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Central Visayas wage board approves P18 hike

THE CENTRAL Visayas Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-7) approved on Tuesday a minimum wage increase of P18 per day. Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Salome O. Siaton, chair of RTWPB-7, said the new minimum wage in non-agricultural establishments employing more than 10 employees will be P404 while those in agriculture with up to 10 workers will be P396. Ms. Siaton also announced that the wage board approved an increase in the monthly salary of house helps in cities and first class municipalities to P5,000 from the current P3,000. House helps in other municipalities will be getting P4,000 per month, or an increase of P1,500 from the current P2,500. Ms. Siaton said the new wage order will be forwarded to the National Wages and Productivity Commission for review and approval, then published before taking effect. The last wage increase in the region took effect Aug. 3, 2018. Labor groups, which filed for much higher wage adjustments, expressed disappointment over the approved rates. “Actually, we are not happy with this, but we consider this as a win-win solution,” said Jose Tomongha, RTWPB-7 labor sector representative. Central Visayas covers Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. — The Freeman

25 environment samples from NCR, 1 from Davao positive for poliovirus

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) on Wednesday announced 26 environment samples — 25 from Metro Manila and one from Davao Region — are positive for poliovirus. There have been no confirmed polio cases so far in these two regions. “The presence of the poliovirus in environmental samples implies that carriers of the virus are continuously shedding in the communities. If viruses continue to spread from person-to-person in areas with low immunization coverage, the polio virus evolves and regains the ability to cause paralysis,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said. The samples were collected from sewage treatment plants and bodies of water from areas without treatment plants. Mr. Duque said these results highlight the need to expand its vaccination program for children below five years old. Eight cases of poliovirus have been reported from September to November, with six in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and one each in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Laguna. — Gillian M. Cortez

3 Zamboanga City Protected Area workers, boatman reported missing in possible sea accident

THREE MEMBERS of the Zamboanga City Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) and their boatman were reported missing on Tuesday and search operations are ongoing while authorities determine the circumstances of their disappearance. Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, in a statement issued late Tuesday, said the “full force of the city government” along with police and military forces have been deployed for their rescue and the investigation. Aside from maritime resources, the Philippine Air Force is also using its drones to locate the four. They were identified as PAMO workers Badzair Attan, Mudzmar Habing, and Ibrahim Hassan, and their boatman Rasbi Ambiting. All four are residents of Sta. Cruz Island. The Great and Little Sta. Cruz Islands, located south of Zamboanga City, were declared as a Protected Landscape and Seascape in April 2000. Ms. Salazar also appealed to the public for information that will help in the search. “At this time, we ask the people of Zamboanga to remain calm and vigilant, and above all, to pray for the safety and recovery of our missing personnel,” she said.

NOT TERRORISM
Authorities are treating the incident as a maritime accident and not a terrorist-initiated action, according to City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Elmeir E. Apolinario. In a separate statement from the city government, Mr. Apolinario, who also heads the Emergency Operations Center, said the Sta. Cruz Island beach remains open for visits and tours. “We see no reason why we have to close the island to tourist for security purposes unless there are evidences presented to support the same. As of now we continue operating the island as a tourism hub,” he said.

BPI BanKo targets 600 loan accounts in Davao by 2020

BANK OF the Philippines Islands subsidiary BPI Direct BanKo Inc. is targeting a loan portfolio of 600 accounts in the city by next year from 490 as of end-October. The microfinance bank, in an e-mail to BusinessWorld, said the target is part of their 1,000-client goal in the next five years. Nationwide, BPI BanKo is set to end the year with 91,000 clients and P7 billion in loans. “Davao City has nine BanKo branches and will soon have more to serve other areas,” the bank said. “As for growth areas, it is mostly market vendors,” it added, noting that this segment is part of its focus market consisting of the self-employed and micro-preneurs (SEMEs). In the city, the average loan is about P35,000 with an interest rate of 2-2.3% per month. BPI BanKo has “Mares and Pares” who directly approach prospective borrowers. Rodolfo K. Mabiasen Jr., bank enterprise loan and branch network head, said Bankerohan, Davao City’s biggest wholesale and retail market for agricultural commodities, was part of their caravan for reaching out to potential clients. He said the bank “has tailored its products and services to meet the needs and capabilities of SEMEs” while making access to “loans easier.” — Carmelito Q. Francisco

