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The South China Sea game

Panos Mourdoukoutas, a contributor to Forbes magazine, wrote a commentary entitled “China will lose the South China Sea game.” Let me quote him verbatim in the succeeding paragraphs.
He said, “China wants to control the entire South China Sea. Every inch of it. That’s why will lose all of it, one day.”
In the South China Sea game, China is one player playing against all the rest: The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. China is also playing against the navies of US, Japan, France, the UK, and Australia. These navies seek to enforce the freedom of navigation in the vast trade waterway. Close to $5 trillion in merchandise moves through every year.
Why is China playing against everyone else?
For a couple of reasons. One of them is that the waterway is very important to its vision — becoming the next global economic leader. It’s the beginning of China’s maritime silk road.
“Insofar as China is concerned, its maritime silk road begins from the South China Sea,” says Vijay Eswaran, Malaysian entrepreneur and Chairman of QI Group of Companies. “It sees itself playing a more significant role in maritime trade in the future.”
Another reason is that China sees the South China Sea as its own property.
“Historically, China has always viewed the South China Sea (SCS) as its own,“ adds Vijay. All of it, and the resources that are hidden beneath, which China wants to exploit. That’s why it is building artificial islands.
And that feeds Chinese nationalism, needed to support and reinforce the political status quo.
What about the overlapping claims from neighboring countries? “China does not see any of the other overlapping claims from the neighboring countries to the South China Sea as a threat,” adds Vijay.
And it uses intimidation to make sure that this won’t happen.
When China lost a United Nations-linked tribunal international arbitration to the Philippines on the South China Sea disputes a year and a half ago, Beijing took a couple of steps to make sure that Duterte wouldn’t do anything with it.
The first step was to threaten Duterte with war should he dare to enforce the ruling. The second step was to promise a generous investment to help the Philippines deal with its many problems. And it worked. Duterte quickly flip-flopped, and forgot all about the ruling, as was written in previous pieces here.
More recently, China applied “Duterte’s model” to intimidate Vietnam.
Last July, Vietnam announced that it will stop its oil exploration efforts, following a stark warning by Beijing that it will attack Vietnamese oil and gas bases.
Still, there are multiple navies that are prepared to challenge China’s ambitious mission. “It is the potential Western influence, i.e. the US, France and the UK and their navies that are having more of an impact on Chinese policy in the region.”
Is China prepared to fend off this challenge? It’s hard to say. What isn’t hard to say is that countries that play a game against all end up losing.
That’s what happened in neighboring Japan in the past, and it could happen to China in the future.
Meanwhile, investors in the financial markets of the region should closely watch any developments that will bring China closer to an open confrontation with America and its allies.”
One such development is the nascent trade war between the US and China. CNN Money reported last week that a consequence of that would be a spillover to Asian economies. I’m abridging the report for brevity. Read on.
“The fallout from a trade war between the United States and China will hurt other economies in Asia.
President Donald Trump accuses China of unfair trade practices and is threatening to put new tariffs on as much as $450 billion of exports from China. The world’s second-biggest economy has vowed to retaliate.
A worsening tit-for-tat would be bad news for export powerhouses such as Taiwan, South Korea and Malaysia, which sell goods to China that are used to make products exported to the United States — from automobiles to consumer electronics — industries that require technologies that come from a complex global supply chain.
This interwoven trade is crucial to regional economies. Asia is an export dependent region. If this escalates, it would have a material impact on the region. Tech components such as computer chips are among the products most vulnerable to trade turmoil. That could put Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore in a precarious position if the US-China fight intensifies.
The scale of the damage to Asian economies depends on how bad the trade war gets.
The United States has so far announced 25% tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese exports, the first wave of which will take effect on July 6. But if Trump goes through with his threat to respond to China’s promised retaliation by hitting a further $200 billion of Chinese exports with 10% tariffs, that could send shock waves through Asian economies.
America risks killing the global growth it needs. Businesses around the region would feel the effects. There’s clearly a downside if everyone needs to rethink their manufacturing locations and sourcing strategies. In the meantime, analysts say some companies in Asia are looking to shift more manufacturing to other parts of the region, such as Thailand and Vietnam, to try to reduce their exposure to tariffs on China.”
That’s a red flag for us.
Are we prepared for military confrontation among the big powers in the South China Sea, or for a global trade war, where everyone loses?
Obviously not, which is why accelerating credible deterrence, expanding our economy, and creating new trading routes are crucial for our national security and survival.
The incumbent administration is doing all that within its power. It is under time pressure because the winds of war, be it military or economic or both, are blowing harder. We must forge national unity to weather mounting challenges to our survival.
 
