Manchester City vs Liverpool 2-2; Liverpool moves up in standings

As Pacquiao delivered his inspirational speech in front of the crowd. He speaks of all his experiences and sacrifices in a Youtube video as he announces his run for president. It was posted on the verified account of Fight Hub Tv on September 20, 2021. “I am a fighter and will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring.” Pacman said.

The legendary Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao was named fighter of the decade in 2000’s. After defeating Keith Thurman, he became the oldest weightlifting champion at the age of 40. In the proceeding years, he had won several world titles that would elevate him to the ranks of one of the best professional boxers of all time.

Senator Manny Pacquiao, the former eight-division world champion, will run for the 2021 Presidential elections.

by Rayu Tuanda

Manchester City and Liverpool draw in one of the most anticipated battles throughout the season, ending with a 2-2 scoreline at Liverpool’s home stadium in Anfield on October 4, 2021.

Manchester City held a dominant advantage during the first half of the game as Foden made life difficult for Liverpool on the left side of the pitch. Liverpool seems to be out of shape and has difficulties trying to keep the ball from City’s hands as they play methodically. Unlike their aggressive performance against Chelsea last week, City takes a backseat and plays defensive against Liverpool for the majority of the first half of the match. Liverpool keeper, Allison Becker, makes a great save against the fighting Foden during the ‘21 minute mark. City takes another shot courtesy of De Bruyne a few minutes later but was cut off from the goal due to the tight corner. Liverpool seems to be increasingly frustrated as Henderson chews off the assistant referee.

Sam Catantan nabs first PH fencing gold

by Joshua Louise Solon

Samantha Catantan wins gold after a victory against Singapore’s Maxine Jie Xin Wong and won the first gold for Philippine fencing with a 14-12 victory in the 31st Southeast Asian Games on May 14, 2022, in Hanoi, Vietnam.

AUS Denies Djokovic Vax Exemption

by Mat Joseph Dy

On January 5, 2022, the Australian government cancelled Tennis star Novak Djokovic’s visa as he flew to Australia unvaccinated for COVID-19, which might cause risk to the community.

Djokovic announced on January 4th that he had been granted an exemption to compete in Australia. Which had drawn an immediate rebuke from Australia’s prime minister Scott Morrison. He said earlier on Wednesday that Djokovic will have to prove on his arrival why he deserves an exemption from vaccination or he will be “on the next plane home”.

Novak Djokovic travelled from Dubai to Australia to compete in the Australian Open singles championship. On Thursday, he was told that he needs to leave the country after being held for 10 hours by the Australian government at a Melbourne airport.

City keeps their momentum in the ‘34 minute mark as De Bruyne tries to score a goal again but misses. As halftime approaches, City looks like they have the momentum advantage but Liverpool’s keeper, Allison Becker, keeps the match scoreline even in the first half of the game.

Liverpool seems to have gotten traction following the difficult first half. With Liverpool gaining momentum, Jota plays a long pass to Salah and approaches Cancelo at the bottom right edge but gets cut off by Cancelo. Liverpool picks up the pace as Salah gets possession of the ball at the ‘59-minute mark and passes the ball to Sadio Mane pushing deep into City’s defense, Enderson tries to push forward to catch the ball but Mane kicks late and scores 1-0 for Liverpool.

Even though Catantan experienced a hand cramp in the middle of the fight, she managed to win and delivered the Philippine fencing team’s first-ever gold.

The Filipino fencer settled for bronze in the 2019 biennial regional meet and had a smooth 15-4 win over Thailand’s Chayabutphat Shinnakerdchoke in the semifinal.

Wong defeated her compatriot Kemei Cheung, 15-10, in their all-Singaporean semis duel which led to Catantan settling for silver. Meanwhile, Noelito Jose Jr. settled for silver after losing to Vietnam’s Nhat Nguyen Tien, 15-11, in the final of the men’s individual epee.

