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Gilas looks to bounce back after rough World Cup debut

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

FOLLOWING a rough start to its 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup bid on Saturday, the Philippine men’s national basketball team looks to find some form of redemption and bounce back when it plays Serbia in Group D action today in Foshan, China.

Bamboozled by 46 points, 108-62, in its opening game in the global hoops spectacle by Italy, Gilas Pilipinas seeks to perform better when it treks back to the Foshan International Sports & Cultural Arena in its 7:30 p.m. game against world number four Serbia.

Against a hot-shooting Italian squad, led by National Basketball Association players Danilo Gallinari and Marco Belinelli, Gilas found the going tough right at the onset.

Luigi Datome got Italy to a strong start, helping his team to a 16-4 in the first five minutes of the contest.

The Azzurri then jacked up their game some more, outscoring the Filipinos, 21-4, to take a commanding 37-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Italy kept taking it to Gilas in the second quarter, with the Philippine squad not helping its cause by shooting blanks especially from the outside.

The score was at 48-12 at the 5:40 mark of the frame before Italy closed out the opening half with a 62-24 lead.

While the game was practically out of reach at that point, Gilas still showed some fight in the second half, particularly young guns CJ Perez and Robert Bolick who tried to make things happen for the team on both ends.

But Italy was simply not to be stopped as it made its way to the big win.

Mr. Datome led the Azzurri with 17 points, going seven-of-seven from the field, with Amedeo Della Valle finishing with the same total points.

Mr. Gallinari had 16 while Mr. Belinelli had nine markers in the win.

As a team, Italy shot a solid 58.2% from the floor, and 48.4% from beyond the arc. It also had 30 assists.

For the Philippines, naturalized player Andray Blatche and Mr. Perez finished with 15 points each, followed by June Mar Fajardo with nine points.

Collectively Gilas just shot 39.1% from the field and a dismal 13% from three-point land. The team also had a telling 23 turnovers.

After the game, Gilas acknowledged that the game was hard to swallow because it was not able to meet its expectations and failed to deliver.

But it said the lessons from the Italy game were clear and that it hopes to do better versus Serbia.

“There will be nights like this. Just the experience of being out here — that’s one positive thing. Moving on to the next games is important. We have to think of the next game after that. It’s all about experience,” said Gilas guard Kiefer Ravena, who finished with five points, after the game.

Serbia, for its part, was a 105-62 winner over Angola in its debut also on Saturday.

NBA player Bogdan Bogdanovic was the high point man for Serbia in the win with 24 points followed by Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic and Nikola Milutinov with 14 apiece.

Another NBA player Boban Marjanovic had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Serbia routs Angola, 105-59, as other FIBA World Cup big guns also win

BEIJING — The basketball World Cup heavyweights opened got their campaigns on the right track as Serbia romped to a 105-59 win over Angola, Italy mauled the Philippines 108-62 and 2006 champions Spain strolled to a 101-62 defeat of Tunisia on Saturday.

Russia were forced to dig deep for an 82-77 victory against Nigeria as they erased an eight-point fourth quarter deficit and Puerto Rico produced a strong final period to edge Iran 83-81 after trailing by 18 points at halftime.

Holders the United States start their quest for a third successive and sixth overall title against the Czech Republic late yesterday with a second-string roster after 17 of their household NBA names pulled out of the 32-nation tournament in China.

Serbia, the 2014 runners-up and Olympic silver medallists in 2016, fired on all cylinders against Angola as they nailed 13 three-pointers from 20 attempts.

Sacramento Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic led the way with 24 points while Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic and the towering Nikola Milutinov added 14 each.

Serbia coach Aleksandar Djordjevic, who won three European championships and the 1998 world title with the former Yugoslavia as a player, was pleased with his team’s no-nonsense approach.

“We made a flying start and controlled every aspect of the game from start to finish,” Djordjevic told reporters.

“This will boost our confidence ahead of the upcoming games. It’s a long road and we have to stay humble, although we know what we want to achieve here.”

Russia looked like ending up as the opening day’s casualties after the unfancied Nigerians took a 71-63 lead midway through the final quarter but a 10-0 run turned the tide as the west African side ran out of steam.

Phoenix Suns playmaker Ricky Rubio led the Spanish charge against Tunisia with 17 points and nine assists and Real Madrid guard Sergio Llull added 16 points.

In the day’s other games, hosts China overpowered Ivory Coast 70-55, Poland beat Venezuela 80-69 and Argentina made light work of South Korea with a 95-69 win. — Reuters

Coco Gauff loses match but learns lessons from Naomi

NEW YORK — Coco Gauff’s US Open came to an abrupt end under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday but the 15-year-old said she would leave New York a better player after falling to world number one Naomi Osaka.