Nationwide round-up

DoLE job fair offers 22,000 posts

DoLE
PHILSTAR

A JOB caravan around the country, starting on Nov. 28 with the first stop at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, will have 22,000 local and foreign employment opportunities on offer, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) announced on Wednesday. DoLE said the job fairs, in line with the agency’s 86th anniversary, will be participated in by 200 employers. There will be 14,500 local jobs and 7,700 abroad. “The local jobs with the most number of vacancies are for the positions of production operator, customer service representative, technical support representative, counter support services, sewer, warehouse custodian, loan officers, retail service assistant, and receiving admin specialist. For those seeking overseas employment, the top vacancies are for production worker, nurse, laboratory technician, and respiratory technician,” DoLE said. Other venues for the fair are: Ayala Malls, Legazpi, Albay (Dec. 4); Bacnotan, La Union and Robinson’s Galleria South, San Pedro City, Laguna (Dec. 5); Robinson’s Place San Nicolas, Illocos Norte (Dec. 9); Don Leopoldo Sison Convention Center, Alaminos City, Pangasinan (Dec. 11); and Dagupan City Astrodome in Pangasinan (Dec. 16). — Gillian M. Cortez

Malditas shoot for semis after the Myanmar draw

The Philippine women’s national football team forced Myanmar to a draw in its opener at the 30th SEA Games and now looks to book a spot in the semifinals when it takes on Malaysia on Friday. — PHILIPPINE FOOTBALL WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM TWITTER ACCOUNT

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE Philippine women’s national football team got off the stranglehold of long-standing tormentor Myanmar by holding the latter to a nil-nil draw in the opener of women’s football at the 30th Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.

Had their number in recent matches with the Burmese side, the Malditas made sure it would not be a familiar refrain, especially playing on home soil, as they put up a gallant stand.

They stood toe-to-toe against Myanmar, which beat them, 6-0, when they met in the 2017 edition of the Games, throughout the match.

Camille Rodriguez and Claire Elisabeth Lim had good chances to put the host on the board early in the second half but Myanmar keeper Mya Phu Ngon proved to be up to the challenge.

The nil-nil draw earned for the two teams a point each in Group A, a result that Malditas coach Let Dimzon said they would take and try to build on as they shoot for a spot in the semifinals in their game against Malaysia on Friday, Nov. 29.

“We have been preparing the team mentally from the start. We lost our previous games against Myanmar so we made the adjustments, including in our transition play. And I think it materialize in this game,” said Ms. Dimzon postgame.

“It’s a good result for us. The training we had in Japan was a big help for us. This result helps us prepare against Malaysia. Our intention is to play in the semifinals,” she added.

Competition format in the SEA Games calls for the top two teams from the two groupings of three teams each advancing to the next round.

The Philippines-Malaysia match is set for 4 p.m. also at the Biñan Football Stadium.

MEN’S WATER POLO TEAM DRAWS
Meanwhile, the Philippine men’s water polo team dug deep and fought to a 6-6 draw with Indonesia also on Tuesday at the Aquatics Center in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

Trailing, 4-5 and 5-6, in the fourth and final quarter, the Filipinos managed to pull even and force the stalemate in the end.

Vincent Sicat and Paolo Serrano each scored a penalty goal to force the draw.

“This was a big result considering it was Indonesia, the 2017 silver medal winner,” said Philippine team head coach Rey Galang.

The national men’s polo team takes on Thailand today at 7 p.m.

In the tournament, the team with the best record takes the gold medal.

Philippine men’s ice hockey team eyes home celebration at 30th SEA Games

The Philippine men’s ice hockey team is shooting to celebrate another SEA Games gold but here at home soil. — HOCKEY PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PAGE

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE Philippine men’s ice hockey team, defending Southeast Asian Games gold medallist, seeks to make a successful title defense in this year’s edition of the sporting meet which the country’s is hosting beginning this weekend.

