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Government debt rises 1.7% in May on peso weakness, bond issues

OUTSTANDING government debt rose month-on-month in May driven by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and an increase in foreign loans after two issues of government bonds, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said.

National government debt was P7.916 trillion at the end of May, up 1.7% from the end of April and 15.8% higher year on year.

In the five months to May, overall government debt rose 8.5% from the end of 2018.

The BTr said outstanding debt grew month on month due to “net issuance of both domestic and foreign loans and foreign exchange fluctuations.”

Two-thirds of the debt stock at the end of May was held by domestic creditors at P5.256 trillion, up from P5.205 trillion a month earlier.

The BTr attributed the pickup to the issuance of government securities worth P50.95 billion, as well as to the P60-million revaluation of onshore dollar bonds due to peso’s depreciation.

At the end of May, the peso weakened to P52.222 against the dollar from P52.098 at the end of April.

In the five months to May, domestically sourced debt rose by 10% compared with the end of 2018.

On the other hand, external debt was P2.659 trillion, up 3% from a month earlier.

The rise in overseas debt was mainly due to the effect of fluctuations in both the dollar and third-currency denominated debt worth P6.14 billion and P10.09 billion, respectively. Net availment of foreign loans stood at P61.48 billion in May, up from P2.57 billion in April.

The government returned to offshore market twice in May, raising 750 million euros ($842.33 million) in eight-year global bonds, as well as 2.5 billion yuan ($363.3 million) in three-year “panda” bonds.

In the five months to May, external debt grew 5.7% from the end of 2018.

Meanwhile, guaranteed obligations totaled P486.16 billion in May, up 0.7% month on month.

“For the month, the increment in guarantees was due to the net issuance of domestic guarantees amounting to P49.72 billion and the impact of net appreciation of both USD and third-currency denominated guarantees amounting to P0.68 billion and P3.68 billion, respectively,” the BTr said.

It added this was offset by the net repayment of foreign guarantees worth P50.85 billion.

Total state guaranteed debt fell 0.3% from the end of 2018.

The government plans to borrow up to P1.189 trillion in 2019 to help finance its spending. Of this year’s total, P891.7 billion will be sourced domestically and P297.2 billion from overseas.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee adjusted the borrowing ratio in favor of domestic sources to 75-25 for 2019, from the previous year’s 65-35 ratio.

The government’s borrowing for this year is projected at 3.2% of gross domestic product. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

Story telling in data science

What is data storytelling?

It is a structured approach of communicating insights from data through stories and visuals to an audience.

To some, data storytelling may seem like an oxymoron. People often view data analysis as a technical function and storytelling as a creative task. Data and stories are perceived to be opposites in the cognitive process. This thinking is fueled by the left-brain/right-brain myth — one that has since been debunked by scientists from the University of Utah after they scanned more than 1,000 brains in 2013. There was no evidence that people dominantly use their left or right brain. All of the regions in the brain enable humans to engage in both creative and analytical thinking at the same time.

With the unprecedented increase in the amount of data that businesses create — whether from their social media, purchases, sales transactions, or customer profiles — the potential value from data also increases. However, we can only realize the value of data when the insights we derive move people into action. The question is: How exactly can we do that?

To move people into action, data and stories must work together.

Telling stories is more effective because it is more memorable and persuasive than reporting statistics. Chip Heath, a professor at Stanford University, underwent an exercise to test his students’ ability to retain information when stories are used versus statistics. After the students heard different speeches, 63% remembered the stories and only 5% remembered any individual statistic.

In a separate study, researchers tested the tendency of individuals to donate more to named victims (presented as a story) than to statistical victims. For example, ‘Baby Jessica’ fell into a well in Texas in 1989 and people sent over $700,000 for her rescue effort. Statistics (e.g., thousands of children will almost surely die due to undernourishment) seldom arouse strong reactions.

However, those that dive deep into data, such as data scientists, may not be naturally skilled in storytelling. Data scientists are skilled in managing data, building models, and running algorithms, but may not have the skills to effectively communicate insights from data.

How do we bridge this gap and fully realize the value of data? We must develop a culture of data storytelling in our organizations. It is our responsibility to give justice to the insights from data through effective storytelling.

The three components of data storytelling

There are three components to data storytelling: data, visuals, and narrative.

• Visuals transform the data into illustrations that help uncover insights that are hidden in the facts and figures. They give the picture or the vision that helps people absorb what the data represent. However, they do not provide context on why the data should matter to the audience.

• The narrative tells the reason behind the statistics and why the audience should care. The storyline also enhances the audience’s understanding, and is our best defense against confusion.

