MANILA, Philippines — The national women’s boxing team of Sri Lanka arrived in Manila Sunday night for a two-week training and a friendly competition with the Filipino pugs. The Sri Lankans, composed of four pugs and a coach, are currently staying inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and have started sparring with their local counterpart at the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) gym Monday.

PH women’s coach Mitchel Martinez said the presence of the foreign boxers boosted the elite team’s own preparations, especially their newcomers. “Ginanahan yung mga baguhan namin kasi nakita nila kung paano mag-training yung mga dayuhan. Mas naging focused sila sa ensayo at eager sila na maka-spar yung mga Sri Lankans,” said Martinez, a former world championship medalist. ABAP executive director Ed Picson said the Sri Lankans and the Filipino fighters will engage in a dual meet during the national championships in Tagbilaran, Bohol on March 4 to 7. —Kristel Satumbaga

SCUAA

Hostilities in this year’s State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) National Olympics went into full blast Monday at the Iloilo Sports Complex and nearby venues. Senator Franklin Drilon, the keynote speaker during the colorful opening ceremony last Sunday, urged more than 5,000 studentathletes to continue to work hard to achieve excellence in the sporting field.

"As products of public funds, being an athlete of the SCUAA is one way of giving back to the people," said Drilon during the twohour opening ceremony highlighted by the traditional parade of teams. Drilon also challenged the athletes to "develop hard work, sportsmanship, and discipline."

Haas Wins

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Bill Haas rolled in a 45-foot birdie putt at the second playoff hole on Sunday to win the Northern Trust Open and deny Phil Mickelson a second US PGA Tour title in as many weeks.

Riviera Country Club's 315-yard, par-four 10th provided plenty of drama as the second playoff hole.

Mickelson – who was coming off a storming victory at Pebble Beach last Sunday and had led or shared the lead here after each round – put his tee shot in the right rough short of the green. Keegan Bradley was in the right greenside bunker while Haas was in the back left rough. Haas pitched safely to the middle of the green. Mickelson's shot out of the rough rolled through the green and into the back bunker while Bradley fired out of the sand to the back fringe.

Haas sank his long birdie putt, then waited tensely as Mickelson and Bradley tried in vain to extend the playoff.

NCA Derby

The best in Philippine cockfighting battles Tuesday in the National Cockers Alliance (NCA) at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Patrick “Idol” Antonio will host the derby where he invited special guests Tony Lasala, Odi Fausto, Ramon Nolasco and Joey Salangsang.

Participating in the derby are NCA members Charlie “Atong” Ang, Gerry Ramos, Eddie Gonzales, Tommy Chua, Osang dela Cruz, Ellan Nagaño, Rene Medina, Bebot Uy, Jun Topacio, James Uy, Eugene Martin, Luding Boongaling,
Manny Santos, Armand Santos, Ito Ynares, Nestor Mercado, Lito Orillaza, Joel Teves, Danny Teves, Mario Villamor, The Firefly Group, Ramon Mancenares, Rudy Albano, Jimmy Ang, Efren Canlas, Junjun Salazar, T. Sevilla, JR Tolentino, Eric dela Rosa, Butchoy Olaño, JJ Suarez, Boy Torres, George Torres, Claude Bautista and Boyet Joson.

Bacoor Chessfest

Registration is ongoing for the first Aniban Chess Festival set on Sunday at the Aniban 1 covered court in Bacoor, Cavite. The tournament will start at 9 a.m. where participants compete for trophies, medals and cash prizes in the nonmasters, senior class, ladies and 16-under categories. A 7-round Swiss System and FIDE rules will be observed.