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Pacquiao hands money, Bibles to Philippine typhoon victims BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sports - New 2 Borneo

Pacquiao hands money, Bibles to Philippine typhoon victims

Posted: 02 Dec 2013 12:30 PM PST

GUIUAN, Philippines: Philippine boxing hero Manny Pacquiao handed out Bibles, tinned food and cash Sunday to lift people's spirits in areas devastated by Super Typhoon Haiyan.

The former eight-title world champion toured the central island of Samar with his own aid caravan after spending the night Saturday in a tent city in the town of Guiuan, the first town to be struck by the typhoon, an AFP reporter with the convoy saw.

Pacquiao attended a prayer meeting in Guiuan early Sunday with survivors, and later handed out Bibles and food packages containing rice, noodles and tinned meat.

"Let us find hope in God's Grace to help us get back on our feet and recover from the devastation," he said.

In two instances during the drive around the devastated areas of Samar, Pacquiao had the convoy stop at coastal communities where homes had been torn to pieces by the typhoon's winds of up to 315 kph (195 mph) and tsunami-like storm surges.

He handed out 1,000-peso (US$23) bills each time to families who are now living in makeshift shelters.

Haiyan left nearly 7,400 people dead or missing, with more than four million others displaced, according to an official tally.

Pacquiao, who is also a second-term member of the House of Representatives with ambitions to run for president someday, is scheduled to lead the aid caravan to neighbouring Leyte island on Sunday night.

He lifted the country's spirits a week ago with a comeback victory over American boxer Brandon Rios in Macau, following three straight defeats that had raised speculation the 34-year-old's boxing career was over.

Pacquiao, the only man to win world boxing titles in eight different weight divisions, made the trip despite complaining on Tuesday that the government's Bureau of Internal Revenue had frozen all his bank accounts, forcing him to borrow money to buy relief goods. — AFP

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Sarawak’s new muaythai sensation

Posted: 02 Dec 2013 12:14 PM PST

by Matthew T. Umpang, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 3, 2013, Tuesday

KUCHING: Muaythai boxer Trevor Salang means what he says. Yesterday, he told The Borneo Post that he just could not wait for another bout. With who? Well, all comers.

That would be a follow-up to the Miri native's impressive win against Kuching's Aislay Ngasri.

The fight held at the Plaza Astana here last Sunday was the New Zealand-based boxer's first local fight.

Trevor, who is also known in the ring as 'The Malaysian Machete', registered an easy win based on the decision of the judges.

The bout was featured as the main event of the state-level Martial Arts Championships organised by the State
Youth and Sports Department in collaboration with the Kuching Muaythai Association (PMK).

Trevor added that the main objective for him challenging local fighters was to share his knowledge.

"If there is indeed a strong following (in muaythai) here in the state, I surely can show Sarawakians more stuff which will amaze them. This is what I do best and this is my passion," he said.

Despite seeing hometown hero Aislay defeated, local fans at Plaza Astana cheered Trevor as they appeared swayed by his moves.

One fight that fans now look forward to seeing would be Trevor taking on top local fighter Heendrew Lois, the current Sukma gold medalist.

When asked about this, Trevor admitted he did not know much of the local muaythai scene or who Heendrew is.

"As many would have known already, I am residing in New Zealand now and I have been there for about 15 years now. I can say that I am a newcomer to the state scene," he explained.

But he is definitely open to the prospect of a bout with Heendrew. If only the PMK can arrange it, that will surely rank as the fight of the year.

Trevor is now in Miri where he will spend his next few months.

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Kota Samarahan beat Sibu to swimming title

Posted: 02 Dec 2013 12:10 PM PST

by Ting Tieng Hee, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 3, 2013, Tuesday

KUCHING: Kota Samarahan Amateur Swimming Association (Kotas) made a great leap forward by clinching its first overall title at the Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Wong Soon Kai Inter-Club Swimming Championship last Sunday.

In a very stiff competition with defending champions Sibu Amateur Swimming Association (Sasa) and Kuching Amateur Swimming Association (Kasa) 2010, Kotas captured 14 gold, 27 silver and 21 bronze medals to accumulate 675 points to wrest the overall crown.

It was the 14 points that made the difference for the challenge trophy to make its way to Kota Samarahan for the first time in the championship history.

Sasa, managed by Chiam Yong Biau and coached by Hii Heng Chiong, went home with 30 golds, 15 silvers and 12 bronzes for a tally of 661 points.

