‘Big Bug’ to rise soon

Two years from now, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will be scouting for a city in the south to host the annual All-Star Week and this early, Tagbilaran Mayor Dan (Jun-Jun) Neri Lim is first in line to make an offer.

The PBA alternates the host city from north to south. Last year, Laoag was the venue and this year, it was Cagayan de Oro. Next year, the candidates are Lucena, Puerto Princesa and Baguio.

Mayor Lim is in the thick of discussions to finalize plans for a new Tagbilaran landmark, the "Big Bug." He envisions a state-of-the-art sports facility on an 11-hectare property with a seating capacity of 5,000, parking for 3,000 slots, a one-storey basement and provisions for a jacuzzi and spa in the players’ dressing rooms.

Mayor Lim’s architect Walter Toston says the P250 Million "Big Bug" can be compared to a nine-storey building. If the groundbreaking for the stadium is done in the next few months, the "Big Bug" will surely be finished by 2008 when the PBA returns to the south for the All-Star Week.

It was Mayor Lim who conceptualized the blockbuster boxing card featuring Bohol ring heroes Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista and Czar Amonsot that drew over 25,000 fans at the open-air Carlos P. Garcia Stadium in Tagbilaran last year. He also staged the 10-fight program called "Stars of the Future" at the Island City Mall carpark in the city last April 30 in cooperation with Tony Aldeguer, Sammy Gello-ani and Solar Sports.

Mayor Lim, a lawyer, is a huge sports fan. When he’s in Manila, Mayor Lim never fails to catch a PBA game at the Araneta Coliseum.

Now that several promising fighters hail from Bohol, Mayor Lim is even more excited about promoting his provincemates. He has become Aldeguer’s unofficial adviser—pro bono, of course—when it comes to managing the affairs of Bautista, Amonsot and other Bohol fighters like Along Dinoy and hot prospect A. J. Banal.

Bautista is booked to face Roberto Bonilla of Nicaragua in the undercard of Marco Antonio Barrera’s defense of the World Boxing Council superfeatherweight title against Rocky Juarez at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on May 20. The unbeaten Candijay teenager is also slated to take on Alejandro Montiel of Mexico in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s bout against Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum on July 2.

Amonsot will take on Jose Reyes of Puerto Rico and Dinoy battles Sergio Espinosa of the US in the same card at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this Saturday.

Banal, 17, turned pro last year and has a 6-0-1 record, with five KOs. In the recent "Stars of the Future" show, Banal knocked out Thai veteran Bangsaen Sithpraprom with a single shot to the head.

Mayor Lim himself is a local folk hero. He was unsuccessful in two bids to become a Congressman but when Boholanos finally gave him a chance to show what he can do as a public servant, Mayor Lim didn’t waste any time proving his worth. A few weeks ago, Mayor Lim was given a resounding approval rating of over 70 percent by his constituents who cited his efforts in curbing criminality, improving traffic conditions, cracking down on drug pushers and users, promoting tourism and making the city government more efficient and responsive to the public.

Mayor Lim says aside from the Chocolate Hills and the Panglao beaches, Bohol is proud of Boholano celebrities like actor Cesar Montano, Binibining Pilipinas World 2006 Ana Igpit, "Star in a Million" winner Jerome Sala, national artist Napoleon Abueva, director Maryo de los Reyes and singer Yoyoy Villamin.

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Welcoat Paints will be allowed to directly elevate three PBA draft eligibles from its Philippine Basketball League (PBL) roster as a "bonus" for joining the pro league next season.

The word is incoming coach Leo Austria will tap 6-7 center Jay-R Reyes and 6-3 swingman Jun-Jun Cabatu for sure but hasn’t made up his mind on the third pick. A source said the last choice will be either 6-9 Eman Samigue or shooting guard Ronjay Enrile.

It’s possible that Welcoat may revert several free agents, now playing for Rain or Shine in the PBL, back to the PBA for chemistry purposes. The ex-pros who may be tapped are Marvin Ortiguerra, Julius Tangkay and Gilbert Malabanan. Additionally, free agent Eugene Tan (drafted by Purefoods in 2002 but was never signed up) may be enlisted without going through the draft.