Fox Sports PH with exclusive coverage of the 2014 French Open

The second event of the Tennis Grand Slam already started yesterday with the 2014 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris.

Rafael Nadal is looking to maintain his dominance in the men's singles competition, with the King of Clay trying to nab his ninth title in the last ten years. The only man to break Rafa's stranglehold in Roland Garros is Roger Federer, back in 2009. Seeded 4th, the Swiss already booked his seat in the second round, winning his opener.

Other possible challengers to the Spaniard are Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka. Nole won the Italian Open, beating Nadal, while the Australian Open champion Stan won at Monte Carlo.

In the women's singles, Serena Williams is rounding into form after winning the Italian Open, while looming in the horizon is Stuttgart and Madrid Open winner Maria Sharapova.

Filipino fans will also have something to look forward to in this Grand Slam event, with Treat Huey participating in the men's doubles with Dominic Inglot.

The Philippine telecast of the 2014 French Open will be on Fox Sports Philippines and on FOX Sports HD. As a consequence of the coverage that will last until the finals scheduled on June 7 and 8, no PBA games will be shown on May 28 and June 4.

PBA televised schedule for the Governors' Cup elims

PBA six times a week? That's going to be the case with the 2014 PLDT Home TELPAD PBA Governors' Cup.

Basketball will keep your weeknights preoccupied with games on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Doubleheaders will be the case, with the first game to tip off at 5:45 pm. It will be shown on Aksyon TV live, with an 11pm delayed telecast on TV5. The second game will be shown LIVE on TV5 at 8pm.

Saturdays and Sundays will have an earlier time slot, with both games to be shown on TV5. The former will have 2:45pm & 5pm, with the latter having a 3pm and 5pm tip.

The games will also be shown HD at the Cignal Ch. 199, with encore telecasts on HYPER.

Meanwhile, Kuwentong Gilas will now be shown on Thursdays, starting tonight at 9:30pm with the episode featuring TNT forward Ranidel de Ocampo. Entitled "Ang Pamana," it centers on his return to his hometown of Tanza, Cavite.

Taiwan to host first Basketball Without Borders in Asia

The NBA via its global social responsibility program NBA Cares, in conjunction with FIBA and the Chinese-Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA), is bringing its Basketball Without Borders project to Asia for the first time, with its BWB Asia program in Taipei next month.

The program aims to teach its participants of the values of the game, through its grassroots basketball development, community service and life skill seminars. Extensive community outreach efforts will take place in the different venues (i.e. donations of school supplies, clothing, etc. to community-based organizations)

36 BWB camps have been conducted worldwide, with over 150 current/former NBA & WNBA players and almost 140 NBA personnel being involved.

Scheduled to take place in June 13-16 in Taipei, BWB Asia brings together the top fifty players (born in 1996 or 1997) in the Asia-Oceania region.

NBA Taiwan Associate VP and Managing Director Bimal Kapoor says that “Basketball without Borders helps us to grow the game of basketball and bring attention to important social issues that affect communities in Taiwan.” He adds that they are thankful for the CTBA for being the host this program and provide the youth with the opportunity to develop their skills in both basketball and in life.

CTBA President Ting Shou-chung expressed delight to be able to work with the NBA in providing the opportunity for the youth to learn from the best players and coaches in the world. He believes that this project is another step in the broadening the league's relationship with them and reiterates their commitment to continue their basketball development.

Among the participants in the BWB Asia is Jr. NBA Philippines 2011 All-Star (and National University commit) Rendell Senining

Toronto Raptors swingman John Salmons, Minnesota Timberwolves reserve big man (and recent Manila visitor) Ronny Turiaf, and Charlotte Hornets rookie Cody Zeller will headline the program, with assistant coaches Bryan Gates (New Orleans Pelicans), David Vanterpool (Portland Trailblazers) and Bobby Jackson (Minnesota Timberwolves) also on hand to participate.

Also expected to make an appearance is Yao Ming.

Meanwhile, BWB will also have its European camp in Rome and will make a return to Johannesburg this year.

BWB Europe will take place on June 2-5 in Rome, with Brandon Knight and Al Horford joining camp alumni Danilo Gallinari, Andrea Bargnani and Gigi Datome. They will oversee the top 50 European players (born in 1997).

