MANILA, Philippines - No game-winner needed.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles did not leave their Battle of Katipunan win against the UP Fighting Maroons up to chance, especially after their street neighbors recently stunned the UST Growling Tigers with a game-winner courtesy of Paul Desiderio. En route to their 92-71 blowout on Wednesday, September 13, they ensured that not only would they win, but also embarrass their opposition while at it.

Make that two straight 20-point wins for the almighty Eagles after they also humiliated the Franz Pumaren-led Adamson Soaring Falcons in the season opener, 85-65. That fact is scary on its own, but looking closer, both wins also only had 2 players score in double-figures. First it was Thirdy Ravena and Chibueze Ikeh, then Ravena and the debuting Tyler Tio.

In his very first collegiate game, Tio marked 14 points on a perfect 6/6 shooting, 2/2 from three along with two assists and no turnovers. We see you, rook.

After the game, he was taken to the media and he answered questions with the usual schtick: Give credit to teammates and coaches, emphasizing how team-oriented you are. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, as it speaks volumes on a player’s humility and dedication to the system in place.

However, what’s more impressive than a rookie’s perfect debut game is the fact that Ateneo has stayed on its course of establishing a deliberate half-court offense with seemingly little to no reliance on any set of players. Last season, after the departure of Eagle superstar Kiefer Ravena and the arrival of former Gilas coach Tab Baldwin, no Ateneo player averaged in double-digits all season. The younger Ravena came close at 9.9, but the fact that he didn’t even crack 10 says a lot on the sturdiness of Baldwin’s coaching style. 

This season, after two blowout wins, we have gotten a small sample size on the true potential of this Kiefer-less, team-first Ateneo squad. Assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga emphasized on this after the UP game, praising how all of his players stepped up.

“Almost everyone contributed offensively,” he said. “That’s the way we want to play. We don’t know who’s gonna hit double figures for us each game.” Looking at the stat sheet, he sure got the “we don’t know” part right. Fourteen different players scored while 7 of them scored at least 7 points.

Of course, he also gave extra praise to Tio’s spotless outing. “It was a very good performance, “he said. “He played his game and we needed him to play well. Last game, it was Jolo [Mendoza] who played well for us, now it’s Tyler.”

“When you get the ball moving, you don’t know where the offense is gonna come from and that’s the good thing,” he added. “We’d be harder to defend as a team. We’d like to continue moving that way.”

Genuine teamwork is ironically a lost art in basketball. It’s not just about 10 guys playing second fiddle to the stars. Rather, it’s about everyone chipping in not because they’re limited in talent, but because they’re talented enough to defer to others and still be effective. 

The NBA’s San Antonio Spurs realized after the 2013 Finals that they can’t match up with the Miami Heat in terms of pure star power. So, they instead moved the ball and got everyone involved. The result? A flat-out embarrassment of the Heat the year after, which caused their Big 3 to disband. 

When you’re faced with a roadblock and you can’t go through, you find a way around. Right now, Ateneo is on the detour. – Rappler.com

WASHINGTON, USA - Two weeks after becoming a first-time mother, tennis legend Serena Williams revealed her baby daughter to the world Wednesday, September 13 in an online montage that featured moments from early sonograms to just after the birth.

In the touching compilation posted on Williams' Instagram account, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion also said that there had been "complications" in the delivery of Alexis Olympia Ohanian.

"It's been a long time, but we had a lot of complications, but look who we got - we got a baby girl!" said Williams in one segment of the home movie as she left the hospital with fiance and Reddit co-founder Alex Ohanian. 

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She said the couple had spent almost a week at the hospital after the September 1 delivery, but did not say what the complications had been. Media reports said the birth had been induced by doctors.

The clips show the pregnant tennis star - who turns 36 at the end of this month - showing off her belly bump, dancing and practicing her game, as well as shots of the expectant couple assembling their daughter's nursery.

The film appeared to be meant as much for her daughter's future viewing as for Williams' millions of ecstatic fans, with the pregnant tennis mom telling the camera as she filmed her belly, "You move at 10:15 or 10:30 every night."

Williams won the Australian Open while newly pregnant with her daughter, a fact reflected in a shot on the Instagram post that read "Born: September 1, 2017, Weight: 6LB 14 Oz, Grand Slam Titles: 1."

Williams has vowed to return to defend her title next January.

"It's the most outrageous plan," she told Vogue last month. "I just want to put that out there. That's, like, three months after I give birth. I'm not walking anything back, but I'm just saying it's pretty intense."

Williams had used Snapchat in April to confirm reports that she was pregnant. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - Hekkie Budler and team have made it clear that they did not fly 7,000 miles for a paycheck or a vacation.

So intent is the South African fighter in giving himself the best chance to defeat IBF junior flyweight champion Milan Melindo this Saturday, September 16, his team paid for an additional 3 nights on top of the 7 provided by Philippine promoter ALA Promotions, to arrive in Cebu City 10 days ahead of the fight.

“I think the playing field will probably be a lot closer now,” said Budler’s trainer Colin Nathan, who haggled with ALA to get better accommodations so they could get comfortable before the fight, which headlines the Pinoy Pride 42 card at Waterfront Hotel. 

“We’re fighting in the opponent’s hometown, there’s always an advantage to him. But the jet lag was brutal and we only got over the jet lag yesterday or the day before. So those 3, 4 extra days have done us a world of good.”

Budler (31-2, 10 knockouts) recognizes the seriousness of the task he has ahead of him against Melindo (36-2, 13 KOs), saying the 29-year-old from Cagayan de Oro City is a bigger puncher than his 34% KO percentage suggests, and that his first round knockout win over Akira Yaegashi in May was no fluke.

