Alaska Milk continues its advocacy to help children learn positive values through participation in sports with the holding of the 21st Alaska Football Cup at the Alabang Country Club in Ayala Alabang Village last November 26 and 27.

Players of all ages, from as young as six years old, was gathered in one venue to participate the longest running and most successful grassroots-development program in local football.

"This marks another monumental event for Alaska Milk. We have 320 teams and a total of 4,800 football players together in one venue, all united by their love for football. It is with great pride that we witness how the Alaska Nutrition, Action, Champion Program has engaged young athletes into this kind of culture, and how they live by the values inherent in sports," said Wilfred Uytengsu, President and CEO of Alaska Milk Corporation

Alaska Milk teaches children discipline, hard work, determination, teamwork and sportsmanship by encouraging them to join sports activities. Alaska Milk launched its first football cup tournament in 1995 so that children may participate in sports like football to help them achieve the "winning form."

This year's Alaska Football Cup comes at the heels of the start of the Asean Football Federation's Suzuki Cup with the Philippine national football team, the Azkals, participating. It will be played in 28 football fields with 168 game officials ministering the competition.

School teams and football clubs from all over the Philippines, inluding Masbate, Baguio, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Davao, Palawan, Legaspi, Laguna, Batangas, Bukidnon, Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac, Ilocos, Bicol, Romblon, Davao Sur, Compestela Valley, Quezon, Cavite, Albay, Pangasinan, Bacolod, Iloilo, Mindoro, and Metro Manila will participate.

Instead of engaging in passive activities such as watching television, surfing the Internet, or spending too much time on social media, Alaska Milk encourages children to engage in sports and outdoor as an active alternative.

The National Nutrition Survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute(FNRI) states that health issues are best addressed by adopting an active lifestyle along with a healthy diet and regular drinking of milk, at least twice daily.

The athletic and social skills of children may be developed through participation in sports tournaments. Children experience healthy competition among members of the same age group which boosts physical and mental development.

Alaska Milk helps develop aspiring athletes through its NUTRITION. ACTION. CHAMPION. Program.

For more information about Alaska Milk and its Nutrition. Action. Champion. Program, visit www.alaskamilk.com. To know more about the 21st Alaska Football Cup visit http://www.alaskapowercamp.com/. Check out Alaska Milk's sports channel www.playph.com and like @PlayPH in Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for inspiring stories on Filipino sports fans of all ages nad skill levels

ONE Championship Announces Blockbusterr 2017 Schedule

The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced its blockbuster 2017 schedule.

This past year, ONE Championship delivered world-class mixed martial arts (MMA) action to iconic Asian cities across the region, breaking into new Chinese markets while continuing to delight fans in key Asian destinations. The promotion also successfully held a live event at the Cotai Arena in glitzy Macau, and became the first-ever major MMA promotion to hold a live event in Bangkok, Thailand.

Victor Cui, CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “2016 has been a phenomenal year for ONE Championship. It was absolutely historic for the promotion and 2017 promises to be even better.

“With the addition of key senior leaders to aid ONE with our growth plans, the promotion is in an unbelievable position to make some major waves in the global MMA industry. Together we aim to deliver fans a continuously unique experience that they will never forget.

“ONE Championship is coming out in full force to hold electric live events all over mainland China, with plans to break into new and exciting markets in Vietnam, South Korea and Japan. I know fans can’t wait for ONE to come to town. Get ready for one of the biggest years in MMA.”

In 2016, ONE Championship saw the birth of new world champions, sold out iconic stadiums and arenas all across the world, and entered exciting new markets. Growth has increased exponentially, attracting new major sponsorships and forging stronger business relationships with partners.

With groundbreaking new network television deals, ONE Championship is now broadcast to over one billion viewers in more than 118 countries worldwide, with a loyal and passionate fan base of supporters from nations all across the globe.

2017 promises to be even better in terms of viewership and popularity as ONE Championship lays out plans for new markets.

ONE Championship has announced plans for live shows in its usual major cities of Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Manila, and Yangon. The promotion is also set to return to the Cotai Arena in Macau and the Impact Arena in Bangkok. New markets Vietnam and Japan are also in the works as well as multiple destinations in mainland China including Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing.

In line with ONE Championship’s growth strategy, building local homegrown Asian martial arts heroes from the grassroots, the promotion is set to take advantage of the potential of world-class MMA in Vietnam, South Korea and Japan with events to be announced at a later date.

