UEFA Champions League: BATE left in awe by ‘unbelievable’ Barcelona!

Although stunned by their 5-0 loss to the European champions, the FC BATE Borisov players still found plenty of superlatives to describe FC Barcelona’s performance in Belarus.

The FC BATE Borisov players knew they would come up against a superior force when the European champions turned up in Belarus last night but were still left in awe by an FC Barcelona side who triumphed 5-0 in Group H. For Lionel Messi, meanwhile, it was mission accomplished.

Filipp Rudik, BATE midfielder

We lost 5-0…it’s hard to add anything to that and I can’t find the exact words. From one point of view there should be some joy at playing against such a classy team, but on the other hand… there are no emotions left now.

Maybe we lacked concentration. Barcelona were constantly getting the ball into the box, trying to cut through our defense with their passing and Messi was unstoppable; this guy is extraordinary. A lot of the guys were nervous but nobody thought this would be the result – at least we did better than Osasuna (who were beaten 8-0 by Barca on 17 September).

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Smart Gilas Pilipinas: Philippines a 24-year SemiFinal Drought!

Wuhan, China : Philippines gave millions of fans back home a lot to cheer by making the semifinals of the FIBA Asia Championship for the first time in 24 years with a comeback 95-78 win against Chinese Taipei on Friday.

In Saturday’s semifinal, Philippines will take on Jordan who stunned defending champions Iran in an earlier quarterfinal.

For the record, Philippines had beaten Jordan 72-64 when the two met in a Group F Second Round game in this competition earlier.

Naturalized center Marcus Douthit once again had game-highs on either end of the floor, but it was JV Casio who sparked the Filipino rally tonight which put them in the semifinals for the 12th time in FIBA Asia Championship – but only the first time since the 1987 edition at Bangkok, where the team finished fourth.

Casio scored all his 8 points for the game in the second quarter leading an all-round Filipino offense to put them ahead.

Further, a 10-0 run – marked by Douthit’s clever three-point play early in the third quarter – put Philippines comfortably in lead and in control of the proceedings.

There was a minor counter offensive by Taipei, but with veteran Tseng Wen-Ting fouled out, the rally was too little coming too late.

“It’s a fantastic feeling,” gushed Philippines coach Rajko Toroman.

“This (the win) shows this team has the ability to make history. Philippines team is in the semifinals after such a long time. I think we have the ability to go all the way,” he said.

“I think we didn’t control the rebounds well in the first quarter,” said Douthit who poured in a massive 37 points and collected 10 rebounds.

“We didn’t control their shooters. We gave them too many second chance points,” he added.

“It’s a dream moment. Playing for the National Team and making the semifinals of this competition is a dream come true,” said Ranidel De Ocampo who scored 18 points and collected 5 rebounds besides dishing out 3 assists.

“We were outplayed by a better team. There’s no doubt in that,” said Taipei coach Chou Chuan-San.

FIBA ASIA 2011: Smart Gilas Pilipinas is now one of the best team in Asia!

Philippine National Basketball Team also known as Smart Gilas Pilipinas, slowly making their move in reclaiming the long lost glory as the most dominant nation in basketball in asia.

During in 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and even 80’s, the Philippine Basketball team considered by many as the most feared and the team to beat once all nation meet at any major tournament that the FIBA organized. Because of its athleticism and high iq in basketball, Filipinos dominated the region for almost 4 decades. But their dominance slowly fading when other nations becomes interested in basketball specially China and South Korea. They build programs to train their players to be more acquainted and learn the game of basketball through foreign coaches that are very familiar with the game.

While other nations continue to improve, Philippine Basketball even with the presence of the first pay league in the region (PBA), it was totally dying and divided. Without proper support from both parties the professional league and the government, Philippine Basketball was nowhere to go but down.

