ACD Warriors Are Confident They Can Retain CEAP Minda Basketball Crown

The Assumption College of Davao (ACD) Warriors is all fired up as they defend their title in the  Catholic Educational
Association of the Philippines: (CEAP) Mindanao Finals in Tagum City, Davao del Norte this week.
ACD Who is a four time ational Basketball Training Center (NBTC) will face other high school teams from Mindanao in their title retention bid.
The Agdao, Davao City based team will face teams from Jolo, Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City, and Caraga Region.
Despite the tough challenge, ACD coach Tristan Ruzer Balino is confident they can successfully defend their basketball crown this year.
Last year, the Warriors wo the title after beating Xavier University of Cagayan de Oro City in Zamboanga City.

Sakya Basketball Tourney Gets Going On February 10

Ten of the division 2 high school basketball teams in Davao City are set to compete in the first Philippine Academy of Sakya Davao (PASD)-organized
Sakya Unity Basketball Games on February 10 at the PAS basketball court.
PASD head coach Mark Jason Villanueva said they launched the tournament to give high school division 2 schools in Davao City an avenue to compete to become better and at par with division 1 schools.
The ten teams who will compete in the tournament are PAS, Davao Chong Hua High School (DCHHS), Philippine Women’s College
(PWC), University of Immaculate Concepcion (UIC), Colegio de San Ignacio (CDSI), Davao Wisdom Academy (DWA), St. Patrick Math-Sci School (SPMSS),
Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School (PNJKIS) and San Pedro College (SPC).
The 10 teams will be grouped into two brackets.
The teams will compete in a single round-robin format and the top two teams in each bracket will move forward to the semifinals enroute the finals.
The teams in bracket A are DWA, SPC, CDSI, SPMSS and DCHHS while bracket B is composed of
PASD, PNKJIS, UIC, PWC and either Our Lady of Fatima Academy or Ama Computer College.

Lamb Of God Academy Wins UBL Basketball Tourney

Lamb of God School Academy (LGSA) high school basketball team is feeling good these days.
This developed after LGSA ruled the recent  United Basketball League (UBL) inter-high school basketball competition that came to a close on January 27 at the Gaisano Grand City Mall Sky Gym.
LGSA mentored by Holy Cross of Davao College Crusaders coach  IsaiasGravador Jr. beat  Brokenshire College of Davao (BCD) in the finals 76-55 to win the UBL crown.
Kane Montero scored 13 points to carry LGSA to the championship crown.
Montero's teammate Carrera also added 12 points in their win.
LGSA players  Miguelito Manuel, Rani Sendiong, Rommel Juntilla and Jan JanBarayuga also combined for 30 points in their win.
Gravador is very pleased with their win since it is a morale booster when they play in the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) Davao City leg.

Footballfest Kicks Off On February 3 At Agro Football Field

Some of the top football teams in Mindanao are expected to join the Davao-South Regional Football Association (DRFA) Cup 2018 which opens on February
3 at the Tionko field.
This early, DRFA official Albert Ryan Lim said eights teams could join the  men's division and 10 teams in grassroots level, under 14 and under 17.
Lim said the tournament will run until March 11 and they will use the 11-a-side format.
The games will only be played every Sunday.
Interested teams in the men's division needs to pay P5,000 registraton fee per team.
For the grassroots teams they need to pay P3,500 registration fees.

Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) Blue Knights Will Defend NBTC Title

The  Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) Blue Knights has vowed to give it their all as they defend their title in the 2018 National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) inter-high school basketball tournament at the
newly-refurbished University of Mindanao (UM) Gym in Matina, Davao City.
Blue Knights head coach Jess Linus Evangelio said they have been trainng hard the past months so that they can defend their title against nine other competent teams in Davao City high school basketball scene.
Evangelio said they will take it one game at a time for them to have a better chance of defending their title this year.
The Addu basketball team are composed of Joachim Weill, Kenneth Batilo, Lex Blanco, the ever-reliable Axel Doromal, Marione Angeles, Darren Manliguez, Christian Bacalso, Jantu Rubiato, Isaac Go, Rap Presbitero and,
new-comers Andre Nebria and Lance Carr.
The team is under bracket A which has Ford Academy of Arts, Emar Human and Environmental College, Agro-Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines and Jose Maria College.
The bracket B are composed of   four-time NBTC champion Assumption College of Davao, Davao Region Athletic Association-bound Holy Child College of Davao, Rizal Memorial Colleges and Lamb of God Sped Academy.

