MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Adamson Lady Falcons bounced back from a 0-2 deficit and scored a critical 5-set victory over the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 21-25, 17-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-10, on Wednesday, February 24 at the San Juan Arena.

The win improved the record of the Lady Falcons to 2-4 ahead of their first-round ender against UE this weekend. 

FEU, which was coming off a big win against UP, dropped to 3-3. It faces NU next. 

"It's important because the standings is tight," said Adamson head coach Sherwin Meneses in Tagalog after the game.

It didn't look like it would be a win for Adamson after the first two sets, with another slow start causing issues. 

"That was our problem in our past games – our starts weren't good," Meneses said.
"We talked about if we play right, we'll bounce back."

Rising Adamson star May Roque was superb with 25 points, while Jessica Galanza pitched in 16. Mylene Paat also played well with 12 points.

On the other side, Bernadeth Pons top scored with 25 points while Toni Basas had 20. 

FEU out spiked Adamson, 55-47, but the 41 error points it gave up cost dearly.

After falling behind 0-2, Adamson needed a strong third set to bounce back and got that by winning 25-19.

The fourth set went down the wire as both teams tied at 23. A big conversion by Paat, the team captain, put her team ahead by one. An attempt by Basas then sailed outside, awarding the Lady Falcons the 2-2 tie.

Adamson came out more aggressive to open the final set by going up 5-2. FEU then called a timeout, but the Falcons still put 5 straight points on the board to go up by 5.

Roque and company then cruised the rest of the way to the win.–Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Denzel Bowles came up with 28 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and two blocks as the Star Hotshots blasted the Blackwater Elite, 122-103, to finally arrest a nightmare 3-game skid to start the 2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday, February 24 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots, who suffered tough defeats at the hands of Meralco, Rain or Shine, and NLEX, broke through the win column for the first time this conference but are still toiling near the bottom of the standings with a 1-3 slate.

"Finally. It took a while," said head coach Jason Webb. "The team really played well. The ball movement was really good. Everything was clicking today. Local support and then Denzel at the right time. Everything was great timing today."

It was a balanced effort indeed for Star as they registered 30 assists and dropped 12-of-20 3-pointers.

Allein Maliksi uncorked 15 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 23 overall including 5 rebounds off the bench, as the Hotshots built their biggest lead at 109-81 early in the final frame.

James Yap, who started the game for a change as an adjustment, tallied 15 points and 3-of-4 makes from downtown. Mark Barroca had 10 points and 4 assists while PJ Simon added 10 markers and 5 boards.

"It was very frustrating for us to start the year because I thought we had a very good pre-season," Webb admitted. "We're relieved that we finally got one. The league is tough."

Import MJ Rhett posted 30 points, 21 rebounds and 6 assists for Blackwater, which failed to win 3 straight and fell to 2-2.

Carlo Lastimosa was 9-of-20 from the field for 20 points while JP Erram and Reil Cervantes had 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Scores:

Star (122): Bowles 28, Maliksi 23, Yap 15, Barroca 10, Simon 10, Melton 8, sangalang 8, Pascual 7, Pingris 7, Cruz 4, Torres 2.

Blackwater (103): Rhett 30, Lastimosa 20, Erram 13, Cervantes 11, Dela Cruz 9, Gamalinda 5, Reyes 5, Agovida 4, Cortez 4, Bulawan 2, Golla 0, Vosotros 0.

Quarter scores: 28-22, 58-41, 92-75, 122-103.

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 – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The surging Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles made quick work over the still winless UE Lady Warrioirs, 25-12, 25-10, 25-10, in the UAAP Season 78 women's volleyball tourney on Wednesday, February 24, at the FilOil Flying V Arena. 

Jhoana Maraguinot and Alyssa Valdez led the scoring for the Lady Eagles with 12 and 10 points apiece. 

"Everyone played well today, not only the first 6," said Ateneo Team Captain Alyssa Valdez. 

True enough, Coach Tai Bundit unusually went deep with his roster as he used second stringers such as sisters Pauline and Therese Gaston. 

The defending champions, now 6-0, will end the first round with a much awaited match up against archrivals De La Salle University Lady Spikers on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum. 

"La Salle really has a good system. They're really prepared everytime," said Valdez.

She added that her team is sure to have a hard time but she remains confident with her teammates and coaches.

"We just really have to play as a team." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – And the nominees for worst sports event of 2016 are...

Ann Perez said before her mixed martial arts debut that she wanted to prove that age was just a number. Whether it is or isn't, the fighting grandmother was 68 years old when she took on 24-year-old Laura Dettman in a bout for the Colorado-based MMA promotion Sparta Combat League. 

Perez, sporting a full head of white hair, was beaten and battered with ground and pound hammerfists in a first round TKO loss to Dettman, who reportedly holds a 3-2 record.

Before the tiff and came with plans to have “a good hard fight, put on a good show for people, and show everybody that age is just a number.” 

All Perez could do was throw some jabs to start before Dettman responded and took the elder fighter down. 

