Espinas boosts stock, gets NCAA Player of Week award Gabby Espinas once made history in the National Collegiate Athletic Association by winning the 2004 Most Valuable Player trophy and the Rookie of the Year award at the same time. The 6-foot-4 Espinas recently made himself available for the 2006 Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft set on August 20 at the Market! Market! Mall in Taguig City and with his achievements, he will be highly considered as the top draft pick. But even with all his success in the country’s oldest collegiate league, the forward from Philippine Christian University is still doing his best to prove to PBA teams he’s ready to play in the pro league. During the past week, Espinas played an important role as the 2004 champion Dolphins, for the third consecutive season, made it to the Final Four of the 82nd NCAA men’s basketball tournament—earning the forward his second NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week honor. PCU scored two victories to book a seat in the crossover semifinal, and they are in strong contention for one of the two twice-to-beat incentives. In the Taft-based team’s 79-70 win over host College of Saint Benilde, Espinas played only 15 minutes after attending the PBA Rookie Camp in PhilSports early in the day and had a career-low one point. But his passion for winning is unquestionable. Frank CalapreFor comments, go to themessage board.Text back your reaction to this article using your Globe, Touch Mobile, Smart, Talk n' Text, Sun and Addict, cellphone bysending REACT to 2366 or send an email to newsfeedback@abs-cbn.com Please refrain from offensive language, slanderous statementsand commercial messages. Discuss this article on our message boardsUST trounces NU, 75-67 The University of Santo Tomas sealed a 75-67 win against National University after four straight losses in the UAAP senior men’s basketball game at PhilSports Arena Saturday. abs-cbnNEWS.com (8/19/2006 6:15:37 PM) US opens strong, Aussies shock Brazil in world basketball SAPPORO, Japan - Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James lifted a favored US squad through early struggles to beat Puerto Rico while Australia took a stunning upset over Brazil to open the World Basketball Championships. AFP (8/19/2006 5:26:24 PM) Holyfield launches comeback with a win DALLAS, Texas - Four-time heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield launched his comeback bid with a second-round technical knockout of Jeremy Bates here on Friday. AFP (8/19/2006 1:05:21 PM) Sprinter Marion Jones fails drug test, says source RALEIGH, North Carolina - Triple Olympic sprint champion Marion Jones has failed an initial doping test, a source familiar with the test told Reuters. Reuters (8/19/2006 11:56:12 AM) Roddick ends Murray's giant-killing run in Cincinnati CINCINNATI, Ohio - Nearly three weeks of top tennis caught up with Andy Murray Friday as the Scottish challenger lost a tight 6-3, 6-4 quarter-final to Andy Roddick at the ATP Cincinnati Masters. AFP (8/19/2006 10:27:07 AM) Mourning stays with Miami MIAMI - Seven-time All-Star Alonzo Mourning signed a new contract with the National Basketball Association champion Miami Heat on Friday. AFP (8/19/2006 10:07:52 AM) Ferrero beats Nadal in quarters CINCINNATI - Second seed Rafael Nadal was beaten 7-6 7-6 by an inspired Juan Carlos Ferrero in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters on Friday. Reuters (8/19/2006 8:20:39 AM) Andrade, Stenson share lead at Medinah MEDINAH, Illinois - American Billy Andrade and Sweden's Henrik Stenson shared the lead in the second round of the PGA Championship while US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy was mounting a charge on Friday. Reuters (8/19/2006 8:14:59 AM) Powell equals 100-meter world record ZURICH - Jamaican Asafa Powell equaled the men's 100 meters world record for the second time this year, clocking 9.77 seconds at a Golden League meeting on Friday. Reuters (8/19/2006 8:12:41 AM) Valle is first to Nat'l Pool semis Gandy Valle easily routed second seed Dennis Orcullo 9-1 on Friday to top a day of upsets and grab the first semifinal seat in the 2006 Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines National Pool Championship at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The Manila Times (8/19/2006 2:37:42 AM) Air21 might take ‘Ninja’ Yeo instead of big man Filipino American Kelly Williams and Arwind Santos, both forwards, are deemed to be the top two picks in the Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft this Sunday at the Market! Market! Mall in Taguig City. The Manila Times (8/19/2006 2:29:12 AM) Stags repeat over Blazers 5 San Sebastian College-Recoletos reaffirmed its mastery over season host College of Saint Benilde, 68-63, on Friday to keep its hopes for a semifinal slot alive in the 82nd National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The