Rafael M. Alunan Iii served in the cabinet of President Corazon C. Aquino as Secretary of Tourism, and in the cabinet of President Fidel V. Ramos as Secretary of Interior and Local Government.
rmalunan@gmail.com
map@map.org.ph
http://map.org.ph

Blasphemy and persecution

“Bless me, Father for I have sinned. But I do not know if I have sinned, Father,” I whispered hoarsely, in the confessional.
Is it a sin, if I got so very angry, hearing another publicly blaspheme God and attack my faith in Him? He could only speak like The Evil One when he said, “Who is this stupid God? He’s really stupid.” President Rodrigo Duterte made the statement attacking God during a speech in Davao, where he questioned God’s logic in the Biblical creation story of Adam and Eve, calling God “p_tangina” or “Son of a whore” (Rappler June 22, 2018).
Is it wrong to tremble in reverberating fear at the hollow echo of the voice of The Evil One in the country’s president self-righteously saying, “I will not apologize to God, not in a million years”?
Duterte made the statement after evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus Is Lord church called on the President to issue a public apology for insulting God (The Manila Times June 28, 2018). “Your God is not my God, because your God is stupid; mine has a lot of common sense,” he said, unremorsefully adding blasphemy upon blasphemy (BusinessWorld June 26, 2018).
Is it a sin of omission, that I, among so many Filipinos like me, allowed him so many times before to say vulgarities and curses, threats, and coercive language, double-speak and to declare the inverse of commonly known facts and truths? Have I sinned by collusion in watching silently, or worse, clapping and cheering in the perverse surrogate mischief of a hyped crowd, as he spewed venom and pranced over common decencies?
The local and foreign press has feasted on the rowdy antics of Duterte.
One foreign news recounts how Duterte, just a presidential candidate then, cursed (“p_tangina”) visiting Pope Francis for having triggered a monstrous traffic in Manila. Then he lashed the same “Son of a whore” virulence on Barack Obama (still US President then), who had raised alarm over the killings under the Duterte Drug War. (www.cbsnews.com June 25, 2018).
“It’s certainly not every day that you hear a sitting president say the words ‘son of a whore,’” The Washington Post chided (September 6, 2016). Duterte called the United Nations “p_tangina” (Philippine Star June 3, 2016) for failing peace in many troubled countries, as he told the Commission on Human Rights and the US and Australia envoys face-to-face to shut up. He picks a fight and punches everyone’s nose with “I never signed anything that says I have to behave in this manner or in that manner,” (Ibid.). He raised the dirty finger at the EU for commenting on extrajudicial killings (EJKs) related to the drug war (ABS-CBN News “F*** you, Duterte tells European Union,” Sep 20, 2016).
Is it wrong to be appalled and angry that human rights seem to have been violated in blatant end-justifying-the-means? “The former longtime city mayor has repeatedly declared he does not care about human rights and has threatened drug dealers and other criminals with death” (www.cbsnews.com June 25, 2018). From July 1, 2016 to Jan. 31, 2017, about 7,080 were killed in the War On Drugs, based on revised Philippine National Police data (Rappler April 23, 2017). The “tokhang” or warrantless arrests of drug suspects on an ever-lengthening drug list is feared by those not aligned with the powers-that-be.
As of end June, 22,000 “tambay” (loiterers) were picked up under the two-week old anti-loitering campaign that was surprisingly immediately enforceable in slum area by the police (DZMM Teleradyo June 30, 2018).
Why not, when in September 2016, Duterte had declared “a state of lawless violence,” which increased the presence of law enforcement all over the country and gave authorities the power to impose curfews in certain areas (CNN Philippines Sept. 3, 2016). And the Philippines plans to withdraw from the International Court of Justice (Philippine Star March 20, 2018). Why?
