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UST Growling Tigers: Finding fluidity in their UAAP thrust

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
DO not look now but the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are now rolling in Season 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, and seemingly poised to continue turning heads.
It is a development that the Tigers said is a direct result of finding collective fluidity in their push as the season progresses, with all concerned committed to what they want to accomplish.
Composed mostly of rookies, UST had it rough to start the ongoing UAAP season, losing four of its first five games.
But the Tigers have picked things up since, winning their last three games to improve their record to 4-4 to make their way to the middle of the pack after spending some time at the bottom.
UST defeated the University of the East, University of the Philippines, and Far Eastern University in succession and all in convincing fashion at that.
Against FEU on Sunday, Oct. 14, the Tigers showcased a gutsy performance that had them taking everything the Tamaraws threw at them and rising, 78-70.
It marked the second time that UST defeated their rivals in Season 81, following up on its 76-74 victory in the first round on Sept. 12.
Zach Huang led the way for UST with 20 points followed by Marvin Lee and Renzo Subido with 17 and 14 points, respectively.
Germy Mahinay finished with 10 points and eight boards for the Tigers.
LIKE A SPONGE
“These kids are young. They are like a sponge. Whatever you tell them they absorb it and listen. They empty their glass and get all the input…” said UST coach Aldin Ayo, following their victory over the Tamaraws, as he spoke of how it is like coaching his rookie-laden squad.
While admitting it is a challenge to coach a young team, Mr. Ayo nonetheless said that as a group they have been able to flourish in such a setup because of the willingness of everybody to work and deliver from their end.
“It’s easier to coach because the players are connected with the system and what is asked of them. It makes it easier for everybody to work. And the thing about it is that they (players) appreciate what we (coaches) are trying to do. There is no resistance from them. And with results showing they are more determined to work and give their best,” Mr. Ayo said.
The UST coach went on to say that seeing how his wards work, he is very happy to being able to bring them to the fore.
“They want to grow and improve from last year’s showing. They are really working hard in practice and they deserve to compete,” he said.
Mr. Ayo cautioned though that despite the current success they are having, work still beckons for them, expressing hope that his players would continue to show interest in learning and commitment to their bigger cause.
“There is still a long ways to go and hopefully the players continue to absorb and listen to what we tell them. We are not going to be satisfied with these wins,” Mr. Ayo said.
Next for the Tigers is a meeting with UAAP Season 81 hosts National University Bulldogs (2-5) on Oct. 21 at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Bradley’s three-run double helps Red Sox even ALCS

BOSTON — Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a go-ahead, bases-clearing double with two outs in the third inning, and the Boston Red Sox evened the American League Championship Series (ALCS) at one game apiece with a 7-5 victory over the visiting Houston Astros on Sunday night.
Game 3 is (Wednesday) in Houston.
Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers had RBI singles in the opening inning off Gerrit Cole (0-1) before Bradley’s key hit two innings later.
Mookie Betts scored on Benintendi’s hit and also scored an insurance run in the seventh on the second passed ball of the inning by catcher Martin Maldonado. He added an RBI double in the eighth off Hector Rondon.
Houston’s George Springer extended his postseason hitting streak to 11 games with two hits, including a two-run double. Marwin Gonzalez hit a two-run homer for the Astros, who host the next three games after losing for the first time in this year’s postseason.
Boston left-hander David Price remained winless as a starter in the postseason. In his 11th career playoff start, he allowed four runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. Price exited to a nice hand from the crowd after issuing two walks in the fifth, and it was the first time his team won any of his postseason starts.
Matt Barnes followed Price by getting the next four outs. Ryan Brasier retired Yuli Gurriel with tying run on base to end a scoreless seventh, and Rick Porcello struck out two in a perfect eighth.
Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel allowed a two-out double to Springer in the ninth. Springer took third on a wild pitch and scored on Jose Altuve’s single off the Green Monster, but Kimbrel got the save when Benintendi made a twisting catch in front of the wall on Alex Bregman’s fly ball to left.
Cole allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits in six innings.
The Red Sox took a 1-0 lead two batters into the bottom of the first when Betts doubled to deep center and scored on Benintendi’s single. After Cole made a throwing error on a ground ball by Xander Bogaerts, he walked Steve Pearce to load the bases. Devers then slapped a single to left.
The Astros tied the game in the second when Springer doubled down the right field line past Pearce’s dive at first base. Gonzalez made it 4-2 when he hit Price’s full-count fastball off an advertisement above the Monster seats with two outs in the third.
Gonzalez nearly exited the game in the bottom of the third when he crashed into the Green Monster attempting to catch Pearce’s fly ball. He crashed to the ground, was attended to by a trainer for a few minutes and stayed in the game.
After Cole fanned Ian Kinsler with the bases loaded later in the bottom of the third, Bradley sliced a double down the left field line, near the foul pole and off the wall for a 5-4 Red Sox lead. The ball caromed off the wall and onto the padding in front of the left field seats, allowing Devers to score the go-ahead run. — Reuters

