Boston bounces back in Game two

The script was flipped from Game 1 to Game 2.
The Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics virtually reversed roles.
Only difference was that the Magic didn't have a Celtics-style comeback in them. They barely had a pulse on Wednesday night, falling to the Celtics 112-94 at TD Banknorth Garden in the second-round playoff series.

The Magic played like a team satisfied it is coming home with a split for Game 3 on Friday night.

They were the team that came out listless and fell behind early by a large margin — mirroring the Celtics' listless effort in the opener Monday night.

But the defending champs at least found enough gumption and heart to storm back to cut a 28-point third-quarter deficit to three points, hitting shots and making stops. The Magic never made a semblance of a run after the Celtics rushed to a 61-46 halftime lead.

"I think about how when they got down the first night. We didn't react the same way," shooting guard J.J. Redick said. "We've been down by margins of 15, 16 points this year. We've been a mentally tough team, but tonight we weren't, for whatever reason."

If that wasn't enough, point guard Rafer Alston lost his cool, slapping Celtics shooting guard Eddie House in the back of the head with the rout in full bloom in the third period.

House burned the Magic for a game-high 31 points off the bench, but Alston said House elbowed him while celebrating another of his baskets.

Alston received only a technical foul. He said House "deliberately" elbowed him.

Dwight Howard was suspended one game in the Philadelphia series for elbowing Samuel Dalembert in the head, although Alston's open-handed slap wasn't a punch or an elbow.

Asked if he thought the league might suspend him for the next game, "Yeah, I'm concerned. You know, the NBA is cool. They'll look at the play at its entirety and they'll see he threw the elbow first, at my stomach.

"I have no prior incidents. Any human being would have reacted liked that."

But if the NBA suspends Alston for Game 3, the Magic would have to start Anthony Johnson at point guard and use Tyronn Lue or Hedo Turkoglu to relieve him.

Redick was the only bright spot on a wholly embarrassing night for the Magic, finishing with 15 points.

He hit 5-of-8 shots, but fouled out and joined the frustration by being ejected with about five minutes left after commenting on a ref's officiating.

"That's the first time in a really long time, especially in the playoffs, that we've gotten our butts kicked and we did not handle it well," Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy said.

Howard finished with just 12 points and 12 rebounds, shooting just 5-of-13 and losing confidence with each miss.Rashard Lewis didn't find the range until it was way too late, scoring 17 points on 6-of-15 shooting.

Turkoglu scored 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting, but never took over the game.

Alston certainly didn't, either, stalking off with just seven points.

Mickael Pietrus had 17 points, but it was all window dressing.With Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo coming back from poor Game 1 efforts, the Celtics shot 51 percent and pounded the Magic 40-24 in the paint. And to think foul-plagued Paul Pierce had just three points.

Redick called the Magic's defense "terrible." One play summed up the night: Rondo steamed down the lane for a layup, and neither Howard nor Lewis moved a muscle to stop him.

It was one of the most uninspired efforts of a 59-win season for Orlando, which has been one of the best road teams in the NBA the past two seasons.

"That's the worst game we have played this season,'" Pietrus said.

"When we don't make shots, we have a tendency to get frustrated. But it's just 1-1 right now."

LEWIS PUTBACK LIFTS RAIN OR SHINE OVER TNT IN OT

Jai Lewis redeemed himself after missing a crucial free throw in regulation by scoring on a follow-up with three-tenths of a second remaining in overtime that lifted Rain or Shine to a 118-116 decision over Talk ‘N Text Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.With the count tied at 116-116, the Elasto Painters went to Sol Mercado, who attacked the lane with time winding down but missed the layup.

But the burly Lewis came out of nowhere, soared high for the offensive rebound and scored the winning basket. Lewis scored six points in the extra period and finished with 31 on a 10-of-20 shooting from the field. He missed five of 14 free throws but went 4-of-4 in overtime. As a team, ROS went 25-for-45 from the stripe.

“Missing 20 free throws was terrible. I guess we could win more games if we make our free throws,” said ROS coach Caloy Garcia.

The 20 missed free throws were a conference high for the franchise and tied the season-high with Red Bull, which missed as many free throws in an 89-83 loss to Alaska last conference in Oct. 16 of last year.

Their seventh win 12 games kept the Elasto Painters in the hunt for a top two finish and outright passage to the semifinals of the 2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference.

It also avenged a 102-96 loss to Talk 'N Text in their first meeting last April 20 right before the league’s All-Star break.

Gabe Norwood scored 21 points but missed a key slam dunk that late in the fourth that enabled the Tropang Texters to charge back from a four-point deficit and grab a 103-102 lead with 1:30 remaining in regulation.

“That (missed slam) was crucial. But Gabe also hit a lot of big shots and played well on defense,” Garcia said.

Lewis and Norwood also combined for 26 boards as ROS outrebounded TNT, 55-49, while scoring 20 second chance points on 24 offensive boards.



Ryan Arana scored 18 points, Rob Wainwright added 14 and Mercado, who celebrated turned 25 that day, dished off 10 assists for ROS which shot 44 percent from the floor (41 of 92).

It was frustrating loss for TNT, which fell to 5-6 and losing three in a row for the first time since the period of Oct. 29-Nov 7 last year.

In a game that was played tight from start to the end, the two teams wound up combining for 13 deadlocks and 29 lead changes, the most fiercely-fought game of the season.

Gary Forbes, debuting as a replacement for Tiras Wade, played with a hamstring pull in his right thigh but still led TNT with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting and kept the team in the game in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Jason Castro added 19 points, including a trey that tied the count for the last time with nine seconds left in overtime before Lewis’ game-winner. Mark Cardona had 17 points and Jimmy Alapag added 15 for TNT, which committed a woeful 27 turnovers that netted ROS 24 points. (DBC)

The scores:
Rain or Shine 118 - Lewis 31, Norwood 21, Arana 18, Wainwright 14, Isip 8, Laure 8, Mercado 7, Tang 4, Reyes 4, Salangsang 3, Dulay 0, Ibanes 0.
Talk ‘N Text 116 - Forbes 21, Castro 19, Cardona 17, Alapag 15, Dillinger 13, De Ocampo R. 10, Peek 10, Ritualo 5, Aljamal 2, Carey 2, De Ocampo Y. 2.
Quarterscores: 22-22, 44-45, 73-73, 105-105, 118-116.

Manny Pacquiao is now a legend

LAS VEGAS—IT WAS SHORT, SWIFT AND MERCILESS, and the end surprised Manny Pacquiao as much as it stunned Ricky Hatton into oblivion.
Finding the opening he had been looking for, Pacquiao threw a thunderous left hook from hell that found Hatton’s jaw with nine seconds left in the second round, sending the Briton flat on his back for several minutes, unconscious.

In just five minutes and 59 seconds, “The Battle of East and West” on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) was over.

Referee Kenny Bayless did not even bother to count as Pacquiao enhanced his best pound-for-pound-fighter reputation while wresting Hatton’s International Boxing Organization’s light welterweight crown.

Aside from clinching his fifth world title in as many divisions, Pacquiao enshrined himself as the only boxer who fought in four weight classes in four successive fights and won them all.

