Gilas wants Douthit, McGee for national five

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas is now preparing to negotiate with Marcus Douthit for a new contract while keeping its line open for NBA player Javale McGee as another option for naturalization.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan, Smart Sports official Patrick Gregorio, Smart Gilas operations director Butch Antonio and coaches Chot Reyes and Ryan Gregorio had an informal meeting on the Gilas plans for the coming year this Monday.

“Douthit’s playing contract in the Chinese league is expiring in February or March. We’ll start negotiating to get Marcus back,” Antonio told The STAR.

Marcus’ initial contract with Smart Gilas lapsed last October. He was allowed to enter into a deal with a Chinese ballclub so that he can continue playing and stay in competitive form.

“We’re now getting him back as we’re now forming the national pool,” said Antonio.

At the same time, Antonio said McGee is still an option even as the NBA has resumed.

“He’s still there. Chot (Reyes) is the one talking with them (McGee camp). We’re really looking at a long-term program, and you need a 20-plus-year-old naturalized player to move up,” said Antonio.

If ever, Smart Gilas would maintain two naturalized players in its fold. Douthit can’t be cut, especially with McGee’s naturalization papers not yet being processed.

The STAR has reported that McGee has expressed interest to play for Smart Gilas as a naturalized player. McGee currently endorses a Smart-PLDT brand.

McGee is younger, taller and more agile player than Douthit. The 23-year-old Washington Wizard, a seven-foot dunker, can well match up better with the likes of Yi Jianlian of China and Hamed Haddadi of Iran.

Antonio said Smart Gilas coaches would get together within the month to invite players who will form the national pool.

The current pool of coaches includes Reyes, Gregorio and Norman Black. SBP is open to another deal with Rajko Toroman and is also keen on inviting former national coaches Tim Cone and Jong Uichico.

Smart-PLDT is running a program for Smart Gilas II with a goal of making the World Championship in 2014.

The 2013 FIBA Asia Championship serves as the regional qualifier for the world joust. The top three advance to the World Championship.

The original Smart Gilas team narrowly missed the top three in the 2011 Asian championship, yielding a won ball game to Korea in the fight for third.

With practically all members of the original team having turned pro, the Smart management is now looking at the players of Sinag Pilipinas to make the core of the Smart Gilas II.

Sinag Pilipinas, which won for the country the basketball gold medal in the recent SEA Games, were made up of Greg Slaughter, Jake Pascual, Garvo Lanete, Nico Salva, Chris Ellis, Cliff Hodge, Dave Marcelo, Bobby Ray Parks, Kiefer Ravena, RR Garcia, Eman Monfort and Chris Tiu.

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Arwind sets pace in best player derby

MANILA, Philippines - Arwind Santos, Petron’s top gun noted for his regular double-double game, emerges the leading contender for the coveted Best Player of the Conference award in the current PBA tourney.

Santos amassed a league-best 523 statistical points (SPs) through the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals, making him a top bet for back-to-back Best Player of the Conference awards.

Jay Washington, also of Petron, was the last player to win the BPC award in successive conferences, nailing it in the 2010-11 Philippine Cup. Ginebra’s Eric Menk also bagged the titles in the 2004-05 PBA transition tourney and the succeeding Philippine Cup while Vergel Meneses, then of Sunkist, and Danny Ildefonso were the other players who achieved the feat.

Santos, the Governors Cup BPC winner, averages 38.63 SPs a game, a good six points clear of closest rival Kelly Williams of Talk n Text.

In total SPs, Santos is almost 100 points ahead of Gary David of Powerade.

Also on the strength of his double-digit norms in scoring and rebounding, Santos emerged BPC in the last Governors Cup that Petron ruled to slam Talk n Text Triple Crown bid.

Santos has not slowed down a bit, averaging 18.3 points and 12.3 rebounds as he powered Petron to a third-place finish in the elims and to a two-game sweep of Meralco in the quarters of the ongoing conference.

The versatile forward from FEU leads the tourney in rebounds and is fourth in scoring behind David (22.5), James Yap (19.0) and Chris Lutz (18.33).

Williams, the 2008 MVP, puts in 32.92 SPs a game for second place in the BPC derby.

Petron guard Alex Cabagnot is at third with 31.88 SPs an outing, followed by Yap (31.38), TnT’s Harvey Carey (30.77), David (30.69), TnT’s Jason Castro (30.64), Powerade’s Marcio Lassiter (29.94), Barako Bull’s Willie Miller (28.80) and Alaska’s Sonny Thoss (28.50).

Rain or Shine prized rookie Paul Lee is just outside the Top 10 with 28.27 SPs a game.

Lee is the stats leader in the Rain or Shine team with averages of 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 0.9 steal.

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Why are Pacquiao’s fans so happy about Mayweather going to jail?

By Chris Williams: When you look around in the comment section of boxingnews24.com you’ll notice that Manny Pacquiao’s fans are in a collective celebratory mood about Floyd Mayweather Jr’s 90 day jail term, which begins on January 6th next year and will keep him out of action for the first quarter of next year.

Mayweather had been hoping to get a fight with Pacquiao in May, but that’s an impossibility now with his jail term. What I’m trying to understand now is why Pacquiao’s fans so happy about Mayweather going to jail when it means that he won’t be able to fight Pacquiao anytime soon. Now why would Pacquiao’s fans be ecstatic about Mayweather being sidelined by a jail term?

It just seems to me that Pacquiao’s fans really don’t believe he can beat Mayweather and are happy that he’s out of the way for three months so Pacquiao can continue to beat up the fading fighters that his promoter Bob Arum has been matching him up with over and over again. We’ve already see Pacquiao beat up an old Oscar De La Hoya, an old Shane Mosley, a shot Ricky Hatton, a near shot Miguel Cotto, a shot Antonio Margarito and a never really was Joshua Clottey.

Mayweather was hoping to fight Pacquiao give him a real test for once, but now that’s not going to happen anytime soon. So what are Pacquiao’s fans happy about that? Well, I think it’s flat out relief that their hero Pacquiao won’t be getting his backside whipped Mayweather and they don’t care how Mayweather is taken out of commission, just as long as he’s removed as a threat to Pacquiao. It’s sad really to see fans who’d rather worship an untested fighter than one that has actually been tested and has proven himself as being worthy of the adoration. All those catchweight fights and titles won against fighters I’ve never ever heard of half the time and he finally is about to be tested, the fight is taken away by a jail term by his opponent. And Pacquiao’s are happy about this. Why? I guess they don’t have faith in him, that’s what I think.

