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BIFF firearms factory seized

COMBINED UNITS of the military seized the firearms factory of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) in a raid on the rebel group’s lair in the town of General Salipada K. Pendatun, Maguindanao, on Wednesday morning. The 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion and 7th Field Artillery Battalion recovered a gun-making machine, two rocket-propelled grenade launcher, one caliber .45 M1911 pistol, one 12-gauge shotgun, rifle grenades, unfinished homemade guns, and several ammunition. Some 15 people were briefly held for interrogation and later released to the local government officials. Lieutenant Colonel Harold M. Cabunoc of the 33rd Infantry Brigade said the firearms manufacturing capability of the BIFF was specifically targeted to degrade the group’s firepower. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

Nation at a Glance — (05/31/18)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Albayalde to focus on disciplining the police force to improve public perception

Police Director General Oscar D. Albayalde on Wednesday, May 30, said he will focus on disciplining members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in order to improve the public’s perception of the force.
“We want to have a very professional police force,” Mr. Albayalde told reporters.
“This is the main reason kung bakit nakafocus tayo sa internal discipline natin (This is why are focused on the force’s internal discipline,” he explained.
He added: “Dahil ito ang tinitingnan ng ating mga kababayan, yung pagdi-disiplina sa ating mga kapulisan (Because the discipline of our police officers is what the public sees.)”
Mr. Albayalde said one of the major problems of the force is, “merong pulis diyan na porke nakita yung complainant naka tsinelas, gusgusin kung kausapin parang wala lang ganun lang. Pero pag yung complainant naka kotseng maganda, naka bihis ng ano, sir ng sir, maam ng maam (there are officers who belittle complainants for not looking high and mighty while they are attentive to complainants who have a nice car or are dressed well.)”
Quoting Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, Mr. Albayalde said, “you cannot discipline a nation without a disciplined police force.”
“We want policemen now to be professional. We treat everybody equal,” he said.
He stressed, “If we go for quantity, hindi siya effective (it’s not effective.)”
“We want to institutionalize and want to make this a tradition,” he added.
Asked if the PNP had any new initiatives to gauge public trust, Mr. Albayalde replied, “sa ngayon, yung survey, wala (we do not have a survey for now.)”
He explained, “what we really want is we change and then we ask the public so we can get the reaction of the public.”
On the reports of human rights violations committed by the PNP, Mr. Albayalde said officers are told to “always respect human rights.”
“Respect for human rights is paramount,” he said, but pointed out, “what happens on the ground is beyond our control already.”

