ALLAN THE MAN

Do you want to share your 2013 Ironman 70.3 Philippines experience and get a chance to win a prepaid mobile phone unit from Globe Telecom? Just tweet or post your pictures using the #GlobePowersIronManPH hashtag from August 3-4, 2013.

As soon as preparations for the exciting event begin, all participants -- athletes, crew, and spectators can already start telling the world about what’s happening by logging in to Twitter or Instagram.

Gilas Pilipinas National team head coach Chot Reyes believes Gilas Pilipinas has a strong chance to make it to the semi-finals of the FIBA Asia Championship 2013, which kicks off on August 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“I think we have a very good chance of to make it to the semi-finals,” Reyes said in a press conference Tuesday. “Beyond that… the beauty and the unpredictability of the FIBA format is that any team can beat any team in a one-game situation.”

FIBA Asia Championship 2013 for Men is the intercontinental championship for basketball organized by FIBA Asia that serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. 

FIBA Asia Championship 2013 will be held on August 1–11, 2013 and will be hosted by Manila,Philippines. 

GAME SCHEDULE: Second Round (Top 3 teams of Group A and Group B formed Group E while Top 3 teams of Group C and Group D formed Group F.) See Complete Schedule Here

August 11, 2013 / SUNDAY

When the FIBA Asia Championship tips off on Thursday, Chot Reyes will become the first coach to lead a PBA-backed national team in a major tournament for a second time since the pro league started lending its players in 1990.

Former coaches Robert Jaworski, Norman Black, Tim Cone, Jong Uichico, and Yeng Guiao called the shots for the national team in one tournament apiece.

Billy Crawford has raised many questions instead of providing answers as he speaks up over his controversial break-up with longtime girlfriend, TV host-actress Nikki Gil.

The teary-eyed actor-performer told Boy Abunda during his July 28 interview on The Buzz he is reason why their relationship ended.

The Malaysian national basketball team will carry tragedy into the FIBA Asia Championship, after one of their roster, 25-year-old Jack Ng Kiat Kee, passed away in China on Sunday, Malaysia's national news agency Bernama, reported.

The 6'5" center collapsed on the bench while playing in an invitational tournament, as part of the country's preparations for the regional tiff, Malaysian Basketball Association (MABA) secretary-general Chey Tat Woon confirmed to Bernama.

Star guard Terrence Romeo of Far Eastern University leads the race for Most Valuable Player award after the first round of UAAP Season 76.

Romeo, who led the Tamaraws to a sweep of the first round, registered 79 statistical points (SPs) after averaging a league-leading 22.6 points along with 6.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

Iran has won two of the last three FIBA Asia Championship tournaments, and coach Memi Becirovic is not bashful about his team’s chances in the 2013 edition of the competition.

“We are going to win the title but five or six other teams want to do that,” the Slovenian coach told the Tehran Times before the team’s departure for Manila on Sunday.

With less than four days to go before the 27th FIBA Asia Championship tips off on August 1, PBA coaches see the need for some adjustments on the part of the Philippine national men’s basketball team for the competition.

Veteran international campaigner Rajko Toroman, who serves as coaching consultant for Barako Bull, sees the need for Gilas Pilipinas to create more chances for their big men.

Is Angel Locsin not beautiful? That is the big question thrown by the enraged fans of the actress to YES! Magazine which recently released it's 100 Most Beautiful Stars for 2013 list where Angel Locsin is not included. Angel Locsin is not beautiful? You gotta be kidding me.

It’s personal, subjective but fair. That’s how Yes! Magazine editor-in-chief Jo-Ann Maglipon described the selection process behind her magazine’s “100 Most Beautiful Stars of 2013” annual special issue.

Kazakhstan coach Matteo Boniciolli became the first coach of a team competing in the FIBA Asia Championship 2013 to get a close look at the Philippine national men’s basketball team in a tuneup match on Friday night. (watch game replay here)

The Italian coach was impressed by Gilas Pilipinas, even going so far as to call the team a contender for the Asian title.

The Philippines' Milan Melindo suffered his first career defeat after he was outpointed by Mexican champion Juan Francisco Estrada at the Fist of Gold II in Macau on Saturday.

FIST OF GOLD 2 in Macau. Filipino boxer Dave Peñalosa knocked out Thailand’s Ngaotawa Sithsaithong with a hard left uppercut to end the match at 45 seconds of Round 3. He remains undefeated with 7 wins.

WATCH 'Dave Peñalosa vs Ngaotawa Sithsaithong' FULL FIGHT REPLAY BELOW:

FIST OF GOLD 2 in Macau. China's Zou Shiming defeated Mexican boxer Jesus Ortega via six round unanimous decision. Judges scores are 59-55, 59-55, 59-55.

The Philippines has protested China's recent publication of a new "10-dash line" map that places sprawling offshore territories it claims within Beijing's "national boundaries," officials said Friday.

In a confidential June 7, 2013 note verbale handed to the Chinese Embassy in Manila, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it "protests the reference to those dash lines as China's national boundaries."

