The good, the bad, and the ugly

July 5, 2017 | 6:26 pm

Grassroots & Governance
By Teresa S. Abesamis

After one year, it is time for stock taking on the Duterte administration. I see its impact so far on our country as a mixed bag. President Rodrigo Duterte is certainly making a difference, and over the long term, some of his decisions could be good for the country. However, some of his decisions are clearly bad; and some obviously ugly.

The pivot to China over the long term could be a really shrewd move; and could be beneficial. America’s global leadership in terms of economic prosperity and bettering life for more countries is waning; and this trend seems to be accelerating under the parochial leadership (“America First”) of Donald Trump. China’s initiative of building a silk road to link it closer to Europe and other neighboring countries demonstrates China’s well-considered long-term strategic thinking. Pushing the establishment of an Asian Infrastructure Bank will link it closer to its neighborhood, which is becoming economically the fastest growing in the world today. Perhaps Duterte’s brain trust is being shrewd and using our country’s strategic location in Asia and the ASEAN Region to leverage our advantages for our benefit.

Duterte seems to have made some laudable appointments to his Cabinet: Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez is pushing for sensible tax reforms, with constructive contributions in ideas and advocacy from a former World Bank executive, the young Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua. Under Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo Año, the military seems to have reached a professionalism and credibility that could be the highest in its history.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez is working hard to push MSMEs for employment generation and inclusive growth. He is getting strong assistance from one of our heroic professional civil servants, Undersecretary for Regional Operations Zeny Cuizon Maglaya, who has served the department since being recruited as a student into the MASIKAP program by the late Minister Vicente “Ting” Paterno in the 1970s. The ten-point agenda crafted under the stewardship of NEDA’s Director General and Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, has drawn a road map for prosperity and inclusive growth. Peaceniks Secretary Jesus Dureza and his associate in the process, Irene Santiago, long-time peace and women’s rights activist in Davao are persevering in their work of bringing about peace with various rebel groups despite many bumps along the road, including the war in Marawi City.

But there is also plenty of Bad. Thousands have been killed in poor barangays across the country; and more are dying from police operations as well as what seem to be undercover killers. There are even rumors that police precincts in the NCR are given quotas on drug pusher and user suspect kills to be accomplished and that the killer policemen are given financial rewards. This policy or practice is indicative of a primitive and uncivilized society. We are backtracking toward the brutality of the Marcos era, against which we marched in the streets for years.

The power of the State is being used to circumvent or flaunt laws as in the case of using hardened convicts as witnesses in order to imprison Senator Leila de Lima. The so-called Justice Secretary Aguirre has against the law, downgraded the charges against Police Superintendent Marvin Marcos (Bong Bong’s cousin) and his cohorts from murder (of then detained Albuera Mayor Espinosa) to homicide in order to allow them to post bail. Drug lords mentioned publicly early in his term by President Duterte, such as the wealthy Peter Lim (Duterte’s co-sponsor at a wedding of a mining magnate’s daughter) and former Police Superintendent Vicente Loot now wealthy mayor of DaanBantayan, Cebu, have not been charged in court.

Meanwhile, bodies of shoeless young men alleged to be drug pushers or users are found in dirty alleys in poor barangays. Huang Rulun, a business magnate based in China who was born in Binondo, cited as a good friend of President Duterte who donated a huge rehabilitation center in Nueva Ecija has been the subject of international publicity in which he is under investigation by the Chinese government for corruption and bribery.

Also bad for the country have been incidents of President Duterte getting carried away in his desire I suppose, to impress the leadership of China and Russia, that truly, under his leadership, the Philippines has adopted an independent foreign policy. He has announced that he is rejecting billions of pesos in development assistance from the European Union, claiming that it is tied to conditions that interfere with our sovereignty. I hope that he has changed his mind about this; because the European Union is our biggest trading partner being the number one buyer of goods from our country.