“I think this is gonna be my hardest fight,” said Budler, also 29,  and a former WBA strawweight champion. “I don’t think he’s appreciated enough for his ability. In my eyes he’s a great fighter, I think his counterpunching is absolutely brilliant and I think he’s got more power than his record suggests. 

Still, he’s confident that his preparation, in the elevation of Johannesburg where he lives, will be enough on fight night.

“Colin has worked out a brilliant game plan which we’ve worked into my mind. I don’t think whatever Milan does will counter the training we’ve done,” said Butler. “I’m super ready, super fit and I want to be a world champion again.”

Budler, a pro since 2007, has won twi straight since his razor thin points loss to Byron Rojas in March of 2016. He says he’s been treated very well by fans in Cebu saying, remarking “I’m actually better known in the Philippines than in South Africa if you can believe that.”

That’s not terribly surprising considering the number of Filipino boxers he’s beaten, including Juanito Rubillar (twice), Michael Landero, Florante Condes, Renan Trongco and, in his last fight in February, Joey Canoy.

Budler isn’t worrying about Philippine boxing, however. He’s focused on improving his status among the greatest boxers from his own country.

“It’s gonna be massive for me, especially for me as a boxer personally, another step in my goal to becoming one of the greats of South African boxing,” said Budler. “And it’d be a massive honor to beat a fighter like Milan.” – Rappler.com

LIMA, Peru – Paris and Los Angeles celebrated their coronation as host cities for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics here Wednesday, September 13, delivering a jolt of good news for the International Olympic Committee as it battles escalating corruption allegations.

In a drama-free conclusion to a 3-year bidding race, IOC members voted unanimously to rubber-stamp a deal hashed out in July for Paris to be given 2024 and Los Angeles 2028.

The pre-ordained outcome did not dampen the celebrations inside the Lima Convention Centre as the Paris and Los Angeles delegations cheered and congratulated each other.

IOC President Thomas Bach – a driving force behind the decision to award 2024 and 2028 at the same time – hailed the joint award as a "win-win-win."

"It's a magical, unique victory," said jubilant Paris 2024 bid co-leader Tony Estanguet as French President Emmanuel Macron saluted a "victory for France."

Los Angeles 2028 leaders were similarly ecstatic.

"This was the right answer, it was about fraternity, it was about friendship, it was about finding a win-win," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told Agence France-Presse.

IOC chief Bach meanwhile said the Olympic movement had secured the result "we were looking for."

"I couldn't be more happy than I am right now," Bach said. "We have the two best possible games for the Olympics in 2024 and 2028, in two great Olympic countries."

The vote marked the final act of a campaign that had been stripped of the usual intrigue ever since Paris and Los Angeles agreed to carve up 2024 and 2028 following encouragement from the IOC.

Third time lucky

The 2024 Games will mark the third time Paris has staged the Olympics, coming exactly 100 years after they last hosted the Games.

"It's a great feeling of happiness to be bringing the Games back to Paris after 100 years," Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said.

In Paris, giant Olympic rings were unveiled in front of the Eiffel Tower just after the announcement was made as a small crowd celebrated in driving rain.

The 2028 Olympics will be the first held in the United States since the chaotic 1996 Games in Atlanta.

It will also mark the third time that Los Angeles has hosted the Olympics following successful editions in 1932 and 1984.

Paris and Los Angeles emerged from the initial bidding race for the 2024 Games after a number of cities withdrew citing waning public support and concerns over budget.

Hamburg, Rome, Budapest and Boston all fell by the wayside during the competition, reflecting the political difficulties in persuading voters that staging the Olympics is worth the multi-billion-dollar price tag.

IOC chief Bach first signaled publicly that the double-award of an Olympics could be on the agenda in December last year, lamenting that the bidding process produced "too many losers".

As the tussle for 2024 unfolded, and as the field thinned to leave just Los Angeles and Paris, the IOC's determination to secure two high-quality bids for the next two summer games became apparent.

In July, the IOC announced it would award the staging rights for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics at the same meeting in Lima, laying the way for a swift agreement between the two over the running order.

'We cracked the code'

"We cracked the code when the IOC changed the formula," Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti told Agence France-Presse. 

"We've talked to a lot of folks who said it used to be about one corner of the room celebrating and the rest crying."

"I think in this world we have enough losers today, or enough divisions, or enough people who go after their dreams only to have them crushed. 

"I think we showed that dreams can come true."

The smooth finish to the race also eliminates the risk of the vote being tainted by the sort of scandal that has embroiled the ballot for the 2016 Olympics.

The IOC was left tackling a fresh wave of graft allegations last week when investigators in Brazil swooped on the country's Olympics chief Carlos Nuzman.

Nuzman stands accused of plotting to bribe IOC members into awarding Rio de Janeiro the 2016 Games at a 2009 vote in Copenhagen.

The allegations swirling around Rio's bid revived memories of the Salt Lake City bribery scandal, which led to 20 IOC members being either kicked out of the Olympics' ruling body or pleading guilty to accepting bribes for votes.

French investigators meanwhile have already announced they are investigating the 2013 vote in Buenos Aires which awarded the 2020 Olympics to Tokyo, following reports of secret payments into a Singapore-based bank account linked to the son of disgraced former world athletics chief Lamine Diack. – Rappler.com

LAS VEGAS, USA - Gennady Golovkin is one of the most dedicated boxers in the world and even the birth of his daughter couldn't pry him out of the gym.

The three-belt champion missed the birth on Friday because he was training for his upcoming world middleweight title fight.

