Are M&M really coming?

News of tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis coming to town in November sparked a commotion that drew a sharp reaction from the world-wide sports management company IMG (International Management Group).

According to IMG Manila, there is no confirmation of Sharapova’s arrival for a three-day, two-night Manila visit. IMG should know, according to Nick Freyer, head of tennis, Asia-Pacific, because it manages Sharapova’s affairs.

Team Asia’s Joey Fornier, who broke the news, says the deal is still in the negotiating stage but guarantees it will happen, sooner or later. Team Asia’s Singapore affiliate is packaging the tour that will take M&M (Maria and Martina) to three countries. Aside from Manila, the other stops are Singapore and Beijing.

"I stand by what I told you, that there’s a 70 percent chance of it pushing through," says Fornier. "Our Singapore principals are putting together the package details and once the inputs from Singapore and Beijing are consolidated, they’ll submit a proposal to IMG. I’ve already submitted the projected numbers for the Manila leg."

Fornier says he let the cat out of the bag, perhaps prematurely, because of his excitement in bringing the tennis darlings to Manila.

"I think I opened my mouth too soon," continues Fornier. "But I know this project is doable. I’ve already gotten positive response from prospective sponsors and a possible TV coveror. If I have to personally go to Hong Kong to explain the situation to the IMG people, I will."

Fornier says Team Asia is no fly-by-night operator. "We’ve done big projects before, like the shows of Michael Jackson, Alanis Morrisset, Boyzone, Black-eyed Peas, Mariah Carey, F-2 and F-3," he adds. "We’ve got a solid track record. We recently produced the Mayol fight in Tokyo. Instead of people doubting our capability, we should be happy that a group like ours is investing big money to bring in top-caliber entertainment acts for Filipinos to enjoy."

The next Team Asia project is a June 3 mid-afternoon boxing card featuring world-rated Randy Suico versus Phongpetch Chuvattana of Thailand for the vacant Oriental lightweight title in the main event either at Market! Market! in the Global City or the Glorietta Mall in Makati. The card will also showcase Yukka Gejon, Wyndel Janiola and former amateur star Roel Laguna. Fornier traces his roots to Antique where his father Tobias was a congressman and mother Cora, a governor. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois and the Wharton business school in Pennsylvania.

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Rodel Mayol offered no excuses in losing to World Boxing Council minimumweight champion Eagle Kyowa in Tokyo last Saturday. "Kinapos ako," said Mayol. "Wala akong sinisisi. Ang bagsak ko ay sarili ko. Akala ko, lahat ng kalaban kagaya ng mga natalo ko dati. Hindi ko akalain na napakatibay si Kyowa."

Mayol claimed he sparred over 100 rounds for Kyowa but his sparmates were not of high caliber and his workouts were largely unsupervised because trainer Brix Flores attended to other fighters like Rev Santillan. He often showed up for training alone in Cebu gyms. Mayol’s training was further interrupted when Flores took a vacation in Bohol during the Easter break.

And during the fight, Mayol admitted he didn’t know whom to listen to–Flores or Japanese trainer Toshimi Miura. He confessed to being confused.

Mayol confided that his Japanese manager Yasuo Matsuoka asked for his forgiveness. "Napakabait ni Mr. Matsuoka," continued Mayol. ’Siya pa ang humingi sa akin ng tawad at pinabayaan daw niya ako at marami siyang pagkukulang. Sayang at kung maganda ang training ko, dapat world champion na ako ngayon."

Ironically, Kyowa may be forced to vacate the throne despite the victory over Mayol. He suffered a cracked right orbital bone during the fight and may not be able to fight again. Doctors are still determining if he will undergo surgery or not. Mayol said he welcomes the opportunity to train with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles although he’s not shutting the door on Flores and Miura. He said he leaves his fate up to Matsuoka.

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Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Noli Eala has spared Coca-Cola cager William Antonio from paying a fine in spite of failing to show up for the Legends Shootout during the recent All-Star Week in Cagayan de Oro.

Antonio wasn’t in the original lineup of players tapped to participate in the All-Star festivities. He agreed to replace Tigers teammate Johnny Abarrientos in the 3-Point Shootout. A top candidate for the Most Improved Player award this season, Antonio went on to win the 3-Point contest and earn an automatic slot, with the two other finalists, to play in the Legends Shootout the next day.

A miscommunication left Antonio stranded in his hotel room. He was in uniform ready to play in the Legends Shootout but his pick-up for the car ride to the Xavier University Gym came too late. Ren-Ren Ritualo took over Antonio’s slot and joined Olsen Racela and James Yap in battling the Legends trio of Jojo Lastimosa, Ric-Ric Marata and Boybits Victoria.

"Will was so disappointed because he missed the chance to go against the Legends," said Antonio’s wife Ana, once a TV courtside reporter. "Actually, he feels even worse because to add to the fact that he missed the chance to play against the Legends, some people are saying he forgot or didn’t know about the Shootout when he was raring to show his skills against the famous Jojo and the other Legends. That’s like adding insult to injury. In my book, that’s just plain and simple unfair. But hey, I’m just a supportive wife so maybe, my voice doesn’t count in some people’s opinion. In my heart and my mind, he is the 3-Point King and my forever Legends Shootout winner."

The PBA, however, slapped a fine of P80,000 on Barangay Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa for his no-show in Cagayan de Oro. The fine consisted of the P20,000 penalty for not playing in the All-Star Game, the P10,000 penalty for missing the flight to Cagayan de Oro and back and several P5,000 penalties for skipping mandatory appearances in various events. PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial said the league is commending John Arigo, Ali Peek, Eric Menk and Paul Artadi for attending the All-Star Week events despite their injuries.