Is it an exaggerated reaction to fear for personal safety in this environment of verbal and physical violence, even of the diminution of my rights — that can only magnify in my instinctive imagination the arrogance and impunity of those in power?
There seems to be no more checks and balance of power in our flailing democracy. The Legislature and the Judiciary are apparently controlled by the Executive — those aligned with the President even boast of their numbers.
Former Justice Secretary and elected Senator Leila de Lima, critic against Duterte’s drug war tactics, has been in detention since February 2017 for alleged drug trafficking, on the testimony of prison inmates, police officers and former prison officials at Legislative Committee hearings (ABS-CBN News March 14, 2017).
In May, the Supreme Court en banc voted 8-6 to oust Maria Lourdes Sereno as Chief Justice, based on a quo warranto complaint filed by Duterte’s Solicitor General Jose Calida, short-cutting the more tedious Senate impeachment proceedings (ABS-CBN News May 11, 2018).
Is it wrong to be aghast and indignant about the public shaming of De Lima and Sereno, and even Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, who admirably held her head high against constant attack?
Duterte says “the next Ombudsman will not be a woman” (Philippine Star May 17, 2018).
Evidently, he does not hold women in high regard. From minus-day one of Duterte as president, he has managed to insert himself in the rape of women’s dignity by his stand-up comedy public rantings of his sexual exploits and perceived macho entitlement to any woman’s body. In April, 2016, before he was yet elected president, Duterte said of a 36-year-old Australian lay minister who was held hostage, raped, had her throat slashed and was shot in 1989 — “she was so beautiful, the mayor (he, Duterte, then) should have been first. What a waste.” (www.washingtonpost.com April 25, 2016).
A few weeks ago, Duterte drew flak for kissing an overseas Filipina worker on the lips — on stage and on international TV — during a visit to South Korea (www.bbc.com/news June 4, 2018). No malice, he said and even the OFW woman said. But what was certainly malicious was that Duterte was distributing copies of Altar of Secrets: Sex, Politics and Money in the Catholic Church, an exposé on alleged wrongdoings of Catholic bishops and priests. Duterte had said the Catholic Church has no moral ascendancy to lecture him on morality because some members of the clergy are also engaged in sinful acts (ABS-CBN News Jan 24, 2017). And so why were three Catholic priests mysteriously killed since December 2017, the latest, Fr. Raymond Nilo, only last June 10? (www.aljazeera.com/news June 13, 2018).
Last question, Father Confessor: Is it a sin to doubt the Catholic hierarchy for their seeming tepidity in assuaging the monstrously growing questions of right-and-wrong in the laity’s mind and souls, the fears for their mortality and survival, even?
Is it wrong to compare the present Church leadership with the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, who was the fulcrum that moved the people to the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution against the Marcos dictatorship?
Finally, Father Confessor has a chance to speak: “You have not sinned by your righteous anger. Feelings, even the strongest feelings and inclinations are neither right nor wrong. They are amoral, until these even very negative feelings — doubts, fears, disappointments — are translated into good or bad actions. Even Jesus was angry (John 2:13-25). True, there is mercy and love preached by the Catholic faith as the ultimate peace for mind, body and soul. But even Christian forgiveness is preliminarily based on Justice according to the initial vetting by human and natural laws. What is there to forgive if there was no sin?
There is a Cardinal Sin, in every Catholic Filipino. And in communion with all who believe in God, or a God powerful above all creatures, there can be no man who thinks himself the perfect God.
 
