PHILIPPINE VOLCANOES BURNING HOT ON EDSA

Yes, as promised here are some of the pics of the Philippine Volcanoes for Bench. Our rugby team is surely making waves as they are making big noise along EDSA with their sexy billboards for Bench Body. Well, I know most of you have seen the boards in EDSA. Traffic hazard or passenger delight? It's your call.

For perspective, The Volcanoes were ranked in Division 4 back in 2008 but has vaulted to Division 1 in 2011. Their latest outing against Malaysia proved that they have really grown stronger as a team as they blasted the Malaysians 86-20 to stay in Division 1. Here are the individual pics for you. I personally like Arnold, Ned and Patriz. :)

Arnold Aninion

Chris Everingham

Darran Seeto

Francisco Guerra

Jake Robrigado

Kenneth Stern

Michael de Guzman

Ned Stephenson

Nicholas Perry

Oliver Saunders

Patriz Olivier

Now all I could say is sales is bound to go up for Bench with this sizzling hot photos. I think they are marketed better than the Philippine Azkals were. And now here are some of the group pictures for you to marvel as well.

Arnold and Darran

Jake, Ned and Michael

Kenneth, Patriz, Chris

And again, here's the behind the scenes from the Bench photoshoot. Well, I thought summer is already out but the Volcanoes truly heat up the rainy season.



Photo Credits: Bench, Spot.ph,
Video Credits: Bench, Youtube

PHILIPPINE VOLCANOES FOR BENCH

And after the Azkals made it big, another male sporting group is making some noise. The Philippine Volcanoes, the RP's Rugby Team is also doing well in the circuit. And they are making headlines as they join hands with Bench to serve as their newest endorsers of undergarments. Yup, man in trunks and shorts and they are hot. Here's the video from Bench and YouTube. Will post their pics soon.



Video Credits; Bench
Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49dmBCAR9UE

For the photos, here's the new post: http://bluecloud1003.blogspot.com/2011/07/philippine-volcanoes-burning-hot-at.html

AZKALS HEATING UP THE RAINY SEASON

The recent success of the Philippine Azkals this year has cause a national frenzy and have put our national footballers into the limelight. What's more interesting for people is the fact that aside from the talent and determination, the azkals are packed with member who are can pass as celebrities in looks and physiques. As we usher in the rainy season, let's try to see some of the Azkals hottest players.

Anton Del Rosario

Neil Etheridge

Aly Borromeo

James Younghusband

Jason Sabio

Simon Greatwich

Phil Younghusband 

Hot right? Yup, indeed!

MY WIMBLEDON 2011 WOMEN'S PICKS

The ladies tournament got a boost as the Williams sisters are back in action but their current forms are in question. This means the 3rd slam for the year is again a wide open one.

First Quarter: Maria Sharapova

In a bracket with world no. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, you would think I would side with the top ranked player. But I won't. My bet in here is 5th seeded Maria Sharapova. I fancy her chances in here although I pretty much think Wozniacki could provide a stern test for the Russian in the quarterfinals. But before looking that far, she must hurdle several obstacles beginning with a tricky 2nd round with brit youngster Laura Robson. If she gets past this, Dominika Cibulkova or Julia Goerges will be waiting in the 4th round.

Second Quarter: Sabine Lisicki

I am actually torn on this bracket, Serena Williams is in here but her recent form suggests she might not be able to lift the trophy again at least for this year, that being said my bet is on German Sabine Lisicki, a former top 30 player back in 2009 before injuries sidelined her. And with her record of winning 12 of the last 13 matches in grass, she can certainly do well in Wimbledon. Dark horse for this bracket would be Marion Bartoli of France.

Third Quarter: Victoria Azarenka

This quarter seems poised to spring the biggest suprise of the tournament as anyone on this quarter has equal chances of advancing to the semifinals. There are few however that can have extra confidence that could actually win them matches. Of the girls in here, Vika is the best possible bet not only based on rankings but also on talent on grass. Russian veteran Nadia Petrova could pose the biggest threat to her campaign.

Fourth Quarter: Venus Williams

Venus is my bet on this quarter. Although this seems to be most difficult of all the brackets. Former runner-up Vera Zvonareva is lurking for a possible 4th round that is if the Russian can manage her nerves early on. Other big names who could spoil Venus' return to the semis would be Petra Kvitova, Yanina Wickmayer and Russian veteran Svetlana Kuznetsova. But grass is Venus' best surface and this might be good for her to add another title to her long list of Wimbledons.

