ALLAN THE MAN

The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team put itself in position to clinch the title with a win in its last assignment, taking care of business against home team Zhonghua of Chinese Taipei, 76-72, in the 34th William Jones Cup in Taiwan.

With fellow tournament leaders Iran and USA both losing their matches on the penultimate day of the competition, the Philippines moved up to solo first place at 6-1. Iran, USA and Korea are in a three-way tie in second with 5-2 marks.

SMART-Gilas took an eight-point lead, 37-29, to halftime, but watched as the hosts rallied behind big man Tseng Wen Ting and some hot outside shooting in the third quarter. Chinese Taipei had a big 13-point turnaround to lead by five, 56-51, before Larry Fonacier hit a three-pointer that got the Filipinos within two entering the final period.

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno has been named the 24th Chief Justice of the Republic of the Philippines.

Sereno, 52, is the youngest member of the High Court. She was appointed by President Aquino in August 2010. She will potentially occupy the seat of Chief Justice until the mandatory retirement age of 70, giving her a potential 18-year-term.

Sereno beat out seven other candidates, namely Acting Supreme Court chief justice Antonio Carpio; associate justices Roberto Abad, Arturo Brion, and Teresita Leonardo De Castro; Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, ex-Ateneo Law School Dean Cesar Villanueva and former congressman Ronaldo Zamora.

The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team banked on a late rally to defeat Japan, 88-84, and remain unbeaten in the 34th William Jones Cup in Taiwan.

Japan led the Philippines by 13 points at the start of the fourth period, but the Filipinos opened the quarter with an 8-2 run then rode a huge 16-4 run capped by a three-pointer from Gabe Norwood to take the lead, before holding off the Japanese with steady shooting from the free throw line.

Naturalized center Marcus Douthit paced the Filipinos with 26 points while LA Tenorio added 13 points, including three triples. Norwood added 11 points.

The Philippines moved up to 4-0, drawing themselves into a tie with Iran, which earlier defeated the US team in double overtime.

The Philippines will play Lebanon next before wrapping up their campaign with three tough assignments in Iran, hosts Chinese Taipei A and USA.

MANILA, Philippines - (UPDATE, 9:44 a.m.) Three days after his plane crashed Saturday, the body of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo was recovered early Tuesday, Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II announced in Masbate City.

Roxas, in a tearful press conference, said Robredo's body was recovered 800 meters from shore at a depth of about 180 feet. The body was surfaced at about 8:15 a.m.

"At roughly 8:30 a.m.-8:40 a.m., ang bangkay ni Sec. Jess abot na surface inilagay sa body bag," Roxas said.

Roxas said the plane was "inverted" and two pilots were closest to the dashboard of the cockpit, in the deepest part of the cockpit. Robredo was the closest to the back and was the first retrieved by divers.

Here's the PBA Rookie Draft Pick 2012 Results. Petron Blaze Booster picked The First Overall Draft Pick June Mar Fajardo and Third Overall Draft Pick Alex Mallari. Second Overall Draft Pick is Calvin Abueva for Alaska Aces.

FIRST ROUND:

1. Petron Blaze – June Mar Fajardo

2. Alaska – Calvin Abueva

3. Petron Blaze – Alex Mallari

4. Meralco – Cliff Hodge

5. Barako Bull – Aldrech Ramos

6. Ginebra – Chris Ellis

7. Rain or Shine – Chris Tiu

8. Ginebra – Keith Jensen

9. GlobalPort (from B-MEG) – Vic Manuel

10. GlobalPort – Jason Deutchmann

The Miss World 2012 Coronation Night will be aired today , August 18, 2012, 7:30 PM, on TV5 Network.