But when Smart Gilas Pilipinas was formed two years ago composed with all collegiate and amateur players with the intention to add 1 naturalize player. It was rekindle the hope that once again we will slowly reclaiming the lost glory in Philippine Basketball.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas enters the quarterfinals round for FIBA Asia 2011 by disposing Syria 75-52 after a scary first half where Syria leading 9. But with full determination and courage and with one goal, Gilas Pilipinas annihilates all opposition in the 2^nd round and headed for quarterfinals against Chinese Taipei.

Though it would be hard to match up with Iran and China, Smart Gilas Pilipinas is now considered as one of the contenders and one of the elite team in asia after defeating Jordan and Japan in a convincing way. With their showing, many believes that this is the team that will make every Filipino proud and if the program and the unity of Philippine Basketball, Team Pilipinas will regain its glory in Asia. Possibility of beating China and Iran is very high. With more exposure and togetherness for each player, they will be a force to reckon with because of its athleticism and high IQ. Even they are lack in height, this team is such an exciting team to watch. Fans are upbeat and excited because of some highlights play they bring every game.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas is becoming more poise and they continue to learn and once they polish and know the approach in FIBA rules then you may expect how they will dethrone China and Iran.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas will rule!

FIBA Asia: Philippines beat Japan!

PHI/JPN - Filipino 3rd quarter blitz hands Japan their first defeat

WUHAN, China (26th FIBA Asia Championship): Philippines ran a 26-12 third quarter – which included a 10-0 run which brought them back into the reckoning in the game – that eventually helped them beat Japan 83-76 thus handing the latter’s first defeat in the competition here.

Naturalized center Marcus Douthit (pic above) poured in 19 of his 25 points and collected 12 of his 18 rebounds – both game-highs – in the second half to spark yet another Filipino rally that might have just helped them get a “better cross over draw in the quarterfinals.”

Japan ran the floor hard early and seized the initiative with a 15-0 run that went across the first quarter break.

But a woefully dipping rate of conversion from the foul-line and an increasingly growing in cohesion and cohesion Philippines put paid to the Japanese hopes of remaining undefeated in the competition.

Kelly Williams, one of the PBA imports in the Philippines team sparked a 10-0 run – capped by Marcio Lassiter’s crisp long-ranger – bring the Smart Gilas back into the reckoning.

Japan managed to remain even, but only till a 14-2 run – this time with Douthit leading from the front and Jimmy Alapag setting the Wuhan SC ablaze with a fiery three-pointer – put Philippines in control.

Rajko Toroman’s team never fell back after that.

“The key was we stopped Takuya Kawamura,” Rajko said.

Japan’s most charismatic basketball face in recent face was restricted to a dozen points – six of them in the third quarter – as the Hayabusa struggled with their rebounds and free-throws.

“You can’t think of winning with a 57% conversion in free-throws,” rued Japan coach Tom Wisman.

Japan went to the foul-line 28 times, but only 16 of them were successful.

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FIBA Asia: Philippines Defeated Jordan!

PHI/JOR - Douthit leads a successful and spirited Filipino rally

WUHAN, China - Naturalized center Marcus Douthit raised the bar of his performance to the next level in the second half, and with the ‘just cleared’ Marcio Lassiter playing a very good second fiddle, Philippines rallied from a first half stutter to beat Jordan 72-64 in a pivotal Group F game on Monday.

Jordan ran the floor, and rolled the dice, for the entire first half and even seemed to head towards what would have been an unsurprising victory.

Sam Daghlas shelved all doubts about his injury and led the Jordanian offense from the front with 9 points in the first quarter, but would go on to add only as many over the next three quarters.

Douthit (blue jersey in pic above) on the other had rose in performance and confidence as the game progressed.

The 211-cm Providence alumnus who had merely 4 rebounds and as many points in the first half, went on to lead the game in scoring – with 19 points – and rebounds – with 15 collections.

The form, or the lack of it, of these two players was a synopsis of the way the pendulum swung in the game.

“I think we showed a lot of character,” said Philippines guard Chris Tiu, who dished out a game-high 4 assists.

