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Ceres-Negros upset of Brisbane Roar hailed

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

LOCAL side Ceres-Negros FC fashioned out a big upset in its AFC Champions League bid on Tuesday night as it defeated Brisbane Roar, 3-2, in their second preliminary round qualifier match in Australia.

The win pushed Ceres to a meeting with Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian FC next week where a victory earns it a spot in the Champions League, an achievement which is being hailed by various stakeholders.

The “Busmen” fell behind early to Brisbane when Massino Maccarone punched through in the 35th minute of the match played at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre.

But Bienvenido Maranon would pull Ceres even two minutes before the halftime break as he took advantage of a scramble in the goalmouth and scored.

Ceres built on the momentum it got in the windup of the first half with Mr. Maranon striking anew in the 65th minute to make it 2-1.

Omar Nazari then made it a two-point cushion for Ceres when he struck inside the box in the 75th minute.

Brisbane tried to rally back and salvage its campaign thereafter and pulled within one with an Eric Bautheac goal in the 86th minute but that was the closest they could get as Ceres went for the closeout and secured the big victory.

Seeing the significance of what Ceres had done, that made it the first Philippine football club to make it to the playoff stage of the AFC Champions League, many local stakeholders greeted it with much celebration and hope, including the Philippines Football League (PFL), where Ceres plays and is the inaugural champion.

“Congratulations to Ceres-Negros FC for a monumental win in the AFC Champions League second preliminary round over an Australian side,” said PFL Chief Executive Officer Lazarus J. Xavier in a statement.

MILESTONE
For local football writer and observer Lorenzo Del Carmen, what Ceres had achieved in the AFC Champions League is a “milestone” feat and a welcome development.

“It’s a milestone. No doubt about it. Before the game, no Filipino football fan imagined that a local club can nail a win in the AFC Champions League,” said Mr. Del Carmen, who writes for local site Tiebreaker Times, when asked for his thoughts by BusinessWorld.

“Last year Global [FC] was trashed, 0-6, by Brisbane Roar. Everyone expected Brisbane to eliminate Ceres because of that result, but the latter had other plans,” he added.

Mr. Del Carmen also expressed hope that Ceres’ victory would inspire many to support football in the country.

“Ceres going past Brisbane brings good news to the local club football scene after Meralco and Ilocos announced they won’t compete in the upcoming PFL season. Let’s hope local businessmen will take note of Ceres’ progress as qualifying and competing in continental competitions will add a certain prestige to not just the club itself but also the brand and city,” he said.

Mr. Del Carmen went on to say that against Tianjin, Ceres faces another uphill climb but noted anything is possible and that any achievement by the club from hereon in the AFC Champions League is already a “bonus.”

“Does Ceres have a chance against Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian? Well, no pressure on the Busmen. The salary of Tianjin’s star players would be enough to run a PFL club or maybe even a PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) team. In fact, Ceres’ duel with Tianjin is an achievement for the club itself,” he said.

Ceres versus Tianjin is set for Jan. 30 at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium. The winner of the match earns a spot in Group E of the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League.

‘Laughing stock of Asia’: Brisbane Roar slammed after shock AFC exit

SYDNEY — A-League side Brisbane Roar was slammed as the “laughing stock of Asia” and “truly embarrassing” Wednesday after a shock loss to Philippine minnows Ceres-Negros in an AFC Champions League qualifier.

Roar, the fancied side, suffered further embarrassment when some players’ shirt numbers peeled off during the game in Brisbane late Tuesday. The club lost the game 3-2, watched by just over 1,000 fans.

Brisbane are currently midway through the A-League season, and languishing in eighth place out of 10 teams, while Ceres-Negros are undergoing pre-season training.

Under pressure Roar coach John Aloisi, a former Socceroos striker, refused to resign after the match and blamed his players for their attitudes.

“I won’t walk away — I don’t give up,” Brisbane’s Courier Mail quoted Aloisi as saying.

“Obviously they (the Roar players) underestimated them — I know I didn’t. Even when we went 1-0 up the players must have thought they were going to cruise through that game.”

