Sports bits

Buhain takes over top PSC post

Former swimming champion and twice best SEA Games campaigner Eric buhain was appointed chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in what is perceived as a bold move by President Gloria Arroyo to induce harmony and unity to the conflict-riddled government sports agency.

Buhain, 32, replaced the much-maligned Butch Tuason who resigned days earlier to put an end to almost unending censure of his affinity (first cousin) with First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

Appointed by former President Estrada in 1998, Tuason was heavily chastised by critics regarding his policies and his administration's inclinations for multi-million peso infrastructure projects. He remained in his post when President Arroyo seized power but suffered a series of protest actions from the ranks of athletes, coaches and sports officials.

Buhain, a cum laude Finance graduate from La-Salle Philadelphia, comes after Cecil Hechanova, Perry Mequi, former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez, Philip Juico and Tuason. His appointment was welcomed by the sports community.

"Okay sa amin 'yan. Maganda ng dahil sa hanay ng mga atleta ang pinili ni President Arroyo dahil mas makaka-asa kami na nakakaintindi talaga sa kapakanan ng atleta," said Jaime Sebastian, leader of the Athletes and Coaches Alliance of the Philippines (ACAP).

For his part, Buhain vows transparent leadership and no favoritisms among the National Sports Associations (NSAs).

"My mission is to bring pride back to Philippine sports. It's important for the PSC to earn the athletes' trust and confidence. We've got as a Team - Team Philippines, " Buhain said in a series of interviews after his appointment.

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Adducul opts out of RP Team

Former San Sebastian Stags center Rommel Adducul, who has led the Manila Metrostars and the Batanga Blades to MBA titles in 1999 and 2001, was denied permission by MBA officials to join the RP training pool formed by the PBA that will see action in the First conference which opens this February 10.

Adducul was chosen by National coach Jong Uichico in the pool which is being laid-out for the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea in September.

According to the MBA officials, Adducul can't participate in the pool because of the conflict of schedules between the two leagues explaining that it will be impossible for the MBA center to play in the PBA without having to jeopardize his stint in the MBA, which will start its 2002 season in April.

Adducul's agent is also negotiating with other MBA teams as the Blades have already agreed to trade the cager upon his request. Earlier, the 6-5 player entered the 2002 PBA Draft but was stricken off the list when he was not given release clearance by his MBA Team, the Batangas Blades.

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Corteza scores 9-ball win

Youthful Lee Van corteza, dubbed as heir to the throne of the incomparable Bata Reyes, prevailed over heralded veteran Warren Kiamco in a close 13-11 victory in the 1st Barcelona Brandy Battle of the Gold Medalists Billiards Challenge, January 26 at Robinsons Place Manila.

In a see-saw battle, Kiamco took the initial advantage taking four consecutive racks,4-0, then Corteza trimmed it at 2-4 on lucky breaks but Kiamco answered with four straight racks to move ahead, 8-2. But with crowd fully behind him, the 22 year-old Corteza came back from the brink of defeat to tie at 9-all and took the upperhand at 12-9. Kiamco stopped the bleeding by taking the next two racks but the 24th rack proved crucial when he scratched the white ball and virtually handing the title to Corteza.

The two players arranged the title showdown after beating separate rivals in the elimination rounds. Kiamco, the 2001 SEA Games 15-ball gold medalist pulled a 13-10 upset over highly-favored 9-ball Asian Games gold winner Romeo "Snooky" Villanueva.

Corteza, the 2001 SEA Games 8-ball champion over Bata Reyes, romped to the finals via a 13-8 triumph over 2001 SEA Games 9-ball gold medalist Antonio "Nicoy" Lining.

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Uichico ends feud with Aquino, Espino; divides pool into two

A simple misunderstanding between national team coach Jong Uichico and Sta. Lucia stalwarts Marlou Aquino and Dennis Espino was settled amicably in the presence of PBA Commissioner Jun Bernardino in the early morning of January 28.

Uichico reportedly shouted at the behemoth center Aquino in a huddle with the players when the latter politely asked where to procure the fines for lateness and absences during the training period. Irked and embarrassed in front of his fellow players, Aquino began missing workouts and practices and contemplated not joining the national team. Sta. Lucia teammate Espino, in a spirit of kinship, joined Aquino in his cause.

No less than Commissioner Bernardino brokered the peace talks and Uichico and the two star players patched up their differences and put the past behind them.

Later in the day, the pool was divided into two teams. Team A, likely to don the Selecta Ice Cream colors, is composed of Espino, Olsen Racela, Patrick Fran, Kenneth Duremdes, Jimmy Alapag, Chris Calaguio, Rafi Reavis, Chris Jackson, Eric Menk, Poch Juinio, Asi Taulava, Ali Peek, Jeffrey Flowers and Chris Clay.

Team B is made up of Aquino, Johnny Abarrientos, Boyet Fernandez, Danny and Andy Seigle, Noy Castillo, Renren Ritualo, Jeffrey Cariaso, Don Camaso, Rudy Hatfield, Danny Ildefonso, Mick Pinnisi, Davonn Harp EJ Feihl and Rommel Adducul.

Adducul is included in the list despite not being cleared by the MBA but his inclusion is being negotiated by Bernardino with newly-appointed MBA Commissioner Chito Loyzaga.

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