Perez, who comes from a kickboxing background according to commentators in the fight video uploaded on YouTube, did not appear to be seriously hurt as she stood up after the bout and hugged her opponent.

What do you think of this? Should there be an age limit in MMA or not? Share your thoughts in the comments below. – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – Criticism is part of the job – at least that’s what Jason Webb is learning to accept. 

The Star Hotshots coach shrugged off those who questioned his leadership, which has intensified after Star hit rock bottom with a 3-game skid to start the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. (READ: In trying times, Pingris admits missing old mentor Cone)

The dark clouds cleared up a bit after the Hotshots blew out the Blackwater Elite, 122-103, on Wednesday, February 24 for the team’s first win of the conference. 

“You gotta live with it. It’s better for the team to have high expectations than have none, then at least you have something to strive for,” Webb said after all cylinders clicked for his team from import Denzel Bowles down to the locals. 

The rookie coach, who took over for the Grand Slam-winning franchise before this season, went on to share how he sees critics, especially online. 

“That’s the beauty when you have unlimited Internet. Then you can become a critic all you want. But at the end of the day it’s about us,” he explained. 

“It’s about the coaching staff, my team and management. We’re the ones that are gonna have to perform. We don’t care how much load you have on your phone, or how much Internet you have. It doesn’t matter. Because you’re not gonna be playing.  

“The critics are not gonna be playing. It’s our guys and coaches that are gonna be the ones that have to make the decisions.” 

Webb has been in hot water this conference as fans tried to decipher what went wrong with a once proud championship contender. Star barely made it to the playoffs last conference with a 4-7 record and was ultimately booted out in phase 1 of the quarterfinals.

But on Wednesday, Star played better as they tallied a team total of 30 assists and Bowles led the way with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Allein Maliksi also had 23 points off the bench.

Despite a bit of sunlight, the Hotshots are still toiling near the bottom of the standings with a 1-3 record and a long and bumpy road ahead of them. They will be looking to gain momentum when they face rival Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, February 28.

“We don’t have a choice,” he said of critics. “It’s just the way it is. Pag panalo ka magaling ka, pag talo ka you’re gonna be ostracized.” (When you win you’re praised, when you lose you’re gonna be ostracized.)

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– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – As what's become customary in the Ramil De Jesus era, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers are off to another fast start in the UAAP women's volleyball tournament with a 4-1 record in Season 78. 

With a 4-set loss to NU as its lone blemish, DLSU has looked impressive on multiple aspects of the statistical categories. It currently stands as the second-best team in the league behind Ateneo (5-0).

A reason for the Lady Spikers' impressive play is veteran Mika Reyes, who in her last outing posted a team-high 10 points as her club defeated UE in 3 sets.

Reyes has been solid this season as she's 13th overall in the league in scoring – 38 on spikes, 11 on blocks, and 4 on service aces. 

Her impressive play has also helped La Salle to place second in attacks, first in blocks, and first in service aces in the current UAAP rankings.

Why the great campaign thus far?

"I'm not putting pressure on myself and on my team," Reyes said in Filipino following the game against UE this past weekend. 

"Our goal is to play each and every game with joy, like we're having fun."

"Yes, yes, yes," a beaming Reyes said when asked if she's more confident in her abilities this season than last.

"We are [all] more confident than last season."

That confidence stems from Reyes' goal during the offseason to improve on more than just the basic skills of volleyball. 

"Of course, I improved on all of my skills," she said. "Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally [and] spiritually."

The Lady Spikers' 2015 season ended on a second straight sour note as they fell to the undefeated Ateneo Lady Eagles in the finals anew, with Ara Galang watching from the sidelines due to multiple injuries in her knee.

Reyes felt that her performance the entire last season wasn't good enough, thus leading to the extra work she put in to be better in her final year in 2016.

"I wasn't like a star player last year that I didn't need to improve on my game," she said. "So I told myself I would continue to push even if it's my final playing year.

"Everything, everything. I don't want to specify," she answered about what she worked on.

"But I believe people will agree with me that we're better than last season."

How much better DLSU is – with Galang back and an improved Mary Baron, 9th and 16th in league scoring, respectively – will be put to test when they face Ateneo on Saturday, February 27.

The last time La Salle beat Ateneo was in Game 2 of the 2014 UAAP finals. That was also the last time the Lady Eagles lost a game, after which they began a 24-game winning streak.

"We're treating the game against Ateneo just like any other game," Reyes said. 

But is there pressure on her, as an ate (older sister) of her teammates, to elevate her game on a consistent basis?

"The pressure is there, but I don't want to consider that there's pressure on me," she explained.

"We're all seniors now," she added, referring to the team's veteran players, such as Galang and league-leading setter Kim Fajardo.

"We have younger teammates with us. We're just going to [guide] them inside and outside the court so we can bring them along with us." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – New import Shane Edwards made an immediate impact for the Alaska Aces with 36 points and 20 rebounds to lead them past Tropang TNT, 108-100, in the 2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday, February 24 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Aces, bridesmaids in the past Philippine Cup, picked up their first win of the conference in Edwards' debut as he replaced the injured Rob Dozier, who is out for a month with plantar fasciitis.

