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Constitutional change and transitory provisions: Lessons from history

WHEN Congress or a constitutional convention begins proposing revisions to the 1987 Constitution much attention and discussion will focus on the transitory provisions.
Sections of the proposed constitution that suspends elections scheduled under the present constitution, extends the term of incumbent officials, and grants the incumbent president additional extraordinary powers will all be included in the transitory provisions. Deliberations on this article of the proposed constitution can easily eclipse those on the provisions proposing a federal-parliamentary form of government.
History demonstrates the critical importance of a new constitution’s transitory provisions. I refer to the transitory provisions of the 1973 Constitution.
The constitution which the 1971 Constitutional Convention approved on Nov. 30, 1972 and which took effect on Jan. 17, 1973 established a parliamentary government with a unicameral National Assembly (NA), a prime minister exercising executive power and a president who was “symbolic head of state.”
But parliamentarism under the 1973 Constitution never actually operated because of its transitory provisions: Article XVII.
Article XVII, Section 1 created an interim National Assembly (INA) “which shall exist immediately upon the ratification of this Constitution.” Strictly speaking, it was the INA that replaced and abolished Congress under the 1935 Constitution, not President Ferdinand Marcos. The INA was to “continue until the Members of the regular National Assembly shall have been elected and shall have assumed office following an election called for the purpose by the interim National Assembly.” Thus, although the regular NA came into existence with the 1973 Constitution’s ratification, it was not operational until the INA called for the election of its members. Without the regular NA, there was no prime minister as this official was to be “elected by a majority of all the members of the National Assembly from among themselves” (Article IX, Section 3). Without the PM, there was no Cabinet as its members were appointed by the PM (Article IX, Section 4). Thus, the realization of the 1973 Constitution’s parliamentary provisions hinged on the INA.
Article XVII, Section 3 (1) provided, however, that “the incumbent President of the Philippines shall initially convene the interim National Assembly. . .” Furthermore, the incumbent president “shall continue to exercise” his powers under the 1935 Constitution as well as the “powers vested in the President and the Prime Minister” under the new constitution “until he calls upon the interim National Assembly to elect the interim President and the interim Prime Minister.” Although the INA existed “immediately upon the ratification” of the 1973 Constitution, it was not operational and could not exercise its powers and functions until Marcos initially convenes it. Section 3(1) of the transitory provisions gave Marcos full discretion on when to convene the INA.
Marcos never convened the INA and therefore the regular NA never actually existed and operated and parliamentarism under the 1973 Constitution never actually came to be. In not convening the INA, Marcos cited the outcome of a January 1973 plebiscite-referendum in which an overwhelming majority of voters ratified the new constitution on condition that the INA not be convened. Proclamation No. 1103 (dated Jan. 17, 1973) suspended the convening of the INA.
Thus, the 1973 Constitution’s transitory provisions created the very conditions that prevented the full implementation of the constitution’s other provisions. Such is the critical importance of any constitution’s transitory provisions.
Sans the INA, Marcos continued to exercise legislative power. This power was moreover retroactively affirmed by Section 3 (2) of the same transitory provisions that empowered him to indefinitely postpone the convening of the INA. All the proclamations, presidential decrees, executive orders and letters of instruction he issued were made “part of the law of the land” and he was given the continuing power to make new laws that would modify, revoke, or supersede his previous laws.
More forebodingly, without the INA to call the regular NA into actual existence to elect a new president and PM under the 1973 Constitution, Marcos remained incumbent president indefinitely. Thus, the apprehension expressed by Con-Con Delegate and former Supreme Court Associate Justice Jesus Barrera (1896–1988) when the transitory provisions were being debated in October 1972 that Marcos would “unduly delay” the convening of the INA and thus be “president for life” came true (62 SCRA 340-1, 31 January 1975).
Because of Section 3 (1) of the transitory provisions, Marcos remained incumbent president and in September 1976 he called for another referendum-plebiscite to ratify nine amendments to the 1973 Constitution which he himself proposed. Under the proposed amendments, the interim Batasang Pambansa (IBP) replaced the INA. When Marcos convenes the IBP, it shall elect him PM with all the powers of president under the 1935 Constitution and the powers of the PM and president under the 1973 Constitution. Amendment No. 5 provided that the incumbent president shall continue to exercise legislative power until martial law is lifted but Amendment No. 6 gave him continuing power to make laws even after martial law in cases of grave emergency when the IBP fails to act. All proposed amendments were ratified and became part of the 1973 Constitution in October 1976.
Thus did the transitory provisions of the 1973 Constitution help execute and perpetuate the autogolpe and autocracy of Ferdinand E. Marcos.
It is therefore imperative that all sectors concerned pay special and keen attention to the transitory provisions of the draft constitutions being circulated and proposed. Their federal-parliamentary provisions may just be a façade to surreptitiously advance the hidden agenda behind moves to change the constitution lurking in the transitory provisions.
 