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Mayweather vs. Ortiz: “Mayweather is going to be a little too much for Victor Ortiz” – Nate Jones

Floyd Mayweather vs Victor Ortiz - The Grand Arrival in Las Vegas!

Floyd Mayweather Jr. once again made headlines yesterday afternoon after an intense stare down with WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena following their packed weigh-in. Mayweather will challenge Ortiz inside of the same arena tonight and he attempted to rattle his younger foe's nerves a bit by staring him down and placing his right hand on Ortiz’s neck in an obvious show of gamesmanship.

Emotions were certainly high and members from both camps could be seen going back and forth with one another to the crowd’s delight well after the faceoff between Floyd and Victor had transpired. One man in particular, former heavyweight prospect and good friend of Mayweather, Nate Jones, was the last man standing as he engaged in some spirited back-and-forthing with some select Ortiz supporters in the crowd.

Mayweather always seems to have a myriad of followers around him but the burly Jones is another case. He has known Floyd closely for over sixteen years, dating back to 1994 when they met at the National Golden Gloves and became interested in one another after seeing the other fight inside of the ring.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Victor Ortiz is on September 17, 2011 at MGM Grand, Las Vegas. This could be a defining moment for the two great warriors and it will reveal who is really deserve to have a crack to fight against the pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao..... Watch it!

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Mayweather vs. Ortiz: Victor Ortiz leans on youth, courage and power!

VENTURA, California – In the life of every elite professional boxer, there comes a time, at least once, for a stellar bout assessed by pundits and the boxer himself to be the fight of his life. That is precisely how boxing experts classify Mexican-American boxer ‘Vicious’ Victor Ortiz’s fight against undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Ironically, Victor Ortiz, the reigning WBC Welterweight Champion, guarantees that the fight in which he will defend his crown against the successful Floyd Mayweather Jr. – undoubtedly the biggest name he has faced in his career – is not even close to being his defining fight.

“This is not the fight of my life. The fight of my life was my upbringing. I come from having nothing. A difficult life in all respects,” said Ortiz, who was born in Kansas City to a Mexican immigrant couple in 1987. Ultimately, he found himself alone with his siblings and was sent to foster homes after being abandoned by his parents.

His mother was the first one to go, abruptly leaving their family for another man. Later, when he was 13 years old, his father, who had become abusive to Victor Ortiz after his mother left, also abandoned the family.

This could be a war come Saturday night and Victor Ortiz will be all out to preserve his power to Floyd Mayweather Jr. With his determination and motivation he is now looking forward to defeat the former pound-for-pound king in boxing. He never felt pressure at all and all he wants to do is to give his best and let Floyd Jr. absorb the worst betting in his boxing career. He believes that the age factor will determine in this fight and his power and speed and overall skill would simply define this fight. Mayweather vs. Ortiz fight would one of the most exciting fights of the year and if Floyd will not run and will box out..surely this fight would not last in distance.

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Lebron James: Chris Bosh says he expects Miami Heat to start workouts soon!

Miami (AP) – Chris Bosh enjoyed just about every second of his jampacked offseason.

Nonetheless, he’s ready to go back to work for another title run together with his buddies Dwayne Wade and Lebron James.

Chris Bosh said Saturday that he expects the Miami Heat to reconvene sometime soon, even though the NBA lockout has entered its third month with no apparent ending in sight. This would ordinarily be the time of year where most players start ramping up workouts anyway, and Bosh said he will be ready whether training camps begin on time or not.

“We’re going to make some plans. We’re going to plan to do something,” Bosh said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles. “I think just getting around each other, I think it’s important as far as team-building is concerned and just getting something going. We’re pretty much still in the process of doing that.”

Chris Bosh was making an appearance Saturday with fans to help promote the video game “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. “Kevin Love of Minnesota Timberwolves and Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics were among the group of other NBA players involved with the event.

Chris Bosh said he used to play “a lot of video games” when he was younger, and said he still dabbles when his schedule allows.

“It’s cool to do cool things,” Bosh said.

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