Philippine Asian News Today Vol 20 no 19 | Page 28

SPORTS 28 A seven-game schedule to be played in this, the seventh week of hostilities, could very well shape up the race as to which team will make it to the quarterfinal round of the 2018- 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup. On Friday, Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok shoots for their eighth victory in nine times up, which at this stage of the elimination round, is the magic number needed for a team to enjoy the privilege of a twice- to-beat advantage when they battle the Meralco Bolts in the main dish of doubleheader at the Yenares Sports Center in Antipolo City. According to PBA chief statisti- cian Fidel Mangonon, depending on the results of the remaining elimina- tion round matchups until November 4, victory no. 8 or 9 is needed for a club to avail of the advantage of win- ning only once against whichever will PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY October 1 - 15, 2018 Crucial seven games this week of PBA Governors’ Cup be its opponent in the Fi- nal 8. The Hotshots currently tot a 7-1 win-loss slate, which, along with Ba- rangay Ginebra (7-2), is a win away from that magic number. The second- running Kings (7-2), however, won’t be seeing action until October 28. Wednesday, the Alaska Aces play winless Columbian Dyip in the first of a two-game bill hoping to make up from a 127-119 loss they suffered at the hands of San Miguel Beer last Sat- urday. Game time is a 4:30 p.m, at Ynares. Rain or Shine, which had just scored its first triumph following four unsuccessful starts, meets NorthPort Batang Pier in the 7 p.m. lower half of today’s twin bill, in their separate efforts to still make it to quaterfinal round. The Batang Pier, along with the Bolts are in danger of being ousted at By Eddie Alinea identical 2-6 cards. Tournament format calls for the top eight teams after the elimination phase advancing to the quarterfinals with the first four given the advantage of that twice-to-beat privilege. The last four teams in the standing are eliminated outright from further con- tention. The Elasto Painters and the Dy- ips, are actually seeing action for two straight playing days when they meet separate rivals, also on Friday’s preliminary to the Magnolia-Meralco clash. The Talk ‘N Text Katropa, whose even 4-4 slate placed them a sixth, gun for their fifth win and at least im- prove to fourth against San Miguel Beer in a lone out of-town offering in Calasiao, Pangasinan on Saturday. So do the Beermen, who at 3- 4, will try to take advantage of their mathematical chance to make the top four. Erstwhile league-leading Phoenix Fuel (6-3), likewise, tries to make up for its 100-117 setback suffered at the hands of SMB Friday last week against Rain or Shine on Sunday in its efforts to recover lost chance for the twice- to-beat edge in the next round. That would be the Elasto Paint- ers’ energy-sapping three consecutive outings for the week, counting their meeting with Batang Pier Wednesday and Columbian Dyip on Friday. The week will also put test the Aces’ durability in playing multiple games in a short span of four days and se- cure much needed wins to keep their chances going as they contest Black- water Elite’s grip of third place when they collide also on Sunday capping the day’s explosive doubleheader in what could decide who among them, the Elite and the Fuel Masters will ad- vance with the bonus. Legendary Filipino Champion “Flash” Elorde Elevated to West Coast Hall of Fame An inspirational man and amaz- ing boxer. One of the truly greatest fighters in history, legendary Filipino boxer Gabriel “Flash” Elorde” has been elevated to the West Coast Hall of Fame. Forty-seven years after Flash Elorde’s last rumble, the world con- tinues pouring on him meaningful ac- colades, the latest is the induction of the thrilling champion into the United States’ West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame. A southpaw, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde was known for his superb boxing skills and lighting speed in the ring. At a time when world-rank boxers were owners of superior fighting tal- ents, Gabriel Elorde reigned as a 130- pound world king since 1960, going on to become the WBA and WBC’s division champion for a total of seven years, still a record for the weight- class. Elorde thrilled boxing fans around the world while battling the most fearsome warriors on Earth, includ- ing champions like Italian-American Johnny Bizarro, dangerous Japanese Teruo Kosaka and legendary techni- cian “El Tigre” Ismael Laguna of Pan- ama. The significant award could not have been more emotional and mov- ing for the Elorde Family. For daughter-in-law Liza Elorde, the new award is a source of happi- ness and pride: “This is so touching. The en- tire Elorde Family, including our 90 year-old mother Laura Elorde feel so much honored that 33 years after our father’s passing away, the world box- ing community continues giving him accolades. It’s beautiful. “The induction of our Daddy to the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame is so precious to us as we continue our father’s legacy of taking care of young boxers who have dreams of becoming world champions. “We want these your boxers - both boys and girls - to remember the qualities of a person that our dad ex- emplified. “Because Ga- briel Flash Elorde was a person who feared no man in the ring, but was humble before all men. Before giving the award, the WCBHF (West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame) showed videos of Gabriel Flash Elorde historic fights. “Those video images so much applauded by the audience, though were emotional for us,” shared Liza Elorde. “In addition, many persons from the world of boxing whom we met during the induction ceremony in California, had so many great words about dad’s character inside and out- side the ring. “This is just amazing that the box- ing community still shows so high re- spect to our daddy.” Gabriel “Flash” Elorde was born in Bogo, Cebu Province in 1935 and passed away in 1985. He climbed the ring for a total of 118 fights, win- ning 88 combats, losing 27, with 2 draws. Legendary Hall of Famer fighter “Hands of Stone” Roberto Duran of Panama once told Liza Elorde that he considers Filipino Gabriel “Flash” Elorde one of the greatest boxers ever, one of his idols and a man he admired. The WBC considers Gabriel “Flash” Elorde the greatest Super Featherweight World Champion in History. The author Carlos Costa is a Panama-born veteran man of boxing living permanently in the Philippines. Carlos can be reached by email: Car- [email protected] and Whatsapp: [phone]. Pacquiao reveals opponent to be Broner in January 2019 By Julian Ray Fortaleza 8 division world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao has stated that his next bout will be against former 4 division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner. The announcement occurred at a ISPS Handa event in Makati reported by Spin.ph. Senator Pacquiao reportedly announced a tentative date of January 12th or 19th for the fight. Pacquiao will be 40 years old at the time the bout would occur, coming off of his first knockout win in 9 years. Adrien Broner will enter the ring as a 29 year old veteran who was once at the tipping point of boxing superstardom. While on HBO, Broner debuted on the network as an undefeated fighter, and was seen as the possible successor to Floyd Mayweather’s cash cow throne. After multiple highlight reel stoppage wins Broner moved to Showtime sports with Al Haymon’s “Premiere Boxing Champions” and other Mayweather-affiliated fighters. Recent news about HBO’s decision to drop their boxing coverage and the PBC deals with Fox and Showtime point towards Pacquiao either making his cable TV debut on Fox or making his first return to Showtime since his bout against “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Since Broner’s move to Showtime he faced the very WWW.PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY.COM dangerous Marcos Maidana and took his first loss. Since the Maidana fight in 2013, Adrien Broner has had moderate success with a record of 6-2-1 while picking up a WBA belt on the way. Broner’s last two fights were a loss and a draw. The loss happened at the hands of Mikey Garcia and the draw was with past Pacquiao opponent Jessie Vargas.