The intersection between visuals and the narrative is also a critical factor in driving people to change — emotion. While the story aids in understanding and encourages empathy, the visuals enhance the sensory experience that captures the audience’s attention. This combination of story and visuals makes the audience more emotionally receptive to the message. However, data are still essential to supplement this emotion with hard evidence.

• Data make up the soul of the data story. The visuals and the narrative work together to bring the data to life. Stories build that emotional connection between the audience and the data, while the data itself establishes trust.

When people are presented a vision with clear reasons that stir their emotions, we move them into action.

Antonio Damasio, a neuroscientist, studied people who had brain injuries, specifically those whose prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain that is responsible for emotions – is damaged. They performed normally in all of their human functions, but they had lost the ability to feel emotions. He found that their ability to make decisions was seriously impaired. Subjects could logically describe what they should be doing, but they found it challenging to make decisions about where to live, what to eat, and other day-to-day choices.

This shows that humans make decisions based on emotions and not on logic. Without emotion, it is difficult for humans to make decisions. These decisions range from the amount of money to donate to charity to selecting which projects to pursue. Emotions are shortcuts built into our brains to generate feelings that guide us in making decisions and direct us in taking actions. This, coupled with a clear vision and a moving reason to pursue an initiative, helps sustain the momentum of the action.

Without data storytelling, more and more of the value of data could remain unlocked. We need to break down the notion that data analysis and storytelling are two irreconcilable skills. By communicating the data through storytelling, only then can we harness insights, inspire change, and move people into action.

The views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Isla Lipana & Co. The content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for specific advice

 

Weddy Anne R. Diamada is a senior associate and the data analytics champion at the Deals and Corporate Finance Group of Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of the PwC network.

63 (2) 845-2728

weddy.anne.diamada@pwc.com

The underperformance doomsday scenario

After years of debate and wrangling among legislators, workers’ associations and employer groups, the Security of Tenure (SOT) bill is now on the desk of President Rodrigo R. Duterte for signing. The bill seems sure to become law since the president himself declared it a priority based on his campaign promises.

Business groups are quite worried, with some hoping that the president vetoes the bill. Employers Confederation of the Philippines’ (ECoP) Chair Edgardo G. Lacson reportedly argued: “For regulations to provide punitive sanctions, we believe that these are disincentives to investment. No investor in their right mind will do business in a country where they are intimidated and threatened to be put in jail should they be found non-compliant, especially with the kind of labor inspectorate and labor justice system we have right now.”

This doomsday scenario keeps many business leaders up at night. They worry that the SOT law will trigger a chain of events that could go something like this: With the law in effect, underperformance among workers will increase. Management will spend a lot of time dealing with problem employees whom they cannot easily dismiss. This would be a nightmare for many managers by itself, but it gets worse. Problem employees will bring down productivity and companies will need to spend even more resources, even on more employees, to make up for the drag. The cost of doing business in the country will spike, and business investors and locators will go elsewhere.

FREEPIK/DOODER

But does it have to be this way? What if managers found ways to inspire, train, and engage workers to ensure productivity and competitiveness? And what if managers could deal with underperformers effectively instead of wishing to fire them at will?

What do we mean by underperformance, anyway? Underperformance can show up in basically three ways. The worker may fail to do the duties of the position or do them below the required standard. The worker may fail to comply with policies, rules, or procedures in the workplace. The worker may behave in a negative or disruptive way which affects co-workers.

Dealing with poor performance is not a job most managers enjoy. Confronting poor performers can be emotionally draining and, besides, managers feel that there are more productive uses of their time.

But managers are uniquely positioned to deal with performance issues; it’s part of the job. The good thing is that managers can deal with the underlying causes of underperformance. These include unclear expectations and consequences, interpersonal differences, poor job fit, a lack of coaching and feedback, and low morale. Managers can develop customized solutions for each type of cause. Just like a doctor dealing with a patient’s health issues, a manager needs a systematic approach to dealing with performance problems. The manager starts by clearly identifying the problem and its impact on the work unit and the company as a whole. Is the employee’s excessive web browsing seriously delaying deliverables? Is the employee’s cutting corners in procedures causing regulatory risks for the company? Is the employee’s aggressive verbal style disrupting teamwork and lowering morale?

The manager needs to meet with the worker to discuss the problem. In a comfortable and private place free of distractions, the manager should discuss the issue in specific terms the worker can understand. The worker needs to have a clear idea of what the problem is, why it is a problem, and how it affects the workplace and the company’s goals. The manager needs to listen to the worker’s point of view as they discuss the reasons behind the issue. It also helps to build the worker’s self-esteem by recognizing his or her strengths.