Alaska head coach Alex Compton reiterated he is still open to having Dozier back once he recovers, and he is looking forward to taking on the welcome headache of choosing between the two imports. Dozier watched the game from the first row.

"I really hope Shane gives me a hard time, I hope he gives me a problem. But we signed Rob. Shane came in here because of Rob's injury. I hope we win every game with Shane," explained Alaska head coach Alex Compton.

"I love them both, honestly."

Vic Manuel had 13 points off the bench while Calvin Abueva 11 points and 6 rebounds as the Aces played their first game with an import.

"I'm really happy with the effort against a first-rate, well-coached team," Compton added.

"Last year after we lost the All-Filipino, it was tough licking our wounds. We were tired and changed imports. This year still isn't easy but I'm grateful for the intestinal fortitude that our players have. They got up and they're still fighting."

Edwards showcased his athleticism with a booming alley-oop dunk on a lob from Abueva to push Alaska's lead to 97-90 midway in the fourth after the Aces went on a 10-0 run to gain the lead early in the last quarter.

The Aces maintained a safe distance from the Tropa, 89-82, with 3-of-4 free throws off of TNT rookie Troy Rosario's technical and flagrant foul penalty 1 from a landing spot foul as Edwards was taking a 3-point shot.

Rosario, who got his second technical for pointing at a referee during that play, was ejected from the game and finished with 12 points.

RJ Jazul, who also tallied 13 points for Alaska, hit a big trey and a stepback jumper down the stretch to keep TNT at bay.

TNT also brandished new reinforcement in David Simon to replace banned Ivan Johnson.

Simon, who is well-conditioned and fresh off of his Korean Basketball League stint, paced the Tropa with 35 points, 19 rebounds and 4 blocks. Though he also had 8 turnovers.

Matt Ganuelas-Rosser had 14 markers while Ranidel De Ocampo came up with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Jayson Castro added 11 markers, 5 boards and 7 assists as TNT dropped its third straight game for a 1-3 record.

Scores:

Alaska (108): Edwards 36, Jazul 13, Manuel 13, Abueva 11, Banchero 9, Baguio 8, Casio 7, Thoss 6, Dela Rosa 3, Eman 2, Exciminiano 0, Racal 0.

TNT (100): Simon 35, Rosser 14, De Ocampo 13, Rosario 12, Castro 11, Fonacier 6, Reyes R. 3, Reyes J. 3, Tautuaa 3, Carey 0, Nuyles 0.

Quarter scores: 24-26, 44-53, 73-78, 108-100.

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– Rappler.com

LONDON, England - Leading professional boxers will become eligible to compete at this year's Olympic Games in Rio under proposals put forward by the sport's global governing body, AIBA.

There has traditionally been a strict dividing line between amateur and professional boxing, although Olympic success has proved a springboard for a successful career in the paid ranks for the likes of Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and Lennox Lewis. 

However, AIBA president Dr Ching-Kuo Wu has made no secret of his wish to expand the organization's role in professional boxing, already an 'alphabet soup' of different global sanctioning bodies.

Now Wu wants boxing to follow the lead of tennis, where the sport's elite professionals compete at the Olympics.

"We want the best boxers to come to the Olympic Games," said Wu, speaking at an AIBA meeting in Manchester, northern England, on Wednesday. 

"It is an IOC (International Olympic Committee) policy to have the best athletes in the Games, and of the international federations, AIBA is probably the only one without professional athletes in the Olympics.

"We already have our own professionals, APB and WSB boxers, in the Games - (and) we will go further."

Wu insisted such a change could be implemented ahead of the Rio Games, even though an extensive qualifying program is already underway.

"According to our statutes it is absolutely possible," said Wu.

Countries could now put forward fresh contenders for Rio and, if this proposal is ratified by AIBA's executive, the likes of Floyd Mayweather, who has always felt he was wrongly denied a gold medal at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, could have another shot at Olympic glory.  

Rules introduced in 2013 made professional boxers eligible for the Olympics, but only if they had had fewer than 15 paid bouts and signed a short-term deal with APB, the professional arm of AIBA - which also runs the team-based World Series of Boxing.

Wu's plan, however, would effectively end distinctions between amateur and professional boxing.

"When I took over the (AIBA) presidency in 2006 I made it very clear the term of amateur is not really relevant because when you look now at all the Olympic sports, who is really amateur?" said Wu.

"I think the process is very clear and we plan to consider it very thoroughly.

"We have already received a very strong, positive response from our members, and everybody is excited and would like to see it." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Adamson Lady Falcons looked like they were on the way to being one of the teams you’d consider “from the outside looking in.”

After already dropping 4 of their first 5 games in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament, the Falcons were in danger of falling to a dangerous 1-5 hole on Wednesday, February 24, when they trailed the FEU Lady Tamaraws zero sets to two.