The Philippine Eagles, as the team is known, will try to make it back-to-back SEA Games titles and at home soil at that in ice action happening from Dec. 1 to 8 at the SM Mall of Asia Skating Rink in Pasay.

“Our immediate goal in the SEA Games is to defend our gold, especially now that we’re in our home soil. We have the home court advantage this time but this doesn’t mean we can be complacent. We have to bring pride to the Philippines,” said team captain Steven Fuglister.

In the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia, the Philippine ice hockey team surprised many with its performance, which has since been fondly referred to as “Miracle on Ice.”

The Philippines completed a sweep of its four-game assignment, beating Indonesia, 12-0, in the opener before following it up with 7-2 and 8-7 victories over Singapore and host Malaysia, respectively, in the round-robin phase.

It capped its performance by edging Thailand, 5-4, in a thrilling final match that earned it the gold medal.

As the defending champions, the Eagles know they have a target on their back but expressed readiness to take on the challenge.

“We have a target behind our back. We’re expecting the other four teams to be stronger, faster and we’re preparing for that,” said Francois Gautier executive vice-president of Hockey Philippines and senior member of the Eagles.

“Of course the goal is to get the gold but we know it’s going to be tougher than before. Thailand and Malaysia will be tougher, Singapore and Indonesia are making improvements. We are confident of our chances but we still need to put in the work,” he added.

The Philippines will begin its ice hockey campaign on Dec. 1 against Malaysia, followed by Singapore on Dec. 3, Indonesia on Dec. 4 and Thailand on Dec. 6. All games will be played at 7 p.m.

Tournament format will be a single round-robin with the top four teams advancing to the next round. The winning teams in the semifinals battle in the finals with the losers disputing the bronze medal.

“We want to bring pride to the country and show the world that hockey can thrive here in a hot, tropical country and that we have the talent to be a hockey-playing country,” said Mr. Gautier.

Myanmar defeats Azkals, 2-1

Philippines 2019 SEA Games logo

GAMES TODAY
(Binan Stadium)

4 p.m. — Vietnam vs. Laos (Group B, men)

4 p.m. — Brunei vs. Thailand (Group B, men)

8 p.m. — Indonesia vs. Singapore (Group, men)

THE PHILIPPINES dropped a close 1-2 decision to Myanmar in Group A yesterday in the 30th Southeast Asian Games men’s football tournament in front of an animated and sizeable hometown crowd at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Atoning for an earlier miscue, defender Justin Baas scored the Young Azkals’ lone goal in the 45th minute of the first half that ended in a 1-all deadlock off a feed by Dennis Chung, who was the hero in the Philippine squad’s 1-all draw against Cambodia last Monday

But striker Win Naing Tun struck the winning goal in the 79th that boosted the Burmese to the top of the group with four points while the hosts slipped to third place and remained with one point after their first setback in the five-team bracket.

Still playing at press time was the match between Timor Leste and Cambodia, with the winner moving up to second spot. Malaysia had a rest day.

Although the charges of Goran Milojevic began strong, it was Myanmar which took to the early lead as Aung Kung Mann caught Philippine goalie Anthony Pintus offguard after Baas was out of position in the 16th minute.

Just before the first half ended Chung chested a cross to Baas, who scored a point-blank marker to send the game tied at the break.

Midfielder Kaung Khant continued to probe the hosts’ defenses and he found a gap, assisting Naing Tun, who came rushing in for the marginal marker.

The Filipinos hope to regroup and will be gunning for their first win when they face the Malaysians on Friday at the resumption of Group A play.

Leonard, Clippers manhandle Mavericks for 6th straight win

DALLAS — Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points, and Paul George added 17 of his 26 points in the first quarter as the Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak to six games with a 114-99 victory over the host Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.

George and Leonard were playing together in a road game for the first time, and they were on the court as teammates for just the fourth time overall.