ONE Championship 2017 Schedule

Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta Convention Center

Saturday, January 14

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Stadium Negara

Friday, February 10

Bangkok, Thailand

Impact Arena

Saturday, March 11

Manila, Philippines

Mall of Asia Arena

Friday, April 21

Singapore

Singapore Indoor Stadium

Friday, May 26

Beijing, China

Le Sports Center

Friday, June 30

Yangon, Myanmar

Thuwunna Indoor Stadium

Friday, July 14

Macau, China

Cotai Arena

Saturday, August 12

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Stadium Negara

Friday, August 18

Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta Convention Center

Saturday, September 16

Shenzhen, China

Bao An Stadium

Saturday, October 21

Da Nang, Vietnam

Tien Son Sport Center

Friday, October 27

Yangon, Myanmar

Thuwunna Indoor Stadium

Friday, November 3

Manila, Philippines

Mall of Asia Arena

Friday, November 10

Singapore

Singapore Indoor Stadium

Friday, November 24

Beijing, China

Le Sports Center

Saturday, December 2

Bangkok, Thailand

Impact Arena

Saturday, December 9

Shanghai, China

Mercedes Benz Center

Tuesday, December 12

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™

ONE Championship is the largest sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, the world’s most exciting mixed martial arts organization hosts the largest sports entertainment events across Asia featuring the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Championship is broadcast to over 1 billion viewers across 118+ countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including FOX Sports, Setanta, MNC, Astro, Thairath TV, ABS-CBN, TV5, MYTV, HTV, Esporte Interativo and more.

PhilBike Expo 2016 Wraps with Incredible Finish

The PhilBike Expo, the only international-standard trade and consumer cycling show in the Philippines, closed its three-day weekend with an incredible demo from international powerhouses, Kenny Belaey, The Super Kids, and Viki Gómez held last November 25-27, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia.

Mutliple-World Championship rider, Kenny Belaey marveled audiences with a demonstration of “Balance” atop various obstacles inside the convention. He was followed by Japanese protégés, The Super Kids (14-year-old Yu Shoji and Takumi Isogai), who showed off their incredible flatland skills before a tremendous crowd. They were joined by their mentor, Flatland innovator & 3x flatland world champion, Viki Gómez. 2016 marks the Spaniard’s second trip to the Philippine islands where he returned to welcoming crowds who could not get enough of his gravity-defying skills.

In addition to its star-studded line-up featuring world-champion cyclists, the PhilBike-Expo was pleased to announce the arrival of Canadian Geoff Gulevich who began his career at the age of thirteen and rose to prominence as one of the best Mountain Bikers in the world. He is a highly-decorated risk-taker, known for his versatility and passion for the sport. 

Also present in the expo was Alessandro Colnago, the grandson of cycling-pioneer, Ernesto Colnago and current marketing manager of the Colnago bikes brand. For over sixty years, Colnago has established itself as one of the premier cycling brands in the world. It is the brand of choice for many top athletes in the industry such as Luigi Arienti, who won the gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. 

Over 100 brands were on hand, showcasing a diverse range of bikes and accessories for riders of all skill levels and disciplines. For enthusiasts and first-timers alike, there was something for everybody at the 2016 PhilBike-Expo.

It was no surprise that the number of attendees increased this year as thousands packed the SMX Convention Center for the PhilBike-Expo’s third anniversary. Inspired by the incredible feats from the stellar line-up of international athletes, expo-goers had the chance to try their hand at the interactive simulations all across the venue. Not to mention the group of bikers who attended with their bikes to freestyle with the athletes at an impromptu BMX Street Jam on the final day.

About PhilBike Expo

The PhilBike Expo is the country’s first and largest trade and consumer show dedicated to the promotion and development of cycling and related industries. Organized and produced by Phil-Bike Convention, Inc. (PBCI), PhilBike is now on its 3^rd year of bringing together different cycling categories under one fun and interactive event. 

For more information on PhilBike Expo, follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram:

facebook.com/philbikeexpo I twitter.com/philbikeexpo Iinstagram.com/philbikeexpo1.

ONE Championship Holds Press Luncheon at Vikings MOA

The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), held a luncheon for select members of the media at Vikings Mall of Asia late Tuesday, 29 November. Athletes in attendance included ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera, ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes, and world title challenger Reece “Lightning” McLaren, as well as Filipino fighters Danny Kingad and Eugene Toquero.