Pacquiao took away Juan Manuel Marquez’s World Boxing Council 130-pound title, snatched David Diaz’s 135-pound crown, and then stopped Oscar De La Hoya in a 147-pound nontitle duel last year.

It took only a short time for Pacquiao, who raised his record to 47-3-2 with 37 knockouts, to solve the Hatton puzzle, connecting on a right hook that first sent the Briton down with barely 51 seconds gone in the first round, to the surprise of 16,262 paying fans who filled MGM Grand Garden Arena to the rafters.

Hatton took the mandatory eight-count, but in no time Pacquiao was all over him again, nailing him with a right-left combination that put him down again near a corner.

“I was surprised that this [victory] was so easy, but I’ve worked hard in training camp since the beginning of March,” said Pacquiao, who also held the WBC flyweight and International Boxing Federation super bantamweight crowns.

Wide open for right hook
When the referee signaled the end of the bout, Pacquiao went to the corner to pray, then stood on the ropes to acknowledge the cheers of jubilant Filipinos.

“He was wide open for the right hook. I knew he would be looking for my left,” said Pacquiao, who was also acknowledged by the Ring Magazine as its featherweight champion in 2003.

“It’s nothing personal. I was just doing my job. This is as big for me as the De La Hoya win,” added Pacquiao, who climbed the ring at 148 lb after checking in at 138 during the weigh-in. Hatton fought at 152 after earlier weighing in at the welterweight limit of 140.

The devastating loss stunned the loud Briton fans, who were drowning the Filipinos’ cheers by singing a modified version of Winter Wonderland, Hatton’s main cheer.

It was no Wonderland but Dreamland for Hatton, who stayed almost motionless on his back for a few minutes while being attended to by two ring physicians. He eventually got up on wobbly feet and left the ring assisted by his seconds.

As a precautionary measure, Hatton was taken to Valley Hospital, accompanied by members of his family and De La Hoya.

$12-M purse guaranteed
Richard Schaefer, Golden Boy Promotions chief executive officer, revealed during the post-fight conference that Hatton’s safety was their primary concern so he was taken to the hospital.

“It was a hard loss, but I’m OK,” Hatton said later. “I didn’t really see the punch coming, but it was a great shot.”

Pacquiao was guaranteed $12 million and Hatton $8 million outside of the pay-per-view and gate receipts.

It was the third straight time that Pacquiao finished a fight without a mark on his face. He also ended up unscathed against Diaz and De La Hoya.

And, the frightening thing, according to Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum, was the fact that Pacquiao was still getting better.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s chief trainer, was also in awe and said it’s but natural that his prized ward should fight the winner of the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Juan Manuel Marquez clash in July.

“The fans would want to see it. I think it would be great,” said Roach, who thanked Pacquiao for making him look good as a trainer.

He’s a ‘monster’
The win also upheld Roach’s growing reputation as a fight seer as he accurately predicted that Hatton, unbeaten in the 140-pound division until last night, won’t last three rounds.

For Pacquiao, it doesn’t matter who’s going to be his next opponent. All he wanted is savor the moment that affirmed his greatness as a fearless fighter.

“This was no surprise at all,” Roach said. “Hatton pops his hand before he throws a punch. He’s a sucker for the right hook and that’s what we worked on the whole camp. He fights the same way over and over.”

“Manny is a monster. He is the best fighter ever. There is no surprise here.”

Hatton did not appear to have suffered a serious damage. He walked unaided back to his dressing room.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. was a no-show at the postfight news conference, leaving Hatton’s cotrainer, Lee Beard, to explain the mauling by Pacquiao.

Ricky got caught
“We knew about Manny’s speed and that it could play a factor in the fight,” Beard said. “What you saw was two rounds of action and Ricky got caught.”

According to computer statistics, “Pacman” landed 73 of 127 punches in just under six minutes, including 34 of 53 power punches in the second round, while “Hitman” Hatton connected on only 18 of 78.

In the main supporting bout, Mexican Humberto Soto retained his WBC super featherweight title by knocking out Canadian Benoit Gaudet with 2:25 gone in the ninth round.

Bernabe Concepcion, the other Filipino in the card, won by unanimous decision over Yogli Herrera in his debut as a lightweight.

Martin Nievera sang “Lupang Hinirang” while legendary Welsh singer Tom Jones rendered “God Save the Queen.” Filipino-American teener Jasmine Villegas dished out the “Star-Spangled Banner” before Hatton and then Pacquiao made their way into the ring.

Hatton came in to the tune of Supra and Pacquiao to his own “Lahing Pinoy” recording.

Among the celebrities present were Denzel Washington, Mariah Carey, Mark Wahlberg and Jack Nicholson.

The crowd briefly fell silent when ring announcer Michael Buffer boomed his famous “Let’s get ready to rumble” line, before the Filipinos resumed their “Manny, Manny” chants.

With the fight long over, hundreds of Britons, part of the 25,000 that flew in here, lingered at the hotel halls and gambling tables, beer in hand, not knowing what hit them.

In contrast, the Filipinos, led by Pacquiao himself, celebrated at Mandalay Bay. Pacquiao, who brought along a band from Manila, even sang a few songs. With reports from AFP and AP

May 8 is Manny Pacquiao day

MANILA, Philippines—Mark your calendar: This coming Friday is Manny Pacquiao Day.
But the day will not be a holiday, Cabinet Secretary Silvestro Bello III stressed.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday declared May 8 a “national day of celebration” in honor of Pacquiao for his rousing knockout win over Britain’s Ricky Hatton, which all but guaranteed the Filipino a place in the boxing Hall of Fame.

In Proclamation No. 1764, Ms Arroyo said the declaration was the “nation’s expression of gratitude (to Pacquiao) for bringing worldwide acclaim for the country.”

“His spectacular victories show the world the best in the Filipino and that his determination and love of God and country exemplify the indomitable Filipino spirit,” Ms Arroyo, who is on a visit to Syria, said in her proclamation.

Bello said a massive motorcade was being organized for Pacquiao’s homecoming on Friday. He said the affair was being coordinated by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, a fixture in the boxer’s entourage.

Bello agreed that politicians would again jump at the opportunity to be seen as close to Pacquiao and ride on his popularity.

“If I can give them a piece of advice, although I’m sure they won’t like my advice, let him enjoy his celebrity status because he was the one who stepped [into] the ring so only he should benefit [from the glory],” Bello said.

Pacquiao’s spectacular two-round victory over Hatton brought to six the number of weight division titles he has won in his career, including the honorary but prestigious Ring Magazine featherweight crown.

Pacquiao told to keep out of politics

MANILA, Philippines—Keep out of politics. You may be fearsome in the ring but in the political arena, you may end up like Ricky Hatton—cold and senseless on the canvas.
Malacañang on Tuesday cautioned Manny Pacquiao, who ran for Congress but lost in 2007, against returning to politics.

“He is being idolized because he is one very good boxer—a tough one—but we don’t know if he would be just as tough as a politician,” Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a press briefing.

“That might be the time when he would be knocked out.”

Bello said Pacquiao “should think about it a thousand times before he makes a decision about entering politics.”

“When it comes to boxing, we have no worries for him but if he enters politics, he’s a greenhorn,” Bello said. “Every Filipino would hate to see the day when he is knocked out [in the political arena].”