Manila Times (8/19/2006 2:27:47 AM) RP Golden Girls lose, aim for 5th KALAMAZOO, Michigan - Team Manila suffered its worst loss yet, 4-1 to Connecticut, on Thursday (Friday in Manila) as it headed to its worst finish in the Big League division of the Girls Softball World Series here. The Manila Times (8/19/2006 2:27:20 AM) Bulldogs try to stay within top 4 vs Tigers National University tries to stay on track for a possible Final Four slot as it faces the sliding University of Santo Tomas in the lone seniors match of the 69th University Athletic Association of the Philippines Saturday at the Philsports Arena. The Manila Times (8/19/2006 2:25:26 AM) PBA preseason games last chance for free agents Rookie hopefuls who may not be picked or signed for the 2006-07 Philippine Basketball Association season have one more alternative left to make their way into Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league. The Manila Times (8/19/2006 2:24:57 AM) James, Wade and Anthony named US captains at world hoop event SAPPORO, Japan - LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, who played on the 2004 US Olympic team, and Dwyane Wade of the National Basketball Association champion Miami Heat were named US World Championships captains. AFP (8/18/2006 10:28:10 PM) Mickelson and Woods fire matching 69s at PGA Championship CHICAGO - The world's two top golfers proved to be an even match on Thursday as playing partners Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson battled stroke for stroke at the 88th PGA Championship. AFP (8/18/2006 9:03:31 AM) Champion Clijsters set to miss US Open BRUSSELS - Kim Clijsters is unlikely to defend her US Open title later this month because of a wrist injury. Reuters (8/18/2006 6:44:35 AM) Glover out front at Medinah MEDINAH, Illinois - Ryder Cup hopeful Lucas Glover birdied three of the last four holes to set the early pace in the PGA Championship first round on Thursday while Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were in hot pursuit. Reuters (8/18/2006 6:38:50 AM) Judge orders Barry Bonds' lawyer to testify SAN FRANCISCO - A federal judge on Thursday ordered Barry Bonds' personal trainer to testify before a grand jury about the baseball slugger's possible use of steroids. Reuters (8/18/2006 6:30:45 AM) Murray battles back to advance CINCINNATI - Andy Murray dug deep into his reserves to beat American Robby Ginepri 7-6 2-6 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters on Thursday. Reuters (8/18/2006 6:26:28 AM) Nadal eases his doubts with solid Cincy win CINCINNATI, United States - Rafael Nadal boosted his hard-court confidence by a huge factor, overcoming German Tommy Haas 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP Cincinnati Masters. AFP (8/18/2006 6:23:02 AM) Eagles, Tamaraws keep win runs alive Ateneo de Manila University on Thursday needed one offensive burst from JC Intal and a clever play from Macky Mascalona on defense to preserve its unbeaten mark. The Manila Times (8/18/2006 2:01:44 AM) ‘Lion’ gains quarterfinals Top seed Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan escaped with a 9-7 win over Cebu’s Antonio “Gaga” Gabica to advance into the next round of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) National Pool Championship at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The Manila Times (8/18/2006 2:00:55 AM) Victory over Lebanon has Chot praying Sweeping the World Championships-bound Lebanon national team in a two-game goodwill series has given Philippine team mentor Chot Reyes mixed feelings. The Manila Times (8/18/2006 2:00:25 AM) Kalamazoo ends Manila girls’ title hopes KALAMAZOO, Michigan - Kalamazoo again found a way to beat Team Manila late, posting a 3-2 victory on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) that knocked the Filipinas out of title contention in the Big League World Series of softball. The Manila Times (8/18/2006 1:59:38 AM) Tierro drubs Aussie, reaches Futures 3rd round Fifth seed Patrick John Tierro of the Philippines downed Australian Anthony Tuong, 6-2, 6-3, Thursday to reach the third round of the $10,000 Indonesia Futures 3 at the Sario Tennis court in Manado, Indonesia. The Manila Times (8/18/2006 1:59:03 AM) Stags, Altas and Bombers fight for lives Three teams fighting for life square off Friday in the 82nd National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The Manila Times (8/18/2006 1:58:37 AM)
At 2:00 p.m. Saturday, a low pressure area was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 560 kms east northeast of Batanes (21.5°N 127.5°E). Southwest monsoon affecting Central and Northern Luzon. more...
At 2:00 p.m. Saturday, a low pressure area was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 560 kms east northeast of Batanes (21.5°N 127.5°E). Southwest monsoon affecting Central and Northern Luzon. more... 