Amelia H. C. Ylagan is a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of the Philippines.
ahcylagan@yahoo.com

Recruiting smoking’s new suckers just got harder

By David Fickling
THE world’s ugliest cigarette packets aren’t going away.
Australia’s plain-packaging laws, which mandate that all tobacco in the country be sold in drab brown packs with no logos, writing in uniform fonts and gruesome health-warning photographs, have been upheld by the World Trade Organization six years after the measures came into effect.
The WTO complaint brought by Indonesia, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba, has relevance beyond the small Australian market. The long-term risks to the tobacco industry are in the burgeoning populations of Africa and Asia.
“Start them young” is one of the secrets of cigarette companies’ longevity. Older people rarely take up smoking: A 2013 study in New Zealand found that between the ages of 15 and 17, about one in seven children take up smoking while one in 14 do the same at 18 or 19. But after the age of 24 it becomes rare for anyone to start. Those who begin younger generally consume more cigarettes and find it harder to quit, too, making them particularly valued customers.
That’s why the battleground of tobacco control is in emerging markets. There are about 750 million people under the age of 25 in India and another 507 million in China, with Nigeria, Indonesia, and Pakistan each counting more than 100 million apiece, according to the United Nations Population Fund. Young populations and rising incomes deliver the best hopes of cultivating a new generation of addicts, as a Bloomberg editorial argued last week.
The argument most commonly made against the Australian rules is that they haven’t made a difference. That doesn’t stand up to a lot of scrutiny: Studies supporting that claim have either been based on non-public data that can’t be checked, or commissioned by the industry, or both, according to a 2016 analysis by Australia’s Department of Health.

An analysis of tobacco tax payments found that legal volumes fell 3.4% in the first year of the packaging rules and 7.9% in 2014. Another based on market research data found the new regulations had in their first three years caused smoking prevalence to fall by 0.55 percentage points, equivalent to about 108,000 people or 3.2% of the population who’d otherwise have been smokers. Adolescents, in particular, seem to be taking up the habit at notably lower rates, especially during the pivotal mid-teenage years.
To date, few countries have followed Australia’s path.
Comparable rules have come into force in New Zealand, the UK, France, Hungary, and Norway only over the past 18 months, while Ireland is in the process of following suit. The likes of Thailand and Burkina Faso have laws in the works, though, suggesting the plain-packaging trend may soon spread from rich countries and toward the poorer ones that have adopted measures such as graphic health warnings at increasing rates in recent years.
That’s likely to be further bad news for the world’s biggest tobacco companies, which are already trading around multi-year lows.
In the near term, the global crackdown on advertising might take some dollars out of the big firms’ marketing budgets and pass it on to shareholders.
In the long term, though, tobacco companies’ slavishly loyal consumers die 10 years earlier than those who don’t partake. With each move to make the recruitment of new customers harder, the industry’s future prospects glow a little weaker.
BLOOMBERG

Philippines’ factory activity slows in June

THE SECOND QUARTER closed with softer manufacturing activity as higher input costs continue to mount, but was a “solid improvement” from the previous three months, according to an IHS Markit survey conducted for Nikkei.
The Nikkei Philippines Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slid to 52.9 in June from 53.7 in May, placing third among select Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-states, down from second in the previous month, but was still above the regional index of a 51 PMI — down from 51.4 in May.
Nikkei noted that there were slower increases in output and new order growth, while employment remained steady amid high inflation.
“Manufacturing conditions in the Philippines improved further at the end of the second quarter, buoyed by increases in both output and new orders. Higher input inventories and stretched supply chains also boosted the headline PMI,” the report read.
“However, greater manufacturing activity failed to test firms’ operating capacity as reflected by lower backlogs which, in turn, weighed on hiring. Employment levels were broadly steady. Inflation meanwhile remained elevated, as did business confidence,” it added. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Customs collections up by 42% in June

