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2-of-3 Fantasy League teams

For most of those playing the National Basketball Association Fantasy League, this week marks the stretch that stakes have been raised with the start of the playoff rounds.
After 21 weeks of jockeying for position, it is now time to build on the “fruits” of one’s labor, for those advancing, and step up the play in a win-or-go home setup.
If you have been following this space, you know that for this season I chose to handle three teams in three different leagues among colleagues in sportswriting and here at the office.
I am happy to announce that out of three teams in the 2018-19 NBA Fantasy League season I am in the playoffs in two of them.
It could have been three but I just did not get the breaks down the stretch in one of the tournaments I was in with fellow sportswriters to finish ninth in the 20-team field, narrowly missing the playoffs as I was just one win down from the number seven and eight teams.
Talk about tough luck, right? But that is the beauty of the game. You just never know.
In the other league with sportswriters — under the “No Mercy League 2018-19” name — I had it good in “regulation” play, finishing second heading into the quarterfinals.
I take pride in the performance of my team (Nacho’s BW Posse) in the 20-team field and nine-category league, showing resilience as it made its way to the top.
Following the first week, Nacho’s BW Posse was in the middle of the pack but slowly clawed its way up, even holding momentarily the top spot, before settling at the number two position at the end of last week.
It banked largely on the play of Kevin Durant (Golden State), Tobias Harris (LA Clippers/Philadelphia 76ers), De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings), Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota Timberwolves), Ricky Rubio (Utah Jazz) and Jusuf Nurkic (Portland Trail Blazers).
Along the way I picked up some good contributors in Thomas Bryant (Washington Wizards), Reggie Bullock (Detroit Pistons/LA Lakers), Patrick Beverley (Clippers) and Kenrich Williams (New Orleans Pelicans).
Now in the playoffs, against Joey Villar (Sportsmaryosep) of the Philippine Star, I am going to be honest and say I am a bit concerned over how my team would fare.
Durant, Wiggins and Rubio are all banged up, leaving them wait-and-see for now.
Making it tougher is that in a 20-team field there are very few left on the free-agent wire to choose from.
I have since dropped Williams for Maxi Kleber (Dallas Mavericks) over a favorable schedule and I am hoping it pays off and compensate for the iffy situations of my old reliables.
As of this writing, I am trailing Sportsmaryosep, 2-7, oops, 1-8, leaving for much eyebrow burning on my part for the rest of the week if I want to advance. Oh well.
Meanwhile, my team in the office (Roadblock) is doing well at the moment.
Our 2018-19 BWorld League, a shallower league of 12 teams and nine categories, still has one week left of regulation play before the quarterfinal phase starts. But Roadblock is already assured of a playoff spot at number two at the moment, or worst case third.
Durant and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) banner my team with help from Milwaukee Bucks guards Malcolm Brogdon and Eric Bledsoe, Julius Randle (Pelicans), Otto Porter (Wizards/Chicago Bulls), Paul Millsap (Denver Nuggets), Dewayne Dedmon (Atlanta Hawks) and Javale McGee (Lakers).
Along the way I picked up Bryant, Kenneth Faried (Houston Rockets) and Darren Collison (Indiana Pacers).
Midway I traded for Khris Middleton (Bucks) in exchange for Serge Ibaka (Toronto Raptors) as I was angling for balance on my frontline. Admittedly I am looking at it now with some reservations in light of the underwhelming play of late of Dedmon, McGee and Bryant.
I dropped McGee yesterday in favor of his Laker teammate Moritz Wagner and I hope the latter makes a genius out of me.
I week still for Roadblock before the playoffs, I will try to sharpen my roster in anticipation of what I expect to be a tricky and interesting stretch.
NBA Fantasy League playoff time and it is sink or swim. How are your teams doing? Good luck the rest of the way, guys!
 
