The Philippine Basketball Association opens its 37th Season on Sunday with the same teams listed as favorites headed by Talk ‘N Text, which is boosting its stock with Japeth Aguilar.

Aguilar, the 6-foot-9 beanpole who played collegiate ball with Western Kentucky in the US NCAA, will play his first full season as a pro with the Tropang Texters, who came within two wins of pulling off a grand slam last year.

Aguilar was picked first overall by Burger King three years ago but held out and was later traded to Talk ‘N Text.

“With Japeth joining the squad, we are looking forward to another great season,” Pato Gregorio, the alternate member of the board for the PLDT franchise, told reporters during the launch on Thursday at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

Petron Blaze, the squad that fought tooth-and-nail to hold off the Talk ‘N Text grand slam bid in the Governors’ Cup, remains a powerhouse even without Jay Washington and Rabeh Al-Hussaini.

And B-Meg, which will be coached for the first time by the multi-titled Tim Cone, is listed as one of the teams to beat with the compliment of a complete, healthy lineup.

“I can’t be modest, we have a strong lineup,” said Rene Pardo, the former chair and B-Meg board member, during the launch.

The Llamados will welcome back Kerby Raymundo and former Rookie of the Year Rico Maierhofer into the lineup.

B-Meg will continue to be led by two-time MVP James Yap and gunslinger Peter June Simon, who will play under the triangle offense for the first time under Cone.

“Sheer talent alone can bring us to victory,” Pardo said, as his squad debuts on Friday against the rock-solid Boosters at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Rain or Shine clashes with Barangay Ginebra in the only game scheduled on Sunday at 6 p.m. with the Gin Kings also to play under a new coach in the returning Siot Tanquingcen vice Jong Uichico.

The Texters and Aguilar, who completed two years of national duty with the Smart-Gilas program, will see action on Friday against sister squad Meralco.

I'm SORRY

BEIJING—World number one Novak Djokovic apologized to his fans on Twitter Friday after pulling out of the China Open with a back injury he aggravated during Serbia’s Davis Cup semi-final defeat.

“Because of my back injury, which is very particular, and restrains me from rotating my upper body in serve motion, I am not able to compete on the professional level”, he tweeted.

“I have tried to hit a couple of balls to test my body, but unfortunately, I still feel pain”, the Serb added, who had needed treatment on his back during his US Open final win.

After the Davis Cup semi-final earlier this month, Djokovic was told by doctors that he would need a month of rest.

But he was seen running around a Belgrade football pitch this week in a charity exhibition match.

His participation in the Shanghai Masters starting on October 9 appears to be in doubt. World number three Roger Federer has already withdrawn from that event due to injury, insisting he needs rest after a gruelling year.

Frenchman Richard Gasquet is also out as he battles a wrist injury, organizers said.

Gasquet suffered the injury playing in the Davis Cup semi-final loss to Spain though he played through the pain barrier in reaching the last eight on home ground at Metz last week.

Djokovic could be joined as an absentee from next week’s WTA-ATP tournament by Maria Sharapova.

The second-ranked Russian rolled her ankle on Thursday in a Tokyo loss to Petra Kvitova and quit trailing 4-3 in their quarter-final.

http://sports.inquirer.net

Sports Trivia Questions Answers 

What sport used the term "home run" long before baseball?
Answer: Cricket.

Who was the first U.S. volleyball player to win three Olympic gold medals?
Answer: Karch Kiraly.

What was the only team to win two World Series in the 1980's?
Answer: The Los Angeles Dodgers.

What NFL team is known as the "ain'ts" when on a losing streak?
Answer: The New Orleans Saints.

What's an NBA player deemed to be if he's received the Maurice Podoloff Trophy?
Answer: The most valuable player.

What Washington Capitals goalie earned the nicknames "Ace" and "Net Detective"?
Answer: Jim Carey.  Sports trivia questions answers.

What NBA team plays home games in the Alamo dome?
Answer: The San Antonio Spurs.

Who graciously switched to number 77 so Phil Esposito's number 7 could be retired in Boston Garden?
Answer:  Raymond Bourque

What company's logo is called the "swoosh"?
Answer: Nike's

What Red Sox catcher's erect posture earned him the clubhouse nickname "Frankenstein"?
Answer: Carlton Fisk's

What sport did Herve Filion top with a record of 14,084 wins?
Answer: Harness racing.

What team hired the NFL's first professional cheerleading squad, in 1972?
Answer: The Dallas Cowboys.

Funny sports pictures of animals doing competitive sports and printed on mugs, t shirts and other products. Amazingly Funny Animals!  Cat Wrestling, Dogs arm wrestling, Elephants on Tightropes and more incredible animal antics!

What Native American language was Super Bowl XXX the first to be broadcast in?
Answer: Navajo.