Simply put, a defeat to the Lady Tams would have been devastating for Adamson in its chase for a Final Four slot, even with the first round still a few game days away from ending, for a few reasons:

The top two teams, Ateneo (6-0) and La Salle (4-1), have already built a cushion. That means two spots remain in reach. NU only has only two losses so far. Same with FEU entering the game. UP and UST have suffered loses just thrice each.

Fortunately for Adamson, it was somehow able to win the next 3 sets against FEU to give them a huge confidence-builder of a victory, get the chance to remain in the Final Four mix for the foreseeable future, and deal the Tams a crushing defeat.

“It’s important because the standings is tight,” AdU head coach Sherwin Meneses said post game.

Two critical factors were huge in the Falcons’ comeback win: the 41 points they received from FEU’s errors, and the impressive play of the team’s 3 key players.

Veteran Jessica Galanza had 16 points. Team captain Mylene Paat had 12, a few from clutch conversions late in sets. May Roque, the team’s budding star, led her team with 23 points.

“Our load lessened,” Galanza said in Tagalog about how huge Roque’s performance was. “I knew Maye could contribute. Not just her, but all of us. She was a huge help.”

Galanza also said about her team’s huge victory that:

“We lessened our errors and we also displayed effort, because if you have effort - perfect effort - you’re really going to win.”

When asked about what was going wrong for Adamson during their string of 4 straight defeats entering the game on Wednesday, Roque said in Tagalog that:

“We had off-communication. [But] we’ve been fixing it since no one’s letting go. We know we can win. We just need to hold on.”

The trust of their head coach, according to Galanza, has been vital.

“He wants us to realize what we need to do. We just really focused,” she said, explaining that he allows his players to get through rocky situations without always turning to him.

Meneses also believes that slow starts, similar to against FEU, has cost his team dearly. 

“That was our problem in our past games - our starts weren’t good,” he said in Tagalog.

“We talked about if we play right, we’ll bounce back.”

That’s what his team did against the now 3-3 Lady Tamaraws, while Adamson improved to 2-4 itself. 

It’s not an ideal record, but still within striking distance of NU, FEU, UST, and UP.

“I’m okay with what we do inside the court,” Roque, 18, said.

And to Galanza, the Lady Falcons displayed against FEU what they need to the rest of the way: “tapang” (guts). – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines - They were up by two sets and everyone thought it was over. But things took an unexpected turn and just like that, the Adamson Lady Falcons rallied a come-from-behind win to spoil a 3-game winning streak for the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.

Luck was not on their side but more than that, FEU Coach Shaq Delos Santos concedes that the collapse indicates a lack of maturity.

“The momentum was suddenly stolen by Adamson although we really gave it our all. The game was just not for us,” said Delos Santos in Filipino.

“I think what we really have to maintain is the maturity of the team.”

The Lady Tamaraws started strong in the first two frames but Adamson snatched away the momentum and cruised their way to victory in the last 3 sets. The Lady Tamaraws completely collapsed in the deciding canto, recording 41 errors all in all.

“They really gave up on the fifth set,” he added.

FEU, who pulled an impressive 5-set win against UP, now drops to 3-3 while the Lady Falcons raised their record to 2-4.

Delos Santos finds his players inconsistent and added that he needs everyone to step up, most especially seniors Mary Palma and returning setter Gyzelle Sy.

Aside from the two mentioned, Bernadeth Pons and Toni Rose Basas have also been serving as key weapons for the FEU side. They have consistently been finishing with double digits and contributed 25 and 20 points respectively in yesterday’s game.

The FEU mentor is quick to point out that it must always be a team effort.

“We have to mature individually. The team will not mature as a whole if only some are maturing.”

However, Delos Santos knows that maturity doesn’t come overnight but is something that must be developed.

“We know our players. They will really fight until the end.”

FEU will wrap up the first round of eliminations against National University on Sunday. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – New Zealand will reportedly be without NBA big man Steven Adams when it comes to Manila from July 4-10 for one of the 3 Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, per FIBA’s official website.

Adams, a 22-year-old starter for the Oklahoma City Thunder, also missed the 2014 FIBA World Cup and the 2015 FIBA Oceania Championship.

France, Senegal, Turkey, and Canada join both the Philippines and New Zealand in July, with the winner of the tournament gaining one of the remaining 3 slots for the men’s basketball tournament of the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The loss of the 7-foot Adams is big. So far this NBA season, he’s averaged 7.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, according to ESPN. He’s also considered one of the better rim protectors in the league.

But even without the OKC big, New Zealand head coach Paul Henare is still confident his team can prevail in the Manila OQT and book a ticket to Rio.

"Of course we would have liked to have Steven join the 2016 campaign,” said Henare. 

“I’ve said it before that he is world class and would bring plenty to our group, just as we believe the Tall Blacks environment would offer plenty to Steve.”

The 36-year-old head coach also said that:

“Our history shows the Tall Blacks are a formidable team that can mix it with the best in the world, I think you’ll find that 2016 is no different. The Tall Blacks have a proud history and a strong culture that produces focused and committed teams.”

Both New Zealand and the hometown Gilas Pilipinas face stiff competition in France as part of the Manila OQT’s Group B. 