Michael Angelo S. Murillo has been a columnist since 2003. He is a BusinessWorld reporter covering the Sports beat.
msmurillo@bworldonline.com

Change is coming

Yesterday, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was on the mark when he referenced George Orwell’s seminal tome “1984” in relation to the intense scrutiny public figures have faced in recent memory. Every single move they make is analyzed. Every singe word they utter is parsed, even if in confidence and presumably away from prying eyes. And they are second-guessed instantaneously. No doubt, the inevitability of the situation was what prompted him to address with humor his off-the-cuff remark to an assistant during a timeout late in a home loss to the otherwise-hapless Suns the day before.
As was typical of the 2016 Coach of the Year, Kerr didn’t even bother denying what lip readers figured he said with 1:35 left in a match the Warriors had a 97% chance of winning before opening tip. “I’m so f–ing tired of Draymond’s s–t,” he appeared to have remarked prior to the huddle. Nothing incendiary while in the course of a long season, really. Unfortunately, he was caught on camera, and the broadcast clip quickly made the rounds in social media. And, for not a few quarters, it provided more proof of the difficulties the defending champions were undergoing.
True, the reaction wouldn’t have been as strong were the Warriors winning. As things stood, they were in the midst of a slump that had them suffering from setbacks in six of their last 10 outings. And it didn’t help that they were then about to succumb to the Suns, who possessed the National Basketball Association’s worst record, and at the Oracle Arena to boot. Never mind that they remained on top of the Western Conference, and that they likewise encountered rough waters near the end of their 2017-18 regular season before successfully retaining their title.
Under better circumstances, Kerr’s sentiment would have been taken in a less negative light, if not altogether excused. And, to be sure, it was far from the most controversial. In the aftermath, immediate past Finals Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant made his frustrations known. “Stupid-ass m–f–ing game we[‘re] playing. We need to be playing championship-level basketball,” KNBR quoted him as saying. Meanwhile, five-time All-Star Klay Thompson saw fit to blame the crowd for failing to provide them with the requisite “energy” to compete.
Make no mistake. The Warriors are too stacked not to claim their fourth championship in five years. For all their travails, they’re not new to their plight, and they know they have the wherewithal to compete at their best. On the other hand, they’re clearly due for an upheaval. And, in this regard, what figures to be a bigger question mark is not their capacity to take home the hardware anew, but to stay together afterwards. Change is coming, and precisely because they’re looking forward to it.
 