Ravena-less Road Warriors keep Elite without a win

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE NLEX Road Warriors played their first game in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup without prized rookie Kiefer Ravena on Wednesday night but still managed to book a win on a collective effort, defeating and keeping the Blackwater Elite winless, 93-89.
Playing sans Mr. Ravena, who could miss a considerable time following his suspension by FIBA after failing a doping test while playing for the national team, the Road Warriors made full use of the personnel they are left with in getting back on the winning track in the midseason PBA tournament and improving to 2-4.
NLEX got off to a strong start, outscoring Blackwater, 14-4, in the first five minutes of the contest.
But the Elite would go on a 14-7 run after to narrow the gap to 21-18 with 2:24 remaining in the opening quarter.
When the smoke cleared in the first 12 minutes, the Road Warriors were holding an eight-point cushion, 26-18.
NLEX would continue to hold command of the game to start the second quarter with Larry Fonacier leading the way.
Slowly but surely though the Elite would creep their way back into the match, as JP Erram, Mike DiGregorio and returning import Henry Walker started to make their presence felt on the offensive end.
Blackwater seized the lead, 40-39, just as the quarter entered the last two minutes but NLEX would regain its footing as the second period drew to a close to hold a two-point advantage, 42-40, by the halftime break.
In the third quarter Blackwater Elite would start things with a 10-2 run to go ahead, 50-44, with 9:33 left.
NLEX though did not allow themselves to fall much behind, showing grit and determination even when the Elite tried to pull away.
The count stood at 63-all at the 3:01 mark before Blackwater made an 8-4 run to finish the third quarter with a 71-67 advantage.
The Elite built on the strong finish they had in the previous quarter to start the payoff period, outgunning the Road Warriors, 8-3, to extend their lead to 79-70 with two and half minutes lapsing.
Blackwater continued to hold sway until NLEX, led by import Arnett Moultrie, started to make their move and charged back.
Down by eight points, 86-78, with 4:31 on the clock, the Road Warriors rolled to a 9-0 blast to take the upper hand, 87-86, at the 2:44 mark.
A triple by Alex Mallari a minute later extended NLEX’s lead to four points, 90-86.
Free throws by Allein Maliksi and Mr. DiGregorio pulled the Elite to within one point, 90-89, with 40 ticks to go.
Blackwater had a chance to reclaim the lead by a botched play by Mr. Maliksi led to a three-point play by Mr. Maliksi on the other end to stretched their lead to 93-89 with nine seconds remaining and never looked back after.
Mr. Moultrie led NLEX with 26 points, 16 rebounds and five assists with Juami Tiongson, Messrs. Mallari and Fonacier adding nine points or more each.
Six other Road Warriors had five points or better to help keep the NLEX motor humming in the absence of Mr. Ravena and injured Kevin Alas.
“We are trying to stay in the race and this win keeps our hopes for a quarterfinal spot alive. We’re trying to get more from everybody. Even those who did not play previously have to pick up the slack left by Kiefer and Kevin Alas. We will try to survive. Kiefer’s situation took us by surprise and we did not plan for it,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao, touching on the issue of Mr. Ravena who was banned by FIBA for 18 months.
Mr. DiGregorio, meanwhile, finished with 25 points to lead Blackwater, which dropped to 0-7 after the loss.

Catwoman Serena back in business

PARIS — Serena Williams made a winning return to Grand Slam tennis which was as memorable as her body-hugging black catsuit when she reached the Roland Garros second round on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old downed Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 to register her first victory at the majors since her 2017 Australian Open triumph.
“I missed Roland Garros so much, I missed the battle,” Williams, the 2002, 2013 and 2015 champion, said after playing her first clay court match since finishing runner-up to Garbine Muguruza in the 2016 final on the same Philippe Chatrier Court.
“It’s been two years since I played here. It wasn’t easy but I have been training really hard. I feel good and just so happy to be back here.”
As Williams — and her eye-catching outfit — grabbed the headlines, there were wins but a few scares for 10-time champion Rafael Nadal and two-time winner Maria Sharapova.
Nadal racked up his 80th win in Paris by seeing off Italian lucky loser Simone Bolelli 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (11/9).
Sharapova, playing the tournament for the first time in three years after missing 2016 through a doping ban and last year when she was refused a wildcard, battled from a 0-3 deficit in the final set to beat Dutch qualifier Richel Hogenkamp 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.
Williams, the winner of an Open era record 23 Grand Slam titles, had arrived at Roland Garros with just four matches under her belt in 2018, the last of which was in Miami in March.
Having been off the tour to give birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian in September, many in the sport wondered if she would still be a contender at the majors especially with her ranking at 451.
However, she gave a stinging response to the doubters on Tuesday even if her win over the 70th-ranked Pliskova tested the American.
Arriving on Philippe Chatrier Court in a black catsuit, offset with a pinkish-red waistband, Williams trailed 0/3 in the first set tie-breaker.
The three-time champion then fell 0-2 behind in the second set and was forced to retrieve another break to level at 4-4.
She saved three break points in an eight-minute-plus 10th game before taking victory, setting up a second-round clash with Australia’s Ashleigh Barty.
The only consolation for Pliskova, the twin sister of world number six Karolina, was finishing with 15 aces, the most hit against Williams since such records began to be kept in 2008.
NADAL ‘SUFFERED’
World number one Nadal had been two sets up but 0-3 down in the third to Bolelli when rain caused the tie to be suspended late Monday.
He quickly leveled at 3-3 on Tuesday, saved four break points in the eighth game before saving four set points in the breaker.
The top seed eventually claimed victory on a third match point when Bolelli dumped a forehand into the net.
Nadal, bidding for an 11th title in Paris and his 17th major, next faces Argentina’s Guido Pella for a place in the last 32.
“I really suffered today but it was a good test,” said Nadal who had been in danger of dropping his first set at Roland Garros since his 2015 quarterfinal loss to Novak Djokovic.
Sharapova also survived a serious scare to claim a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Hogenkamp, ranked 133.
Sharapova, the 28th seed, will face Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the second round.
“I love the challenge of being in a Grand Slam draw and figuring out a way to win,” Sharapova said after a match that was pushed back from Monday due to thunderstorms.
The 31-year-old, five-time major champion, took just 24 minutes to win the first set of a match which was delayed from Monday due to thunderstorms, but threw away a 3-1 lead in the second.
Sharapova was staring down the barrel of falling at first hurdle in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since the 2010 Australian Open when trailing 3-0 in the third, but the former world number one dug deep and reeled off six straight games to edge into round two.
The Russian, who was Paris champion in 2012 and 2014, fired 35 winners in her victory on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Third seed Marin Cilic reached the second round with a 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) win over Australia’s James Duckworth.
Fellow former US Open champion, and Argentine fifth seed, Juan Martin del Potro, a semi-finalist in 2009, recovered from a poor first set to beat Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 1-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.
Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov eased to a 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Australian John Millman in his first ever main-draw French Open match.
Third seed and 2016 champion Garbine Muguruza defeated 2009 winner Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6 (7/0), 6-2.
World number one Simona Halep, twice a runner-up, had her opener against Alison Riske, the 83rd-ranked American, put back to Wednesday. — AFP

