MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Water Runs (PWR) holds its third leg Sunday in Marikina with Burlington Industries Philippines (BIP) Inc., as its chief backer. “We are proud to be associated with this sporting event with a very noble cause,” said BIP general manager Ruddy Tan.

Burlington BioFresh shares in the advocacy of PWR of providing safe and clean drinking water to all Filipinos in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goal.

Registration is ongoing at SM Marikina. Events on tap are 3K, 5K and 10K. Thousands of runners took part in PWR’s first two legs, backed by Kaakbay, Jockey, LifeStraw, Diadora and Keg, in Vigan and Naga.

Stallions Win

Korean Joo Young Lee and Ruben Doctora scored two goals each as Stallion Giligan's FC frustrated defending champion Air Force Phoenix, 4-1, in Tuesday's United Football League action at the University of Makati field.

Lee scored in the 12th and 40th minute while Doctora had his in the 26th and 85th minute to steer the Stallions won their second win and secure the top spot in league play.

Stallion Giligans, which began its campaign with a masterful 6-0 blanking of Philippine Navy Red Juice, have won all of its two games for six points, tying idle Loyola Meralco and Kaya FC for the lead. —Jonas Terrado

Iloilo Derby

The 46th Candelaria 7-cock international derby blasts off on Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 as part of the celebration of the Feast of the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria in Iloilo.

Dra. Merlita Justalero, Thunderbird’s gamefowl specialist for Panay Island, said the first set of entries who will field two birds will clash on Jan. 29 and 30, while the second set meets on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. The championship round will be on Feb. 2.

Hosted by Chito Tinsay, the event is co-presented by Thunderbird Romoxtyl and Thunderbird Ganador Max. Defending their crowns are Alimodian Cockers and Breeders Association president Pakit Causing and many-time Candelaria winner Johnny Jalandoni of Bacolod.

Muñoz Hurt

Fil-American Mark Muñoz was pulled out of the UFC on Fox 2 fight card due to injury. UFC president Dana White announced the development recently, where Muñoz, also dubbed as “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” will be replaced by English middleweight contender Michael Bisping in his match against Chael Sonnen.

Supposedly, the winner of the Muñoz-Sonnen bout will face Anderson Silva for the UFC Middleweight title in a proposed stadium-sized UFC event in Sao Paolo, Brazil, while Bisping and Damian Maia will headline the third installment of the UFC on Fox series.

With the latest changes, Maia will face Chris Weidman to complete the three-fight card. Balls will air the event on Jan. 29 at 11:30 a.m.

Blackwater tryouts

Blackwater Sports owner Dioceldo Sy is going to re-build his team for the coming PBA D-League following the team’s failed semis bid in the ongoing Aspirants’ Cup. The former PBL chairman has instructed coach Leo Isaac to conduct tryouts on Jan. 30-31 to enable them to select the best players available and train early.

“The marching order is to build a championship team,” said team manager Johnson Martinez. “We intend to build a much taller team this time.” The two-day tryout, according to Martines, starts from 10 a.m. at the San Juan gym.

Backstopped by several UST and La Salle players, the Blackwater Elite started well but suffered a spate of defeats, including in their quarterfinal series against Big Chill.

Though several players will be retained, Sy is determined to beef up the team with tall but mobile players. “Communication is very important in forming a chemistry,” said Sy.