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Miners’ H2 results expected to reflect strong metal prices

DAVID HELLMANN-UNSPLASH

By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

LISTED mining companies are expected to post improved results during the second half of the year due to an improved outlook for metals prices, analysts said.

“The general outlook for the performance of Philippine mining firms for the second half of the year appears positive,” Globalinks Securities and Stocks, Inc. Head of Sales Trading Toby Allan C. Arce said via Viber.

He added that prices are being buoyed by increased demand for metals used in technology and infrastructure projects.

Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said that the outlook for Philippine mining firms during the second half “remains cautiously optimistic.”

“Higher metal prices are expected to contribute positively to earnings, driven by global uncertainties and strong demand from the electric vehicle (EV) sector,” Mr. Limlingan said via Viber.

Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CoMP) Chairman Michael T. Toledo said that copper prices continue to improve due to the global push towards green energy.

“Generally, copper prices will be good over the long haul due mainly to green electrification and the renewable energy transition,” Mr. Toledo added, with the faltering Chinese economy possibly weighing on the market.

Mr. Limlingan said that miners producing materials critical for renewable energy and EVs have an opportunity to benefit from the global shift towards green technology.

The CoMP is expecting the value of nickel to improve as the increased nickel demand from Indonesia could contribute to better prices.

“Any improvement in the nickel pig iron and stainless-steel markets will also support nickel ore prices,” Mr. Toledo added.

He said nickel production by the second half may increase due to the longer operating times for Surigao mines. The Surigao provinces account for more than half of Philippine nickel production.

Nickel miners in Surigao operate for five months during the second half, against three months during the first half.

Mr. Toledo said CoMP’s outlook for gold remains bullish due to the precious metal’s role as a safe haven during times of economic turbulence.

“Some experts expect to see new record highs in the second half despite the global easing of inflation, especially if the Federal Reserve opts for more than one rate cut this year as a result of a sharper-than-expected drop in inflation,” he added.

He said that if the forecasts are borne out, miners could end up offsetting the recent rise in operating costs.

Regina Capital’s Mr. Limlingan added that, costs aside, potential regulatory risks may still pressure margins.

Newly listed OceanaGold Philippines saw its net income decline 30.7% year on year to $14.2 million for the second quarter due to lower ore production.

Philex Mining Corp. recorded an attributable net income of P214.72 million, down from P314.56 million a year ago. Revenues were at P2.24 billion from P2.05 billion a year ago.

Meanwhile, Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. more than doubled its net income to P1.51 billion during the second quarter.

Nickel ore producer Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. reported an attributable net income gain of 0.41% to P196.45 million.

Nickel Asia Corp. posted a 17.7% rise in attributable net income to P914.06 million.

During the second quarter, Apex Mining Co., Inc. posted an attributable net income of P1.03 billion, up 21.5% from a year earlier.

Next sugar crop reserved entirely for domestic market due to weak harvest

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE SUGAR Regulatory Administration (SRA) said it is planning to allocate the entire incoming sugar crop for domestic use due to an expected drop in production.

In a draft sugar order, the regulator said all sugar in the incoming crop year will be classified “B” or reserved for domestic use.

“It’s based on the effect of El Niño on the crop that was just planted in October last year until May. We feel that there will be a decline, and then it will recover towards the end,” SRA Administrator Pablo Luis S. Azcona told reporters on Wednesday.

Based on the SRA’s initial estimates, raw sugar production could drop to 1.78 million metric tons (MMT) for the 2024-2025 crop year, against the 1.92 MMT actual output for the 2023-2024 crop year.

During the second quarter, cane production dropped 42.3% year on year to 1.63 MMT, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, making sugar the most affected single crop during the period.

“So far, based on our estimates of the crop and the actual stock on hand and our imports that are arriving, our supply is probably enough until the end of milling… by May or June 2025,” Mr. Azcona added.

Earlier, the regulator approved imports of up to 240,000 MT of refined sugar. About 176,000 MT will fill any supply gaps that may emerge during the milling off season.

“The public is assured that our sugar supply is stable. We can import what we lack; all that is balanced and calibrated,” he said.

He added that imported sugar may start arriving next week.

Asked to comment, Manuel R. Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines, said the approved volume of sugar imports could be sufficient to cover any shortfalls in production.

“Because of the bad El Niño we had, production will not be good. Nothing to worry about in terms of supply; the SRA has anticipated such a situation by approving imports of 200,000 plus of refined sugar — more than enough to cover the shortfall,” Mr. Lamata said via Viber.