3M Philippines buys into ‘nowhere to go but UP’ push

FINDING something common in it as a company, 3M Philippines has decided to come on board the University of the Philippines (UP) men’s basketball team’s push to get back on top of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) anew by becoming one of its sponsors for the upcoming season.
In ceremonies held at the Quezon Hall in UP Diliman on Tuesday, officials of 3M and UP and members of the Nowhere To Go But UP Foundation, Inc. formally signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) welcoming the multinational company as a partner.
All parties hailed the newly inked partnership as something that would go a long way in UP’s quest to regain the glory days of the Fighting Maroons.
“More than the financial support, I think what this partnership does is give us a huge confidence knowing that a multinational company like 3M believes in us and willing to give its support. It only strengthens our belief that we can do it,” said UP coach Bo Perasol during the MoU signing.
On the part of 3M, partnering with UP is but a logical move since it sees a lot of common points with the institution as an organization, foremost of which is striving for excellence and improvement.
“3M has over 91,000 employees. It is a melting pot of smart, motivated people. We have an inclusive culture that fosters collaboration between curious minds. Minds like what this university nurtures,” said Ariel Lacsamana, president and managing director of 3M Philippines, of their partnership with UP.
“We are excited and energized to be supporting and be part of something big like university basketball. We believe that the UP men’s basketball team is talent worth investing in. We’re very happy to make this happen,” added UP alumnus Lacsamana even as he said that the partnership was just start of their involvement in local sports and that they would continue evaluating their options moving forward.
A CHALLENGE
Just as they welcomed the support of 3M Philippines, UP President Danilo Concepcion issued a challenge to the Fighting Maroons to prove that they are worth the support being given them by willing partners.
“If we do well our sponsors would be more inspired to rally behind us. We have to continue working and strive to be better,” said Mr. Concepcion in the vernacular while also expressing his wish that the Fighting Maroons get to bring back the UAAP trophy to the school under his term as president.
Last year in Season 80 of the UAAP, the Fighting Maroons narrowly missed the Final Four with a 6-8 record, good for fifth place.
They are setting higher goals for Season 81 with a souped-up lineup that now includes prized recruits Bright Akhuetie (formerly of the Perpetual Help Altas in the National Collegiate Athletic Association) and NCAA Juniors most valuable player Will Gozum joining holdovers like Paul Desiderio, Jun Manzo and Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano.
UP has also prepared well for the future after getting Gilas Pilipinas cadet Ricci Rivero and young big man GBoy Gob from La Salle. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Cavs not motivated by underdog status — Lue

OAKLAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers will not be motivated by their underdog status when they take on the Golden State Warriors in the fourth installment of their NBA Finals rivalry, coach Tyronn Lue said Tuesday.
The Warriors have been installed by Las Vegas bookmakers as heavy favorites to retain their NBA crown as they face the Cavaliers for a fourth straight year starting in Game 1 tomorrow.
The Warriors have won two of the three previous meetings, with the Cavaliers taking the 2016 crown after a miraculous fight back from 3-1 down.
Lue however says the fact the Warriors are most observers’ pick for the title will not motivate his team.
“Our focus is winning championships, playing our best basketball,” Lue said. “Our main focus is to win a championship. We can’t worry about what outside guys are saying.
“I don’t think we need motivation. Any time you get to the finals you’re playing for a championship and that’s motivation in itself.
“We don’t have to thrive on that. Being in this position is enough.”
The Cavaliers reached the finals after a wild Eastern Conference series with the Boston Celtics, sealing victory in game seven on Sunday with an 87-79 win on the road.
The victory made Cleveland the first team to beat the Celtics at home during the postseason.
Lue said he believed the cornerstone of his team’s success was defense.
“I think we’ve grown,” he said. “We talk all season about getting better and better so that when we get to the playoffs we’re playing our best basketball.
“I think defensively we’ve really turned the corner. We’re been playing really physical, getting stops.”
Lue believes also that his team may benefit from playing a grueling seven-game series against Boston, stating that the team would be battle-hardened heading into game one.
“I think our whole team has to be aggressive. We can’t use game one as a feel-out game. It’s the first time we’ve come off a seven-game series in the finals and had only two or three days in between,” Lue said. “Playing a game seven on Sunday in Boston will help us in Game 1.”
LOVE QUESTIONABLE FOR NBA FINALS OPENER
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is questionable for game one of the NBA Finals as he remains in the concussion protocol, coach Tyronn Lue said Tuesday.
Love missed the Cavaliers’ game seven Eastern Conference victory over Boston on Sunday after clashing heads with the Celtics Jayson Tatum in the previous game.
It remains unclear if the 29-year-old will be recovered in time for Thursday’s opener against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland.
“He’s still in the concussion protocol,” Lue told reporters on a conference call on Monday.
“As far as being ready for Thursday, we’re not sure. But he’s still in the concussion protocol.” — AFP

UAAP women wars

2017-2018 UAAP Chess Championship (Women’s)
1st Flr., QPAV Building, UST, Espana St., Manila
Feb. 17-April 8, 2018

