Limit ban on political dynasties to succession, Senate leader says

March 25, 2018 | 9:31 pm

By Camille A. Aguinaldo

SENATE PRESIDENT Aquilino L. Pimentel III on Sunday said the “most practical” measure to prohibit political dynasties was to simply focus on term succession and to ban any relative form succeeding an incumbent elective official.

“In my experience, this is the most practical anti-political dynasty provision: to focus on the succession. Let’s prohibit any relative of an elected official to succeed him or her. For me, it’s reasonable to prohibit up until two degrees of relationship,” he said in a radio interview.

“This is most likely where government funds and resources (are) being used in order to prepare a relative (to) attract voters and widen the possibility of winning,” he added.

Mr. Pimentel’s remarks came after a bill seeking to ban political dynasties was approved in the Senate committee level. The proposed measure centered on banning close relatives of an incumbent elected official from succeeding the incumbent or running for different positions simultaneously.

The Senate leader said he has already exhausted all scenarios on anti-dynasty reforms back when he headed the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation.

According to him, political families could still circumvent the bill as they have dodged term limit rules by passing the government position from one relative to another.

“What if two siblings with no elective positions decided to run for mayor and vice mayor and then they both won? How would we tell if they used their government position to hold office if they were both outsiders?” he said.

Mr. Pimentel said he believed that focusing on the succession prohibition would be the most practical and reasonable measure, which could be accepted by Congress.

He also warned that a measure targeting “fat dynasties” or families with members holding simultaneous government positions may not become a law.

“We will not have a law with the many issues, the many debates, and the many combination and permutation that cannot be captured into words,” he said.

He said he would raise his concerns on the proposed measure at the plenary when Congress resumes session in May.

Stakeholders flag need to peg numbers on Boracay’s capacity

March 25, 2018 | 9:30 pm

TOURISM stakeholders in Boracay still want to conduct a study on the island’s tourism capacity, amid the threat of its closure, on the one hand, and, on the other, the anticipated entry of two casino-resorts.

Tourism Congress of the Philippines President Jose C. Clemente III told BusinessWorld that the carrying capacity should be established by the government before it allows further establishments to be built in the island.

“Give us a week or three to come with that [numbers]. It’s not rocket science [since] it’s something readily available. The establishments can provide the numbers, how many is the average number of occupancy a day, it’s easy to extract the information,” he added.

While there had been claims of Boracay reaching overcapacity, local tourism executives maintain there is no set figure that determines the capacity of the island.

According to the group, an average of 18,800 tourists flock to the island daily and would usually stay for about three days.

To allow undisturbed rehabilitation, the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, and Tourism have backed President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s stand on shutting the island.

At the same time, Malacañang defended the coming ventures to set up casino operations in Boracay.

Senate committee for tourism Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay in a statement last week questioned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s move to hand a provisional license to two firms despite the rehabilitation plans, which include imposing a moratorium on new construction projects. — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

UAAP: UST adds to NU’s woes with four-set win

March 25, 2018 | 9:26 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses sent the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs crashing on Sunday, getting the better of the latter in four sets, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21 and 25-9, in their UAAP Season 80 joust at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Went a set down early, the Tigresses showed the composure and determination needed as the game progressed, while stepping up their defense as well, to win back-to-back games and improve to 4-7 in the ongoing University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season while sending the Lady Bulldogs (6-5) to their fourth straight defeat.

The match got off to a competitive start with the two teams going back and forth.

UST created some distance late in the opening frame, 22-19, but it failed to make full use it and instead saw NU outscore it, 6-3, to lose its grip on the set altogether and go 0-1 down.

The second set got off to a similar refrain as the first with the Tigresses jumping to an early lead.

NU though went on galloping back to seize the lead by the first technical timeout, 8-6, then extending it to a 16-12 cushion midway into the frame.

UST opened the final third of the second set with an 8-2 run to tie the count at 20-all.

It continued to sprint back from there, taking a two-point lead, 22-20.

The Lady Bulldogs answered back with three quick points to reclaim the upper hand, 23-22, only for the Tigresses to retaliate with a 3-0 blast, punctuated by a service ace by Alina Bicar, to level the game at a set apiece.

Boosted by their gallant stand in the previous frame and with their net defense clicking, the Tigresses raced to a 6-1 lead to start the third set before settling for an 8-5 advantage by the first technical break.