Fighters are set to compete at ONE: AGE OF DOMINATION which takes place Friday evening, 2 December at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. Headlining the massive fight card is Brandon Vera who will defend his ONE Heavyweight World Championship belt against Japanese MMA standout Hideki Sekine.

Brandon Vera, ONE Heavyweight World Champion, stated: “I’m ready to fight and defend my title. Training has gone great. I’m excited to step back inside the ONE Championship cage. I love the Philippines, this is my home. I’m here to help all of our Filipino fighters. I’m going to make sure I won’t be the last Filipino heavyweight world champion.”

Bibiano Fernandes, ONE Bantamweight World Champion, stated: “I’ve competed all across the globe against the world’s best fighters, but even though I am a world champion, I feel I am still constantly improving. Martial arts is a continued pursuance of self-improvement and greatness.

As long as I continue to improve and take on the biggest challenges, I am happy. Reece McLaren is the latest challenge and I am ready to face him.” Reece McLaren, world title challenger, stated: “I’ve been an underdog my entire life. I excel in this position, it invigorates me. Bibiano Fernandes is a big hill to climb, but my skills and achievements have brought me to this stage in my career and I am going to do everything I can to take home the belt. This is a rare opportunity so I have to do my best.”

For more updates on ONE Championship, visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™

ONE Championship is the largest sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, the world’s most exciting mixed martial arts organization hosts the largest sports entertainment events across Asia featuring the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Championship is broadcast to over 1 billion viewers across 118+ countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including FOX Sports, Setanta, MNC, Astro, Thairath TV, ABS-CBN, TV5, MYTV, HTV, Esporte Interativo and more.

Rally Australia (WRC): Mikkelsen scores Volkswagen's Last Win

ANDREAS MIKKELSEN AND ANDERS JAEGER WON THE FINAL ROUND OF THE 2016 FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP TO END VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT’S SPELL IN THE SERIES ON A HIGH NOTE.

Reece McLaren inspired by Eduard Folayang’s title victory, looks to upset Fernandes

Filipino-Australian bantamweight sensation Reece McLaren burst onto the scene in ONE Championship after joining the promotion in 2015. He has since come away with two highly-impressive victories over top caliber opponents inside the ONE Championship cage which has earned him a shot at ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes.

McLaren (9-3) is set to challenge reigning champion Fernandes (19-3) in the co-main event of ONE: AGE OF DOMINATION which takes place Friday, 2 December at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. The 25-year-old McLaren says he draws inspiration from another Filipino warrior who recently became an MMA world champion.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Baguio City’s Eduard “Landslide” Folayang shocked the world with a scintillating technical knockout victory over Japanese MMA legend Shinya Aoki to capture the ONE Lightweight World Championship. McLaren says the win has motivated him in training for his upcoming title shot against Fernandes.

“I saw the Eduard [Folayang] fight and I drew a lot of inspiration from it. Another fellow Filipino winning a world title shows that it can be done,” said McLaren.

“Watching the fight was super exciting. I was on the edge of my seat. It was such a massive opportunity for him and to see him walk away with the victory was just so inspirational.”

As talented as McLaren is however, the Brazilian Fernandes is riding an 11-fight win streak and is making the fifth defense of his ONE Championship title so he won’t be taken lightly. And just like Folayang did against Aoki, McLaren will also be entering this fight against Fernandes as the prohibitive underdog.

Good thing for McLaren, the role he plays in all of this doesn’t seem to bother him one bit.

“Being labeled the favorite or the underdog doesn’t really matter to me. I’m going to put a hundred percent into the work and hope it shows,” said McLaren.

McLaren began his ONE Championship career with an upset victory over Filipino warrior and fan-favorite, Mark Striegl. He then followed that win up with another upset victory over top Tajikistan prospect Muin Gafurov.

That’s why going up against Fernandes, McLaren feels right in his element.

“I find no difference between being the favorite or the underdog. Everyone loves the underdog story and they love it when he wins, so give me that label and I’ll run with it,” said McLaren.

“An upset to me is the man who is not meant to win, wins.”

While Fernandes is gunning for his fifth straight successful title defense, McLaren aims at a different kind of streak. He goes for his third straight upset. If McLaren can do that, then the world is in the palm of his hands.