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) collected P50.139 billion in June, 41.6% higher than the P35.417 billion recorded in the same month last year.
The latest collection figures is 4.9% above the P47.797 billion target that month.
“This achievement is attributed not only to the consistent diligence of all BoC ports in terms of collection but also to the continuing application of correct valuation and tariff classification of goods,” Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña said in a statement on Monday, July 2.
Total revenues from January to June reached P280.33 billion, 33.31% higher than the P210.28 billion the BoC generated in the same six months in 2017.
This is 0.8% greater than the P278.13-billion target in the first half of the year.
“The total accrued revenue in six months has already exceeded 50% of the P598 billion target for the year,” the BoC said.
In April, the BoC shuffled the heads of some of its collection districts to different ports after they failing to meet their respective collection targets. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Stocks climb as bargain hunting continues

The main index started the first trading session of the third quarter on a positive note, as investors continued to look for bargains with sentiments also getting a lift from the positive finishes among international markets last week.
The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index rose 0.48% or 34.28 points to 7,227.96 on Monday, extending gains from its significant jump last Friday. The broader all shares index went up 0.12% or 5.37 points to 4,398.15.
“Philippine stocks closed higher even with ongoing trade war-related jitters. Market observers continued to note that the continued bargain hunting was a good sign despite the meteoric rise on Friday from window dressing,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis A. Limlingan said in a mobile message.
The industrial sub-index was the lone sector that ended with a loss, giving up 0.28% or 28.93 points to 10,385.91.
Holding firms led the increase with a gain of 0.91% or 64 points to 7,115.74, followed by mining and oil which jumped 0.78% or 75.18 points to 9,748.40. Services climbed 0.46% or 6.39 points to 1,399.01; financials went up 0.13% or 2.22 points to 1,781.52; while property added 0.08% or 2.79 points to 3,551.90.
Some 780.25 million issues switched hands, valued at P4.8 billion, lower than Friday’s turnover of P7.1 billion.
Advancers outpaced decliners, 116 to 94, while 40 issues were unchanged. — Arra B. Francia

Cebu Air offloads majority stake in ground-handling services firm

Cebu Air, Inc., the listed operator of Cebu Pacific, has sold majority of its shares in its ground-handling service provider.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Wednesday, the Gokongwei-led company said it has sold 60% of its shares in 1Aviation Groundhandling Services Corporation to Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions, Inc. (PAGSS), led by Mr. Jefferson G. Cheng.
“Mr. Lance Y. Gokongwei, Chairman and President of Cebu Air, Inc., welcomed this development as this investment by Mr. Cheng and PAGSS brings decades of experience in ground handling for the benefit of airline passengers,” it said. — Denise A. Valdez

ICTSI’s port concession in Ecuador bags approval to accommodate larger vessels

A concession of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) in Ecuador has received an approval from the government to operate larger vessels.
In a statement, the port operator said the Ecuadorian Ministry of Transport and Public Works has allowed ICTSI’s concession Contecon Guayaquil SA (CGSA) to handle 305-meter mega vessels at Berths 2 and 3 of Port of Guayaquil.
“With this, CGSA is now the first and only terminal in Ecuador with the capacity to serve two mega vessels at the same time, resulting in higher efficiency and productivity levels,” it said. — Denise A. Valdez