FIBA reports that the Frenchmen are likely to include Rudy Gobert, Utah’s starting center who’s one of the top-tier rim protectors in the NBA. Tony Parker has also confirmed that he’s participating in the Olympic Qualifiers.

Group A is also challenging. FIBA says Turkey is likely to have NBA big man Omer Asik, while Senegal - which Gilas beat in the World Cup nearly two years ago - will have Gorgui Dieng of the Timberwolves.

FIBA also reports that Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson and Boston Celtics stretch big Kelly Olynyk are “in the squad” for Canada. There’s also reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins, who may see action for the Canadians. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The bantamweight return of Filipino-American fighter John Dodson has a date as he is slated to square off with Manny Gamburyan on the undercard of UFC on FOX 19 on April 17 (April 16 in US).

Dodson (17-7) revealed his decision to move back to the 135-pound weight class this past October following another points loss to UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson a month prior.

It was reported that Dodson can still make the flyweight division’s 125-pound limit, but it is a grueling task since IV rehydration is banned under the new USADA-mandated rules.

The 31-year-old native of Albuquerque, New Mexico fought as a bantamweight in the 14th season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality television series, where he defeated TJ Dillashaw via first-round stoppage in the show's finale to get a 6-figure contract with the UFC.

After his stellar victory over Dillashaw, Dodson transferred to flyweight and scored wins against the division’s distinguished names such as Tim Elliott, Jussier da Silva, Darrell Montague, John Moraga and Zach Makovsky.

Dodson’s two losses as a flyweight came at the hands of Johnson, who easily carved out another convincing unanimous decision win over him in their rematch at UFC 191.

Answering questions from their first meeting in 2013 with a performance that left no doubt of his superiority, Johnson swept the scorecards with 49-46, 49-46 and 50-45 marks from the judges.

On the other hand, Gamburyan is riding high on a two-fight winning skid and has only competed once in 2015 by taking a 3-round verdict against Scott Jorgensen in July.

UFC on FOX 19, which takes place at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, is headlined by a lightweight clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Reigning NBA MVP Steph Curry hit two big 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter to lead the Golden State Warriors past the Miami Heat, 118-112, on Thursday, February 25, at the American Airlines Arena in South Florida.

Curry, the league’s top scorer, nailed a 27-foot 3-pointer with 1:06 left to put Golden State up 107-106 with 1:06 remaining.

After Heat star Dwyane Wade knocked in two free throws to put his team back up one, Curry nailed a 26-foot triple with 39 seconds left after a Draymond Green offensive rebound to put the Dubs up 110-108.

Golden State held on to its lead the rest of the way.

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Curry finished with 42 points, the ninth time this season he’s scored at least 40 in a game. He also had 7 rebounds and 7 assists plus 6 3-pointers. He also tied Kyle Korver's NBA record for the most consecutive games with a made 3-pointer at 127.

His co Splash Brother, Klay Thompson, was also superb with 33 points and 4 triples as the Warriors improved to 51-5.

Miami, now 32-5, was led by the 32 points and 7 assists of Wade.  – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The trash-talking between two outspoken and brash fighters has commenced as Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz meet eye-to-eye for the first time before their highly-anticipated encounter in the main event of UFC 196 on March 6 (March 5 in US).

As expected by many, both men hurled explicit tirades at each other during a press conference on Thursday, February 25 at the UFC Gym in Torrance, California.

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After the sudden pullout of lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos due to a foot injury, many fighters in the UFC roster offered themselves as replacement foes for the featherweight titleholder.

However, only one man struck the jackpot in the McGregor sweepstakes as he was given Dos Anjos’ spot to face the 27-year-old Irishman in a 5-round welterweight bout at UFC 196, which takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I came here to fight. They asked me to fight. I said yes from the beginning. I don’t know what problem they have. I came here and ready to fight any weight class. It doesn’t matter,” Diaz said.

McGregor once competed as a lightweight when he defeated Ivan Buchinger for Cage Warriors Fighting Championship’s version of the lightweight belt via first-round knockout in December 2012, but he has never fought as a welterweight in his 21-fight career.

Although Diaz is a known mainstay of the lightweight division, the 30-year-old native of Stockton, California fought 4 times as a welterweight in the past.

“I’m already here on this big a-- show for many years before this guys has ever existed. It ain't no thang, I don’t give a f---,” Diaz stated while pointing his finger to McGregor.

McGregor responded with the “How does it feel to a millionaire? It’s nice, right?” inquiry as the Irish is regarded as one of the organization’s top draw.

McGregor made fun of Diaz’s appeal inside the Octagon as he rose to prominence for his no-nonsense, in-your-face attitude.

“I like Nick and his little brother (Nate). He is like a cholo gangster from the hood. At the same time, he coaches kids on Sunday morning and goes on bike rides with the elderly. He makes guns in the right hand and make balloons in the left hand,” McGregor jabbed.

Diaz continued to barb and punched back by carping McGregor’s 4-straight knockout streak at featherweight.