Backed by lively support from the packed home crowd, the young American was clearly overmatched against the defending champion, who needed just over an hour to book her ticket to the fourth round.

Osaka, 21, showed impressive sportsmanship by giving Gauff the opportunity to thank her fans in the post-match interview on the showcase court.

“It was amazing. I’m going to learn a lot from this match,” a tearful Gauff said after the 6-3 6-0 defeat.

“She’s the number one player in the world right now, so I know what I need to do to get to that level.

“After the match, I think she just proved that she’s a true athlete. For me, the definition of an athlete is someone who on the court treats you like your worst enemy but off the court can be your best friend.

“I think that’s what she did tonight,” added Gauff, who trained at the same Florida tennis centre as Osaka when they were younger.

Osaka said she had the idea to invite Gauff into the interview when they were shaking hands at the net.

“The thing that people don’t see is that we go into the locker room and just cry and do press after,” she said.

Naomi Osaka of Japan (R) talks with Coco Gauff of the United States after their match in the 3rd round on Day Six of 2019 US Open tennis tournament at Arthur Ashe Stadium. — GEOFF BURKE-USA TODAY SPORTS

“I thought it would be nice if she addressed the people who came and obviously cheered so hard for her.

“She’s had an incredible week so I thought I’d just make a positive statement out of it.”

While she was full of compassion after the match Osaka was all business on the court, avoiding Gauff’s dangerous backhand and taking advantage of her shaky serving on a warm night in Flushing Meadows.

Osaka predicted Gauff would become a threat to the game’s top players when she builds some more power.

Gauff took the tennis world by storm at Wimbledon this year where she reached the fourth round and was given a wildcard to play at Flushing Meadows.

After a memorable battle in the second round with Tina Babos on Thursday Gauff was unable to make much inroads against Osaka’s powerful serve, converting two of five break point opportunities and issuing seven double faults.

Gauff’s US Open is not quite over, as she will team up with Catherine “Caty” McNally to take on Kveta Peschke and Nicole Melichar in the second round of the women’s doubles on Sunday.

For Osaka, a meeting with the 13th seed Belinda Bencic awaits. — Reuters

Nadal breezes into US Open fourth round; controversial Kyrgios goes quietly into the New York night

NEW YORK — Rafael Nadal cruised into the US Open fourth round with a business-like 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over Chung Hyeon on Saturday.

The three-times champion took control of the match when he broke the South Korean’s serve in the first set to grab a 4-2 lead and never looked back on a sun soaked Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

Next up for Nadal is a last 16-clash with 2014 champion Marin Cilic, who came out on top in his slugfest with John Isner on the Grandstand court.

Nadal had been on court for just over two hours prior to his third round match after defeating John Millman in straight sets on Tuesday before getting a walkover into the third round when Thanasi Kokkinakis withdrew.

The second seeded Spaniard, who has been hampered by troublesome knees throughout his career, did not wear his usual tape on his legs during the match.

“Tape is not working anymore,” he said with a smile during his on-court interview.

“I am happy to be playing on hardcourts and I am trying to play a little more aggressive.

Nadal will have his work cut out when he meets big-serving Cilic on Monday, who defeated Isner 7-5 3-6 7-6(6) 6-4.

Nadal said the key was to toppling an opponent like Cilic was holding serve and making the most of his opportunities when receiving.

“Chances are not a lot, so you need to be ready to expect a very tough one,” he told reporters.

“I need to be focused with my serve, as always. I need to be ready to accept the challenge that brings the competition in days like these ones.

“And I hope to be ready to play my highest level, because that’s what I am going to need.”

KYRGIOS
Nick Kyrgios was a lightning rod for controversy at the US Open this week but the fiery Australian was subdued after a third-round loss on Saturday and walked away quietly from the year’s final Grand Slam.

Kyrgios did deliver a one-word jab at a line judge early in his straight-sets loss to Russian Andrey Rublev but otherwise steered clear of any of the sort of drama that he made headlines for earlier in the week.

The Australian delivered a serving masterclass against Rublev but generally lacked his usual intensity and at one point during the match a microphone picked up Kyrgios saying he did not even want to be there.

Still, after the 7-6(5) 7-6(5) 6-3 loss under the bright Arthur Ashe Stadium lights, the Australian 28th seed did not point the blame at anyone but himself.

“He played great tonight. Was super aggressive. I never felt comfortable. That was just credit to him playing his game. Yeah, it was tough,” said Kyrgios. “Nowhere near my best tennis.”