MY WIMBLEDON 2011 MEN'S PICKS

The 2011 Wimbledon is the 3rd Grand Slam of the year and the best of the tennis world is again fighting to be crowned the champion. Here are my picks on who I think will make it far at the All England Club.

First Quarter: Rafael Nadal

Again, I fancy the chances of Rafael Nadal. After a morale boosting win at the French Open against arch rival Roger Federer, he is again full o0f confidence as he tries to defend his Wimbledon title. Nadal could face stern test along the way beginning with a possible 3nd round with Gilles Muller who has defeated him once here at the All England Club. 4th round might be tricky as well as he might face comebacking Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina. Lurking further ahead would be Mardy Fish or Tomas Berdych. But if anyone could not solve the Nadal puzzle early on, then Rafa is off to the semis.

Second Quarter: Andy Murray

As much as I like Andy Roddick, his last tussle with Andy Murray somehow shifts me from siding with the Scot. Murray surely has the game for grass and would be one of the highly touted ones to do good in this quarter of the draw. Aside from Roddick, I'm not seeing anyone really stepping up in this bracket and try challenge Murray.

Third Quarter: Roger Federer

The 3rd quarter is I think the easiest bracket. That means well for Roger Federer who is my bet to go all the way to the semis. While Nadal is stucked in a group of stingers and quarter 2 seems to be a battle of the Andys, this bracket does not pose any serious problem to Roger. His main opponents in this group are mostly claycourters like Almagro, Ferrer and the injury-plagued Nalbandian.

Fourth Quarter: Novak Djokovic

Nole just had his streak halted by Federer at French Open and I think he is roaring to get back and win big. A victory here in what was once Federer territory would mean a lot to him. This quarter has some of the best tennis spoilers like Marcos Baghdatis who is Nole's likely 3rd round opponent, veteran Xavier Malisse and the youngster Bernard Tomic. If neither one of them steps up then Nole is a shoo-in for the semis.

SMART GILAS FINISHES 4TH

While the entire country was hoping for a championship for Smart-Gilas Pilipinas, the 4th place finish was a respectable one. At the 22nd FIBA-Asia Champions Cup 2011 held here at Philsports Multi-Purpose Arena, Pasig City, the RP team placed 4th after bowing two consecutive matches, a close semifinals against Mahram-Iran  and the battled for 3rd place against Al Rayyan of Qatar. While many pundits were so mad and keeps on saying that the team failed miserably, I have a different take on that.


In the country's 15 years of participation in the games, it is the second best showing behind the championship crown won way back 1996. That alone was a good effort already. And while I do think they missed their chances against the Iran squad in the semifinals losing by a close margin, I do believe the Smart-Gilas team is on the right track. It has shown that it can compete again on the highest levels in Asia. Let's just hope that the good things continue for our team moreso in the upcoming FIBA-Asia Championships in China this September.

NBA 2011: HEAT VS. MAVERICKS

The 2011 NBA Finals is one of the most anticipated game events this month. And though the teams I love are out, (I love Lakers, Spurs and Bulls) the two teams that are in this year's finals are no pushovers for the title.

Dallas Mavericks are the West champions and I think everyone will agree that the Mavs are one of the more consistent teams for the past few years in NBA. I thought they will go out early specially with the Lakers on their path to the playoffs. But man they did play well as a team as they trashed LA in 4 games. One big person has actually made its presence felt with the Mavs and that is Dirk Nowitzki. But as good as he may be, the Mavericks would certainly won't win with just him doing the job. The rest of his team mates should be doing their share as well to challenge the strong line-up of the Heat.

Miami Heat was one of the stronger teams on paper when this season started and while I was rooting for Bulls to win the Eastern championship, the Heat winning it was still a good one. All eyes are now focused on Lebron James, touted by many as the best player without a Championship ring. Will he be able to take a crown this time around? The good thing is that Heat line-up is a strong and deep one with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.

My money's on the Heat winning this year's championship. In 6 games!

MY 2011 ROLAND GARROS BETS - WOMEN

The women's side might be more open than you think as anyone who has the will and determination to win can actually take this year's crown. It's a wide race for the FO 2011.

