PBA good to go

JUST IN: The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has given the Philippine Basketball Association a signal to start the 2021 season this month.

Games and Amusements Board chair Abraham Tolentino told the Buzzer Beater that the league would kick off its Philippine Cup conference on July 16 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

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It was just like yesterday when the Iloilo Sports LANG started to inspire the future generation of Ilonggo athletes through its Facebook page posts and weekly podcasts that feature past and present Iloilo-based athletes.

Ilonggo sportsman Rodolfo Go Villaruz, one of the co-founders of Iloilo Sports LANG, said he was delighted that after a year, the followers continue to grow, which is at around 17,000 based on the last count.

“Each Ilonggo athlete has their inspiring stories to tell, and we want them to share it with their fellow Ilonggos through Iloilo Sports LANG. To inspire them to strive harder and reach their dreams,” Villaruz told the Buzzer Beater.

Villaruz added that the support they are getting inspires them to continually promote sports and champion the Ilonggo sporting personalities who made an impact in local communities, national level, and even the international stage.

“We would like to share inspiration and entertainment to Ilonggos amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,” Villaruz said. “Iloilo will always be the home where sports can live and where sports can grow.”

Personally, I am fortunate and thankful to Villaruz, his co-hosts Emelio Maulas and Jojo Castro, for making me part of the indirectly by sending some questions to the program’s guests. I wish for Iloilo Sports LANG to continue for many years to come.

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Filipino boxer Joe Noynay bucked the odds in Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Newcastle, Australia, as he retained the WBO Asia Pacific super featherweight belt with a fifth-round stoppage win over hometown bet Lian Wilson.

The Bogo, Cebu-native Noynay was relentless early as he scored a knockdown on Wilson in the opening round. The Cebuano fighter dominated the Australian in the second and third frame with his vicious hits.

Noynay scored two more knockdowns on Wilson in the fourth round before flooring the Australian anew in the fifth frame before referee Phil Austin decided to halt the bout.

The stunning victory against the erstwhile undefeated Wilson was the third successful defense of Noynay to the championship he won at the expense of Japanese fighter Kosuke Saka two years ago in Japan.

The win also stretched Noynay’s winning run to seven as he improved his record to a 19-2-2 win-loss-draw ring record while also connecting his eighth stoppage victory. Austin, on the other hand, dropped to a 9-1-0 win-loss-draw record including six wins by knockout./PN

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