Boatwright made sure he met height limit

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer import Bennie Boatwright is listed 6-10 in most scouting
reports and with the PBA Commissioner’s Cup limit for imports at 6-9, he sent photos as proof of
his actual height before flying in. Boatwright was later measured 6-8 3/8 by the PBA staff, lying flat
on his back with a metal-reinforced wooden plate pressing on his bare feet, perpendicular to a
table, and a carpenter’s “squala” against his head.

San Miguel team manager Gee Abanilla said yesterday Boatwright had two photos of his
measurement taken in Mexico and sent them to agent Paul Kevin. “When I got in touch with Paul,
he offered players who had been recommended by different agents from way back,” said Abanilla.
“Then he suggested Bennie. So I looked him up and viewed his games. He looked impressive,
especially his skillset that would help our team. There was initial apprehension since he was listed
6-10. I passed this info to management and our coaches and they, too, were skeptical. I asked for
photos of him being measured, standing up and lying down. After some deliberations, we decided
to fly him over and he eventually passed the height test. After he completed all his documents,
tests and clearances, Bennie started feeling under the weather and had a headache and cold after
some workouts and skills assessment with coach Leo (Austria) and coach Biboy (Ravanes). True
enough, he tested positive for COVID the next day, that’s why he had to delay his PBA debut.”

Abanilla said Boatwright is heaven-sent. “We’re truly lucky and blessed to have Bennie and he fits
well with our team,” he added. “When JuneMar (Fajardo) was still injured and Bennie's name was
mentioned, we knew he would be a good complement once JuneMar got healed.”

Abanilla said Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel are due for assessment by doctors and PTs. “Vic
needs to double up his conditioning, strengthening and timing while Terrence is still managing the
pain in his ankle and most likely, will need an air-cast to speed up his recovery as of last
assessment,” he said. Romeo missed the semifinals while Manuel has not played this conference.
“I’m just happy we’re in the Finals,” said Abanilla. “But the job isn’t done yet. As coach Jorge
(Gallent) reminded the guys, we have one final ladder to hurdle.”
Dolphins of Dasmarinas notch 4th win in
UCAL-PG Flex cagefest

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas streaked to its fourth win with a
77-58 drubbing of Manila Central University Monday, January 29, in the Universities and Colleges
Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Season 6 at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Dolphins dominated the match early but it was only in the second frame where they were able
to rip the game wide apart, outscoring the Supremos, 19-8, to build a 41-24 lead at the break.

MCU tried to make a run of its own in the final two quarters, but PCU-D was quick to respond in
scuttling the threat to remain perfect in the 9-school league also support by Angel’s Pizza.

MCU’s blowout loss came two days after pulling off a spine-tingling 76-74 win over two-time
champion Diliman College.

Alvin Reyes played only for 25 minutes but top-scored for the Dolphins with 17 points to go with
his seven boards and an assist, while Gailelm Escultor and Adrian Reves added 14 and 11 points,
respectively.

Their efforts put to waste the double-double of 17 points and 13 boards by MCU’sd Bi Tizie
Yannick Dje.
Rebuilding Cignal signs Bagunas for
Spikers’ Turf campaign

MANILA, Philippines – The Cignal HD Spikers acquired the country’s top player Bryan Bagunas
and a slew of talented young talented blood as part of their major retooling in the Spikers’ Turf
unfurling March.

“Excited ako to begin this new chapter of my career with the Cignal HD Spikers,” said Bagunas,
who is still playing for the Taichung-based Win Streak in Taiwan but will plunge straight into action
as soon as he returns this summer.

“Alam naman natin isa na sila sa pinakakilala at pinakarespetadong teams sa men’s volleyball dito
sa Pilipinas, kaya umaasa akong makakatulong ako sa kanilang mahabang listahan ng mga
tagumpay,” he added.

The HD Spikers, now on their 10th year as a club team, have also tapped Ron Rosales, Giles
Torres, Madz Gampong, Nas Gwaza, Cian Silang, and libero Vince Lorenzo to further beef their
roster that included former Spikers’ Turf MVP Joshua Umandal, Alfred Valbuena, EJ Casaña,
Lloyd Josafat, and newly named team captains Wendel Miguel and JP Bugaoan.

