ALLAN THE MAN

MANILA, Philippines – Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez will request for judges that are not affiliated with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) when he takes on rival Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao of the Philippines on December 8.

The two boxers will face off for a fourth time, with the bout being held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“I will request that the judges for this fight will be composed of one Mexican judge, one Filipino judge and one neutral judge,” Marquez told Boxing Scene.

The Philippines’ bid to host next year’s FIBA Asia Championship is not yet completely dead, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios.

“There’s still a chance,” Barrios said. “We’re still keeping an open mind about the hosting of the FIBA Asia Championship, but we’ve set a time table for this.”

Last week, FIBA Asia awarded the rights to host next year’s championship, which serves as qualifier to the 2014 FIBA World Cup, to Lebanon. This was even though the Philippine contingent pulled out all the stops for its bid, with SBP president Manuel V. Pangilinan leading the presentation.

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine national men's football team will begin their campaign in the Philippine Football Peace Cup on Tuesday against Guam, but the tournament has been somewhat overshadowed by some issues off the pitch.

On Sunday, the Azkals management unveiled the team's roster for the Peace Cup, and many football fans were shocked to see that the influential Younghusband brothers, Phil and James, have been left out.

In a statement, the Azkals management and coaching staff explained that commitment issues led to their decision.

LOS ANGELES, California – After two days and six hours of workouts, New Orleans Hornets scout Don Sellers said he likes what he sees in Japeth Aguilar, but believes the former PBA top draft pick is not yet ready for the big show.

Sellers, an advanced personnel scout for the Hornets, likes Aguilar’s athleticism, agility and potential, but feels the 6-foot-9 Filipino needs to become more aggressive and develop “toughness” to play in the NBA.

“I think he’s a work in progress. I like some of the skills he brings to the table. Again, I want to reiterate this. He needs to become more of a Westernized player, which you saw today he’s made a commitment in doing,” Sellers said.

Bobby Ray Parks may soon get a chance to work out for an NBA team.

Sheryl Reyes, a top agent who represents American imports for teams from all over the world, said she’s hooking up with several American colleagues to give the National University star an opportunity to showcase his wares stateside.

“My bet as to who among Filipino players has a chance of making it to the NBA is Ray Parks,” wrote Reyes in a text message to InterAKTV. “I will recommend him to my agents [in the US] and sponsor him for camps.”

Brothers Phil and James Younghusband will not be part of the national roster in the upcoming Philippine Football Peace Cup.

Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss informed the brothers via text message that they will not be part of the team for the four-team mini-tournament organized by the Philippine Football Federation, which is slated from September 25-29 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team lost its final assignment, 76-63, against Qatar to settle for fourth place in the FIBA Asia Cup Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.

The loss put SMART-Gilas out of the running for a top-three finish and the automatic berth to next year’s FIBA Asia Championships in Lebanon that comes with it.