Millard Lim is a lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University.

Whole-of-nation

WHEN government and society come together to address a national problem, the “whole-of-nation” principle is at work. It epitomizes national unity, solidarity, and teamwork. This is what Rotary Club of Manila’s (RCM) “One Rotary, One Philippines, One for Marawi” attempts to do — harnessing private sector companies and civic groups to partner with government agencies to address humanitarian assistance needs of people impacted by armed conflict and natural disasters.
In the early stages of the war in Marawi, I went there with fellow-Rotarian Jack Rodriguez to assess how RCM could be a force multiplier, if you will, to the government in anticipation of a developing humanitarian assistance crisis. From July 1-3 we met with evacuees in Iligan; local datus and imams; a Mindanao-based civic group, Team Humanity; TF Marawi; local government and regional assembly officials; and a search-rescue group. We returned to Manila recommending to the RCM board of directors a two-year humanitarian assistance program covering RCM’s centennial year (RCM, for information, is Asia’s and the Philippines’ first Rotary Club and this year marks our 100th year of “service above self” to the Filipino people).
The board approved the recommendation to organize “One Rotary, One Philippines, One for Marawi.” We chose “One” to symbolize whole-of-nation united in purpose and urgency. Four program components were chosen:
a. Medical-Dental
b. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
c. Prostheses
d. Water and Sanitation
We linked up with government and civilian organizations to bring our concept of “oneness” to fruition.
To date, we’ve stitched a formidable network of pharmaceutical donors; air transport by Philippine Air Lines (PAL) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF); doctors from Our Lady of Peace Mission, Alejandro Doctors Clinic, Philippine College of Physicians and Physicians for Peace; logistics support from TF Bangon Marawi, Team Humanity, the Department of Tourism (DoT) and Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI); security from the AFP and PNP; augmentation from the DSWD, DoH and LGUs; and generous rotarians.
Before we rolled out the program, we returned to Marawi in September and consult those we met the first time around to make sure we got it right.
When we got the thumbs up, we kicked off by visiting our wounded warriors in V. Luna General Hospital and the Philippine Army General Hospital to bring good cheer and listen to their stories. The main takeaways — our soldiers were united in spirit to return to the battlefield; and urban warfare is the toughest and most difficult form of combat. In five months of fighting, over 150 soldiers died (versus 1,000 of the enemy) and around 2,000 more were wounded only to return again to fight alongside their brothers.
Some 26 barangays in Marawi were totally destroyed in the fighting and is now the focus of reconstruction that hopefully gets completed by the end of 2021. At the start of the war for Marawi’s liberation, hundreds of thousands from Marawi and environs sought refuge in evacuation centers and in the homes of relatives and friends.
Today, almost 70,000 families have gone back to their homes except for those that came from Ground Zero or the Main Battle Area.
To date, “One Rotary, One Philippines, One for Marawi” has held 5 medical missions in Marawi, Baloi, Saguiaran (twice), and Cagayan de Oro. Approximately 5,000 patients have been served. We could have doubled that number if not for weather conditions that prevented evacuees from reaching the medcap sites; lack of ground transportation to bring them on time; and local information dissemination issues.
Last week, we concluded our 4th and 5th missions in Bgy. Sogod, Marawi and in Saguiaran. Approximately 850 individual displaced persons (IDPs) were treated by our medical teams led by Ramon Magsaysay awardee Sr. Eva Maamo M.D. and Dr. Capt. Sharon Reyes, M.D. We were joined for the first time by the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) including 10 members from Amai Pakpak Hospital; nurses from RCDG9, ARESCOM; and a dental team from 103rd Bde 1st Div., augmented by local DoH, DSWD and city health officers.
Like in previous trips, we applied “Completed Staff Work” or CSW that required iterations in communication and coordination to ensure a trouble-free mission as much as possible. We thank CSAFP Gen. Carlito Galvez and his J-Staff; TF Ranao Group Commander BGen Ramiro Rey, concurrently Special Forces Regimental Commander; TF Bangon Marawi! ASEC Felix Castro; Col. Acmad Omar, Jr. PAF, Tactical Operations Commander at WESMINCOM; Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra; and MSU President Dr. Habib Biston Macaayong,
Local media coverage and interviews were carried out by Radio ng Bayan, DZRH, RMN, GMA7, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Manila Bulletin. Medicines were donated by PHAP Cares through the request of Dr. Hartigan-Go; Pharex and Prosel Pharma, Inc., Hizon Laboratories, Inc, Dyna Drug, Getz Pharma Phils, Inc, and Pascual Consumer HealthCare through the request of Rtn Abe Pascual; and donations obtained by Rtns Juan Montel and Hans Palacios, Jr.
Additionally, medicines were purchased from cash donations by RCM Foundation and PCPPI Foundation. The PAF provided a C-130 to ferry our medical teams and medical cargo. The 103rd Bde provided 4×4 and 6×6 trucks to ferry our medical teams and cargo to and from the sites. PCPPI also distributed Premier water and Gatorade at the two medcap sites, and provided 3 vehicles as well for the use of the team. Ambassador Acmad Omar lent us the use of his house when we ran out of hotel rooms in Iligan to accommodate the team.
Teamwork by Rotarians from RCM, Quiapo Central, Padre Burgos, San Fernando La Union, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Metro Ranao assured the successful conduct of this medical mission. Special thanks to Vice-Chair Jack Rodriguez; PDG Lyne Abanilla (head for Medical Missions and Prostheses); Dr. Dulce Gust (head for PTSD); and Rtn Juan Montel (head for Water and Sanitation); PP of Padre Burgos Dr. Naomi Lachica; PP of RCM Jimmie Policarpio; and CP Yussuf Macalangcom, Pres. Col Ebs Moxir and PP Datu Haron Ali of Quiapo Central.
Next stop: Jolo, sometime in September, where over 30,000 are homeless due to a massive fire that leveled 2 barangays several weeks ago.
 
