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Under-19 men’s national team prepares for AFF tournament

THE Philippine U19 men’s national football team is stepping up its preparation as it competes in the ASEAN Football Federation men’s championship in July in Indonesia.
Coached by Reiji Hirata, the Philippine team will begin its campaign in Group A of the competition.
It will first take on Singapore on July 1 before facing Vietnam two days later. The Philippines then faces off with Indonesia on July 5, Thailand on July 7, and Laos July 9.
University Athletic Association of the Philippines rookie of the year Fidel Tacardon of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons leads the team roster.
He is joined by the likes of Gio Pabualan of Far Eastern University, JR Suba of San Beda, Iloilo player Martini Rey and Jed Bode of De La Salle Zobel.
“These players have a lot of potential and are very creative,” said Mr. Hirata, who is the head of youth football development in the Philippines Football Federation and has also served the Chinese Taipei Football Association in youth national team coaching.
Mr. Hirata holds a Japan Football Association “A” license, the equivalent to an Asian Football Confederation “A.”
The U19 squad has already played two friendlies. One against San Beda’s college team, where it won 3-0 with starters against starters, and then drawing 3-3 with their second team.
It also faced Philippines Football League squad Davao Aguilas FC in a friendly, where it showed a gallant stand before bowing down, 4-2.
The team is using the PFF Artificial Turf Pitch in Carmona, Cavite within the San Lazaro Leisure Park as training venue, which has been a great help to their preparations, team officials said. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Jeremy Miado looks to build on last victory

FOLLOWING a breakthrough victory in ONE Championship in his last outing, Filipino mixed martial arts fighter Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado now looks to sustain it as he gets back into action today in Myanmar.
The lone Philippine representative at “ONE: Spirit of a Warrior” at the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Mr. Miado (7-2) is eyeing back-to-back wins in ONE Championship when he collides with Thai Kritsada “Dream Man” Kongsrichai in a strawweight joust.
Mr. Miado, 25, is coming off an impressive win in March this year where he defeated former ONE world strawweight champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke of Thailand by knockout in the first round.
The Marikina City resident connected with a perfectly timed right hook, which sent Mr. Amnuaysirichoke crashing to the canvas.
The referee quickly rushed forward to stop the contest before Mr. Miado was able to land any follow-up shots, with the end coming at 1:29 of the opening round.
Mr. Miado became the first person to finish Mr. Amnuaysirichoke in an MMA competition and now owns the second-quickest knockout in ONE Championship’s strawweight history.
“The game plan was to counter his aggressiveness and throw out combinations. The plan was to defeat Dejdamrong, but the knockout was unexpected. I felt really shocked because I defeated my idol,” said Mr. Miado of his debut ONE victory following two straight losses to open his bid in the promotion.
The Filipino fighter went on to say that he is expecting to get another tough challenge from Mr. Kongsrichai (7-3) but is welcoming it, seeing it as an opportunity to grow himself as a fighter and sharpen him as he goes for his dream of becoming a world champion.
“Here we are again. Another tough challenge is on our way. To be able to compete against a highly decorated wrestler like my next opponent, it will only be good for my experience as a martial artist,” Mr. Miado said.
“I want people to know that I am a simple guy with a big dream. And I have the goal of becoming a world champion in my division. One win at a time,” he added.
Spirit of a Warrior is to be headlined by hometown hero and concurrent middleweight and light-heavyweight world champion Aung la “The Burmese Python” N Sang, who will stake his middleweight belt against Japan’s Ken Hasegawa. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Tiger eyes new putter in bid to end five-year win drought