What nickname do boxing fans call 300-pound Eric Esch, King of the Four-Rounders?
Answer: Butterbean.

What 1995 World Series teams were both picketed by the American Indian Movement?
Answer: The Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians.

What diet drink was hyped by Coca-Cola for having only only calorie, in 1963?
Answer: Tab.

What comic actor scored huge sales with his Bad Golf Made Easy instructional videos?
Answer: Leslie Nielsen

What country fielded 1996 Olympic women's teams that won gold in basketball, soccer and softball?
Answer:  The U.S.

What Grand Slam golf tournament has the most clubhousers sipping mint juleps?
Answer: The Masters.

Who is the only tennis player to have won each of the four grand slam events at least four times?
Answer: Steffi Graf.

What decade saw names first appear on the backs of NFL jerseys?
Answer: The 1960's.

Who was able to set NFL rushing records because of his "big but" according to Chicago Bears trainer Frank Caito?
Answer: Walter Payton.

What position must college footballers play to receive the Davey O'Brien Award?
Answer: Quarterback.

What disorder did Muhammad Ali develop after years of catching blows?
Answer: Parkinson's syndrome.

What are the only three European countries to have won soccer's World Cup?
Answer: England, Italy, West Germany.

What is  the common term for the tennis ailment "lateral humeral epicondylitis"?
Answer: Tennis Elbow.

What racing competition became a best-of-nine series in 1995?
Answer: The America's Cup.

Who was the first athlete to rap at a Pro Bowl musical gala in 1995?
Answer: Deion Sanders.

What woman won five U.S. figure skating titles from 6 to 173, but never an Olympic gold medal?
Answer: Janet Lynn.

Who was the first female jockey to win five races in one day at a New York track?
Answer: Julie Krone

What teams played in the first all-California Super Bowl?
Answer: The San Francisco 49ers and the San Diego Chargers.

What two players are tied for second behind Ty Cobb in total career runs?
Answer: Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth.

You Got it!

Mikee Cojuangco is one of the few artists that I really admire. Aside from her beauty, intelligence and poise, she is known to be a great horse rider athlete. She has competed in many international competitions already. I really do admire her a lot. Even when she already got married, she still pursued her number one love, horse riding. I guess she is doing it not for money or for fame, but most importantly to prove something to herself and most of all to do what she loves doing. There was a time wherein she joined a horse riding competition, and she almost fell on her saddle while riding on the horse. Do you still remember that? I was so nervous for her at that time. Good thing it went just fine in the end, because she simply never gave up. I’m not interested in horse riding, cause I don’t think I can communicate to the horse and manage him. But, while looking at www.theequestriancorner.com, it just made me want to do horse back riding. They do sell horse riding apparel, including saddles, riding boots, helmets, clothes, blankets and a lot more. They got all you need. I wonder where Mikee bought the saddle for her horse? Mikee? She’s the woman in a saddle.

PHILIPPINE VOLCANOES FIRES UP

Philippine Rugby Team

The official rugby team of the Philippines brought home the silver medal from the Borneo Sevens last September 25, 2011.

Although the team known as the Philippine Volcanoes lost the game to Japan with the score of 0-46, the team was still happy to bring home the silver medal and proved to the world that Filipinos can win in prestigious competitions like the Borneo Sevens.

This win made Philippine Volcanoes ensured a slot for the Hong Kong Sevens. The team is expected to perform well as said by sports analysts just like what they did in Borneo.

It was the first time that RP’s rugby team made it to the finals of Borneo Sevens. Rugby, despite of being a foreign sport in the country, is now making a big mark in Filipino games just like football.

According to Volcanoes’ members’ in an interview, rugby is a good sport for the Filipinos because it does not require height different from other sports like basketball and volleyball.

The team is now training after their return from Borneo for their next competition weeks from now.

         

       Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods (born December 30, 1975) is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No. 1, he is the highest-paid professional athlete in the world, having earned an estimated $90.5 million from winnings and endorsements in 2010. Woods has won 14 professional major golf championships, the second highest of any male player (Jack Nicklaus leads with 18), and 71 PGA Tour events, third all time. He has more career major wins and career PGA Tour wins than any other active golfer. He is the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam, and the youngest and fastest to win 50 tournaments on tour. Additionally, Woods is only the second golfer, after Jack Nicklaus, to have achieved a career Grand Slam three times. Woods has won 16 World Golf Championships, and has won at least one of those events each of the 11 years they have been in existence. Woods has held the number one position in the world rankings for the most consecutive weeks and for the greatest total number of weeks. He has been awarded PGA Player of the Year a record ten times.

http://www.tmz.com/

The game of sepak takraw has long been dominated by Thailand and Malaysia, with the former getting the upper hand in the last few years.