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Derrick Rose can learn from LeBron James about what not to grow into

I don’t like LeBron James.

I once did and might again, but right now the Miami Heat superstar reminds me of all the semi-delusional, self-aggrandizing, fan-tailed peacocks I have seen in my sportswriting career, crownless gods strutting in their mighty youth, mirrors held before them by sycophants, strolling blindly off the cliff of wealth and fame to splatter on the rocks of might-have-been.

James is only 26 — he’ll be 27 in a week — and he’s rich beyond belief.

Back in June 2007, an editorial on CNNMoney.com stated: ‘‘Forget whether LeBron James is the next Michael Jordan. The more interesting question is whether he can be the next Warren Buffett.’’

No, it’s not. Never has been. Not to sports fans, anyway.

The only question that interests us is whether this man can win an NBA championship. He hasn’t yet, and he is entering his ninth season. His talent is overarching, but talent is to winning as fine grapes are to the finest wine: You better believe something happens in the cask.

Indeed, considering his potential, James already should be on his way to an NBA dynasty, not serving as the brunt of loser jokes.

Typical: What’s the difference between Saturn and LeBron? Saturn has rings.

And don’t even bring up the fourth-quarter gags.

None of this is totally James’ fault. In fact, it was kind of cool that he colluded with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, moved to Miami and basically showed the NBA that it is, as commissioner David Stern always says, a players’ league.

Perfume of failure

Yet leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers via a cruel TV special called, modestly, ‘‘The Decision’’ was way uncool. Now the ‘‘Three Amigos’’ are sometimes called the ‘‘Three Mi-Egos.’’ The way the Heat was beaten by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 Finals, losing three consecutive games after opening a 2-1 lead, only added to the perfume of elite failure that wafts from James.

Well, none of this would matter, I suppose, if the Heat wasn’t standing in the way of the Bulls.

It’s not fair to say Derrick Rose is the anti-LeBron — I didn’t like that entrance-test-score messiness at Memphis, for one thing — but he’s close.

Yet the courteous, self-deprecating Rose has won nothing, either. We’re not counting individual honors or high school ball here.

So the battle is on between two young men to see where substance lies. Who wants it?

I have worked many times in the past with famed Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss Jr. The always-upbeat artist has a hard-to-describe kinship with great athletes. Plus, he has done dozens of SI swimsuit shoots, getting major props from everybody from Cheryl Tiegs to Brooklyn Decker.

In the current year-end issue of SI, the photographer talks about his 50-year sports-shooting career, which is, by the way, hotter than ever. Here he is on James:

‘Unimaginable’

‘‘I first photographed LeBron James in 2003, when he was a rookie in Cleveland. He was pretty raw. .  .  . When I shot him six years later, in 2009, the difference was amazing. He walked in like a king that day, and he took over that room. And not only physically, although he was massive then. He was muscular, charming, articulate, the prince of hoops. He couldn’t have been more of an ambassador for the game.

‘‘Times change, and sadly LeBron became a villain. .  .  . In July 2010, I got an assignment from Nike to shoot LeBron right after his TV special announcing his move to the Heat. We rented the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, where the Lakers and Clippers used to play, and there were 53 people on my crew, including hair and makeup artists, production people, a stylist. I had $10,000 in Hollywood lighting. It was huge.

‘‘When LeBron arrived, it was if Nelson Mandela had come in. Six or seven blacked-out Escalades pulled up, a convoy.
LeBron had bodyguards and his masseuse. His deejay was already there, blasting. This was for a photo shoot that was going to last an hour, tops.

‘‘This is how crazy it was: I wasn’t even allowed to talk directly to LeBron. There was a liaison, someone from Amare Stoudemire’s family. I would say to him, ‘OK, have LeBron drive right,’ and then he’d turn to LeBron and say, ‘LeBron, go right.’ .  .  .

‘‘My God, I’ve been around Michael Jordan, but with him nothing even came close to this. Unimaginable.’’

There it is. Massive ego. Zero rings.

Hope D-Rose is paying attention. I’d hate to not like him.

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ABS-CBN, TV5 want exclusive rights to Azkals games

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Football Federation is looking to strike a television deal worth at least P80 million for the rights to air matches of the Philippine Azkals next year.

A reliable source yesterday said that television networks ABS-CBN and TV5 have submitted bids to the PFF for the exclusive rights to the Azkals games in 2012.

The source said the PFF’s target amount of P80 million already includes non-monetary benefits like airtime, promotions and mileage with the actual money going to the federation amounting to just about P15 to P20 million.

“The PFF is looking at P80 million, but 80 percent of the amount is non-monetary,” said the source.

ABS-CBN is actually hoping to extend its partnership with the Azkals that started with the AFC Challenge Cup game against Mongolia in February last year.

The same source revealed that the PFF earned at least P8 million from the ABS-CBN deal that was also spent for expenses incurred during the Azkals’ campaigns.

The PFF Board will decide on the television deal on Jan. 13.

The Azkals actually have a busy schedule for 2012 with two major tournaments lined up starting with the AFC Challenge Cup in Kathmandu, Nepal, in March.

Before the Challenge Cup, where the Azkals have been grouped with North Korea, Tajikistan and India, the national team will also face reigning Southeast Asian champion Malaysia in a Fifa-sanctioned friendly on Feb. 29 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The PFF will also use the international friendly dates in June to hold four matches for the team.

Friendly matches in the months of August, September and October are also slated for the Azkals as they toughen up for the Suzuki Cup in December.

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Mayweather sentenced to 90 days in jail

Unbeaten American boxing champion Floyd Mayweather was sentenced to three months in jail Wednesday after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges.

Las Vegas judge Melissa Saragosa also ordered Mayweather to complete 100 hours of community service and gave him a $2,500 fine.

The guilty plea, and no contest plea to two harassment charges, means the 34-year-old boxer will not go to trial on charges he hit his ex-girlfriend and threatened two of their children during an argument at her home 15 months ago.

