Jimmy Alapag statement on Ivan Johnson

On Monday night, recently-retired point guard and newly-minted Talk N' Text manager Jimmy Alapag decided to release a statement regarding their import, Ivan Johnson. Sports Desk's Cesca Litton posted the statement (broken into two parts) on her Instagram account. We have decided to copy that and place it within one post.

There is no room in the game of basketball for making degrading, or racial comments towards any player / coach. It's not good for the game, and more importantly our youth who watch and support the PBA and dream one day to be a part of it. Physicality and emotion is part of the game, especially in a finals series, but the contact and remarks, specifically aimed at Ivan Johnson, have been uncalled for. He's been a consummate pro as a member of the Talk N' Text team from Day 1, despite many who continually try to bring up his past.

He's a good husband, a loving father to his boys, and a hardworking teammate who stands up for his brothers. He's kept his temper in check, despite being provoked at every opportunity during games. As professionals, there is always a fine line between competitiveness and sportsmanship, but those lines have been crossed in this series. We have a responsibility as professionals to do our best to uplift the game. When we do otherwise the essence of this game suffers. We owe it to the true fans to showcase our skills and talent, nothing more.

Here are the two IG posts from Cesca that contained the statement:

Official statement of Talk n' Text team manager, Jimmy Alapag. Part 1.

A photo posted by Cesca Litton (@checklit) on Apr 27, 2015 at 8:04am PDT

Official statement of Talk n' Text team manager, Jimmy Alapag. Part 2.

A photo posted by Cesca Litton (@checklit) on Apr 27, 2015 at 8:04am PDT

AFC Cup pre-match Press Conference: Global FC vs Yadanarbon FC

Global FC vs Yadanarbon FC. 8pm at the Philippine Stadium in Bocaue. Tickets are still available at the gate.

UAAP Season 77 Closing Ceremonies tomorrow

To put a bow on its 77th season, the UAAP is slated to have its Closing Ceremonies on Saturday, April 11, at the UE Theater, inside the University of the East campus in Recto Manila.

Set at 5pm. the event is set to highlight the outstanding performing athletes of the season, with the UAAP Athlete of the Year for men, women, and high school to be selected among the different MVPs in all fifteen sports.

The league is also to recognize student-athletes with outstanding academic records to complement their athletic feats: badminton's Mikaela Aquino (Adamson), swimmer Axel Ngui (Ateneo), table tennis star Jerald Cristobal (La Salle), volleybelle Tin Agno (FEU), basketball player Kristine Abriam (NU), fencer Nathaniel Perez (UE), poomsae specialist Dustin Mella (UP), and sprinter Eloisa Luzon (UST).

In addition, the UAAP is to cite all winners of the Rookie of Year in the different events, as well as its athletes that participated in overseas competitions. It will also fete the University of Santo Tomas for clinching the general championship in both the college and high school levels.

The Growling Tigers ended La Salle's hopes for a three-peat by just four points to snag its 40th overall crown, while the Tiger Cubs beat out the hosts by six points to claim their 16th overall crown.

Capping off the event is the turnover ceremonies, in which Season 77 president Carmelita Mateo will hand over the UAAP flag to Season 78 president Dr. Michael Tan of the University of the Philippines. Tan will give an acceptance speech to coincide with the ceremony.

SM Cinema to showcase Floyd vs Manny

The highly anticipated "Fight of the Century" gets the movie treatment.

SM Cinemas and Walter Mart Cinemas nationwide will be showing the "Battle For Greatness: Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao" via pay-per-view on the morning of May 3.

SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. strongly advocates the development of the Filipino talent through sports, according to its President, Edgar Tejerero. He believes that Pacquiao "is truly one of the greatest Filipino sporting icons who inspires us to believe that we, as Filipinos, can do anything we set our minds to."

Tejerero adds that SMLEI is willing to dedicate ALL theaters, if need be, to be able to accommodate fight fans who want to partake of arguably the biggest sporting event in Philippine history. In addition, the MOA Arena is to schedule a viewing event for the fight, although no details for this one have been made public.

Tickets for the PPV are already available since March 27. Prices are dependent per venue, with the minimum being at PhP 600. IMAX theaters are twice as much, costing 1,200. Those who avail of purchasing tickets early will get a free t-shirt, while e-PLUS cardholders will get a complimentary ticket as well if they use it to purchase tickets to the fight. In addition, those who buy tickets at the SM Cinema at the Light Mall or at all the Directors Club Cinema branches can also include the option of adding a buffet meal into their ticket purchase.

Fans can also purchase tickets online via www.smcinema.com or www.smtickets.com.