The national inventory of raw sugar was 227,779 MT, while refined sugar stocks totaled 487,268 MT, according to SRA estimates as of Aug. 4. — Adrian H. Halili

55% biofuel eyed for diesel power generators

An attendant fills up a vehicle at a gasoline station in Manila, Sept. 18, 2023. — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE Department of Energy (DoE) is looking to tap the National Power Corp. (Napocor) to test biofuels in its diesel power generators.

Energy Assistant Secretary Mario C. Marasigan said a biodiesel blend of up to 55% for power generation is being considered to reduce reliance on fuel imports and reduce carbon emissions.

“We are looking at all diesel facilities. We can possibly use Napocor’s facilities for tests, if necessary,” Mr. Marasigan said in a message to reporters late Tuesday.

Napocor is tasked with providing electricity to all areas not connected to the main grid through the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG). To date, it operates 272 SPUG power plants in 222 areas.

“Using 55% biofuel blend will (involve) converting a diesel engine into a biodiesel engine, similar to a biomass power plant,” Mr. Marasigan said.

He noted that the possible fuel test is still under study, including whether to involve diesel-fired plants owned by the private sector.

“With the current trend of increasing imported fuel prices, higher blend (of biofuel) will reduce the impact of imports,” the Energy official said.

In May, the DoE directed oil companies to increase the coco biodiesel blend starting in October to provide price relief and to support the coconut industry.

In a circular, the DoE said all diesel fuel sold in the country should have biodiesel content of 3% starting Oct. 1, from 2% currently.

The blend rises to 4% by Oct. 1, 2025, and to 5% by Oct. 1, 2026.

Since February 2009, oil companies have been required to sell diesel consisting of 2% biofuel.

In its circular, the DoE said oil companies can also offer gasoline containing 20% bioethanol on a voluntary basis. At present, the DoE requires a 10% bioethanol blend by volume in all gasoline sold on the market. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Wendy’s, Conti’s owner expects bulk of new openings during fourth quarter

CONTIS.PH/STORES

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter

EIGHT8ATE Holdings, Inc., which controls the Wendy’s and Conti’s restaurant brands, said the bulk of its new locations are scheduled to open in the fourth quarter, traditionally the strongest period for the food and beverage industry.

“For Wendy’s and Conti’s, about 70% of our expansion will open towards the last quarter of the year… between the two brands, we have about 20 plus stores opening in the next three to four months” President and Chief Executive Officer Joey R. Garcia told reporters on the sidelines of the Franchise Asia Philippines 2024 International Conference.

The quarter “is when we can generate more revenue towards the Christmas season,” Mr. Garcia said.

After the fourth-quarter openings, Wendy’s will have a store network of over 80. Conti’s will have eight to 10 additional stores, he said.

According to Mr. Garcia, 80% of the new stores will open outside the National Capital Region.

“Majority of the expansion is actually in the second-tier cities and the provinces,” he added.

Eight8Ate is also readying a coffee concept to carry the Conti’s brand.

“It is actually … the next generation of Conti’s and the first branch will open in Clark,” he said. “This is our first venture now into that next level of Conti’s…  We hope this will happen by December.”

Chris Lim, chairman of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), said that expansions outside Metro Manila are also the trend for other franchise brands.

“Even for the PFA, our activities have actually been outside. So, we had the big expo here where we all met each other in April. But since then, we’ve done one in North Luzon in Clark, and then one in Cebu. We’re going to do another one in Bacolod,” Mr. Lim said.

“There is really a shift in looking at expanding outside Metro Manila, and that’s where the growth areas are. So, we have a big push there — outside  Metro Manila,” he added.

He added that many franchise brands have reached pre-pandemic levels in terms of number of stores and revenue.

“There’s no count, in terms of the number of stores, but at the very least, in terms of sales, I’d say a lot would have recovered,” he said.

He said that many franchise brands took the opportunity to axe stores during the pandemic.

“Some would have permanently decided not to reopen the stores … So whether the number of stores has recovered or not, I don’t have an exact figure,” he said.

“I’d be surprised if they haven’t, but I think (a more important) metric is that most of the brands recovered their system-wide sales,” he added.

Bridging digital divide in remote areas remains challenging — DICT

PIXABAY

CLOSING the digital divide in the Philippines remains a challenge in the absence of access to new technology, especially in remote areas, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said at a United Nations (UN) forum.