Still in his prime as a boxer, Pacquiao has all the time to focus on politics once his boxing career is over, Bello said, suggesting Pacquiao first take care of the flashy American Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Senators, too, are not too keen about Pacquiao being a politician. They either want him to remain as a boxer or try another arena.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said Pacquiao could help bring peace to the troubled South.

“I suggest the goodwill Manny Pacquiao has struck in our people’s hearts and minds be immediately put to good use in the search for peace in Mindanao, perhaps as an adviser to the peace panel,” Pimentel said in a text message.

While they said the choice was up to Pacquiao, Senators Panfilo Lacson and Francis Escudero preferred that the boxing champion pursue his boxing career.

“His name has been carved in the history of the Philippines, he’s now a legend. I think he should stick to what he has been known for, that is in sports,” Lacson said.

He said politics would only give Pacquiao headaches, not to mention, enemies.

Escudero said he could not blame people for wanting Pacquiao to remain in boxing.

“His fights are the few [occasions] that we unite, man or woman, administration or opposition, red or white,” Escudero told reporters.

5 Senate resolutions

Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said Pacquiao had every right to get into politics but it was too early for him to run for the Senate, if ever. But he said Pacquiao had been a very good symbol for the youth and the nation.

Still, senators were elated about Pacquiao’s knockout of Hatton, filing five resolutions to honor him for the feat.

The resolutions were filed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Sen. Richard Gordon and Sen. Lito Lapid.

Pacquiao has signaled his intention to return to politics by forming the People’s Champ Movement (PCM) and petitioning the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to accredit it as a “local political party.”

“The major benefit of having a political party is that it will enable you to increase your campaign spending,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez told reporters.

“An independent candidate can only spend his money. If you have a political party, the party can contribute to your spending.”

Under election laws, an independent candidate can only spend P5 per voter. A candidate with a political party can spend twice more than that, to include party contributions, Jimenez said.

Party machinery

“If you have a political party, it (also) means that you have a machinery. There will be help for you in the campaign. You will have somebody campaigning for you even if you are not there,” he said.

If the Comelec approves Pacquiao’s petition, it would also mean he could fund and support other candidates in General Santos City and in Sarangani province.

As a local political party, PCM can only support candidates for local office. However, it can field candidates for national positions if it partners with a national political party, Jimenez said.

Jimenez said the Comelec was expected to rule on Pacquiao’s petition within the month.

Commissioner Rene Sarmiento has expressed disappointment at Pacquiao’s decision to enter politics.

“We know politics is divisive so that will not help the Filipinos and Manny. My advice for Manny is to remain a national icon and national symbol of unity,” Sarmiento said.

PCM platform

According to its constitution and bylaws, PCM aims to promote the economy and improve the peace and order situation in General Santos and Sarangani.

PCM says it also wants to create a “special economic zone and bring investors to General Santos City and Sarangani province.”

The party wants to revive the Civilian Volunteers Organization and “promote high morale among military service units through the transparent use, distribution, and utilization of the intelligence funds.”

Lebron James is the MVP

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers is the winner of the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the 2008-09 NBA Most Valuable Player.
James totaled 1,172 points including 109 first place votes, from a panel of 121 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Players were awarded 10 points for each first-place vote, seven points for each second-place vote, five for third, three for fourth and one for each fifth-place vote received.

Rounding out the top five in voting for this season's award are the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (698 points), Miami's Dwyane Wade (680), Orlando's Dwight Howard (328) and New Orleans' Chris Paul (192).

As part of its support of the Most Valuable Player Award, Kia Motors America will donate either a new Borrego SUV or Sedona minivan on behalf of James to The Urban League of Akron. Kia Motors is presenting a brand new vehicle to the charity of choice of each of four 2008-09 season-end award winners as part of the "The NBA Performance Awards Presented by Kia Motors."

James, the first Cavalier to win the award, led Cleveland in scoring (28.4 ppg, second in the NBA), rebounds (7.6 rpg), assists (7.2 apg, fourth), and steals (1.7 spg, eighth). Since the 1973-74 season when steals became an official stat, James is the fourth player to lead his team in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals, while also leading his team to 50-plus wins (Larry Bird 1985-86; Grant Hill, 1996-97; Kevin Garnett, 2002-03). The 6-8 forward helped Cleveland to an NBA- and franchise-best 66-16 season, a 21-game improvement over last season (45-37), marking the 12th time an NBA team has reached 66 wins in a season.

James led the league in triple-doubles (seven) and became the 12th player in NBA history to record three-consecutive triple-doubles (March 7, 10, 12). In his sixth season, James became the ninth player in NBA history to have at least five consecutive 2,000 point seasons.

Since the NBA began voting on the Eastern and Western Conference Player of the Month separately in 2001-02, James is just the second player to receive the award four times in one season (Kevin Garnett, 2003-04). James was voted the Eastern Conference Player of the Month in November, January, March and April. James was also named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week seven times (Nov. 10, 17; Dec. 29; Jan. 26; Feb. 9; March 16, 23).

The NBA MVP trophy is named in honor of the late Maurice Podoloff, the first commissioner of the NBA who served from 1946 until his retirement in 1963.

Orlando Magic nearly blow 28-point lead, hold on to beat Celtics

BOSTON - The Orlando Magic were straddling the final moments of Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, only seconds away from being portrayed as the victim of a great comeback or an enabler of a colossal collapse.
Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy certainly wasn't on the fence about how he felt the outcome should be written, broadcasted, analyzed or Twittered.

The Magic took the first step — albeit a shaky one — toward dethroning the NBA champs with a 95-90 victory Monday night at TD Banknorth Garden. Van Gundy's team might have lost almost all of a 28-point third-quarter lead, but it didn't lose the series opener, even if Magic fans needed heart defibrillators.

"You guys get into, 'Oh, what a great comeback.' How about the fact we were up by 28? We play these games to win, and that's it. We won," Van Gundy said, rather defiantly. "Right now, the series is 1-nothing."
True enough. He and the Magic will worry about caving into defensive pressure today as they head into Wednesday night's Game 2.

Only in the playoffs can you be on your way to a rout ... and leave the feeling like you stole something.

Van Gundy is the biggest nitpicker of all, but he's right: The Magic accomplished their mission — stealing home-court advantage from the relentless Celtics.

They needed four free throws by J.J. Redick in the last 13 seconds to stave off a furious Celtics comeback and take a 93-87 lead.

Trailing by 28 points at 65-37 with nine minutes left in the third, the Celtics called on all their mystique and lucky charms to stage a Herculean comeback and cut it to three points. Paul Pierce hit a 3-pointer with six seconds left to make it a one-possession game until Redick was fouled and sealed it with two more free throws.

"Clearly, when we put pressure on them it became a whole different game," Boston Coach Doc Rivers said.

The Magic could make only 5-of-20 shots in the final quarter and committed six turnovers, their offense wilting against the Celtics' trademark defense. They were so rattled that Hedo Turkoglu couldn't get the ball up the court in time, whistled for an eight-second violation .

"We were sort of trying to run out the clock," Van Gundy said. "You can't do that in games like this."