The manager must engage the worker in devising a joint solution to the problem. A worker who has contributed to the solution will be more likely to accept and act on it. The discussion should produce an agreement which details the manager’s expectations of the worker over a specific period, clarify the roles and responsibilities of the worker, and include strategies for support, training, and development for the worker.

The most crucial step — which most managers will forget — is to set a date for another meeting to review progress against the performance agreement laid out in the last meeting. The manager should keep a written record of all discussions relating to underperformance since this becomes an objective basis for monitoring, follow-up, and in extreme cases, legal action.

The doomsday scenario is not inevitable if managers focus on engaging underperformers to help them improve their work results. Managers will need to commit time to coach underperformers but the payoff will not only be improved productivity and competitiveness for the company but loyalty and positive morale for the workers as well. For the new generations of workers, especially, this is the only way to manage.

 

Dr. Benito Teehankee is the Jose E. Cuisia Sr. Professor of Business Ethics and Head of the Business for Human Development Network at De La Salle University.

benito.teehankee@dlsu.edu.ph

Regulating Vaping

The Department of Health (DoH) is moving ahead of Congress to further guide the “vaping” industry by putting it practically at par with the cigarettes and tobacco industry. While imposing a tax on electronic cigarettes is still off the table, with Congress adjourning before a bill on this matter was passed, the use of e-cigarettes is being further regulated through executive fiat.

By issuing Administrative Order 2019-0007, the DoH is complementing President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 26 that imposed, beginning 2017, a nationwide ban on cigarette and tobacco smoking in public places. The AO is expanding the coverage of EO 26 to include “vaping,” or the use of electronic cigarettes or electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

Under the DoH order, just like cigarettes, e-cigarettes — whether or not they use nicotine — will no longer be allowed in all places where smoking is likewise prohibited. These include public areas like schools, workplaces, government offices and facilities, churches, hospitals, transport terminals, markets, and parks and resorts, among others.

The use of e-cigarettes will be allowed only in designated areas, and in open spaces with proper and sufficient ventilation. Moreover, the DoH is ordering that businesses or entities that manufacture, distribute, import and export, as well as sell or trade online all types of ENDS products must first secure permits from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The sale of nicotine “shots” and nicotine “concentrates” used in vaping devices will also be prohibited. Moreover, adopting the graphic warning regulation covering cigarettes, the DoH wants containers of ENDS products to also contain health warnings. How these should look remains uncertain, however. Also, the DoH AO will take effect only after publication.

With this, I believe the writing is on the wall for the vaping industry in terms of heavy government regulation. The industry should realize that self-regulation is at its end. After the DoH, and with the imprimatur of Congress, the Department of Finance is most likely to step in with taxes. And then perhaps the Department of Trade and Industry with respect to safety standards.

In this line, I think the e-cigarette industry should be ready to own the debate. This early, it should educate the public by clearly communicating the distinction between the benefits and hazards of vaping and cigarette smoking. It seems that in the minds of our policymakers, and perhaps of the public, these products are just one and the same. If the e-cigarette industry believes otherwise, then it should prepare to justify why it should not be regulated like the tobacco industry.

As I had mentioned in previous columns, there are many arguments for and against vaping or the use of e-cigarettes or ENDS products. At this point, more independent scientific studies and research papers published on the topic must be presented to help regulators and policymakers decide on the most suitable approach to regulation.

Frankly, I am in favor of taxing vaping or the use of e-cigarettes, in addition to further raising taxes on regular cigarettes and other tobacco products. Studies indicate that higher cigarette taxes starting in 2012 resulted in lowering smoking prevalence among Filipino adults from 29% in 2012 to 22.7% in 2015. Also, as of 2016, the Philippines had the second highest number of adult smokers in Southeast Asia at 16.5 million, next to Indonesia’s 65.1 million. The studies do not include data on vaping and e-cigarette use.

But while I believe in bringing vaping into the taxation fold, Congress must be clear on why doing so will be necessary. Raising more revenues for the government is just one reason. In the case of cigarettes, higher taxes intend also to deal with so-called negative externalities, or the negative effects of smoking on public health and the economy, among others. Do we have such negative externalities from vaping or the use of e-cigarettes or from non-nicotine devices?