The game turned farcical in the second half when Roar were reduced to 10 men after French sub Eric Bautheac had to wait on the sidelines for several minutes after his number, 22, peeled off the back of his shirt.

Bautheac eventually returned to the field with a no. 77 shirt with tape to make it look like a no. 22.

In a furious rant on Fox Sports, former Socceroos and Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich ripped into the team and accused them of not respecting the competition or their opponents.

“The only thing I can say is to anyone that was watching this is to say on behalf of Australian football I’d like to apologize because that was truly embarrassing,” he said.

“I really am speechless other than to say… just pull out of the competition because I’ve never seen that before in my footballing life.

“Something’s gotta give after that… it just shows how much it means to us and how much it means to them to have that thing go on right there in the Asian premier competition.”

Another ex-Socceroo Robbie Slater tweeted: “Laughing stock of Asia tonight! @FOXFOOTBALL absolutely incredible! In a bad way! A really bad way!”

Brisbane issued a statement acknowledging that the result was “disappointing and the performance was unacceptable.”

“We have always worn our orange jersey with pride,” the statement said.

“(Brisbane Roar FC) would like to assure its members, supporters, partners and the local football community that we are fully committed to improving both on and off the field.” — AFP

More evacuate as Mayon Volcano danger zone extended to 9-km radius

ALMOST 14,500 families composed of more than 55,000 individuals have taken temporary shelter in 59 evacuation centers as of yesterday morning, Jan. 24, as authorities extended the danger zone around Mayon Volcano to a nine-kilometer radius while the alert level stayed at four out of five. The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Response Cluster led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said another 1,395 families or 6,165 persons have also been evacuated and are staying with relatives in nearby safe areas. DSWD Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia said relief operations are continuing and two tents have been set up at the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital to address the possible influx of patients affected by the volcanic ash spewing from the volcano. Mayon remained highly active as of yesterday afternoon. Between Tuesday to Wednesday morning alone, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) monitored five episodes of “intense but sporadic lava fountaining from the summit crater” lasting between seven minutes to an hour and 24 minutes. “The lava fountains reached 500 meters to 600 meters high and generated ash plumes that reached 3 kms to 5 kms above the crater,” Phivolcs reported.

French lawmakers vote for ‘right to make mistakes’

PARIS — French lawmakers have voted for a flagship article in a new law which will give citizens the “right to make mistakes” in dealings with the government without being automatically punished. The article, which was adopted by a show of hands Tuesday night in the National Assembly, is the “cornerstone” of a law for “a state in the service of a trustworthy society,” according to the government. The law is part of reforms President Emmanuel Macron touted during his electoral campaign to allow citizens to make a mistake in good faith in their dealings with the authorities without risking punishment from the first infringement. It will be up to the administration to prove that the person was acting in bad faith. To err is human but the divine forgiveness of the government will be “limited to the first mistake,” according to a change made to the article at the insistence of dissenters. Lawmakers will have to consider dozens of further articles in the bill on the extent of the right to make mistakes. The right to err will not apply in a number of cases, such as public health. Considered a “catch-all” by some officials, the bill deals with subjects as diverse as modifying procedures for obtaining a permit for the installation of wind farms at sea or the possibility of making donations to churches by SMS. — AFP

Duterte to Middle East nations: Treat Filipinos with dignity

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday called on countries in the Middle East to treat overseas Filipino workers with respect amid troubling reports of abuses and suicides.​ — philstar.com

See full story on https://goo.gl/kfCWdZ

Kerber, Halep dominant

MELBOURNE — Angelique Kerber and Simona Halep were in dominant moods yesterday to race into an Australian Open semifinal showdown, as the dream Grand Slam run of giant-killer Chung Hyeon continued.

Germany’s Kerber, champion two years ago, swept aside Madison Keys 6-1, 6-2, easily taming the American’s big serve and will go into her clash with the world number one on a 14-match win streak.

Top seed Halep was equally impressive on Rod Laver Arena in thumping sixth seed Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-2, reeling off nine games in a row after going 0-3 behind in the first set.