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

Palace: Duterte, Congress leaders to resolve budget

By Camille A. Aguinaldo and
Charmaine A. Tadalan Reporters
CONGRESS LEADERS were scheduled to meet last night with President Rodrigo R. Duterte to discuss the impasse between the Senate and the House of Representatives on the proposed P3.757 trillion national budget for 2019.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said the President is stepping into the row between the two chambers of Congress over accusations of post-ratification changes in the delayed 2019 spending plan.
“I understand they will be having a meeting tonight, maybe that’s (budget) the agenda where they have to thresh out whatever differences they have,” he said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
“He will act as a moderator. He will listen. Maybe he’s just— I’m just speculating, he may have brought the two together just so they can talk and discuss….It should be the goal of all branches of government to unite and have as a goal the welfare of the people,” he added.
For his part, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said the meeting would provide a clear picture on the fate of the 2019 national budget, whether it would eventually take effect or a reenacted budget would continue. He said he would also present in the meeting the Senate’s findings on the alleged realignments of the House of Representatives in the budget bill.
“I think after tonight, it will be clear on what will happen (on the 2019 national budget), which is either they (House of Representatives) remove the internal realignment after the ratification or we have a reenacted budget until July,” Mr. Sotto said.
“That will be our position when we meet the President later. So it’s up to them to accept or not accept our proposal. Now, I will leave it also to the President whether to accept or not accept their (House of Representatives) explanation….I will wait for their reaction later,” he added.
Mr. Sotto said he would be accompanied by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, as well as Finance committee chair and vice chairperson Senators Loren B. Legarda and Panfilo M. Lacson.
For his part, House Minority Leader Danilo E. Suarez said House Leaders, particularly Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and House Appropriations Committee chair Rolando G. Andaya, Jr., are set to join the meeting with Mr. Duterte.
He also called on the Senate “(t)o be transparent, you must identify how you intend spend the money that’s being allocated within your district.”
“The House merely specified projects and programs that shall be funded,” Mr. Suarez added, in reference to itemized lump sum funds provided in the report approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee.
According to Mr. Sotto, the House realigned P79 billion of the budget for the Department of Public Works and Highways. Mr. Lacson, for his part, had claimed that P15 billion of the budget for the Department of Health was manipulated.
The House countered that the Senate had realigned some P75 billion in the budget after it was ratified, while according to Mr. Andaya, the Senate did not name the proponents of the funds it had itemized.
Mr. Duterte said in a speech Monday evening that he would not sign into law the 2019 national budget if it contained illegal provisions, but acknowledged that a continued reenacted budget would affect the country’s economic growth and law enforcement efforts.
During the Tuesday briefing, Mr. Panelo explained that the President was generally expressing his stand that he would not be part of anything that would be illegal or unconstitutional in the 2019 national budget.
“It could also mean that you settle your differences together so that we can have a new budget,” he said.
Mr. Panelo also believed that the issue over the budget would be settled soon given that Congress leaders were aware of the consequences of a continued reenacted budget for the year.
“I will make an educated guess — I think they will be settled. They will be settled, because they know that any reenacted budget will affect the operations of the government. Many will be affected… Maybe that’s why they have by themselves initiated this dialogue,” he said.
Mr. Sotto told reporters in a mobile phone message Monday evening, “I’m glad to hear that. I’ll save him the trouble by not signing it.”
For his part, Mr. Lacson said the House leadership should have taken a hint from the President’s statements on the national budget if they were indeed supportive of the administration’s legislative agenda.
“He (the President) is correct. What I can’t understand is why the House leadership cannot take the hint from President Duterte himself,” he said in a statement.
Still, Mr. Lacson said he hopes the meeting would be an opportunity for both chambers of Congress to resolve the deadlock on the national budget. “We won’t be there to quarrel but to resolve the issues surrounding the budget,” he told reporters in a text message.

Religious leaders should speak without fear of reprisal — US diplomat

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS should be able to speak freely on the actions of government without fear of reprisal, United States (US) Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Samuel D. Brownback said on Tuesday amid President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s continued verbal attack on the Catholic Church.
“It is key that everybody, and this includes religious leaders, have the ability to speak freely without the fear of reprisal about what a government is doing,” he said in a teleconference with reporters on Tuesday when sought for comment on the issue.
“And I know as a former governor and senator myself, a number of people are very critical of the things I said. Some were people of faith that were critical of what I would say or do. That is their right and prerogative and it should be protected. It shouldn’t matter whether or not they’re a religious person,” he added.
Mr. Duterte has been critical to the Catholic Church and its leaders and has lashed out at priests and bishops whom he accused of being involved in corruption and sexual harassment.
In a speech last December, the President, who has claimed to have been molested by a priest when he was a student, vowed to continue his attacks until the religious institution “corrects itself.” He also called on priests not to use the “platform of religion” to criticize him.
Catholic Church leaders have continuously opposed the government’s campaign against illegal drugs and condemned the thousands of killings it has caused.
Priests who have been vocally critical of the government’s drug policies said they have received death threats in recent weeks. Malacañang, however, has denied that the administration was behind the threats against the Catholic clergy.
Mr. Brownback on Tuesday also highlighted that those in the faith communities were often the ones who speak up for those “in the most difficult situation in society,” such as the hungry and the poor.
He noted that these were “the voices that we should listen to, not try to thwart.”
“They have that right to speak their mind freely, and that’s part of what makes for an open and vibrant discussion in a society, that there’s no fear of reprisal. And there shouldn’t be fear of reprisal for a religious institution, if they are concerned about a particular situation in the country,” he said.
Mr. Brownback is in Taiwan to have a two-day dialogue with civil society organizations on the state of religious freedom in the Indo-Pacific region.
He said religious freedom is a high priority of the Trump administration, reiterating the US’ commitment to push for the foundational human right “for a better chance of economic growth and less terrorism” in countries. — Camille A. Aguinaldo

Peso plunges to six-week low vs dollar

THE PESO dropped to a six-week low on Tuesday.