NCAA: CSB Blazers take on JRU Heavy Bombers; Arellano versus Mapua

THE WINDUP of the elimination round in National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 94 continues today with a twin bill set at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
At 2 p.m. the College of St. Benilde Blazers (8-8) play the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers (3-14) while at 4 p.m. it is the Arellano Chiefs (5-11) against the Mapua Cardinals (5-12).
While said teams are already eliminated from the running in the playoff race, they are still out to finish their season on a high note with their remaining games.
The Blazers were the last team to get eliminated after bowing to the Lyceum Pirates, 77-64, on Oct. 11.
That was the third straight defeat of St. Benilde that further highlighted its struggles of late after a strong start to its campaign that saw it winning six of its first nine games.
JRU, for its part, has had it tough in Season 94, not really getting a chance to see its bid take flight.
The Bombers though are coming off a victory in their last game over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 81-78, on Oct. 12, and they hope to win back to back as they finish their campaign.
In the second game, Arellano and Mapua look to bounce back after dropping their respective games previously.
The Chiefs play their penultimate game in Season 94 while for the Cardinals it will be their last match.
Meanwhile, San Beda Red Lions’ Javee Mocon was named player of the week by the league press corps.
Mocon’s claim to the award was boosted by his 24-point and 11-rebound output in their drubbing of Arellano on Thursday.
In winning the award, the San Beda forward beat out teammate Robert Bolick, Letran’s Bong Quinto and JP Calvo and Lyceum’s CJ Perez. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Kiteboarder Christian Tio earns PHL silver at Youth Olympics

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
KITEBOARDER Christian Tio handed the Philippines its first medal in the ongoing Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, earning silver in the men’s kiteboarding IKA Twin Tip Racing on Sunday night (Manila time).
At fourth place heading into the final race of the event held at Club Nautica San Isidro in Buenos Aires, the Boracay-based kiteboarder bucked the elements to land at second place, along with Slovenian bet Toni Vodisek, behind consistent leader Deury Corniel of Dominican Republic, who bagged the gold.
Fil-Norwegian Tio nearly missed the podium after bad weather threatened to scrap all together the final race that would have left him stuck at fourth place.
“My mindset was just to go for it and enjoy,” said Tio as he spoke of his Youth Games experience. Adding, “Thank you for everyone who supported me, giving all the love.”
Tio was the country’s lone representative in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in kiteboarding after making the cut in the Asian Qualifiers in March.
He hopes that more people get to pick up kiteboarding as a sport since it suits well the Filipinos and the country.
“We have a lot of nice beaches and a lot of wind, there is a lot of potential for the sport, we just need more riders,” Tio said in an earlier interview with BusinessWorld.
“The kiteboarding scene [in the Philippines] is still quite small but it’s quickly growing,” he added.
To date, apart from the silver won by Tio, the Philippines also has one gold to show for in the history of the Youth Olympic Games care of archer Gab Moreno in the 2014 edition of the Games in China.
As of Monday noon, leading the medal standing was Russia with 24 gold, 11 silver and eight bronze medals, followed by Hungary (12-6-3), China (12-5-8), Mixed-National Olympic Committees (11-11-11) and Japan (11-6-9).
Rounding out the top 10 were Italy (9-8-9), Argentina (6-5-4), Iran (6-3-1), Australia (4-6-3) and United States (4-4-5).
The Filipino athletes’ campaign in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games can be seen over ESPN5 and live stream on ESPN5.com.
The 2018 Youth Olympic Games is happening until Oct. 19.