Golovkin stayed in the gym for two hours after his wife, Alina, gave birth to the couple's second child. They also have a son. 

"He didn't leave the gym until 6 pm," Golovkin's trainer Abel Sanchez said. "The baby was born at 4 pm.

"His wife was in the hospital for one day. She came home next day so he was home with them."

Golovkin, who holds the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation middleweight belts, will face Canelo Alvarez in a 12-round mega title fight on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Sanchez said he was concerned during the long training camp about how Golovkin was doing with the baby on the way and the most important fight of his career around the corner.

"I started to voice my concern. 'The baby's not here'. He said 'coach the baby is going to come whether I am there or not. I have already done my part.'"

Sanchez said Golovkin has been in high spirits as the fight preparation shifted this week from their training camp to Las Vegas.

"He is in a great mood. I don't know if it is because of the baby being here or if because he finally got the fight he wanted," Sanchez said.

Sanchez says Golovkin is a good father and just as dedicated to his family as he is to his work.

"Golovkin is a family man. He has always been very, very, very focused," Sanchez said. 

"He has never been the type of guy to go out at night. You are never going to lose him for a day.

"He just bought his first car 6 months ago. He didn't have a car before because he said he spends all his time in the gym."

Golovkin declined to speak about the birth at a news conference on Wednesday at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.

"Please don't ask me about my family. I am just focused on boxing," he said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - The UFC has reinstated Daniel Cormier as the light heavyweight champion after the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) overturned Jon Jones’ 3rd round TKO victory in July to a no-contest. 

The decision was made after a drug test revealed that Jones had the steroid Turinabol in his system during the UFC 214 fight on July 29. The "B sample" result confirmed the initial findings.

CSAC executive officer Andy Foster confirmed the development to MMA Fighting on Wednesday, September 13 (Thursday Manila time).

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Daniel Cormier says Dana White will reinstate him as UFC light heavyweight champion! Thoughts? <a href="https://t.co/Ai6eOUAh07">https://t.co/Ai6eOUAh07</a></p>&mdash; FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/UFCONFOX/status/908121153633271809">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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"I talked to [Foster] and was like, 'I lost. I lost the fight,'" Cormier said in an interview on UFC Tonight. 

“As a competitor, that's how I felt. Dana White (UFC president) called me today and said, 'If it's a no-contest, then the fight didn't happen.” 

“[Jones] disqualified himself by taking the steroid before the fight so it didn’t happen. Now I get the belt back, which is the right thing to do. I’m not only saying that because it’s me. It’s the right thing to do. You don’t cheat the sport, you don’t cheat the fans, you don’t cheat me,” he added in the guesting.

Per reports, Jones’ camp has denied that the fighter took the steroid 'intentionally.' He had already faced a one-year suspension after testing positive for two banned substances (Letrozol and clomiphene) July last year, and was not able to participate in the title fight versus Cormier scheduled for UFC 200. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – For years, Milan Melindo had to listen to the naysayers who doubted if he’d ever be a champion after his two failed efforts to lift world titles. He finally made good on his dream of becoming world champion this past May, blitzing Akira Yaegashi for 3 quick knockdowns to lift the IBF junior flyweight title in Japan.

All along, Melindo had filed away each jibe and critique and used it as fuel.

“The haters, I thank them because of the negative comments, I become stronger and stronger and better and better,” said Melindo (36-2, 13 knockouts), who makes his first title defense this Saturday, September 16, against Hekkie Budler at Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, Philippines.

“I reverse psychology the bitterness and bad comments. That’s why it becomes positive.”

The Cagayan de Oro City native Melindo has had plenty of ups and downs in his career, including being the number one WBO flyweight contender for years before getting his first title shot, then surviving a late knockdown against Juan Francisco Estrada in his first defeat, losing a headbutt shortened title challenge against Javier Mendoza, and coming in nearly 5 pounds overweight for his fight against Maximino Flores in May 2016 on the comeback trail.

Budler (31-2, 10 KOs) also knows what it’s like to be in the sport’s valley, having lost his WBA strawweight title to Byron Rojas in March of 2016 by a unanimous decision which could have easily gone his way.

Budler, who like Melindo is 29, is so confident in his preparation that he believes there’s nothing the Filipino champion can do to get the better of the action. Melindo counters by saying he’s unlike anyone Budler has ever seen before.

“They don’t see [my style] in Africa or other parts of the world,” says Melindo. “I’m different fighter, I’m a tactical fighter. I know his style is always coming but I know he has another plan but I can handle it because I’m a tactical fighter. And I have guidance from God.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Milan Melindo will make his first defense of the IBF junior flyweight title this Saturday against Hekkie Budler. <a href="https://t.co/o4r43daa00">https://t.co/o4r43daa00</a> <a href="https://t.co/pcQdMZffxH">pic.twitter.com/pcQdMZffxH</a></p>&mdash; Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports/status/908326304570920965">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Budler, of Johannesburg, South Africa, represents a tough first defense for Melindo, but should he be successful, Melindo hopes to set up unification fights with the other world champions in his division – all of whom are from Japan. Having all 4 belts, he feels, would solidify him as a legend in his own fashion.

He doesn’t know their names; they’re Kosei Tanaka (WBO), Ryoichi Taguchi (WBA), and Ken Shiro (WBC). He just knows he wants their belts.

“I’m always hungry because I want a unification, I want the other belts. I want to become king in my division,” says Melindo.

“I can’t be like Manny Pacquiao, he is an 8-division champion, I can’t be like Donnie Nietes, longest Filipino world champion, and I can’t be like Nonito Donaire or even Brian Viloria. I want to make a name different from them. 