Russia sets up Croatia quarterfinal

MOSCOW — Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was the hero as Russia beat 2010 winners Spain on penalties to set up a World Cup quarter-final against Croatia, who survived their own spot-kick drama on Sunday.
Fernando Hierro’s Spain totally dominated the match at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, hogging 74% of possession, but created few clear-cut chances and buckled under pressure when it mattered most.
Veteran goalkeeper Akinfeev saved penalties from Koke and Iago Aspas as Russia won the shoot-out, 4-3, reaching the last eight for the first time since 1970, when they played as the Soviet Union.
The unlikely victory sparked emotional scenes as the rain poured down and there was jubilation in central Moscow, with disbelieving locals cheering, waving flags, blowing horns and yelling “Russ-i-a!”
There was more penalty drama in the later match in Nizhny Novgorod, with Croatia coming out on top 3-2 just minutes after Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had saved a penalty at the end of extra-time.
Five spot-kicks were saved during the nail-biting shoot-out, two by Schmeichel and three by Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.
Earlier, Mathias Jorgensen gave Denmark the lead after just 58 seconds but Mario Mandzukic leveled for Croatia in the fourth minute and the sides remained locked at 1-1 at the end of extra time.
PENALTY AIM
Russia are the lowest-ranked nation in the tournament — a lowly 70th in the world — and were not expected to progress beyond the first round but they now find themselves in the last eight.
“We were hoping for penalties,” Akinfeev said after the match ended 1-1 after extra time, following a Sergei Ignashevich own goal and an assured Artem Dzyuba penalty.
“We are having a fantastic World Cup. Not just our fans, but the fans of other countries are getting a sense of this atmosphere and understood that Russians really know how to play football and want to play football.”
Russia came into the tournament derided by their own supporters after a string of defeats in warm-up matches but they thrashed Saudi Arabia 5-0 in their opener and then swept aside Egypt 3-1, making even their own sceptical public believe.
The result is a disaster for Spain, whose preparations for the World Cup were wrecked when their manager Julen Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the tournament after he took the vacant Real Madrid coach’s job.
Spain shipped five goals in their three group matches and there were major questions over the form of goalkeeper David de Gea coming into the knockout phase.
Hierro rejected any suggestion the team would have fared better had the Spanish federation not decided to axe Lopetegui after arriving in Russia.
“We had opportunities to win this match but we ended up in a penalty shoot-out which is basically a lottery, and we weren’t lucky,” he said.
“I don’t think you can talk about the team breaking down or there being any sort of collapse,” the former Real Madrid captain said. “In football there’s a fine line between winning and losing.”
STREET PARTIES
An impromptu mass party took place in the historic center of Moscow late in the evening. Cars blared their horns as police and guards looked on.
“It’s great. Unbelievable. We are champions. We believe we will now be in the final with Brazil,” said Anna Glazkova, 27, a human relations manager.
“I’m feeling perfect,” said Ivan Lisin, 28, a Spartak Moscow fan, who works in digital marketing. He had the Russian flag painted on his cheek.
“This is a huge surprise for Russian people. We went on from the group stages and now we have beaten Spain. None of my friends or people who follow the game thought this would happen. This is like a miracle.”
Sunday’s shock win for Russia follows the exits of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi the previous day and means three potential contenders — Portugal, Argentina and Spain — have been dumped out in just 24 hours.
The departure of Ronaldo and Messi deprives the World Cup of its two biggest stars as they left the competition for possibly the last time.
Ronaldo will be 37 by the time the next World Cup is played in Qatar, but he would not be drawn on whether he planned to extend his international career after Portugal lost 2-1 to Uruguay on Saturday.
Messi, 31, was unable to find the net as France beat Argentina 4-3. — AFP

Fuel prices to increase tomorrow, July 3

The prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene will all increase this week to follow the movement of prices in the international market, oil companies said on Monday.
Gasoline will be costlier by P0.65 per liter, diesel by P0.55 per liter and kerosene by P0.70 per liter. The month of July starts with a price increase following June’s three weeks of hefty price cuts.
The oil companies that sent their advisories as of Monday will all be implementing the price adjustment at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.
Last week, the prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene were down by P1.15, P0.90 and P0.85 per liter, respectively.
During the weekend, Eastern Petroleum Corp. warned of a price reversal because of recent political turbulence in Libya and Venezuela, and the recent oil export ban on Iranian oil production coupled with low inventory in US.
Last Sunday, oil companies that sell liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) also increased the price of the cooking gas by P0.90 per kilogram.
They also increased the price of LPG for cars by P0.05 per liter. The price hikes reflected the international LPG contract prices for the month of July. — Victor V. Saulon