“We acknowledge the challenge of bridging the digital divide,” DICT Undersecretary David L. Almirol, Jr. said during a UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific conference on Tuesday.

“We must intensify efforts to ensure digital technology is accessible to all, especially in GIDA (Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged) sites or in underserved areas,” he said.

Mr. Almirol cited the importance of regional cooperation and sharing of best practices to ensure the inclusive adoption of digital technology.

Mr. Almirol noted that the DICT has launched 24 e-Government platforms to date.

The DICT in 2022 launched the eGov Super App, which allows the public to access more than 1,200 national and local government services, he added.

Around 83 million digital national identification cards have been generated so far, Mr. Almirol said.

The backlog in physical cards remains at 32 million due to the limited capacity of government printing facilities, the Philippine Statistics Authority said in June.

“Even if the facilities are available, the digital divide will not disappear if people in certain regions do not have the devices to access these technologies but also the skills to use them and improve their lives,” Ateneo De Manila economics professor Leonardo A. Lanzona said via Messenger chat.

In August, around 2,600 of the government’s 13,462 free Wi-Fi sites went offline after the government failed to pay telecommunications contractors, DICT Secretary Ivan John E. Uy said.

The free internet program will also need a bigger budget next year as its P2.5-billion allocation is only good for five months, Mr. Uy told legislators last week.

“Bridging the digital divide in the Philippines remains a big challenge due to the inability of the government to implement a comprehensive digital literacy program that will empower the public,” Ronald B. Gustilo, national campaigner of Digital Pinoys, said via Viber.

The 2023 Internet Poverty Index reported that at least 20 million Filipinos are “internet poor” or financially incapable of availing of at least one gigabyte worth of internet data per month

Mr. Gustilo also noted that cybercriminals in the Philippines “have continuously remained steps ahead compared to the general population.”

Cybercrime incidents in the Philippines rose 21.84% year on year to 4,469 in the first quarter, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group said in April. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

West Cebu Estate expansion attracts four locators

FOUR LOCATORS are expected to set up shop in the expansion of West Cebu Estate (WCE), the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said.

In a statement on Wednesday, PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said that Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) will expand the economic zone in Balamban, Cebu by 39 hectares.

“AIC announced that its 280-hectare PEZA-proclaimed area will expand by another 39 hectares,” Mr. Panga said in a social media post.

“This expansion project is expected to generate an additional 14,000 jobs with four new locator companies,” he added.

WCE currently hosts 23 locators employing 13,935 workers and generating $47.5 million in average monthly exports. Locators have thus far invested P35 billion.

With an estimated cost of P1.4 billion, the expansion is set for completion by the second quarter of next year. It is currently 80% complete.

Mr. Panga added that AIC’s 160-hectare TARI Estate in Tarlac City is also set to be registered with PEZA.

The P7-billion TARI Estate could become AIC’s fourth PEZA-registered ecozone, after the WCE, LIMA Estate in Batangas, and Mactan Economic Zone II in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

AIC hosts 250 registered business enterprises across its ecozones, generating P155 billion worth of investment and over 100,000 jobs.

“(These include) global industry leaders such as Epson, Grandsun Advanced Electronics, Kinpo Electronics, Lear Philippines, JTI, Yamaha, Draka (Prysmian Group), and other big-ticket investors and strategic industries,” Mr. Panga said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Green lane-eligible projects valued at P3.2 trillion

WORLDBANK.ORG

THE Board of Investments (BoI) said that 13 more renewable energy (RE) projects were endorsed for green lane treatment, bringing investments eligible for expedited permit processing to more than P3.2 trillion by value.

“As of August, 115 projects have been approved (for) green lanes, with a total project cost of P3.204 trillion,” the BoI said in a statement on Wednesday.

The 13 projects will cost a combined P210.46 billion. They consist of eight onshore wind projects, four solar projects, and an offshore wind project, the BoI said.

The government, through Executive Order (EO) No. 18, established the “green lane” at all government agencies to expedite the approval and registration process for priority or strategic investments.

The government is taking in increased investment in RE projects after it allowed full foreign ownership in the industry, which was previously limited to 40%.

In a separate release, the BoI said that it has officially awarded the green lane certificate of endorsement to A-FLOW Properties I Corp. for its 36-MW ML1 Data Center in Biñan, Laguna.