IMHO, the greatest / at least the most famous sepak takraw players from these 2 countries include the following individuals:

Thailand

(i) Suebsak Phunsueb, some say the greatest ever, the Pele / Maradona of sepak takraw. Famed for his “horse service” which can reach 100mph (160kmh). This type of service was introduced relatively recently, in 1995, and it’s a much more aggresive type of service compared to the traditional one. It has been used to devastating effect, perhaps best exemplified in the 1998 Asiad when, in the final, Malaysia’s top regu was convincingly beaten 3-15, 8-15 by Suebsak and team. Suebsak’s influence is such that he’s still in the Thailand team at he 2010 Asiad in Guangzhou!

This guy’s shoes must have traction the equivalent to brembo brakes to prevent him from slipping while doing high-speed serves like this

(ii) Kriengkrai Mutalai

(iii) Pakdee Dangwatanapaibul (1980s)

Malaysia

(i) Adnan Saidin, perhaps the greatest sepak takraw player ever produced by Malaysia. Together with master blocker Rehan Mat Din and Ku Halim Ku Musa, they were perhaps the greatest regu ever: often frustrating their great Thailand arch-rivals led by Pakdee.
(ii) Raziman Hassan
(iii) Rehan Mat Din
(iv) Zabidi Shariff
(v) Nordin Sabaruddin
(vi) Norani Adnan
(vii) Ku Halim Ku Musa
(viii) Iskandar Arshad

http://worldrec.info

Best swimmer in the world

SAN DIEGO, California, September 12. MICHAEL Phelps stopped by the SwimmingWorld.TV booth last week at the American Swimming Coaches Association's clinic to talk about promoting his swim school and training for the Olympics. 

Phelps learned how to swim at the North Baltimore Swim School, and in this exclusive interview, he talks about how the enterprise has evolved in the past year, growing beyond Baltimore to Europe. He also talks about the swim school's goals and his training for the Olympics. Watch the full interview in the video player below. Be sure to check back with SwimmingWorld.TV for more video interviews from the ASCA clinic. 

http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/

I LOVE THIS GAME

Howard Bach, of California, competing in men's doubles (with Bob Malaythong) and mixed doubles (with Eva Lee) in the Beijing Olympics. Bach is the holder of a world badminton championship title in men's doubles, with Tony Gunawan. He is looking to add Olympic wins to his collection.

Dialing in your skateboard is as important as nailing your tricks. The pros have some secrets of their own when it comes to gear tweaks and personal preferences. In Setup, they reveal it all. For this installment, we hear from skater Anthony Shetler.

I AM THE BEST

Birth Name: Dirk Werner Nowitzki

Place of Birth: Würzburg, Germany

Date of Birth: June 19, 1978

Ethnicity: German, Polish

Dirk Nowitzki is a professional German Basketball player. His name Nowitzki is actually a Germanized form of the Polish name Nowicki.

Expedition Beyond the Slopes

            Tuesday, July 12, 1988 ̶ a usual school day for a group of friends to bond and spend the day. Unknowingly though, this was also the same day that conceived ANTIGO, a mountaineering organization that was pioneered by the same group of friends. With six (6) Bicol University engineering students-Laurence Cervantes, Gerson Flores, Francis Bordonada, Romark Duran, Venhur Randy Burce, Zaldy Berello-and one (1) Aquinas University tourism student; Jay Coralde, ANTIGO was born.

            Everything started from ANTIGO members’ mountain climbing hobby. Almost all of them came from the 1^st district of Albay ̶ Tabaco City. Their love for mountain climbing actually run in their blood for it was their “kuyas” and older friends who influenced and passed them the passion for hiking. Eventually though, from ANTIGO, the org’s name was changed and was baptized as BURABOD; the Bicol University Realm of Altitude-Based Outdoor Descendants. What has started from just a mere hobby turned out to be their love and treasured sport.

            BURABOD members were called “descendants” because of the first mountaineering org that was established in Bicol University; the BU ORG. At present, BURABOD has two (2) branches: the school-based which is also known as BURABOD Frontiers and the alumni. There are only five (5) from the original members that are still active in the org at present. They are now part of the BURABOD ALUMNI. There are 11 members for the alumni branch and 18 for the school-based. Each branch has four female members. Venhur Randy Burce is BURABOD ALUMNI president while Henry Velasco Bien is for BURABOD Frontiers.

The BURABOD Alumni members.

          Mountaineering or mountain climbing is sport, hobby or profession of hiking, skiing, and climbing mountains. While mountaineering began as attempts to reach the highest point of unclimbed mountains it has branched into specialisations that address different aspects of the mountain and consists of three areas: rock-craft, snow-craft and skiing, depending on whether the route chosen is over rock, snow or ice. All require experience, athletic ability, and technical knowledge to maintain safety. The UIAA or Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme is the world governing body in mountaineering and climbing, addressing issues like access, medical, mountain protection, safety, youth and ice climbing.

