Philippines Archives - Sports Bytes Philippines

Rene Barrientos: The Filipino boxing ‘Champ’ who would not go down

Sports For All PH podcast (Sept. 11) with Mayor Oscar Moreno and Rene "Champ" Barrientos

September 14, 2021

I met one last Saturday and his name is Rene Barrientos. Around Cagayan de Oro City, he is known as Champ. Champ was one of my guests on my program, Sports For All, together with Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar “Oca” Moreno, former professional boxing promoter Carlo Almirante, one of Cagayan de Oro’s finest sports journalists, Mike Banos and, Rappler and Mindanao Gold Star Daily sportswriter, Lynde Salgados. We discussed Cagayan de Oro as a rising power in Philippine boxing, but that’s for another conversation.

Of death, Paralympians, Butch, Baham and other sporting delights

September 13, 2021

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All of us need to force a smile and try to make sense of what’s happening. The Philippine Paralympic team came out without single medal from Tokyo but Ernie Gawilan and company deserve our utmost respect for carrying the flag proudly in the face of superior opposition.

Top Individual Performances in PBA history

Allan Caidic vs. Bong Alvarez (21). Alvarez beat Caidic to the first 70-point feat by a Filipino in PBA annals by one year and seven months.

September 12, 2021

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In the PBA’s 46-year existence, only 11 “homegrown” Filipino roundballers have chalked up 50 points or more in a single contest during their pro tenures.

The ‘Larry Johnson’ controversy during the 1978 FIBA World Championship in Manila

President Marcos tosses the ceremonial ball to usher in the 1978 World Basketball Championship at the Araneta Coliseum. It was less than half-filled as only around 10,000 spectators showed up at the 22, 000-seat Big Dome.

September 9, 2021

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One American player was actually an ex-professional who had already suited up in the National Basketball Association. At the time, the WBC was an amateur international competition sanctioned by International Amateur Basketball Federation (FIBA).

Fil-American looking to clear the bases with Duke Blue Devils

Menelik "Izzy" Israel recently guested on the Sports for All PH podcast hosted by Vincent Juico and Brian Yalung

September 9, 2021

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Young man Menelik “Izzy” Israel has an abundance of opportunities that lie before him. Play at Duke University for 1-2 years then give the MLB (Major League Baseball) Draft a shot.

Class 2021 of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Bill Russell will be the fifth personage to be inducted into the Hall of Fame both as a player and coach.

September 5, 2021

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A total of 16 personages from the Class 2021 will be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts on September 12 Manila time.

Gamblin’ and Fixin’

September 1, 2021

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In the opening game of the best-of-five finals in third conference (Invitational), Crispa blasted Toyota, 129-101, as the Tamaraws played without Ramon Fernandez, Abe King and Ernesto Estrada. The three were benched by head coach/team manager Dante Silverio, who had returned to the bench midway through the second conference for “not playing their best.”

JA-WOR-SKI, JA-WOR-SKI … In the NBA?

Justin Jaworski [photo from justinjaworski11 Instagram]

August 31, 2021

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Justin Jaworski is his name. He’s a 6-3 guard out of Lafayette University (2017-21) who suited up for the Atlanta Hawks in the recently-concluded MGM Resorts NBA Summer League that was won by the Sacramento Kings (one of the assistants of head coach Bobby Jackson was Jimmy Alapag, who has since gotten another gig as an assistant coach with the Stockton Kings, Sacramento’s NBA affiliate in the G (Gatorade) League.

Seoul Olympics Bronze medalist Pol Serantes thanks Chooks-To-Go; wishing for second-hand van

Journalist Ron de los Reyes with Leopoldo Serantes at the PICC Tent on Dec 2019 SEA Games [photo from Ron de los Reyes]

August 19, 2021

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1988 Seoul Olympics Bronze medal winner Leopoldo Serantes, the lone bronze medalist in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, is appealing for help with his medical expenses.

BaliPure Water Defenders: Graze Bombita Reveals Source Of Inspiration, Weathering Adversity

August 9, 2021

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One player on the BaliPure Purest Water Defenders side who caught the eye of many was Graze Bombita. The pride of Iriga City surprised many with her explosive performances during the 2021 PVL Open Conference.

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