10 Teams In NBTC Basketball Tourney Davao Leg

Ten top high school basketball teams are set to compete in the  National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) Davao City leg
basketball tournament.
The 10 teams will be bannered by defending champion Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knights who is very focussed on defending their crown this year.
The other competing teams are Ford Academy of the Arts, Emar Human and Environmental College, Jose Maria College, former four-peat NBTC champion Assumption College of Davao Warriors,
Davao Region Athletic Association-bound Holy Child College of Davao Reds, Davao Jones Academy Spunky, Rizal Memorial College Bulldogs and Lamb of God Sped Academy.
NBTC tournament manager  Claire Sosoban said they will announce the date and venue soonest possible time.

Ateneo Will Host Rapid Chessfest On January 28

Some of the promising chess players in Davao City are set to join the 1st Addu Rapid Individual Chess Tournament on January 28 at the
Addu Jacinto Campus.
Tournament manager Ariel Niño Aton said the champion the tournament will get P1,000 cash prize and a trophy.
Aton said the  event is open to all 13 to 20 years old students who are enrolled in school year 2017-2018.
He added that the second and third placers will take home P600 and P300 with medals,
respectively.
Furthermore, Aton said the best female will also be awarded with P300 and a medal.
Interested participants need to pay P150 to join.

Davao City Arnis Team Is All Set For Davraa 2018

A promising and mult-awarded arnis player will boost the arnis campaign of Davao City in the forthcoming 2018 Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa)
Meet that will be hosted by Davao City on February 17 to 23.
Vince CJ Tan, a grade nine student of Davao City National High School (DCNHS), is expected to deliver a medal for Davao City in the Davraa arnis contest.
Aside from Tan the other members of the Davao City arnis team are John Lloyd Christian Cañon, Ramon Lee, Glenn John Malisa and
June Floyd Zabala with coach Jay Bareña.
Tan has won many arnis tournaments in the past such as the 2016 Arnis World Tour in Cebu City where won a silver medal.
He also emerged back-to-back champion in the Blue Knights Arnis Sports Challenge among other achievements.
The young arnis player is happy to represent Davao City in the Davraa arnis tournament.

DRANHS Goes 3-0 In GET Cup

The Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School (DRANHS) has remained undefeated after three games in the ongoing Escandor Cup Under 14 Inter-Public High School
Tournament held at the DRANHS Gym in Matina, Davao City.
Over the weekend, DRANHS demolished the visiting Cabantian National High School (CBNHS), 55-22 to improve their record to 3-0.
The home team got solid scoring from their big three Joven Deligero, Christian Gumapac and Jemar Pojas in their big win.
Dranhs head coach Ronnie Berato is very happy with their win and he hoped to end the elimination round at 9-0.
With six more games remaining in their schedule, Berato said they will train harder to keep their record spotless at the end of the elimination round.
The league organized for public high school teams was sanctioned by theIn  Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) regional director Glenn Escandor.
In the other games,  Crossing Bayabas National High School beat Bernardo Carpio National High School, 77-56, while Jesus J.
Soriano National High School demolished Dr. Santiago Dacudao Sr. National High School, 144-84.

Kidapawan Chessfest Offers P25,000 Cash Prize To Winner

Some of the top chess players in the Philippines are expected to join the 10th Kidapawan Open Chess Championship set on February 3 and 4, 2018 at the
Kidapawan Convention Center in Kidapawan City.
This early,  Grandmaster (GM) Darwin Laylo and GM-elect Ronald Dableo, and IM (international master) Oliver Dimakiling have already confirmed participation in the chessfest which offers P25,000 cash prize to the champion.
Kidapawan Chess Club, Incorporated (Inc.) president Dr. Ted P. Calica said this year's tournament is special because their organization is celebrating their 10th year anniversary and the city of Kidapawan is comemorating its 20th year anniversary as the premier city in North Cotabato.
He said the runner-up will pocket P20,000 while the next two placers will take home P15,000 and P10,000. The fifth to 10th placers will also receive cash prizes.
The best kiddie, junior and best female players will also claim medals.
Calica said the local government of Kidapawan lead by Mayor Joseph Evangelista is in full support of the chessfest.
He said although the higher ranked chess players are picked to win the chessfest,  Mindanao national masters Bob Jones Liwagon, Alexander Lupian and Macacuna Macala may pull off surprises in the event.
Some 100 chess players are expected to see action in the chessfest organized by the Kidapawan Chess Club, Inc. and Batch 85–Notre Dame of Kidapawan for Boys and Girls HS Alumni Association Incorporated.

