MANILA, Philippines?Talk ?N Text?s Macmac Cardona was hoping the booing and the hissing would stop once the semifinal series with San Miguel Beer was over.

As a farewell gesture after Game 5 of the semifinal series with the Beermen, Macmac saluted the booing fans at the Cuneta Astrodome and thanked them for ?inspiring? him to play his best.

When the PBA returned to Araneta for the championship series between TNT and Alaska, Macmac must have been dismayed to receive a familiar welcome, this time coming from the Alaska fans.

Macmac swears he is not affected by the jeers, and if his numbers had dipped after the semifinal series, his bad back is to blame and not the opposing team?s fans.

Leading the pack in statistical points after the elimination series, Macmac dropped to fourth place behind Coke?s Asi Taulva, Sta. Lucia?s Kelly Williams and Alaska?s Willie Miller, in that order, after the semifinals. Rounding up the cast is Jayjay Helterbrand of Ginebra who?s in fifth place.

Essentially, the battle for Best Player of the Conference is now between him and two-time MVP Willie Miller, since Coke, Sta. Lucia and Ginebra are now out of the running.

?Hindi po ako napipikon, sabi nga nila, baka compliment pa yung ma-boo,? Macmac said.

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On Sunday night, after Game 3 of the PBA-KFC Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals series, the PBA Press Corps (PBAPC) headed by newly reelected president Nelson Beltran of the Philippine Star, will deliberate on their choice of conference MVP.

It could be a third MVP for Miller or a first for Macmac, depending on their performance and the outcome of the game, with the pressure weighing more heavily on Macmac than Willie.

Since the PBAPC opted to vote as a bloc, its choice has always turned out to be the winner.

The other elected PBAPC officers for 2009-2010 are Tempo?s Tito Talao, internal vice president, People?s Journal?s Zean Macamay, external vice president, Daily Tribune?s Armand Carandang, secretary, Ang Pilipino Ngayon?s Mae Balbuena, treasurer and Manila Bulletin?s Waylon Galvez, auditor.

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Former senator Robert Jaworski was a special guest of his good friend, Barako Bull owner George Chua, during the acquaintance dinner the latter hosted recently for his team.

Asked to deliver a short pep talk to the players, the Big J focused on the importance of discipline and attitude, his personal secret for longevity. The Big J also gave a few words of advise to the team?s new head coach Leo Isaac, who is his inaanak sa kasal.

The Living Legend recently took over the post of his father-in-law, Sen. Ramon Revilla, post as chair of the Philippine Reclamation Authority.

Although the name Red Bull has been changed to Barako Bull, George Chua said his company will continue to market the Red Bull brand which is manufactured in Thailand.

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According to organizer Eddie Hearn of Great Britain, the Philippines was chosen as the site for the fourth World Cup of Pool because the country has millions of billiards fans.

Eddie relates that when the first World Cup was staged in Wales, Filipinos from all over the United Kingdom motored to Newport to support and cheer for their kababayans.

It was like having a hometown advantage, Eddie said.