Redick closing the show was a fitting end for the Magic. Having lost starting shooting guard Courtney Lee (sinus surgery), they entered the game with just two shooting guards and match-up fears against Ray Allen.

But Redick survived like his team. He finished with 12 points to only nine points from Allen, and had some help from Turkoglu as the pair held Allen to a frosty 2-of-12 shooting.

"Ray's a great scorer and some nights he's going to hit those tough shots. Tonight he didn't hit them," Redick said.

And then there was the other shooting guard who was supposed to be the Magic's key free-agent catch, but struggled through an injury-plagued season. Mickael Pietrus scored 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting, hitting some big baskets to blunt various Celtics uprisings.

"I haven't played a lot, I know. I had a lot of injuries, but no matter. It is the playoffs and I want to win a championship," Pietrus said.

Rashard Lewis paced the Magic early to an 18-point halftime lead, finishing with 18 points. Turkoglu added 15 points and Dwight Howard scored 16 points and corralled 22 rebounds. All of that boardwork by Howard, and the Celtics — missing Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe — out-rebounded them 47-40.

"We let the lead slip way but there's plenty of positives," Redick said. "We got a big win to start the series and that's what matters."

Lakers are stopped cold by Rockets in Game 1

By Mike Bresnahan, May 5, 2009
Lakers can never find a rhythm against rugged defense of the Rockets, who thoroughly outplay them to win, 100-92, and steal home-court advantage in second-round playoff series.That was unexpected, and uncomfortable, for the Lakers and, in the end, unfortunate for them too.

The Houston Rockets brought their defense and showed it to the Lakers' players, coaches, courtside fans and anyone else tuning in expecting to see a one-sided Lakers victory.It was one-sided, for sure, but not the way anyone outside of a 310, 213 or 818 area code would have predicted.

The Lakers were stunned by the Rockets in Game 1 of a Western Conference semifinal series, 100-92, Monday at Staples Center.

Kobe Bryant couldn't find his shot, Andrew Bynum couldn't find any rhythm as a starter and the Lakers couldn't find the basket nearly enough times to avoid the upset. They shot 44.3%, made only two of 18 three-point shots and were 12 for 19 from the free-throw line.

They have plenty to discuss before Game 2 in the best-of-seven series, also at Staples Center.

"I don't know if we can play much worse, to be honest with you," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said.

In the days leading up to the game, Lamar Odom said the Rockets were as good defensively as any team "that I've seen in a long time. They're committed to defense."

His words proved accurate, the Lakers unable to generate much of anything.

Bryant missed Sunday's practice because of a sore throat and had 32 points on a subpar 14-for-31 shooting effort that included some easy baskets in the final minute. Pau Gasol had 14 points on six-for-14 shooting. Trevor Ariza had 10 points, Odom nine, Derek Fisher eight.

"It's tough to play worse than that," Gasol said. "Our shooting was pretty poor, I would say. Maybe that affected us a little too much and carried to the other end of the floor. I'm sure we're going to shoot a lot better during the series and the next game."

Houston center Yao Ming, meanwhile, was the most effective player on the floor, finishing with 28 points and 10 rebounds.

Lakers fans who were still in attendance when the game ended let out a surprising chorus of boos.

Bynum, re-inserted into the starting lineup after coming off the bench the last two games of the first-round series against Utah, had 10 points and three rebounds in 15 minutes.

He picked up his first foul 25 seconds into the game. He picked up his second foul two minutes later while Yao tried to get position on offense. Odom promptly checked into the game.

Lakers players and coaches seemed irritated by the officiating, especially toward the end of the game. The Lakers were called for 26 fouls, the Rockets 14.

Beforehand, neither team wanted to delve too deeply into the Lakers' four-game sweep of the Rockets in the regular season.

"It means nothing," Rockets Coach Rick Adelman said.

Said Jackson: "We discounted that. That doesn't mean anything in the playoffs."

It certainly didn't Monday, when Ron Artest had 21 points and quick second-year guard Aaron Brooks scored 19 to complement Yao's effort for the Rockets, who made 47.9% of their shots.

The first half had enough action to last half a series.

Bryant and Shane Battier had a minor shoving match after fighting for a loose ball. Derek Fisher and Brent Barry went tumbling into a cameraman under the Lakers' basket after Barry fouled Fisher on a fastbreak layup attempt. And Trevor Ariza toppled a cameraman and a TV monitor while chasing the ball near midcourt.

The lasting image of the half, and perhaps the series, might be the blood streaming down the left side of Battier's face after the Rockets forward took an inadvertent elbow above his left eye from Sasha Vujacic.

When the half was over, the Lakers trailed, 43-40.

Lebron James will be awarded with the MVP honor

The NBA will announce LeBron James as its MVP on Tuesday morning, citing unnamed sources. A day before the Cleveland Cavaliers begin their second-round series against the Atlanta Hawks, the league will anoint James, 24.
James, whose Cavaliers swept the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs, averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists during the regular season, his sixth in the NBA, in which Cleveland won a team-record 66 games and earned the top overall seed in the playoffs.

The Cavs host Atlanta on Wednesday after the Hawks finished off the Miami Heat in Game 7 of their first-round series Sunday.

Manny Pacquiao photos against Ricky Hatton (In adobe flash)

Beatdown of Hatton lifts Pacquiao into pantheon of all-time greats

Ricky Hatton never saw it coming. The Hitman had already become the hit man early in Saturday's junior welterweight title defense against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, twice getting knocked down in the first three minutes. But the coup de grace came late in the second round when an unseen left-handed missile caught Hatton's jaw and sent him crashing to the canvas, where he spent the next three minutes motionless while the Filipino diaspora exulted and thousands of traveling Britons wept in their pints.

It was a clinical finish, a hook devastating in its force, speed and precision, a shocking demonstration of power from a man who made his pro debut at a slight 108 pounds.

In his most recent outing, Pacquiao famously ended the career Oscar De La Hoya with a brutal ninth-round stoppage. With Saturday's lopsided performance, the 30-year-old southpaw may have similarly ordered Hatton -- who hadn't previously lost a fight at 140 pounds -- to a premature retirement.

He never saw it coming.

Pacquiao entered the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena as the finest pound-for-pound fighter in boxing today. He climbed out of it just 20 minutes later as one of the sport's undisputed all-time greats, having secured the lineal crown in a fourth different weight class and validated the floating comparisons to Henry Armstrong, Sugar Ray Robinson and Alexis Arguello -- other fighters who stamped their greatness across multiple divisions.

Pac-Man spent the evening peppering the ill-prepared Hatton with blinding combinations of punches from every angle, making himself an elusive target while constantly blurring the line between offense and defense. Hatton resembled for most of the fight a man in a dark room looking for the light switch.

Among those on the premises unsurprised by the outcome was Pacquiao's trainer, the sage Freddie Roach, who predicted a third-round knockout during training camp.

"Every time Ricky throws his left hand, he pulls it back, he cocks it, and he's wide open for a short right hook on the inside from a southpaw stance," Roach explained to HBO's Larry Merchant in the minutes following the violent denouement. "We worked on that every day in the gym -- the timing shot -- and it just worked beautiful."