Kasa 2010, who fielded the biggest team of 82 swimmers, collected 10:13:20 (641 points) to settle for third in the two-day meet at the Youth and Sports Complex's Aquatic Centre of Excellence.

The 48-member Kotas team was spearheaded by Tan Tyng who won six gold medals in the Girl's Group 3 (11-12 years).

Tan was also named the Best Girl swimmer in her category.

The team also broke two meet records through Angela Chieng Chui Fei in the Girl's Group 1 (15-17 years) 100m backstroke where she erased the old record of 1:13.18 set by Nita Wong last year by setting a new time of 1:12.94, while Sarah-Ann Thorp clocked 1:20.94 in the Girl's Group 1 (15-17 years) 100m breaststroke to crack the old record of 1:23.06 set by Vivian Wong in 2005.

Invited guests Blue Marlin Swimming Club from Sabah, which fielded 22 swimmers, did well to finish in fourth spot with 374 points while Miri Amateur Swimming Association (Masa) were fifth with 335 points.

Meanwhile, the best swimmer award for the boy's from Group 1-5 were Alex Tiong Sie Hung (Sasa), Hollymax Bell (Blue Marlin), Nee Gui Ping (Sasa), Adrian Chua (Kasa 2010) and Eden Toh (Sasa).

The individual best swimmer winners for the girls were Leong Wan Ying (Masa), Cindy Sui (Sasa), Tan Tyng (Kotas), Cheng Ka Man (Blue Marlin) and Andra Chai (Royal Brunei Recreation Club) for Group 1-5 respectively.

Amateur Swimming Association of Sarawak president Larry Sng closed the event and gave away the prizes at the MBKS Community Centre at Jalan Padungan on Sunday night.

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Men’s basketball squad eye gold medal in Myanmar

Posted: 02 Dec 2013 12:06 PM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's basketball team with a blend of senior and junior players are optimistic of winning the gold medal at the Myanmar SEA Games which starts on Dec 11. As such, coach Paul Daniel Jorda wants the players to put up a solid performance in every match even though with the presence of favourites, the Philippines.

"We have prepared for about a year, a lot of challenges and now we're ready…This is what we are looking forward to. What the team needs to do is to compete and win the gold. If we look at it realistically, it will be tough for the team because the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand are also fighting for the gold medal.

"As I said to the team, in basketball its 50-50 and anything can happen. I believe the boys will do their best and they will go all out for the gold medal," he told reporters after the flag handing ceremony, here yesterday.

Jorda said the 15-member squad would open their campaign against Indonesia on Dec 8 and meet the Philippines and Cambodia on the following day.

The national team is scheduled to meet Singapore on Dec 10 before wrapping up the group matches against Myanmar on Dec 12.

Meanwhile, the national women's team will meet Indonesia and Myanmar on Dec 13, before playing the Thais on the following day and the Philippines on Dec 15.

For the record, the men's team finished fourth and the women's team grabbed the bronze medal at the 2011 Jakarta SEA Games. — Bernama

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Little southern comfort for Europe after Nov Tests

Posted: 02 Dec 2013 12:05 PM PST

LONDON: There were some all too familiar lessons for the northern hemisphere's leading nations after this year's round of November Tests.

England, the hosts of the 2015 World Cup and the lone northern hemisphere winners of the tournament, were the only European side to beat one of the southern big three of world champions New Zealand, South Africa and Australia when they defeated the Wallabies at Twickenham this month.

They then gave world champions New Zealand a run for their money before, like everyone else in 2013, succumbing as the All Blacks became the first Test side in the professional era to win all their internationals in a single year.

But when teams are well-matched physically, the qualities of ball-playing skill and sheer rugby 'nous' still appeared decisive.

In creating New Zealand's opening try against England at Twickenham, No 8 Kieran Read gave a pass that would have been the envy of many a back, although as All Blacks coach Steve Hansen suggested in reference to another superb piece of handling in that same match by centre Ma'a Nonu, if that's the way you train and play, these moments become less of a 'wow'.

South Africa have long been renowned for their power game, but in full-back Willie le Roux there was an indication the Springboks had a rapier as well as a bludgeon to call on.

And with Australia coach Ewen McKenzie laying down the law to his players off the field, by banning players from late-night drinking, yet letting them have their heads on it, with Quade Cooper's fly-half masterclass in last weekend's win over Wales the prime example, there were signs of a Wallaby revival.

"The deftness of his passing is what we lack not only in Wales but in the UK as a whole," said Wales great Barry John, his praise of Cooper also a fairly damning indictment of Home Nations rugby.