POTOMAC — Tiger Woods, bolstered by surprising power in his return from back surgery, has tested new putters while hosting the US PGA Quicken Loans National in hopes of ending a five-year win drought.
The 14-time major winner plays his 11th event of the year, and only planned tune-up for next month’s British Open, starting Thursday at TPC Potomac.
“I’m pretty excited the way I’ve hit the golf ball. I’ve done some things I haven’t done in over a decade,” Woods said Wednesday.
“No one has had clubhead speeds as what I’ve had on the tour this year with a lower back fusion. These are things that I didn’t know I could do and all of a sudden I’m doing it.”
What the 42-year-old American hasn’t done lately, however, is show the sharp putting that saw him share second at the Valspar Championship and fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March.
“If I have the same putting stroke I had earlier in the year with the ball-striking I’ve had, that would be where I want to get to,” Woods said. “Just got to put both those things together at the same time.”
Frustration on the greens in recent weeks has prompted Woods to work with an Ardmore mallet putter rather than the Scotty Cameron model he used in 13 major wins and so far in his comeback.
“What changed? I don’t know. That has been the frustrating part,” Woods said. “I’ve had to just log in time and putt for hours to try to figure it out. I haven’t putted well for about four tournaments now. I’ve struggled.
Former world number one Woods, ranked 82nd this week, tested several kinds Wednesday but didn’t guarantee he would use the mallet putter this week.
“I put it in early last week. Tried a bunch of different shapes and sizes,” Woods said. “I tried and tried to come up with something that I felt I could swing and trust.”
Woods hasn’t played in his Washington event since 2015 because of back issues, but recalls wondering last year if he might ever play again.
“It’s basically a gift to be able to play again. There was no guarantee I would ever play golf again, forget the PGA Tour. So to go from that to here, I didn’t foresee that happening, I really didn’t,” Woods said with a laugh. — AFP

NBA extends Adam Silver’s contract as commissioner into 2024

NEW YORK — Adam Silver’s contract as commissioner of the NBA has been extended through the 2023-2024 campaign, NBA board of governors chairman Larry Tannenbaum announced Wednesday.
Tannenbaum, owner of the Toronto Raptors, did not disclose financial terms of the new deal, which will stretch Silver’s time as the fifth commissioner in NBA history beyond a full decade.
Silver, who began working for the league in 1992, served as deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of the NBA for eight years until replacing David Stern on Feb. 1, 2014.
Other former NBA commissioners include Maurice Podoloff, J. Walter Kennedy and Larry O’Brien.
Silver’s tenure saw major controversy after only three months when former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned from the league for life by Silver over racist comments made by Sterling revealed during a private telephone conversation with Sterling’s girlfriend.
Silver fined him the maximum $2.5 million allowed under NBA rules and urged league owners to expel Sterling as owner of the Clippers, which they eventually did, selling the club to former Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer. — AFP

Lakers deals

The clock is ticking for the Lakers, and not just because President Magic Johnson promised results at risk of losing his job. Even as he did say his was a two-year project that includes the 2019 offseason, the deadline for LeBron James to opt out on the final season of his contract with the Cavaliers ends in hours, and he aims to make sure it leads to the King moving to La-La Land. It’s a tall order, to be sure, and one that involves the consummation of multiple deals in the immediate term.
To get James, the Lakers need to first acquire Kawhi Leonard from the Spurs. And, in this regard, it helps their cause immensely that the two-time Defensive Player of the Year has made known his intent to: 1) distance himself from the franchise that drafted him 15th overall in 2011; and 2) don the purple and gold regardless of circumstance when he becomes a free agent next year. Needless to say, the latter declaration increases the risk for other parties interested in engaging his services.
To be sure, Leonard’s preferences haven’t stopped the influx of overtures coming the Spurs’ way. Among the suitors who have come knocking are the Clippers, Cavaliers, Sixers, and Celtics, and perhaps with the exception of the Eastern Conference runners-up, all likewise view his transfer as a significant factor in positively influencing James’ decision. No doubt, the competition has considered the Thunder’s experience in trading for Paul George, who also said he would be bolting for the Lakers, but who now appears to be willing to remain in the fold.
Nonetheless, the Lakers should have the inside track. For all the pronouncements of Gregg Popovich and Company that retaining him is the Number One priority, and that, if talks break down, sending him East is the better proposition, Johnson knows the right package of assets should close the deal. And while they have already been cited for tampering, it’s fair to contend that — short of flouting league rules outright — they’re doing all they can to get James’ assurances that he will follow once Leonard comes on board.
Certainly, the opportunity at hand is why the Lakers’ odds of bringing home the Larry O’Brien Trophy have increased significantly. In turn, it’s a function of how much James moves the needle, how highly Los Angeles is viewed, and how professionally the franchise is run. No wonder fans are abuzz. They haven’t had a whiff of the playoffs in five years, and they’re all too ready to sing “Happy Days Are Here Again.”
 