Final Standings
1. De La Salle University (DLSU), 45.0/56
UAAP Medal Awardees (women)
Bd01 WIM Bernadette Galas 12/13, Bd02 WCM Mira Mirano 8/13, Bd03 WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego 12.5/13, Bd04 Ella Grace Moulic 10.5/13, Bd05 Kyla Joy Camacho 2/3, Bd06 Karen Dimen 0/1. Team Captain: WIM Bernadette Galas, Team Coaches: FM Randy Segarra, Susan Grace Neri, Team Managers: Aurelio Family, George Barcelon, Gerardo Achacoso.
2. Far Eastern University (FEU), 42.5/56
Bd01 WFM Shania Mae Mendoza 12.5/14, Bd02 Venice Vicente 11/14, Bd03 Michelle Yaon 5.5/10, Bd04 Marife dela Torre 10.5/13, Bd05 Janin Crisologo 1.5/3, Bd06 Jemima Valdez 1.5/2. Team Captain: Michelle Yaon, Team Coach: GM Jayson Gonzales.
3. University of the Philippines (UP), 34.5/56
Bd01 Martina Sophia Casiano 4/10, Bd02 WNM Arvie Lozano 12.5/14, Bd03 Mytzka Mendoza 0/4, Bd04 Ynna Sophia Canape 10/14, Bd05 Ruth Aubrey de Guzman 8/14. Team Captain: Ynna Sophia Canape, Head Coach: FM Leonardo Carlos, Asst. Coach: WIM Catherine Perena Secopito, Team Manager: Sol Marfori.
4. University of the East (UE), 32.5/56
Bd01 Monaliza Geronimo 0/3, Bd02 Virgenie Ruaya 9/14, Bd03 Crystal Jade Werba 9/14, Bd04 Cristhina Ann Medenilla 7.5/14, Bd05 Nicole Kimberly Chu 7/11. Team Captain: Cristhina Ann Medenilla, Head Coach: John Perzeus Orozco, Asst. Coach: Robert Gene Mariano.
5. University of Santo Tomas (UST), 29.5/56
Bd01 Highzzy Manaloto 7.5/14, Bd02 Cyamir Jill Villanueva 7/12, Bd03 Mary Ann Alcantara 8/14, Bd04 Charlotte Britney Paez 2/4, Bd05 Shayxanthe Lois Guico 2.5/7, Bd06 Michaela Concio 2.5/5. Team Captain: Highzzy Manaloto, Team Coach: IM Ronald Dableo.
6. National University (NU), 20.5/56
Bd01 Kelly Ann David 4/10, Bd092 Lovely Iris Reyes 5/14, Bd03 Jemelee Oandasan 2.5/10, Bd04 Joribene Bonifacio 5/11, Bd05 Arlene Ruiz 4/11. Team Captain: Kelly Ann David, Team Coach: Jose Aquino, Jr., Team Manager: Samson Go, Manny Go.
7. Adamson University (AdU), 14.0/56
Bd01 WFM Elyssa Marie Enriquez 0/2, Bd02 Bea Antoinette Betco 0/2, Bd03 Lindsay Ann Novabos 1/14, Bd04 Crissa Canada 5.5/14, Bd05 Abigal Tamundong 5.5/14, Bd06 Angelica Charisse Zafe 2/10. Team Captain: Crissa Canada, Team Coach: Christopher Rodriguez
8. Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), 5.5/56
Bd01 Ana Guadalupe De Duque 1/11, Bd02 Ma. Minella Christine Sandoval 0/8, Bd03 Janela Alyssa Salazar 0/2, Bd04 Aryanne Shirene de Ocampo 2/13, Bd05 Jasmine Nicole POrincipe 1/13, Bd06 Jillian Jay Feliciano 1.5/9. Team Captain: Jasmine Nicole Principe, Team Coach: IM Yves Ranola, Team Managers: Miguel David, Gab Casino, Brena Mae Membrere/
The De La Salle Lady Archers stormed through the UAAP Women’s Chess Team Championship and won the event with one round to spare. They were led by WIM Bernadette Galas (12/13) who is currently the Philippines’ Woman (not junior — the adult version) Chess Champion, WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego (12.5/13) (4th place in the latest Woman’s Chess Championship) and Ella Grace Moulic (10.5/13). There is a strong possibility that both Galas and San Diego will be part of the team to represent the country in the Batumi Chess Olympiad to be held later this year.
By the way, Bernadette is really someone we have had our eyes on many years ago. Back in 2012 when she was just a high school student in Pio del Pilar (Makati), she finished 2nd in the Asian Zone 3.3 Championship (once again, an adult tournament), which included representatives from our regional rivals from Vietnam, Indonesia, Mongolia and Singapore. Think about that — she was just 15 years old then!
Here are two of her games from the UAAP season 2017-2018. A textbook Dutch Attack and a nice endgame transition.

[UE] Geronimo, Monaliza M. — [DLSU] Galas,Bernadette [A85]
2017–2018 UAAP Chess (WOMEN) 1st Flr., QPAV Bldg., UST, Es (10.1), 18.03.2018

