Chris Tiu uses star-status to save lives

Anyone who’s turned on a television over the past couple of years should know who Chris Tiu is.

After achieving great success as the talismanic leader of the Ateneo Blue Eagles collegiate basketball team, the mercurial 24-year-old has gone onto a larger stage in professional basketball, playing for the Smart Gilas team. He also is a celebrated TV host, with two popular shows – “Pinoy Records” and “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” – on GMA-7, as well as a popular image model and a sitting barangay kagawad. Rounding out his list of accomplishments are degrees in Management Engineering and Mathematical Finance. Clearly, Chris is all about worthy ventures.

Chris’ latest may be his most important one. The basketball superstar and all-around nice guy is now looking to parlay some of his fame and renown in teaching others about the dangers of HPV infection and the importance of prevention. He is at the helm of a new campaign against the disease called Help Fight HPV, with a TV commercial in the works that’s set to premier sometime before the end of the month.

He recently joined us at the Good Times booth to talk about his new found advocacy.

“HPV, which is short for human papilomavirus, is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the world today,” said Chris. “But while we all know that HPV can lead to cervical cancer, no one really talks about how men are threatened by the virus as well.”

Chris makes a good point. Women have known about the risks posed by HPV infection for years. In the country, about 12 Filipino women die each day of cervical cancer, a disease linked with HPV. The virus is also seen as a cause of vaginal and vulvar cancers.

But while doctors estimate that up to 50 percent of sexually active people will catch HPV in their lifetime, few seem to know about just how commonplace the infection is, with a great number of cases going undiagnosed.

Even more are unaware of the equally serious threat that HPV poses to men. Certain HPV types cause highly contagious genital warts – a disease that affects both men and women – and that is passed on to about 32 million people around the world each year.

“Abstinence really is the surest way of preventing HPV. The good news though is that, today, both men and women can prevent HPV infection through vaccination,” added Chris. “So I urge everyone to go ask their doctor about getting vaccinated.”

Source: DJ MOJO JOJO  | Manila Bulletin

Smart Gilas Pilipinas routs South Wales in Aussie tour

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas walloped South Wales Institute of Sports, 82-63, for its fourth win in as many games in its Australian tour.

The RP training team earlier downed the Canberra Gunners, 101-84, topped Australia team B, 79-73, edged Australia Under-19 squad, 78-76, then fought Australia team B to a 73-all standoff.

Smart Gilas will conclude its Australian training tour with a game versus the Sydney team tonight.

“Every game is a learning process for the team and we hope to keep on learning and getting tough,” said Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim.

After their Australian tour, the Gilas team flies to Serbia for a series of exhibition games against tall European squads.


Smart Gilas, mentored by Serbian Rajko Toroman, is in deep preparation for the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship where it hopes to snare a berth in the 2012 London Olympics.

Source: Joey Villar  | Philstar.com

PBA Fiesta Conference on: Kings, Texters renew grudge match

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra and Talk n Text, two teams which figured in a highly charged, highly emotional all-Filipino quarterfinals confrontation, face each other again right on opening day of the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Emotions could still be high as the Kings and the Tropang Texters clash at 6:30 p.m., succeeding the 4 p.m. setto between Barako Energy Coffee (formerly Barako Bull) and Sta. Lucia Realty.

Noelle Cassandra, Asia’s only female harpist, singer and songwriter, and Christine Love, Viva record’s new female artist, provide entertainment during the halftime breaks.

The Kings and the Texters engaged in a passionate and melodramatic quarters battle in the recent Philippine Cup marked by Talk n Text’s infamous walkout in Game Four of the best-of-five series.

Both went short of their bids in the end, and they’re returning in the Fiesta Conference with retooled lineups, hoping to do better than what they achieved in the Philippine Cup.


After settling for fourth place in the all-Filipino tourney, the Kings made two trade deals, acquiring big men Yancy de Ocampo and John Ferriols. Ginebra also reactivated Junthy Valenzuela from the injured list.

Talk n Text, meanwhile, gave up De Ocampo and Renren Ritualo to get solid role players in JR Quinahan, Mark Yee and Aaron Aban.