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

LBC acquires remittance, cargo firms abroad

LBC Express Holdings, Inc. has acquired remittance and cargo companies based in Singapore and Australia with the goal of upping its global revenue.
In a disclosure on Thursday, the listed company said its board of directors gave the green light on Wednesday to buy LBC Australia PTY Ltd., LBC Money Transfer PTY Ltd., LBC Express Airfreight (S) PTE LTD, and LBC Aircargo (S) PTE LTD.
“The acquisition is expected to benefit the Company by contributing to its global revenue stream,” it added. — Denise A. Valdez

Stocks dive on growing trade war concerns

Shares took another dive on Thursday, June 28, quickly reversing gains in the previous session as trade tensions pulled down most markets overseas.
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index plunged 1.53% or 109.86 points to 7,066. The broader all shares index also lost 1.28% or 56.07 points to 4,323.23.
“It looks like yesterday’s 169-point gain wasn’t enough of a push as investors took profits today instead…Value turnover was weaker than yesterday at only P5.8 billion as some may be looking forward to the aforementioned window dressing tomorrow,” Papa Securities Corp. Trader Gabriel Perez said in an email.
The local index also tracked the lower finished seen abroad as developments in the trade war between the United States and China continued to affect markets.
“Trade tensions took center stage locally and regionally along with US stocks reversing earlier gain despite oil surging,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis A. Limlingan said in a mobile message.
Four sectoral indices moved to negative territory, led by the property sub-index that gave up 2.54% or 89.80 points to 3,444.08, followed by holding firms which dipped 2.05% or 145 points to 6,937.59. Industrial slumped 1.36% or 140.92 points to 10,254.44, while services declined 0.39% or 5.36 points to 1,371.74.
Meanwhile, mining and oil went up 0.1% or 9.84 points to 9,631.53, while financials added 0.06% or 1.04 points to 1,772.24.
Some 623.63 million issues switched hands, resulting to a turnover of P5.79 billion, lower than Wednesday’s P6.5-billion turnover.
Foreign investors were net sellers for the second day, dumping a net of P362.06 million worth of funds, higher than the P235.14 million net sales generated in the previous session. — Arra B. Francia

Meralco sees around 6.5% sales growth in first half

Electricity sales in June has eased because of the cool weather, tempering power sales growth for the first half to around 6.5%, the top official of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said.
“For the first five months year-to-date, growth of 7.5% per annum, but June is trending a little softer because, number one, the rains have started. It’s been cool during the last three months — April, May and June,” Oscar S. Reyes, Meralco president and chief executive officer, told reporters.
“So I think we will probably end June by roughly at around 6%, 6.5%,” he added in a chance interview after the annual stockholders meeting of another company on Wednesday where he sits as board director.
But he said, sales in the first half should be better than last year, without citing the comparative growth rate or the sales figure in gigawatt-hours.
Based on Meralco’s previously released figures, consolidated sales volume in the first half of 2017 grew by 3% year-on-year to 20,338 GWh despite the high base in the previous year.
Mr. Reyes said the sales improvement was “because I think to the country’s credit, industrial and commercial activities have been strong. Maybe, it’s the growth of the economy.” — Victor V. Saulon

