ALLAN THE MAN

The Azkals - Philippine national men’s football team’s heated match against Laos Monday night turned out to be not an official international friendly match after all, which means that the Azkals’ 2-1 loss would have no effect on their world rankings.

In an email to InterAKTV, FIFA confirmed that it withdrew consideration for the game after learning that referees who officiated the game were not recognized by the world governing body.

“Indeed, not all four referees were from FIFA which is a must for an official A-match,” FIFA wrote in an email Tuesday night.

Jessica Sanchez brought the house down on the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesday (Thursday morning, Manila time).

Backed by a choir, the “American Idol” runner-up wowed delegates with a soulful rendition of “You’re All I Need To Get By”, the classic duet by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

“I might not be old enough to vote, but I’m so honored and excited to perform at @BarackObama’s big party in Charlotte next week!#DNC2012!” the 17-year-old Filipino-Mexican-American had tweeted over the weekend.

Bigas ka ba?

Bakit?

Kasi ang sarap mong isako eh.

-----------------

Turnilyo ka ba?

Bakit?

Kasi sa tuwing umiikot ka sa isip ko, lalo kang bumabaon sa puso ko.

-----------------

MANILA, Philippines – Juan Manuel Marquez is reportedly close to reaching a coveted fourth fight against Manny Pacquiao, according to the Mexican’s boxing promoter.

"Verbally we can announce that on December 8, we will have this fight, but nothing more because I am being conservative. I say that 95% it is closed [a done deal]," Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions said in Boxing Scene. 

The Philippine national men’s football team failed to take advantage of a less-experienced Cambodia side and settled for a scoreless draw Wednesday night at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

With Cambodia playing its first international match since last year, the Azkals were expected to dominate the hosts. However, things didn’t work well for the Filipinos.

The Philippine national men’s football team, Azkals, has named players for its friendly match in Cambodia on Wednesday.

Tapped to suit up for the Azkals are Marvin Angeles, Misagh Bahadoran, Jeffrey Christiaens, Rob Gier, Patrick Reichelt Carli de Murga, Denis Wolf, and David Basa of Global FC; Roel Gener, Eduard Sacapano and Nestorio Margarse Jr. of Philippine Army Fritz & Macziol; Ref Cuaresma, Anto Gonzales and Phil and James Younghusband of the Loyola Meralco Sparks; Jason Sabio and OJ Porteria of Kaya; Jason De Jong of Penson Stallion Giligan’s; and Ian Araneta of Philippine Air Force Phoenix.

The NCAA is the most-watched Philippine collegiate basketball league on television, according to Nielsen television data.

Since its transfer to AKTV this season, NCAA games have averaged 200,000 viewers from games on June 23 to August 18, according to Nielsen’s national urban television audience measurement (NUTAM) data. This translates to 13 percent more viewers for NCAA over UAAP.