Pop music fanatics are in for another world-class music experience as Canadian singer-songwriter and the artist behind the hit song “Call Me Maybe” Carly Rae Jepsen visits Manila for a one-night concert at the Araneta Coliseum on August 7, 2013. 

Are you one of her thousands of fans waiting for that chance in a lifetime to watch her concert without breaking the bank? You don’t need to call her maybe with your exclusive chance to see her up close and personal for free, made possible by Globe Telecom and Huawei. 

The Philippine national men’s basketball team, SMART Gilas Pilipinas, used its biggest strengths — speed and shooting — to take down a tall and athletic Kazakhstan side, 92-89, on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Jayson Castro sliced and diced his way to 20 points in just 18 minutes, while Jeff Chan waxed hot for 14 of his 20 points in the first half to lead the Gilas Pilipinas squad in its final tuneup match before the FIBA Asia Championship.

Three-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant and former NBA rebounding champion Kevin Love will play for the United States in next year’s Basketball World Cup, US coach Mike Krzyzewski announced.

Oklahoma City Thunder star Durant and Minnesota Timberwolves big man Love were teammates on the 2012 London Olympic gold medal team as well as the 2010 world championship squad that will defend its crown next year in Spain.

The Gilas Pilipinas, Philippine national basketball team, needed a strong fourth quarter to turn back the PBA Selection, 99-87, in an exhibition game at the MOA Arena on Wednesday.

THE SCORES:

Gilas Pilipinas 99 - De Ocampo 16, David 14, Chan 13, Norwood 13, Douthit 11, Fajardo 8, Aguilar 6, Fonacier 5, Alapag 4, Castro4, Tenorio 3, Pingris 2, Belga 0.

PBA Stars 87 - Santos 21, Tiu 14, Canaleta 13, Lee 13, Ellis 9, Reavis 6, Abueva 5, Casio 3, Baguio 2, Cabagnot 1, Simon 0, Barroca 0, Washington 0.

Grown Ups 2 is a 2013 American buddy comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, and produced by Adam Sandler. The film is the sequel to the 2010 film Grown Ups. It features an ensemble cast including Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Salma Hayek.

SYNOPSIS: After moving his family back to his hometown to be with his friends and their kids, Lenny finds out that between old bullies, new bullies, schizo bus drivers, drunk cops on skis, and 400 costumed party crashers sometimes crazy follows you.

WATCH 'GROWN UPS 2' 2013 FULL MOVIE BELOW:

Buckingham Palace officials say the Prince of Cambridge, the newborn son of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate, is named George Alexander Louis.

The SMART- Gilas Pilipinas, Philippine national men’s basketball team, gears up to defend the homeland as the country hosts the 27th FIBA Asia Championship. 

Catch the Gilas Pilipinas squad at the following dates, and keep checking back on this page for updated schedules. Check FIBA Asia Championship Full Schedule

NBA superstar LeBron James and Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra have come a long way since the “King” decided to take his talents to South Beach during his 2010 free agency.

Together with All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, James came to the Heat to win multiple championships, but their era got off to a rocky start when they lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 Finals.

DESPITE the country's dominance in basketball in the region, Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco said cage officials must prove that their team is a cinch for a gold medal in the 2013 Southeast Asian Games before becoming part of the Myanmar-bound delegation.

Cojuangco has insisted that a PBA-backed Gilas Pilipinas squad should be sent to the biennial meet in Myanmar. In the event the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas insists otherwise, he said the body should prove the team worthy of a ticket to Myanmar before the SEAG Task Force.

Is height truly might? China and Iran, tabbed by observers as the top contenders for the title in the FIBA Asia Championship, boast of the tallest lineups in the tournament when it comes to listed heights.

According to a post on the tournament’s official website, the defending champion Chinese team, bannered by three 7-footers including former NBA forward Yi Jianlian, boast of an average height of 201.92cm, or about 6 feet, 7 1/2 inches.

My Lady Boss (2013) is a Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Jade Castro, starring Richard Gutierrez and Marian Rivera. It is produced by GMA Films together with Regal Films. 

SYNOPSIS: Zach (Gutierrez), a rich boy forced to find and keep a job after a major blunder in a company he set up. He ends up working for ­Evelyn, whom he discover to be the boss from hell. In the long run, he sees her for who and what she really is. Meanwhile, Evelyn (Rivera), an uptight and tough Brand Manager who hires an assistant Brand Manager. When she finds herself dumped by her boyfriend, Evelyn seeks comfort in Zach, her assistant who shows a different side of him. 

As part of its advocacy on sports development and advancement, leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom has thrown its support to the annual Asia-Pacific (ASPAC) Little League Baseball Regionals held at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga recently.

In particular, Globe provided the connectivity requirements of the event, thereby, enabling spectators and guests to share their game experience to the world via social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Four-time NBA MVP LeBron James is in Manila,Philippines for his Nike #WitnessHistory tour.

"The reason I missed those two last shots is because my jersey is too damn small." -- LeBron James 

(source: @camillenaredo twitter account)

GILAS PH vs TEAM LEBRON JAMES EXHIBITION GAME VIDEO below:

Miami Heat Star player and Four-time NBA MVP LeBron James is in Manila for his Nike #WitnessHistory tour.