“Because if you want to be a legend, you have to be a different way.”

The fight will be refereed by American Wes Melton, with Glenn Trowbridge (USA), Takeo Harada (Japan) and Carl Zappia (Australia) as the judges. The entire Pinoy Pride 42 card will be shown live in the Philippines on Sky Sports pay-per-view for P99 beginning at 6 pm Manila time.

Melindo picks Golovkin

While Melindo-Budler will dominate the weekend in Cebu, fight fans around the world will be tuning into the Saul Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin fight, which airs Sunday morning, Manila time.

Asked for his pick, Melindo says he's rolling with the unbeaten Kazakh for a mid-to-late round knockout.

"I bet Golovkin because he’s strong and he’s a heavy puncher and he’s always throwing lots of punches, no getting tired," says Melindo. "And Golovkin is an Olympian, he can fix the fight style. Every fighter has a different style, he can handle it. We see about [Danny] Jacobs (who gave Golovkin trouble in their fight this past March)...but Jacobs is a different boxer. He’s not the other guy."

"Golovkin has a strong power and he has good stability and a good chin. I think [he wins by] a knockout in the sixth round or later rounds." – Rappler.com

LAS VEGAS, USA - Now that the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor circus has left town, attention shifts to Gennady Golovkin and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and their showdown for middleweight boxing supremacy. 

For those who were disappointed by last month's so-called superfight between a boxer and a UFC fighter that was staged before a less-than capacity crowd, Saturday's sold out world title contest at the same T-Mobile Arena will be welcome change.

Kazakhstan's three-belt champion Golovkin against Mexico's biggest star Alvarez is one of the most anticipated fights in years, featuring the most explosive fighters in the division.

"This is a fight boxing can be proud of. It is boxing's biggest fight. It is a fight for history," said Golovkin.

Most people don't think this will go the distance as both fighters are skilled ringmasters and have the ability to deliver knockout blows when the opportunity presents itself.

They both prefer to do their talking with their fists and their fight was always a matter not of if, but when, as they need each other to validate their places in boxing history.

Vegas debut

Golovkin, who will be making his Las Vegas debut, has fought his entire career at 160 pounds while Alvarez, 27, fought just once above 155 - in his last fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

(READ: Christopher Camat: The Filipino boxer who fought Gennady Golovkin)

The undefeated Golovkin, whose World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation titles will be on the line, said he is expecting the toughest fight of his career against a boxer 6 years his junior.

"This is my biggest fight," he said. "I worked hard to become of champion of the world. I worked hard with Abel (trainer Sanchez) to stay champion of the world."

Alvarez also expects a difficult fight.

"He is the most dangerous opponent of my career, but I'm ready for him and what's next to come," said the former WBC and WBA super welterweight champion.

"We know that in fights, it takes two to tango. I'm ready, and you know what you'll get from me."

Alvarez, who is gunning for his 50th career win, is coming off a lopsided win over of Chavez on May 6. He beat Chavez by unanimous decision as all three judges scored it 120-108.

In his last fight, Golovkin outpointed Daniel Jacobs at Madison Square Garden in New York. Jacobs had an unexpected surge over the final three rounds before losing by a narrow decision which led some to believe that the 35-year-old Golovkin might be starting to show his age. 

Alvarez's biggest fight before this one was a 12-round loss to Mayweather in 2013 in an entertaining fight which Mayweather deserved to win. Alvarez was also held to a draw by journeyman Jorge Juarez in 2006 when he was 15.

Alvarez's trainer Eddy Reynoso said his fighter has improved a lot since the Mayweather loss. 

Learn from mistakes

"He is more mature, a more complete fighter," said Reynoso on Thursday at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. "You always learn something from victories but defeats teach you more. 

"You can see the mistakes you made and you learn not to go that route again. He learned a lot from that defeat to become a better fighter."

Golovkin is one of the best conditioned athletes in the sport. He even missed the birth of his second child on Friday because he was in the gym training. He stayed in the gym for two hours after his wife, Alina, gave birth to the couple's first daughter.

Golovkin may be the champion but he is not the overwhelming favorite and Sanchez says the crowd inside T-Mobile will be decidedly for Alvarez.

Golovkin said even if the crowd is for Alvarez he will enter and leave the ring as the champion.

"The biggest day is coming. This is a true fight, there is a lot of money coming," Golovkin said. 

"I bring my belts, all my belts. I feel like a champion. This is my game, this is my fight, I am the boss." – Rappler.com

CEBU CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) - It took two trips to the scale and some time in the steam room but Milan Melindo made the weight for his IBF junior flyweight world title fight.

Melindo (36-2, 13 knockouts) weighed in well over the limit at 109.25 pounds on his first attempt to make the weight on Friday, September 15 and was given two hours by the commission to reduce to 108 pounds. He returned about 90 minutes later and made the weight at exactly 108 after sitting in a sauna, his naked self covered in front by a towel but his backside exposed to patrons above at SM City Cebu.

Hekkie Budler (31-2, 10 KOs), his opponent for his fight on Saturday at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City, made weight right on the limit at 108 pounds.

{source}

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Milan Melindo makes the weight on the second try <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports">@rapplersports</a> <a href="https://t.co/cxx9M7DcW0">pic.twitter.com/cxx9M7DcW0</a></p>&mdash; Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryansongalia/status/908566715608449024">September 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The fight is set to be Melindo's first since winning the title in May with a first-round knockout of Akira Yaegashi in Japan. Both fighters will have to weigh in a second time the morning of the fight and cannot exceed 118 pounds.

