ears were just attuned to them during the fight and I didn't even listen to the referee's reminders," Laude said.

Tacogue, a former sparring partner of the world's pound-for-pound boxer Manny Pacquaio, said he looks forward to competing in more Muay Thai tournaments.
"I quit boxing when I had an injury yet now I'm into Muay Thai and I'm enjoying it," Tacogue said in the vernacular.

Steve Grandeza said he will face a Ghana fighter in Dubai.

"We will study his fights over the net. But I think I have an edge over him since he had nowhere to see my fights. I didn't upload any video of my fights so as not to give my opponents any idea," he said.

The team thanked Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Rody R. Duterte, Dennis Uy of Phoenix Fuel and Christopher "Bong" Go for their support.


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 30, 2010.

Jollibee run targets 1,800 runners

FAMILIES take center stage when the Jollibee Davao 12th Family Fun Run gets underway on August 15 in an out-and-back course at the NCCC Mall Car park.

JTC Group of Companies marketing officer Rain Baco said they are targeting around 1,800 participants this year after gathering 1,500 last year.

"We are happy that the number of entries grows every year even as more families take part in the fun run," Baco said during the regular Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum Thursday at the Tower Inn.

Baco aid the three-kilometer family run will still have the regular Kargaton for parent and child four years old and below, father and child four to 12 years old, mother and child four to 12 and husband and wife categories.

She said 5K male and female open divisions are also entered in the running activity, which is an official event of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Sports Festival which offers trophies, medals and gift certificates to the winners.

"This year's run and the next four editions will support the adopt-a-site project of the Davao City Water District (DCWD). We just signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with DCWD. The proceeds of the run will benefit the watershed near Mt. Dipolog in Marilog District," Baco said.

She said registration is ongoing at all Jollibee Bolton, Gaisano Mall, Magsaysay, Matina, San Pedro, Victoria Plaza, NCCC Mall and Times Square outlets.

The 3K family fun run fee is P320 inclusive of two singlets, two runners' bibs, two snacks and two runners' certificates and P160 for the 5K open inclusive of one singlet, runner's bib, snack and runner's certificate.

Baco said they plan to hold an antire family run next year where all members of a family will run in one special category since they have been into the doubles run for the past years.


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 30, 2010.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

KTMSES students get new shoes

TWO hundred students from Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Elementary School (KTMSES) will run with new pair of shoes when the 34th National Milo Marathon-Davao City eliminations hit the road on August 29 in an out-and-back course at Roxas Avenue.

Davao leg coordinator Kenneth Sai of Vantage Sports Promotions said KTMSES became the beneficiary of the new pair of shoes after winning the raffle conducted by the Department of Education (DepEd).

"I think the students' shoe sizes were already taken. The school has prerogative on who will get the shoes but Milo wanted that their athletes, specifically the runners, will be prioritized since they are obliged to join the race," Sai said during the regular Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum on Thursday.

Sai said only public elementary schools that joined last year's Davao leg were considered in the raffle that included Magallanes Elementary School, Quezon Elementary School and Sta. Ana Central Elementary School, among others.

Dubbed "Championing Dreams with Every Step," the 2010 edition of the annual race recognizes the special need of under-privileged children to excel in sports.

With this theme, organizers are donating 200 pairs of rubbers shoes to chosen public school in every city where the race will be held.

Sai said they are hitting a total turnout of 14,000 entries this year, an ambitious projection from last year's 12,000 participants.

The Milo event features the men's and women's open 21K, 10K, 5K and 3K kiddie categories. Side events are biggest school delegation, inter-school running competition and the cheer dance competition.

Registration will open on July 29 at 2nd floor, Tamayo Bldg., Lapu-Lapu Ave, Agdao (beside Banco Filipino) and at Run Club in Bo. Obrero.

Fees are P50 for 3K and 5K, P500 for 10K and P500 for 21K half marathon.

Participants, however, are required to bring an empty Milo 300 grams pack upon registration.


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 24, 2010.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Lapanday bowlfest underway Saturday

IT WILL be a first-come, first-served free registration as the 16th Lapanday Tri-Media Bowling Tournament rolls off on Saturday at 12 p.m. at the NCCC Mall B3 lanes.