1.d4 d6 2.c4 f5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 g6 5.Nf3 Bg7 6.Be2 0–0 7.0–0 e6 8.Qc2 Qe7
A typical Dutch Leningrad formation. White will operate on the queenside and center, Black on the kingside. Lots of pros and cons for both players but at least for Black she has a clear line of play where the moves come almost automatically. Automatic, of course, is a relative term because you have to know the typical motifs to aim for. Bernadette is more than well equipped for this.
9.e4 e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Bg5 c6 12.Bd3 f4 13.a3 h6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.b4 g5 16.h3?!
White should leave her kingside pawns intact. She cannot prevent Black’s h- and g-pawns from rolling forward anyway and the text move only makes them stronger.
16…h5 17.Ne2 g4 18.hxg4 hxg4 19.Nd2 <D>
POSITION AFTER 19.ND2
The most obvious move to continue the attack is 19…Qh7 planning to follow–up with Kg7 and Rh8. This is where we see how matured is the style of WIM Bernadette Galas — she avoids that line because of complications based on White’s counter-sacrifice Nxf4. Instead, she chooses to put more wood behind her attack and activates her knight first.
19…Na6! 20.c5 Nc7 21.Qb3+ Kg7 22.Rfd1 Qe8 23.Kf1 Qh5
With her queen invading down the h-file and her knight coming into d4, Black is already winning.
24.Ng1 Ne6 25.Be2 Nd4 26.Qd3 Be6 27.Rac1 Rad8 28.Qc3 Qh1 29.g3 f3 30.Ndxf3
[30.Bc4 Qg2+ 31.Ke1 Qxg1+]
30…gxf3 31.Bxf3 Bh3+ 32.Ke1 Qxg1+ 33.Kd2 Qxf2+ 34.Kd3 Qxf3+ 0–1
It is mate after 35.Kc4 Be6 or 35.Kd2 Qe2.

[UP] Casiano, Martina Sophia — [DLSU] Galas, Bernadette [E60]
2017–2018 UAAP Chess (WOMEN) 1st Flr., QPAV Bldg., UST, Es (8.1), 11.03.2018

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.c4 0–0 5.Be2 c5 6.0–0 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nc6 8.Nxc6 dxc6 9.Nc3 Qxd1 10.Rxd1
The position is perfectly equal. Now see what Bernadette does.
10…Be6 11.e4 Nd7 12.Bg5 Rfe8 13.Rac1 Ne5 14.b3 f5 15.exf5 Bxf5 16.f4?
Creating holes in her own position.
16…Ng4 17.Bxg4 [
Forced. White cannot allow 17…Ne3 which wins a pawn: 18.Rd2 Red8 19.Rxd8+ Rxd8 20.Bxe7 Re8 21.Bh4 Bxc3 22.Rxc3 Nxg2 23.Kxg2 Rxe2+ 24.Kg3 Rxa2 Not so hard to calculate as it is a long but forced variation.
17…Bxg4 18.Re1 e5 19.h3 Bf5 20.g4 Bd3 21.fxe5 Rxe5 22.Rxe5 Bxe5 23.Rd1 Bc2 24.Rc1 Bxc3 25.Rxc2 Bd4+ 26.Kg2 Re8 27.Bc1 Kf7 28.Bb2 Bxb2 29.Rxb2 Re3 30.Rf2+ Ke6 31.g5 a5 32.Rf6+ Ke7 33.Rf3? Re2+! 34.Rf2 Rxf2+ 35.Kxf2
White did not realize that this endgame is a forced win for her opponent.
35…Ke6
[35…Kd6! is faster, making a beeline for White’s queenside pawns, but the text wins as well.]
36.Kf3 Ke5 37.Ke3 Kf5 38.h4 Kg4 39.Kd4 Kxh4 40.Kc5 Kxg5 41.Kb6 h5 42.Kxb7 h4 43.Kxc6 h3 44.Kb6 h2 45.c5 h1Q 46.c6 Kf6 47.c7 Qa8 0–1
FEU’s top board WFM Shania Mae Mendoza had an awesome score — she played in all 14 rounds and did not lose a single game with 11 wins and 3 draws. This would have been more than enough to win the gold medal except that Bernadette Galas scored 12/13. She drew with Bernadette in round 2 but did not have a rematch in the second round as, having clinched the trophy, La Salle chose to rest their top players in the last round.
By the way, I apologize to UP’s Ms. Casiano for featuring here two of her losses. Then again this shows that she is no pushover — it takes the best from two titled masters to beat her!