South Korea’s Chung battled past unheralded American Tennys Sandgren 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to become the lowest-ranked semifinalist since Marat Safin in 2004.

Ranked 58, the bespectacled 21-year-old, nicknamed “The Professor,” proved too hot for his fellow quarterfinal rookie, although he needed six match points before claiming victory.

“I’m just trying to stay focused, it’s my first time in one of these matches,” said the delighted Suwon native, who is the first player — man or woman — from his country to reach a Grand Slam semifinal.

Sandgren, who wiped his Twitter account ahead of the game after being dogged by controversy over his political views, paid tribute to the Korean.

“He’s a fantastic player,” he said, adding that he was also upbeat about his own future after a breakthrough tournament.

“I’m excited about that. Hopefully I can keep playing well.”

Next up for Chung, who has already knocked out six-time winner Novak Djokovic and fourth seed Alexander Zverev, is either defending champion Roger Federer or veteran Czech Tomas Berdych, who play an evening match.

Kerber, who won the title in 2016, is in scintillating form after an unbeaten singles campaign in the Hopman Cup and her triumph in the Sydney warm-up.

Keys was expected to be a stiff challenge, having not dropped a set en route to the quarters, but she melted under the German’s relentless groundstrokes and pinpoint return of serve.

“I’m just trying to find the feeling back I had like 2016,” said Kerber, who had a forgettable 2017 after winning not only in Australia but also the US Open in 2016.

“Madison is a hard hitter, and she served good. So I was trying to playing from the first point aggressive and moving good and also bringing a lot of balls back,” she added.

STAY CALM
The win ensures Kerber, seeded 21, will move back into the world’s top 10.

Halep comes next on Thursday, with the nuggety Romanian taming towering Czech Pliskova’s serve to scamper into the last four for the first time in Melbourne.

“I didn’t have the best start, but I restarted after three games. I stopped missing so much and moved better,” said the Romanian, who showed no signs of the ankle injury that has been troubling her in previous rounds.

She is wary of Kerber and vowed to “stay calm and play like I did today.”

Swiss great Federer, zeroing in on a sixth Australian title and a 20th Grand Slam crown, holds a 19-6 lead over 19th seed Berdych dating back to their first meeting in 2004, and is also 4-0 over him in Melbourne.

But he is taking nothing for granted.

“I’m looking forward to play against him. He seems in good shape and I’m happy he’s over his back issues that he also had at the end of last year,” said Federer, who is 15 years older than his possible next opponent Chung. — AFP

Turkey kills at least 260 Kurdish, IS fighters in Syria

ANKARA/BEIRUT — Turkey has killed at least 260 Syrian Kurdish fighters and Islamic State militants in its four-day-old offensive into the Kurdish-dominated Afrin region of northwest Syria, the Turkish military said on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump plans to raise concerns with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call expected on Wednesday about Ankara’s offensive against US-backed Kurdish YPG forces in Afrin, a senior US official said. French President Emmanuel Macron also voiced disquiet, a few hours after Turkey’s foreign minister said it wanted to avoid any clash with US, Russian or Syrian government forces during its offensive but would do whatever necessary for its security. The air and ground operation has opened a new front in Syria’s multi-sided civil war and could threaten US plans to stabilize and rebuild a large area of northeast Syria — beyond President Bashar al-Assad’s control — where Washington helped a force dominated by the YPG to drive out Islamic State militants. The United States and Russia both have military forces in Syria backing opposing sides and have called for restraint on the part of Ankara’s “Operation Olive Branch” to crush the YPG in the Afrin region near Turkey’s southern border. — Reuters

Federalism won’t hinder infrastructure drive — NEDA

THE GOVERNMENT’S economic planing agency does not expect the infrastructure program to be delayed by any disruptions that may be caused by a transition to a federal form of government.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said that although the government’s economic managers will take into account the implications of federalism, he said that the massive infrastructure buildup in the medium term will plow ahead while the issue of a government reorganization remains unsettled.