Rafael M. Alunan III served in the Cabinets of Presidents Corazon C. Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos as Secretary of Tourism and Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, respectively. He Chairs the “One Rotary, One Philippines, One for Marawi” program and is a Centennial Director of the Rotary Club of Manila.
rmalunan@gmail.com
map@map.org.ph
http://map.org.ph

Lights out for Indonesia’s LRT just days before Asian Games

Jakarta, Indonesia — Indonesia is investigating a series of malfunctions that have plagued its first light rapid transit (LRT) system just days out from the opening ceremony of the Asian Games, the transport ministry said Monday.
The LRT in the city Palembang — which is co-hosting the Games with Jakarta — needs to be operating smoothly as thousands of athletes, officials and visitors arrive this week for the start of the world’s biggest multi-sport event behind the Olympics.
Indonesia has set aside worries about terrorism, street crime, venue completion and Jakarta’s notorious traffic, saying it is ready to roll for the August 18-September 2 Games.
But officials on Monday were forced to acknowledge a series of “shortcomings” with the LRT, seen as key to avoiding traffic snarls in Palembang on Sumatra island.
A short circuit knocked out power to a portion of the transit system Sunday, halting trains and forcing passengers to disembark between two stations.
Just days earlier passengers had to endure long delays due to signals interference, which caused the temporary suspension of services, local media reported.
“The government will immediately evaluate the whole operation of the South Sumatra LRT,” said Zulfikri, director general of railways at the transportation ministry.
“(We) hope this evaluation will provide a solution that will improve the overall operation of the LRT,” added the official, who like many Indonesians has only one name.
Jakarta and Palembang will host about 11,000 athletes and 5,000 officials from 45 Asian countries for the Games.
Indonesia had less time to prepare than most host countries after it only agreed four years ago to host the games when Vietnam pulled out. — AFP