“I’m confident I can get this win because I have Australia and the Philippines supporting me,” said McLaren. “Bibiano, it is such an honor to be facing you. I respect you a lot, but this is going to be a changing of the guard.”

NBA Legend Gary Payton to Celebrate Opening of NBA Store in Cebu City

The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that the fourth NBA Store in the Philippines will open Nov. 24 at the Ayala Center in Cebu City.  

NBA Legend and Hall of Famer Gary Payton will be on hand to meet and interact with fans at the store opening, which will celebrate the league’s first NBA Store in the Visayas region.  To commemorate the occasion, the first 300 customers that purchase an item will receive an NBA gift.

Located on the fourth level of the Ayala Center in 452 square meters of retail space and managed by International Athletic Trading Company, Inc. (IATC), the new NBA Store will offer a wide selection of authentic NBA products from all 30 teams, including official jerseys, footwear, performance gear, lifestyle apparel, and non-apparel merchandise including basketballs, toys, collectibles, and more.  The store will also offer personalized jerseys and will feature interactive elements including NBA 2K video game players where fans test their gaming skills and compete against each other, a Pop-a-Shot machine and a dedicated section for NBA memorabilia. 

“We had envisioned expanding the NBA footprint across the country and to have now reached the Visayas region is a milestone for us,” said IATC President and CEO Melvin Lloyd Lim.  “We could not be more excited to open the first NBA Store in the second most populous metropolitan area in the Philippines after Metro Manila.”

“The NBA and IATC are committed to bringing the NBA experience closer to all Filipinos nationwide,” said NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson.  “The NBA Store in Cebu is the first outside of Metro Manila and is strategically positioned as a premier shopping destination for NBA fans within Central and Southern Philippines, offering an extensive range of authentic NBA products.”

The NBA Store at the Ayala Center will carry products from brands including 2K Sports, adidas, Enterbay, Mitchell & Ness, New Era, Nike, Panini, Spalding, Spec Seats, Stance, and Under Armour.  The regular store hours are 10 am - 9 pm (Sunday-Thursday) and 10 am - 10 pm (Friday-Saturday). 

On Nov. 22, Payton will also conduct a meet-and-greet with fans at the NBA Store in Glorietta 3 at 6 pm before visiting the NBA Store in Cebu City’s Ayala Center on Nov. 24 at 6 pm.  The flagship NBA Store in the Philippines in Glorietta 3 opened in 2014, followed by the store in Mega Fashion Hall in 2015 and the store in TriNoma in 2016.

For all the latest news and updates on the NBA, visit www.nba.comand follow the NBA on Facebook (www.facebook.com/philsnba), Twitter (www.twitter.com/nba_philippines) and Instagram (@nbastoreph). 

About International Athletic Trading Company Inc.

International Athletic Trading Company, Inc., (IATC, Inc.) is a joint venture partnership between Ever Fit Holding Company, Inc. and IP Ventures, Inc.  Ever Fit Holding Company, Inc. is engaged in retail and wholesale of apparel.  Its stakeholders have more than 25 years of experience in retail operations in major malls located in the Philippines.  It has 65 retail stores with an average selling floor area of 100 square meters.  Over the past five years, it has managed to grow its business at an annual compound growth rate of 6%.  The basic strength of its management lies in being able to immediately identify changing market trends and adopt strategies proactively.  IP Ventures Inc. is a well-known venture & private equity group in the Philippines with investments in retail, gaming and TMT (tech, media, and telecom).  Considered as one of the pioneers of the Internet industry, IP Ventures listed the first online games company, and first internet data center company in the country.  IP Ventures also owns Netopia with over 60 outlets located in high traffic malls representing over 6,000 square meter of retail space.  IP Ventures maintains a joint-venture with Philstar.com to run and operate NBA.com Philippines and has exclusive distribution rights for NBA 2K games.  IP Ventures is also launching NBA 2K Online in the Philippines in 2015.

About the NBA

The NBA is a global sports and media business built around three professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association, and the NBA Development League.  The league has established a major international presence with games and programming in 215 countries and territories in 49 languages, and NBA merchandise for sale in more than 125,000 stores in 100 countries on 6 continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2016-17 season featured a record 113 international players from 41 countries and territories.  NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com and the NBA App, which achieved record viewership and traffic during the 2015-16 season.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than one billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms.  Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.