Jaja Santiago and the rest of the Lady Bulldogs slowly chipped away on the lead of UST, coming to within one point, 12-11.

But the Tigresses continued to hold control, 16-13, by the second break.

They would build on it after, stretching their lead, 21-14, and never looking back the rest of the set to go up, 2-1.

Sensing it has NU on the ropes, UST pounded on its opponent at the get-go of the fourth frame with Sisi Rondina leading.

The Tigresses jumped to an 8-5 lead before rolling to a 16-6 separation halfway into the set.

It was a hole that proved to be too deep to get out from for the Lady Bulldogs as the Tigresses went for the closeout thereafter.

Rondina led the way for UST with 25 points, 22 off spikes, with Milena Alessandrini adding 19.

Caitlin Viray, meanwhile, finished with eight points while Bicar had seven.

NU, for its part, was paced by Santiago with 27 points with Aubrey Paran adding 11 points.

“With this win I guess we still are in the race for the Final Four. But more than the standings this is big for our confidence and self-respect which was somehow diminished during our rough start to the tournament,” said UST coach Emilio “Kungfu” Reyes in the postgame press conference.

Next for UST is a meeting with the Ateneo Lady Eagles on April 4 while NU takes on the University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons also on said date.

Mexican wins 1st Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao

March 25, 2018 | 9:25 pm

By Carmencita A. Carillo
Correspondent

DAVAO CITY — Mauricio Mendez, a 22-year-old triathlete from Mexico, won the first Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao held Sunday, March 25, finishing the race in 3:48:54 ahead of 1,800 other participants from 39 countries.

The event, which kicked off at 6:10 a.m., covered a 1.9-kilometer swim course, followed by a 90-kilometer cycling, and 21-kilometer run in Davao City and Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Mr. Mendez, who finished 2^nd in the 2017 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 held in Cebu, beat that event’s champion, Australian Timothy James Reed.

Mr. Reed, a three-time champion of the Ironman 70.3 in Cebu, finished second in yesterday’s Davao heat.

The other titles held by Mr. Mendez include the 2017 Ironman 70.3 Texas, 2017 Ironman 70.3 Los Cabos, and 2016 Ironman 70.3 Cozumel. He also has several Xterra titles, including the championship in the 2016 Xterras in Sweden, Denmark, and Italy.

“I am very strong in running, with only around an hour for a 21-kilometer run,” Mr. Mendez said in an interview with BusinessWorld two days before the Davao race.

Alveo Ironman 2 — Spectators cheer participants of the Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao held on March 25 in Davao City and Tagum City, Davao del Norte. — *DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM*

IRONMAN PHILIPPINES
Meanwhile, Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Jr., president and founder of Sunrise Events, the race’s organizer, said that with the holding of Ironman in Davao, they can now truly call it “Ironman Philippines” with legs in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The Ironman is on its 10^th year in the Philippines.

Sunrise Events General Manager Princess A. Galura, for her part, said the participation in Ironman Davao was much higher than they expected.

“We only targeted 1,000 for Ironman Davao, which was sold out in just five days… we got 1,800 participants,” she said, adding that about 30% of the racers were foreigners.

“We prepared a statement if somebody asks about the security of the venue considering martial law, but we never did get to use that since nobody even asked,” she said, “We are very excited about the future of Ironman in Davao.”

Finishers of the Ironman Davao received medals dubbed “Duyan ng Magiting” or Cradle of the Brave, designed by local artist Kublai Milan. It features an aging, an indigenous percussion instrument, surrounded by the symbols of the swim, bike and run events. The T’boli indigenous community helped Mr. Milan craft all the medals.

Ateneo’s Team Azul 14-U bags Championship

March 25, 2018 | 9:24 pm

THE Ateneo Team Azul bagged the championship trophy in the recently concluded “Milcu Sports Basketball presented by Gotskills Premier league” 14-Under division.

This 4^th seeded team defeated the 1^st seeded Adamson University last Saturday, to advance in the finals. Next in line for Team Azul was the 2^nd seeded La Salle Antipolo… they fought in a neck to neck battle up to the final buzzer.