Prosecutor Lisa Luzaich argued the sentence was too light. Mayweather could have received a sentence of 18 months in jail.

"He just continually gets himself into trouble and he is able to get himself out of it as well," she said. "Essentially it is because he is who he is and is able to get away with everything.

"The only thing that's going to get this man's attention is incarceration," the prosecutor said.

Mayweather, who was told to report to jail January 6, declined to comment outside the courtroom.

The domestic battery charge stems from striking Josie Harris while the harassment charges come from the threats to his children.

Mayweather was accused of assaulting her after she told him she was dating another man, police said, and he reacted by striking Harris, threatening his children and taking their cell phones.

Saragosa said that the police report detailed the incident and in it Mayweather threatened to kill or make Harris "disappear".

Mayweather admitted hitting Harris and twisting her arm. Saragosa said that two of their children, ages 9 and 10, also witnessed the attack.

Mayweather, who is in line for a possible fight with Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao, is the current World Boxing Council welterweight champ and has a record of 42 wins and no losses.

Next week, Mayweather will plead no contest to a misdemeanour battery charge and pay a $1,000 fine for an altercation with a security guard in November of last year over parking violations near his mansion in a gated community.

Mayweather stopped fellow American Victor Ortiz in the fourth round in September to win the WBC welterweight title. He plans to fight again on May 5 in Las Vegas against an undecided foe.

Boxing fans have longed to see Mayweather test himself against Pacquiao, the fighter many fans consider to have replaced him as the world pound-for-pound champion.

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Defense was lacking in Lakers' loss to Clippers

They failed to close out on perimeter shooters, defend in transition or figure out what to do about the Clippers' new backcourt during a 114-95 loss Monday night at Staples Center.

The Lakers say they want to be a defense-first team, which was not exactly a term being used to describe them after their exhibition opener.

Excuses abounded afterward.

Kobe Bryant said his team was just beginning to adapt to a new defense. Andrew Bynum said he needed to get in better condition. Coach Mike Brown said it was a lack of effort.

"This has nothing to do with our concepts," Brown said. "We had guys tonight not even contest shots, look at shooters and allow them to shoot what I call H-O-R-S-E shots, the shots you shoot in your backyard growing up when no defense is on you."

The Clippers made 13 of 28 three-point shots and were particularly effective from beyond the arc in the third quarter, when their 18 points on six three-pointers represented one more point than the Lakers scored in the quarter.

The Lakers also neglected to defend in transition, giving up 29 points off 21 turnovers. Bryant said the Clippers' game-changing third quarter, when they outscored the Lakers, 36-17, was largely a function of defensive breakdowns.

"In that stretch of the game we turned the ball over way too much and gave up a lot of easy points in the paint," Bryant said. "We pride ourselves on being a good defensive team. That's our staple, so we have to do a much better job."

Bryant, who scored 22 points mostly on the strength of 12 free throws, declared his wrist, which he appeared to hurt while taking a tumble during the game, and his knee OK.

But Bynum acknowledged being behind in his conditioning.

"After the first six minutes I was heavily winded," he said, "so in practice I'm going to get up and down the court."

The Lakers also appeared incapable of containing Clippers guards Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups, who repeatedly threw alley-oop passes to big men Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan for thunderous dunks.

Bryant said the Lakers were still adjusting to the new defensive schemes being installed by their first-year coach.

"It just takes getting used to," Bryant said. "When you're used to doing things one way, you just have to do repetition and get your muscle memory down so you don't have to think about it; it just kind of becomes habit."

Brown called his team's defensive effort "a step backward" from what it had shown in practice. The Lakers will get a chance to head in a preferred direction when they play the Clippers again Wednesday in their final exhibition game before opening the season Sunday afternoon at Staples Center against the Chicago Bulls.

"We have to play with a sense of urgency because if we float, especially against good teams, we're going to get our behind kicked," Brown said. "We have to be a physical defensive team and play with a sense of urgency on every possession."

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Steelers' loss to 49ers painful for Ben Roethlisberger, viewers

"What is Ben Roethlisberger doing out there?"

At what point during the Pittsburgh Steelers' 20-3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on "Monday Night Football" did you first ask yourself that question? When he came limping out of the tunnel on his sprained left ankle before the game?

After every hit he took, thinking this could be the last time we see him on the field this season? Every time he came up hopping on one foot after simply throwing the ball?

Following one of his two first-quarter interceptions? Or early in the fourth quarter when he forgot one of his legs was completely useless and tried one of his typical scrambles, only to end up sacked and stripped of the ball?

Once the Steelers were down by three scores with nine minutes left in the game? Under six minutes left? The two-minute warning?

The Steelers had a lot riding on the game -- the chance to take sole possession of first place in the AFC and the first-round bye and home-field advantage that come with it. And, of course, you have to admire Big Ben's toughness and willingness to give it a shot through all that pain.

"I'll go out and play at five percent. I don't care," said Roethlisberger, who completed 25 of 44 passes for 330 yards with three interceptions. "I told Coach that. I said, 'You make the call. You’re the head coach. I'm going to give you everything I've got no matter what [the decision] is.'"

But the Steelers came into the game already knowing they had clinched a playoff spot. At some point Coach Mike Tomlin or anyone on the Pittsburgh sideline with some sense might have realized there was more to be risked than gained by having the franchise quarterback out there under those circumstances.

At the news conference after the game, Tomlin defended his decision to start Roethlisberger and said he never considered pulling him early in the game because he didn't think the quarterback was getting "knocked around."

But, surprisingly, no one asked him why such an important player who was clearly in great pain remained in the game when it was clearly out of reach.

"He was healthy enough to play," Tomlin said. "We always like what Ben provides us, not only from his quality of play, but his leadership. This guy is a tremendous competitor. We appreciate his efforts; obviously we fell short tonight."

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Four teams on wish list for Gilbert Arenas

It's been a few seasons since Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton had their dustup in the Washington Wizards locker room and it became clear that Arenas had a storehouse of firearms, including a few that he kept in his locker. Arenas is currently without a team since the Orlando Magic sent him packing a week ago.

ESPN reports that Arenas has a wish list of four teams he'd like to sign with, though. And wouldn't you know it? It consists of probable contenders. he's been. The four teams, according to the site, are the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and whoever trades for Dwight Howard.