Proven negative externalities of cigarette smoking include harmful passive smoking (second-hand smoke affecting non-smokers); fatal diseases and health disorders affecting non-smokers; government funds spent on healthcare for individuals with smoking-related diseases; and, pollution, among others. Are there studies to prove such negative externalities from the use of ENDS products?

If high taxes are meant to address the high public costs related to negative externalities of smoking, then should e-cigarettes be taxed just as high as regular cigarettes? Are we dealing with similar negative externalities here? Do e-cigarettes or ENDS products also produce harmful second-hand smoke, for instance? To what extent? The same as any other cigarette? If not, then how should we regulate them? How should we tax them?

At this point, with its new AO, the DoH seems to think there is no difference between cigarettes and e-cigarettes or ENDS products. But, is this truly the case? If ENDS products are also seen as an alternative to cigarettes, then it can be argued that they are practically the same. But, if this is the case, why then are ENDS products also considered among available Nicotine Replacement Therapies?

Should we thus lump ENDS products with regular cigarettes, or do we categorize them like we categorize cigarette alternatives like nicotine patches and nicotine gums, inhalers, nasal sprays, and lozenges? Moreover, are nicotine patches and gums also taxed like cigarettes because of their nicotine content? If not, then how should we tax ENDS products? How about non-nicotine electronic delivery systems? Should they be taxed as well?

The objective of regulation is the protection of public health. Regulation, plus taxation, aims to bring down smoking prevalence and promote public health, and to cut down smoking-related illnesses and smoking-related deaths. By doing so, we also bring down health insurance costs and public healthcare costs. Taxes also raise revenues for the government.

But while I support government regulation and taxation of vaping and e-cigarettes, I would like to be further enlightened on their proven negative externalities, particularly of the use of non-nicotine e-cigarettes. This, to me, is a crucial point. In our attempt to curb smoking prevalence, we might also be indirectly curbing suitable and effective alternatives to harmful cigarettes.

 

Marvin Tort is a former managing editor of Businessworld, and a former chairman of the Philippines Press Council.

matort@yahoo.com

Inflation in transportation sector

I regularly write on the monthly inflation rates of East Asian economies, and since 2018 until May 2019, the Philippines has been the “inflation valedictorian” of the region because our inflation rate is nearly two to five times those of our neighbors.

Then I checked the country’s inflation by commodity groups and by region. For 2019 Year to Date (YTD, January-May), these commodity groups did not have big difference between Metro Manila and Philippine inflation rates: food and non-alcoholic beverages; clothing and footwear; housing, water, electricity, gas; furnishing, household equipment and maintenance; health; communication; recreation and culture; and, restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services.

Three commodity groups have big difference, considered “outliers,” in Metro Manila versus the national this year (see table).

Inflation is lower in Metro Manila compared to overall Philippines for alcoholic beverages and tobacco — perhaps there is more smuggled tobacco and people shift to local drinks in the provinces. But inflation is higher in Metro Manila for transport and education, meaning Metro people endure more expensive mobility because of the insufficient supply of safe, convenient transportation so they have to drive their cars or motorcycles more often than necessary; and deflation in education in 2018 has ended and reversed.

When I was in Cebu City last April with my two daughters, among the things I noticed there was the difficulty and inconvenience of getting Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) cars, and the long waiting time, so I was moving via taxi. And when I was in Bacolod City last December, the same thing — there were insufficient TNVS cars. At least I had nieces there who gave me rides.

It turns out that in Cebu, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) originally accredited 3,000 TNVS, but it wants to slash this number to half. For a big city like Metro Cebu (including the cities of Lapu-lapu and Mandaue), having only 1,500 TNVS would mean long waiting times, more inconvenience, and higher fares for people who want TNVS quality service.

And in Bacolod, around there are 500 TNVS, and less than 10% of these were granted the needed Provisional Authority (PA) and Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) by the LTFRB, which does not act or grant their PA and CPC applications.

I saw the letter to President Rodrigo R. Duterte by Primo Morillo, Convenor of the TNVS Passenger Forum, an organization of largely young urban professionals who travel either by TNVS or use their own vehicles. He raised many valid issues from the perspectives of both commuters and car owners who want to share a ride with commuters in a transparent, technology-enabled and market-based pricing system.

The main mandate of the LTFRB is primarily the safety and convenience of passengers and commuters, and the availability of various ride options from entrepreneurs. Many passengers have spoken — they want more TNVS because of safety, convenience, and transparency factors. Why is the LTFRB going against the wishes of the commuters by reducing instead of raising the supply of TNVS?

Some taxi companies have improved their services because of more competition from TNVS, so why restrict further competition? The drivers and owners of these TNVS are also Filipinos, not foreigners; they are mostly micro- and small entrepreneurs like OFWs, not medium or big companies.