First Quarter: Julia Goerges

Currently ranked No. 17 in the world, Julia Goerges has been one player going under the radar. But I fancy her chances to do well into the seond week at Roland Garros. Even with workd No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and 2010 FO Runnerup Sam Stosur in her bracket, I choose her over the two. She has been more consistent with a 14-3 clay record coming into Roland Garros and a finals victory over Wozniacki at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix followed by a semifinals showing at Madrid losing to Victoria Azarenka.

Second Quarter: Jelena Jankovic

Even with a mediocre 8-4 record on clay this 2011, I'd still pick former top ranked Jelena Jankovic to make it to the semis. This has been her perennial hunting ground as she usually makes a good run into the second week in Paris. She seems to up it a bit during French Open and has the tools and determination to advance past the earlier rounds. She'll face stern challenge against 2010 champ Francesca Schiavone in the 4th round and could possibly meet Vera Zvonareva in the quarters that is if the Russian don't falter early.

Third Quarter: Petra Kvitova

Victoria Azarenka is hot in clay but her health is still in question moreso after she retired hurt with her match against Maria Sharapova in Italy. That being said, this quarter belongs to Petra Kvitova. The Czech is 7-0 in clay after capturing the Madrid Open beating the likes of Li Na who is her likely 4th round opponent, Vera Zvonareva and Azarenka who is lurking in the quarters. The current world No. 9 should handle them with ease.

Fourth Quarter: Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova has been in the upward swing with her comeback from injury. The former No.1 and 3 time Grand Slam champion is looking for her first French Open for her to complete the Slams. Her victory in Rome establishes her as a force in Paris. I see an easy passage for her up to the quarters where she can either meet Andrea Petkovic or No.2 Kim Clijsters.

MY 2011 ROLAND GARROS BETS - MEN

Carefully looking into the draw and their respective brackets, I have made my choices for the 4 players most likely to be in the semifinals in the 2011 French Open

First Quarter: Rafael Nadal

Defending champion Nadal is aiming for his 6th FO title and 10th Grand Slam overall. Coming off 2 clay titles in 4 finals (the two being defeats to Novak Djokovic), he still has the imposing game to actually have him take the crown once more. Despite the two losses to Djokovic, I still favor his chances as this time around the games are best of 5, not best of 3. Posing possible hurdles to Nadal would be Fernando Verdasco who he might face in the round of 16 and Robin Soderling, the only person ever to defeat Nadal in French Open in the quarters.

Second Quarter: Nicolas Almagro

I'm going wild on my prediction for the second quarter. Spaniard Almagro is one of the players that could do well in the claycourts of Paris when he is at 100%. His recent form maybe in question but this bracket is a loosely contested one. The only problems I see for Almagro is a possible 4th round with Jurgen Melzer and a quarterfinals bout with Andy Murray provided the Scot hurdles some of the names in his bracket like Clement, Troicki or Dolgopolov.

Third Quarter: David Ferrer

Though I like Roger Federer's chances in this bracket, I can't help but go to the enigmatic Spaniard David Ferrer. Currently ranked 7th in the world and is on 12-4 record on clay, his two notable loses were from King Rafa himself. But if Federer can master his way out of the first round hurdle that is Feliciano Lopez, expect the two to slug it in the quarters.

Fourth Quarter: Novak Djokovic

The hottest man on tour is in the fourth quarter and definitely I would root for him to advance to the semifinals. Having won 7 titles already for 2011, Nole is on a high with his 37-0 win streak coming into the FO. I'm not seeing much that coudl derail his campaign except for the possible blockbuster 3rd round with Juan Martin Del Potro. Whoever wins that might take the crown and my bet's on Nole.

MARIA SHARAPOVA GETS ENGAGED

Yes, you heard it right. One of the prettiest faces in tennis ever Maria Sharapova is finally engaged. This was based from reports from TMZ and which was later confirmed by the tennis star's camp.

Now, who's the lucky guy? The guy she is engaged to is none other than Los Angeles Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic. Die hard MaSha fans should be happy that their beloved idol is finaaly in the talks of settling down. Let us all hope that with their engagement, their level of play in their respective fields don't dip. After all, LA Lakers just won the championship and Sharapova is a former No. 1 who has grabbed Grand Slams already at a very young career.

The two have been dating since November 2009 and has been first seen publicly together at a U2 concert. For me, lucky Sasha. I still believe Sharapova is one of the hottest ladies in the world not just in sports. She's pretty, sexy, charming, has a dozen or so ads and modeling contracts. And that's on top of being a very good tennis player as well. Wishing both of them luck.