Fish fry: Japan heatwave threatens famed tuna auction

Tokyo, Japan — Fishmongers at Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji tuna auction are feeling the heat as the aging market’s air conditioners struggle to keep up with a heatwave blanketing the country.
The dilapidated market is due to close later this year, and will relocate to a new, modern site.
But in the meantime wholesalers have been forced to take measures including keeping their pricey produce in cool trucks until moments before auction.
“We can’t replace the ageing air conditioners as we’re relocating very soon, and it’s been so hot that it’s hard to get the temperature down,” an official at the market told AFP.
The auction space is usually kept at 15 degrees Celsius to keep the treasured tuna cool, but an “unprecedented” heatwave meant the mercury hit as high as 20 degrees in July, the official said.
To keep their fish fresh, wholesalers are keeping the shutters in the auction warehouse sealed, leaving tuna inside cool trucks until shortly before auction and covering fish with tarps as soon as they are sold.
“Wholesalers are doing their best to keep the tuna from thawing,” the official said.
After more than 80 years in operation, Tsukiji is scheduled to move to Toyosu, the site of a former gas plant, on October 11.
The current site is the world’s biggest fish market and a popular tourist attraction in an area packed with restaurants and shops.
Plans to move the market have been in the works for years, and the relocation was originally scheduled for 2016.
But myriad delays have set back the timeline, including the discovery of soil contamination at Toyosu.
Tsukiji opened in 1935 and is famed for its pre-dawn tuna auctions, with one fish going for more than $320,000 at the market’s final New Year’s auction last year.
Japan has been struggling with a nationwide heatwave that killed 119 people and hospitalised nearly 50,000 others last month. — AFP

Vista Land raises 2018 growth target after first-half results

Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. (VLL) is hiking its profit growth target to 15-17% for full year 2018, driven by stronger sales in its residential business.
The Villar-led property developer earlier said it targets to grow its net income by 12% this year, but decided to hike its guidance due to its performance in the first half of 2018.
“We’re doing better. The sales are better in residential…Our bottomline guidance has increased. Then it’s 12%, now we’re averaging 15-17%,” VLL President and Chief Executive Officer Manuel Paolo Villar said in a media briefing in Makati City yesterday.
The listed firm reported in a regulatory filing that its net income jumped by a fifth to P2.63 billion in the second quarter of 2018, on the back of a 20% rise in revenues to P11.06 billion for the period. — Arra B. Francia

Ayala Corp’s second-quarter earnings up by 3%

Ayala Corp. (AC) delivered a three percent profit increase in the second quarter of 2018, as its banking unit offset the stronger performance of its property and energy units.
In a statement issued Monday, the listed conglomerate said net income went up to P8.4 billion in the April to June period. On a six-month basis, AC’s net income grew by seven percent to P16.1 billion.
“These results validate our long-term strategy to achieve a more resilient portfolio by allocating capital to new businesses from which we can derive fresh sources of growth while continuing to expand our core businesses,” AC President and Chief Operating Officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala said in a statement. — Arra B. Francia

Cebu Landmasters books higher first-half earnings

Earnings of Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) jumped by a third during the first six months of 2018, lifted by higher sales from its residential business amid its ongoing expansion in the Visayas and Mindanao markets.
In a statement issued Monday, Aug. 13, the listed property developer said net income hit P826 million in the January to June period, higher than the P633 million it generated in the same period a year ago. This constitutes less than half of the P1.7 billion profit target.
Revenues surged 45% to P2.6 billion, or around half of its full-year target of P5.3 billion.
“With record-breaking sales accompanied by our fast turnaround development, we are confident that this momentum can be sustained,” CLI President and Chief Executive Officer Jose R. Soberano III was quoted as saying in a statement.
The Cebu-based firm also noted that it has already fully utilized the funds raised from its initial public offering last year amounting to P2.1 billion. A total of 94% of the IPO proceeds were used for the purchase of key land properties and for joint ventures. With this, CLI’s land bank now stands at 976,302 square meters, 55% higher than what it had at the time of the IPO. All of CLI’s properties are in the Visayas and Mindanao area.
CLI has recently raised P5 billion from the issuance of corporate notes to further finance its ongoing expansion. — Arra B. Francia