Lapanday Foods Corporation (LFC) GS supervisor Leo Montalban Thursday said this year's event will have 12 teams that will be named after the brand names of the company's products.

"Each team will be composed of five members from the media and one LFC representative. The teams will play three games where the team with the highest number of pinfalls will be declared champion," Montalban told members of the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) during their weekly forum at the Tower Inn.

He said the top four teams will receive cash prizes and tokens while the next eight placers will get consolation prizes.

"The highest male and female individual scorers will also receive cash prizes. Watch out for more surprises and exciting raffles prizes," Montalban said.

LFC president Federico Vasquez and sales and foreign trade head Francisco Lorenzo will be on hand during the opening ceremonies.

The tournament is being held in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency.


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 23, 2010.

Corteza, Ikeda get SKC citations

DAVAO City-born pool master Lee Vann Corteza and lady golfer Chihiro Ikeda receive special citations in the 16th So Kim Cheng Sports Awards Thursday night at the Pantawan Hall of Pagcor, Grand Regal Hotel.

Davao City Sports Council Inc. (DCSCI) president Peter Laviña Thursday said Corteza was chosen to receive the recognition having ruled the US Open 10-Ball in Las Vegas, Nevada and 1st Annual Hard Times-Mezz Cues 10-Ball Open in Los Angeles, California.

Ikeda's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games double gold medal finish in Vientiane, Laos earned her the accolade.

"These two athletes were nominated by the council itself since their sports don't have duly-recognized NSA (National Sports Association) representative in the area," Laviña said in Thursday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn.

Laviña, however, admitted there are other deserving athletes who didn't make it to the list of this year's awardees since their sports have no representation in the council or they were not nominated by their respective NSA officials.

He also said a few NSAs like badminton and sepak takraw didn't have nominees since there were no expectional performers the past year.

"Football also has no representation but we will give citation to the Davao Region secondary boys football team that won the gold in the Palarong Pambansa," Laviña said.

He added that the DCSCI, which has a total of 21 member NSAs, is bent on inviting other NSAs to join its fold.

Pedro San Jose, the dynamic president of the Regional Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa), will be recipient of the leadership award while Mindanao Times photographer Edgar Arro, a DSA member, will be given the posthumous award.

The DCSCI chief said Asean+ Age-Group Chess Championships (AAGCC) double gold medalist Austin Jacob Literatus was nominated by chess representative Ronnie Tabudlong only in the second DCSCI selection process after the Asean meet ended.

Laviña said Tabudlong already had a set of nominees even before Literatus's sterling finish in Subic and that this was the reason the council approved to stand by the first nomination made by Tabudlong.

Aside from Literatus, others who could have made it to the SKC list of awardees are John Ray Batucan, who got a gold, a silver and two bronzes in the AAGCC, Rowelyn Joy Acedo (AAGCC three silvers, three bronzes), Ella Grace Moulic (AAGCC one gold, two silvers), Irish Yngayo (AAGCC two silvers, one bronze), Dhona Yngayo (AAGCC two silvers, one bronze), Engelbert Moralde (Asian World Youth Boxing Championship bronze in Tehran, Iran) and Ni¤o Carog (SEA Games diving two silvers).

Athletes who also performed well were Ruth Dugaduga (SEA Games judo bronze), Davao Oriental's Twinnie Joy Delfinan and Debbie Ace Songcuya (Palaro tennis gold), Jenni Dizon (Palaro tennis silver and bronze), Davao Oriental's Jeleardo Amazona (Palaro tennis bronze), Jhon Albert Albarico (29th Gojukai Karatedo Championships two golds in Singapore) and Leira Cyla Reyes (Palaro taekwondo gold), among others.


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 23, 2010.

HGS race kicks off Aug. 1

A three-kilometer category for dogs and their owners will be the latest innovation of the 6th Anniversary Holiday Gym & Spa Run for Healthy Living, which will hit the road on August 1 in an out-and-back course at the HGS along F. Torres St.

HGS chief operations officer Ivy Fernandez, speaking at the regular Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn Thursday, said this is the first time they have included such category.

"We expect pet owners to be very excited for this event. It's really for fun," Fernandez said.

