LOS ANGELES (AFP) – US sports network giant ESPN has apologized for an “offensive” headline that appeared on one of its web pages after Jeremy Lin's New York Knicks suffered a loss after winning seven straight. ESPN was forced to apologize Saturday for an anti-Asian slur directed at Chinese-American Lin that appeared in a story on its website for mobile users, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The headline “Chink in the Armor” was included in the online story about Lin's role in the 89-85 loss to the New Orleans Hornets. ESPN called the headline “offensive” in a statement.

It said in the statement it was “conducting a complete review of our cross-platform editorial procedures and are determining appropriate disciplinary action to ensure this does not happen again. We regret and apologize for this mistake.”

ESPN said that the headline appeared to only mobile browsers for a 35-minute period.

‘Lin-sanity’ Phenomenon

The Jeremy Lin phenomenon has been sweeping the basketball market ever since the sensational New York guard powered the Knicks to seven straight wins and averaged 26.8 points. 8.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals.

Yahoo! Sports reports that sales of Lin’s number 17 jersey are robust. China, Taiwan, and the Philippines – the region’s three biggest basketball markets – have been the ones benefiting in the ‘Lin-sanity’ phenomenon. Proline Sports Center vice president Joven Babaan welcomes the development, saying the rise of ‘Lin-sanity’ in the NBA benefits the country as a new Asian hero emerges in the post Yao Ming era in the NBA.

“Our sales of Spalding and NBA products are already reacting positively to the Jeremy Lin magic and we are optimistic that we are merely scratching the surface of his potential impact,” said Babaan. Proline Sports Center is the exclusive distributor of Spalding products in the Philippines.

Reyes Loses To Taiwanese Bet

Taiwanese Pin Yi Ko downed veteran Efren “Bata” Reyes, 9-4, in the Philippine Bigtime Billiards (PBB) Face-Off Series late Saturday at the Pagcor Airport Casino in Parañaque City.

Ko shattered a 2-all count by winning four straight racks that all but disarmed the Filipino ace. The weekly event is aired live over Solar Sports, Sky Channel 70 and Destiny Channel 34.

Moto Saya Set Feb. 25

The much-awaited motorcycle event, “ Moto Saya”, will be held on Feb. 25 from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Liberty Center, Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City. Moto Saya is a monthly event aimed at instilling safety among motorcycle riders.

It has a behavioral activity called “Obstakeliya,” an obstacle course competition which promotes “accuracy is king rather than speed” on the road. Ten more Moto Saya events are scheduled for 2012.

HCHS Tossers Post Sixth Win

Hope Christian High School blasted San Beda College-Alabang, 25-16, 25-18, recently to stay unbeaten in six games in the premier 17-Under Competitive Division of the Milo-sponsored, Best Center-organized Women's Volleyball League at the Xavier School gym.

The loss was San Beda's first in six games and dropped it into a tie at second place with Colegio de San Agustin, which dealt St. Scholastica's College its third defeat in six days, 25-8, 25-15. Holy Family School tied St. Scho at 3-3 with a 25-13, 25-13, thumping of winless PWU-JASMS, while St. Paul College-Makati notched its first win in six games via a walk over Immaculate Concepcion Academy.