‘Most exciting Pinoy Pride’

It took ABS-CBN and partner ALA Promotions almost a year to organize the first overseas venture for Pinoy Pride, “Duel in Dubai,” featuring two undefeated ALA fighters Genesis “Azucar” Servania and “King” Arthur Villanueva and the seasoned Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista.

According to ABS-CBN’s Peter Musngi, they chose to stage their very first fight abroad in this most progressive Gulf country because there had long been a clamor from Filipinos residing there.

“This is going to be the biggest, grandest, most exciting edition of Pinoy Pride ever,” he told the Inquirer during the sendoff for the boxing delegation last Saturday at Anabel’s in Quezon  City.

According to ALA Promotions president/CEO Michael Aldeguer, almost all the tickets to the event, which will  be held at Dubai World Trade Center on Sept. 5, have been sold out.

“The big idea is to break new grounds by initiating world class boxing in a world class country like Dubai and bring in world class Filipino fighters. This would also be huge as this is also the first time that both renowned boxing organizations, the WBO and the IBF, have sanctioned championship fights in Dubai,” Aldeguer said.

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Not much has been written about the performance of Gilas Pilipinas cager Japeth Aguilar in the ongoing Fiba World Cup in Seville, Spain, and the tuneup tournaments in Miami, and France before that.

Since the lanky Ginebra player became the signature endorser of GNC products, his level of energy and stamina is constantly being monitored to measure the efficiency of the vitamins and supplements he is taking.

According to his manager Marvin Espiritu, son of veteran player agent Danny Espiritu, Japeth was chosen to promote GNC products because he exudes energy, whether it is going for a dunk or making perimeter shots.

“Of course, what attracted their attention was the great role he played in 2013 when Gilas Pilipinas won a silver medal in the Fiba Asia Championship  held here in Manila. In case anybody’s  interested in his secret, Japeth regularly takes Vitamin B soft chews and a special preparation of Amplified  Wheybolic  Extreme 60 to help  enhance his strength and stamina,” Marvin said.

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In response to the strong clamor of Filipinos based in Singapore, 10 of the PBA’s greatest legends, led by four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio and 1989 Rookie of the Year/MVP Benjie Paras, will be in Singapore Oct. 10 to 12 to entertain their kababayans with a series of hardcourt events that include an exhibition game against a local team, a basketball clinic for kids, a media and fans meet-and-greet, and a gala dinner where fans can mingle with their hardcourt idols.

The event is being organized by Red Card, a sports marketing agency specializing in sports entertainment with a presence across Asia.

Completing the PBA legends cast are Jerry Codiñera, Nelson Asaytono, Atoy Co, Ronnie Magsanoc, Marlou Aquino, Bal David, Noli Locsin and Vince Hizon.