Sporting world mourns the passing of FIBA’s Baumann

GLOBAL basketball took a hit at the weekend after the untimely passing of world governing body FIBA’s Secretary-General and International Olympic Committee member Patrick Baumann.
Suddenly and unexpectedly succumbed to a heart attack while at the ongoing Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Oct. 14, Mr. Baumann, FIBA Secretary-General since 2002, passed away at the age of 51. He is survived by his wife and two children.
The surprising news was greeted by much sadness and shock not only by the basketball community but also the sporting world in general, which viewed him as a great sports leader and advocate.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the country’s national basketball federation, expressed great sadness over the passing of Mr. Baumann, whom it saw was a “mover” in world basketball, and a friend and believer of Philippine hoops.
“He [Baumann] has been a good friend of Philippine basketball. I will always cherish those memories of meeting him for the first time in Geneva in 2007, a few months after being the SBP president; our presentation in Tokyo for hosting the 2019 World Cup. And finally our bid for 2023 in Geneva,” SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan said in a message, touching how under the leadership of Mr. Baumann Philippine basketball made significant strides as a FIBA stakeholder.
“He was a fair, objective but encouraging in our meetings — and more so in our bids. We — and FIBA — have lost our strongest pillar; it is best we carry his memory by doing the things he left us with. We all, without exception, will miss him,” Mr. Pangilinan’s message further read.
Also expressing their grief were the IOC and National Basketball Association.
The IOC highlighted how hardworking Mr. Baumann was to see, in particular, basketball grow.
“… We have seen him working hard, as we always knew him, for the sport he loved. We lose a young and sympathetic leader, full of hope [and] who was standing for the future of the sport,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.
For NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Mr. Baumann’s dedication to his cause was unparalleled.
“Nobody was more dedicated to the growth of basketball than Patrick. He loved the game and recognized its power to transform people’s lives. He was also a dear friend and colleague who I attended countless games and events with over the past 20 years. The NBA family mourns the loss of Patrick…” Mr. Silver said.
Swiss Baumann first became part of FIBA in 1994 as a lawyer before being appointed deputy secretary-general a year later.
In 2002, he was unanimously appointed secretary-general by the Central Board and five years later became a member of the IOC.
Recognizing the key role he had played in the growth of FIBA, early this year the Central Board of the governing body unanimously agreed to extend the contract of Mr. Baumann until 2031.
While his current contract as an official of FIBA was not to expire until 2022, FIBA saw it fit to extend it some more to ensure continuity of the programs and advancements made under Mr. Baumann’s watch.
Under Mr. Baumann, FIBA became a solid organization with the implementation of concrete measures such as the introduction of a new, efficient modern structure and governance system while on a sporting perspective he had been instrumental in the development of a new competition system that came into effect last year as well as the successful launch of 3×3, which has now become an Olympic discipline. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Gaco, Reyes headline player movements in MPBL Datu Cup

THE start of the trading period and dispersal draft saw teams working double time in hope of shoring up their respective squads for the tough grind halfway the elimination stage of the MPBL Datu Cup.
Ex-pros Jai Reyes and Jerwin Gaco headline the list of players who ended up with new teams.
Gaco was a member of the multi-titled Purefoods squad in the PBA before he was released to play for the D-League the past two seasons. When the MPBL Datu Cup started, he was signed up by the Imus Bandera-GLC Truck and Equipment but was released to the free agency by the team.
Pasig, which was lined up to select first in the dispersal draft owing to its tournament-worst record, grabbed the 6-foot-4 forward from La Salle.
Picking second in the dispersal draft was Cebu and the Casino Ethyl Alcohol-supported Sharks tapped Edrian Lao, who previously played for the Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife.
Lao hails from Cebu and his inclusion in the Sharks line up would mean a homecoming of sorts for him.
Caloocan was third on the selecting order and Longrich-sponsored Supremos selected Reyes, who was released to the free agency by the Laguna Heroes-Krah.
The spitfire guard, who had a brief stint playing for the TNT Ka Tropa and Powerade Tigers in the PBA, was traded right away by the Supremos to the Navotas Clutch in exchange for hardworking guard Monbert Arong.
Rizal, fourth in the dispersal draft order, decided to pass up, which means the remaining 22 teams can now start negotiating with any of the players released in the free agent market.
But even before the start of the trading period, other teams had already started negotiating with players from different squads.
The most active was the Pampanga Dong Lanterns, who did not only shook up their player roster but also decided to tinker their coaching staff.
Aldrin Morante, who led the Muntinlupa Cagers-Angelis Resort to a perfect 7-0 start in the ongoing tournament and piloted the squad to the championship round in the inaugural staging of the fastest growing regional amateur basketball league, was named the new head coach of the Lanterns.
Joining Morante in the coaching staff is Bong dela Cruz, who previously worked with him in Muntinlupa.
The Lanterns also acquired the services of ex-pros Levi Hernandez and Pari Llagas in separate deals with the Navotas and Muntinlupa, respectively.
Hernandez, a 6-foot-2 swingman, was shipped to his hometown Pampanga in exchange for burly frontliner Marlon Gomez.
Llagas, a key figure in the Cagers’ championship run last season, was traded to the Lanterns for young frontliner Daniel de Guzman. — Rey Joble