[UP] Casiano, Martina Sophia — [FEU] Mendoza, Shania Mae [E61]
2017–2018 UAAP Chess (WOMEN) QPAV Bldg., UST, Manila (5.3), 03.03.2018

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Be2 0–0 5.c4 d6 6.0–0 Nbd7 7.Nc3 e5
White has adopted a very tame setup against the King’s Indian. Black’s plan of attack will be c7–c6 (to prevent Nb5 or Nd5), Qe7, e5–e4 followed by h7–h5.
8.Qc2 Qe7 9.b3 c6 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Bb2 Re8 12.Rad1 e4 13.Nd4 h5 14.Qc1 Bf8 15.Rd2 Ne5 16.h3 g5 17.Qc2 Ng6 18.f4 exf3 19.Rxf3 g4 20.Nf5 Bxf5 21.Rxf5 Qxe3+ 22.Kh1 gxh3 23.Bf3 Qe1+ 24.Kh2 hxg2 0–1
White is lost in all variations: after 24…hxg2:
25.Kxg2 Nh4+
25.Bxg2 Ng4+ 26.Kh3 Qh4#;
25.Rxg2 Qh4+ 26.Kg1 Re1#
Next season the UAAP has added an additional event — High School Girls’ Team Championship. I think this will be another toss-up between La Salle and FEU.
 
Bobby Ang is a founding member of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and its first Executive Director. A Certified Public Accountant, he taught accounting in the University of Santo Tomas for 25 years and is currently Chief Audit Executive of the Equicom Group of Companies.
bobby@cpamd.net

Underdog

It’s out of respect for the continuing capacity of LeBron James to normalize greatness that the Cavaliers’ odds to win the 2018 National Basketball Association championship aren’t longer. True, they’re already pegged to lose the best-of-seven series by a country mile; it’s why a $100 bet on them to claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy will net the brave soul a cool $650, a potential return not seen since the Sixers took on the vaunted Lakers in the 2001 Finals. On the other hand, recent history indicates that the gap between them and the Warriors are so yawning as to make a sweep a distinct possibility.
Certainly, the Cavaliers faced enormous difficulty en route to their fourth straight Finals appearance. They went through the wringer against the otherwise-underwhelming Pacers in the very first round, and then after bringing out the broom against the demoralized Raptors, found themselves twice staring at deficits against the starless and relatively wet-behind-the-ears Celtics. Only the outstanding showing of James enabled them to withstand the pressures they faced, and it goes without saying they’ll need him to be otherworldly anew in order to get close to the hardware.
The problem, of course, is that the Warriors boast of superiority on both ends of the court. They’re nothing like the so-called contenders in the East, and, as their own trek to the Finals underscored, in the West as well. And it’s not just because they have four All-Stars, of whom two are unparalleled shotmakers; more importantly, they operate under a system designed to place them in a position where they can best strut their stuff. They’re just too stacked and too good to be overcome by flawed opposition.
Needless to say, the Cavaliers will try to modify the terms of engagement in such a manner as to bridge the gap. They will slow down the pace and limit the number of possessions available in a given set-to, and then simplify their offense by continually running screen-and-roll plays until James benefits from a mismatch and is able to create off the dribble. They can’t but be predictable in the process, but their uneven, top-heavy roster restricts their options in dealing with the Warriors.
All told, the circumstances skew heavily against the Cavaliers. This may be James’ eighth straight and ninth overall appearance in the sport’s grandest stage, but not even his vast experience, undeniable savvy, and awe-inspiring talent can take the measure of the historically transcendent Warriors. He’ll be heckbent on producing his finest, but, barring a miracle, it won’t nearly be enough to get the job done.
 
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

PhilCare to roll out new product for OFWs

Healthcare provider PhilCare is rolling out a new product focusing on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) starting with those based in Israel, as part of the firm’s venture into alternative market segments to broaden their coverage.
The homegrown health maintenance organization (HMO) has partnered with Israel’s Madanes Group and London’s Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers, Inc. for the Bayani Family Care, a product which provides annual health plans for OFWs and their relatives. — Melissa Luz T. Lopez