The LTFRB should not become a Land Transportation Favoritism and Restrictions Board favoring the taxi and restricting competition via TNVS. Passengers and the public benefit from more choices and options, in service quality and pricing. Inflation in transportation can be tamed by more competition.

 

Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. is the president of Minimal Government Thinkers.

minimalgovernment@gmail.com

The way you were

By Tony Samson

THE PAST is a country we may have lived in and sometimes too hard to resist revisiting especially when we used to be at the top of it. Is it the default mode of old people, no longer in their prime not just in age but in status, to keep going back to the past?

Looking back too often is an unproductive approach. Even when times were glorious, celebrating fond memories, or for that matter, keeping old wounds of humiliation from closing, is an obstacle to moving on. Leaving the past in the unused attic of the mind to be visited only when requiring something from it, like a name or a lesson learned, works best.

Even high-profile status, once lost, should be left behind. Resting on old laurels refers to being content with past achievements and leveraging these to open doors and assert yourself. The laurels refer to the ancient practice in Rome when winners of chariot races or wars, even emperors and rulers, were given laurels to crown their heads to signify victory and prestige.

So, resting on old symbols of excellence denotes the irrelevance of shrubberies now faded and long past their blooming days deserving to be perched not on heads but under padded posteriors. Past triumphs do not always translate to future respect, seeming unconnected and irrelevant to the present — why bring that up?

While luncheon speakers are sometimes introduced by their “former” exalted positions, the mention of biographical history serves only to emphasize a descent, sometimes not always gradual or voluntary. Does such a person still have anything interesting to say? Maybe if he talks about the future.

Is it productive to dwell on the past?

Such a fixation is often associated with those no longer having anything to look forward to. Few things can be more boring than a formerly powerful person, even someone once at the top of the food chain (do you know who I am?) regaling anyone who cares to listen about now powerful people he used to boss around. Thus are old people ignored when repeating stories from long ago — he used to be my clerk in charge of company outings.

FREEPIK

Still, the past should not be wasted. After all, isn’t the rationale of recycling and efforts to save Mother Earth premised on discarded objects brought back to usefulness? Attics are raided for discarded clothes that come back in the fashion cycle. Slim-fitting shirts that are unbuttoned and untucked were already in vogue in the ’60s, along with Panama hats. Paisley ties too can be dredged and worn to theme parties featuring a revival band singing retro songs.

Selling nostalgia can be good business for the gray market. It works on the premise that the good old days were in fact better than the present. The memory works with colored lenses and screens out the unpleasantness of times past. Thus is the version of a simpler and less problematic existence promoted. And this is a marketable illusion. The influx of concerts featuring bands and names vaguely remembered from the past can fill up small concert venues with generous seating areas for wheelchairs and nurses’ stations.

Living in the past arises from an unwillingness to tackle a troublesome present. It is a coping mechanism which bestows an inordinate importance to triumphs that only the triumphant remembers or values. Who cares if you were once a very important person (no acronym for it yet then) that many kowtowed to? These same fans and underlings have themselves risen in stature and consider you a bore to be tolerated.

It is surprising how a moderate amnesia for old glories can be refreshing to others. Modesty arising from a realization of the irrelevance of previous perches on now forgotten pedestals elicit warmer receptions.

If someone familiar with that period mentions, even just in small talk, your previously awe-inflicting status, it is best to shrug the whole thing off. Quickly, you can change the topic — do you read ebooks, my friend? Such a trivial reaction will make the other person wonder if you’re still all there.

It’s fine to be underestimated, if only to eventually surprise with delight that the way you were before is not at all the way you are now. No reminders are needed, after all.

 

Tony Samson is Chairman and CEO, TOUCH xda.

ar.samson@yahoo.com

Hong Kong protesters score Pyrrhic victory

By Katrina Hamlin

HONG KONG — Hong Kong protesters triumphantly took over the city’s legislature, but there is little to celebrate. Amid another march against a controversial extradition plan, a furious faction broke into the empty building on Monday night and trashed it, deepening a crisis for Chief Executive Carrie Lam. The violence will weaken some of the movement’s support, spook big business and could give Beijing a pretext to dig in.

On the 22nd anniversary of Britain handing Hong Kong back to China, graffiti covered the central chamber of the Legislative Council and a colonial-era flag was draped across the podium. Crowds stormed the site before police used tear gas to force them to disperse. The shocking images broadcast around the world were a stark contrast to earlier more peaceful demonstrations, where massive crowds parted politely to allow buses and ambulances to pass.