She said regular categories like the 10K, 5K open, 5K for HGS members and 3K fun run are still entered in the footrace that offers cash prizes, certificates and medals to the winners.

"This is a very special project for us every year since it will benefit the Davao Children Cancer Fund Inc. that's been managing the House of Hope. We always look forward to helping the children with cancer in this way. Participants will not only enjoy the run or win prizes but also help the kids with cancer," Fernandez said.

Interested participants may still sign up at HGS or contact (082) 222-3041.

Registration fees are P200 for 10K, P150 for 5K open and P120 for 5K HGS members. Only the first 500 registrants will receive free shirts although the fees are inclusive of light snacks and race number. (MLSA)


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 23, 2010.

Kadayawan event draws 1,200 runners

CEBU and Bukidnon bets are expected to give locals a run for their money when they see action in the Kadayawan Festival Run slated August 8 in an out-and-back along Roxas Avenue.

Kenneth Sai of Vantage Sports Promotions, speaking at the regular Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn Thursday, said Cebu will field seven runners and Bukidnon three.

"We will have to see come race day how they would fare against our early favorites the likes of Joselito Dugos and Monalisa Ambasa who will run in the 21K men's and women's open categories, respectively," Sai said.

He said some 1,200 entries have registered as of presstime and they are expecting the turnout to increase on the eve of the race.

"We are hoping to surpass the Araw ng Dabaw Run turnout of 2,800 where then re-electionist Sen. Pia Cayetano also ran. I believe more Dabawenyos have become running enthusiasts so it is very possible to hit our target," Sai said.

Registration is still ongoing at the Adidas specialty shop located at second floor of Gaisano Mall of Davao from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Entry fee for 3K kiddies run for 12 years old and below and 5K fun run categories is pegged at P150 while 10K runners will have to pay P200 inclusive of runner's singlet, race bib, baller band and finisher's certificate.

The 21K entry fee of P250 is inclusive of runner's singlet, race bib, baller band and finisher's medal.

A total cash prize of P75,000 will be up for grabs in the footrace supported by Adidas, Motolite, C2 Green Tea and Gaisano Mall of Davao.

Part of the proceeds of the event will benefit the SOS Children's Village that had been the beneficiary of Sai's late father, Vic, who served as president of Davao City Sports Council Inc. for a long time.

"This is my second Kadayawan Run and I would like to continue my father's legacy of helping the SOS Children's Village," Sai said.

SOS representatives are expected to grace the race.

Interested runners may contact Sai at telephone numbers (082) 296-1300 or 296-2181 or mobile number (0921) 594-9303. (MLSA)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 23, 2010.

Mixed topics at DSA Forum

MIXED TOPICS will be discussed when the regular Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum resumes Thursday starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Tower Inn.

Lapanday's Leo Montalban, Vantage Sports Promotions' Kenneth Sai, Holiday Gym & Spa's Ivy Fernandez and Davao City Sports Council Inc. president Peter T. Lavina will be the guests.

Montalban will talk about the 16th Lapanday Tri-Media Bowling Tournament set on Saturday at the NCCC Mall B3 Lanes while Sai will discuss the upcoming Kadayawan Run and Milo Marathon Davao leg all set next month.

Fernandez, on her part, will brief DSA members on the HGS Anniversary Run for Healthy Living that will kick off on August 1.

Lavina, meanwhile, will tackle the 16th So Kim Cheng Sports Awards Night slated on Thursday at the Grand Regal Hotel.

The weekly sports forum is co-sponsored by Tower Inn, Growee and Evangelista Aquatics and Sports Management Inc. (MLSA)


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 21, 2010.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Emcor chessfest opens Saturday

THE best and the brightest woodpushers in Davao City and neighboring areas take center stage when the 1st JVR Inter-School Invitational Team Championship opens at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Emcor Bajada conference room.

Emcor's Guilbert Olbez said the event, named after Emcor's founder Jesus V. del Rosario, was launched as way of giving back to the community that had patronized their products and services over the years.

"We are looking forward to holding this every year and we expect to learn so much from this inaugural staging. We are happy to partner with Holy Cross of Davao College in putting up this event," Olbez said during the regular Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum Thursday at the Tower Inn.