“If anything at all, federalism will not be implemented in the next two to three years. Maybe toward the end of the administration. But I don’t think it will be a stumbling block,” Mr. Pernia told reporters yesterday.

“It will take time to implement federalism. Lots of preparations are needed,” he added.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III has said that shifting to a federal form of government itself “will be challenging,” as local government units have yet to improve their revenue-raising and spending capacities before they shift to a federal structure.

The House of Representatives approved on Jan. 16 House Concurrent Resolution No. 9 which calls for Congress to be convened as a constituent assembly, ahead of moves by the House committee on constitutional amendments to draft measures to determine the transition to a federal structure.

A federal form of government is one of the main campaign promises of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Both chambers of Congress have been deadlocked on the issue of whether they should vote jointly or separately on constitutional amendments.

The government is seeking to spend P8.44 trillion throughout its term, with 75 identified as “flagship projects.”

Finance Undersecretary Grace Karen G. Singson said in a statement yesterday that these include six airports, nine railways, three bus rapid transit systems, 32 roads and bridges, and four seaports.

Also on the drawing board are four energy facilities, 10 water resource projects, and five flood control systems.

“The ‘Build, Build, Build’ program is the centerpiece of the Duterte administration’s vision to reduce poverty… which would uplift the lives of more than six million Filipinos and set the economy securely on the road to upper middle income status by 2022 and to high-income status by 2040,” she said. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

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Jerwin Ancajas mindful not to get overconfident against opponent

HAVING BEEN one at one point in his career, International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas knows too well the mind-set of a challenger and, hence, not taking anything for granted and mindful not to get overconfident when he treks back to the ring and defend his title.

On Feb. 4 (Manila time), the pride of Panabo City will stake his IBF crown for the fourth time against Mexican challenger Israel Gonzalez in Corpus Christi, Texas.

It will mark the first time that Mr. Ancajas (28-1-1, 19 KOs) will fight in the United States, making the latest title defense all the more significant.

But while Mr. Ancajas is basking in the opportunity to fight on a bigger stage and showcase what he can do as a fighter to more people, he is fully aware as well that he should not just focus on that and overlook the threat that Mr. Gonzalez (21-1) presents.

“This fight presents a different challenge for me as it is going to be my first fight in the United States which we are thankful for. But we know it is just the start and that we have to deal with, and defeat Gonzalez, to make it a success,” said Mr. Ancajas in an interview with BusinessWorld.

“I know my opponent will come in prepared. I was a challenger once and I know every challenger wants to win. And I heard he is really working hard to get the championship from me,” he added.

Entering the fight, 26-year-old Ancajas had a banner 2017 where he defended the IBF junior bantamweight title three successful times.

Following his victory over Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo in September 2016 that made him champion, Mr. Ancajas cast aside Mexican Jose Alfredo Rodriguez (January 2017), Japanese Teiru Kinoshita (July) and British Jamie Conlan (November) to stay on top.

His impressive string of victories, which currently runs at 15, has channeled much focus on Mr. Ancajas as a fighter, something he admits that puts pressure on him but nonetheless serves as a motivation to do his best each time.

“They say I’m the next big thing in Philippine boxing and definitely there is pressure in that. But I’m determined to live up to the expectations by working hard and showing good results in the ring,” Mr. Ancajas said.

Mr. Ancajas is set to leave today for California to do a presser and train before pushing to Texas and settle there before his fight.

The Ancajas-Gonzalez title fight, the first of what is a three-fight deal the Filipino signed with Top Rank Boxing, happens at the American Bank Center and will be broadcast live over ESPN5. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Air Juan gears up for seaplane services in Visayas