On the other hand, BWB Africa will take place in Johannesburg on August 5-8, with Brooklyn Nets forward Andrei Kirilenko and Oklahoma City guard Thabo Sefolosha joining NBA head coaches Dwayne Casey, Brian Shaw and Jeff Hornacek overseeing the top 60 Africans (born in 1997 or 1998). 

As one of its global partners, Nike will be outfitting the campers and coaches with its apparel and footwear.

Postseason Treats at the NBA Café Manila

The NBA Cafe. The first one of its kind.

With the NBA playoffs already upon us, the NBA Café aims to add some more flavor for its diners.

Since May 10, the cafe has opened at 7am, to coincide with the tip-off of the first game of the postseason doubleheaders, making sure fans can catch the heat of the action LIVE. Since this is earlier than the normal operating hours of the SM Aura in Taguig, a special entrance has been made available that can be accessed from the parking area.

In addition to the special opening time, the NBA Café will also have a specific menu (PhP 800++, also available ala carte) for the entire postseason to commemorate the occasion.

Much like its basketball counterparts, it's subdivided into two counterparts, the Eastern Feast and the Western Delight.

The Eastern Feast is made up of Beer Battered Fish and Chips served with hand-cut triple-cooked Kennebec Fries, Tartar Sauce and Cole Slaw; Creamy Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon-Crusted Crumble; Cheeseburger Topped with Gruyere Cheese, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onions, Sliced Dill Pickles and Truffle Aioli plus your choice of assorted sodas or a glass of Draft Beer.

Eastern Feast

On the other hand, the Western Delight, is composed of: Lemon-Brined Roasted Chicken with Mashed Potatoes, Succotash and Parsley Gravy; Penne with Sun Dried Tomatoes, Pesto  Sauce and Pine Nuts, Sloppy Joe with Juicy Ground Beef, slow-cooked in a spicy, rich Tomato Sauce, and your choice of assorted sodas or a glass of Draft Beer.

Western Delight

You can call the cafe at 556-1683 for queries or check out their website.

2nd Master Game Face All-Star Challenge to take place

Master launched its Game Face All-Star Challenge last year by bringing a collection of the best collegiate players under the coaching acumen of Chris Tiu and Borgie Hermida, with the latter coming out as the winner at the Arena in San Juan.



For the second edition of the challenge, the country's leading men's skin care and face care brand jiggered things up a bit, as they invited some of the PBA's best players to participate alongside the best collegiate players. They also incorporated one of their new brand ambassadors, Marc Pingris of the SanMig Super Coffee Mixers, into the mix as the new challenger to Chris..


Launched last April 24 in Taguig, the second-ever Master Game Face All-Star Challenge will have Team Chris going up against Team Marc at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on June 21.

According to Unilever Male Grooming Brand Manager Jonathan Pua, “it is natural for us to come up with an activity featuring the no. 1 sport – basketball." He adds that "It will be a good venue to showcase how top Filipino basketball players put their oil-free game faces on with Master Oil Control Max Facial Wash”


For Team Chris, joining the Rain or Shine guard in the starting lineup are UAAP stalwarts Jeron Teng, Chris Newsome, Kevin Ferrer and Mike Tolomia. Complementing the five are Rome dela Rosa, Mark Cruz and Zach Nichols from the NCAA.

Chris says that “Fans are going to have a great time seeing such powerhouse players in the Master Game Face All-Star Basketball Challenge this year, and I’m especially happy to be able to play with such talented young blood and with other professional basketball players.”

For Team Marc, joining the SanMig Coffee forward in the starting lineup are UAAP stalwarts Andre Paras, Jeoffrey Javillonar, Jericho Cruz and Roi Sumang. Complementing the five are Baser Amer, Kevin Racal and Josan Nimes from the NCAA.

Marc adds. “I’m excited to start playing with my team. We hope to put up a great game against our opponents and to show young athletes how to put their Game Faces on with Master.”

Basketball fans can chime in on their choices for the rest of Team Chris and Team Marc by going to Master's Facebook page and clicking the Master Game Face app. Once the votes have been tabulated, a special draft is scheduled on May 31 (much like their fellow Unilever brand CLEAR and how they did their Dream Match Draft) for a twelve-player pool that both Chris and Marc can make their selections on to complete their rosters.

Fans that can correctly guess the lineups would have the opportunity to win prizes.
  