Brilliancy Prize winners

43rd Chess Olympiad (Open Division)
Batumi, Georgia
Sept. 23 — Oct. 6, 2018

Final Standings (Open)
Country Points TB1 TB2
1. China 18/22 372.5 28.5
2. USA 18/22 360.5 29.0
3. Russia 18/22 354.5 29.0
4. Poland 17/22 390.0 28.0
5. England 17/22 340.0 27.5
Total of 185 teams from 183 countries. Georgia as the host country was allowed to field three teams.
Final Standings (Women)
Country Points TB1 TB2
1. China 18/22 407.0 30.5
2. Ukraine 18/22 395.5 30.0
3. Georgia 1 17/22 375.0 28.0
4. Russia 16/22 379.5 30.5
5. Hungary 16/22 372.0 29.5
Total of 151 teams.
In both Olympiads the time control is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 30 minutes play-to-finish, with 30 seconds added to your clock after every move starting move 1.
Last week I wrote that China won double gold in the just-concluded 2018 Batumi Chess Olympiad. Actually, that statement is not entirely accurate as the Chinese actually won quintuple gold. That’s right, five golds
Champion, Open Division;
Champion, Women’s Division,
Nona Gaprindashvili Award (highest in combined standings, Open & Women’s Division)
Open Division Board 1 gold (Ding Liren), and Women’s Division Board 1 gold (Ju Wenjun).
The closest thing to matching that record in the Olympiads is the Soviet Union’s performance in the 1986 Dubai Olympiad. The USSR won the gold in the open and women’s division, Garry Kasparov took the board 1 gold but their women’s board 1, GM (Grandmaster) Maia Chiburdanidze “only” got silver with 8/10. The Russian/Swiss/Bulgarian WGM Tatjana Lematschko earned gold with 9.5/11 playing for Switzerland. Having said that, we should also point out that playing top board for the USSR is not the same as board 1 for Switzerland. The Soviets faced far stronger opposition and in fact GM Maia rating performance was much higher than that of Lematschko.
Anyway, if you also take into consideration that China is the 2015 and 2017 world team champion, then there can be no doubt that they are currently the top chess country in the world.
Individually, the team members’ performances:
Open Team

board 1 GM Ding Liren 2804, 5.5/8, gold medalist on board 1 with a rating performance (Rp) of 2873

board 2 GM Yu Yangyi 2765, 5.0/11, Rp 2724

board 3 GM Wei Yi 2742, 3.5/7, Rp 2578

board 4 GM Bu Xiangzhi 2712, 7.5/10, silver medalist on board 4, Rp 2774

board 5 GM Li Chao 2708 2657, 5.0/8

Women’s Team

board 1 GM Jun Wenjun 2561, 7.0/9, gold medalist on board 1 with a rating performance (Rp) of 2661

board 2 IM (International Master) Shen Yang 2464, 4.0/8, Rp 2344

board 3 WGM Huang Qian 2446, 7.5/11, silver medalist on board 3, Rp 2459

board 4 GM Lei Tingjie 2468, 8.5/11, silver medalist on board 4, Rp 2498

board 5 WGM Zhai Mo 2351, 3.5/5, Rp 2339

Yu Yangyi and Li Chao are both frequent participants in Philippine tournaments. Butch Pichay has as much to do with the development of these two chess powerhouses as anybody else.
Li Chao b (that’s what Chessbase calls him as there is another Chinese player named Li Chao who is much lower-rated) won the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Cup organized by Pichay in Manila last November 2007. Next year he came back to the Philippines to win the second Philippine International Open in Subic Bay. In May 2013 he won the Asian Chess Championship, also organized by Mr. Pichay, which took place in Manila.
Yu got his first GM norm from the 2009 Asian Chess Championship organized by Mr. Pichay in Subic Bay, and his second GM norm from the Subic International Open, also in Subic Bay, which took place immediately after the conclusion of the Asian Championship. In other words Yu Yangyi arrived in Philippine shores on May 12, 2009 as an untitled promising player and went home on May 31, 2009 with two GM norms. His career has been on an upswing since, 2013 World Junior Champion, 2014 Asian Chess Champion and in December 2014 he won the Qatar Masters scoring 7.5/9, and, even more impressively, beating both Vladimir Kramnik and Anish Giri. He was part of the gold-medal winning Chinese team to the 2014 Tromso Olympiad and won the individual gold medal on board 3 with a performance rating of 2912, the best of the entire event. How much more impressive can you be?
I already showed you Ding Liren’s brilliancy-prize winning game against Jan Krzysztof Duda of Poland. He was not the only Chinese player to get a brilliancy prize. In round 3 they routed the dangerous Peruvian squad 3-1 and on board 2 Yu Yangyi had his prize-winner.