“The certificate awarded to A-FLOW marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards enhanced digital connectivity,” Trade Undersecretary and BoI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo said.

“Given the growing need for larger information technology capacity, A-FLOW’s contribution will be vital in positioning the Philippines as a digital leader in the Asia-Pacific region,” he added.

A joint venture between FLOW Digital Infrastructure and AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp., A-FLOW aims to help address growing demand for IT capacity in the Philippines, which is expected to grow over 180 MW in 2027. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

PHL seen developing MICE-destination niche

The famed Plenary Hall where most university graduations happen

COMPANIES constantly looking for new destinations for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) could be a potential market the Philippines can target, World Travel Awards (WTA) Founder Graham Cooke said.

“Majority of companies around the world are always looking for new ideas and new destinations,” World Travel Awards (WTA) Founder Graham Cooke said on the sidelines of an award show late Tuesday.

“These big companies plan three to five years ahead, and they’re looking for different things,” he added.

London-based WTA held its Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony 2024 at City of Dreams Manila, marking the first time the organization organized an awards night in the country.

Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina G. Frasco said the hosting of the event signifies the Philippines’ readiness to host global events.

“I’m hopeful that the WTA hosting with the Philippines is a signal to the world that the Philippines is ready to host global events of any scale but still able to maintain its local charm and authenticity,” Ms. Frasco said.

Mr. Cooke said that the Philippines must work on promoting its tourism assets through social media to better acquaint travelers with its offerings. “You have such a big country and such an expanse of islands and products that if people don’t even know it’s there, in this big competitive space, then you’re never going to get the business,” he said.

“So you see, it’s a question of using what is around you. As I’ve been saying, TikTok, YouTube, Weibo, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, all of those social media channels are free,” he added.

He noted a hotel in Manila that has not posted on its Instagram account for one year.

“There is a need to look at social media for the tourism industry, and that would be the one thing I would be (recommending) to the Secretary,” he added.

Asked about the Philippines’ competitive edge as a destination, he cited the novelty factor for many travelers.

“What I like about the Philippines is that it’s pristine and it’s quite a new destination, and you know, people like new things in their lives,” he said.

“I’m telling you, as an Englishman, the Philippines has the potential because you have the products and you have the people,” he added.

During the event, Philippine sites were named Asia’s Leading Beach Destination, Asia’s Leading Dive Destination, and Asia’s Leading Island Destination.

The DoT’s “Love the Philippines” initiative was also recognized as the top tourism marketing campaign in Asia, while Intramuros, Boracay, and Cebu were recognized as Asia’s leading tourist attraction, luxury island destination, and wedding destination, respectively. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Travel trade show expected to top year earlier P250M in sales leads

Tourists are seen at the beach of Boracay island, Aklan province. — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE Tourism Promotions Board said it is hoping to generate sales leads at the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2024 exceed the year-earlier level.

“Last year, our sales leads were over P250 million, so, crossing fingers, we hope that we will do better this year despite the typhoon,” TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita M. Nograles said on the sidelines of the event on Wednesday.

PHITEX is the biggest government-organized travel trade show in the country, in which the TPB brings global buyers to the Philippines.

“It is really a key program of the TPB … This year, we have 87 buyers, and we set up business-to-business meetings with them to meet our private-sector partners,” Ms. Nograles said.

The buyers include destination management companies, tour operators, and travel agencies, while the sellers are composed of private-sector associates of the TPB.

“We have what we call the TPB Membership Program that hosts all our private-sector partners,” she said.

“If TPB is the marketing arm of the Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) in charge of our 13 key markets around the world in meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), our private-sector partners are our sales force,” she added.

For this year, she said that the buyers will be coming from 20 countries, including representatives from the Middle East, while 115 private-sector partners joined.

Ms. Nograles said buyers are looking for more experiences when they travel.

“They are really looking to see more experiential travel like (encounters with) indigenous communities and our culture, experiences like learning a skill such as cooking,” she said.

In particular, DoT Region 10 representative Marie Elaine Salvana-Unchuan said that the department is looking to offer photography-based night diving experiences at the dive festival in Camiguin this month. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Has the income tax refund process become easier?

The Ease of Paying Taxes (EoPT) Law is expected to somehow do away with certain burdensome practices in taxation, including the process of claiming a tax refund. As many of you may be familiar, a taxpayer may claim a tax refund from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), be it VAT, income tax, or any other national tax that may have been paid in excess or erroneously paid. For my article today, I will focus on the income tax refund or excess income tax credits and the documentary requirements laid down in Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 75-2024.