Mountaineering or the sport of climbing mountains is simply one of the finest outdoor opportunities available to the lover of high places. Mountain climbing is all about challenge and perseverance, about putting hands and feet onto rocks and ice and snow and finally reaching a summit. There, high above the world of cities and civilization, the climber can pause and look across a natural world ruled by nature and her raw beauty. The basic equipments needed for mountain climbing are trek shoes, bag, clothes, foods, water, burners, cook set, head lamp, flashlights, knives, ropes, and tent.

BURABOD School-Based Vice-President Jed Francis Decano in grey sweatshirt and ID.

            In an interview with BURABOD SCHOOL-BASED Vice-president Jed Francis Decano, he said that they have a motto that must be strictly obeyed; “Take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time, leave nothing but foot prints. You should not change the mountains, let the mountains change you.” Decano who is also a 4^th year Mechanical Engineering student of BU added that as mountaineers, they too, are advocate of nature. “Mountaineers do not climb just to become fit or to endure. We have different reasons for climbing-to breathe fresh air, to have some peace of mind to appreciate silence offered by nature, or to escape the corporate world. But more than anything else, we mountaineers climb because we love to.”

            Same point of view was shares by Venhur Randy Burce though he added some pointers. He said that there are different mounbtaineers depending on their culture, attitude and discipline. Some climb just to have fun and do not have the proper training and knowledge in mountaineering. As a result, nature is desolated and accidents occur. But as a mountaineer, one should have the passion and love for nature that is why you need to make a lot of preparation to be a protector of nature.

            They also have this practice to wave the Philippine National flag whenever they’ve reached the top of the mountain they climb. Burce stated that it is an emblem of their respect and a part of showing that we Filipinos could also climb the highest peaks of the world and to conquer ourselves.

            Some of the mountains that BURABOD has trekked were Mt. Malinao, Mt. Bulusan, Mt. Pulog, Mt. Masaraga, Mt. Asog, Mt. Mayon, Mt. Taqui, and Mt. Pulag in Benguet.

            However, just like any other sports, mountaineering also has its mar and peril. Some of these were fallen branches of trees, landslides, and even wild animals. Another challenge that trekkers face is water source. Water is what keeps mountaineers refreshed and rehydrated. Whenever the stock they have runs out, water supply becomes a dilemma. VP Decano averred in the interview that it is the adventure that makes mountaineers hooked in trekking. No one knows what will happen in every step you take along the way.

            Jed Decano advised other mountaineering enthusiasts to be physically fit, mentally alert, and to respect nature all the time. Mountaineering does not just require physique and mind set per se; it also needs courage, perseverance, hard work, dedication, and most of all, passion for the sport. If you love what you are doing, you will enjoy having it as a part of you and your life. All the painstaking will pay off and the happiness you will get is definitely priceless.

            BURABOD is expecting to climb more mountains, to explore more terrains, and to share knowledge how to protect nature. The group besides trekking also plans to conduct a feeding program and run for a cause. BURABOD proves to be an organization that is not just vehement on mountaineering alone but in conserving and protecting nature, too. As mountaineers, nature is their fount, partner and second home. Every experience and expedition is a triumph they enjoy with nature.

            Burabod Alumni are planning to organize a friendship climb at Mt. Isarog in naga City this coming November to meet other mountaineers not only from the province but from the different parts of the region to share ideas and build camaraderie and rapport. The group also plans to organize an outreach program in remote places this coming December or March next year.

            The Burabod Frontiers are focused in school activities like those organized and spearheaded by the University Student Council. They are also in to recruiting members for BURABOD and sharing ideas for the scheduled activities of the org as a whole.

            When asked about the promotion of BURABOD and mountaineering itself as a sport, Mr. Decano gave his personal view and perception. “Not everybody can be a mountaineer. You can not recruit everyone. But I can say. Mountaineering is the best sport. It is not that easy to climb but once you’ve reached the top, no matter how hard it is, that’s the time you will have the fulfillment that at last, I've reached it.” According to him, “BURABOD as a mountaineering org has lots of advantages compared to other groups-to be fit, to practice camaraderie, leadership, discipline, respect, and environmental awareness.”

            BURABOD Alumni President gave advice to those mountaineering buffs. “3L – lungs, legs and love. One must possess these 3 Ls  to become a responsible and good mountaineer. Healthy lungs, strong legs, and love for nature.”

            BURABOD is open to all mountain trekkers and enthusiasts who want to join the organization. Those who are interested may contact Carl Decano for school-based at 09267047288 and Venhur Randy Burce for the alumni at 09202673623. They are also available through their facebook account at http://www.facebook.com/groups/152929404774735/.