THE PESO plunged to a six-week low against the dollar following statements from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno about slashing banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR) quarterly.
The peso closed the session at P52.70 versus the greenback on Tuesday, slumping by 50 centavos from the P52.20 finish on Monday.
This was the peso’s worst showing in more than six weeks or since it closed at P52.86 per dollar last Jan. 24.
The peso opened Tuesday’s session stronger at P52.13 against the greenback, jumping to as high as P52.11 intraday. However, it closed the session at its worst showing.
Trading volume surged to $1.744 billion yesterday from the $833.54 million that switched hands the previous day.
A foreign exchange trader said the peso strengthened initially as the market “tried to short the dollar against the peso.”
“But as we saw the BSP Governor Diokno gave remarks on reserve ratio cuts, we saw the market up to P52.40 in the morning session,” the trader said in a phone interview yesterday.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, the new central bank chief hinted at the possible easing of reserve standards for banks once every three months.
“I think there’s room for monetary easing. It could be one percentage point every quarter for the next four quarters. We’ll look at the data and see,” Mr. Diokno said.
He added that any future adjustments to the reserve requirement ratio are meant to bring down the ultra-high regime and not so much about providing stimulus for the state infrastructure push.
“During the afternoon session, as we saw the offshore prices of the dollar-peso rising at a very high rate, we saw the market to continue to rise until P52.70,” the trader added.
The BSP slashed the RRR in March and May last year, bringing the mandatory reserves for big banks to 18% of their total deposits.
“We’ll look at the data and see, because every time we reduce our reserve requirement by 1%, that translates to P90-100 billion in the economy,” Mr. Diokno added.
Meanwhile, another trader attributed the peso’s slump to the release of the country’s trade data.
“The peso weakened after the Philippine January 2019 trade balance report reverted to a wider deficit after the narrowing in December 2018,” the second trader said in an e-mail.
The country’s trade deficit widened in January to $3.76 billion from the $3.75 billion recorded the previous month, as imports grew by 5.8% and exports declined by 1.7%.
For today, the first trader said the peso may move between P52.50 and P52.80 versus the dollar, while the other trader gave a P52.55-P52.85 range. — K.A.N. Vidal