Ian Espinosa made the game winning shot off a Sean Corral pass at the baseline. Gian Hombre led the team’s shooting at the three point area, where he made 3 straight threes in the third quarter alone, that made them grab the lead by two points. Mickey Pile also played well, as well as, Sean Corral, Jyoji Itabashi and Enzo Buenaseda.

“It was a total team effort. The boys refused to lose, even we’re down by 5 with 30 secs left on the clock. I give all the credit to these boys, who fought til the very end. Mental toughness played a big part in this game. My boys wanted to win more, that’s why we took home the trophy. Props to La Salle Antipolo also, for giving us a good fight… everyone on their team did a great job. Thank you to GotSkills, thank you to the ever supportive parents on our team, and most importantly, thank you Lord for giving us all the talent. This win is for Your greater glory,” said Head Coach Pat Borjal.

The other members of Team Azul are Eiller Cervo, Jan Michael Cataluña, Earl Tañedo, Luis Basilio, Seigel Nuñez, Joaquin Riego De Dios, Miguel Casais, Adam De Guzman, Jake Madamba, Oliver Amazona, Deangelo Astorga, Juancho Villaflor, and Coach Ron Camara.

Ferrari’s Vettel tops season-openning Aussie Grand Prix

March 25, 2018 | 9:23 pm

MELBOURNE — Sebastian Vettel won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix for Ferrari at Albert Park on Sunday.

Champion Lewis Hamilton came second for Mercedes ahead of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. — Reuters

Batangas City advances to semis; QC stays alive

March 25, 2018 | 9:23 pm

EX-PBA player Lester Alvarez led a balance scoring attack by Batangas City, which coasted its way to the semifinal round trouble-free by dispatching the Bataan Defenders, 95-82, in Game 2 of their best-of-three quarterfinals series at the Valenzuela Astrodome Saturday night.

Alvarez, who finished with 10 assists in just first half of play in Game 1’s dominating performance by the Tanduy-backed Athletics, became more aggressive in offense in the series-clinching win over the BaiShipping-supported Defenders.

He pumped in 17 points, dished out six assists and grabbed five boards.

Four other players also finished in double figures for the Athletics. Long-time teammate Val Acuña contributed 14, the same output produced by Bong Quinto, while Jhaymo Eguilos and Adrian Santos chipped in 11 apiece for the squad.

“Closing out the series is the most difficult thing to do, and that’s exactly what happened,” said Batangas City coach Mac Tan. “Now that we’re in the semis, perhaps we can only have a short break and prepare. We’re going to have a Holy Week break, but will be back in practice by Black Saturday.”

The Athletics had already booked a seat in the Final Four, but the Quezon City Capitals-Royal Manila spoiled the Valenzuela Classic-Yulz’s bid of advancing to the semis by denying their rivals a home win.

Quezon City rediscovered its good cohesion that was in full display in the elimination round and on Saturday’s Game 2 of their quarterfinals series, the Capitals showed their composure in pulling off a 76-68 victory to force a rubber match.

The Capitals became more aggressive attacking the basket, scoring 48 points compared to the Classic’s 30 as guards Hesed Gabo, reliever Alwyn Alday, and Joco Tayongtong as well as frontliners Jay Colado and Gian Abrigo were able to pierce the interior defense of their rivals.

Mr. Gabo led the way with 17 points, while Mr. Collado had another double-double effort of 11 points and 10 rebounds. Mr. Alday, a product of recreational league LGR Hoops, contributed 10, the same output produced by Messrs. Tayongtong and Abrigo.

“The mentality coming to this game is not do-or-die. It’s do or do it,” said Quezon City coach Vis Valencia. “Holy Week is coming, but we have to sacrifice. We know how valuable it is, but we have to sacrifice and prepare for Game 3.” — Rey Joble

Azkals pick up lessons from Fiji friendly

March 25, 2018 | 9:22 pm

ITS international friendly match against Fiji on Thursday saw it not at its best but the Philippine national men’s football team still viewed it as a good outing as it gears up for a bigger battle ahead.

Played at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, the Philippine Azkals had to dig deep as the visiting side made a late second-half charge and survive with a 3-2 win.

The match was a tune-up for the nationals for their big game tomorrow, March 27, against Tajikistan, where a win or a draw gives the Azkals a spot in the AFC Asian Cup, its first-ever if it succeeds.