The oddsmakers rated Pacquiao a 2-to-5 favorite entering Saturday's bout, which may not have reflected his healthy consensus in the court of public opinion. Everyone, it seemed, liked Manny. Hatton even opted to enter the ring first, the role typically reserved for the challenger; it was Pacquiao's mythical pound-for-pound championship at stake, Hatton reasoned, more than his own junior welterweight crown.

Indeed, the result itself was no surprise. But even Pacquiao's most optimistic supporters couldn't have foreseen such a swift and awesome destruction of an opponent renowned for his blue-collar tenacity.

We consequently start to get the sense there something perhaps supernatural at play here, as the myth of Manny Pacquiao continues to take an Ali-type hold on the global consciousness. Earlier in the week, Time named Pacquiao to its annual list of the world's 100 most influential people. "[H]e's almost like a god," wrote Lennox Lewis as a tribute in the magazine. "The people have rallied behind him and feel like they're a part of him, because they can see his talent, his dedication, his grace and his class." We witness a performance like Saturday's and we start to ask ourselves if there's any challenge out there too steep for the Pambansang Kamao -- or National Fist -- of the Philippines. He's already won titles in six different weight classes since making his debut at junior flyweight. What could be next?

One possibility is a dream match with Floyd Mayweather Jr., the former pound-for-pound king who announced his return to the ring -- perhaps not coincidentally -- just hours before Saturday's bout. Mayweather, who's never lost a paying fight, is scheduled to meet undisputed lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez at a catch weight of 144 pounds on July 18. Should Mayweather get past Marquez, a lucrative showdown with Pacquiao could be the fight of the year -- so long as both parties can agree to terms.

Sure, the cash-strapped Mayweather could try for an easier challenge. But there's only one Manny Pacquiao. Just ask the hit man.

Pacquiao attends mass for the win

Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao attended a thanksgiving Mass Sunday morning and spent time with fans in Las Vegas to celebrate his spectacular two-round demolition of British fighter Ricky Hatton on Saturday.
Team Pacquiao members decided not to hold the Mass in Manny’s hotel suite but instead moved the venue to a function room at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. They said the new venue was an added precaution to prevent Pacquiao from contracting any illness, particularly the AH1N1 influenza virus.

After the Eucharistic celebration, “The People’s Champ” spent an hour and a half with Pacman supporters who got the chance to talk to him, get his autograph and have pictures taken with him.

“He doesn't seem to get tired. He had little sleep but he was gracious enough to spend time with his fans," reported ABS-CBN reporter TJ Manotoc.

The night before, Pacquiao hosted his victory party at the Mandalay Bay Beach Area. Filipinos from Vegas, California, the Philippines and other parts of the US jammed, partied and reveled with their “Pambansang Kamao (National Fist).”

Manny even sang a few songs with his band and songwriter Lito Camo.

He said Pacquiao was especially thankful to supporters who watched the fight live despite being outnumbered by Hatton fans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Manotoc said Pacquiao has yet to decide when to go back to the Philippines. He said some Team Pacquiao members said the People's Champ could leave for the Philippines on May 6 and arrive May 8.

From Vegas to LA

From Las Vegas, Team Pacquiao left on a ten-car convoy to go to the historic Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.

Manotoc said Manny rode a Cadillac Escalade while his ten-car convoy followed suit, with the Team Pacquiao bus trailing them.

“The Pacman” is expected to arrive at the Wild Card Gym Monday (Tuesday in Manila). Manotoc noted that it has been a tradition for Pacquiao to go to the Wild Card Gym two days after a fight to show his gratitude to the entire team who helped in the training camp.

He is also set to have a meet and greet session with LA-based fans.

An official after fight party will also be held Monday night in LA (Tuesday in Manila) at the Conga room of LA Live, which is across the Staples Center.

Pacquiao, Black-Eyed Peas member apl.de.ap and Pacquiao's close friend, singer-composer Lito Camo, are among the performers who will sing at the LA party. [Courtesy of Mr. Manotoc

Mayweather vs. Marquez fight set on July 18

LAS VEGAS -- Floyd Mayweather Jr. insists it's not all about the money. Not totally, anyway.

"I guess I just missed boxing," Mayweather said Saturday. "Somebody's got to keep the sport up and running. Why not me?"

That was the question Mayweather asked himself as he took a break from the sport that has consumed his life from the time he learned to walk. He wasn't gone long, but his 11-month retirement was enough to make him realize that he wanted to fight -- and fight a lot more.

"I'm still the biggest draw in boxing," Mayweather said. "Everybody wants to fight me because they know I'm the cash cow."

Mayweather, 32, will return to the ring July 18 in a fight against lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, who will move up two weight classes to get his share of the riches a Mayweather fight can produce. It will be his first fight since he stopped Ricky Hatton in the 10th round of their December 2007 bout.

"I left on top, and I came back on top," Mayweather said. "I'm here to fight and reclaim what's mine."

Indeed, when Mayweather announced his retirement last June he was generally regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, an honor now mainly given Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather's decision to retire instead of fighting a rematch against Oscar De La Hoya led to Pacquiao getting the shot that he capitalized on.

Mayweather announced his comeback plans in a theater at the MGM Grand hotel, just hours before Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton were to meet in a 140-pound fight in the hotel's arena.

Mayweather, should he beat Marquez, could get the winner of Saturday's fight in the fall, but he wasn't planning to stick around and watch it.

"I'm taking my daughter bowling tonight," he said.

Mayweather, who is unbeaten in 39 fights, brushed off questions about the state of his finances, saying he made $8 million last year without having a fight and that the rumors he was in financial difficulty were just that. But the lure of many more millions was in the back of his mind as he began sparring once again in recent weeks, the itch to fight returning.

Mayweather was always well known in boxing, but it was the HBO reality series "24/7" featuring his dysfunctional family before his fight with De La Hoya that really cemented his fame. He took advantage of it to appear as a contestant on "Dancing With The Stars," made an appearance as a wrestler in Wrestlemania and currently appears in an AT&T television commercial.

"I bring the most controversy to the sport," he said. "The others are too nice. This is a brutal sport."

Mayweather and his advisers were coy about the contract weight for the Marquez fight, saying it would be a welterweight bout. But De La Hoya, who will be promoting the fight, said it calls for a 143-pound limit instead of the 147-pound welterweight limit.

That was a concession to Marquez, who just last year weighed 129 pounds for a fight against Pacquiao and has only fought twice as a lightweight. Though moving up in weight, Marquez is still considered a dangerous opponent, and many thought he won both his fights against Pacquiao.

Dad: Hatton in no rush to decide future

LONDON (AP) -- Ricky Hatton's father says his son won't hurry a decision on whether to retire after being knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in the second round of their 140-pound title fight.After being knocked down twice in the opening round, the 30-year-old Briton was flattened in the second by Pacquiao's left cross in Las Vegas on Saturday night for his second defeat in 47 fights.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Pacq-ing A Punch

Manny Pacquiao not only dominated Ricky Hatton in the ring on Saturday night, but also on the stat sheet. Here's a look at the CompuBox breakdown:
Pacquiao Hatton
Landed 73 18
Thrown 127 78
Pct 57.4 23.1

_________________________________________________________________________________

After spending several minutes on his back in the ring, the two-time light-welterweight world champion had to be taken to a hospital for a precautionary brain scan, which the father said revealed no damage.