If the New Jersey Nets can land Howard, the team has "quietly indicated that they plan to take" the 29-year-old three-time All-Star on, ESPN reports. Now that the Knicks are signing Baron Davis, there doesn't seem to be room for Arenas. However, ESPN has heard that "both Davis and Arenas could wind up in New York" and a source tells the site that the pair have actually discussed the possibility. Before that, he hadn't played in more than 32 games in a season since 2006-07.

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Baron Davis expected to sign with Knicks

NEW YORK — The Knicks have assembled one of the best frontcourts in the NBA and are working on improving their backcourt.

Free-agent point guard Baron Davis will sign a one-year deal Monday with the Knicks for the $2.5 million exception. Davis will be sidelined for at least a month due to a back issue, but the Knicks felt comfortable in taking a chance on the former two-time All-Star.

"I would love to have him," Carmelo Anthony said after the Knicks’ open practice at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. "Everybody knows what he can do when he’s healthy and when he’s focused. When (Davis) is healthy he’s one of the best."

The Cavaliers waived Davis last week through the amnesty provision. At the time, it was reported he would miss eight to 10 weeks. That likely was put out there to keep teams from bidding on him.

Since no one did, Davis cleared waivers and got to pick a contending team. The Lakers and Heat also were interested in the 12-year veteran.

The Knicks’ medical staff looked into Davis’ health and the organization concluded it was worth using a roster spot on him. The Knicks would not have gone forward with Davis, 32, if they believed he would miss more than two months in a shortened season that begins Christmas Day. A source said it’s more likely Davis will be sidelined four to six weeks.

"He’s going to be good this season," a person close to Davis said.

When Davis is healthy, he’s one of the NBA’s more talented players. He averaged 13.1 points and 6.7 assists in 28.1 minutes last season with the Clippers and Cavaliers, and has career numbers of 16.5 points and 7.3 assists.

"There were times he was the best point guard in the league," Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said. "I think a lot of it just depends on if he wants to be here and if he’s able to do it. If those things are positives, then he can turn into being a good thing for us."

While Davis gets healthy, third-year guard Toney Douglas and veteran Mike Bibby will handle the point guard duties. There have been questions about whether Douglas could run a team full time and how much Bibby, 33, has left.

D’Antoni said he trusts Douglas can do the job and that Bibby, who has been slowed by foot soreness, still can play. Still, the Knicks wanted to add quality depth to that position. It’s a risk because of Davis’ health, but could be high reward if he can play.

Davis has an expiring contract and could have a strong season to try to get another big payday. With all of the attention Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire will receive, Davis’ play-making and shot-making abilities would be welcome additions for the Knicks. Davis also would work well with Tyson Chandler, throwing lobs to the center or feeding him as he rolls to the basket.

The Knicks would like to add a versatile forward who can play both positions. James Posey and Bostjan Nachbar remain available. The Knicks can offer only minimum salaries.

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Johnny Knox carted off field, faces back surgery

(CBS/AP)

CHICAGO - Bears receiver Johnny Knox will have surgery to stabilize a vetebra in his lower to mid back after being taken from the field on a cart in the opening minutes of Sunday's 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

The Bears said the injury is not career-threatening. The surgery is scheduled for Monday.

"He has total movement throughout his body, has total use of all his extremities, which is good," coach Lovie Smith said. "We're doing tests right now. He has total movement. He's not paralyzed or anything." Knox had just caught a pass from Caleb Hanie about four minutes into Sunday's game when Kam Chancellor poked the ball out of his hands. As Knox made a diving attempt to retrieve the ball, he was hit by Anthony Hargrove and got bent backward. He stayed down for close to 10 minutes while being tended to by medical personnel.

The Seahawks' Earl Thomas recovered the fumble at the Chicago 22.

After getting loaded onto the cart, Knox moved his arms and raised his fist in the air, CBS Chicago's Adam Hoge reports.

The injury to Knox was another blow for a team that lost Jay Cutler (broken thumb) and Matt Forte (sprained knee) in recent weeks and was trying to get over the shock of receiver Sam Hurd's arrest on federal drug charges in the days leading up to this game.

Late in the half, Bears safety Chris Conte suffered a foot injury trying to tackle Seattle's Justin Forsett and left the game. The Seahawks didn't come away from this game unscathed, either, with receiver Mike Williams suffering a broken ankle when he was tackled after a catch in the third quarter.

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Rivers stresses positive on Jeff Green

While acknowledging the loss of swingman Jeff Green for the season is a big blow to the Boston Celtics, coach Doc Rivers on Sunday stressed the silver lining of Green's aortic aneurysm: while it will sideline him for an extended period, it does not seem to be a life-threatening situation.

"That's the way I looked at it and that's basically what I conveyed to him," Rivers told reporters in Toronto before the Celtics took on the Raptors in their preseason opener. "'Don't look at this as a negative. This is an extreme positive. You're gonna be OK, and that's good.'" A routine physical administered after the 25-year-old Green agreed to a one-year, $9 million contract with the Celtics last week detected the aortic aneurysm, a diagnosis the Celtics confirmed with follow-up examinations and testing.

"We were hoping we were wrong obviously," Rivers said. "It's a tough one, obviously. Not more for the team, I think that's an easy way to look at it. I look at it more in a couple of ways, No. 1 how lucky Jeff is because the fact that we found it and the fact that he can actually come back and play to me is the minor part. I could care less about that."

Green, who averaged 9.8 points and 3.3 rebounds last season after joining the Celtics in a trade that sent Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder, will undergo surgery Jan. 9 at the Cleveland Clinic.

"Thank u everyone for ur thoughts and prayers," a post on Green's Twitter account read. "...much appreciated love u all..and I'll be back soon stronger and better than ever I promise."

Green's absence leaves the Celtics thin at small forward. Paul Pierce, the team's starting small forward, is currently nursing a right heel injury, while backup Marquis Daniels is coming off spine surgery this summer (his 2010-11 season ended with a freak on-court injury last February) and Sasha Pavlovic is nursing an injured left hand. Neither Pierce nor Pavlovic is expected to be sidelined for an extended stretch.

The loss of Green also takes away maybe the team's top bench option, putting additional pressure on newcomers like Brandon Bass, Chris Wilcox, and Keyon Dooling to fill the scoring void Green leaves behind.