I often encounter tax clients in a “tax overpayment” position in their annual income tax return, due to excess income tax credits. Their common sentiment is that they are discouraged from filing a refund claim because of the time it takes and the tedious documentation needed to successfully claim the tax refund.

Under the EoPT Law and its implementing regulations, the processing of refunds takes 180 days from the date of submission of complete documents. Deliberate failure on the part of any official, agent, or employee of the BIR to process and decide on the refund application within the prescribed period is punishable by fine, imprisonment and/or disqualification to hold public office, among others.

For taxpayers who want to file a refund claim, always bear in mind the following milestones:

• Two years – The period within which the refund claim should be filed with the BIR, reckoned from the date of filing of the income tax return.

• 180 days – The number of days given to the BIR to process the refund.

• 30 days – The number of days within which the taxpayer may file an appeal to the Court of Tax Appeals, in case of inaction, partial or full denial by the BIR of the refund claim, reckoned from the lapse of 180 days (in case of inaction) or receipt of the decision (in case of denial).

In addition, the success or failure of the refund largely depends on the availability, completeness and propriety of information supporting the claim. A crucial first step in the process is awareness of the “irrevocability rule.” Under this rule, a taxpayer qualified to claim a refund of the excess income taxes paid during the year may opt to carry forward or claim a refund for such excess income tax (as shown in its final annual income tax return). Once the taxpayer opts to carry over its excess income tax payments to the succeeding taxable year or years, the option becomes irrevocable. The taxpayer may no longer change the option and may no longer file a claim for a refund, even if the taxpayer amends the tax return.

Once the option to claim a refund is selected, the need to support such a claim through valid documents becomes the priority. A detailed description of the uniform policies and guidelines in the processing and grant of such claims is provided under RMC 25-2024 and RMC 75-2024, for further reference.

Of more significance is the prescribed documentary requirements to be submitted by the taxpayer as set out in RMC 75-2024.

Remember that only applications with complete documentary requirements can be received and processed by the BIR’s authorized processing office. A checklist of such documentary requirements for taxpayer-claimants has been provided as Annexes in the RMC. The checklist serves as the taxpayer’s guide to ensure the completeness of the documents that will be submitted to the BIR processing office.

Taxpayers need to accomplish and supply certain information in the checklist such as the name, address and TIN of the claimant, its representative, contact details, amount and period of refund claim, among others. The following documents are listed in the checklist as mandatory for “Going Concern Taxpayers”:

• Three original copies of duly accomplished Application for Tax Credit/Refund (BIR Form No. 1914);

• Audited Financial Statements (AFS) complete with Notes to AFS, if AFS was not submitted via the BIR eAFS Facility;

• Original copies of duly accomplished Certificate of Creditable Tax Withheld at Source (BIR Form No. 2307) or Withholding Tax Remittance Return for Onerous Transfer of Real Property Other Than Capital Asset (BIR Form No. 1606), whichever is applicable, issued by the payor (withholding agent) to the payee;

• Hard and soft copies (in MS Excel format) of Summary of Revenue/Income declared per Income Tax Return (ITR) and the corresponding taxes withheld per BIR Form No. 2307/1606 in accordance with the format prescribed under Annex A.3 of the RMC;

• Original copy of the duly notarized Taxpayer’s Attestations in accordance with the prescribed format under Annex A.4 of the RMC;

• Original copy of Notarized Secretary’s Certificate (for corporate claimant or Special Power of Attorney (for ROHQ claimant) stating the authorized representative/s to file, sign document on behalf of the claimant and/or follow-up tax credit/refund claims together with the photocopy of at least one valid government-issued ID with three specimen signatures of the authorized representative; and

• Original copy of Delinquency Verification Certificate (valid for six months) issued by the Collection Division under the respective Revenue Region that has jurisdiction of the taxpayer-claimant or the LT-Collection Enforcement Division under the Large Taxpayers Service, whichever is applicable.

A Comparative Matrix of Tax Withheld shall also be submitted by the taxpayer-claimant, the template of which is provided in RMC 75-2024. The RMC also provides that the books of account and accounting records of the taxpayer-claimant may need to be presented, as may be requested by the assigned BIR Revenue Officer in the course of the review. Failure to present such books of account and accounting records may be grounds for denial of the refund application.

