Star Snippets: AJ Banal, Wang Zhizhi, Lee Chun-soo …..

December 30, 2009 | Posted by Benjie

Filipino AJ Banal is scheduled to take another step forward in his career as he is set to face Cecilio Santos of Mexico on January 14. The bout will headline the card in line with the ‘Sinulog Festival’, an annual celebration in Cebu in honor of Sr. Sto. Niño. Banal is taking this bout as a tune-up in preparation for a championship fight in the later part of the year. Banal’s record currently stands at 20-1-1 with 16 KOs.

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Wang Zhizhi of Bayi Rockets currently leads the locals in scoring early in the season in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Wang averages 28.3 points in four games so far.The seven foot sweet shooting big man had his best game against the Beijing Ducks scoring 37 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

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Danai Udomchoke and Paradorn Schrichaphan of Thailand will have the time of their lives early next year. Udomchoke will play alongside with Maria Sharapova while Schrichaphan teams up with Venus Williams in a mixed doubles exhibition match Hua Hin, Thailand. The match will be the highlight of the event to mark the centennial of Hua Hin.

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South Korean Lee Chun-soo’s career with Al-Nasr is in peril. The 28- year old native of Incheon has been put in the clear-out list of the Riyadh based club. Lee joined Al-Nasr in the Saudi Premiere League last July but has struggled offensively that led to Al-Nasr’s disappointment.

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Internazionale manager Jose Mourinho of Portugal expressed his desire to be back in the English Premiere League. The 46-year old native of Setubal used to handle Chelsea from 2004 until 2007. He was then one of the highest football managers in the league. He is now on his second year of his three-year contract with Internazionale in the Italian Serie A.