Ginebra has NBA veteran Awvee Storey as import while Talk n Text will be reinforced by former Air21 resident import Shawn Daniels.

The opening game pits two teams which also effected changes in their lineups after the Philippine Cup.

Barako changed its coach and team name, then acquired four new players with hopes of regaining their old fire following back-to-back last-place finishes.

Junel Baculi makes his debut as PBA head coach, up against the Sta. Lucia team which is determined to redeem itself from a sorry playoffs fold-up in the Philippine Cup.

Sta. Lucia has given up wingman Joseph Yeo to soup up its backcourt with its acquisition of Bonbon Custodio.

The Realtors are upbeat as they’re reunited with versatile import Anthony Johnson.

The Energy Coffee Masters, however, have also high hopes on their import Sammy Monroe, known to be an energetic player remembered for smashing a backboard in the NBA-D League.

Derby Ace (formerly Purefoods), which completed a fairytale ride in the Philippine Cup, won’t see action in the tourney until April 4.

Coach Ryan Gregorio and his troops return to practice only today.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

PBA: By the numbers

Here are 10 numbers to keep in mind as the PBA inaugurates its Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum today.

23 – players who saw action in at least one game in the last Philippine Cup but are not listed in any opening-day lineup for the Fiesta Conference. The absentees are Japeth Aguilar, Erwin Sotto, Benedict Fernandez, Alex Crisano, Bruce Viray, Magnum Membrere, Adonis Sta. Maria, Gec Chia, Kevin White, Johnny Abarrientos, Cesar Catli, Francis Allera, Dale Singson, Rodney Santos, Ronjay Enrile, Nur Jam Alfad, Chris Calaguio, Ardy Larong, Chris Pacana, Chito Jaime, Mark Benitez, Orlando Daroya and Jonathan de Guzman.

15 – players moving to new teams from last conference. The transferees are Mike Cortez, Rich Alvarez, Ren-Ren Ritualo and Doug Kramer of Air21, Sam Eman of Alaska, Yancy de Ocampo and John Ferriols of Barangay Ginebra, Chito Lanete of Coca-Cola (traded last Jan. 4 but hasn’t suited up for the Tigers), Alex Cabagnot and Joseph Yeo of San Miguel Beer, Bonbon Custodio and Donbel Belano of Sta. Lucia Realty and Mark Yee, J. R. Quinahan and Aaron Aban of Talk ‘N’ Text.

12 – players undrafted since 2005 but in lineups in the Fiesta Conference. The late bloomers are from the 2005 pool, Christian Coronel and Jerwin Gaco, from 2006, Dennis Daa, Chad Alonzo, Don Dulay, Lanete, Erick Rodriguez and Al Vergara, from 2008, Yee and from 2009, Josh Urbiztondo, Bryan Faundo and Ramsey Williams.

8 – players returning from injuries or whatever reason after sitting out last conference. The comebacking veterans are Rodriguez of Air21, Coronel, Rob Wainwright and Vergara of Barako Coffee, Junthy Valenzuela of Barangay Ginebra, William Antonio of Coca-Cola, Allan Salangsang of Rain Or Shine and Kelvin Gregorio of Sta. Lucia Realty. Coronel, Wainwright and Vergara saw action in the inaugural season of the Asean Basketball League (ABL). Antonio, who hasn’t played since 2007, retains his position as assistant coach with Coca-Cola.