Luka Doncic had 22 points and eight rebounds, and Kristaps Porzingis added 15 points and 10 boards for the Mavericks, who saw their five-game winning streak come to an end. Dallas lost a home game for the first time since Nov. 8.

The Clippers’ defense, led by guard Patrick Beverley, clamped down on Doncic, who entered averaging 30.6 points per game, third best in the NBA. The Mavericks were also the second-best scoring team in the NBA at 119.1 points per game.

George shot five of nine from the field and four of six from 3-point range in the first quarter. The Clippers went seven of 11 (63.6%) from beyond the arc in the opening 12 minutes but hit just 39.3% from the field overall during the quarter.

The fast start helped the Clippers to a 62-46 halftime lead, with the Mavericks shooting just 31.4% from the field in the opening two quarters. They finished at 38 percent in the game while the Clippers converted 42.3%.

Doncic had 15 first-half points but was just two of nine from the field and nil of five from 3-point range, though he did go 11 of 11 from the free-throw line.

Seth Curry finished the night with 13 points for Dallas, and J.J. Barea added 12 points in just his third game of the season.

The Clippers built their advantage to as many as 22 in the third quarter when they shot 54.5 percent from the field, and they led 93-77 at the start of the fourth.

Lou Williams had 21 off the Los Angeles bench, and Montrezl Harrell added 12 as the Clippers won at Dallas for the first time since November 2016. — Reuters

NOFA’s Ricky Yanson to push for added dimension to PFF in bid to be president

Negros Occidental Football Association president Ricky Yanson in anchoring his bid for the presidency of the Philippine Football Federation on pushing for more grassroots development programs for the sport. — NOFA FACEBOOK PAGE

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

NEGROS Occidental Football Association (NOFA) president Ricardo “Ricky” Yanson is running for Philippine Football Federation (PFF) head with his bid anchored on pushing for more development programs for the sport.

To challenge incumbent PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta for the position in elections set for Nov. 29 at the Century Park Hotel in Manila, Mr. Yanson, 48, seeks to push further dimension to the PFF’s thrust as an organization, particularly in rearing the federation to addressing the lack of national age-group tournaments which is key, he said, to deepening the pool of local talent in the country and truly cultivating the growth of the sport from the grassroots.

“Sadly, in the previous years, we have not seen enough of these (age-group tournaments). And the PFF has not invested enough resources, to grow the game, especially in the regions,” said Mr. Yanson at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Nov. 19.

The NOFA president said he would do such programs in strong collaboration with different football associations in the country.

“Under a new administration, there will be deeper involvement by the football associations, in the plans and programs of the PFF,” said Mr. Yanson.

Since taking the leadership of NOFA, Mr. Yanson has helped make football thrive in the Negros region. NOFA organizes the Dynamic Football League (DFL) for boys and girls of different age groups; DFL runs all year round and holds multiple conferences.

NOFA also collaborates with fellow FAs to mount tournaments in different regions; such as the Mindanao Cup that was organized in cooperation with the Davao South Regional Football Association, and the Luzon Cup in partnership with the Central Luzon Football Association (CLFA).

NOFA supports coaches’ and referees’ education through hosting coaching/refereeing license courses conducted by the Technical Department of the Philippine Football Federation. NOFA also runs its own NOFA Football Academy where talented young players are taught not just football skills but more importantly, values and proper work ethic to carry them through the rest of their lives.

Mr. Yanson announced his intention to run for PFF president in September during the launch of the Mindanao Cup in Davao.

Concerns, however, have been lodged against Mr. Yanson that the company dispute between him and three of his siblings with their younger brother Leo Rey, the owner of top football club Ceres-Negros, would affect the unity of stakeholders.

But the NOFA president was quick to allay the fears, saying it would be a non-issue in dispensing his duties as PFF president if privileged enough to be voted into the office.

