Based on the performances in the recent tournaments participated by the Philippine national team, it obviously needs some key players to fill in some missing pieces of the puzzle. By the way, RP team finished fourth among seven teams in the 32^nd William Jones Cup in Taipei last July and fourth as well in the FIBA-Asia Stankovic Cup in Beirut last month.

Outgoing Commissioner Sonny Barrios confirmed that SBP has indeed sent the formal request to the PBA last week. It’s just annoying to hear that, according to Barrios, some teams are not supportive to this idea. Disappointing, isn’t it? One reason they cited is its effect on the gate attendance of the PBA games since its schedule runs in conflict with Asian Games.

Looking on a wider perspective, PBA’s contribution to the national team will also benefit the PBA itself. We all agree that the addition of key players Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams and James Yap will definitely improve the RP team’s performance in the Guangzhou Games. The PBA has to accept the reality that one reason for its dwindling attendance is because of its poor showing in the international arena. PBA fans are sick and tired of watching our hardcourt heroes beaten black and blue in the Asian level competitions. A much improved stint by the RP team will surely stir back the interest to take another look at the pro league. Furthermore, once the national players complete their tour of duty, they will all turn to the PBA. Most of them, if not all, will probably join the 2011 and the 2012 PBA Draft. Again, the PBA should look at this on a wider perspective.

Moreover, a decent performance at the Asian Games will encourage our Asian neighbors to watch PBA games on their cable and digital TVs. Look at Fadi El-khatib of Lebanon, he is very much impressed with the quality of basketball here. The PBA must realize that the Asian Games is a vehicle to promote the PBA to the rest of Asia.

I hope the PBA Board grants the request of the SBP on the inclusion of three key players. After all, the PBA is not like North Korea, unless they want it to be.

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Hanshin Tigers outfielder Norihiro Akahoshi has decided to hang up his jersey. At 33, Akahoshi has been suffering from pain in the neck and lower back which could lead to life threatening spinal injury. He has played only with the Tigers in his entire career in the NPB.

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Retired South Korean boxer Chang Jung-koo has been named as one of the 13 inductees for the International Boxing Hall of Fame class of 2009. Chang will be the first South Korean to be named in the elite list of all time greats. The former junior flyweight champion known as the ‘Korean Hawk’ ended his career in 1991 with a 38-4 win-loss record with 17 KOs.

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Pornanong Phatlum of Thailand came short in securing a full card for next year’s LPGA Tour. The 19-year old golf sensation was making her second attempt for the elite tournament in the qualifying stage in Florida. Two other Thais Nontaya Srisawang and Virada Nirapathpongporn fail to make the cut as well.

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World number one-ranked Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia pulled out of the South East Asian Games in Laos. Less than three weeks ago, he committed to join the biennial games and his eleventh hour change of mind surprised the badminton camp in Laos.  Chong Wei cited his recurring knee injury as the reason for his withdrawal.

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Takashi Saito of Japan has agreed to sign a $3.2 million one year contract with the Atlanta Braves in the Major League Baseball (MLB).  The right-handed pitcher who turns 40 on February played for the Boston Red Sox last season. He made it to the National League All-Star back in 2007 while playing for the LA Dodgers.

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South Korean Park Chan-ho has been the subject of tug-of-war of six MLB teams in the free agent market.  The 36-year old pitcher native of Gongju was not offered salary arbitration by Philadelphia Phillies. He told local scribes that he would likely suit up for the team that gives him a starter role and can advance to the World Series.

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Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines has agreed in principle to a fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on March 13, 2010.  Pacquiao had a discussion with his promoter Bob Arum in Manila and the two came to terms though the specific details of the fight has yet to be ironed out. Among the issues that are yet to be discussed are the weight, the gloves and the economic aspects.

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Taiwan’s Chan Yih-shin hung tough for his lead midway in the ongoing King’s Cup at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club in Thailand. The 33-year old has been chased by at least six players including Harmeet Kahlon, Kim Dae-hyun and Rahil Gangjee for the prestigious title.

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Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand has expressed his desire to face newly crowned WBC flyweight champion Koki Kameda of Japan. The 32-year old native of Nakhon Ratchasima is currently the number one contender in the World Boxing Council (WBC) rankings in the flyweight divsion. The handlers of Wonjongkam are aching to do the title bout within 90 days as they are confident their prized ward can overcome the Japanese champion.

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Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao filed his Certificate of Candidacy before the Commision on Elections for a congressional seat in the Philippine southern province of Saranggani. With this development, his much anticipated bout with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. may be moved a little later in the year. Both promoters of Pacquiao and Mayweather are currently negotiating the terms of the possible blockbuster match-up.

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Thailand will gun for its 9^th straight football title in the South East Asian Games (SEA)Games with Kawin Thammasajjanun as its starting goalkeeper. Steve Darby, Thailand’s English coach is confident to thwart all criticisms by local media for dropping a couple of high profile players in its roster for this regional competition.