Supermarket operators report mixed results in first half

Supermarket operators reported mixed results for the first half of 2018, while posting higher same store sales growth (SSSG) for the period.
In a statement issued Monday, Aug. 13, Puregold Price Club, Inc. (PGOLD) said its net income grew by 25.6% in the first six months of 2018 to P3.08 billion, followed by a 13.2% jump in consolidated net sales to P64.03 billion.
SSSG of Puregold stores stood at 6.1%, while S&R stores had an SSSG of 5.9%. The company said it benefited from higher consumer spending due to higher levels of take-home pay after the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.
Meanwhile, Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI) saw its net income drop by 17% to P254.2 million from P305.2 million in the second quarter of 2018, as revenues likewise dipped 5.8% to P8 billion.
This brought MRSGI’s net income 14% to P344 million in the first six months of the year, while revenues went down 8.8% to P14.9 billion. — Arra B. Francia

SM to acquire 34% of Goldilocks

SM Investments Corp. said it is in the final stages of acquiring a 34% stake in Goldilocks Bakeshop, Inc., months after the deal to fully purchase the business fell through.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Monday, the holding firm of country’s richest man Henry Sy, Sr. confirmed reports of the deal. This will give the SM Group a significant minority interest in the company which currently operates more than 600 stores nationwide.
To recall, the listed conglomerate’s unit, SM Retail, Inc., backed out of the deal to acquire 100% of Goldilocks’ shareholdings back in February, citing changes in the general business environment.
The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) had already approved the P2-billion transaction at the time. Alongside the approval were some conditions to ensure that the deal will not hinder competition inside SM malls, which include giving Goldilocks’ competitors a “fair chance” to their positions in SM malls at all times.
Shares in SMIC lost 2.41% or P23 to close at P933 each at the stock exchange on Monday. — Arra B. Francia

Koepka holds off Woods to win 100th PGA Championship

BROOKS KOEPKA of the United States poses with the Wanamaker Trophy on the 18th green after winning the 2018 PGA Championship with a score of -16 at Bellerive Country Club on Aug. 12 in St Louis, Missouri. — AFP