5 – new imports signed up for the Fiesta Conference. Barako Coffee’s Sammy Monroe smashed a backboard on a breakaway dunk en route to powering the Rochester Razorbacks to a 142-112 win over the Arkansas Impact in the 2008 Premier Basketball League title game. He did it again in Rochester’s 152-115 romp over the Battle Creek Knights in retaining the crown the next year. Both shatters caused a 45-minute delay to replace the damaged boards. Alaska’s Diamon Simpson is a Chuck Hayes play-alike and finished his St. Mary’s career as the all-time leader in rebounds, blocked shots, steals, free throws made and free throws attempted. He averaged 16 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists for the Los Angeles Defenders in the NBDL this year. Simpson was among the Golden State Warriors’ final cuts last October. Ginebra’s Awvee Storey played for New Jersey, Washington and Milwaukee in the NBA and led the Wonju TG Sambo Xers to the Korean league championship in 2005. Air21’s Keena Young was a 2006-07 honorable mention All-American after averaging 17.4 points, shooting .543 from the floor and .803 from the line, as a senior for Brigham Young, the same school that produced Danny Ainge and Kresimir Cosic. B-Meg Derby Ace’s Lorenzo Wade is fresh from playing in Greece and was a star in three years at San Diego State whose coach Steve Fisher described him “as athletic a player as there is in the league ... extremely confident, intelligent and a big-time player, he carries himself in a fashion that he expects himself to be successful.”

5 – assistants in B-Meg Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio’s staff. No other team has more than four assistants. Gregorio’s lieutenants are Ronnie Magsanoc, Koy Banal, George Gallent, Rey Evangelista and Dayong Mendoza. Teams with four assistants are Alaska (Joel Banal, Dickie Bachmann, Luigi Trillo, Jojo Lastimosa), Rain Or Shine (Richard del Rosario, Mike Buendia, Jay Legacion, Jericho Ilagan), San Miguel Beer (Gee Abanilla, Biboy Ravanes, Pido Jarencio, Freddie Abuda) and Talk ‘N’ Text (Nash Racela, Aboy Castro, Patrick Fran, Joshua Reyes).

3 – team name changes. Burger King is back as the Air21 Express. Barako Bull is now the Barako Coffee Energy Masters. And the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants are the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados.

1 – rookie free agent breaking into the league. Jerwin Gaco, 29, was not picked in the 2005 PBA draft where Jay Washington was the top overall choice. The 6-1 1/2 forward from Quezon was an anchor for the Harbour Centre franchise that established a dynasty in the PBL. In 1999, the former La Salle standout teamed with James Yap, Paul Artadi and Erick Arejola to lead a crack Philippine selection to the Nike high school invitational championship in Taipei under coach Gallent and assistant Trillo. Gaco played for the Philippine Patriots that just won the ABL title and will suit up for Barako Coffee.

1 – new head coach. Junel Baculi takes over from Leo Isaac as Barako Coffee head coach. Isaac remains with the team as consultant. Baculi served briefly as one of coach Yeng Guiao’s assistants at Burger King last conference. Baculi’s assistants with the Energy Masters are Raymond Celis and former Letran hotshot Elmer Bola-bola.

1 – team with no roster changes from last conference. B-Meg Derby Ace, formerly Purefoods, made no lineup moves and retains the same cast that took the team to the Philippine Cup title. Gregorio begins practice tomorrow at the Green Meadows gym with import Wade booked to plane in early this morning on a Philippine Airlines flight.

Source: Joaquin Henson  | Philstar.com

Marquez, Margarito, Valero next for Pacman

MANILA, Philippines - Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not on the short and early list of candidates for Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent.

Those being mentioned as a potential opponent for the Filipino pound-for-pound champion when he returns to action in November are Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero, disgraced champion Antonio Margarito and old-time Pacquiao rival Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said he wants the undefeated Valero who has a strong penchant for knockouts. He has knocked out all his 27 opponents, his first 18 fights ending right in the first round. The 28-year-old wrecking ball had said time and again he wants to lay his hands on the Filipino icon.

Roach said he’d like that to happen.

“I’ve been watching him a little bit. I know he’s a big puncher. He’s a southpaw and does pose some difficulties. He’s better than just a guy who could punch but I think that’s the best marketable fight out there for us,” Roach told boxingscene.com.


“Valero is licensed in Texas. If we do the fight there we could sell out the whole place. You don’t have to close half of it down,” said Roach, referring to the massive Cowboys Stadium where close to 51,000 fans came to watch Pacquiao last week in his lopsided 12-round clash with Joshua Clottey.