Shares end higher on US retail data, Brexit deal

SHARES firmed up on Tuesday, tracking global indices’ performance as better retail earnings in the United States boosted sentiment.
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) climbed 0.5% or 38.82 points to close at 7,747.54. The broader all-shares index likewise rose 0.32% or 15.62 points to 4,795.80.
“Foreign markets were up overnight as British Prime Minister Theresa May secured last minute support from the EU before the crucial Brexit voting today. US market was also up after a better than expected January retail earnings report boosted investor confidence,” Unicapital Securities, Inc. Technical Analyst Cristopher Adrian T. San Pedro said via text on Tuesday.
The US Commerce department reported that January retail sales rose by 0.2% in January, recovering from the weakness seen in December that was further revised lower to 1.6%, compared to 1.2% as initially reported.
“The stronger US retail sales helped sentiment. Overall volume was decent as investors bought back into the market after several days of minor consolidation,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis A. Limlingan said in a mobile message.
With this, Wall Street’s Dow Jones Industrial Average ended a five-day losing streak on Monday, bouncing back 0.79% or 200.64 points to close at 25,650.88. The S&P 500 index jumped 1.47% or 40.23 points to 2,783.30, while the Nasdaq Composite index soared 2.02% or 149.92 points to 7,558.06.
Most Southeast Asian stock markets rallied on Tuesday, with Singapore leading gains, as sentiment across broader Asia lifted after the European Commission agreed to changes in a Brexit deal, boosting appetite for riskier assets.
Unicapital’s Mr. San Pedro also noted that investors reacted to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin E. Diokno’s remarks on the possible easing of the reserve requirement ratio for banks by one percent every quarter for the next four quarters.
“On a technical note, the index will continue to range between 7,700 support and 8,000 resistance in the short term. A bearish scenario to test 7,500 and 7,350 support levels will occur if the index fails to stabilize above 7,700,” Mr. San Pedro said.
Four sectoral indices ended the day with gains, led by services which jumped 1.48% or 22.90 points to 1,568.60. Industrials followed with an uptick of 1.02% or 116.43 points to 11,521.41. Holding firms went up 0.9% or 69.44 points to 7,750.16, while financials edged higher by 0.8% or 13.94 points to 1,749.41.
Meanwhile, property dropped 1.52% or 60 points to 3,882.57 and mining and oil gave up 0.65% or 52.46 points to 7,950.47.
Turnover picked up slightly to P5.70 billion after some 1.68 billion issues switched hands, versus the previous session’s P5.48 billion.
Decliners trumped advancers, 108 versus 83, while 56 ended flat.
Net foreign outflows persisted, rising to P348.84 million compared to Monday’s P273.48 million. — Arra B. Francia

NBI arrests seven Chinese for kidnapping compatriot

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas
THE NATIONAL BUREAU of Investigation (NBI) has arrested seven Chinese nationals for kidnapping/serious illegal detention of a fellow Chinese.
In a press statement, NBI Director Dante A. Gierran identified the suspects arrested in Pasay and Parañaque last Sunday as Luo Gen Jin, Cheng Yiguo, Liu Shenghui, Deng Shuijin, Xiong Jinxiang, Xiong Jongpeng, and Xiong Jilong.
Mr. Gierran said the case stemmed from a complaint filed by Jian Shi Lun who is the brother of the victim, Jian Shi Xin.
The NBI said the complainant claimed that a friend told him that his brother was kidnapped in Okada Manila in Parañaque City by unidentified Chinese nationals and was detained in an unidentified condominium.
The victim was allowed to call his brother to ask for ransom amounting to P200,000. The complainant paid the kidnappers the ransom through online money transfer.
The victim was released near City of Dreams in Parañaque City on March 10. The NBI said he told them that he was abducted in Okada Manila and was brought to Balagtas Royale Mansions in Pasay City.
In a joint operative composed of the NBI Special Action Unit, Task Force Against Illegal Drugs and NBI-National Capital Region, five of the Chinese nationals were arrested in the condominium where the victim was held captive.
Messrs. Luo and Chen were apprehended by NBI operatives following information received that they were at Solaire Resort and Casino.
In another development, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested in Parañaque City on March 9 Chinese national Xu Wenlu who is wanted for large-scale fraud.
The BI said in a statement that Mr. Xu, 53, is wanted in Beijing for large-scale fraud that deprived the Chinese government coffers of US$4.5 million.
The BI said a red notice from Interpol was issued against him after he was charged with issuing false special value-added tax invoices amounting to 200-million yuan which incurred tax losses to the government of around 30 million yuan.
The BI said Mr. Xu will be deported soon.