While the checklist of mandatory documents coupled with the prescribed procedures provide a uniform system for the BIR personnel to process income tax refund claims, which was absent before, it seems that the documentary requirements imposed on the taxpayer-claimant were not reduced. Instead, more documentation is needed to support the refund application, including the potential submission of books of account and accounting records, which is quite broad, and is dependent on the judgment of the BIR reviewer.

While many were hoping that EoPT would simplify things and boost the taxpayers’ confidence sufficiently to file a claim, perhaps the lingering question is… does it?

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

 

John Edgar Maghinay is a director at the Tax Services department of Isla Lipana & Co., a Philippine member firm of the PwC network.

john.edgar.s.maghinay@pwc.com

Green Archers brace for being hunted from ‘hunter’ at UAAP S87

UAAP defending champion De La Salle University Green Archers — DLSU.EDU.PH

IT’S REIGNING champion De La Salle University and everybody else.

From being the “hunter” last season, the Green Archers become the “hunted” and they’re ready to take the punches and scratches from everyone in the UAAP kingdom when the 87th Season unfurls this weekend at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Marching into the battlefield as the undisputed heavy favorites, head coach Topex Robinson promised their readiness — and willingness — to earn their way to the top anew with a mantra as if they’re not on the summit already.

“Season 86 is a history and nobody could take it away from us. We’ve won that season but we’re not the champions anymore,” Robinson reminded his wards at the UAAP Season 87 pre-season press conference yesterday at the Novotel Manila in Cubao.

“What we want to focus on is how to be champions again and it’s something that we’ve prepared for and something that all was excited.”

La Salle in Season 86 pulled off a great comeback to frustrate three-time finalist University of the Philippines, 2-1, to regain the UAAP throne after a seven-year drought.

Gilas Pilipinas forward Kevin Quiambao led that run en route to the Season MVP and Finals MVP plum as Mr. Robinson also captured his first collegiate championship after coaching stints with San Sebastian University and Lyceum of the Philippine University in the NCAA.

Albeit La Salle lost some of its core led by Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy, it still boasts a formidable unit with Mr. Quiambao and Mike Philips as holdovers.

“After winning a championship I thought you’ll be different but it’s not, it’s still gonna be the same mission,” promised Mr. Robinson, who readied his wards in a productive offseason camp like the season is on the line right away.

Runner-up and host UP, National University and Ateneo de Manila University loom as the closest pursuers of La Salle, which won the PBA D-League, Pinoyliga and the World University Basketball Series (WUBS) in Japan laced by a tough challenge to PBA teams in Kadayawan tourney to brace for whoever stand in the way.

“You love being here. It’s what we wanted. We bought into this. We talked about wanting to be champions. Now, we have to be responsible to act, breathe and sleep like champions,” said Mr. Robinson. — John Bryan Ulanday

PHL Chess Olympiad women’s team member Fronda has visa problem

JAN JODILYN FRONDA — WGM JANELLE MAE FRAYNA’S FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

THE PHILIPPINE women’s team seeing action in the 45th World Chess Olympiad slated Sept. 10 to 22 in Budapest, Hungary is in danger of playing minus its second strongest member — Jan Jodilyn Fronda.

This after Ms. Fronda has encountered visa problems that would expire in a few days.

If it happens, it would disallow her to suit up for the Filipinas in the Hungarian capital.

Ms. Fronda had originally applied for her Schengen visa at the Switzerland embassy that has an expiration in 45 days.

She had already used 42 days of it and would need an extension. But the Swiss embassy could only issue her an extension only after October since it takes more than a month to process it.

Hungary said it could issue Ms. Fronda a new one provided Switzerland voids her visa, which didn’t happen.

“We’re asking the Hungarian embassy to help us,” said National Chess Federation Chief Executive Officer and national women’s coach Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, who is returning to the country today after accompanying Ms. Fronda, Janelle Mae Frayna and Ruelle Canino on their European tour.

Without Ms. Fronda, the team would have to play all four remaining team members Mses. Frayna, Canino, Bernadette Galas and Shania Mae Mendoza in all 11 games without rest.

“Jodilyn has been playing really well in Europe,” said Mr. Gonzales, whose trip was backed by the Philippine Sports Commission through chair Richard Bachmann and commissioner Ed Hayco and NCFP chairman/president Butch Pichay. — Joey Villar

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