Yu, Yangyi (2765) —
Vera Siguenas, Deivy (2494) [A46]
43rd Olympiad 2018 Batumi GEO (3.2), 26.09.2018

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3
Now more than ever everyone seems to like to play 1.d4, 2.Nf3 and 3.g6 with a Catalan-like formation.
3…b5
Considered the most reliable continuation here, preventing White’s c2–c4 and immediately fighting for space in the queenside. Also, since White’s bishop will be fianchettoed on g2 it won’t be attacking the b5–pawn.
4.e3
Nope! Yu Yangyi delays his fianchetto and attacks the b5–pawn first. His idea is novel — with 3…b5 Black wants to exert pressure on the queenside with the follow-up …c7-c5, …Bb7 and …a7-a5. White intends to destroy the pawn and grab the queenside for himself. In this he succeeds.
4…b4 5.a3 Bb7 6.axb4 Bxb4+ 7.Nbd2 0–0 8.Bg2 Be7 9.Nb3 d5 10.0–0 Qc8
Maybe he should have played 10…Nc6 to prevent White’s Na5, because now White is always one step ahead of him.
11.Na5 Ba6 12.c4 Ne4
[12…dxc4 13.Ne5 Nd5 14.Re1 going for e3–e4]
13.Nd2 f5 14.Nxe4 fxe4 15.b3 Nd7 16.Nc6 Bf6 17.Ba3 Re8 18.Qg4! <D>
POSITION AFTER 18.QG4
The threat is 19.Be7! Bxe7 20.Qxe6+ Kf8 21.Rxa6! Qxa6 22.Qxd7 and once White opens the f-file it will be curtains for the Black king.]
18…Nb8 19.Na5 Qd8 20.f3 exf3 21.Rxf3 c6 22.Raf1 Kh8
[22…Qxa5 23.Rxf6 Nd7 (23…Qxa3 24.Rf7 g6 25.Rxh7! Kxh7 26.Rf7+ Kh8 27.Qh4+ Kg8 28.Qh7#) 24.Rf7 g6 25.Qh4 h5 26.Qg5 Nf8 27.Qe5 mate next move]
23.Qh5 Rg8 24.g4
With the idea of 25.g5 Bxg5 26.Rf8.
24…g6
Nothing works:
24…Qe8 25. Qxe8 Rxe8 26.g5;
24…Nd7 25.Rh3 h6 26.g5 Bxg5 27.Nxc6 Qe8 28.Qxg5
25.Qh3 Bg7 26.Rf7 Qxa5 27.Bd6 Qd8 28.R1f3! g5
To give his king an escape square on g6. Otherwise, he will be mated by the standard queen sacrifice 28…Qxd6 29.Qxh7+ Kxh7 30.Rh3#
29.Qh5 1–0
After 29.Qh5 it is forced mate: 29…h6 30.Rh3 Rf8 31.Be5 Rxf7 32.Qxf7 Qg8 33.Rxh6+ Qh7 34.Qxg7#
Last week we looked at Ian Nepomniachtchi’s brilliancy prize winning game from the last round:

Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2768) — Bacrot, Etienne (2678) [A13]
43rd Olympiad 2018 Batumi GEO (11.2), 05.10.2018

1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.b3 0–0 6.Bb2 c5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.h4 b6 9.Qb1 h6 10.g4 Bb7 11.Rh3 Nd7 12.g5 h5 13.Bd3 Nb4 14.Bh7+ Kh8 15.Be4 Nd5 16.Ne2 f5 17.gxf6 N7xf6 18.Ng5 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Bxg5 20.hxg5 Nf4 21.Qxb7 Nd3+ 22.Kf1 Nxb2 23.Rxh5+ Kg8 24.g6 1–0
The mating threat which Bacrot could not stop was 25.Rh8+ Kxh8 26.Qh1+ Kg8 27.Qh7 mate.
This same mating theme was echoed in another brilliancy prize winner, this time from the second round. By the way, the GM Alexandr Hilario Takeda Sakai dos Santos Fier is the answer to the trivia question “who is the strongest Japanese chess player in the world.” GM Fier is Japanese-Brazilian but currently lives in Joinville, Brazil.

Fier, Alexandr (2558) — Aloma Vidal, Robert (2428) [A09]
43rd Olympiad 2018 Batumi GEO (2.2), 25.09.2018

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Na3 a6 4.Nxc4 b5 5.Ne3 Bb7 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 e6 8.0–0 Be7 9.b3
This game can be classified under the “my secret weapon with b3” openings which Wesley So describes in his chessbase DVD. The attacking formation with Bb2, Rc1, Qd1–c2–b1–a1 is covered.
9…0–0 10.Bb2 c5 11.Qc2 Nbd7 12.Rac1 h6 13.Rfd1 Rc8 14.Qb1 Qb6 15.Qa1
Now you have to dislodge the knight from f6.
15…Rfd8 16.h3 Bf8 17.d3 Bc6 18.Ng4 Nxg4 19.hxg4 Qb7 20.e4 a5 21.g5 hxg5 22.Nxg5 a4 23.Bh3
With Kg2 and Rh1 in mind.
23…Re8 24.Kg2 axb3 25.Rh1! c4
Black has no idea what Fier is planning.
26.Bxe6! Rxe6 27.Rh8+ 1–0
Now, if you looked at the Nepomniachtchi game above I am sure you have seen that 27.Rh8+! Kxh8 28.Rh1+ Kg8 29.Rh8+ Kxh8 30.Qh1+ Rh6 31.Qxh6+ Kg8 32.Qh7# is checkmate.
 