“It was not pretty but it was a good training session for us. We tried out some new things and the players dealt with some things which they could deal with in our next game against Tajikistan. Hopefully we get to learn from this game and be able to make the adjustments,” said Azkals’ American coach Thomas Dooley in the post-match press conference on Thursday night.

“Our transition game from offense to defense was not fluid in this game. And it also showed that we have to play up to the last minute and not leave anything to chance. We saw where our players are at this point and we will continue to work,” he added.

Captain Phil Younghusband put Philippines first on the board against Fiji after converting a penalty in the 29^th minute.

Pika Minegishi then made it a 2-0 affair for the Azkals when he connected a low shot from outside the box in the 53^rd.

Eight minutes later, Kevin Ingreso joined the scoring parade, making it 3-nil after scoring off a deflection.

But Fiji was not to go down sans a fight, and slowly tried to claw its way back.

Ame Votoniu gave his team its first point in the 74^th minute after Azkals keeper Nick O’Donnell failed to clear the ball before Roy Krishna added another by way of penalty kick in the 80^th minute.

The Azkals’ defense though would not allow anymore goals from the visitors thereafter en route to holding on for the win.

The Philippines currently leads Group F of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers with a record of two victories and three draws for nine points, two points clear of Yemen (1-4-0) and Tajikistan (2-1-2) which each has seven points.

Nepal (0-2-3), the other Group F team, is already eliminated in the race with only two points to show for.

The Azkals need to notch a win or a draw against Tajikistan to move on to the next round.

As per tournament format, the top two teams in each of the six groups in the third round of qualification advance to the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2019, joining 12 other teams which have already qualified previously. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Fernandes edges Nguyen to retain ONE bantam title

March 25, 2018 | 9:22 pm

THE juggernaut that is Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes continued to roll on Saturday night as he defended anew his world bantamweight title against two-weight division champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen by split decision at ONE Championship’s “Iron Will” event in Bangkok, Thailand.

A champion versus champion showdown, Brazilian Fernandes (22-3) did just enough to survive a tough challenge from Australian Nguyen (10-2) to make it an eighth straight successful title defense and solidify his hold as possibly the best fighter in the division in the world.

The headlining bout was competitive right from the start, with both fighters coming out hell bent on seeing their respective causes through.

Mr. Nguyen, who was on a roll entering the fight, landed heavy blows that had the bantamweight champion on his toes in the early part of the match.

But Mr. Fernandes would also have his moments and kept the challenger busy with his own counter moves.

The fifth round proved to be the decider after the two fighters finished the first four pretty much even.

Mr. Fernandes wound up as the busier one between the two in the final frame, enough to convince the judges to go in his favor and award him the narrow split-decision victory.

“I said I would win, and I did. I really live for these challenges. I’m the champion, and I’m here to stay. I’m the best bantamweight in the world. I’ve proven it many times,” said Mr. Fernandes after his hard-earned victory, his 14^th straight — ninth in a row in ONE Championship.

With the loss, Mr. Nguyen saw his six-fight winning streak snapped. He, however, retained his featherweight and lightweight titles.

Meanwhile, also winning at Iron Will was Filipino strawweight Jeremy Miado, who silenced the hometown crowd by knocking out former world champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in the opening round of their co-main event bout.

Mr. Miado (7-2) clipped his opponent with a huge right cross following a frenetic exchange, immediately sending Mr. Amnuaysirichoke down to the canvas and prompted the referee to stop the fight at the 1:29 mark of the contest. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

‘The Professor’ to conduct ballhandling clinic with ex-NBA stars

March 25, 2018 | 9:21 pm

HOOPS fans all over the world know Grayson “The Professor” Boucher for his lightning-quick moves and tricks on the court. Now, basketball enthusiasts will get the rare chance of learning his special ballhandling skills up close in a day-long clinic on Monday, March 26.

Dubbed as “Basketball for a Cause,” the streetball legend will be teaming up with two-time PBA champion import Justin Brownlee, former New York Knicks player Renaldo Balkman, and ASEAN Basketball League team Alab Pilipinas in the sold-out basketball camp at the Chiang Kai Shek College. Former NBA All Star and newly retired Stephon Marbury will also be on hand to help train camp participants.