Melindo had similarly missed weight last year when he weighed in nearly 5 pounds for a non-title fight against Maximino Flores.

Melindo wasn't the only fighter who had trouble on the scales.

Richie Mepranum, the former world title challenger, weighed in a pound heavy at 120 for his 10-round fight against Arthur Villanueva, who weighed 119. Mepranum returned later and was well under at 118.5.

Former two-division world champion Johnriel Casimero weighed in at 115 pounds for his junior bantamweight title eliminator against Jonas Sultan, who was under the weight at 114.75. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - Milan Melindo will make the first defense of his IBF junior flyweight title on Saturday, September 16 when he faces South Africa's Hekkie Budler at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City, Philippines.

Melindo (36-2, 13 knockouts) struggled with the 108-pound weight limit initially, weighing in more than a pound over on his first attempt before making the weight on his second try. Budler (31-2, 10 KOs) of South Africa had no such difficulty as he breezed past the weigh-in in his first attempt.

The card will also feature the all-Filipino IBF junior bantamweight title elimination bout between Johnriel Casimero and Jonas Sultan, plus top-rated contender Jason Pagara against James Onyango, plus Arthur Villanueva vs Richie Mepranum.

Follow along with Rappler's live coverage beginning at 6 pm!

{source}<a class="twitter-timeline" data-width="1000" data-height="1500" data-partner="tweetdeck" data-link-color="#E95F28" href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports/timelines/908372767610888192">Melindo vs Budler - Curated tweets by RapplerSports</a> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}

– Rappler.com

CEBU CITY, Philippines - If Milan Melindo knew he was over the weight limit on his first trip to the scale, he put up a good front.

His team must've known it would at least be close as Melindo, his cheeks sucked in, stripped nude and stood in front of a towel and raised his arms to his side - a habit of boxers who think it helps reduce pressure on the scale despite there being no logical reasoning to support that.

The scale read 109.25, a pound and a quarter over the 108-pound limit. His opponent Hekkie Budler, a former WBA strawweight titleholder, made the 108-pound limit on his first attempt and immediately replaced his fluids with Rehidrat, a South African electrolyte replacing drink provided by trainer Colin Nathan, and the more universally known Gatorade.

Melindo would have to wait for a sip of anything as he sat in the sauna and sweated it out before returning to the scale and hitting that elusive 108 mark to uproarious cheer. Melindo would enter the ring as champion.

Promoter Michael Aldeguer of ALA Promotions could only shrug his shoulders as he waited for his fighter to return. He says it was much harder to make the weight when Melindo won the title in July against Akira Yaegashi because of the colder climate in Japan.

This was not the first time Melindo failed to make weight on his first attempt; he was nearly 5 pounds over the catchweight weight of 110 pounds for his fight against Maximino Flores in May of 2016 and struggled to a technical decision win. 

Trainer Edito Villamor said Melindo had made the weight that morning before heading to the SM City Cebu, and suspects Melindo may have drank water after he checked his weight. Melindo denies that he did; he believes it was an act from the divine.

"Maybe God challenged me how eager I am to defend my title – how eager I am to win this fight for the Filipino people," Melindo told Rappler after the second weigh-in.

"When I [went] down to the escalator to test my weight, I asked God that if you don’t help me to get my weight, I will not get my weight today. I will give my percentage [of his purse] to my opponent."

How much Melindo's struggle with the scale affects him is a matter of how much weight he had to lose in a short span of time. Budler doesn't think it'll be a big deal, but wouldn't mind if it was.

"Maybe he just ate something or drank something before getting on the scale. But hopefully it does because any advantage that you can get in the ring you have to take," said Budler (31-2, 10 knockouts) of Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Melindo hopes that Budler and team try to test just how much the weight problem has deteriorated him, and that it'll earn him chances to land his own punches.

"I think it’s my advantage that my opponent thinks I’m over," Melindo said. "They’ll go inside. They’ll think I’m tired. You know, God is behind [it]."

Melindo and Budler will have to make weight one more time on Saturday morning as they're not allowed to gain more than 10 pounds overnight. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - Allen Durham flirted with a triple-double while Mike Tolomia had a breakout game for himself as the Meralco Bolts cruised to a 28-point demolition of the Alaska Aces, 106-78, in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum Friday, September 15.

Durham finished with 28 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks to anchor the Bolts who now share the top spot with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel after improving to 7-2. 

Tolomia, meanwhile, buried all of his 6 treys en route to 24 points as he anchored Meralco’s first half assault which saw the Bolts take a 23-point halftime lead, 58-35.

Alaska tried to mount a comeback in the third quarter and cut its deficit to 13, 58-71. However, Ranidel de Ocampo’s trey and Durham’s layup pushed the Bolts’ advantage to 19 going into the last frame. 

LaDontae Henton had a strong 23-point, 10-rebound display but it was not enough for the Aces who had their three-game winning streak put to an end.

Alaska, which remained at 10^th place despite dropping to 3-7, need to win their final game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Scores:

Meralco: Durham 28, Tolomia 24, Amer 17, De Ocampo, 10, Newsome 10, Hodge 8, Lanete 5, Nabong 3, Caram 2, Dillinger 1, Atkins 0, Faundo 0, Hugnatan 0, Sedufira 0, Yeo 0

Alaska: Henton 23, Casio 18, Manuel 10, Abueva 8, Racal 8, Banchero 3, Enciso 3, Exciminiano 2, Pascual 2, Mendoza 1, Baclao 0, Galliguez 0, Thoss 0. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - The Star Hotshots put an end to their three-game losing streak after dealing the Globalport Batang Pier a 109-83 beating in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Friday, September 15.

