ALLAN THE MAN

Just like her predecessors Shamcey Supsup and Venus Raj, Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Janine Tugonon almost clinched this year's Miss Universe title, placing first runner-up.

The coronation night, held at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Wednesday night (Thursday morning in Manila), was hosted by Andy Cohen, Bravo's executive vice president of development and talent, and entertainment journalist and fashion and beauty expert Giuliana Rancic.

Miss USA Olivia Culpo, a 20-year-old who plays the cello and is a breast cancer advocate, was crowned Miss Universe on Wednesday, the eighth time an American has won the pageant.

The most beautiful woman in the Philippines, Janine Tugonon, vies to become the most beautiful woman in the universe as she competes in the annual “Miss Universe” pageant in Las Vegas, USA airing live via satellite this Thursday (Dec 20), 9:30 AM on ABS-CBN.

After Shamcey Supsup’s 3rd runner-up finish last year, the whole country definitely has high hopes that Janine will take home the crown this year.

Pageant fans are raving about Janine online as she rocked the preliminaries and conquered the stage with her signature “cobra walk” wearing her evening gown, swimwear, and national costume. Many believe Janine is a strong competitor and has a very big chance on winning the title.

Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire thoroughly dominated veteran Mexican warrior Jorge Arce to retain his world super bantamweight titles at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

A week after Filipinos were stunned by the sixth-round knockout loss of Manny Pacquiao to Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, Donaire lifted their spirits as he outclassed Arce en route to a third-round technical knockout victory.

"I went out and pretty much timed him. We wanted to slow him down and get him thinking he could get in there," Donaire said. "We knew he would open up."

MANILA, Philippines – Thirteen experts polled by The RING Magazine predict a victory for Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire when he takes on veteran Mexican warrior Jorge Arce on Saturday at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

In what will be his fourth fight for the year, Donaire will defend his RING and World Boxing Organization super bantamweight belts against Arce.

Arce, a veteran of 69 professional fights with a record of 61 wins, six losses and two draws, promised to “give Mexico another great satisfaction” by beating Donaire, in the same way countryman Juan Manuel Marquez knocked out Manny Pacquiao.

Juan Manuel Marquez finally slayed Manny Pacquiao, shocking the Filipino fight icon in the sixth round Saturday (Sunday Manila time) at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

Marquez ended the fight with a overhand right that hit Pacquiao flush, sending Pacquiao down hard. Pacquiao landed under the ropes and lay there for a couple of minutes before getting up and returning to his corner.

The shocking ending stunned the crowd of 16,348 as Marquez had held his own in their first three fights but failed he to get a victory and had never knocked down Pacquiao until Saturday night.

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) – Juan Manuel Marquez knocked down Manny Pacquiao in the 3rd round of their fourth ring clash at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marquez surprised Pacquiao with an overhand right in the 3rd round, sending the Filipino to the canvas for the first time ever in their 8-year saga.

Prior to Sunday’s fight, the two ring warriors have already figured in three close bouts.

Various reports from Marquez’s training camp in Mexico City say the boxer has bulked up even more as he prepares for his fourth fight against Pacquiao.

But in an interview with The Boxing Channel, Pacquiao dismissed those reports, pointing out that he has been in the ring with bigger men.

The Azkals hope to ride on the momentum of their stirring wins over Vietnam and Myammar when they take on Singapore in the first-ever Suzuki Cup match in Manila on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Singapore arranged a two-leg duel with the Azkals after orchestrating a 4-3 comeback win over Laos on the same night at the Sham Alam Stadium in Malaysia.

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao is expected to earn at least $25 million in his fourth ring collision with his Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez, according to Top Rank president Todd duBoef.

If the pay-per-view breaches the 1.3 million mark set by Pacquiao-Marquez III last year, then Pacquiao’s earnings could reach $30 million, DuBoef said.

Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer said Pacquiao has a guaranteed purse of $8.595 million for Saturday’s bout, while Marquez has $3 million.

NEW ORLEANS – Kobe Bryant became the youngest player to reach 30,000 career points in the NBA on Wednesday as he helped the Los Angeles Lakers to a 103-87 victory over the New Orleans Hornets.

With 1:16 left in the second quarter, Bryant drove into the lane and rose to connect on a jump shot, taking his tally for the contest to 14 and for his career to 30,001.

“It’s a huge accomplishment,” Bryant said of becoming just the fifth player in NBA history to reach the milestone.

Phil Younghusband had been uncharacteristically quiet for most of the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup.

In the Philippine national men’s football team’s final group match against Myanmar, the Azkals star striker finally broke his silence.

Younghusband scored his first goal of the tournament at the 46th minute, as the Azkals booked a 2-0 victory for a berth in the semifinals of the tournament for the second straight time.