“You knocked out 3 midgets, and you’re pumped up. If you’re really a mother f------ fighter, you fight grown-ups,” he quipped.

Diaz also levied a damning accusation at the entire locker room of the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion.

“Everybody’s on steroids. “The whole UFC, everybody,” Diaz stressed,

McGregor appeared to be affected when Diaz lobbed steroid accusations his way and mentioned the latter’s teammates who recently failed post-fight drug tests.

Gilbert Melendez tested positive for exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites following a split-decision loss to Eddie Alvarez in June 2015, while Jake Shields had a victory over Ed Herman in August 2012 overturned after an unspecified banned substance was found in his system.

“Don’t be putting my name with steroids. I’m major against that. Don’t put my name with the name of steroids,” McGregor articulated. “Your teammate Gil and Jake were caught on steroids. I’m not on no steroids. What the f--k are you talking about?”

Everyone in attendance was given a treat as the media conference capped off with a heated staredown between McGregor and Diaz.

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– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – He’s the reigning Most Valuable Player of the NBA, but after Thursday, February 25, he’s also the MVP in the heart of a young fan.

Prior to the Golden State Warriors’ game against the Miami Heat, Steph Curry met a 4-year-old boy with cancer. 

The fan, Shawn Kennedy, travelled with his family from Niagara Falls, New York and received the shoes Curry wore during his pre-game routine. 

“Keep being brave,” Curry wrote on a sneaker before handing it to Kennedy and taking both him and his brother to the Warriors’ locker room, per The Associated Press.

Kennedy suffers from a rare brain cancer called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Giloma, the report indicates. A friend of Warriors head coach Steve Kerr heard about Kennedy’s situation, and plans were arranged for the meeting with Curry.

“I didn't expect anything like this," said Nicole Vathy, Shawn's mother, per The AP. "He's going to go home and talk about this all day. He really is. He's not going to stop talking about it."

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Mike Esposito, the friend of Kerr’s who heard about Kennedy’s condition, also found out that the kid is a Warriors fan.

“I emailed Steve and within an hour, half-an-hour, he emailed back and said 'We've got you,’” he said.

According to Kennedy’s mother, her son’s condition is “getting somewhat better over time.” The 4-year-old is scheduled for more tests at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in April for further evaluations.

Curry went on to score 42 points as Golden State beat Miami. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - ONE Championship makes its way back to the Manila suburb of Pasay to stage its 40th fight card dubbed “Global Rivals” at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on April 15.

For the main attraction, ONE welterweight champion Ben Askren will defend his gold-plated belt against Russian fighter Nikolay Aleksakhin.

Asia’s largest mixed martial arts promotion confirmed the 5-round championship clash after an initial report from Las Vegas Review-Journal on Thursday, February 25.

2015 was a rollercoaster ride for Askren (14-0, 1 NC), who is universally recognized as one of the best welterweight competitors today.

Askren fought to an anticlimactic no contest with Luis Santos in April 2015 as the Brazilian could not continue due to an eye poke.

The 31-year-old wrestler from Milwaukee, Wisconsin had the chance to settle the score with Santos this past November, but the much-awaited rematch was cancelled after the challenger failed to meet the contracted weight limit.

Santos struggled to make weight as he tipped the scales two pounds heavier than the welterweight perimeter of 170 at the official weigh-in.

Askren, who easily weighed 169.5 pounds, was willing to face Santos as long as the Brazilian stalwart would not exceed 190 pounds.

However, Santos did not agree to the demand of Askren, prompting ONE officials to pull the plug on the title tilt.

Prior to his meeting with Santos, Askren had competed twice under the ONE banner since his departure from Bellator MMA, submitting Bakhtiyar Abbasov with an arm-triangle choke in May 2014 before thwarting Nobutatsu Suzuki in the first round to claim the 170-pound division’s top prize 3 months later.

On the other hand, Aleksakhin (16-3) made his promotional debut last November, forcing Burenzorig Batmunkh to tap with a third-round rear-naked choke.

The 25-year-old Russian is also riding high on a 6-fight victory parade, winning 4 of them by way of stoppage.

Both fighters will be subjected to ONE Championship’s recently-adopted weigh-in policy, which requires athletes to compete at their “walking around” weight. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino fans were given a splendid treat by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as up-and-coming fighter Stephen Thompson and homegrown talent Mark Eddiva hosted an open workout on Thursday, February 25 at SM Mall of Asia’s music hall in Pasay City.

Team Lakay’s Eddiva kicked off the event with teammate and fellow UFC fighter Roldan Sangcha-an as his sparring partner and showcased his signature striking arsenal.