Star proved why it is the second-best defensive team in the league as it forced Globalport to miss 54 of its 85 shot attempts all the while shooting an impressive 49 percent from the field. Batang Pier also had 21 turnovers, a far cry from the Hotshots’ 9.

The Hotshots enjoyed a comfortable 19-point lead at the beginning of the last period, 84-65, before Globalport rallied behind import Murphy Holloway who sparked a 9-0 run, 84-74.

But Star reinforcement Malcolm Hill, who finished with a game-high 32 points on top of 12 boards, five assists, five steals and two blocks, answered with nine straight points to put their lead back at 19.

“Coming from a three-game losing skid, we had that sense of urgency to play hard and a must win for us ‘yung game na ‘to,” said Stars coach Chito Victolero. “I’m very happy my players stepped up, especially in defense and rebounding because that was our problem in the last three games.”

The Hotshots defense clamped down on Globalport’s backcourt duo of Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle who made only five of their combined 31 attempts.

Ian Sanggalang made his presence felt for the Hotshots, who improved to 4-4, with 17 points and 10 boards while Aldrech Ramos and Paul Lee combined for 18 markers.

Holloway scored 20 points and pulled down 17 rebounds in the losing effort.

Globalport, which now has a 3-6 card, needs to win their two remaining games to continue their hunt for a spot in the playoffs. 

Scores: 

Star: Hill 32, Sangalang 17, Lee 9, Ramos 9, Barroca 8, Mendoza 7, Pingris 6, Brondial 4, dela Rosa 4, Jalalon 4, Reavis 4, Melton 2, Simon 2, Pascual 1, Abundo 0, Gamalinda 0. 

Globalport: Holloway 20, Anthony 12, Guinto 11, Romeo 11, Baracael 10, Cardona 5, Cortez 5, Pringle 5, Hubalde 2, Paredes 2, Arana 0, Celiz 0, Grey 0, Mamaril 0. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Former boxing world champion and fighter Ana Julaton has signed a multi-fight deal to carry on with her MMA career with Bellator.

During her decorated boxing career, the 37-year-old has held the IBA super bantamweight as well as the WBO super bantamweight title. Julaton is one of the female boxers to cross over to MMA, where she holds a 2-2 record.

The Filipino-American, who has black belts in taekwondo and Kenpo karate to add to her competitive sports resumé, did a stint with ONE Championship from 2014 to 2015.

According to a Yahoo Sports’ report, Julaton’s contract with Bellator will still allow her to do boxing while signed with the current sport.

“I know I can’t do this forever,”Julaton told Yahoo Sports. “But I’m 37 and I feel so great. I thought about it and I just felt I didn’t want to pass the opportunity when I was feeling so good. I’m in great shape and I feel so good and I just want to try this.”

Julaton will be competing in the flyweight division, but has yet to announce her first match with the promotion. – Rappler.com

LAS VEGAS, USA – Gennady Golovkin has traveled the globe winning boxing matches in 22 cities and 7 different countries to earn his Las Vegas debut on Saturday.

The 35-year-old Golovkin has waited years for the arrival of this career-defining superfight against Mexico's biggest star Canelo Alvarez.

It is also the 3-belt champion's first fight in Las Vegas and it fittingly comes against the toughest opponent he has ever faced in a career which has been defined by a steady jab and explosive knockout power.

"The biggest day is coming," Golovkin said. "This is my game. My fight, I am the boss. I am the champion."

That was a mouthful from Golovkin. All week long during the build up to Saturday's fight at the T-Mobile Arena for middleweight supremacy, the reserved Golovkin has said he prefers doing his talking in the ring.

When reporters asked him on Wednesday about the birth of his second child, which happened last Friday, he said, "Please don't ask me about my family. I am just focused on boxing." 

His boxing career started in his native Kazakhstan. Growing up in a family of four boys, if he wasn't scrapping with his brothers at home he was fighting much older and bigger kids in the streets.

He had his first professional fight in 2006 at age 24 after a superb amateur career which included a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. His fought in Germany and Denmark before joining forces with trainer Abel Sanchez who taught him how to maximize his strengths.

Sanchez and Golovkin teamed up for fights in Panama, Kazakhstan, Germany and Ukraine before Golovkin made his US debut in 2012.

Golovkin's twin brother, Max, said Gennady is a very private person.

"Nobody knows about it because camp is always closed," Max Golovkin said. "No one knows how dedicated and focused and concentrated he is."

Max knows Gennady better than anyone. They had an older brother, Vadim, who helped introduce them to the sport and another brother, Sergey, who took time to work with them as well.

Two brothers died

Tragically both brothers were killed in separate incidents during Russian government service.

The funeral for Vadim, who died first, was held with an empty casket. The family is still trying to find out the details of what happened.

Gennady named his first child, a boy, Vadim. 

Max is also on Gennady's mind when he fights. The family didn't have much money so when Gennady turned 18 he was the one they picked to pursue a boxing career.

"They chose Gennady should continue his career," Max said.

When you consider Gennady's difficult journey to the pinnacle of his profession it is easy to see why he insists on taking nothing for granted.

They say styles make fights and this one has the ingredients to be the start of a special rivalry. 

Alvarez insisted on a rematch clause for the fight which some are hoping is the beginning of boxing's newest trilogy series like Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera and Micky Ward and Arturo Gatti.

Golovkin says he's willing to take on all comers and can't wait to get into the ring with Canelo, comparing the excitement to being with a new lover.