Master Game Face All-Star Challenge Draft Pool:

Point Guard: Jimmy Alapag, Paul Artadi, Mark Barroca, Mike Cortez, Sol Mercado, Terrence Romeo, Emman Monfort, Jai Reyes, RJ Jazul, Anjo Caram, Bonbon Custodio

Shooting Guard: Ryan Arana, Gary David, Jared Dillinger, Larry Fonacier, Rey Guevara, Jeric Teng, John Wilson, Bonbon Custodio, AJ Mandani

Center: Beau Belga, Nonoy Baclao, Justin Chua

Small Forward: Dylan Ababou, Jeff Chan, Elmer Espiritu, Rey Guevara, Alex Nuyles

Power Forward: Beau Belga, Jervy Cruz, Ranidel de Ocampo, Cliff Hodge, Jon Dan Salvador, Elmer Espiritu


Follow Master on Twitter and Instagram via @MasterGameFace to find out the latest about Master
products and about the Master Game Face Challenge. 

#MasterGameFace

NASCAR All-Star Race on FOX Sports Philippines

This weekend, the NASCAR on FOX Sports (Asia) telecast will broadcast arguably the biggest all-star event in sports, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

With $1 million on the line for the winner, there is a huge incentive to go all out for the win.

Carl Edwards (2011 winner) says, “We all race very hard for every win. You drive as hard as you possibly can, but I can tell you this: leading that All-Star race the year we won it, for the last few laps, the stress level was through the roof. It is a million dollars! They put that big money on the line."

Kurt Busch (2010 winner) adds, "The All-Star race is very unpredictable and it always creates those big highlight moments. Charlotte challenges us in ways that other tracks don't, and that's why this track has always been deserving of the All-Star atmosphere.

Jimmie Johnson has won this race the last couple of years and is seeking a three-peat.


Nineteen teams have already secured qualification for the race, thanks to the special criteria:

1. Drivers who have won Sprint Cup races last season and so far this season.
2. Former Sprint Cup champions in the last ten years.
3. Past winners of the All-Star Race the last ten years.

Here are the qualified drivers as of the moment:

Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, David Ragan, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Martin Truex, Jr., Brian Vickers, Ryan Newman, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Kurt Busch

In addition, there will be three more entries. Two will come from the NASCAR Sprint Showdown that is to take place on Friday (Saturday here in Manila). The two teams on top after a 40-lap race  (divided into two 20-lap segments), will be rewarded with a chance at the million.

The last entry goes to the winner of the fan vote conducted on the NASCAR website and the mobile app. Last day for voting is scheduled on Friday.

The breakdown of how this 90-lap race goes can be seen on the infographic below.

Regardless of the result, this race helps the teams prepare for the race the following week, the Coca-Cola 600. To be held at the same track, it is the longest race on the NASCAR calendar.

The NASCAR All-Star Race will be shown on May 18, Sunday, 8am on FOX Sports PH, with the initial replay on Monday, May 19, at 5pm.

NASCAR on FOX Sports PH is fueled by Seaoil Philippines, now powered with STP additives.

TV5 series feautres boxing champion Denver Cuello

Last week, the TV5 series Beki Boxer featured a guest appearance from a real-life boxer.

WBC Silver World Champion Denver Cuello had been tabbed to play the role of Marvin "The Hammerhead" Ortega, the first opponent that Alwyn Uytingco (as Rocky "The Tsunami" Ponciano) will face in his ascent to boxing greatness.

The man (33-5-6 with 21 KOs) dubbed as "The Excitement" is on the comeback trail after suffering a loss Xiong Zhao Zhong in his last fight.

Beki Boxer is shown weekdays at 7pm on TV5.

Johnriel Casimero wins, but gets stripped of title

Johnriel Casimero was able to secure the victory in the main event of Pinoy Knockout this past weekend in the Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu, but the win is hollow for the Filipino.

Casimero was stripped of his IBF Junior Light Flyweight title and a portion of his purse was docked after he weighed five pounds over the limit.

In spite of not making the 108-lb weight limit, the fight pushed through and Johnriel managed to beat Mauricio Fuentes in the opening round. He knocked the Colombian down three times, the third one forcing referee George White to end the match at the 2:59 mark.

Casimero ended Fuentes' winning streak and with the victory, is expected now to move up to flyweight and position themselves for a possible title shot against Juan Francisco Estrada.