Bobby Ang is a founding member of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and its first Executive Director. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he taught accounting in the University of Santo Tomas for 25 years and is currently Chief Audit Executive of the Equicom Group of Companies.
bobby@cpamd.net

Masterfully Novak

Novak Djokovic may have been on to something when he argued after claiming the Shanghai Masters championship over the weekend that he must have been a native of China in a past life. After all, it was his 11th title in as many appearances on Chinese soil, a record unmatched by any professional, whether local citizen or wai bin, in the history of the sport. “I wouldn’t be surprised, to be honest, with the way I feel here and the way I communicate and have [a] relationship with the people,” he said. “There is something special about this place that makes me feel like at home.”
Indeed, Djokovic has been nothing short of dominant in the Mainland. Apart from his four titles at the Masters, he has another in Shanghai and six more in Beijing over the last 10 years. In the last week, however, he appeared to have been especially sharp; he managed to win all 47 of his service games, never mind his relative lack of power. Clearly, his predilection for precision paid off, with his cause helped immensely by the ouster of top seed Roger Federer in the semifinals.
Significantly, Djokovic moves to second in ATP rankings with his Masters triumph, and he could well catapult to the top by yearend. It’s an astounding feat, to be sure; when July rolled around, he was a mere 21st, a place on the list he hadn’t seen since 2006. And then came his rapid turnaround; fueled by emphatic performances at Wimbledon and the United States Open, he climbed up the chart and now looks to be a safe bet to overtake current World Number One Rafa Nadal when the calendar turns to 2019.
In any case, Djokovic has clearly restarted his quest for more Grand Slam glory. With Federer an old 37, Andy Murray bogged down by injury, and Nadal seemingly unable to beat him in recent memory, he’s primed for success. The best may well be yet to come.
 
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

Help wanted: Accountants in the auditing industry

Last May, the Philippines saw less than a third of 9,830 accounting graduates pass their licensure exams. That meant accounting firms had to compete over the 2,843 new licensed accountants. Even more alarming for the local industry, not everyone in that pool was applying.

Instead of joining the auditing industry, a large chunk of these graduates chose to work overseas, or in the accounts departments of multinationals and the like.
According to P&A Grant Thornton Human Resources Director Rhia Girmendonk Dee, some accountants decided to leave the profession altogether, shifting to law or opening their own businesses.
And this isn’t only happening in the Philippines. The auditing industry is facing a talent shortage on a global scale.
Citing a study by the ManpowerGroup, Dee said global talent shortage in six industries across 43 countries and territories posted a 12-year high. Out of all the skills employers look for, accounting and finance ranked as the 7th most in demand globally.
Latest data by Monster.com showed that finance and accounts professionals posted a 31% growth in online hiring activity in September, one of the highest across all job roles.
Local accounting companies face stiff competition in the Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing Industries, where accountants are in high demand to work in financial processes.
“It’s tough being up against BPOs that offer higher pay, fewer tasks, and where everything is pretty much automated,” Ms. Dee said.
While BPO is among the industries at risk of being highly automated in the near future, it’s not expected to go down so easily. In fact, some experts believe automation will actually further its growth.
Despite challenges in recruiting and retaining accountants amid the talent shortage, P&A Grant Thornton Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Maria Victoria C. Españo said quality will always be kept at a premium.
“We need to attract people who have the same values as we have and would flourish in the kind of culture and environment,” she said.
The firm hopes to continue the development of its employees through a graduate school program, and attract younger prospects through partnerships with students groups, schools, review centers, and job platforms.
As part of their drive to create an inclusive environment for workers, P&A Grant Thornton has also developed flexible working arrangements for their accountants and a non-discrimination hiring policy.

“We start with competencies and skills, not with age group,” Ms. Dee said. “Don’t set the tone for segregating people – whatever package they come in, accept them if they fit the bill.”

Megaworld eyes P10-B revenue from fourth Fort Bonifacio development

It has the fastest access to the new transport infrastructure projects, and it stands right next to Uptown’s own array of… establishments,” said Megaworld SVP Noli D. Hernandez.

By Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

Property developer Megaworld Corp. is expecting P10 billion in sales from its fourth residential condominium development in Fort Bonifacio, slated for completion in 2024.
The 452-unit, 45-storey Uptown Arts Residence will be located in Megaworld’s 15.4-hectare Uptown Bonifacio township in Fort Bonifacio.
Units range from 41.5 square meters (sqm) for studio units to 168 sqm for three-bedroom lofts. Megaworld also said that its main lobby and amenity floor will also have free WiFi access.
In a disclosure to the stock market on Monday, Megaworld Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing Noli D. Hernandez pointed to the strategic placement of the Uptown Arts Residence.
“It has the fastest access to the new transport infrastructure projects, and it stands right next to Uptown’s own array of dining, shopping and entertainment establishments,” he said.
The condominium is situated along the Kayaan Station of the proposed Mega Manila Subway project, as well as the Skytrain Uptown Station, a monoral project connecting Fort Bonifacio to MRT Guadalupe.