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<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mark Eddiva throwing some kicks at the pads with teammate Roldan Sangcha-an. <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports">@RapplerSports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFConCignal?src=hash">#UFConCignal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCManila?src=hash">#UFCManila</a> <a href="https://t.co/pqxycIw853">pic.twitter.com/pqxycIw853</a></p>&mdash; NISSI ICASIANO (@Nissi_Icasiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nissi_Icasiano/status/702777450682458112">February 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mark Eddiva works on the punch mitts with teammate Roldan Sangcha-an. <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports">@RapplerSports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCManila?src=hash">#UFCManila</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFConCignal?src=hash">#UFConCignal</a> <a href="https://t.co/EEz4ZDwiPv">pic.twitter.com/EEz4ZDwiPv</a></p>&mdash; NISSI ICASIANO (@Nissi_Icasiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nissi_Icasiano/status/702778283901857792">February 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The 30-year-old Filipino is regarded as a well-rounded combatant with a Wushu Sanshou pedigree, who prefers to clobber a straight right-left hook combination and throw hard kicks at all levels but particularly to the legs.

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<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mark Eddiva gives the crowd a glimpse of his Wushu takedowns. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCManila?src=hash">#UFCManila</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFConCignal?src=hash">#UFConCignal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports">@RapplerSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/wJDTg2Cpkv">pic.twitter.com/wJDTg2Cpkv</a></p>&mdash; NISSI ICASIANO (@Nissi_Icasiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nissi_Icasiano/status/702779888520925184">February 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Eddiva makes his return inside the Octagon as he squares off with New Zealand’s Daniel Hooker on the undercard of UFC Fight Night 85 on March 20.

Meanwhile, Thompson received a wild ovation from the crowd when it was his turn to strut his wares on the stage.

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<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stephen Thompson (<a href="https://twitter.com/WonderboyMMA">@WonderboyMMA</a>) receives a wild ovation from the crowd. <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports">@RapplerSports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCManila?src=hash">#UFCManila</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFConCignal?src=hash">#UFConCignal</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y14EBewsVo">pic.twitter.com/Y14EBewsVo</a></p>&mdash; NISSI ICASIANO (@Nissi_Icasiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nissi_Icasiano/status/702781243549552640">February 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Thompson flaunted his full-contact kickboxing and Kenpo Karate background, with his father and head trainer Ray Thompson holding the punch mitts and kick pads.

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<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stephen Thompson (<a href="https://twitter.com/WonderboyMMA">@wonderboymma</a>) works on the punch mitts with his dad Ray. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFConCignal?src=hash">#UFConCignal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCManila?src=hash">#UFCManila</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports">@RapplerSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/QWJWdpES36">pic.twitter.com/QWJWdpES36</a></p>&mdash; NISSI ICASIANO (@Nissi_Icasiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nissi_Icasiano/status/702783274901372928">February 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stephen Thompson (<a href="https://twitter.com/WonderboyMMA">@wonderboymma</a>) flaunts his signature kicks. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCManila?src=hash">#UFCManila</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFConCignal?src=hash">#UFConCignal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports">@RapplerSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/E5IBhikmyD">pic.twitter.com/E5IBhikmyD</a></p>&mdash; NISSI ICASIANO (@Nissi_Icasiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nissi_Icasiano/status/702784044140875777">February 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stephen Thompson (<a href="https://twitter.com/WonderboyMMA">@wonderboymma</a>) mixes in deadly kicks to his power punches. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFConCignal?src=hash">#UFConCignal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCManila?src=hash">#UFCManila</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports">@RapplerSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/P7OTqU0xf9">pic.twitter.com/P7OTqU0xf9</a></p>&mdash; NISSI ICASIANO (@Nissi_Icasiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nissi_Icasiano/status/702785513678196736">February 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stephen Thompson (<a href="https://twitter.com/WonderboyMMA">@wonderboymma</a>) adds more intensity to his strikes. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCManila?src=hash">#UFCManila</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFConCignal?src=hash">#UFConCignal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports">@RapplerSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/rm8VsQGSs0">pic.twitter.com/rm8VsQGSs0</a></p>&mdash; NISSI ICASIANO (@Nissi_Icasiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nissi_Icasiano/status/702787872978407424">February 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The 33-year-old native of Simpsonville, South Carolina capped off the public training with a backflip that collected cheers from the local mixed martial arts fanatics in attendance.

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<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">To cap off the event, Stephen Thompson (<a href="https://twitter.com/WonderboyMMA">@wonderboymma</a>) does a backflip. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFConCignal?src=hash">#UFConCignal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCManila?src=hash">#UFCManila</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports">@rapplersports</a> <a href="https://t.co/AiH8emgj0M">pic.twitter.com/AiH8emgj0M</a></p>&mdash; NISSI ICASIANO (@Nissi_Icasiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nissi_Icasiano/status/702789826404175872">February 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Thompson is scheduled to leave the Philippines on Friday, February 26 to continue his promotional tour in South Korea. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - Nonito Donaire's first WBO junior featherweight title defense has been moved from its original home at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Metro Manila to the Cebu City Sports Complex on April 23, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer confirmed to Rappler.

Donaire (36-3, 23 knockouts) is scheduled to fight Hungarian Zsolt Bedak (25-1, 8 KOs) in his first outing since regaining a portion of the 122-pound title in a rough fight with Cesar Juarez in December. 