Davao City Spikers Targets Davraa 2018 Championship Crowns

The Davao City volleyball team from elemetary to high school are eyeing no less than the championship crown in the forthcoming  Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet on February 17 in
Davao City.
Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) coach Dinri Yambao, who will coach the secondary boys’ team, said they
resumed training last January 2.
Yambao is confident his team can claim the volleyball crown in Davraa.
The secondary boys volleyball team are made up of  Lourdz Magno, Neil Cañada, Franz dela Cruz, Onyl Canson, Reymond Regidor, Cirilo Gomobar,
Jaycon Adeva, Dux Yambao, Mark Dauz, Ryssel Villarte, Sam Calanza and Kristian Floresca who are from Addu,
University of the Immaculate Concepcion (UIC), Assumption College of Davao (ACD), Precious International School of Davao
(PISD) and Davao City National High School (DCNHS).
The girl's secondary volleyball team will be bannered by players from DCNHS and will be coached by Cristy Bebot Balbon.
The team are made up of Lyle Darren Amora, Razzel May Belarmino, Thea Mariz Borres, Kyla Elvi Cordora, Theah Coline Herbes, Maria Angela Irigian, Atheanna Bea Maneja, Angelica Ordinaria, Khey Aleck Pablo, Yvana Avik Sulit, Alex Unilongo and Sophia Louise Vergara.
Meanwile, the elementary girl's volleyball team are composed of Katharina Espero, Irina Glenne Escandor, Rosmar Jelin Evangelio, Maria Carmela Obcenam Ella Marie Tamporado, Chloe Alesandra Tonzo, Allyson Fate Zata, Allexa Mae Quilaton, Alshaila Noro, Elisha Plenos, Ellaine Wolford, Cheska Monic Tan, Sophia Pabilona, Maargaret Atea and Johna Wynona Ajero with coach Lorenzo Porras.
The elementary boy's volleyball team are made up of John Paul Abonada, Jayrad Adeva, Charles Bag-o, Lance Derick Bañanola, Jhan Rickson Biñan, Jimwel Comanda, Junrey Cabaluna, Nuruddin Darimbang, John Lester Lambunao, Gabriel Lara, John Paul Perez and Andrei Vanzuela.
Celso Calubag has been designated as coach of the elementary boys team.

Panabo's Jerwin Ancajas Feel Pressured In Tag As Next Manny Pacquiao

REIGNING International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas admitted feeling a bit pressured over the 'next Manny Pacquiao' label.
While he's proud of the comparison with the greatest Filipino boxer ever, the 25-year-old soft-spoken native of Panabo, Davao del Norte said there’s also an obvious downside to it.
“Na-pressure din ako siyempre para ikumpara sa galing ni Senator Manny (Pacquiao),” said Ancajas. “May pressure na kailangan galingan ko pa para kahit kaunti mapantayan ko yung galing niya.”
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum was the first to hail Ancajas as the one likely to follow in the footsteps of the 39-year-old boxing great, who he has been promoting since 2005.
“We call him ‘the next Manny Pacquiao,’” said Arum, who’s currently negotiating to sign Ancajas to be part of Top Rank next year.
Jerwin Ancajas scores dominant sixth-round TKO of Jamie Conlan to retain IBF title belt
Ironically, Ancajas is currently being promoted by Pacquiao’s MP Promotions.
“Para mapansin ka ni Bob Arum, siyempre sobrang tuwa ko po talaga,” said the Filipino world champion. “Pero dun ako na-pressure. Kaya laging pinaghuhusayan ko sa training para mabigyan lagi ng magandang laban ang mga fans.”
Ancajas (28-1, 19 KOs) is set for his US debut in February against Israel Gonzales of Mexico at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
He hasn’t seen Gonzales fight in person, but has managed to watch some of his fights on tapes.
“Magaling yung Gonzales, may porma yung dating ng suntok niya,” he noted. “Tsaka alam naman natin yung mga Mexican lumalaban talaga.”
Ancajas is coming off a sixth-round stoppage of Irishman Jamie Conlan last November 18 in Belfast, Ireland.

Davao City's Dexter Nonato Wins Tagum City 2018 Duathlon Race

Veteran Davao City based runner Dexter Nonato took second place in his age group at the
close of the Tagum Duathlon 2018 that came to a close at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex (DDNSTC) over the
weekend.
Nonato took the silver medal in the 30-39 age-group after he finished the 33-kilometer bike and run race in one hour, 14 minutes and five seconds.
The veteran runner is very pleased with his win since the event was participated in by  100 duathletes from different cities and provinces in the Philippines.
With his latest win, Nonato is again resume his training for the upcoming duathlon in
General Santos City, Alveo 70.3 Ironman and the Boulderface Challenge.