The stadium, built by Texas tycoon Jerry Jones for $1.2 billion, can house 108,000 fans, but for the Pacquiao fight, actually the first boxing match ever held at the venue, the uppermost section was curtained off. Roach thinks that a Pacquiao-Valero can fill the entire place.

Valero is licensed to fight in Texas but nowhere else in the United States after he failed a medical in New York years ago due to a skull injury he suffered during a motorcycle accident. He has plied his trade in Japan, Panama, Venezuela and Mexico over the last couple of years and would fight Pacquiao on the moon.

Arum, however, wants Margarito next, because Valero is a “nobody” in the US.

“Freddie is the greatest trainer in the world, but he needs to leave this up to the promoters. Valero might be the best but frankly he’s an inside story in boxing. The public at large don’t know who the hell he is,” Arum told boxingscene.com, after reports came out that Pacquiao is being lined up for a November fight.

“That (Valero’s status) can change, and that’s my job as Valero’s promoter, to change that, but I don’t think I can accomplish that job that quickly. We’re all on the same team but I’m not a miracle worker. We need someone the country is familiar with and Margarito (also under Top Rank) is someone they are certainly familiar with,” said Arum.

Margarito was suspensded after he was found using illegal wraps in his fight with Shane Mosley in January last year. He was supposed to fight in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Clottey but, with no license to box, ended up with a date in May. Then after another fight sometime in July, Arum think’s he’d be ready for Pacquiao in November.

Mayweather, the self-proclaimed pound-for-pound king, will face Mosley on May 1 in Las Vegas. A victory by Mosley will further keep a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight from happening because of a rematch clause in their fight contract.

Source: Abac Cordero  | Philstar.com

NAIA readies red carpet for Pacman

MANILA, Philippines - A hero’s welcome once again awaits world pound-for-pound boxing champion Manny Pacquiao upon his return in the country tomorrow.

Pacquiao, who successfully defended his WBO welterweight boxing title versus Ghanaian challenger Joshua Clottey in Arlington, Texas Sunday, will arrive on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 103 from Los Angeles, California.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Melvin Matibag has instructed all terminal managers and airport police officers to prepare a warm welcome for the Filipino boxing idol.

Matibag said uniformed policemen would escort Pacquiao from the plane to his waiting car.

Matibag also said they would issue passes to friends and officials who are going to welcome Pacquiao, but there would be limitations or restrictions inside the airport.

Source: Author Unknown  | Philstar.com

Pharex gains final slot; Cobra loses sting

MANILA, Philippines - Pharex B-Complex steadily pulled away in the second half en route to a 96-83 win over Cossack Blue and the first slot in the 2010 PBL PG Flex Erase Placenta Cup finals at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Vic Manuel poured in 27 points while Marlon Adolfo tossed in 21 as the Maroons eased out the Spirits, gaining a crack at the championship either against the Excelroof 25ers or the Cobra Energy Drink Ironmen.

Excelroof outlasted Cobra in a gripping battle, pulling off an 89-81 decision to force a sudden death match in their semis duel.

The 25ers and the Ironmen meet in a do-or-die game Tuesday at the San Juan gym.

“We’re truly blessed. We hope we can sustain this run to win the coveted crown,” said Pharex coach Aboy Castro.


Manuel dished out a big game, scoring 11 points in the homestretch to personally write finis on Cossack’s bid.

“Same old story, Vic put on another huge game. Definitely, he (Manuel) is the best player in this conference. He is so hardworking,” said Castro of Manuel who also got away with 12 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 26 minutes of action.

Adolfo, a former Far Eastern University star, also played a key role, drilling in clutch shots that helped Pharex B-Complex build a 65-55 lead after the third quarter.

The Spirits waged a comeback early in the final period, coming through with a 9-4 run to come to within five at 64-69.

They had a chance to come closer but JR Taganas lost his balance on an attack, ramming into Nestor David for an offensive foul.

Cossack coach Rena Baena wildly protested the call and incurred a technical infraction, and the team yielded the momentum.

Adolfo later converted two free throws that sparked a telling 14-4 run.

Source: Author Unknown  | Philstar.com