ST. LOUIS — Brooks Koepka, holding his nerve to fight off dramatic challenges from Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, won a thrilling back-nine battle Sunday to capture the 100th PGA Championship.
The 28-year-old two-time US Open champion sealed his third major title by firing a four-under-par 66 to finish 72 holes on 16-under 264, edging Woods by two strokes at Bellerive Country Club with Australia’s Scott another shot adrift.
“To do this is truly incredible,” Koepka said.
As Woods electrified spectators by displaying the form that made him a 14-time major champion, American rival Koepka stayed calm and persevered under intense pressure to claim the Wanamaker Trophy and a top prize of $1.98 million (€1.73 million).
“I heard all the roars when Tiger made his run,” Koepka said. “It was the first time Tiger has been in contention and I’ve been in contention at the same time, so the fans definitely let you know what he was doing.
“Scotty played unbelievably well and so did Tiger. They definitely made me question it there for a bit, for sure.”
Koepka fired the lowest 72-hole score in tournament history, one shot under the old mark set by American David Toms in 2001 at Atlanta Athletic Club.
Deadlocked for the lead with Scott — who began the back nine with three birdies in four holes — and only one stroke ahead of Woods, Koepka sank a 10-foot birdie putt at the par-4 15th and a six-foot birdie putt at the par-3 16th then parred the last two holes to secure the victory.
“I missed putts on 14 and 15 and Brooks didn’t and my momentum was gone,” Scott said. “I’m definitely playing better and in the right direction and that’s a positive.”
Woods, who hasn’t won a major title since the 2008 US Open and hasn’t won any title in five years, proved he is a legitimate major title contender once again at age 42 with an epic 64, his low final round in a major, which he concluded with a 20-foot birdie putt at 18, the crowd roaring as he walked off.
“These fans were so positive all week,” Woods said. “I can’t thank them enough for what they were saying out there and what it meant to me coming back trying to win a major championship again.”
‘MIND-BLOWING’
Koepka, who defended his US Open crown in June at Shinnecock, became only the fifth player to win the US Open and PGA Championship in the same year, joining Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, and Ben Hogan.
And it came in a season where he missed the Masters with a left wrist injury.
“Going from that to even being able to play this year to this, it’s absolutely mind blowing,” Koepka said.
In his eighth month of a comeback season after spinal fusion surgery, Woods ground out four birdies against a lone bogey on both the front and back nines but could never draw level with Koepka, settling for his seventh career major runner-up finish.
“I played hard,” Woods said. “Bit of a struggle with my game. I was hanging in there, grinding it out trying to make as many birdies as possible.”
Crowds cheered the veteran through a thrilling round that saw him miss every front-nine fairway but take only 10 putts, scrambling from dirt, trees and bunkers to stay in the hunt.
Woods, who said he wants to be chosen as a captain’s pick for the US Ryder Cup team, was pleased he was able to contend at the PGA and lead in the last round of last month’s British Open.
“I would never have forseen that a year ago,” Woods said.
The impact was dramatic for rivals as well.
“The roars were pretty unbelievable,” second-ranked 2017 PGA winner Justin Thomas said. “Any birdie he made everyone went nuts. This was the first real Tiger effect I’ve experienced with that many people.”
Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, missed a short birdie putt at the par-5 17th and made bogey 18 to finish third but was pleased with his overall effort.
“I was feeling really good out there, especially as he back nine got going,” Scott said. “I didn’t play the last two holes very well.” — AFP

Generals set sights on third win in row

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter
SUDDENLY on a strong charge back, the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (EAC) shoot for their third straight win when they face off with the College of St. Benilde Blazers in National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 94 action today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Winners of their last two games after starting their campaign with four consecutive losses, the Generals (2-4) attempt to continue rising in their 2 p.m. collision with the middling Blazers.
The most recent of the victories of EAC came last Friday over the Mapua Cardinals, 89-85, where it leaned on key foul shots in the stretch to come away with the victory.
Jerome Garcia, Sean Neri and Renz Gonzales combined for five free throws in the last two minutes of the contest to help the Generals edge the Cardinals in the tightly fought contest.
Cameroonian Hamadou Laminou had a big game of 17 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks in the Generals’ win, showing that he is progressing well from the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury he suffered last season.
“I’m not 100%; my hamstring still hurts a bit. But there’s no excuse for us not to play better and I just need to play smart and help in defense because I know we have scorers in the team,” said Laminou, who is fourth in scoring in the league with 16.5 points, fifth in rebound with 9.8 boards, and third in blocks with 2.8 swats per game.
The win over Mapua was in follow-up to their overtime victory over the San Sebastian Stags previously.

THE EAC GENERALS shoot for their third straight win in NCAA Season 94 when they take on the College of St. Benilde Blazers today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City. — ALVIN S. GO

ST. BENILDE
Trying to spoil the continued ascent of EAC is St. Benilde, which has hit rough waters of late with back-to-back losses entering today’s game.
The Blazers (2-4) bowed to the league-leading Lyceum Pirates in their last game, 77-65, on Aug. 7.
St. Benilde did a good job keeping in step with Lyceum for majority of the match but just could not sustain it all the way to the end to slump to its second straight defeat.
Edward Dixon and Justin Gutang each had 13 points for the Blazers, who are out to break a two-way tie for sixth place in the standings with the Generals in their scheduled tiff.
Playing in the second seniors game at 4 p.m. are the Perpetual Help Altas (3-2) and Jose Rizal University (JRU)Heavy Bombers (0-6).
Perpetual Help is fresh from a cardiac win over San Sebastian, 78-76, on Aug. 9 in an “NCAA on Tour” offering at its home in Las Piñas.
Prinze Eze played savior for the Altas, tipping in the game-winner with half a second left on the clock.
With the game knotted at 76-all with 3.3 seconds remaining, AJ Coronel fed Eze for the game-winning basket which the latter successfully converted to hand his team the win to improve to 3-2 in the standings, good for solo fourth.
The game-winner was the cherry on top for Eze, who finished with 22 points, 18 rebounds and six blocks.
The big play also helped earn for Eze the player of the week honors, besting CJ Perez of Lyceum, Robert Bolick of San Beda, Bong Quinto of Letran, and Alvin Capobres of San Sebastian.
JRU (0-6), meanwhile, is still in search for its first victory in what has been a tough season for the team.