"It is like you are going with your new girlfriend. Oh yeah," he said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines－The first blow in Saturday’s WBO middleweight clash between Billy Joe Saunders and Willie Monroe Jr was landed at the weigh-in on Friday, September 15 (Saturday, September 16 in Manila), by the British fighter’s son, and it was definitely below the belt.

As the two fighters squared up on stage, 7-year-old Stevie Saunders stood between them. Monroe saw him and gently ruffled the boy's hair in greeting.

Stevie responded to the friendly gesture by hitting Monroe below the belt and then attempted to kick him before the boy was ushered away by security.

{source} 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Billy Joe Saunders&#39; son takes centre stage at the weigh-ins aiming a shot at his dad&#39;s opponent, Willie Monroe Jr.<br><br>Below the belt!  <a href="https://t.co/fuEUtSYOv5">pic.twitter.com/fuEUtSYOv5</a></p>&mdash; BT Sport Boxing @BTSportBoxing) <a href="https://twitter.com/BTSportBoxing/status/908684495552958464">September 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> {/source}

Saunders took to social media afterwards to defend his son’s onstage antics.

{source} 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My sons been taught when A stranger puts their hands on them they don&#39;t know punch and run away self defence <a href="https://twitter.com/boxnationtv">@boxnationtv</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/frankwarren_tv">@frankwarren_tv</a></p>&mdash; billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) <a href="https://twitter.com/bjsaunders_/status/908687123884253184">September 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> {/source}

Saunders, the undefeated WBO World Middleweight Champion at 24-0, will defend  his title against American challenger Monroe Jr (21-2) on Saturday, London time, at the Copper Box Arena.

The 28-year-old boxer captured the WBO belt from Andy Lee of Ireland back in 2015, and has only defended the title once since then. – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com

TOKYO, Japan - Brazil tennis player Guilherme Clezar apologized Saturday, September 16 for making what appeared to be a slit-eyed gesture during his country's Davis Cup tie with Japan.

While denying any racist intent, the 24-year-old could be in hot water following an incident during Friday's defeat by Yuichi Sugita in a world group playoff in Osaka.

After successfully challenging a line call, an exasperated Clezar stretched his eyes in an apparent criticism of the line judge.

The gesture was caught by local television, but the player insisted he had not meant to insult Japanese people in a post on the Brazilian tennis federation's Facebook page.

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"I want to underline that I never had the slightest intention to be aggressive, racist, prejudiced or anything of the type against Asian people," said Clezar, who lost the opening rubber 6-2, 7-5, 7-6 before Brazil fell 2-0 down in the tie.

"We have been extremely well received here and I have an excellent relationship with all tennis players from many different countries on the circuit," he added. 

"Even though I didn't mean any prejudice, I recognize the gesture doesn't ring true with the attitudes of respect, enthusiasm, solidarity, emotion and many other things that sport means to us and I want to express my regret and my most sincere apologies."

The International Tennis Federation declined to comment, although Brazilian media reported that the ITF and Brazilian officials were scheduled to meet on Saturday.

Clezar is ranked 244th in the world and mainly competes on the Challenger tour.

English Premier League football club Chelsea were forced to issue an apology in July after social media posts by Brazilian winger Kenedy that insulted Chinese people during a preseason tour to the Far East. – Rappler.com

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (UPDATED) – The De La Salle Green Archers emerged victorious over the National University Bulldogs, 115-109, in a tightly-contested match on Saturday, September 16 at Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

This match featured the first meeting of rival NCAA champion coaches, Jamike Jarin and Aldin Ayo, in the UAAP. Jarin coached for the San Beda Red Lions and led them to the title in 2016, while Ayo dethroned Jarin's San Beda team in 2015 and brought the championship back to Letran after 10 years. 

Jarin's run-and-gun system sent the Green Archers into his "40 minutes of hell" that challenged the defending champions in this tight match. The Bulldogs were able to lead the Green Archers in the third quarter, but DLSU escaped the game with a 6-point lead.

The game tipped off to a high-scoring and fast-paced contest which saw the DLSU Green Archers lead by two at the end of the first.

The defending champions pulled the lead away in the second quarter and were able to get ahead of the Bulldogs by 10 points via the inside presence of Jollo Go and Abu Tratter. However, the Bulldogs cut their deficit 4 points by the end of the first half. 

The third quarter saw the Bulldogs power through and overtake the DLSU Green Archers. The Bulldogs initially succeeded in limiting the Green Archers' offense, but the Green Archers bounced back big time with a 22-8 run to end the third quarter in their favor. 

The final frame saw the Green Archers reach triple digits on the scoreline, but a 6-point run by the the Bulldogs tied it at 102-all. Ricci Rivero then proved to be the man of the match as he successfully garnered the comfortable 5-point lead, preventing the Bulldogs from bouncing back in the dying seconds of the game.

Ricci Rivero led the Green Archers with a stat line of 21 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Aljun Melecio followed with 20 points and Go played his best game in the UAAP, as he tallied 19 markers.

As the Green Archers were still without Season 79 MVP Ben Mbala, DLSU rookie Santi Santillan stepped up to establish his first double-double in the UAAP with 13 points and 16 rebounds.

Jordan Bartlett racked up 23 points and made 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. JJ Alejandro continued to play consistently, scoring 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.

This win puts the Green Archers at a 2-0 record, while the Bulldogs fall to a 1-1 record in the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament. 

Scores:

DLSU (115) – Ricci Rivero 21, Melecio 20, Go 19, Santillan 13, Tratter 11, Prince Rivero 10, Caracut 9, Montalbo 8, Baltazar 4.