"Team wise it's obviously a blow to us," Rivers said. "It just tells you all those plans in the summer, I could have played four or five more rounds of golf because we put a lot of time into, we really were going to commit to in some point in every game going to a small group to try to pace of the game with Kevin (Garnett) and Jeff. We wanted to be an effective small team. That's basically going to get tossed."

Green's contract has been voided because of the failed physical, but the Celtics retain their rights to him when he returns. Even without Green's contract on the books, the Celtics will not receive any salary cap relief. The Celtics were on the books for roughly $85.6 million for 14 contracts. Shedding $9 million from that not only leaves Boston still well over the salary cap ($58 million), but also the luxury tax threshold (approximately $70 million).

The Celtics could apply for an injury exception for Green, but that would require them to not only pay Green his $9 million this season, but also up to 50 percent of his salary ($4.5 million) for a replacement. So that would cost the team upwards of $27 million giving that tax-paying teams pay dollar for dollar over the threshold. Boston would be pushing a $90 million payroll and $40 million luxury tax bill by applying for an exception.

Boston, instead, likely will have to settle for examining a thin market for free-agent swingmen willing to join the team on a veteran minimum contract.

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Timberwolves see a quicker, more agile Kevin Love

MINNEAPOLIS - Ricky Rubio sliced through the defense, looked to his right and zipped a pass to his left. Fellow newcomer J.J. Barea caught it and buried a three-pointer, and another unfamiliar guy, this one walking to the scorer’s table, held three fingers in the air. Strange, but the mystery player looked almost like Kevin Love, only without the down vest Love used to wear under his jersey. The crowd got what it wanted from the new Wolves on Saturday night at Target Center in their exhibition opener: Smooth passes from Rubio, scoring from Barea, three-pointers from Derrick Williams and a real coach on the sideline in Rick Adelman.

The tragedy of the evening was that we discovered there is less Love in the world. He looks like someone pasted Justin Timberlake’s head onto a Gronkowski’s body.

Love looks fantastic. Coming off one of the most impressive statistical seasons in Wolves’ history, he lost about 20 pounds and 6 inches off his waist, forcing him to have the good people at Neiman Marcus take in all of his pants. He’s bringing new meaning to the basketball phrase "going small."

The changes in his body might not be superficial. During the Wolves’ 117-96 victory against Milwaukee, he achieved a double-double in the first half and finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes.

He looked quicker and more agile. He shot with tremendous range, making four of his seven three-pointers.

The two most noticeable differences in his game on Saturday night were two changes that bode well for the Wolves. Love paid homage to all of the slick-passing forwards Adelman has coached by seeing the floor and finding open teammates. And he played a much firmer form of defense than we saw for most of last season, when Love’s thirst for rebounds sometimes caused him to slack off his man.

"I feel good out there," Love said. "My body feels live and energetic."

Asked what aspect of his game will benefit the most, Love said: "Defense. Definitely. Having better legs in the fourth quarter."

What we’re seeing with the Wolves is the basketball equivalent of a brain transplant. This was poorly run on the court and from the sideline.

The effect of Adelman and his staff on this team was immediate. On offense, the Wolves spaced the floor, moved the ball and isolated weak defenders. The players looked more comfortable by the second quarter of their first preseason game than they did in game 82 last spring. And the guard play was better simply because Rubio and Barea can run an offense and get into the paint.

Love should benefit from all of the changes. With a new emphasis on passing, he could pile up assists and discourage double teams. With an offense that encourages ball movement, he should find himself open more often, and Saturday he took advantage, scoring on everything from baby hooks to long jumpers.

And if a combination of his improved conditioning and better coaching turns him into a solid defender, his stock around the league will rise. Last year Love was a statistical anomaly, but he didn’t often make those around him better.

"He and I have talked about that," Adelman said. "He’s always going to be a rebounder. Every one of these guys, you’d like to see them get better at other areas. He can shoot the ball, he can pass the ball. Both him and Michael (Beasley), not only can they do things for themselves, they have to do things for their teammates."

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Pacquiao willing to take the smaller money for Mayweather fight

World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao turned 33 today and perhaps because of his increasing age Pacquiao came out and said he’s willing to take a smaller percentage than Floyd Mayweather Jr. to finally make this fight happen. This sounds promising, right? Mayweather has always wanted the bigger slice of the revenue and if Pacquiao is serious about giving him what he’s asking for then it should make the fight easier to put together. However, this is what Pacquiao is saying, but there is also Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum who needs to be convinced that a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is worth putting together.

Arum says he’s working to put the fight together with help from outside investors but you have to wonder whether he really deep down wants to see his cash cow Pacquiao in with Mayweather. If he did, wouldn’t we have seen this fight happen a long time ago? The bout has been talked about for almost two years now and during that time Arum has matched Pacquiao up against a number of his own Top Rank fighters what you can in house fights.

Arum made a lot of money for his fighters Joshua Clottey, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito, and we may be seeing Pacquiao matched back up with Cotto or two of Arum’s other Top Rank fighters WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley and welterweight contender Mike Jones.

A fight against either one of them will raise their future stock in boxing without them having to do a whole lot. Just by fighting Pacquiao – and losing – they get instantly recognized. I just don’t think Arum is ready to have his gravy train fighter Pacquiao taken apart by Mayweather.

I think Arum is the one pulling the strings with Pacquiao, and it probably doesn’t matter that Pacquiao is saying he’ll accept less to fight Mayweather. If Arum doesn’t want this fight to happen, it won’t. There are still two fighters that Pacquiao still hasn’t whipped in Arum’s Top Rank stable, and he can also go back around the table and fight Cotto, Margarito and Clottey once more for in house fights.

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Celtics F Jeff Green to miss season after surgery

BOSTON (AP) – Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green will have surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm and will miss the entire season, the team announced on Saturday as it traveled to Toronto for its exhibition opener against the Raptors. Green is scheduled for an operation on Monday at the Cleveland Clinic. Doctors have told him the operation "should completely repair Green's condition and that he can expect to resume his NBA career next season," the Celtics said in a news release.