Hamburg FIDE Grand Prix (2)

Hamburg FIDE Grand Prix
Hamburg, Germany
Nov. 4–18, 2019

Round 1

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave FRA 2774 vs. Wei Yi CHN 2736, 1.5-0.5

Veselin Topalov BUL 2736 vs. Hikaru Nakamura USA 2745, 1.5-0.5

David Navara DZE 2724 vs. Nikita Vitiugov RUS 2732, 3.0-1.0

Alexander Grischuk RUS 2759 vs. Radoslaw Wojtaszek POL 2739, 2.5-1.5

Daniil Dubov RUS 2699 vs. Teimour Radjabov AZE 2758, 4.5-3.5

Peter Svidler RUS 2729 vs. Pentala Harikrishna IND 2746, 1.5-0.5

Yu Yangyi CHN 2763 vs. Dmitry Jakovenko RUS 2681, 2.5-1.5

Jan-Krzysztof Duda POL 2730 vs. Ian Nepomniachtchi RUS 2776, 1.5-0.5

Round 2 (Quarterfinals)

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave FRA 2774 vs. Veselin Topalov BUL 2736, 1.5-0.5

Alexander Grischuk RUS 2759 vs. David Navara CZE 2724, 1.5-0.5

Daniil Dubov RUS 2699 vs. Peter Svidler RUS 2729, 3.5-2.5

Jan-Krzysztof Duda POL 2730 vs. Yu Yangyi CHN 2763, 1.5-0.5

Round 3 (Semifinals)

Alexander Grischuk RUS 2759 vs. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave FRA 2774, 1.5-0.5

Jan-Krzysztof Duda POL 2730 vs. Daniil Dubov RUS 2699, 3.5-2.5

Round 4 (Final)

Alexander Grischuk RUS 2759 vs. Jan-Krzysztof Duda POL 2748, 3.5-2.5

Hamburg FIDE Grand Prix is part of the world championship cycle. Here is how it goes:

Twenty-two players are qualified by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) to participate in the Grand Prix

There are four legs in the Grand Prix: Moscow (May 16–30, 2019), which was won by Ian Nepomniachtchi, Jurmala, Riga (July 11–25), won by Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Hamburg (Nov. 4–18 and Jerusalem December 10–24, 2019). Each leg has a €130,000 (roughly P7.3 million) prize fund, with €24,000 (around P1.3 million) for first place.

Each of the 22 participants compete in three of the four tournaments.

There are grand prix points awarded to the players depending on how they finish in the tournament. Winner gets eight GP points, runner-up five GPpts, semifinal loser three GPpts, round 2 (quarterfinals) loser one GPpt. There is also one additional point for each match win without tie-breaks. For example, in Hamburg the tournament winner Grischuk got eight GPpts plus an additional two for defeating David Navara (1.5-0.5) and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (1.5-0.5) in the regulation two-game match, without need of tie-breaks.

The two players with most Grand Prix points qualify for the 2020 Candidates tournament which is scheduled to be held in March 2020 in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

The overall winner of the Grand Prix also receives an additional €50,000 (P2.8 million), and the runner-up €45,000 (roughly P2.5 million).

As of the end of the Hamburg Grand Prix the top 5 are:

Alexander Grischuk*, 20 GPpts

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, 13 GPpts

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, 10 GPpts

Ian Nepomniachtchi, 9 GPpts

Jan-Krzysztof Duda*, 8 GPpts

*have already completed 3 legs

As can be seen, Grischuk is virtually certain to qualify for the 2020 Yekaterinburg Candidates’ tournament while the no. 2 qualifier depends on how Vachier-Lagrave, Mamedyarov and Nepomniachtchi do in the forthcoming Jerusalem Grand Prix.

Jan-Krzysztof Duda is no longer in the running for the final Candidates’ place as he has already completed 3 legs and is not participating in Jerusalem. Having said that, his play recently and especially here in the Hamburg Grand Prix leaves a very strong impression. He always plays to win and while perhaps his opening knowledge is not of the highest standard he more than makes up for it with extreme resourcefulness, tactical brilliance, and very strong endgame play.