During the first set of his third-round loss Kyrgios did shout “whistle-blower” from his seat in the direction of a line judge who had gone to the chair umpire to report foul language.

It marked a very subdued ending to a week in which Kyrgios got in hot water for calling the ATP corrupt, yelled at fans for leaving their seats during his serve, and threatened not to start a match over a dispute about his outfit.

When asked about the comment picked up by microphones Kyrgios said he has been on the road for over five months and he does not have much down time before playing for Team World at the Sept. 20–22 Laver Cup in Switzerland.

“We’ll see how the scheduling works out. I guess that’s a disadvantage playing from Australia,” said Kyrgios. “I got the very important Asia swing. Don’t want to miss that.”

After Kyrgios suggested he may need rest, one journalist asked if he would in fact welcome a suspension for the way he spoke about the governing body of men’s tennis.

“I don’t know if I look at it like that,” Kyrgios said smiling. “I don’t know. I have no say in it. I guess it’s out of my control.” — Reuters

Siklab Sports Youth Awards unveils future of Philippine sports

THE future heroes of Philippine sports will be honored during the 2nd Siklab Sports Youth Awards today at the Market! Market! Activity Area in BGC, Taguig City.

Leading the awardees are reigning girls PGA champion Yuka Saso, triathlete Andrew Kim Remolino, basketball’s Dave Ildefonso and 19 other athletes from various sports named as POC Siklab Young Heroes during the gala for the finest Filipino athletes 18 years old and younger.

Fencers Maxine Esteban and Samantha Catantan will likewise headline the event organized by the Philippine Sports Commission-Philippine Olympic Committee Media Group as well as junior cycling champion Marc Ryan Lago and dragonboat/canoe-kayak world champion paddlers Christine Mae Talledo and Lealyn Baligasa.

Sharing the limelight during the awards night backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Smart/PLDT, MVP Sports Foundation and Go For Gold are International Masters Kylen Mordido and Marvin Miciano, speed skater Julian Kyle Silverio, pole vaulter Hokett Delos Santos and wrestler Cadel Evance Hualda.

With Market! Market! and Ayala Malls as venue partners, the second edition of the Siklab Sports Youth Awards will also put the spotlight on Super Kids awardees led by gymnast Karl Eldrew Yulo and IM Daniel Quizon.

Bowlers Norel Nuevo and Grace Gella, who both captured bronze medals in the recent junior world championships, also got the recognition that they deserved along with promising skateboarder David Sebastian Chanco and taekwondo jin Ian Matthew Corton.

Receiving the Sports Idols accolade this year are track and field icon Elma Muros-Posadas and jujitsu world champion Meggie Ochoa in the gathering also supported by Pagcor and Cignal TV while PSC Chairman William Ramirez and Go For Gold head Jeremy Go have been named godfathers of the year.

The PSC Children’s Games for Peace Award is exclusive for the top performers of the 2019 Palarong Pambansa and the Batang Pinoy Games led by archer Naina Dominique Tagle and swimmers Xiandi Chua, Michaela Jasmine Mojdeh and Marc Bryant Dula.

Completing the Young Heroes are shooting’s Denise Basila and Michael Angelo Fernandez, skater Diane Panlilio, Jannah Romero (table tennis), Janzeth Gajo (wushu), Joshua Glenn Bullo (sepak takraw), Lanz Zafra (badminton), Samantha Catantan (fencing) and Solomon Padiz Jr. (badminton).

Sandrex Gaisan (wushu), Lovely Mae Orbeta (darts), Patrick Coo (cycling), Mariel Abuan (athletics), Remond Lofranco (boxing), weightlifter Vanessa Sarno, swimmer Ivo Nikolai Enot and Dylan Valmores (jujitsu) will likewise receive the elegant Super Kids trophy.

Andreescu topples Wozniacki to reach US Open last 16

NEW YORK — Canadian Bianca Andreescu brushed aside Caroline Wozniacki on Saturday to reach the last 16 in her US Open main draw debut and now faces her toughest test yet in the form of net-rushing qualifier Taylor Townsend.

Andreescu, who has already won titles at Indian Wells and Toronto during an injury-hit 2019 season, beat twice finalist Wozniacki 6-4 6-4 to remain undefeated in completed matches since early March.

“It feels pretty good, because you never know what can happen in a match,” said Andreescu. “I’m trying not to take anything for granted right now. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing.”

The 19-year-old Canadian, who has yet to drop a set at the year’s final Grand Slam, overwhelmed former world number one Wozniacki with a mix of variety and firepower.