Aldeguer, whose company will co-promote the event with Donaire's promoter Top Rank, hopes the change in venue will conjure the same atmosphere as its 2007 promotion of Z Gorres' challenge of WBO junior bantamweight champ Fernando Montiel, which he says drew nearly 25,000 fans to the Philippines' Queen City of the South.

Donaire, 33, is back in the United States and isn't expected to return to the Philippines until the first week of April. Aldeguer says Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank, is expected to be in attendance. 

A request for comment from Top Rank has not been returned as of publication.

Donaire, a Filipino-American who was born in the province of Bohol, will be fighting for the fifth time in the Philippines, and in his first world title fight in the country since his 2009 knockout win over Raul Martinez at Araneta Coliseum.

Bedak, 32, hasn't lost since 2010, when he was stopped in 10 rounds by Wilfredo Vazquez Jr for the same title he is challenging for.

The co-main event will feature unbeaten featherweight Mark Magsayo (12-0, 10 KOs) in his first serious test against former title challenger Chris Avalos (26-4, 19 KOs).

(READ: Mark Magsayo: Future of Philippine boxing?)

A contract hasn't been signed yet as Magsayo, 20, is set to face Eduardo Montoya (17-4-1, 13 KOs) of Mexico this Saturday, February 27 at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City, Aldeguer says.

"We've agreed in principle...but we have to respect the fight this Saturday," said Aldeguer. – Rappler.com

KABUL, Afghanistan - Argentine football star Lionel Messi has sent not one, but two jerseys to the 5-year-old Afghan boy who became an Internet sensation last month when he was pictured wearing a plastic bag with "Messi" scrawled on it in marker pen.

Murtaza Ahmadi travelled with his family from eastern Ghazni province to Kabul to receive the gifts sent by Messi through UNICEF, where he is a goodwill ambassador.

"Murtaza couldn't stop smiling. He kept repeating: I love Messi," UNICEF Afghanistan spokesman Denise Shepherd-Johnson told AFP.

Messi autographed the jerseys, writing "With much love" in Spanish on them, and added a football to the treasure trove, UNICEF said. 

Purchasing a Messi jersey was beyond the means of Murtaza's poor family, members of the persecuted ethnic Hazara minority living in volatile Ghazni, near Kabul. 

His elder brother Homayoun, 15, improvised the blue-and-white-striped plastic shirt with Messi's name scrawled in black marker, and posted the photos of Murtaza wearing it on Facebook in mid-January. 

The image touched a chord with football fans around the world, and earned Murtaza the sobriquet "little Messi" on social media. 

The Afghan Football Federation had said Messi was in contact with them to arrange a meeting with Murtaza as soon as possible, with the Spanish embassy in Kabul telling AFP it would do whatever possible to facilitate.

But a source close to Messi's entourage said earlier this month they could neither confirm nor deny the speculation regarding a possible meeting.

Setting up a meeting in Afghanistan, in the grip of a fierce Taliban insurgency, is fraught with security challenges.

Football and cricket are the two most popular sports in the war-ravaged country -- but sports were rarely played under Taliban rule, and the football stadium in Kabul was a notorious venue for executions, stonings and mutilations. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - With a minute left to play, Xavier School appeared vulnerable. Up by 8 points, 51-43, with 3 minutes to play in their Milcu Got Skills "Hard to Guard" 12-under title match against De La Salle Zobel, their lead had shrunk to just one, 53-52 with a minute to play.

The heat was hot on Thursday, February 25 at the Enderun College gymnasium, and it was about to get hotter.

Struggling for several minutes against Zobel's press, Xavier remained one step ahead of the defense with its ball movement to bury a corner 3-pointer which seemed to break Zobel's spirit.

Xavier held on to defeat Zobel, 60-53, and claim the title with Reily Ong, who scores 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, earning MVP honors.

"It's a very big thing for our school, especially that we don't recruit," said Xavier coach John Sy, whose team has played together since they were 8-9 years old. "We've been relying on our grassroot development and we're able to compete with the big school."

This was just one of several championship games on Thursday afternoon at Enderun. In the 13-under final, the National University Bullpups easily handled Chiang Kai Shek College, 63-35, with Ruzzelle Dominguez earning best player honors with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Also, Adamson University defeated San Beda College Alabang, 64-56, to win the 15-under title, with Andrei Doria (10 points, 3 rebounds) being named MVP. And in the 25-under final, Arellano University defeated Saint Clare College, 61-49, with Michael Canete earning MVP honors.

Got Skills executive director Allen Ricardo has been running the tournament since 2013, having been inspired after watching age-group tournaments in Las Vegas.

He says the appeal of the tournament is enabling non-NCAA and UAAP schools to compete against the better known basketball programs in the Philippines on the weekends and holidays.

Got Skills returns on April 16 with the Milcu x Got Skills Basketball Malolos Republic Summer Showcase, with 70-90 schools from around the Philippines in the 12-under, 13-under, 14-under, 16-under and 25-under age groups expected to compete. Teams interested in registering can contact Lui at 0917-894-3943 or on the Got Skills Facebook page. – Rappler.com