If so, the timing of his training camp physical — and the end of the NBA lockout — may have saved Green's life and helped the Celtics avert a tragedy like the 1993 death of Reggie Lewis, who dropped dead on a practice court of a heart condition in the prime of his career. "While we are saddened that Jeff will not be able to play this season, the most important thing is his health," Celtics president Danny Ainge said in the release. "We were fortunate to have access to an amazing team of specialists to evaluate Jeff's case."

The team said it would have no more comment, at Green's request. But Green said on Twitter on Saturday afternoon: "Thank u everyone for ur thoughts and prayers…much appreciated love u all..and I'll be back soon stronger and better than ever I promise."

Green, 25, averaged 9.8 points and 3.3 rebounds last season after joining the Celtics in a trade that sent Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

An aortic aneurysm, which is more common in older people, is a ballooning of the wall of the aorta, the major artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. A person may show no symptoms from the aneurysm; but if it ruptures, it is likely to be fatal if not repaired immediately.

The team's statement said Green's aneurysm was detected during his physical after he reported for a training camp on Dec. 9. Green received additional testing and consultation by "leading cardiac specialists," who recommended surgery.

Around the league, the news of Green's looming surgery seemed to strike some players hard. Steve Nash and Baron Davis were among those sending best wishes via Twitter, and in Miami, LeBron James seemed taken aback when asked about Green after the Heat finished practice.

"I think it's unfortunate for the game to be taken away, especially after a summer like this where we already had 2-1/2 months off," James said. "Hopefully he can get back healthy, they can figure out what's going on and he can get back on the floor. I had an opportunity to play in a few charity games with him this summer. He looked fine to me, but I'm not a doctor. I wish him the best."

James often talks about how tomorrows are not guaranteed, and the importance of enjoying each day. He also spoke Saturday of the memory of Jason Collier's death in 2005, when the center was with the Atlanta Hawks and died suddenly.

"As a professional, you would think every last one of us would be in the top-tier shape and nothing would be wrong with us," James said. "That's why the doctors, they are who they are."

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Kobe Bryant's Wife, Vanessa, Hires Prominent Divorce Lawyer

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KTLA) -- Vanessa Bryant has filed for divorce from her NBA star husband citing "irreconcilable difference."

According to court documents, Vanessa is seeking to dissolve the marriage on charges of irreconcilable differences. Celebrity website TMZ quoted sources Friday as saying Vanessa is ending the marriage because she believes Kobe has been unfaithful, again.

"She's been dealing with these incidents for a long time and has been a faithful wife, but she's finally had enough," TMZ reports.

Vanessa has also filed for joint legal and physical custody of their two children, Natalia, 8, and Gianna, 5, documents show.

According to TMZ, the couple has no prenup, meaning 29-year-old Vanessa is entitled to half of everything. She's also hired noted divorce lawyer Laura Wasser, who has worked with Angelina Jolie, Britney Spears and, most recently, Maria Shriver's separation from Arnold Schwarzenegger after 25 years of marriage.

Kobe, who filed his response to the divorce minutes after Vanessa filed her petition, says he will pay her spousal support.

In 2003, Bryant was arrested for sexually assaulting 19-year old hotel employee Katelyn Faber in Colorado.

Bryant had checked into The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in Eagle County in advance of undergoing knee surgery nearby.

Faber accused Bryant of raping her in his hotel room the night before Bryant was to have the procedure.

Bryant admitted an adulterous sexual encounter with his accuser, but denied her sexual assault allegation.

The accusation tarnished Bryant's reputation, as the public's perception of Bryant plummeted, and his endorsement contracts with McDonald's and Nutella were terminated.

In September 2004, the assault case was dropped by prosecutors after Faber refused to testify in the trial.

Afterward, Bryant agreed to apologize to Faber for the incident, including his public mea culpa: "Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did. After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter."

A civil suit was later filed and settled out of court.

http://www.ktla.com/videogallery/66831397/News/VIDEO-Kobe-Bryants-Wife-Files-for-Divorce-Rebecca-Hall-reports

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Are the Clippers contenders for the 2012 NBA championship?

J.A. Adande, ESPN.com: No way. The Western Conference isn't going to get caught up watching those CP3-to-Griffin lobs. The Clippers need to experience the pain of a playoff loss -- or losses -- before they are ready to challenge for a title. That's the way it works in the NBA.

Marc Stein, ESPN.com: No. Not without a better bench and another quality big man. Not until they actually have some time to mesh and taste the experience of a deep playoff run, too. But they've already snagged the title of Most Watchable Team in the NBA on this scorecard ... before a single lob is thrown.

Tim Legler, ESPN: Yes. To me, "contender" means top four in your conference. The Clippers can get there this year if their core stays healthy. With a point guard like Paul leading them on the floor, a star scorer and rebounder like Griffin, a young dynamic center in Jordan, and veteran additions like Chauncey Billups and Caron Butler, the Clippers window of opportunity starts now!

Ric Bucher, ESPN The Magazine: No. Defense remains a vital component to playing for titles and the Clippers don't have a single player who can dominate his position defensively. They're going to be better, not among the best.

Beckley Mason, HoopSpeak: No. This team might have a championship level offense next year, but I still thing their young frontcourt has too far to come defensively for them to reach the Finals. Also, I simply can't fathom a world in which Vinny Del Negro coaches the best team in the league.

Daniel Nowell, Magic Basketball: Yes. They're not the best team in the West, and not a sure bet for a deep playoff run, but they have more than a puncher's chance against any team in the league with Paul's savvy and the talent around him. That's called contending.

Arash Markazi, ESPN Los Angeles: No. The Clippers are a good playoff team. They have four point guards and very little depth on the front line right now. When you take into account players like Chris Paul, Caron Butler and Blake Griffin have missed significant time due to injury during their careers you can't expect their starting lineup, as stacked as it looks, not to get hit during a condensed season.

VOICE OF THE FAN (via Google+)

Jose Roberto Zaracho Zarate: In my opinion they're not yet. Even the Miami Big 3 and the Knicks with Melo, Amare and Chauncey couldn't win a ring in the first season they got together. So I don't think the Clips could get it done this season. There's a high-risk on Butler getting injured for a long time again this season.

Scoop Jackson, ESPN.com: No. They have to figure out (the always omnipresent and obligatory): Who's team this is? They are still in need of a defensive specialist/stopper for series against Dallas, the Lakers and Thunder. As long as they play in those hideous scripted lettered unis, they can never be taken seriously.