"He's perfectly all right," Ray Hatton told BBC Radio Five on Sunday. "They've checked him out. He's had all the tests and everything. He's not got a mark on him."

However, the loss may leave a lasting mark on Ricky Hatton's confidence, with his flimsy defense making him an easy target.

Ray Hatton said his son, whose other loss was a 10th-round knockout defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December 2007, would now have to consider whether to carry on.

"Obviously, we will support him in whatever he does and we'll leave that with him," Hatton said. "At this moment in time, he's probably got a few mixed feelings about it. He'll make that decision whichever way he wants to and the family will support him."

Ray Hatton said his son did not need to continue boxing for the money, and that the fighter was convinced he had caught Pacquiao with some good punches.

"He just said, 'The old heart ruled the head again, Dad; steaming in, got my warning signs in the first round. Set off OK at the start of the second round, caught Manny with a few shots. Really worried Manny a little bit. Manny was just throwing wild shots.' He said, 'Then the heart ruled the head again and I went steaming in.' "

Hatton's trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., called on him to quit.

"I would suggest he retire. At the end of the day, it's his decision," Mayweather Sr. said. "He tried twice. He failed twice. He lost to my son and to lose to someone below that, it's time to leave the ring. He made a good profit. Sometimes you have to go when your prime is still there."

Carl Froch, who knocked out Jermain Taylor a week ago to defend his WBC super-middleweight title, also hopes Hatton retires.

"I have to say, if I was in his position after last night's performance, I would definitely retire," Froch said. "But I can't speak for another fighter. He will decide what he's going to do."

Denver take game 1 over Dallas

DENVER -- If not for Nene's breakout first half, Carmelo Anthony's fourth-quarter fireworks and Anthony Carter's defensive deftness wouldn't have mattered much.Nene kept Denver in it until his teammates could turn this one into another laugher, scoring 18 of his playoff career-high 24 points in the first half of the Nuggets' 109-95 rout of the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday in the opener of their second-round series.

"'Melo in foul trouble and kind of searching for an offensive confidence, we got it from Nene," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "The balance of our team has quietly been a strength of who we are. In the second half 'Melo got into the game, J.R. [Smith] jumped into the game and our defense was fantastic."

Nene, who beat testicular cancer last year, played more minutes than ever this season and over the last month he really hit a wall. In the Nuggets' five-game dispatch of New Orleans in the first round, he averaged 9.0 points and 7.8 rebounds.

His fantastic first half saved the Nuggets, who poured it on the second half thanks to 20 Dallas turnovers, eight by Jason Kidd, who turned over the ball just three times in the first round."Offensively, we were good," Karl said, "but defensively we were really good."

Thanks to their stifling defense, the Nuggets outscored the Mavericks 29-4 on fast breaks, but the disparity that really bothered Dallas coach Rick Carlisle was the 36-13 advantage Denver had at the line.

"We're going to have to raise our level of aggression if that's what's going to get us to the free throw line," said Carlisle, who was particularly bothered that Dirk Nowitzki took just four foul shots plus a technical.

"I'll look at that closely, and if the referees were right they were right. But he's being played very physically, away from the floor where the rules are different than in post play," Carlisle said. "We'll look at it and if there's a complaint to be made we'll talk to the league about it."

Anthony found it funny the Mavs were complaining about whistles because he was in early foul trouble for what he considered questionable calls.

"Foul trouble didn't bother him, it didn't freak him out, it didn't take him to a dark side that we had to worry about," Karl said. "He trusted the team, the team did great and he came out in the second half and was a leader for us."His maturity, his mental involvement now is team and not individual ... I don't know who's given him that wisdom. Is it Chauncey [Billups]? Is it a gold medal? Is it the coaching staff? I don't care, I think he's doing a fantastic job."

Anthony scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, including a dunk off Smith's behind-the-back assist that rocked the arena.

Nowitzki led Dallas with 28 points and 10 boards, and Josh Howard, Kidd and Jason Terry each scored 15.

Game 2 is Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center, where the Nuggets have won 14 straight.

The Nuggets led 82-80 when they iced it with a 15-4 run. It began with two free throws and a bucket from Chris Andersen, who blocked six shots, and two foul shots and a jumper from Anthony.

From there on, it was the brand of basketball the Nuggets have been playing all season, with Billups and Carter taking turns leading the way at both ends of the floor.

"That's how we win," Billups said. "We win with our numbers and not just one or two guys having big nights."

Nowitzki, who scored 13 of the Mavericks' first 17 points, was thrown to the floor by Kenyon Martin in the first quarter and didn't get an open look the rest of the day.

"I felt like in the first quarter I had some good looks there and after that, they really made me work for everything I got," Nowitzki said.

In the first half, Erick Dampier turned his left ankle and Howard, who missed two 11-game stretches this season with a bum left ankle, turned his right one.

"I can't avoid injuries," Howard said. "Right now I could get hurt walking off a plane."

Filipinos wanted more from the Manny-Pacquiao match

FILIPINOS AROUND THE COUNTRY yesterday erupted in jubilation when Manny Pacquiao’s left hook exploded on the jaw of Ricky Hatton, but some said they felt bitin (unsatisfied) because the fight ended too soon.
Caught in the excitement generated by the fight, some priests hurried through with their Sunday Masses or shortened their sermons, while ordinary people woke early or climbed trees to see live feeds of the bout.

In Tacloban City, organizers of the Palarong Pambansa suspended some games so that athletes and spectators alike could watch the telecast of the Las Vegas fight.

But tragedy struck in Batangas City where a 64-year-old fan of Pacquiao collapsed dead from a heart attack while watching his hero on television score a devastating ring triumph 12,000 kilometers away.

In parts of Bicol, residents failed to see the fight because a storm had toppled power lines and plunged their communities into darkness.

As in previous Pacquiao fights, soldiers and Moro guerrillas briefly stopped fighting in some areas of Mindanao so they could follow the fight on radio and television.

But there was no respite for some units pursuing the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Jolo. Saying duty came first, they captured one of the bandits’ camps in the village of Bunot in Indanan town yesterday morning, police said.

President Macapagal-Arroyo declared a “national day of celebration” to mark Pacquiao’s feat, saying his “spectacular victory” should inspire all Filipinos to emulate his example of always striving to improve oneself.

Malacañang officials said Ms Arroyo learned about Pacquiao’s victory while she was visiting Egypt on her way to Syria and was herself surprised at how swiftly the Filipino champion had disposed of the English brawler.

Remonde said the delegation could not believe that the fight was over in less than six minutes.

“We found it sort of incredulous that it was over quickly,” Remonde said.

Ms Arroyo plans to honor Pacquiao later with a luncheon in Malacañang.

The “Pacman mania” also spread to the cyberworld, where popular singer Mariah Carey twittered, “Unbelievable,” in reference to Pacquiao.

Facebook was filled with cheers for Pacquiao. Some users said:

“Asar si Aling Dionesia kasi naunahan siya ni Hatton na himatayin!” (Aling Dionesia is pissed off because Hatton became unconscious ahead of her).

“It took a longer time to look for a parking lot than to watch the fight.”