Andreescu’s nerve was tested early in the second set when Wozniacki rallied back from a double-break down to level at 3-3 but the Canadian was unrattled and broke right back and then served her way to the win.

TOWNSEND NEXT
Things could get much trickier for Andreescu when she faces Townsend, whose aggressive net play has left a trail of frustrated opponents, including Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, who was dumped out in the second round.

Andreescu said she has never played anyone who comes to the net on virtually every point like 23-year-old Townsend but is ready to put in the work ahead of their Monday clash.

“Well, there aren’t a lot of players that play like her, so I’m going to do my best to figure out what to do when she comes to the net,” said Andreescu. “Like I said, I’m going to work on my passing shots tomorrow and stay as aggressive as I can.” — Reuters

Closer to success

In terms of star power, the third-round match between Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff yesterday did not disappoint. The capacity crowd of 23,771 that filled Arthur Ashe Stadium included a fair share of celebrities in sports and entertainment eager to see a humdinger that, based on hype alone, looked to rival any other for the United States Open fortnight. Unfortunately, the actual battle failed to approximate its potential. Not even close; it took all of 65 minutes to be decided, with the dismay of the vast majority of spectators borne as much of its duration as of its outcome.

Indeed, Gauff had cheers and chants and shouts of encouragement going her way from the get-go — and not simply because she played in front of her home crowd. At a precocious 15 and in possession of both game and disposition that are intrinsically compelling, she possesses the rare combination of talent and resolve akin to the sport’s champions. And, as in her previous singles and doubles outings at Flushing Meadows, she displayed it in spades yesterday. That said, she clearly lacked the experience and maturity to overcome the gravity of the moment. Against the much more accomplished and polished Osaka, she faltered early and wilted late.

Gauff thought she would do better, and she couldn’t help but give in to her frustration in the aftermath. As the tears flowed, though, she got a boost from an unlikely source. In an unprecedented display of sportsmanship, Osaka comforted her and allowed her to take center stage in an interview before the appreciative throng. And, under a spotlight usually reserved for winners, she repaid the grace showed her in kind. Considering the marquee names on hand, it was probably only fitting that the set-to made its biggest impact well after its last point was played.

On a prospective note, the contest should serve the protagonists well. Even as age restrictions will keep Gauff away from singles play until the turn of the year, she figures to take what she learned to her doubles match with partner Caty McNally today. Meanwhile, Osaka needed the highly charged encounter to concentrate on the task at hand. Beset by injuries and lack of form in the run-up to the final major of the season, she admitted that “this is the most focused I’ve been” since the Australian Open. Will ultimate success be in line for either or both this time next week? The answer isn’t clear, but this much is: They’re closer now than yesterday.

 

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.

Duterte back after high-stakes China visit

By Arjay L. Balinbin
Reporter

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte returned to Manila on Sunday after his fifth visit to China, where he raised the nation’s arbitral win that voided Beijing’s claim to more than 80% of the South China Sea.

Mr. Duterte raised the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his five-day visit, which the presidential palace called “highly productive,” as he faces mounting domestic pressure to take a tougher stance after a collision that sank a Filipino fishing boat at Reed Bank in June.

In a statement, Malacañang said the president’s visit renewed the commitment between the two countries to further enhance their “comprehensive strategic cooperation.”

At least six agreements were signed during Mr. Duterte’s visit, covering cooperation in education, science and technology, finance and customs, among other things. He also met with Chinese and Filipino businessmen, telling them that their investments in the Philippines would be free from corruption and would yield profit.

At his bilateral meeting on Thursday with Mr. Xi, who described him as an “old friend,” Mr. Duterte invoked the 2016 United Nations ruling that he said was “final, binding and not subject to appeal.”

His Chinese counterpart was unmoved, saying there won’t be any change to Beijing’s position on the sea dispute, according to presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo.

Both leaders vowed to hasten negotiations on a South China Sea Code of Conduct, the palace said.

“We know that China will not honor the Hague ruling,” Maria Ela L. Atienza, a political science professor from the University of the Philippines, said in an email yesterday. “However, the president had to raise it during this state visit, even three years late, to try to placate growing public sentiment against China,” she added.

Mr. Xi’s rejection of the arbitral ruling “shows that while cooperation in economic and other areas between the two countries are deepening, China remains the stronger, bigger country that does not respect international laws and rulings and does not treat the Philippines as an equal,” Ms. Atienza said.

The Duterte administration should have “a clear and viable plan of action,” Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a senior research fellow at the Ateneo de Manila University Policy Center, said in an email.

“Should the bilateral approach be reconsidered or should the multilateral approach be given some serious consideration?” he asked. “These are the questions we should be asking the administration.”

