ALLAN THE MAN

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - Businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan won't be buying another TV network after all.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange, publicly listed GMA Network Inc. said discussions with MediaQuest Holdings Inc. for its possible acquisition of a controlling stake in the network have been terminated. 

Mediaquest is an investee company of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) Retirement Fund.

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals have called up Phil and James Younghusband to participate in their 10-day training camp in the Middle East, which starts October 7.

This, after the Younghusband brothers were controversially left out of the Azkals roster for the recently concluded Philippine Football Peace Cup.

In a statement, Azkals team manager Dan Palami said the management decided to include the Younghusbands "after careful consideration."

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals surged in the latest FIFA men’s list (FIFA.com) for the country’s highest-ever ranking in world football. 

From 150, the Philippines jumped three places higher to 147 following their success in the recent Philippine Football Peace Cup.

Ateneo Blue Eagles see University of Santo Tomas as its toughest finals foe yet in in a dream run in the UAAP seniors basketball championship that has put the Eagles on the threshold of a fifth straight title.

“This might be the hardest championship to win because UST is a tough opponent,” said Ateneo team manager Paolo Trillo during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Shakey’s Malate.

“To close out a championship mahirap at nakakapagod kaya focus right now is prepare the best we can,” Trillo added.

CyberCrime Prevention Act: It has been implemented today according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (since the Supreme Court deferred on acting on the petitions yesterday) but how will it affect the ordinary Juan?

Republic Act No. 10175 or The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 was conceptualized primarily to address legal issues concerning online interactions. Among the cyber-crime offenses included in the bill are cyber-squatting, cyber-sex, child pornography, identity theft, illegal access to data and libel.

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.