NU (109) – Bartlett 23, Alejandro 18, Gaye 16, Salem 12, Aquino 10, Morido 5, Diputado 5, Yu 4, Lastimosa 4, Tibayan 4, Abatayo 4, Mosqueda 2, Rangel 2, Cauilan 0, Joson 0, Flores 0.

Quarter scores: 31-29, 65-61, 91-88, 115-109. 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - The San Miguel Beermen secured their seat in the quarterfinals and prevented a monumental upset against Kia Picanto following a tight 118-112 win in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday.

Down by as much as 6 points entering the fourth quarter, 78-84, San Miguel banked on main man June Mar Fajardo who dropped 20 of his 41 points in the quarter alone. 

Fajardo, who also logged in 17 rebounds, did most of the heavy lifting in the last frame as he helped the Beermen take a 99-95 lead by scoring nine in San Miguel’s 11-6 run.

Kia kept the game close until the last few minutes with crucial baskets from Geron Johnson, Mark Yee and Jackson Corpuz but to no avail.

“Ugly game for us dahil everybody expected us to do well,” said Beermen coach Leo Austria. “Wake up call for us na we can’t take any team for granted kasi every team is trying to beat San Miguel. The entire game, naghahabol kami pero basta nanalo kami, okay na samin.” (We were trailing the entire game but we will take the win.)

Kia held a 5-point lead at the end of the second quarter behind Johnson’s 22 first half points, 50-45, and maintained it until the third frame as Philip Paniamogan buried 3 straight treys which put Picanto up by 11, 67-56, their largest lead of the game.

Johnson dropped a game-high 42 points on top of 10 rebounds and 8 assists but committed 10 turnovers throughout. 

It was a well-rounded performance for San Miguel as 5 other Beermen also scored in double figures with Marcio Lassiter and Terrence Watson chipping in 16 apiece.

San Miguel is currently tied with TNT Katropa with a 6-3 card while Kia still could not find its rhythm as it remained winless in 10 games.

Scores:

San Miguel (118): Fajardo 41, Lassiter 16, Watson 16, Ross 15, Santos 15, Cabagnot 11, Espinas 2, Tubid 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Heruela 0, Pessumal 0, Reyes 0 

Kia (112): Johnson 42, Yee 18, Corpuz 15, Paniamogan 14, Celda 9, Elorde 7, Salva 3, Ballesteros 2, Camson 2, Deutchman 0, Jaime 0,  

Quarter scores: 25-25, 45-50, 78-84, 118-112. – Rappler.com

CEBU CITY, Philippines - Jonas Sultan showed the maturity and poise of a top contender as he outboxed and outfought two-time world champion Johnriel Casimero on Saturday, September 16 at Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, Philippines.

All 3 judges scored the fight for Sultan, 117-111, 116-112, 115-113, in the 12-round title eliminator, making Sultan the number one contender for IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, and setting the stage for the first Filipino vs Filipino world title fight since 1925.

Sultan (14-3, 9 knockouts) of Zamboanga City, Philippines boxed masterfully throughout the first half of the fight, using his speed and counterpunching to keep Casimero (24-4, 15 KOs) off-balance. Casimero of Ormoc City, Philippines appeared tentative throughout, but made a fight of it in the sixth round, landing overhand rights while Sultan matched him punch for punch.

Casimero, a former IBF flyweight and WBO junior flyweight champion, landed the harder punches from rounds 7 to 9, but could not sustain offense against the disciplined boxing and counterpunching of Sultan, who cruised to the win late in the fight. 

"He's a very tough fighter, very strong but I can handle that," said Sultan, 25, of Casimero. Sultan, when asked if he's ready for Ancajas, he answered in the affirmative.

(READ: Jonas Sultan, road warrior and reluctant Zorro)

It was the second straight win over a former world champion from the Philippines for Sultan, who knocked out former flyweight champ Sonny Boy Jaro in 8 rounds in May.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer, who handles Sultan's career, says a showdown with Ancajas, or whoever is the champion at that point, would not happen until next year as Ancajas (27-1-1, 18 KOs) of Panabo City made his last mandatory defense on July 2 with a seventh round technical knockout of Teiru Kinoshita and wouldn't be due for his next one for another 7 months.

The last Filipino vs Filipino world title fight took place in Wallace Field in Manila when Pancho Villa, the first ever boxing champion from the Philippines defeated Clever Sencio to retain the world flyweight title on May 2, 1925.

"We have a big chance because Sultan is a tough fighter. He wants to win," says Sultan's trainer Edito Villamor about whether he can beat Ancajas, who won the title last September with a unanimous decision over Puerto Rico's McJoe Arroyo.

Villamor credits Sultan's "speed and quickness" for the victory, adding "We know that when Casimero backs up, he can't punch."

Earlier in preliminary action, Arthur Villanueva (31-2, 17 KOs) wore down Richie Mepranum (31-7-1, 8 KOs) in a battle of former world title challengers, forcing Mepranum to throw in the towel after the fourth round. Villanueva of Bago City was the much larger of the two fighters and walked the Maasim City native Mepranum down, landing with impunity to the body and head.

Mepranum has now lost 3 straight by knockout while Villanueva rebounds from his one-sided points loss to Zolani Tete this past April in a fight which eventually decided the vacant WBO bantamweight title.

Kevin Jake Cataraja (7-0, 6 KOs) remained unbeaten with a second-round knockout of Wiljan Ugbaniel (13-6-1, 4 KOs), dropping him twice in their scheduled 8-rounder to bring a halt to the fight at the 1:56 mark. The knockout punch was a straight right hand through the guard of the southpaw boxer. – Rappler.com