Photo Courtesy:  Visitthailand.info

Regional powerhouse Thailand is set to show its force in sports once again in the upcoming South East Asian Games (SEA Games) in Vientiane, Laos. The regional event which kicks off this coming December 9 is considered the olympics of South East Asia. A total of 379 Gold medals are up for grabs in this event participated by 11 countries located at the said region.

In 2007 edition of the SEA games held at Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, the host country dominated by hauling down a total of 182 golds together with 123 silver and 101 bronze medals.  Thailand is expected to do the same in this year’s edition considering their performances the qualifying events. Besides, reports coming out from local media stated that the Thai government is joined by corporate sponsors in fully supporting the contingent. The countries that would likely give the Thais a run for their money are Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and emerging powerhouse Vietnam.

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WBC straw weight champion Oledong Sithsamerchai of Thailand is set to defend his title to Juan Palacios of Nicaragua on Friday, November 27 in Pathum Thani, Thailand.  It will be the first mandatory title defense for Sithsamerchai after defeating Eagle Den Junlaphan last November 2007. He vows to keep his record clean which now stands at 32-0-0 with 12 KOs.

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South Korea’s golf phenom Shin Ji-Yai came short of grabbing the LPGA Player of the Year Award after finishing eight in the recent LPGA Tour Championship in Texas. Shin Ji-Yai already clinched the Rookie of the Year award though. She has been on the spotlight for the past months for her superb performances that would have put her as the first golfer after Nancy Lopez in 1978 to win both the Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year awards.

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South Korea national team manager Huh Jung-moo recently won the Asian Football Confederation’s Coach of the Year award in the annual awards in Kuala Lumpur.  Huh Jung-moo guided his team to qualify in the 2010 World Cup and once had a 27 game winning streak before bowing to Serbia in friendlies last November 18. He became to the fifth South Korean to receive such honor.

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Japan’s Yasuhito Endo was named Asian Football Confederation’s Player of the year at the annual awards ceremony in Kula Lumpur. Endo who also plays for local club Gamba Osaka beat fellow Japanese Kengo Nakamura, Firas Al Khatib of Syria and Hadi Aghily of Iran for the coveted plum.

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Japan’s high school baseball sensation Yusei Kikuchi finally reached a deal with Seibu Lions. The 18-year old left handed pitcher will receive Y100 million upon signing and Y15 million on his first year with the team.

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LA Tenorio of the Alaska Aces and Kelly Williams of the Sta. Lucia Realtors are named Co-Players of the Week November 16-22 in the ongoing KFC-Philippine Cup in the Philippine Basketball Association. Tenorio has been leading his team to a league-best 8-1 record midway in the elimination round. Williams, on the other hand, leads the league in rebounds at 13.1 a game and is one of the top scorers with 17 an outing.

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Atletico Madrid president  Enrique Cerezo appealed to its fans to be patient with the team’s dismal performance in the Spanish La Liga. The team has already been eliminated from this year’s Champion’s League and is in their worst start in over 56 years.

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FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called on an extraordinary general meeting on December 2 in Cape Town, South Africa. The meeting will tackle issues concerning irregularities in the football betting market and controversies in the qualifiers for next year’s World Cup especially the match of France against Republic of Ireland recently.

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South Korea’s national team captain Park Ji-sung believes he will be healthy by November 15 when South Korea plays in Denmark for a friendly match. He has missed eleven straight games in his club Manchester United because of a knee injury.

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England’s Tom Huddlestone of Tottenham Hotspur was surprised to be called into the England’s squad that will play friendly match against Brazil this Saturday, November 14 in Doha, Qatar.  He said that he did not expect such call from the national team.

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Outfielder Hichori Horimoto of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters has decided to stay with the team and not exercise his right for free agency.  He told the scribes that he is determined to stay with the team despite the pay cut.

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ET Land Elephants Import Chris Daniels and local Kim Sung-chul were traded to KT & G Kites in exchange for import Rashad Bell and locals Lee Sang-jun and Lee Hyung-ho. The trade was completed as both teams try to improve their standings in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).

Photo Courtesy: Facebook.com

Laos will host the 25^th South East Asian Games (SEA Games) this year.  It will be the first time that the country will host such event.  The event will be held this coming December 9-18, 2009.  Considered as the Olympics in South East Asia, SEA Games is held every two years exclusively participated by countries located in the said region.

The opening and closing ceremonies will be done at the capital city of Vientiane.  Due to constraints to finance the construction of  facilities, the number of sports disciplines will be reduced. Nonetheless, 2009 SEA Games will be exciting as ever as defending overall champions Thailand will be greatly challenged by other powerhouse countries which includes Malaysia and Vietnam.