Duda, Jan-Krzysztof (2748) — Yu, Yangyi (2753) [D94]
Hamburg FIDE Grand Prix (2.2), 09.11.2019

Ding Liren made history when he qualified for the 2018 Berlin Candidates tournament — the first Chinese player ever to do so. This year he repeated the feat by finishing second in the 2019 Khanty-Mansiysk World Cup and once again qualifying.

Wang Hao also made history earlier this year by winning the FIDE Grand Swiss tournament in the Isle of Man and in so doing become the second Chinese ever to qualify for the Candidates’ tournament. A very impressive feather in the cap for the Chinese Chess Federation for now they have two Chinese GMs in the 2020 Yekaterinburg Candidates.

And now along comes Yu Yangyi. He was the one Ding Liren beat in the semi-finals of the World Cup (remember, the two finalists get automatic slots to Yekaterinburg), and now he is contending strongly in the Grand Prix. If he can continue with his powerful form then perhaps he can really make history by becoming the third Chinese GM in the Candidates’ Tournament?

The problem is that his opponent Duda is in the zone where he sees everything and throws every trick in the book at you.

1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nc3 g6 5.d4 Bg7 6.Be2 0–0 7.0–0 Ne4

A sideline. More common are either:

7…Bg4 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.Qb3 b6 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Bxf3 e6; or

7…dxc4 8.Bxc4 Bg4 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 Nbd7 11.Rd1 e5.

8.Nxe4 dxe4 9.Nd2 c5

An attempt to improve on a previous game which went 9…f5 10.f3 e5 this is Mozetic, D. (2540)-Matulovic, M. (2445) from Novi Sad 1995 (0–1 46). In that game White continued 11.d5 but he could have played 11.fxe4 fxe4 12.Rxf8+ Qxf8 13.d5 with the advantage. The e4–pawn will soon fall and White’s pieces are better than their counterparts.

10.dxc5 f5 11.Rb1

In contrast with the variation above after 11.f3 White does not have any d4–d5 or c4–c5 ideas anymore, opening up the a2–g8 diagonal.

11…a5 12.a3 a4 13.b4 axb3 14.Nxb3 Qxd1 15.Rxd1

The opening phase is over and the game hinges on under what circumstances can Black win back his pawn? In this stage of the game Duda plays very well and manages to create threats.

15…Nd7 16.Kf1 h5 17.Bd2 Rxa3 18.Na5 Nxc5 19.Bb4 Ra2 20.Bxc5 Rxa5 21.Bxe7 Rf7 22.Bb4 Ra8 23.Rd8+ Kh7 24.Bd6

Intending c4–c5 followed by Bc4. Yangyi decides to give up a pawn to make sure this does not happen.

24…Rd7 25.Rxd7 Bxd7 26.g4!

Yangyi was counting on the fact that 26.Rxb7?? is not possible because of 26…Ra1+.

26…fxg4

Taking with the f-pawn is better because it leaves f5 open for his light-squared bishop to take refuge. After 26…hxg4 27.Rxb7 Bc8 28.Re7 Kh6 29.c5 Ra1+ 30.Kg2 Rc1 31.Bb5 the bishop on c8 is in a very bad situation.

27.Rxb7 Bc8 28.Re7 Kh6 29.Bf4+

Not 29.Rxe4? Ra1+ 30.Kg2 Re1! (this is even stronger than 30…Bb7) 31.Re8 Bb7+ 32.Kg3 Rxe2 Black has turned the tables.

29…g5 30.Bxg5+ Kxg5 31.Rxg7+ Kh4! 32.Rg8 <D>

POSITION AFTER 32.RG8

Yu Yangyi has defended very well but now commits a fatal mistake.

32…Kh3?

Correct is 32…Ra1+ 33.Kg2 Bf5 34.Rf8 Kg5 Black should be able to hold. Obviously, with his last move he threatens the devastating 33…Ra1+, but White has a no less shattering response:

33.Bxg4+!!

I was watching this game online and must confess that this move really took me by surprise.