Batang Gilas remains winless after being routed by France

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter
THE Philippines’ rough start at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina continued on Monday after Batang Gilas was routed by France, 95-54, in its second game in the tournament at the Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario.
Stood toe-to-toe with the French at the start of the contest, the Filipinos could not sustain such form as the game progressed, seeing off their opponents leave them on their tracks on the way to the rout, and leaving them still winless in the tournament.
Batang Gilas fell behind early in the opening quarter but showed resilience to fight its way back and tie the count at 17-all at the end of the first 10 minutes.
France tried to pull away in the second period but the young Filipino players would stand their ground, keeping the French threat to a minimum of just six points by the halftime break, 38-32.
The second half though was a totally different story as the French lorded it over the Filipinos.
Finding its groove from all cylinders, France went to outscore the Philippines, 35-13, in the third period, turning a six-point cushion at the half to a massive 28-point advantage, 73-45.
Making matters worse for Batang Gilas, big man Kai Sotto was foul-saddled in the period, having notched his fourth foul that rendered him less effective as he sat on the bench.
While the match was pretty much settled at the start of the fourth period, Batang Gilas still could not buy a basket while the French stayed steady.
France outscored the Philippines, 22-9, in the final canto to tally the 95-54 victory.
Carl Tamayo led Batang Gilas with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds with Gerry Abadiano adding 17 points.
Sotto only had seven points and six rebounds in 23 minutes of foul-plagued play, considerably down from his 23-point and 12-rebound outing in his tournament debut.
For the victorious French team, it was Malcom Cazalon who led the way with 18 points, followed by Matthieu Gauzin with 16 points and Theo Maledon and Killian Hayes with 14 points each.
The win improved France to 2-0 while the Philippines dropped to 0-2 in Group D.
Croatia (1-0) and host Argentina (0-1) were still playing as of this writing.
As per tournament format, the teams in each of the four groupings play their group mates for positioning after which they play in a crossover encounter with those from other groups.
Group D teams, which also include host team Argentina, will battle those from Group C which features Canada, Egypt, New Zealand and Montenegro.
Batang Gilas next plays Argentina on Wednesday.

Ceres-Negros blanks Stallion Laguna anew

FOR the second straight game, Ceres Negros FC blanked Stallion Laguna FC in the Philippines Football League (PFL), winning 2-0 in their match on Sunday, July 1, at the Panaad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City.
Getting a brace from Takumi Uesato, the “Busmen” buried Stallion early in the second half to deal the latter another defeat in follow up to their 2-0 victory on June 27.
The host team did not waste much time getting its game going, putting itself in good scoring position in the fourth minute when Mr. Uesato broke away from the Stallion defense and fired a shot that just hit the post.
The two teams went back and forth thereafter but no goals would be made as the contest hit the halfway point.
Stallion came out more aggressive to start the second half, coming close to breaking through.
But Ceres eventually beat the visiting side to the punch of scoring the first goal of the match with Mr. Uesato converting a fine cross from teammate Mike Ott.
Mr. Uesato made it 2-nil four minutes later when he beat the Stallion defense anew to send the hometown fans to further celebration.
Stallion tried to make a late push and come back but Ceres’ defense would have none of that, staying on top of things the rest of the way to preserve the victory.
The win was the second straight for Ceres, which continues to lead in the PFL standings with 13 wins, two draws and two losses for 41 points.
Stallion (7-0-8), meanwhile, slumped to its second loss in a row and remained at 18 points, good for fourth place in the race.
Kaya-Iloilo FC (9-2-4) is at second place with 29 points followed by Davao Aguilas FC (7-2-7) at 23 points.
Ceres next plays on July 7 against Kaya while Stallion return on July 4 also against Kaya. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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