Pinnacles of evolution

Both in the natural world and the modern, man-made one, evolution is the key to survival. Such a fact is especially true in the business of making automobiles.

The world of cars have a rich history of innovation, trailblazers, and game-changers. Any car maker worth its salt knows to make significant efforts to contribute to the industry’s development. To do otherwise is to get left behind.

This is the reason why cars in the market today show off more feats of power and sophistication than those that come before them. We have compiled a list of such notable cars for the selective buyer looking to own the next phase of automobile evolution.

Mazda CX-5

The creation of Mazda’s  CX-5 compact crossover touts the company’s emphasis on refinement. Designed under Mazda’s KODO: ‘Soul of Motion’ philosophy, the impressive build of the CX-5 aims to “embody the dynamic beauty of life”. The exterior design is based on the idea of ‘refined toughness’, while the interior layout and details adhere to a human-centered approach in line with the jinba-ittai principle, the Japanese concept of unity between a horse and its rider.

The sophisticated design and the advanced systems accompanying Mazda’s proprietary SKYACTIV engine aims to elevate the driving experience for both driver and passengers alike. The premium compact crossover is equipped with G-Vectoring Control (GVC), the first system to enhance driving feel and improve passenger riding experience under the new SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS technologies.

The CX-5’s predictive i-ACTIV all-wheel drive attempts to build on this through the monitoring of driving conditions, from outside temperature to throttle input and braking patterns. It then preemptively and seamlessly optimizes torque distribution to help curb traction loss. The car also boasts of features like the i-STOP Idle Stop System, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive LED Headlamps, and the interior MZD Connect, which works with smartphones to provide a comprehensive, hands-free, and voice-activated connectivity system.

Honda HR-V

Honda’s new 2018 HR-V comes with the modern sporty styling cues and advanced technology features that are to be expected from the company’s subcompact crossover SUV line. The HR-V aims to give customers a stylish and capable crossover with Honda’s distinctive flexible utility and convenience elements.

For 2018, the HR-V introduces new exterior styling cues that aim to give the vehicle a signature yet familiar Honda front fascia and a functional yet futuristic styling. The design of which complements the new 17-inch Sport Black Alloy Wheels that serve to give an aggressive physicality to the car’s presence on the road.

Within the car’s interior are features like the new 7-inch Touch Screen System, equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for intuitive smartphone connectivity, and the high center console which projects a sports car-like feel to the driver and passenger.

Beneath the hood, Honda’s established 1.8 Liter SOHC i-VTEC engine produces a maximum power of 142 ps at 6,500 rpm and 17.5 kg-m of torque at 4,300 rpm. Mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) developed based on Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology, the engine and transmission provide responsive performance, acceleration and improved fuel efficiency. Meanwhile, Honda’s Eco Assist System, which consists of the ECON mode and Eco-Coaching Ambient Light, helps encourage fuel-efficient driving.

Suzuki Ciaz

Suzuki’s entry into the compact car segment aims to attain a blend of sportiness with elegance. Aiming to please drivers who believe that ‘good enough isn’t good enough’, the sedan is designed to incorporate stylish elements that add a touch of sophistication, while its lean yet expansive body creates an air of exclusivity. In addition to this, the interior of the Ciaz brings a new dimension to the crafted exterior design. The high-quality instrument panel and upholstery, a wide range of advanced feature and amenity aim to elevate the driver and passengers’ travelling comfort and convenience.

The Ciaz features Suzuki’s refined K14B engine, which further builds on the car’s aerodynamic and lightweight body. The suspension is tuned to optimize responsive and assured handling while providing superior ride comfort. The combination of the suspension and rigid body provides a perfect fit that enhances driving stability and NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) performance.

 Suzuki claims that the new Ciaz is made for those who are driven to excel. Inspired by the ever-evolving expectations of sedan buyers, the Ciaz is developed to be what the company believes what an “Authentic Sedan” should be, an ideal which combines a roomy comfortable cabin and a great driving performance with excellent fuel efficiency. All of these come with a stylish design that will inspire pride of ownership.

Hyundai Ioniq

With the hybrid Ioniq, Hyundai is taking the next step towards evolution through technology. Along with the benefits of being a hybrid-powered car, the Ioniq takes things to a new level with thoughtful amenities, advanced safety features and ingenious design. Safety features like the car’s Available Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection can help warn and guide drivers through a potential collision, while the Available Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-traffic Alert provides audible and visual alerts if a vehicle is detected in the driver’s blind spot.