AIR JUAN Aviation, Inc. is preparing to start seaplane services within the first quarter this year to and from its newly opened hub at the South Road Properties in Cebu City. At the seaplane hub launch over the weekend, Air Juan President John Gutierrez said the routes cover Cebu and the islands of Camotes, Candijay (Anda), Gigantes, Kalanggaman, Lakawon, Malapascua, Panglao and Sumilon (Oslob). Mr. Gutierrez said while their rates are higher than sea travel fees, what they offer is a speedier and more convenient ride. “We are not a budget airline but we are the most convenient,” he said. Last June 2017, the company started its Cebu operations with scheduled landplane flights from the Mactan International Airport to Bantayan, Biliran, Maasin, Sipalay, Siquijor and Tagbilaran. Air Juan’s seaplane can accommodate a maximum of nine passengers while its landplane can ride a maximum of 12. — The Freeman

Twin car bombs hit Benghazi, kill more than 30

BENGHAZI, LIBYA — A double car bombing in the east Libyan city of Benghazi on Tuesday left at least 33 people dead and dozens more wounded, including senior security figures and civilians, officials said. The twin explosions shattered the relative calm that had recently returned to Libya’s second city, scene of more than three years of warfare from 2014 until late last year. The first blast struck outside a mosque in Benghazi’s central Al Salmani district as worshippers were leaving evening prayers. Some 10 to 15 minutes later, after security and health officials had arrived on the scene, a second, more powerful blast was detonated from a Mercedes parked on the opposite side of the street, hitting an ambulance and causing a higher number of casualties. Health officials said the toll could rise because some of the wounded were in critical condition. It was not immediately clear who was responsible. — Reuters

Aboitiz Power backs temporary ERC appointments

ABOITIZ POWER Corp. has joined calls from industry stakeholders for the President to resolve the impasse at the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) after the suspension of the agency’s four commissioners for a year.

The listed company, one of the biggest energy groups in the country, said a “fair and functioning ERC is critical for the energy sector to work.”

“A working regulatory body balances the welfare of the paying consumers, interests of the private investors, and the government’s desire for reliable and ample power,” said Antonio R. Moraza, AboitizPower president and chief operating officer, in a statement on Wednesday.

“We are appealing to the national leadership to resolve the ERC issue as soon as possible so the commission can get back to work and act on many pending issues awaiting their decision,” he added.

The four ERC commissioners, along with the previous ERC chairman, were ordered suspended for one year by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the revised implementation date of the competitive selection process, which it said favored a few power supply contracts.

As a collegial body, the ERC needs the presence of at least three members of the commission to constitute a quorum. The majority vote of two members is needed during meetings that require regulatory approval. But for the approval of electricity rates, the unanimous vote of the three is required.

The earliest that the regulator can have a quorum is if the Office of the President immediately appoints temporary commissioners when two of the suspended officials retire in July.

Earlier this month, Manila Electric Co. President Oscar S. Reyes said he wanted to be able to assure consumers in the utility’s franchise areas “that we will have adequate, reliable, least cost power.”

“That’s why ERC approval of our PSAs [power supply agreements] is critical,” he said, referring to seven Meralco supply contracts that are pending with the regulator.

Meralco, the country’s biggest power distribution utility, was hoping to see the approval of the contracts by the end of last year but the Ombudsman’s suspension order was served on Dec. 22, 2017.

“It may put at risk the capability of the industry to assure not only supply to customers but security of supply moving forward,” Mr. Reyes said.

“The industry is probably neutral as to the composition of the commission. What is important is it is adequately staffed [with people] who can properly play their roles as regulators,” he added.

ERC Chair Agnes T. Devanadera has said that the suspension of the commissioners would put on hold funding for P1.588 trillion worth of energy-related projects and capital outlays.

Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate committee on energy, said in a legislative hearing last week that the “most practical” way forward for the ERC is for the Office of the President to appoint temporary commissioners. He said the move has legal basis under the administrative code.

For its part, the Department of Energy (DoE) agreed with the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. to allow power generation companies with expired certificates of compliance (CoC) — including those with pending applications — to continue operating and trading at the wholesale electricity spot market.

The agreement with the operator of the spot market is in line with DoE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi’s pronouncement that he would not allow any disruption in the country’s power supply.

The CoC, which is issued by the ERC, is proof that a power plant complies with the applicable regulations, making it safe to switch on and operate. — Victor V. Saulon

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