MANILA — Back-to-back PBA D-League champion NLEX Road Warriors will stay in the amateur ranks and, if possible, dominate the non-pro division, at least for the moment.

BACOLOD CITY — Partnership for a long time paid good dividends for two Singaporean coeds to rule the 2012 Bayawan City Women’s Beach Volleyball Invitational tournament held Saturday and Sunday at the city boulevard.

MANILA — Newly-crowned international light-flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero of the Philippines and his party return to Manila on Tuesday afternoon, three days after crowning himself the 106-pound titleholder via a riotous 10th round technical knockout victory over local boy Luis Lazarte at Club Unidoes in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

ILOILO CITY — The 40th Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival celebrating its Ruby Anniversary kicked off with a formal opening program and presentation of official candidates of Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta 2012 on Sunday evening at the Freedom Grandstand here.

BACOLOD CITY — Two champions from last December's 3rd Sugarlandia Chess championship ruled the men’s open and kiddies categories of the 2nd Barangay Bata Chess (non-master and Kiddies Under-12 Tournament) that ended Sunday night at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Gym here.

ORMOC CITY — Filipinos rejoiced over the victory of Johnriel Casimero in Argentina where he knocked out Luis Alberto Lazarte last Feb. 4 to capture the IBF Junior Flyweight championship belt.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — After bidding goodbye to his prized fighting cocks, Manila casino and entertainment joint here several weeks ago, world boxing sensation and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao is now considering giving up his boxing gloves for good in favor of his faith and “Bible-centered” life.

MOSCOW — Austria will face Spain in its first Davis Cup quarter-final for 17 years after beating Russia 3-2 in their first-round match on Sunday.

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia — Sochi is ready for the 2014 Olympics, French skier Thomas Mermillod Blondin said Sunday after finishing third in the final super-combined World Cup stage of the season.