RAIN OR SHINE’S GUIAO SEES TOUGH, PHYSICAL BATTLE VS. TALK ‘N TEXT
COACH Yeng Guiao of Rain or Shine forecasted a very physical fight between his wards and defending champion Talk ‘N Text in the best-of-seven finals of the 38th Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup starting on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

“I have the highest respect for the Talk ‘N Text players, coaching staff, organization and management but I’m going to set all those aside when we go into the finals. It’s going to be a battle, a war,” said Guiao. Rain or Shine made it to the finals following a 4-2 win over San Mig Coffee. Talk ‘N Text crushed the Alaska Aces, 4-2, in the other semifinals match. FRANK CALAPRE

FRUITAS SHAKERS, HEAVY BOMBERS PLUNGE INTO ACTION AS PBA D-LEAGUE ASPIRANTS’ CUP RESUMES
With still five playoff spots still left in the conference, Fruitas Shakers and Jose Rizal University-Air21 Heavy Bombers aim to extend their winning ways opposite separate foes as action resumes in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup on Tuesday at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City. Currently holding the solo sixth spot with a 3-3 win-loss card, Fruitas battles winless Informatics Icons, who have been eliminated after dropping their first seven starts, at 2 p.m. while JRU-Air21, which carry a 2-4 card, face Café France Bakers who are trying to bounce back from their loss against Blackwater Sports in their last game in 2012. JIM LEMUEL WILSON

GONZALES, CRUZ LOSS IN QUARTERFINALS
FILIPINO table tennis bets Richard Gonzales and Joseph Cruz were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2013 World Championship of Ping Pong (WCPP) Liha event on Monday at the Alexandra Palace in North London. Gonzales, a national team member, was defeated by former Olympic silver medalist Ilija Lupulesku of the United States, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9. Cruz was beaten by Russian Maxim Shmyrev, 11-8, 11-5. JOSEF T. RAMOS

PLAY HALTED FOR DAY AT WIND-WHIPPED KAPALUA
MAUI, Hawaii: The US PGA Tour just can’t get 2013 started, with play suspended for a third straight day on Sunday at the season-opening Tournament of Champions because of high winds. Organizers had hoped to get at least one round in Sunday, even after a four-hour delay. But the players who teed off at Kapalua had to cope with gusts that blew balls off tees and greens, finally prompting officials to call a halt. After weather disrupted play in the scheduled opening round on Friday and canceled all action on Saturday, organizers of the event had planned to start fresh with two rounds on Sunday and finish a tournament reduced to 54 holes on Monday. Thanks to Sunday’s delayed start they shifted that plan to 18 holes Sunday and 36 on Monday. Now, weather permitting, the tournament will start afresh on Monday, the day it was originally scheduled to conclude. Officials hope to play 36 holes on Monday and complete the tournament with 18 holes on Tuesday. AFP