Veteran players delighted to be reunited with Guiao

PAST and present players of Yeng Guiao are cherishing the moment of playing for their old coach, this time on a bigger stage — the Asian Games — as the Rain or Shine-backed Philippine squad takes center stage starting Thursday in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“I never expected this to happen. When it came, I just told myself that it’s an honor to be reunited with Coach Yeng,” swingman James Yap told BusinessWorld. “It’s an honor to play for the national team and excited for Coach Yeng. He’s the only one who made things possible for my inclusion in the national team. I’m happy to reunite with him at the national team.”
Year 2009 was the only time the two-time Most Valuable Player was able to represent a PBA-backed national squad with Guiao calling the shots for the Philippine quintet during the FIBA Asia Cup in Tianjin, China.
Nine years later and now probably at the twilight of his career, Yap was once again given the opportunity, but Guiao sees the value of having a player of his caliber.
“Shooters are a must in international competitions,” added Guiao. “You’re going to see more zone defenses in the international game, which is why players like James are essential to the team.”
Yap’s 2009 teammate at the Philippine squad, Asi Taulava, also relished the opportunity of being recalled to serve the country.
Now the oldest player at 45, the 6-foot-9 Taulava is more than willing to provide his wealth of experience in the Rain or Shine-supported team.
“I can’t imagine I’d be given this opportunity, especially at the tail end of my career, to represent the country again. It’s a great feeling. I feel very grateful. Nothing much to say but go out there and play with these younger guys,” added Taulava. “To be trusted and given this opportunity, I will be forever, grateful to Coach Yeng.”
“It means the world to me. I would never thought that I would be recalled. When I played for FIBA Asia (2015), I thought that would be my last one.”
Taulava has represented an all-pro Philippine team since 2002, but has played in numerous national teams since then.
For Paul Lee, Beau Belga, Raymond Almazan and Maverick Ahanmisi, who had played for Guiao at Rain or Shine one time or another, being reunited with their old coach make them feel more excited and go out there to perform at the best way they could.
“I’m very happy and found out at how valuable I am to him. I hope to repay him with my brand of game,” said Lee.
Lee played for Guiao’s two championship teams. He was traded two years ago a few months after Guiao transferred to coach the NLEX Road Warriors.
Almazan honed his skills as a rookie under Guiao and admittedly looked forward to playing with his old coach in the future. He was surprised to see it happening with the national team.
“I was looking forward playing for him,” added Almazan. “He’s been a big part of my career. I’ll be making the most out of it for the next few weeks that we will be together. I miss being cursed by Coach Yeng, his way of motivating me.”
Belga is another player used to being cursed a lot by Guiao and hearing those words was like music to his ears.
“You’re going to miss him. A lot of people think Coach Yeng is so strict and more of a disciplinarian-type of coach. You will discipline yourself once you’re not doing the right things. I missed being cursed by Coach Yeng. It’s like music to my ears. It’s one way of motivation. Once he doesn’t call your attention, you’re useless to him,” added Belga.
Ahanmisi is like the greenest among the greenhorns playing for this batch of national squad and to be reunited with his old coach.
“It’s a blessing to be in this opportunity. I just go with the flow. I just hope I’ll be a coachable person. I’ve played with Coach Yeng my rookie year. It’s gonna be fun,” added Ahanmisi. “He’s definitely a big part of my playing career. He’ll give you a chance. When Paul [Lee] was down, he gave me the opportunity. Honestly, I really don’t know where I would be in this league if not for Coach Yeng. He’s a good dude. He doesn’t appear like one on TV, but he’s a cool dude. It’s a gonna be fun.” — Rey Joble

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