House approves on third and final reading Bangsamoro Basic Law

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
and Camille A. Aguinaldo
THE HOUSE of Representatives on Wednesday, May 30, passed on third and final reading the substitute bill for House Bill 6475, the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
The counterpart version in the Senate remained pending on second reading as of this reporting Wednesday evening.
With 227 affirmatives, 11 votes against and two abstentions, the BBL was finally approved in the chamber, the same day it was passed on second reading. This was made possible after it was certified as urgent by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
The BBL, principally authored by Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez, will create an autonomous region, replacing the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The House conducted meetings with the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and the government and held a total of three all-party caucuses over the three-week resumption to discuss amendments and objections to the bill.
The substitute bill, according to Rep. Celso L. Lobregat, “substantially” addressed contentious issues.
“After we talked to the leadership, after we talked to other congressmen, there have been amendments better in the substitute bill,” Mr. Lobregat told reporters before the plenary session.
He said among the major concerns settled was an opt-in provision, after they agreed to hold just one plebiscite.
“There is no provision on the periodic plebiscite,” Mr. Lobregat said, thereby, eliminating Bangsamoro region’s “creeping expansion.”
The bill initially proposed to hold plebiscites every five years for a period of 25 years, allowing cities, municipalities, and other geographic areas to join the Bangsamoro.
Among those who voted against the bill are Representatives Isagani S. Amatong, Arlene D. Brosas, Ariel B. Casilao, France L. Castro, Manuel Jose M. Dalipe, Emmi A. de Jesus, Sarah Jane I. Elago, Edcel C. Lagman, Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr., Antonio L. Tinio and Carlos Isagani T. Zarate. Those who abstained are Representatives Abdullah D. Dimaporo and Lobregat.
Mr. Alvarez, meanwhile, said, “as a lawyer, (I) share (the) doubt,” on the constitutionality of the bill, considering that ARMM is enshrined in the Constitution. But as a legislator, he said he believes the BBL is constitutional, unless, the Supreme Court decides otherwise.
“Now, anybody can question, ‘yung constitutionality nung gagawin namin (the constitutionality of what we’re crafting). Again, Supreme Court pa rin ang mag-de-decide kung inconsistent with the Constitution yun ang pagpalit nung ARMM law (Again, it is the Supreme Court that will decided whether replacing the ARMM is consistent with the constitution),” he explained.
Meanwhile, senators were introducing amendments to the bill, especially on the proposed region’s fiscal autonomy. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, the bill’s sponsor, maintained as of this writing that the Senate aims to pass the proposed measure on its last day of session on Wednesday.
“I think the BBL will be a better document coming out of the Plenary than when it first landed in the Senate…. Coming from all failed attempts of past administrations to build lasting peace in Mindanao, I am very hopeful we can have a BBL that satisfies the concerns (of) Muslim Mindanao and most of all our Constitution,” he said in a statement.

Going beyond taste

I don’t want to start a food business that solely sells food,” said Francis Reyes, the 25-year-old CEO of Caravan Food Group, Inc., parent company of rolled ice cream store Elait and donut shop OverDoughs. “I want to send a message through food,” he added. “I want to hire people who the usual food entrepreneurs wouldn’t hire.”

Graduates from College of Saint Benilde’s School for the Deaf currently staff Elait’s branches in three malls. The company is also in the process of employing more people with autism or down syndrome for OverDough’s current stalls.

This ambitious idea, Reyes admitted, was risky for a service-oriented business, especially in this age of social media when one’s dissatisfaction can easily taint a brand’s reputation.

“I didn’t know how the public would react so, at first, we paired up deaf employees with those who can hear, then eventually we saw that they can handle things by themselves,” he recalled. “That’s when we decided that everyone would be deaf in the whole team.”

Reyes, who holds a degree in hotel, restaurant and institution management from the University of the Philippines, hails from the family behind clinic chain SkinStation. And while that kind of background might attest to his business potential, it also posed a challenge: some mall operators would press him about building his own brand when he could capitalize on their already established family business. After all, the playing field for dessert concepts was already dominated by big, mostly foreign, players like, say, Dunkin’ Donuts or Dairy Queen.

“When I was trying to pitch our concept to mall owners, I really had to push the idea that what we’re different, that what we’re doing is something else,” he said.

The persistence, however, did pay off. The company has earned enough profits to sustain operations and even fund expansion plans.

Yet more than the money, Reyes considers the fulfillment of his deaf employees as his biggest achievement in business to date.

“When I was interviewing them at the start, their goal was just to survive and support their families,” he said. “Now, they really appreciate the business more. They really take care of it, and they treat the branch as their home. They have a place to belong to.”

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