National Master (NM) Prospero "Bebot" Cruz, who is chief arbiter, said they invited specific schools with existing chess teams to compete in the elementary boys and girls, high school boys and girls and college men's and women's categories.

"The college division requires a team to have four regular players, one alternate and one coach while elementary and High School teams need to have two regular players and one coach. The number of rounds will be determined through the turnout of entries per category," Cruz said.

Trophies and medals await the team and individual board winners in the meet also organized in coordination with the HCDC Sports Office and Crossian Chess Club.
Teams seeing action are HCDC, Ateneo de Davao University, Jose Maria College, University of Mindanao, Davao Doctors College, Brokenshire Science High School, Imelda Elementary School of Mintal, St. Peter College of Toril, Davao Central College, Do¤a Carmen Denia National High School; Don Juan dela Cruz Elementary School, Do¤a Pilar Learning Center, San Pedro College, Our Lady of Fatima Academy, Cor Jesu College of Digos, Stella Maris Academy of Davao and University of the Immaculate Conception.


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 16, 2010.

Davao out to defend crown

THE highly touted Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK) Davao Team is ready to defend its overall title in the All-Mindanao Championship, which kicks off Sunday at the Malaybalay National High School in Bukidnon.

AAK Davao chief Rommel Tan, gracing the regular Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn yesterday, said they will field five players in the seniors 18-above players and 15 karatekas in the kids 15-below category.

"Most of them will see action in kumite and kata events of their respective age-groups. We are confident of topping this year's competition but I can't really predict how many gold medals we will be bringing home this time," Tan said.

Tan said they have the edge over other teams considering the experience of his players in regional, national and international meets.

His five-member TKS Petron-AAK Davao team hauled a total of four golds, two silvers and abronze in the just-concluded AAK Super Karate Kids Age-Group Championships at the SM City North Edsa, Quezon City.

"I wouldn't have wanted those Super Karate Kid medalists to play in Bukidnon because I want them to focus on the Karate-do Gojukai Singapore 30th Anniversary Asia-Pacific Open Championship on Sept. 11. My fear was that they might get injured in the Mindanao championships. But the kids are just too eager to compete in every tournament so I gave in thinking that it will also do them good to have more exposures," Tan said.

Tan was referring to boys 12-above twin gold medalist Jhon Albert Albarico, boys 8-9 gold medalist Sebastian Regis, girls 8-9 kumite gold medalist OOna Ysabelle Barnes, girls 12-above double silver medalist Danielle Barnes and boys 8-9 kumite bronze medalist Christian Gil Ternate.

Completing the roster are Alena Yasie Regis, Jeofrey Albarico, Pretie Joy Goc-Ong, Chary Grace Labog, Homer and Herma Panal, Kassandra Barnes, Michelle Castillo, Abe Janica Moratin, Noemi Gella, Claudia and Carl Villaluna, Al Stephen Magalao, Arthur Lao III, Marymnel Papa and Craig Tarnate.

Teams from Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Pagadian, General Santos City, Iligan and Maraw are also expected to see action in the one-day annual karatefest.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 16, 2010.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Sara-Rody bowlfest rolls off July 15

THE Mayor Inday Sara and Vice Mayor Rody Handog Pasasalamat Open Bowling Tournament rolls off at 7 p.m. on July 15 at the Fairlanes Bowling Center.

Organizer Sunday Bowlers Club (SBC) president Emie Orteza bared this during the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn Thursday.

He said, "This tournament is being organized in appreciation of Dabawenyo bowlers who supported the campaign of the Dutertes in the city's top two local positions."

He said the event will be a seven-game series where the top four teams based on total pinfalls will advance to the step-the-ladder championship round slated July 23.

"Each team shall be composed of five players. Since this is an open competition, bowlers from other associations are welcome to join," he said.

He said over 15 teams are expected to vie for the total P25,000 cash prize at stake for the winners including teams from SM City Davao and Davao City Water District (DCWD).

He also said a group of nurses from the Southern Philippines Medical Center are also joining the bowlfest.

He added, "These nurses are our newest members in the club. We are happy that more and more Dabawenyos get into the habit of playing duckpin bowling."


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 9, 2010.