Tom Haberstroh, Heat Index: Yes. Remember: the Clippers aren't done dealing. With a glut of point guards, they can upgrade at the 2 by the trade deadline (Eric Bledsoe for J.J. Redick?). Also: did anyone predict the Mavericks would win it all before playoffs started? No, but was it seen as possible? Same goes for Lob City.

Jeremy Schmidt, Bucksketball: No. If a team isn't jam packed with stars, and despite Paul's addition, the Clippers still only have two, they better have the chemistry of the Dallas Mavericks last season. The Clippers don't have enough experience playing together to make up for their lack of a third star. And a 66-game schedule won't give them enough time to gel.

Andrew Kamenetzky, ESPN Los Angeles: No. Too many good teams in the West and too many question marks, including how Blake Griffin will perform in his first postseason. But, I bet they'll be a scary draw.

Brian Kamenetzky, ESPN Los Angeles: Yes, but on the fringes and thanks to flexibility in acquiring more pieces. Right now they're a solid playoff team with potential for more. But think what it means to even ask the question for a feature not attached to an article in The Onion. Incredible moment for the Clippers.

VOICE OF THE FAN (via Google+)

Ethan Conway: The Clippers will be able to contend this year. I think they are comparable to the Bulls last year. You have a top-five point guard, an All-Star power forward in Griffin (who by the way is better than Boozer and still hasn't reached his ceiling), a good all-around center, a playmaking small forward, and veteran talent off of the bench. Not championship caliber yet, but a contender.

Keith M. Lipscomb, ESPN.com: Yes, because I define a contender as a team that's among the top three or four in its conference. The Clippers now have an elite point guard and power forward, an athletic defensive force in Jordan and strong veterans like Billups, Butler and even Foye (who I think is being somewhat forgotten) to help expedite the process of coming together as a team.

Colin McGowan, Cavs: The Blog: No. The Clips have the best point guard in the league (Paul), a great young forward (Griffin), a solid starting center (Jordan), and deficiencies everywhere else. The addition of CP3 is a start, but not nearly enough to overcome the Lakers, Thunder, Heat, Celtics, or Bulls come playoff time.

Henry Abbott, ESPN.com: Yes. Fear Chris Paul. (Bill Russell was undersized and banged up, too.) Last year's Hornets made noise, and these Clippers are better at every position except coach. Paul and Blake Griffin could -- like Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire and the Wonder Twins before them -- combine to have magical powers.

John Hollinger, ESPN.com: Not serious ones, no. They're a Western Conference playoff team right now, and presuming they trade Mo Williams for a real shooting guard they will be in the heap of teams vying for seeds 3 through 8 in that conference, just like we have every year. But I don't think this has Miami or Oklahoma City quaking in their boots.

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Arkansas State hires Gus Malzahn

Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn will be the new football coach at Arkansas State.

CAPTION
By Mark Crammer, AP
Sports information director Jerry Scott told The Associated Press that Malzahn will be introduced as the new coach during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

"It's pretty incredible, it should be a great ride," Scott said.

Malzahn will return to the state where he was a successful high school coach before leaving for college football. Before that, though, he will coach Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Dec. 31.

Auburn head coach Gene Chizik released the following statement Wednesday morning:

"I'm very happy for Gus and the opportunity that awaits him at Arkansas State. Gus has always had the strong desire to become a head coach and the chance for him to return to his home state that he is so familiar with, will be very beneficial. He's meant a tremendous amount to our program the past three years, helping our offense and our program achieve unprecedented heights, winning a BCS National Championship and setting countless offensive records. Gus has experienced success in each stop of his coaching career and I have no doubt that he will have similar results at Arkansas State. We look forward to having Gus stay with us through the bowl game and hope to send him out with a victory."

Former Red Wolves coach Hugh Freeze left the school last week to become the new coach at Mississippi.

Arkansas State (10-2) will play Northern Illinois in the Godaddy.com Bowl on Jan. 8.

The 46-year-old Malzahn has served as Auburn's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for three seasons, helping the Tigers win the national championship last season. His contract with Auburn this season included guaranteed university compensation of $1.3 million.

Malzahn's predecessor, Freeze, received a guaranteed compensation of $202,160 from Arkansas State this year.

Malzahn won the Broyles Award last season, recognizing college football's top assistant coach, and helped Auburn and quarterback Cam Newton set nine school records in 2010 - including points per game (41.2) and total offense (499.2).

Malzahn began his coaching career in northeast Arkansas at Hughes High School, eventually moving on and winning two state championships at the private school Shiloh Christian in Springdale, Ark.

He later took over at Springdale High in the state's largest classification, going 14-0 in 2005 and winning the state championship while finishing in the top five in most national high school polls.

That team featured star players such as former USC quarterback Mitch Mustain and Tennessee Titans receiver Damian Williams.

Malzahn brought Mustain and Williams with him to Arkansas when he was hired as the offensive coordinator there for the 2006 season under then-coach Houston Nutt.

After a season filled with conflict with Nutt behind the scenes, one that led to the transfers of Mustain and Williams to USC, Malzahn left for the same position at Tulsa.

The Golden Hurricane had one of the nation's top offenses for two seasons under Malzahn, who was hired at Auburn before the 2009 season.

Arkansas State won 10 games this season under Freeze for the first time since 1986, when it was a member of the I-AA Southland Conference. The Red Wolves were 45-63 in nine seasons before that under former coach Steve Roberts, but Freeze's enthusiasm and energy quickly took hold in Jonesboro, Ark.

The school promoted a "Feel the Freeze" ticket campaign in the preseason, named for the former Memphis, Tenn., high school coach. He coached left tackle Michael Oher, who was later featured in the best-selling book and popular movie "The Blind Side."

The wins quickly followed, with Arkansas State securing an undefeated run through the Sun Belt Conference with a 45-14 win over Troy. The Red Wolves' only losses this season came to Illinois and Virginia Tech.

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Giants Cowboys game review: Eli Manning, Jason Pierre-Paul lead Giants to top of NFC East

DALLAS -- I had a rare late-morning flight today. Usually, I’m on the first jet out of a place. I can’t recall why I booked the one I did.

