A lot involved in game-fixing

Before the start of the PBA Philippine Cup championship series, Alaska coach Alex Compton said that the Aces, considered the underdogs, will have a better chance at the title if the games go down the wire.

“The longer the series the better,” Compton said.

In contrast, San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria said a short series will be good for the Beermen.

Talk ‘N Text team manager Jimmy Alapag, an unbiased observer, thinks the last game of the series could go either way.

“Nothing better than a Game 7 in a title series,” Alapag said.

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Jason “El Niño” Pagara, the elder of the two Pagara boxing brothers from the ALA Gym of Cebu, is all excited about his next fight which will be staged at USEP Gym in Davao City on Feb. 7.

Jason will be defending his WBO International junior welterweight title against Mexican challenger Cesar “El Dolar” Chavez in the main event and this, he said, will be the biggest match of his young career.

“He’s richer but I’m hotter,” the 23-year-old Pagara said, referring to their fight monickers “El Niño” and “El Dolar.”

He said he has a good chance at keeping his belt so long as he doesn’t get complacent. He has seen Chavez fight on tape, where the Mexican lost.

Also fighting in Pinoy Pride 29 “Fists of Fury” are Genesis “Azukal” Servania who will defend his WBO Intercontinental junior featherweight title against Juan Luis “Perla Negra” Fernandez of Mexico, “King” Arthur Villanueva versus Mexico’s  Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda and the 19-year-old Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo against Thailand’s Sukkasem Kietyongyuth.

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A sports marketing man responsible for a number of Manny Pacquiao’s big endorsements and who said he has been the Pacman’s friend for two decades, sent us a text message Wednesday morning in reaction to our column on the Kia basketball squad in the PBA.

Here’s what he said: “I read your Inquirer column today. I don’t think Kia will disband. Manny is looking forward to a much better Kia team. I don’t think they have a financial problem either.

“Personally, I believe Pacquiao alone can finance this team in a year-round program.

“I am not aware of the game-fixing issue but maybe because of the online betting nowadays, all games must be tightly guarded, whether it’s a championship or  just an ordinary game. Game fixers don’t necessarily choose games. What counts to them is the result of the game; the plus or the minus given to a certain team.”

“That’s my own opinion as a sports fan. I might be wrong, but it would be a good idea to open the eyes of all concerned.”

An anonymous texter agrees.

“Lahat naglalaglag (everybody is involved in game-fixing) kahit kulelat. Ang  lamang ng panalo at talo ang inaayos at marami pang iba (Game fixers bet on the difference between the win-loss scores, but that’s only one of them.)”