Ms. Atienza said China might be unable to dictate on the dynamics among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations nations. “President Duterte may not be in a strong position to lead Asean in the finalization of the Code of Conduct.”

National ID to be pilot-tested in Metro Manila

THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will start pilot-testing a four-month national ID registration starting today and wants to ensure its full implementation by the second quarter next year, an official said.

Pilot tests will be conducted for about 10,000 citizens in Metro Manila first before spreading out to other cities and provinces, PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa said by telephone.

The survey will focus on beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) including senior citizens, persons with disability, mothers and farmers. The agency has bought registration kits that will be installed in its offices nationwide.

All information will be stored in the PSA database for security purposes, Mr. Mapa said. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) earlier said it would handle printing of the national ID.

The government aims to register 107 million Filipinos by 2022.

The law mandates a national ID system for all citizens and residents to improve financial inclusion and make government service more efficient. Biometric information will be collected. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Group warns of higher water rates

A SUPREME Court (SC) ruling that forces Metro Manila’s two water concessionaires to finish their sewerage projects in five years instead of 2037 — the end of their contract — could raise water rates by P12 to P16 a cubic meter, an advocacy group said on Sunday.

In a statement, CitizenWatch Philippines described the decision as “confusing” because in 2011, the Supreme Court gave Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its two concessionaires up to 2037 to comply since 17 government agencies that were tasked to prepare the way for the agency and the companies had not fully complied.

“For instance, it said that all the local governments in Metro Manila must provide land and right of way for the sewerage treatment plants, issue permits, and identify all households and establishments that are not compliant with the law,” it said.

It cited Maynilad Water Services, Inc.’s all-in average charge at about P49 a cubic meter, which includes environmental fees and value-added tax. Manila Water Co.’s rate is P39 a cubic meter.

CitizenWatch said the water companies could not comply because the agencies have been remiss in their duties “Where is the land? Where is the overall plan from public works to guide them?” it asked.

The group said the court had penalized MWSS and private concessionaires Maynilad Inc. by nearly P1 billion each for failing to finish their sewerage projects by May 2009 as required by a law that seeks to protect the country’s water bodies from pollution.

“The SC ruling was announced only in a press briefing but the fines must be paid within 15 days from its release,” CitizenWatch said. Daily fines of P322,102 until full compliance were also imposed, further pressuring the MWSS and its concessionaires to comply and complete their projects by 2022, it added.

MWSS did not immediately respond when asked to confirm the court ruling.

CitizenWatch noted that by singling out the concessionaires, the court was penalizing consumers.

“The same Supreme Court already acknowledged this reality before, that is why the deadline was extended to 2037,” it said. “This deadline gives time to everybody without burdening the public. In the five-year program, nobody wins, not the government and definitely not us, the public,” it said. — Victor V. Saulon

BuCor head summoned to Senate investigation

A Senate committee has summoned the head of the country’s prison system to its investigation of its parole rules.

Senator Richard J. Gordon, who heads the justice committee, issued the subpoena after Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Nicanor E. Faeldon failed to appear at its probe upon invitation.

“You are hereby commanded and required to appear before the committee on justice and human rights of the Senate, then and there to testify under oath,” according to a copy of the subpoena approved by Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III.

The committee on Monday is set to probe the planned release of former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez for good conduct. Authorities later said the ex-politician was ineligible for parole after a public uproar.

The panel together with the committees on blue ribbon, constitutional amendments, public order and finance will also tackle proposed changes to the parole law.

Mr. Sanchez was sentenced to seven life terms in 1995 for the rape and murder of two University of the Philippines students in 1993.

BuCor has reportedly released about 1,900 inmates convicted of heinous crimes since 2014.

Senator Franklin M. Drilon yesterday said the release of the inmates must be approved by the Justice secretary, amid reports that a technical superintendent had signed the release forms.

He also supported calls for President Rodrigo R. Duterte to fire Mr. Faeldon, who could be cited in contempt and detained at the Senate if he fails to appear at today’s hearing. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Tropical depression Liwayway sweeps in as Kabayan quickly exits

THE LOW pressure area that started east of Mindanao developed into a tropical depression on Sunday and was spotted 510 kilometers (km) east of Maasin City, Southern Leyte as of 10 a.m. Named Liwayway, the weather disturbance was moving in a northwest direction at 20 km per hour (/h), according to weather bureau PAGASA. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h. Also on Sunday, tropical depression Kabayan briefly brushed through the northwestern side of the Philippine area and was forecasted to intensify into a tropical storm as it moves towards southern China.

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