But anyway, the later flight meant I had to do my game review before I left. Otherwise, it would be later tonight before I got it done. But truth be told, I also got this thing done early because I couldn’t wait to get back into this game.
Star-Ledger's Mike Garafolo and Dave D'Alessandro discuss New York Giants big win over Dallas Cowboys Star-Ledger's Mike Garafolo and Dave D'Alessandro discuss New York Giants big win over Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Eli Manning outduels Tony Romo in Texas, Big Blue defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul blocks game-tying field goal attempt to secure Giants huge comeback win. (12/11/2011) Star-Ledger video by Andrew Mills Watch video

I feel like John Mara when he says he’d love for an easy game but doesn’t quite mean it. This season, no matter how it ends, has certainly been eventful. Win or lose, the Giants have made it fun to watch their games. There’s enough bad football going around for me to appreciate a team that provides solid entertainment.

And to think, we still have three more games to go, including one more against the Cowboys.

GAME BALLS

Coach Tom Coughlin. I trust, after he did a great job benching Ahmad Bradshaw to maintain his consistency in that regard and called the perfect timeout, I won’t be hearing the name Bill Cowher in connection with the Giants today.

DE Jason Pierre-Paul. We’ve covered all of the big stuff -- the two sacks, the safety, the blocked field goal, the stop on second-and-5 along with Chris Canty -- so I won’t be able to add much more there. There’s one new thing I can add to best sum up the motor this guy has, and it’s actually a play on which he missed a tackle. It was the second snap of the game for Dallas and he was unable to get a hold of RB DeMarco Murray. But the fact he was even in position to make that play is what’s amazing. He was lined up at right end and it was a pitch to the defensive left. LB Chase Blackburn was over the center. Both he and Pierre-Paul were untouched and neither hesitated from the moment the ball was snapped. Blackburn doesn’t make the play because Pierre-Paul collided with him. That’s right, Pierre-Paul beat Blackburn to the point of attack. And this is by no means a knock on Blackburn; rather, it’s a nod to the hustle, determination and ability of Pierre-Paul, who doesn’t stop from snap to whistle. He did virtually the same thing when he came from his spot at right end to strip Cowboys RB Felix Jones late in the second quarter. He only makes that play because his right arm is long enough to get around Jones and knock the ball free. So in short, for all those who criticized the Giants for taking a guy “who does back flips” instead of C Maurkice Pouncey, I believe that argument has officially been nullified.

QB Eli Manning. Until this season, he hadn’t led two touchdown drives in the final five minutes to overcome a two-score deficit. He’s now done it twice: against the Cardinals in October, when the Giants erased a 10-point deficit to win by 4, and Sunday night. Manning now has 14 fourth-quarter touchdown passes this season, tying his brother Peyton and Johnny Unitas in the NFL record books for most in a season. Among the most impressive throws he made was the 23-yarder to WR Hakeem Nicks late in the first quarter on a “sail” (or “flag” or “corner” or “seven”) route on the left sideline over CB Mike Jenkins and under S Gerald Sensabaugh. Manning slid to his left (following a tremendous chip by RB Brandon Jacobs on NT Jay Ratliff) and laid that one in there beautifully while moving ever so slightly to his left. Great, great throw.

Jacobs. Jenkins was right. He is a “bully.” And Jacobs is right when he says that’s a compliment. He kept his feet moving on nearly every run, particularly on a 19-yard rush in the fourth quarter on which he broke two tackles.

Nicks. Last week, WR Victor Cruz said the Giants saw opportunities to take advantage of “the middle” of the Cowboys’ secondary. We saw it right away with Nicks’ 64-yard catch midway through the first quarter. I don’t understand what was going on with the Cowboys’ coverage there. Sensabaugh does a pirouette to the single-receiver side instead of the three-receiver side. He appears to be playing the deep half, but there’s nobody in the other deep half. It seemed to be a blown coverage. Either way, Nicks got inside CB Alan Ball for the bomb to set up K Lawrence Tynes’ first field goal.

TE Jake Ballard. It was pretty clear the Cowboys’ plan was to mug him coming off the line. Every time I looked at him live and on the replay, he had a guy hitting and grabbing him (sometimes illegally) while getting into his route. He was still able to make the plays when it mattered. One caveat, and I’ve said this before, is his run blocking needs to improve. He and TE/FB Bear Pascoe still struggle at times in that department. Ballard was tossed by LB Anthony Spencer on a third-and-2 on the opening drive of the third quarter.

FB Henry Hynoski. This is two weeks in a row he’s brought the wood. I’m sure Cowboys LB Bradie James has a Hynoski-sized welt on him today because those two met in the hole a bunch of times. Hynoski won the majority of those matchups. He also had a big block on LB Keith Brooking on the game-winning touchdown. But don’t ignore what extra TE Jim Cordle did on Cowboys DE Kenyon Coleman on that play, either.

Tynes. His career-high for touchbacks coming into the season was eight. He now has 33 this year. Yeah, it’s the extra 5 yards but the way he’s booming it out of the end zone makes me wonder why the Giants had him directionally kicking so much over the past few years.

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Viloria unfazed by foe's No. 9 world ranking, 6-rd prediction

MANILA, Philippines - Brian Viloria, the reigning WBO flyweight champion, said he doesn’t mind if his challenger, Giovani Segura of Mexico, is ranked No. 9 in Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound list.

He also said he doesn’t care about the prediction made by Segura’s trainer, Javier Capetillo, that all they need is six rounds to wrest the 112 lb title away from the Filipino champ.

“It doesn’t matter even if he’s number one pound-for-pound. I’m not gonna be afraid of him unless he has four hands,” said Viloria during yesterday’s official press conference.

The fight is set Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City. Since the exciting card will be beamed live to the United States, the main bout will take place at around noontime.

The official weigh-in is set at 10 a.m. Saturday at the beautiful Midas Hotel along Roxas Boulevard.

Viloria and Segura, former amateur boxers and former sparring partners, came face to face at The Paladium in Makati City, and talked about the coming fight set for 12 rounds.

Viloria, also the former world light-flyweight champion, fielded the opening questions that had to do with Segura’s pound-for-pound ranking and Capetillo’s bold prediction.

“In this type of sport everybody wants to predict how the fight would go. But in reality it’s unpredictable. Anything can happen,” said Viloria, who turned 31 only 13 days ago.

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