Davao City Swim Team Targets Better 2018 Palaro Finish

The Davao City swimming team is training hard not only to defend their title  as champion in the upcoming Davao Regional Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet
swimming competition set on February 17 in Davao City but also to improve their rankng in this year's Palarong Pambansa.
The 2018 Palaro will be held in Vigan, Ilocos Sur in May.
Elementary girls' coach Den Erick Basconcillo is confident they can still dominate the swimming competition this year in Davraa because they had been training consistently for the regional meet.
Carrying the flag for Davao City in Davraa elementary swimming competition are multi-medalist siblings Lora Micah and
Liaa Margarette of Abba's Orchard School (AOS), Katerina Annika and Rissa Angelian Sahagun of AOS, Ateneo de Davao University (Addu)'s Maica Angela Garcia,
Caitleen Danielle San Felix, Leah Gene Garner, Kristen Orcullo and Ma. Arabella Kristel Del Rio, and Theresse Maria Montaño
of Holy Child College of Davao (HCCD).
The swimmbers comprising the elementary boys are the following: Khrystan Tan, Alejandrew Espiritu and Paolo Labanon
of Stella Maris Academy of Davao (Smad), Colegio de San Ignacio (CDSI)'s Ivo Nikolai Enot and Francis Greg Espiritu,
Addu's Markus Cayunda and Juan Alessandro Suarez, Gabriel Anthony Laolao of Davao Christian High School (DCHS),
Ethan James Sacil of Tugbok Central Elementary School (TCES), and Rizob Yarra of AOS to be coached by Lezel Ricardal of
SMAD.
The secondary swimming team will be lead by sasoned swimmer Matthieu Adrien Tao of Smad, Fritz Rodriguez of
University of Mindanao (UM), Dave Jones Andebor of Brokenshire Science High School (BSHS), Eirron Seth Vibar of
Apo Learning Village (ALV), John Martin Yarra of AOS, Joshua del Rio and John Troy Albano of Addu,
Edward Alfaro of Assumption College of Davao (ACD), Aaron Dave Alinsub of Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School
(PNJKIS) and Tyko Antoine Grasparil of CDSI. They will be coached by Lizel Morga of AOS.
The girls secondary swimming team will me made up of Erika Lois Suelan of Davao Chong Hua High School (DCHHS), Juliana Marien Villanueva of
Precious International School of Davao (PISD), Alissa Ysabelle Lazarraga, Joanna Kayla Gonzales and Maiki Samantha Gonzaga
of Addu, Alyssa Raut Hesed of BSHS, Ahlea Rhunette Ancajas of PNJKIS, and Aisha Prisciller Fernandez and
Ezra Marie Villaruz of UM, and Bea Jessica Villanueva of Philippine Science High School to be coached by April Beb Matura of BSHS.

Holy Child College of Davao Targets 2018 DAVRAA Basketball Crown

The Davao City high school basketball team is not letting their guards down as they gear up to defend their title in the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet set in February.
This early the the Holy Child College of Davao (HCDC) Reds, representing Davao Durians, is training hard to successfully defend their title at home and get another slot to the Palarong Pambansa this year.
Reds head coach Nestor "Tating" Sorrosa said they will level up their training and avoid complacency so that they can achieve their goal of a  championship this year.
Sorroza said they will maximize their training during the quartering slated to start on January 17 at the Mabini Elementary School.
The players who will carry the flag of Davao City in Davraa are  Palaro veterans Aljay Alloso and Vince Petdeo Cuajao will lead the team that is also
composed of Faizal Allong, Kyle Manlimos, Mauriz Senarillos, Vince Malero, Prince Arnold Silva, Wenjoh Pepito,
Emiliano Escalera, Vince Petdeo Cuajao, RJ Villaflores, Joshua Catalan and Joshua Reyes. The team will get a boost from
Ateneo De Davao University (Addu) Marione Angeles and Joachim Weill, and Emar Human and Environmental College's Thal Dolormente.