Ireland sparkled against New Zealand before a lack of composure at the last prevented a first win over the All Blacks and doubts remain about their ability to 'get back up' in quick succession against the world's best.

Wales, so dominant in Europe, found themselves deficient in the kind of behind the scrum skills they once prided themselves on while for Scotland and Italy the perennial problem of how to turn such possession as they can gather against top teams into tries remained.

England have a pack capable of matching the world's best, but force and penalties alone, while they may win Tests, may not be enough to win a World Cup.

France, having lost three finals, can be considered the best team never to win a World Cup. There were glimpses in their defeats by New Zealand and South Africa of better days ahead, but only recording wins over Scotland and Tonga in 2013 was a poor return on the talent at their disposal.

The good news for everyone chasing the All Blacks is that no side has yet won back-to-back World Cups, with New Zealand yet to lift the trophy outside of their own country.

Indeed the two most recent World Cups in Europe (1999 and 2007) saw the All Blacks knocked out by France at their enthralling unpredictable best.

November also saw plenty of questions raised about rugby's approach to the thorny issue of concussion and whether the sport's proud boast of being a game 'for all shapes and sizes' was really credible in an age of physical 'freaks'.

"They've become bigger and stronger, therefore the hits are bigger," Wales great JPR Williams, an orthopaedic surgeon, told ESPN scrum.com.

Meanwhile Tests continued to take place outside the International Rugby Board's designated November 'window', with the Welsh Rugby Union having to pay the Wallabies a reported 750,000 ( 1.23 million, AUS 1.34 million) to play in Cardiff last weekend.

For all its many traditions, rugby union is fast becoming like many another professional sports — if you want to know why something is happening, follow the money. — AFP

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Manchested United manager in dark over Rooney contract talks

Posted: 02 Dec 2013 12:03 PM PST

LONDON: Manchester United manager David Moyes says that he knows of no immediate plans to reward Wayne Rooney's fine form with the offer of a new contract.

Rooney scored a brace as United twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday — his ninth and 10th goals in all competitions this season.

The England striker was reportedly on the verge of leaving Old Trafford during the close season but has since rediscovered his best form to keep United within touching distance of most of the early-season pace-setters.

The 28-year-old's current contract is due to expire at the end of next season but Moyes says there is no pressing need to tie him to a new deal.

Asked when the club might look to open discussions with Rooney over his contract situation, Moyes replied: "I don't really know.

"I think we're fine, we're just moving on from the summer. It'll get done in good course and the appropriate people will talk when the time's right."

A groin injury to Robin van Persie has obliged Moyes to recalibrate his attack in United's last three games.

Rooney played alongside Javier Hernandez in last weekend's 2-2 draw at Cardiff City but he was fielded as a lone striker in both the 5-0 Champions League win at Bayer Leverkusen in mid-week and the draw at White Hart Lane.

Moyes was not able to offer an update on Van Persie's condition after the game at Spurs, meaning that Rooney could be asked to lead the line alone again when his former club Everton visit United on Wednesday.

The defending champions also have concerns in central midfield.

With Michael Carrick injured and Ryan Giggs rested, Tom Cleverley was paired with Phil Jones against Spurs, but they struggled to give United a foothold in the game.

Moyes conceded that United had lacked control in that area of the pitch but he stood by the players he had selected.

"Recently the performances of Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick (were important), so we were aware of that today (Sunday)," he said.

"We knew that could be somewhere where we (could have problems). But we've got two England internationals and they're both fine young players. One's 21 and the other's about 24 now, so they're both good players."

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas was in spiky mood after the game, clashing with a newspaper journalist in his post-match press conference and accusing former owner Alan Sugar of pursuing a "very driven agenda" after he questioned the Portuguese's stewardship.

He also spoke out in defence of Spanish striker Roberto Soldado, who was replaced by Jermain Defoe in the 72nd minute after a fifth consecutive game without scoring.

"He works very hard for the team, he works his socks off," said Villas-Boas, whose side scored through a Kyle Walker free-kick and a stunning 20-yard shot by Sandro.

"Obviously for a striker, they live off goals. It's important for Soldado to find the back of the net.

"That's why we've been very, very patient with him and we'll continue to do just that."

Villas-Boas, who saw his team thrashed 6-0 at Manchester City in their previous league outing, also played down British media reports linking Defoe with a January move to a Major League Soccer club.

"I'm extremely happy with Jermain Defoe's performance," he said. — AFP

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