“I can’t wait to share my knowledge with everyone. The Philippines has always shown me love and it’s a privilege and honor for me to give back to the Filipino youth,” said Boucher whose last visit to the country was four years ago

“Kids, class is now in session. Time to get handle ready!” added Boucher.

Unstoppable JMF

March 25, 2018 | 9:20 pm

The PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven championship series between San Miguel Beer and Magnolia Chicken, the new brand being carried by the old Purefoods franchise, has just started and it seems basketball purists had already seen what’s written on the wall.

Barring injuries and early elimination of San Miguel in the next two conferences (which is unlikely to happen), the 6-foot-10 dominant force is on his way to win his fifth straight Most Valuable Player award.

Although the Beermen squandered a 20-point lead and lost eventually to the Hotshots, there’s no denying Junemar Fajardo is still the steadiest player in the league.

Prior to the championship series, Fajardo continued to lead in points, rebounds and two-point field goal percentage. In 16 games, the pride of Cebu averaged 22.94 points and 65.4% from the two-point range. In the playoffs, he averaged 12.4 rebounds per game before the finals started.

The Philippine Cup has the highest percentage when it comes to tallying individual awards and Fajardo is still the runaway winner. Had the PBA still imposing the tradition of handing out the MVP right after the All-Filipino, it would be an easy five in a row for the Kraken.

There were so many bidders for the MVP plum over the past four seasons — Jayson Castro, multiple-time scoring champion Terrence Romeo and even Calvin Abueva, but none of them came close to Fajardo, who seems to be getting better and better.

Everybody loves to see a big guy who possesses variety of moves. Inside and outside the court, he’s a likeable person. Playing Fajardo is like playing a grown up kid who’s just enjoying playing a pick up game and when the stakes get higher, you can expect him to be at his best.

Mon Fernandez, a fellow four-time MVP winner like Fajardo, believes that only injury could stop him form becoming the best player in the PBA. Another four-time MVP winner, Alvin Patrimonio had not seen a big man like Fajardo who can shoot, pass and power is way to the basket.

The sky is the limit for Fajardo.

He had already achieved history. So as his team. The Game 1 loss to Magnolia could serve as a motivating drive for Fajardo and the Beermen to come out better.

By Game 4 of the Philippine Cup series, Fajardo is expected to be named the Best Player of the Conference, the sixth time he will be named as the finest player in a tournament.

So who’s gonna stop Fajardo? Anyone?

Rey Joble has been covering the PBA games for more than a decade. He is a member of the PBA Press Corps and Philippine Sportswriters Association.

reyjoble09@gmail.com

Rookie of the Year

March 25, 2018 | 9:19 pm

Ben Simmons was a picture of confidence in the aftermath of the Sixers’ sixth straight victory yesterday and 10th in 13 matches in March. “I think so,” he said in response to a query on whether he had the Rookie of the Year award locked up. “The play I’ve had over the season has been pretty consistent. I’m doing some things that haven’t been done in a while.” Indeed; the triple-double he compiled against the Timberwolves was the 10th of his 2017-18 campaign. And given how he has performed of late, he looks bent on adding more to his tally, already the second highest for a first-year player in National Basketball Association history.

To be sure, Simmons isn’t a lock for ROTY honors. Donovan Mitchell is likewise taking the league by storm, with the Jazz matching the Sixers’ climb up the league standings in recent memory. That said, there can be no glossing over his historic output; only he, Oscar Robertson, and Magic Johnson have amassed at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists as rookies, and he shows no signs of stopping. Consider this: He was just four points, five rebounds, and one assist short of putting up a triple-double in each of his last seven outings.

Significantly, there seems to be no ceiling to Simmons’ talents. Sixers coach Brett Brown sees him as a perennial All-Star even if he chooses to compete at the four spot, and with reason. Notwithstanding his glaring lack of a reliable outside shot, he possesses both the physique and the resolve to bang bodies in the paint. As far as he’s concerned, though, he’s best situated at the point, where his unique combination of height, handle, and vision enables him to make those around him better — make that much, much better.

At this point, the Sixers appear to be headed into the playoffs with homecourt advantage in the first round. Their marked improvement from their bottom-of-the-barrel showing during the Sam Hinkie Era is due to a number of factors, but this much is clear: Without Simmons’ stat-stuffing numbers, they’ll still be looking for respect and respectability. They have both now, and much of the thanks goes to him.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.