MANILA, Philippines — The 2011 NAMSSA Philippine National Motocross Championship gets underway tomorrow at the Speedworld World MX Circuit in SM City Bicutan with the resumption of the series that produces the annual champions of different motocross categories.

All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and Utility Vehicle (UV) races take centerstage for off-road enthusiasts. The Rider of the Year and the class champions in different categories will be feted in the 2011 NAMSSA Gala Awards Night set on Dec. 21 at the Manor Super Club and Disco in Eastwood, Quezon City. Sponsors of the event are SM City Bicutan and Maynilad Parañaque City who have been providing efficient services to the Speedworld facilities.

Kenneth San Andres, the frontrunner for the Motocross Rider of the Year, heads the cast who have confirmed participation. Former champions Jolet Jao and Jovie Saulog are expected to provide San Andres the competition in the Pro Open and Pro 125 classes.

L.P.G.A. tilt

ORLANDO, Florida (AP) – Na Yeon Choi shot a 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead over Morgan Pressel and Karrie Webb after the first round of the U.S. LPGA Tour's season-ending Titleholders on Thursday. Choi, the Malaysia winner last month, birdied five of the first eight holes on the back nine at Grand Cypress before dropping a stroke with a bogey on the par-4 18th.

Defending champion Maria Hjorth and Cristie Kerr shot 68, and Anna Nordqvist was another stroke back along with Paula Creamer, Sandra Gal, Mi Hyun Kim, Candie Kung, Azahara Munoz and Dewi Claire Schreefel. Top-ranked Yani Tseng had a 70, and Michelle Wie opened with a 71.

Novali-Chess

The second Novaliches non-master rapid chess championship will be held Nov. 30 with a big field expected to see action at the Activity Center of SM City Novaliches.

The event is open to untitled players with NCFP rating of 2100 and below with the winner getting P5,000 plus trophy, according to Sonsea Agonoy, president of the organizing Novaliches Novelty Chess Club at Francisco Arcade, Damong Maliit, Brgy. Nagkaisang Nayon, Novaliches, Quezon City. Other titles to be disputed are the seniors, kiddies and ladies titles.

Best Finals

Only Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu will be back to defend its Passerelle title as championships in the Best Center's Small Basketeers Philippines-Passerelle twin tournaments are set at the Jacinto Tiu court of Xavier School this weekend.

Sacred Heart's big brothers from Ateneo de Manila were ousted from the National Capital Region tournament, with Lourdes School of Mandaluyong emerging as the new NCR SBP champion and will go up against Luzon champion International School for Better Beginnings, Visayas titlist St. John's Institute, and Mindanao champion Ateneo de Davao.

Sacred Heart kept the Visayas Passerelle crown and will be facing NCR titlist Xavier School, Luzon champion Guagua National Colleges, and Mindanao champion Holy Child School of Davao in this tournament sponsored by Milo.

Derby Leader

Gamefowl breeder Grady Malone of Ohio might become the first American to win the prestigious NFGB National Bakbakan 11-Stag Derby after grabbing seven points on Tuesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Malone and his partner Marcel Julao (Dexter GM MTJ) need only four more wins to bag the crown.

They joined 19 other top qualifiers with seven points including sabong idol Patrick Antonio, Gerry Ramos, Allan Siaco, Dennis Sta. Maria, Angelo Atad, Baby Boy Singson and Rey Tolentino. The National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders (NFGB) executive committee announced yesterday that the grand championship for participants with 6.5 and 7 points will be held on Dec. 5 at the Pasay Cockpit.