By Reynaldo Belen, InterAKTV

A selection of PBA stars with B-MEG coach Tim Cone at the helm will welcome the Chinese Basketball Association’s Shanghai Sharks, a team co-owned by former NBA superstar Yao Ming, in a friendly game at the newly-built SM Mall of Asia Arena on June 28.

PBA operations manager Rickie Santos confirmed the news to InterAKTV, adding that PBA selection would be composed of 16 players.

By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

Manny Pacquiao said he understands why fans are clamoring for a fourth fight against Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao said that in his storied boxing career that has spanned 59 fights, it was only Marquez who has given him a real challenge.

“Our trilogy has been as exciting for us as it has been for boxing fans… His deliberate and patient style of fighting is a product that comes from experience, and experience against great opposition. He's a brilliant counterpuncher,” the fighting congressman said in ESPN.

By Olmin Leyba (The Philippine Star)

The Philippine Azkals will likely miss three key starters when they play the Malaysian Tigers in a Fifa international friendly on June 1 in Kuala Lumpur.

Phil Younghusband, the Golden Boot awardee of the last AFC Challenge Cup, said he and his brother James will not be available against the Tigers due to a previous commitment.

By The Associated Press

Roy Hibbert had 19 points and 18 rebounds, George Hill scored 20 and Danny Granger 17 as the Indiana Pacers, showing more balance, toughness and togetherness than Miami, throttled the Heat 94-75 on Thursday night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Overlooked during the regular season and given little chance to upset the reigning East champions, the Pacers took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

By ADRIAN DY, GMA News

The third conference of the 2011-2012 PBA season kicks off Sunday and with it comes a new set of exciting storylines and sensational players to follow.

But before the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, the Alaska Aces, the Petron Blaze Boosters and the Powerade Tigers try to jump-start the Governor's Cup with a win, here are 10 locals to keep an eye on, as they look to play key roles in their respective teams' success.

By ABS-CBNnews.com

Manny Pacquiao is again included in Forbes’ list of most powerful celebrities for 2012. Pacquiao, the world’s only eight-division boxing champion, was ranked No. 33 in Forbes’ “Celebrity 100 list.”

The fighting congressman from Sarangani province outranked the likes of TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres (No. 34) and film directors Michael Bay (No. 35) and George Lucas (No. 36).

By Joaquin Henson The Philippine Star

A varsity teammate of NBA star Blake Griffin is set to arrive in Manila today and report for duty as Meralco’s import in the PBA Governors Cup starting Sunday. Juan Pattillo, who played alongside Griffin with the University of Oklahoma Sooners in 2008-09, was signed up by the Bolts after early pick Devin Green measured over the height limit of 6-5 and last conference’s import Tim Pickett backed out after twisting his ankle in a pick-up game.

By The Associated Press

Kevin Garnett scored 27 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and used a dominant second quarter to help the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 107-91 on Wednesday night and take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Whistled for a costly illegal pick late in a Game 2 loss, Garnett crushed the Sixers early and never let them think about a fourth-quarter rally.

By Joaquin Henson The Philippine Star

Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee intends to end his three-stop, offseason training program in Manila on Aug. 1-15 and Smart Gilas coach Chot Reyes said yesterday the 7-footer with an unreal 90.5-inch wingspan might join the national team practices during his stay.

A bill was recently filed in Congress by Rep. Robbie Puno to make McGee a naturalized citizen with the view of gaining eligibility to represent the country with Gilas in competitions such as the FIBA-Asia Championships, World Championships and Olympics.