With Manchester City missing their chances in the first half, Liverpool strikes back in the second half. City’s Rodri fouls Robertson and Liverpool gets a free kick to be acted on by Salah but takes deflection a few yards wide off post. As City loses control of the second half, Foden decides to take matters into his own hands thanks to Jesus’ pass from the center-right of the field and scores a goal for City at the ‘69 minute mark. Equalizing the scoreline at 1-1. Liverpool retaliates with Salah scoring another goal at ‘72, making the score 2-1 in favor of the home heroes, Liverpool. At the ‘81 minute mark, City takes possession of the ball with Foden receiving a wide pass into the Liverpool defense, Foden passes to Walker passing to De Bruyne who scored a magnificent goal for City down the middle, equalizing the score to a 2-2. Liverpool tries to find the win as Fabinho tries scoring deep into City’s side but gets denied by Rodri’s ‘tackle of the century’. The match ends with a 2-2 draw.

Jose was the only one defeated in the contest after he beat I Jie Koh of Malaysia, 15-5, in the semifinal and beat Jian Tong Si To, 15-12 in the elimination.

He also beat Thai Nattiphong Singkam and Vietnamese Den Nguyen Phuoc with a pair of 5-1 wins in the preliminaries. Regardless, his compatriot, Jian Miguel Bautista failed to advance in the Men’s epee medal match.

Maxine Esteban, a Filipino fencer, was also washed out in the elimination round of the women’s foil after being dominated by Cheung, 10-15.

After settling for bronze in 2019, Catantan aimed for a great comeback.

“It’s one of the most difficult grounds to play at and I thought we dealt with it well today,” said Foden in a post-match interview. Foden has scored more goals against Liverpool than any other club during his stint at Manchester City.

Chelsea leads the Premier League championships with Liverpool and Manchester City falling just behind. Liverpool’s Manager Klopp expressed disappointment in his team’s first-half display.

“We were too passive with and without the ball and played right into City’s hands. That was the worst half we have played against them,” he said.

Expecting to capture a win in the following year. As for Catantan, she once competed against Wong but never got the chance to win and this is her first time defeating Wong.

“Naiiyak na talaga ako habang game, kasi gustong gustong sumuko ‘yung kamay ko pero syempre, mentally, nandoon na ako kailangan ko talagang ilaban para makuha ko ‘yung gold medal. (I’m about to cry during the game, because my hand wanted to give up but of course, mentally, I was there and I really had to fight to get the gold medal.)” Catantan commented after getting cramped during the game.

“Hindi ko naman iniisip na manalo talaga para sa sarili ko ‘e, gusto ko talagang makaambag ng gold medal para sa Philippines and syempre para maiangat ‘yung pangalan ng fencing sa buong Pilipinas. (I don’t really think of winning for myself, I really want to contribute a gold medal for the Philippines and of course to raise the name of fencing throughout the Philippines.)” Catantan said.

Currently, the Philippines have a total of 40 gold medals, 57 silver medals, and 76 bronze medals.

The tennis star was held overnight because of his visa and questions about his evidence supporting his medical exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine. Djokovic’s exemption should supposedly have allowed him to compete in the Australian Open unvaccinated. But the Australian government questioned why he deserves to be exempted.

Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison is equally determined saying that the country is strict in Coronavirus protocols without favor.

Djokovic did not leave the country, meanwhile, his team filed a legal challenge to the ruling on Thursday. Djokovic is allowed to remain in Australia until January 10 as his lawyers are looking forward to a hearing.

Thank you to the people around the world for your continuous support. I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated,” said Djokovic in his Instagram story, breaking his silence and thanking his supporters on January 7, 2022. After the country’s Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews says that Djokovic is “free to leave any time” and he is not being detained.

The Serbian world number one is most likely to win the 10th Australian Open that would have him 21 major titles. Breaking Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s tie for the most majors ever in men’s tennis, but it became a situation that might throw the tournament’s field into question before the play starts on January 17.