33…Kh4

He is mated after 33…hxg4 34.Rh8#

34.Rxc8 Ra1+ 35.Kg2 hxg4 36.Re8 1–0

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (MVL) is currently in the Grand Prix no. 2 position and he has made known that he really wants to qualify. The organizer of the 2020 Candidates Tournament, the Sverdlovsk Chess Federation, is allowed to nominate one player directly into the Candidates subject to some criteria but has already announced that this wild-car entry will only be given to a Russian player. This means that even if Alexander Grischuk or Ian Nepomniachtchi (the only other eligible Russian player is Kirill Alekseenko, who is not in the Grand Prix) do not make it to the top 2 in the Grand Prix they still have a chance to play in the Candidates as a wild-card entry. MVL has no choice but to do well in Jerusalem in order to book his ticket to Yekaterinburg.

Ian Nepomniachtchi won the first leg of the Grand Prix but got eliminated in the first round here and did not earn any Grand Prix points. He obviously needs a good performance in Jerusalem. I am afraid though that once again he let his emotions get the better of him after his elimination by getting into a bad twitter exchange with the organizer of the Grand Prix tournaments, “World Chess” which is owned by Ilya Merenzon through his company Agon Limited:

Nepomniachtchi: Hamburg Grand Prix organization recipe from @theworldchess: choose the most expensive and nice hotel and the most cheap and unsuitable playing venue. At least I rejoice I shouldn’t go there anymore. Good luck to remaining players 🙂

World Chess/Agon: sorry you lost bro.

Ian Nepomniachtchi: Fortunately, I’m not your bro, Mr. Golden Standard of pathetic organization. You should be put to the weights and measures department.

Definitely the Jerusalem Grand Prix this December will be a very interesting event!

 

Bobby Ang is a founding member of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and its first Executive Director. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he taught accounting in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) for 25 years and is currently Chief Audit Executive of the Equicom Group of Companies.

bobby@cpamd.net

Clippers clip Luka

Luka Doncic was on a roll. In fact, he had been marching confidently along uncharted territory; he put up at least 30 points and 10 assists in leading the Mavericks to victory in each of their last four games, a torrid stretch no other player in franchise history had been able to carve. And so it wasn’t without reason that he figured to do the same against the vaunted Clippers. Far more than simply being in familiar confines, he exuded the type of confidence and carried the gait that only all-world LeBron James managed to at his age.

Unfortunately for Doncic, the Clippers aren’t like any of the opponents he torched over the last week. They’re certainly loads better than the overmatched Warriors, Spurs, and Cavaliers, and superior even to the highly regarded Rockets. And if there’s anything they wanted to prove heading into the American Airlines Center, it’s that they really have no peer when they greet opening tip with a full complement. And, yesterday, they underscored their dominance from the get-go; they were all over the Rookie of the Year, trapping him at every opportunity and forcing him to press.

That the Clippers didn’t take long to compel Doncic to stray from his comfort zone speaks to both their defensive prowess and his youth. For all the praises having been sung his way, he hasn’t yet found all the possible answers to sophisticated coverages around the league, and certainly not to those he saw thrown at him yesterday. Against the unparalleled length and athleticism presented by the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George-Patrick Beverley-Jamychal Green-Montrezl Harrell-Maurice Harkless tandem, he proved to be at his most vulnerable for the season to date.

Doncic did manage to go to the line a whopping 16 times, but the extremely physical defense nonetheless took its toll on him; he canned a mere four of his 14 attempts from the field, and none of eight three-point tries. Just as tellingly, he finished with just six dimes versus seven — yes, seven — turnovers, as clear a manifestation as any of his inability to find release valves in the midst of stifling pressure. Little wonder, then, that the Clippers won in convincing fashion, and that he was left to stew in the aftermath.

True, Doncic will get better — make that much, much better. It’s a scary proposition given how much he has already accomplished. Then again, the Clippers did show that he still has a lot to learn. The Mavericks are good, even respectable, because of him, so it necessarily follows that their ceiling is his. And, as yesterday showed, he has a long way to go before he trumps the capacity of the best of the best in the league to keep it low.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

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