Awed by the Filipinos' passion for basketball, LeBron James wonders why it took him so long to visit the Philippines.

What stood out for the Miami Heat star? The Filipinos' passion, especially for basketball.

"So far, so great. I'm so happy to be here," he said. "It's a great culture. They're (Filipinos) passionate about what they do."

Technobaboy reviews the Vers 1Q Bluetooth Speaker. It started as a Kickstarter project. It was one of those projects that immediately started hot and got funding that exceeded its target by a lot. 

It’s nice that projects like these turn out to be great products when they hit the market, which the Vers 1Q definitely is, and it’s even better that they actually reach the Philippines. 

President Benigno S. Aquino III (PNoy) delivered his Fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA 2013) on Monday afternoon, July 22, at Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City at the opening of 16th Congress. 

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If Japan has Sakuragi for FIBA Asia Championship, powerhouse China will still feature the biggest team in the FIBA Asia Championship.

The defending Asian champions will feature not one, not two, but three 7-footers in its lineup for the tournament that serves as qualifier to next year’s FIBA World Cup in Spain.

This is an English translation of the SONA 2013 delivered by President Benigno Aquino III at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City, on July 22, 2013

Here's President Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III SONA 2013 Full Speech: [ ENGLISH ]

Republic of the Philippines President Benigno Aquino III (PNoy) delivered his 2013 State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, Monday, July 22. 

Here's President Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III SONA 2013 Full Speech: [ TAGALOG ]

TUHOG is a 2013 Filipino dark comedy film produced by Skylight Films. It is the second movie of Skylight Films this 2013 and it stars Eugene Domingo, Leo Martinez, Enchong Dee, Empress Schuck, and Jake Cuenca.

SYNOPSIS: Due to a road rage between two buses, an accident occurs which puts the lives of its passengers in jeopardy. But the ones greatly affected by such event are a middle-aged woman named Fiesta (Eugene Domingo), an old and retired family patriarch Tonio (Leo Martinez), and a lad named Caloy (Enchong Dee). These three people are pierced through a single steel bar – a dangerous situation that even their doctors find hard to solve. But even before this unfortunate circumstance, these three have their share of ill-fated lives.

Clarence House through it's twitter account confirmed that Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge,  has been admitted to St. Mary's Hospital in early stages of labor. 

The Duchess of Cambridge has gone to St Mary's Hospital in London, and travelled by car to the private Lindo Wing of the hospital accompanied by Prince William.

As the newly-elected Senate President, Franklin Drilon delivered his acceptance speech in front of his fellow senators.

Here's Senate President Franklin Drilon Full Speech:

Senator Franklin Drilon has been elected as the Senate President having 17 senators voted in favor of him while only 6 senators voted in favor of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. With that, Sen. Enrile automatically becomes the Senate Minority Leader after gaining 2nd highest votes for Senate President.

The Japanese national men’s basketball team will be leaning on an athletic forward named Sakuragi in its campaign in the FIBA Asia Championship.

Unfortunately for local fans of the anime series “Slam Dunk,” it won’t be redheaded rebounder Hanamichi Sakuragi.

Turbo is a 2013 American 3D computer-animated sports comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by 20th Century Fox respectively. It is based on an original idea by David Soren, who also directed the film.

WATCH 'ONLY GOD FORGIVES' 2013 FULL MOVIE BELOW:

With two international training trips under its belt, the Philippine national men’s basketball team is confident heading into the FIBA Asia Championship on August 1.

“I think we made a lot of positive steps and we are closer to being ready today than we were a month ago,” said Rain or Shine forward Gabe Norwood, a veteran international campaigner who also represented the Philippines in 2007 and 2009.

Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom will be the official technology partner of the 2013 Ironman 70.3 Philippines, the country's premiere triathlon event scheduled on August 4 at Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort in Cebu City.

This is the fifth year that Globe will provide high-speed broadband internet service in support of Ironman 70.3 Philippines.

Only God Forgives is a 2013 French-Danish co-production crime thriller film written and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Vithaya Pansringarm. The film was shot on location in Bangkok, Thailand.

SYNOPSIS: Julian, a drug-smuggler thriving in Bangkok's criminal underworld, sees his life get even more complicated when his mother compels him to find and kill whoever is responsible for his brother's recent death.

The Purge is a 2013 American science fiction/thriller film directed and written by James DeMonaco. Starring Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey, the film is set in the year 2022 when the United States has become "a nation reborn", with crime and unemployment rates hitting an all-time low.

SYNOPSIS: A family is held hostage for harboring the target of a murderous syndicate during the Purge, a 12-hour period in which any and all crime is legalized.

Fresh from a whirlwind scouting trip that took him to two Asian countries, Gilas Pilipinas assistant coach Norman Black has listed defending champion China, Iran, and South Korea as the three teams to beat in the FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in two weeks' time.

The multi-titled coach travelled all the way to Guangzhou, China for the Fiba Stankovic Cup, primarily to take a closer look at the Chinese team under renowned former Greek national coach Panagiotis Giannakis.