The leaderless group made its demands loud and clear. In a 4 a.m. response, Lam condemned the vandalism after an earlier government statement stressed that her proposal is effectively on ice. The fracas will nevertheless make it tougher for her to see out her term. At best, she is a lame duck.

Radical protesters, however, risk alienating both local and foreign supporters. Some 1,500 multinational companies that make Hong Kong their Asian home, and who prize stability and security along with the rule of law, are also bound to consider whether Singapore or some other city might be a better hub.

Meanwhile, protesters hoping to embolden Hong Kong’s special status may have just diluted it. Mainland authorities, who have been preoccupied with US trade talks and other pressing issues, could soon become more hands-on. They now have a ready excuse to justify tightening their grip — perhaps by expanding its main representative in the city, the Central Liaison Office, as they did following protests in 2003 and 2014.

Lam’s botched bill and her handling of the backlash have divided pro-Beijing legislators and infuriated their opponents, some of whom could become more radical. That will leave the city’s next leader in an even tighter spot. None of it adds up to a clear win.

 

REUTERS BREAKINGVIEWS

Northport edges Columbian, closes in on playoff incentive

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE NORTHPORT Batang Pier moved a step closer to notching a playoff incentive in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup after outlasting the Columbian Dyip, 110-108, on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Got itself into a battle against a gritty Columbian crew, Northport held steady in the payoff quarter to hack out the win that improved it to 8-2 in the tournament, making a strong case for a top-two finish in the elimination round and the twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.

Big man Mo Tautuaa led the early charge of Northport, helping his team to a 20-12 advantage with 4:38 to go in the opening frame.

The Batang Pier would use the separation to build a 26-21 lead at the end of the first 12 minutes.

Columbian would open the second quarter on fire on the baton of Rashawn McCarthy and CJ Perez.

The Dyip raced to a 12-3 run in the first three minutes to overtake the Batang Pier, 33-29.

The pendulum swung back and forth after, eventually settling at a count of 52-50, and Northport on top, by the halftime break.

Northport hummed anew to start the third canto.

With Kevin Ferrer and Mr. Tautuaa on the firing end, the Batang Pier built a 66-59 lead with just five minutes lapsing in the frame.

Columbian fashioned out some fightbacks but Northport found ways to kept it at bay.

When the third-quarter smoke cleared, the Batang Pier continued to hold sway, 82-81.

At the start of the fourth quarter the jostling continued between the two teams.

The Batang Pier held a slim two-point cushion, 95-93, at the 6:11 mark before the Dyip went on a 6-0 run, led by import Lester Prosper, in the next two minutes to go up, 99-95.

The score was at 108-103, with Northport on top, entering the last two minutes on the strength of three straight triples from guard Nico Elorde.

Mr. McCarthy made it a two-point game, 108-106, with a triple with 46 seconds.

Northport had a chance to extend its lead with 28 seconds to go but import Prince Ibeh missed both his charities to keep Columbian in the game.

The Dyip made the Batang Pier pay for it as Mr. Perez was able to tie the game, 108-108, with a tipback with eight seconds remaining.

Northport, however, was able to execute a play with Robert Bolick driving into the lane.

His basket missed but it was ruled a goaltending on the part Mr. Prosper, giving the Batang Pier a 110-108 lead with two seconds left.

Columbian tried to send the game to extra period but the heave of Eric Camson as time expired failed to go through, handing the win to Northport.

Mr. Tautuaa led Northport with 23 points with Messrs. Bolick and Ferrer adding 21 points apiece.

Mr. Ibeh had 17 points and 15 rebounds while Mr. Elorde finished with 14 markers.

For Columbian, which dropped to 2-7 with the loss, it was Mr. Prosper who showed the way with 36 points and 17 boards with Mr. Perez adding 29 points and 12 rebounds.

“Credit to Columbian for they really made it hard for us. But breaks of the game and a win is win. We still have one game left and we’ll see where we end up,” said Northport coach Pido Jarencio in the postgame interview.

The Batang Pier next plays on July 12 versus the Meralco Bolts.

Kyrgios, Nadal set to renew ‘salty’ rivalry

LONDON — It was the “super salty” blockbuster clash tennis fans around the world wanted to see and Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal duly obliged on Tuesday by setting up a second round showdown at Wimbledon.

When last Friday’s men’s draw set the pair on a collision course, the only fear was that Yuichi Sugita and Jordan Thompson might gatecrash a reunion between the duo who are not exactly considered best buddies on the tour.