Baser Amer Has High Hopes For PBA Career In 2018

Davaoeno professional basketball player Baser Amer has high hopes as the 43rd season of the Philippine Basketball Association officially opens last week.
Amer, a third-year point-guard of the Meralco Bolts hopes to lead his team to more victories this year and possibly even a championship.
A resident of Barangay Maa, Davao City, Amer is confident he can duplicate his stellar season in his sophomore year.
“Kailangan na namin mag-move on. Kailangan mag-start ka na naman ng panibago…Yung level ng laro ko, kailangan tumaas,
mahatak ko yung mga teammates ko.”
“(But) of course, yung situation talaga namin, gusto lang namin manalo,” he was quick to add. “Yun lang muna yung focus
namin every game, kasi pag marami kang iniisip, parang nawawala ka na sa goal mo eh.”
Amer, though, won’t mind winning the Most Improved Player award on his second try – while still leading the team to its
targets. 
“Of course, gusto ko pa rin mag-Most Improved Player,” the former San Beda star admitted. “Hindi ko titigilan yun, kasi
last season sana sayang, medyo kinapos, so this conference naman, i-try kong simulan ulit ng maganda para malay mo,
makuha ko na yung gusto kong award.”
“But yung mindset ko always is to help the team para manalo, especially ngayong all-Filipino na talagang bagsak yung
performance namin,” he added, considering his team’s underwhelming showings in the past two all-Filipino conferences.
Amer has gained reinforcements in Niño Canaleta, Jason Ballesteros, Mac Baracael, and Nico Salva, who are all expected to
chip in for the squad that’s still bannered by Chris Newsome, Jared Dillinger, Cliff Hodge, Ranidel de Ocampo,
Reynel Hugnatan, and youngsters Garvo Lanete and Mike Tolomia.
“Tingin ko makakatulong yung mga bagong players,” Amer said. “Ngayon naman, medyo okay naman yung roster namin.
nandyan si RDO, nadagdagan kami ng beterano na laging nag-aadvise sa amin.”

John Marvin Miciano Targets GM Norm In 2021

Davaeono Fide Master John Marvin Miciano, 17 is hoping to become the country's newest grandmaster three years from now.
Miciano, a Far Eastern University (FEU) senior high school student said he and his coach grandmaster Jayson Gonzales is targetting that he becomes a grandmaster at 20 years old.
Guesing before the weekly Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum held at The Annex of SM City Davao, Miciano revealed that to realize his dream he hopes to earn two more norms next year for an international master (IM) title.
Miciano said part of his plans to become an international master is to  hold a a three-month campaign in Europe in 2018.
He said the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) already pledge to give him funds for the said campaign.
Despite the PSC funding, Miciano is also hoping to get more financial aid so that he can sustain a three-month stay in Europe to compete in various chess tournaments.
Miciano has exressed gratitude to PSC chairman William "Butch" Ramirez, National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Prospero Pichay,
Governor Lala Taliño Mendoza, lawyer Cliburn Orbe, GM Gonzales and his former coach Richard Bitoon, NCFP vice president for Mindanao Mayor Herlo Guzman and Manual Orig for supporting in his recent campaigns.

Veteran Runner Jonathan Pido Wins Samal Ultramarathron Race

Veteran runner Jonathan Pido is ending 2017 with a bang.
Representing the Philippine National Police, Pido won the Rizal 55K Ultramarathon last December 30 at the Sunset Beach Park in the Island Garden City of Samal.
A winner of many running events in his career, Pido finished the 55-kilometer distance course within five hours and 37 minutes which quite longer than his past record which
was 4:51.59.
Pido said he won because of his  hard training, proper hydration and determination.
With a great ending for 2017, Pido is looking forward to winning more races in 2018.

All Set For 7-Eleven Run 2018 Davao City Leg

The stage is ready for the 7-Eleven Run 2018 Davao City leg on February 4, 2018 in an out-and-back course from SM City Davao.
Race organizers said they expect 8,000 runners all over Mindanao to participate in the fun run.
7-Eleven project head Michelle Saludes said the  fun run will be the biggest compared to past editions as it will be held nationwide.
Local race director Tom Tan said the fun run will feature similar categories like the one held in Manila last year: men’s and women’s 42-kilometer, 21K, 16K, 10K, 5K, 3K and
500-meter dash categories. The event will also have a tandem race in the 10K Buddy Run and 5K Buddy Run. The route will
cover the areas from SM City Davao along Quimpo Boulevard in Matina towards the South portion. The top three runners in the
42K, 21K, 16K, 10K buddy run, 10K, 5K and 3K will receive cash prizes. The 42K champions will win P25,000 while the
runners-up will get P20,000 and third placers will take home P15,000. The top three in the 21K will also claim
P20,000, P15,000 and P10,000 while P15,000, P10,000 and P7,000 for the 16K. The 10K Buddy Run, 10K individual,
5K Buddy Run, 5K individual and 3K winners will also receive cash prizes.
Registration fees are P1,500 (42K), P1,000 (21K), P800 (16K), P700 (10K), P600 (5K), P500 (3K) and P400 (500m).
The 10K Buddy Run fee is P600 each and 5K Buddy Run fee is pegged at P500 each.
The registration will include loot bags, singlet, finisher's shirt and medals. Race kits can be claimed on the date indicated on the receipt from the store where payment is made.