Deposed President Joseph Estrada said Pacquiao “is truly an inspiration to Filipinos everywhere.”

Agence France-Presse said “millions of Filipinos danced in the streets and joined raucous parties” after Pacquiao’s victory.

The following reports from Inquirer reporters and correspondents in Metro Manila and around the country show how Filipinos were caught up in the Pacquiao frenzy:

Hearts belong to Pacman
Hatton may be their countryman, but to British citizens like Paul Pryde and Arthur Conn, who have stayed and fallen in love with the Philippines, their hearts belong to Pacquiao.

They said they considered themselves to be Filipinos.

“So we’re rooting for Pacquiao,” Conn said at Howzat sports bar on Kalayaan Street in Makati City before the start of the live telecast. “Hatton likes to drink, too … he gets drunk every night unlike Pacquiao,” added the 35-year-old software engineer, who has been in the country for five years.

Pryde, one of bar’s owners, said Britons who are in the Philippines on vacation may be cheering for Hatton—but not those who have been “Filipinized,” like him and Conn.

Five LCD TV screens at Howzat attracted a beer-guzzling, predominantly male crowd. A large-screen projector was put up in another part of the bar to cater to a total of 200 customers, who spent P500 each to watch the fight. The ticket came with coffee and a breakfast buffet.

Many customers obviously felt disappointed that the fight ended quickly. Allison W. Lopez

Some felt shortchanged
Fruit vendor Rodel Ubaldo felt shortchanged after spending hard-earned money to watch a live telecast of the fight.

“I know Manny would win but it would have been better if the fight had lasted for at least five rounds so I would have gotten my money’s worth,” he said in Filipino. He said he paid P250 to see the fight.

“It was finished even before I could warm my seat,” Ubaldo added.

More than 1,000 people filled up the Amoranto Stadium to see the fight by satellite sponsored by the Rotary Club Kamuning East. Nancy Carvajal

No room for everyone
Hundreds of fans kicked, pushed, shoved and then ripped up tickets after they were refused entry to a free viewing of the fight at the San Andres Sports Complex.

The stadium had been filled to its capacity of 8,000, prompting personnel of the Manila Recreations Bureau to close all four crowded gates, as early as 7 a.m.

Retired soldier Jose Acosta Jr., 64, said he came to watch the match for free and waved his ID papers and a ticket to marshals but his pleas to be admitted were ignored.

“I am just one old man. I am also a retired soldier. They should take pity on me,” Acosta told the Inquirer.

Others lamented that some of those without tickets were allowed to enter first. Jeannette I. Andrade

Watching from trees
A group of men in shorts and slippers were so excited about the fight that they literally climbed a tree for a better view.

Others stood on a “kariton” or wooden cart, while a few clambered up the steel gates of the Pasig City Hall, risking life and limb, to watch the LCD screen showing satellite feed of the bout.

Officials had mounted two monitors in tents in front of the Pasig City Sports Center for people who could not get into the 5,000-seat stadium, which was filled to capacity.

Queues to the free showing had reached several blocks away from City Hall as early as 7 a.m. DJ Yap

‘Palaro’ games suspended
They waited for nearly four hours but it was over in just six minutes.

But jubilation still swept restaurants, shopping malls and gymnasiums across the Visayas when Pacquiao stopped Hatton in two rounds.

The fight prompted the suspension of some of the games of the Palarong Pambansa as a giant screen, normally used to monitor various events of the Palaro at the Tacloban City Convention Center, was used for the showing of the pay-for-view match.

The big crowd included athletes themselves.

Traffic was greatly reduced in key Visayan cities as people stayed home to watch the fight.

But while most streets in Cebu City were empty, a stretch along D. Jakosalem Street fronting the LGC Marketing building teemed with people. LGC Marketing had brought out three 21-inch TV sets to show the fight.

Msgr. Esteban Binghay, the epicospal vicar of the Cebu Archdiocese, said he shortened his Mass at Carcar City’s Theotokos Diocesan Shrine because the people were eager to know the result of the fight.

He said attendance was also down by half.

In Iloilo City, thousands flocked to public gymnasiums in Jaro, Arevalo and Molo districts to watch the bout for free. The screenings were sponsored by officials led by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, his son Iloilo Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr. and Mayor Jerry Treñas.

Anticipating a grueling match, many spectators brought sandwiches, juice drinks and beer.

“Bitin (It was over too soon),” said Josepha Dingcong, 53, who had waited for four hours to see the bout.

Sally Biansong, a vendor of salted peanuts, was also unhappy that the fight ended early. “I only sold P50 worth of peanuts because of the short match,” she said.

In Bacolod City, traffic ground to a halt, the police went on alert and sermons ended early as people rushed home to catch the Pacquiao fight.

Residents in Antique watched the fight for free at the Biniarayan Sports Complex. Nestor P. Burgos Jr., Jhunnex Napallacan, Lito Tecson, Joey Gabieta, Carla Gomez and Jani Arnaiz, Inquirer Visayas

No rest for soldiers
Thousands of soldiers and civilian volunteers in Sulu and Basilan had to make some sacrifices and missed the fight to answer the call of duty.

Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, spokesperson for the Sulu kidnapping crisis, said many soldiers were “longing to watch this fight live but because of the ongoing pursuit operation in Sulu, many of our personnel had to sacrifice.”

About 8,000 soldiers, police and civilian volunteers are involved in the search for kidnapped Italian engineer Eugenio Vagni.

“We will just watch the fight later because we are at the height of operation,” said Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim, Sulu police chief.

In Basilan, Rear Adm. Alexander Pama, commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said troops carried radios with them “so they can only listen to the fight if there’s a radio signal in their respective areas.”

Kidnappers are still holding six hostages in the province.

Pama and Arevalo said they had the fight recorded and compact disc copies would be sent to the troops in the field later. Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao

Darkness in Bicol areas
The Albay Electric Cooperative said it had received many phone calls from consumers requesting them to fix electric lines immediately so they could watch the fight.

About 50 phone calls were received by the desk until noontime Sunday.

Some villages in Camalig town in Albay experienced power outages due to Tropical Storm “Dante,” “so I failed to watch Manny’s live fight,” said Anton Llandelar, a computer technician of Camalig.

Gov. Joey Salceda said the fight was “a brief distraction” from the storm, but it gave little relief.

“The earlier we return to work and rebuild our farms, the better,” he said. “What we need here is relief goods not emotional relief.”

In Batangas, a 64-year-old tricycle driver, Francisco Lalongisip, died of a heart attack while watching his idol battle Hatton on TV at his neighbor’s house in San Pascual town, police said. Romulo Ponte, Maricar Cinco, Marrah Lesaba, Jonas Cabiles Soltes, Ephraim Aguilar, Rey Nasol and Joanna Los Baños and Geral Querubin, Inquirer Southern Luzon

Jubilation in Luzon
In Luzon, the jubilance of jeepney and tricycle drivers and vendors was shared by local officials and politicians as they watched Pacquiao knock out Hatton.

But Pacquiao fans expecting a brawl were dismayed that the fight did not go the distance.

In Nueva Ecija, some overseas Filipino workers in Alberta, Canada, in messages sent online, said they were disappointed that they did not see an exciting fight, which had been billed as a “war between the East and the West.”

