Arum rolls out red carpet for IBF champ Ancajas
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Kia’s much-maligned concept of playing unconventional basketball finally produced a victory last night in the most unconventional way after holding off Rain or Shine’s late scare, 98-94, snapping a 16-game losing skid in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Glenn Khobuntin scored back-toback baskets that put the Picanto ahead 96-89 with over two minutes left, before sealing the final count with a breakaway layup that came after the Elasto Painters missed three successive tries to tie the game.
Picanto players couldn’t wipe away their smiles after the buzzer sounded while coach Ricky Dandan, who won after three games since succeeding the role vacated by Chris Gavina, heaved a huge sigh of relief.
“I’m relieved more than tired. I’m more relieved than anything else,” said Dandan. “We finally broke that losing skid and this will go a long way in our rebuilding of our ballclub.”
The Picanto victory ended a rugged contest that saw the ejections of Eric Camson and Elasto Painter Raymond Almazan in the second quarter for fighting.
Camson delivered an elbow to the face of Almazan while the two were jockeying for rebounding position. Almazan retaliated with his own elbow before both players were separated by cooler heads, leading to a huge roar from the crowd that included world boxing champion Jerwin Ancajas.
Both were immediately tossed for their actions, but Camson and Almazan had some choice words as they entered their respective locker rooms. Had not
Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is rolling the red carpet for Jerwin Ancajas, the fast-rising Filipino star who makes his US debut on Feb. 3 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Arum, whose Top Rank Inc. is staging Ancajas’ fourth defense of the International Boxing Federation super-flyweight crown, already has a blueprint for Ancajas in 2018.
“He will no longer be looking around for fights because we will give him fights this year,” said the 86-year-old Arum from his Las Vegas home.
Ancajas was signed to a lucrative three-fight deal for 2018 and assuming he disposes of Israel Gonzalez of Mexico with ease next month, the 26-yearold IBF 115-lb king will find himself back in the gym in no time.
“If he does well, we could get him for a divider that looked like prison bars placed in the corridor, the two could have produced a sequel in front of a select few.
Khobuntin joined hands with an unlikely hero in Roider Cabrera as they combined for 17 points in the third quarter, a waterloo for the Picanto in their losses to the Magnolia Hotshots and Alaska Aces by an average of 42 points.
Rashawn McCarthy would score 11 of his 14 in the fourth quarter before Khobuntin’s back-to-back gave Kia that seven-point advantage and appeared to have a smoothsailing ride towards victory.
McCarthy 14, Cabrera 14, Yee 13, Khobuntin 11, Camson 10, Celda 8, Galanza 8, Ababou 6, Sara 5, Tubid 5, Caperal 4.
Nambatac 12, Yap 11, Tiu 10, Ponferada 10, Ahanmisi 9, Belga 8, Norwood 8, Borboran 7, Maiquez 6, Almazan 6, Daquioag 4, King 2, Cruz 1, Matias 0, Trollano 0.
Quarters: 13-18; 40-44: 72-68; 98-94. back in the ring in late-April or May,” added Arum.
Joven Jimenez, manager and trainer of Ancajas, is thrilled over the prospects of fighting under the Top Rank banner.
“We are hoping that Jerwin puts on a huge performance,” said Jimenez from their training camp in Magallanes, Cavite.
Ancajas has started tapering off in preparation for his their departure for the US this Thursday.
Apart from Ancajas and Jimenez, also joining the trip are Virgil Jimenez (assistant trainer), Mark Anthony Barriga (sparring partner), Todd Makelim (cutman) and Epi Almeda (interpreter).
Top Rank publicist Lee Samuels said an open media workout is being arranged for Ancajas during his brief stay in Los Angeles. Team Ancajas departs for Corpus Christi on Jan. 28.