Technology inside the Ioniq is also decidedly more personal. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, drivers can put their smartphone apps right on Ioniq’s touchscreen, giving them information and entertainment via a familiar interface. The car also features wireless device charging for compatible smartphones.

Furthermore, the design of the Ioniq is rooted in the eco-friendly nature of the hybrid car. From the bio-fabrics to the recycled plastics used to create the headliner, carpeting and door trim, even the interior of the Ioniq shows off an eco-conscious side. Interior surfaces and textures are the result of the inventive use of eco-friendly materials. Sugar cane accounts for 25% of the raw materials used in the interior’s soft-touch door trim panels. While recycled plastic combined with powdered wood and volcanic stone reduces the weight of some interior plastics up to 20%. — Bjorn Biel M. Beltran

Foundations of safety

Over the last decades, car safety has seen remarkable gains driven by a number of influences — from advances in technology up to environmental changes. It is now in an era where the focus has shifted from reducing death and injury in a vehicle collision to preventing a crash from happening in the first place.

With a dizzying array of options, packages, and accessories to choose from in the market today, it is still important to put safety features at the top of priority list. Undoubtedly, car safety features have reduced the occurrence of vehicle accidents and its consequences.

According to Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the leading independent vehicle safety advocate in Australasia, the combination of a sound structure, good restraint systems and active safety assist technologies provide the best chance of survival in a crash.

ANCAP said on its Web site that the safety of a car and its passengers is based around three aspects: the structural integrity, passive safety features, and safety assist technologies.

Structural integrity refers to how the shell of a vehicle withstands and channels crash forces away from occupants, while the passive safety features are the vehicle’s built-in safety features, such as air bags, anti-lock braking systems, electronic stability control, seat belts and seat belt pre-tensioners, which help prevent or manage the forces of impact.

The safety assist technologies, on the other hand, are the semi-autonomous and autonomous safety technologies which assist the driver in avoiding or reducing the severity of a crash. These include blind spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, active lane-keeping assist and intelligent speed adaptation.

Experts from Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization providing unbiased product ratings and reviews, have assembled a list of key features to consider when buying a vehicle. These include automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind spot warning or alert, rear cross-traffic warning and lane-keeping assist.

According to howsafeisyourcar.com, a Web site that provides independent safety information on new and used cars based on laboratory crash testing and real world crash data, auto emergency braking is a feature that alerts a driver to an imminent crash and helps them use the maximum braking capacity of the car. It will independently brake if the situation becomes critical and no human response is made.

Auto emergency braking comes in three categories: low speed system, which works on city streets to detect other vehicles in front of your car to prevent crashes and non-life threatening injuries such as whiplash; higher speed system that scans up to 200 meters ahead using long range radar at higher speeds; and pedestrian system, which detects pedestrian movement in relation to the path of the vehicle to determine the risk of collision.

The second must-have car safety feature on Consumer Report’s list is the forward collision warning. It is a vehicle safety technology that has the potential to prevent a crash or reduce the impact speed of a crash, alerting the driver to an imminent crash so they can begin to take preventative action, howsafeisyourcar.com says.

Blind spot warning or alert is also a big help, giving notification if a vehicle is at the car’s flanks, where the driver may not be able to see it easily.

“The warnings administered range across different technologies and can be visual, audible and/or tactile to alert the driver that it is unsafe to change lanes,” howsafeisyourcar.com says.

Rear cross-traffic warning, on the other hand, notifies the driver that an object or vehicle out of rear-camera range could be moving into the car’s path.

“The rear cross-traffic warning systems give visual, audible, and/or tactile notification of an object or vehicle that is out of rear-camera range but is approaching as you’re backing up. Some systems will automatically brake to avoid a crash,” the Consumer Reports says in a separate post.

Finally, lane-keeping assist shouldn’t be forgotten. This safety feature provides corrective steering input or braking when the car crosses lane markings without the driver activating the turn signal.

Howsafeisyourcar.com explains that lane-keeping assist proactively steers the car back into the lane. “When the car is close to a marking, the system gently steers the car away from the line until it is safely within the lane. The system can steer the car either by applying gentle braking to one wheel, or in the case of electric steering systems, by applying a direct steering input,” the Web site says.

Meanwhile, Consumer Reports also identified car features every car buyer can skip.

One of which is bigger wheels. The organization explains that larger wheels often result in a stiffer, less comfortable ride and can be more expensive to replace when damaged.

Consumer can also consider skipping feature like built-in navigation systems, Consumer Reports said, noting that: “They are typically costly. Instead, use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which allow drivers to tap into smartphone mapping apps directly.” — Mark Louis F. Ferrolino

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