Nadal beats Djokovic for fourth Rome Masters title

ROME (AP)—Rafael Nadal won his record fourth Rome Masters title on Sunday, beating defending champion Novak Djokovic 7-6 (2), 6-2.t’s the third clay-court title in three weeks for the top-ranked Spaniard, following victories at the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open.

“For sure it’s one of the biggest wins of my career,” Nadal said. “It’s always incredible to win in Rome.”

He extended his winning streak on clay to 30 matches, stretching back to an opening-round loss to Juan Carlos Ferrero in Rome last year.

By failing to defend his title, Djokovic will lose the No. 3 ranking to Andy Murray on May 11, when last year’s points drop out. The 21-year-old Serb has been No. 3 since August 2007.

“I had my chances,” said Djokovic, who rallied to beat Roger Federer in the semifinals. “He overcomes the pressure better than me, that’s why he’s the best in the world. But overall, I’m pretty happy with the week.”

Nadal broke an Open Era tie with Thomas Muster, who won Rome titles in 1990, 1995 and 1996. Jaroslav Drobny and Martin Mulligan also each won three titles before the Open Era.

Chris Evert holds the women’s record at the Foro Italico with five titles.

Rome is a key warmup for the French Open, which begins in three weeks with Nadal the four-time defending champion.

Nadal broke serve in the opening game of the match, but Djokovic had his chances in the first set before losing control for good in the tiebreaker, sending a weak backhand drop-shot attempt into the net on Nadal’s third set point.

“That was one of the toughest moments of the match,” Nadal said. “The first point of the tiebreak was for him and I had two chances to serve for the first set and lost both times. But I played the tiebreak well and that was the most important thing.”

Djokovic then double-faulted to hand Nadal a 4-2 lead in the second set.

The Serb said fast conditions made it tough for him to handle Nadal’s heavy topspin.

“The ball was bouncing really, really high here today and that made my shots really difficult, especially from the backhand side,” he said.

The match was a far cry from the Monte Carlo final two weeks ago, when Djokovic became the only player to take a set from Nadal on clay this year.

Djokovic led 23-19 in winners on Sunday, but committed 40 unforced errors to Nadal’s 22, mostly with his backhand.

Nadal improved his Rome record to 22-1 and is a tour-best 38-3 this year, winning five of the eight tournaments he’s entered.

It was his 15th Masters Series title, one more than Roger Federer and two shy of Andre Agassi’s record of 17.

Atlanta Hawks advances to 2nd Round

ATLANTA -- Joe Johnson was tired of all the double- and triple-teaming. So he put up a shot before Miami could get an extra defender on him.

From about 30 feet away. Swish.

After a mostly disappointing series, Johnson finally showed up when the Hawks needed him most, making six 3-pointers and scoring 27 points to lead Atlanta into the second round of the playoffs with a 91-78 victory over Dwyane Wade and the Heat in Game 7 Sunday.

Atlanta got past the first round for the first time since 1999. Their reward? A matchup with LeBron James and the top-seeded Cavaliers, beginning Tuesday night in Cleveland.

Johnson, the Hawks' top scorer during the regular season, was held under 20 points in five of the first six games by the Heat. It looked like more of the same when he missed his first five shots of the decisive contest.

Then, suddenly, he found his range. First, a 3-pointer from just outside the line. Then, on Atlanta's next possession, he pulled up near the tip of the winged logo at center court -- a good 7 to 8 short of the arc -- and launched another one. Nothing but net, even after he got a bit of a hip check from a startled Wade, who looked off toward the stands in disbelief after the ball went through."I was just trying to be more aggressive," Johnson said. "I haven't put up a 3 that long in a while. I said, 'Forget it,' and just launched it. Making that got me into a little rhythm."

He finished 6-of-8 from beyond the arc, leading the Hawks to the final blowout in a series that was totally devoid of any drama. Every game was decided by at least 10 points.

"When Joe is hitting 40-foot 3s," Wade said, "it's one of those nights."

After a back-and-forth first quarter that ended with Atlanta ahead 20-18, the Hawks pulled out to a 49-36 lead by halftime. They might as well have started the celebration right then. There were only 15 lead changes in seven games -- not one of them after the opening period.

The Hawks turned the contest into a laugher in the final quarter. Flip Murray hit a 3-pointer to give Atlanta its biggest lead, 85-66, and both teams cleared their benches in the closing minutes.

Things got ugly late while the Hawks fans chanted "Hey, hey, hey, goodbye!" Zaza Pachulia, who provided more quality minutes off the bench, drove to the hoop and was collared around the neck by Udonis Haslem. The Miami forward was tossed out of the game for a flagrant foul, while Atlanta coach Mike Woodson charged onto the court to make sure no punches were thrown.

The Hawks will need everyone for the Cavaliers, who have lost only two games at home all season.

Miami is done, its finale epitomized by Haslem's inglorious exit. He ripped off his jersey on the way to the locker room, throwing it into the crowd before he disappeared down the tunnel.

Still, it was quite a comeback season for Wade and the Heat, which bounced back from a dismal 15-67 record to make the playoffs as the fifth seed in the East."I'm very encouraged by this season," Wade said. "The team that won 15 games last year came back to win 43 games this year and took Atlanta to seven games in the playoffs. We've got something to build on."

Wade scored 31 points but the majority of those came after the Hawks had already built a comfortable lead. Bothered by back spasms throughout the series, he didn't have enough help from his young teammates to get through to a matchup against James in the second round.

Instead, it's the Hawks moving on. Red and silver streamers fell from the roof of Philips Arena as the horn sounded, celebrating the team's first playoff series win since a five-game triumph over Detroit in 1999. That team was swept by New York in the next round and then drifted into irrelevance, enduring nine straight losing seasons before this year's 47-35 mark was good enough for home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.

A year ago, the Hawks learned the benefits of playing Game 7 at home. After taking the eventual NBA champion Celtics to the limit, Atlanta was blown out in the decisive game at Boston. This time, the Hawks got to play at home, and they doled out the same treatment to Miami.

Mike Bibby might have been the Hawks most valuable player in the series. He averaged just under 15 points and 5 assists in the seven games. He even stood up to Woodson when the coach complained about Josh Smith (21 points) putting up an errant 3-pointer from the corner.

When Woodson called his point guard over, Bibby shot back with an expletive. "Y'all tell him to move," Bibby growled. Woodson simply turned away, rubbing his goattee and smiling slightly.

This was the first Game 7 ever played in Atlanta. As if that wasn't unusual enough, the Hawks had not won a Game 7 since 1961 -- when the franchise was still in St. Louis.

"It feel like the monkey's off Atlanta's back," Smith said. "Not just the team's back. The whole city."

Game notes
Joey Crawford was part of the three-man officiating crew for Game 7. About two miles away, his brother, Jerry, was the first-base umpire for the Braves' game against the Houston Astros. ... Al Horford had 7 points after missing Game 6 with a sprained ankle. ... Jermaine O'Neal, who sat out the previous contest with a concussion, played just 42 seconds after being cleared by doctors before the game. ... The late-arriving crowd of 18,864 was just short of a capacity, ending Atlanta's streak of six straight playoff sellouts. (Photos and Story courtesy of AP)