As it was, Nadal dispatched the Japanese 6-3 6-1 6-3, while Kyrgios, no stranger to hurling chairs across a court when things don’t go his way, was almost on his best behaviour as he secured a 7-6(4) 3-6 7-6(10) 0-6 6-1 win over his compatriot.

Considering Nadal accused Kyrgios of disrespect after losing to him in Acapulco earlier and the Australian hit back by describing the 18-time Grand Slam champion as being “super salty” in defeat, sparks could fly again when they face off for the seventh time, with their rivalry deadlocked at 3-3.

However, on Tuesday both players refused to get dragged into a war of words.

“Not sure that me and Rafa could go down to the Dog & Fox (pub) and have a beer together… we have a mutual respect but that’s about it,” said Kyrgios, who beat the Spaniard in their only previous meeting at Wimbledon.

“He’s one of the greatest tennis players of all time. I go into that match as an unbelievable underdog.”

As for Nadal, his only words on the subject were: “I’m too old for all that stuff.”

That might be the case but Nadal and his long-time ‘frenemy’ Roger Federer showed that age was no barrier when it came to winning matches.

The Swiss, chasing a record ninth Wimbledon title, was not exactly at his regal best on a day the Duchess of Cambridge had dropped in to cheer him on but that did not stop Federer handing Wimbledon debutant Lloyd Harris a 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-2 defeat.

BRITISH SUCCESS
The Duchess also surprised punters on the Court 14 when she turned up to watch British wildcard Harriet Dart play American Christina McHale.

Dart ended up being one of five Britons — along with Johanna Konta, Dan Evans, Cameron Norrie and Jay Clarke — to reach the second round on day two of the championships.

Victories for Kyle Edmund and Heather Watson on Monday meant seven home players advanced to the second round for the first time since 2006.

Reaching the last 64 is unlikely to be much cause for celebration for Serena Williams, though, as the American desperately wants to hoist the Venus Rosewater Dish for an eighth time to finally win a record-equalling 24th major.

But her 6-2 7-5 win over Italian qualifier Giulia Gatto-Monticone certainly put her in a good mood.

It was later confirmed that Williams will increase her workload after hooking up with Briton’s Andy Murray in the mixed doubles to form the ultimate Wimbledon super-couple — with the pair jointly owning 26 singles Grand Slam titles.

“If you guys really want it… all right, done,” Williams had teased reporters.

Murray has limited his participation at Wimbledon to the doubles competitions as he attempts to test his fitness levels after undergoing hip surgery in January.

Maria Sharapova’s Wimbledon ended in the first round for the second straight year as the 2004 champion retired with an arm injury while trailing France’s Pauline Parmentier 4-6 7-6(4) 5-0.

Another former champion, Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, was beaten 6-4 6-4 by Brazilian qualifier Beatriz Haddad Maia.

A day after Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev lost their chance to end the Nadal-Federer-Novak Djokovic stranglehold on men’s tennis, Austria’s French Open runner-up Dominic Thiem continued the Next-Gen exodus as he was humbled 6-7(4) 7-6(1) 6-3 6-0 by American Sam Querrey. — Reuters

Gilas Youth ends group phase sans a win

THE rough campaign of Gilas Pilipinas Youth at the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup continued on Wednesday morning (Manila time) after it absorbed a 92-64 shellacking from Russia to finish the classification phase winless.

Struggled all game long to get it going, the Philippine national youth team bowed to the Russians to leave it sans a win and as the lowest seed heading into the Round of 16.

Gilas Youth faces Group D top seed and world number 4 Serbia in the knockout phase set for today in Heraklion, Greece.

Against Russia, the Philippines trailed 28-15 by the end of the opening quarter and saw the game slip away from its hands the rest of the way.

Aleksandr Ershov led Russia in the win, finishing with 21 points and Nikita Mikhailovski with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Anton Kvitkovskikh and Sergey Dolinin were the other players in double digits for Russia, winding up with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

For the Philippines it was Kai Sotto who led with 14 points, seven rebounds and six blocks.

Dave Ildefonso had 14 points, six rebounds and six assists. Carl Tamayo added 12 points of his own.

The loss meant the Philippines finish fourth in Group C, behind Argentina (3-0), Russia (2-1) and host Greece (1-2).

The nationals earned a date with Group D top seed Serbia (3-0), which breezed past the competition in its own grouping.

In three games to date, Ildefonso is leading Gilas Youth in its campaign with an average of 16 points to go along with 6.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

Seven-footer Sotto, meanwhile, has been good for 14.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and a tournament-best five blocks per game.