GT Capital to invest around $200 million in Japan’s Toyota

GT Capital Holdings, Inc. is investing 22.2 billion Japanese yen, or around $200 million, in Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota Motor Corp., noting that it is “timely” to invest in the world’s fifth largest firm.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Thursday, June 28, the holding firm of tycoon George S.K. Ty said it will be buying shares in TMC from the Tokyo Stock Exchange based on prevailing rates on the date of purchase.
The listed conglomerate took out a yen-denominated loan to fund the purchase of shares, which is now ongoing.
GT Capital Head of Investor Relations Jose B. Crisol, Jr. said the company took into account the opportunities and positive outlook for Toyota when deciding to invest in the automotive manufacturer.
“It’s opportunistic because Toyota Japan recently announced the share buyback program so we feel it’s a timely opportunity to take a position in that because numbers show that Toyota Japan is a very good investment in terms of share price valuation, P/E (price-to-earnings) and price-to-book are all very attractive,” Mr. Crisol said in a phone interview on Thursday.
He noted that there is a consensus among key research reports that there will be some price appreciation on the stock, in addition to the amount of dividend yields.
Toyota is cited as the fifth largest company in the world in terms of revenues. In its fiscal year ending March 2018, the firm reported that it sold 8.96 million vehicles in the world, translating to net revenues of 29.38 trillion Japanese Yen. — Arra B. Francia

DoTr: Firms with pending cases against government banned from project bidding

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) has issued a new memorandum restricting companies with pending cases versus the government to join any of its bidding projects.
In a statement on Thursday, June 28, the department expressed its strict adherence to the Government Procurement Reform Act, and therefore will start implementing a policy that would keep companies with issues concerning the government from earning through taxpayers’ money.
“Prospective bidders who want to do business with government must have a clean record, and must have a history of good dealings with the government. It’s that simple,” Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade was quoted as saying.
In the statement, he said interested bidders must now include a certification in its Bid Data Sheet of Bidding Documents, proving do not have any case against the government.
The DoTr is holding a number of bidding projects across all sectors, among which are the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway, the expansion of the passenger terminal building at the Lubang Airport, and the construction of the Higatangan Port in Brgy. Mabini Higatangan Island. — Denise A. Valdez

Friday’s Boracay operator reports huge sales drop due to island closure

Boulevard Holdings, Inc. (BHI) saw a significant drop in sales of products and services for the month of May, following the six-month closure of Boracay Island where the company operates a beach resort.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Thursday, June 28, BHI said sales of products and services plunged 81% to P1.7 million last May, compared to the P8.74 million recorded in the same period last year.
“Decrease in sales mainly due to six months closure of Boracay, Malay, Aklan for rehabilitation effective April 26, and Friday’s Holdings, Inc. (FHI), which owns and operates Friday’s Boracay Beach Resort is one of the companies affected by the order of the national government,” the company said.
BHI is the parent firm of FHI.
The government moved to shut down Boracay last April, following President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s comparison of pollution on the island to that of a “cesspool.” This week, the Department of Interior and Local Government has also filed a complaint against Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores and 16 local officials for the alleged negligence in managing the island. — Arra B. Francia

GERI to open P1.5-billion Tagaytay hotel by end of this year

Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI) is on track to open the P1.5-billion Twin Lakes Hotel in Tagaytay by the end of this year, it said on Thursday.
The listed leisure and tourism estate developer said in a statement that Twin Lakes Hotel will be operated by Global One Hotels Group, the owner and operator of sister firm Megaworld Corp.’s homegrown Belmont and Savoy hotel brands.
Twin Lakes Hotel will rise within GERI’s 1,200-hectare development called Twin Lakes in Laurel, Batangas. It stands eight stories tall and will offer 126 rooms sized up to 72 square meters.
The hotel will have an all-day dining restaurant which will give guests a view of Taal Lake, an in-house Wellness Spa, infinity pool, and a grand ballroom that can host up to 500 people.
Amenities include a business center, boardroom, meeting rooms, game room, pool deck, kiddie pool, and an outdoor lounge.
GERI is spending P4.5 billion over the next four years to continue the development of projects inside Twin Lakes. Since 2012, the company has spent P2.5 billion in the tourism estate, for a total expenditure of P7 billion in a span of 10 years.
Three residential condominiums have already been launched in Twin Lakes, namely The Vineyard, The Manor at Twin Lakes, and The Beldevere. There are also two residential villages within the estate called Domaine Le Jardin and Lucerne, offering a total of 838 lots. — Arra B. Francia

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