PH to host Asian U-23 volleyball tilt

THE  LOCAL  sporting world has  been  so  focused  on  the  upcoming “Battle for Greatness” between  Manny Pacquiao  and  Floyd Mayweather Jr., we  might  have  failed   to  notice  that  a  big Asian volleyball  event  will happen  here  from  May 1 to  9.

From  among   12 Asian countries,  LVPI (Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas Inc) president  Joey Romasanta   said  the Philippines  was chosen to host  the First Asian Women’s   Under-23  Volleyball Championship after Vietnam begged  off.

“This   event  which   will  be   staged at  the  Philsports  Arena in  Pasig  is  in   the 2015 calendar  of  the Asian   volleyball  federation.   We are  honored to  be  hosting  a volleyball competition as  big and prestigious   as  this  one,”   said Romasanta.

“Through   this  tournament,  we  hope  to be  able  to gauge  how   we   rank  among  the other Asian nations.”

Kazakhstan, Iran, China, India,  Japan, Maldives,  South Korea,   Thailand, Uzbekistan, Taiwan  and Macau are also participating.

Leading   the Philippine lineup are Alyssa Valdez,  Jaja Santiago and Jia Morado.

According   to Eleanor  Navarro  of  the local organizing  committee,  the  Philippines   will  only   need  one   win  in the first   round  to  advance   to    the  second  round.

The Philippines’ preliminary  games will be against Iran on Friday at 4:15 p.m. and  versus Kazakhstan  the following day  at  2:30 p.m.  Both will  be  aired  live on TV5.

* * *

The   selection process   for a PBA commissioner is  nearing  its  final  phase.

Media bureau  chief Willie Marcial  confirmed    yesterday  that  the final  four  candidates—former pro Vince Hizon, Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines president Chito Narvasa,  Naascu head Jay Adalem  and PBA operations director Rickie Santos—are   scheduled   for interview  on April 30.  The   new   commissioner  is  expected  to  be announced  on  or  before  May 15.

* * *

Don’t  be   surprised if Manny Pacquiao ultimately evolves  into  a  faith-healer.

Not a few people   are   willing  to accept a wager  on  this.

The  other   day,  a  man  suffering from liver  cancer drove for 30 hours  with his  wife   from Kentucky  to Los Angeles just   to see the Pacman.

Although Pacquiao   was  tired  from  his  morning  workout, he  entertained   the  man  in  his   van  and  together   they  prayed. Before  the  man  left,  Pacquiao  sent  him off  with words of encouragement and  inspiration.  The  man   said  he  felt strong  and  energized   after   spending   some  minutes with his idol.