The Sandy Arespacochaga-coached team has been playing undermanned since its debut in this year’s edition of the tournament after big man AJ Edu went down with a campaign-ending knee injury in their first game against Greece.

Edu, who plays for the University Toledo in the United States, injured his right knee just two minutes into their opener against the host on Sunday.

He is now on his way to the US to undergo surgery, reports said.

The winners of the Round of 16 games advance to the quarterfinals, while the losers move on to the Classification Games for Places 9-16. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Murray/Williams dream team is on as Serena says yes

LONDON — Andy Murray wanted it, the British fans were desperate for it and the media were working themselves into a frenzy about it and on Tuesday it was confirmed that Serena Williams had said yes.

Speculation has bubbled about a Murray/Williams dream team for the Wimbledon mixed doubles since 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams hinted at the weekend about her availability.

After the American struggled past Italian Giulia Gatto-Monticone in the first round of the singles on Tuesday she left the British media in suspense.

“If you guys really want it… all right, done,” she teased after initially saying she was still trying to figure out the “singles part” and would “have to see.”

But shortly afterwards, Murray’s management team confirmed that they would be playing together.

It is a coup for Murray, and the tournament, with crowds set to flock to the All England Club in even greater numbers to try and catch a glimpse of the scratch pairing in action.

Twice men’s singles champion Murray, back playing doubles as he continues his recovery from career-saving hip surgery in February, had already been turned down for the mixed doubles by new world number one Ash Barty.

But Williams is not a bad consolation.

Asked at the weekend whether he wanted to play with the American great, the Scot said, with a trademark sense of understatement, the 37-year-old mum would be a “solid” partner.

TEMPTING CHALLENGE
Williams has won 16 Grand Slam doubles titles but has not played mixed doubles at a major since partnering fellow American Bob Bryan at the 2012 French Open.

She did win the 1998 mixed title at Wimbledon with Max Mirnyi, however, and the prospect of repeating that feat with a player she says she admires greatly proved too tempting.

“His work ethic is just honestly off the charts. That’s something I’ve always respected about him,” Serena told reporters when asked about the player who in 2013 became the first British man for 77 years to win Wimbledon. — Reuters

Ronald Nonles tops Bangkok chess competition

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato bet Ronald Nonles, a former Colegio de San Juan de Letran standout, ruled the just-concluded Big Rook Chess Festival 2019 Under 2200 section, Standard competition held at the Assumption Association, Rama IV in Phra Khanong, Bangkok, Thailand last Sunday.

Nonles collected 5.5 points on four wins and three draws in seven outings, the same output of compatriot Fide Master (FM) Jony Habla of Novaliches, Quezon City, Nonles took first place by virtue of superior tiebreak points.

Nonles brought home an elegant trophy and the 7,000 baht (about P4,000) cash prize in the seven-round Under 2200 section, Standard competition tournament which attracted 38 players. Habla, on the other hand who also scored 5.5 points took home 6,000 baht (about P3,600) cash prize and an elegant runner-up trophy.

“Again I would like to dedicate my victory to my countrymen. It’s an honor to represent our country,” said Nonles who also won the Eastern Rapid Chess Championship Tournament (Blitz competition) last June 2 in Pattaya, Thailand.

With the victory, Nonles performance boosted the nation’s morale, said National Master (NM) and Fide Instructor (FI) Winston Joseph Silva, a close confidante of Nonles, who is also Operations and Marketing Coordinator at Jirapak Chess Academy in Bangkok, Thailand.

“Once again our flag has been raised in this foreign land after knowing that our Kababayan… Ronald Nonles got another chess title again in Thailand,” he said.

Nonles scored victories over Michael Culasing of the Philippines in the first round, Nathaniel Loyaga of the Philippines in the second round, Kankawee Maneesorn of Thailand in the third round and Prin Laohawirapap of Thaiand in the seventh and final round.

He split the point with Mohamad Sacar of the Philippines in the fourth round, Woman National Master (WNM) Arvie Lozano of the Philippines in the fifth round and Pasawon Wattanarat of Thailand in the sixth round.

Mohamad Sacar of Cotabato City placed third overall with 5.0 points on three wins and four draws to receive 5,000 baht.

Also with 5.0 points are 4th placer Woman National Master (WNM) Arvie Lozano of Dasmariñas City, Cavite and 5th placer National Master (NM) Ric Portugalera of General Santos City. Lozano got 4,000 baht while Portugalera went home 3,000 baht for his effort. — Marlon Bernardino

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