Bagunas’ arrival instantly filled the massive void left by Marck Espejo, who transferred to a Tai
Bundit-coached Rebisco more than a week ago.

With men’s volleyball continuing to rise — with new teams, new players, and new competition —
Cignal is prepared to level up their game and remain on top of the standings, finishing every
conference as champion.

“This 2024, we’re coming back with a renewed squad, may gustong patunayan, at siyempre andun
pa rin yung gutom. Grateful kami kay Bryan that he signed with us, and also all our new bloods
who will bring in their effort, energy, and lessons to the team. Hopefully, we can reach our goals in
each tournament because for sure we will fight for every point with every game we play,” said
Cignal men’s head coach Dexter Clamor.

The Cignal men’s spikers are the defending champions of the upcoming Spikers’ Turf Open
Conference, having won last March against the defunct squad AMC Cotabato before finishing as
the 1st runner-up in the recently concluded Invitational Conference last December.

They are six-time champions in the Spikers’ Turf and won the 2022 PNVF Champions League title
a few years ago.

Yap bids Rain or Shine goodbye

MANILA, Philippines — Veteran James Yap has parted ways with Rain or Shine, triggering talks of
making his swan song elsewhere or him finally calling it a career.

“After much prayer and reflection, I have decided to end my journey as an Elasto Painter,” Yap,
41, posted on social media yesterday.

The two-time MVP and seven-time champion spent the last seven years with ROS, which acquired
him in 2016 in a blockbuster trade with Magnolia (then known as Star) for Paul Lee.

Yap, who signed a one-conference deal with ROS at the start of Season 48, saw action for three
games in the Commissioner’s Cup, averaging 5.0 points in 9.74 minutes.
“I have truly appreciated all those who have supported me during this time and thank you for
making me part of your family for seven years. I also want to extend my gratitude to the team’s
management for graciously approving my request for release and allowing me to move forward to
begin the next chapter in my life,” he said.

The current San Juan councilor didn’t specify what his next step is.

Online, Yap’s fans expressed their desire to see him get his last ride with the Hotshots

Torrecampo shines with twin titles in PPS

netfest

Pete Niere, 6-0, 6-2, to pocket the boys’ 12-and-U diadem, while Raven Licayan, also from Gen.
Trias, took the 10-unisex trophy with a 4-2, 4-1 victory over Juliana Coyiuto.

In doubles competition, notable pairs such as Bautista and Emana, Al Licayan and Manila, as well
as Gonzaga and Policarpio, and Aron Emana and Kirk Gonzaga, showcased their teamwork and
skill to claim titles in various age-groups.

Meanwhile, action resumes tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 1) for the Fr. Fernando Suarez M-Cup at
the South City Homes Recreation Center in Biñan, Laguna. For details and listup, contact event
organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464 or visit palawanpawnshoptennis.com and social
media FB page www.facebook.com/palawanpawnshoptennis.
Remolino, Alcoseba favored in CamSur
5150

MANILA, Philippines — In-form Kim Remolino and Raven Faith Alcoseba hope to ride the
momentum of their victories in the National Age-Group Triathlon as they gear up for the Go for
Gold Sunrise Sprint, a sub-category event of the 5150 Triathlon CamSur on Feb. 11 in Camarines
Sur.

Remolino pulled off a thrilling victory over fellow Cebuano Matthew Hermosa in last Sunday’s
NAGT in Subic, clocking 56 minutes and 56 seconds against the latter’s 56:57 in the men’s
category of the 750m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run race.

Alcoseba, on the other hand, timed 1:03:55 to nail her third straight title, besting Erika Burgos and
Kira Ellis, who clocked 1:05:39 and 1:06:16, respectively.

That makes the Go for Gold Cebu stalwarts, who also shared top honors in the short-distance
triathlon series in Bohol in 2022, the marked triathletes in the upcoming Sunrise Sprint, determined
to add more titles to their growing trophy collection.