Estrella Service Road to be partially closed starting March 23

THE METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Tuesday that the Estrella Service Road will be partially closed starting March 23 at 11 p.m. to give way to the ongoing rehabilitation of the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge. The closure, which will be in effect for two years or until the completion of the bridge project, covers Gumamela Street going towards JP Rizal. The lanes going to Rockwell will remain open. Motorists are advised to take the following alternate route: Vehicles coming from EDSA/Rockwell must turn at Gumamela St., left at Camia St., on to JP Rizal. The MMDA said roadside clearing operations will be conducted at identified alternative roads, including streets of Camia, Gumamela, and Progreso starting next week. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Prosecution submits preliminary investigation on drug cases vs Lapeña

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) prosecution panel has wrapped up the preliminary investigation and submitted for resolution the complaints over the alleged the smuggling of shabu (methamphetamine) in the country that was kept in magnetic lifters in Aug. 2018. The consolidated complaints up for resolution were filed separately by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation. The NBI filed its complaint last Jan. 24 against former Bureau of Customs chief and now Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Isidro S. Lapeña in connection with the importation of P2.4-billion of shabu kept in two magnetic lifters found at the Manila International Container Port and the P11-billion worth of shabu in four magnetic lifters found in Cavite. Mr. Lapeña is charged with two counts each of graft, dereliction of duty, and grave misconduct, while 50 others were also charged by the NBI. The PDEA filed separate complaints in Aug. and Dec. 2018. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Pangasinan holds 3rd Umaani Agri-Industrial Trade Fair

PANGASINAN’S 3RD Umaani Agri-Industrial Trade Fair and Exhibit is on this week at the Provincial Agriculture Center in Tebag, Sta. Barbara, where local farm and fishery goods are featured. “We organized this especially for you, my fellow farmers, our fisherfolks and the stakeholders of the agriculture industry in the province,” Gov. Amado I. Espino, III said during the six-day event’s opening last March 11. Mr. Espino touted the “strong collaboration between the executive and legislative branches of the provincial government” for the sustained growth in the agricultural sector. Pangasinan has about 150,00 hectares of farmland. Its top five crops as of June 2018, based on Philippine Statistics Authority data, are rice, corn, coconut, mango, and banana. At the trade fair, awards were also given to outstanding sector workers as well as certificates of completion to participants of various free training programs such as mushroom production, organic fertilizer production, cacao production, basket/bag making, wine and vinegar making, and backyard organic vegetable production, among others.

URC unit expands sugar milling operations in Negros Occidental

sugarcane
BW FILE PHOTO

A UNIT of Universal Robina Corp. (URC) has inaugurated a new sugar mill in Negros Occidental that will increase the mother company’s capacity to 40,000 tons of canes per day. URC said in a statement Tuesday that its sugar and renewables subsidiary Southern Negros Development Corp. (SONEDCO) has started operations of the new sugar mill in Kabankalan City. The facility can crush up to 6,000 metric tons of canes per day, hiking the SONEDCO’s total million capacity to 14,000 tons of canes per day. Listed firm URC cited the growing volume of sugar canes that needed to be milled in Kabankalan and other areas in Negros Occidental for putting up the project. It will start full commercial operations during the 2019-2020 crop year. The refined sugar produced by SONEDCO is used for URC’s branded consumer food products such as Great Taste Coffee, C2, biscuits, candies, and other sweetened products. — Arra B. Francia

P953M Busuanga Airport development breaks ground

THE DEVELOPMENT of the Busuanga Airport in Palawan, with a P953.5-million allocation, broke ground on Tuesday. The ceremony was led by Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim C. Sydiongco with local government officials. CAAP said the development project involves the construction of runway embankment and re-orientation of the airport’s runway to accommodate bigger types of aircraft. In 2017, Busuanga Airport catered to 525,044 passengers, a 63.26% increase from 321,595 passengers in 2016. CAAP also said the development project is intended to “establish a transportation framework for an economically feasible and sustainable tourism development in the region,” with Busuanga Airport serving as the main gateway to the Calamian Group of Islands Tourism Cluster, covering Calauit, Busuanga, Coron, and Culion. Busuanga Airport, also known as Francisco B. Reyes Airport, is currently a principal class 2 airport located in Coron town. It handles at least 16 domestic flights daily from carriers, Cebgo, PAL Express, Skyjet, and Air Juan.

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