The European Union was also the biggest and earliest donor to the Yolanda victims, with the UK the biggest contributor. And the so-called conditionalities are no more than are provided by our own Constitution and the UN Commission on Human Rights, to which we are signatory. Most of the EU grants are meant for use in Mindanao, for infrastructure and for poverty alleviation, which we surely need. Here we are, rejecting help from our friends; and publicly kowtowing to the China bully which sells more to us than they buy. And, most importantly, has taken over our marine territories which the UN’s International Arbitral Court has certified as ours. These are marine territories that are potentially rich in natural gas and oil resources and are among the richest in marine life that our own fishermen have been denied access to.

The Ugly? Oh, there’s plenty of that too. Our president has publicly committed to our soldiers that he will answer for up to three rapes committed by them. He has on many occasions threatened to ignore the Supreme Court, and to declare martial law nationwide, because he can. He has, even during his campaign for the presidency used bad language, unprovoked, to describe then US President Barack Obama, who, bless his heart, did not respond in kind.

Some of President Duterte’s foul language and unjust decisions tend to weaken some of our already fragile institutions and constructive relationships. These can weaken our growing but still fledgling democracy.

Let us hope that his advisers and family exert influence on President Duterte whose frequently ugly language sets a bad example for our youth, and other politicians. And that as he matures as our national leader, he becomes more constructive and in the end achieves more good than bad. And that his foul language and immature braggadocio does not overcome what good his government is capable of achieving.

Teresa S. Abesamis is a former professor at the Asian Institute of Management and an independent development management consultant. tsabesamis0114@yahoo.com AFP

Time for Pacquiao to retire?

July 5, 2017 | 6:22 pm

Ad Lib
By Greg B. Macabenta

There is no doubt in my mind that Manny Pacquiao won against Australian Jeff Horn. The CompuBox statistics showed Pacquiao landing 182 punches vs. Horn’s 92, with 123 power punches against the 73 of Horn, plus 59 jabs finding their mark vs. Horn’s 19. Horn was also on the verge of being ko’d in the 9th round and his face was a mess.

I think Horn’s victory was a hometown decision, which the judges figured they could rationalize based on the impression of more aggressiveness on the part of the Australian, and the flurries of blows he delivered, even if mostly on Pacquiao’s arms.

But even if Pacquiao had been declared the winner, I would still have the same opinion of him, which is that his glory days are over. It will be downhill from now on.

Pacquiao did not display the speed and the ferocity that he showed in pummeling Oscar de la Joya, Antonio Margarito, and Miguel Cotto. And he did not have the power and the timing that flattened Eric Morales and Ricky Hatton.

Most of all, Pacquiao did not manifest the hunger for victory that he had when he upset Marco Antonio Barrera on his way to becoming the toast of the boxing world.

That was in November 2003 — almost 13 and a half years ago. Pacquiao was a young warrior in his mid 20s. Last Sunday, he was an ancient 38-year-old.

It was Horn who displayed the characteristics of a hungry fighter, willing to take risks in order to deliver a solid blow. In the 9th round, when Horn was obviously unsteady and hurt, Pacquiao did not even display the killer instinct that left Cotto, De la Joya, and Margarito looking like the victims of a back alley mugging. In Pacquiao’s prime, Horn would have been clobbered mercilessly. Not last Sunday. And so, Horn survived and won.

Maybe even trainer Freddie Roach had begun to take it easy too, perhaps underestimating the Australian. In Pacquiao’s bouts against Margarito and Cotto, Roach warned his ward about being caught against the ropes. He instructed Pacquiao to move to the center of the ring the moment he felt his back touching the ropes. In his bout with Brandon Rios, Pacquiao used remarkable footwork to evade Rios’s heavy artillery as Rios tried to corner him on the ropes. The Mexican-American was left confused and frustrated.

Against Horn, Pacquiao kept leaning against the ropes, allowing Horn to throw a flurry of punches. Although most of those blows landed on Pacquiao’s arms, they must have been impressive enough for the judges to rationalize their inexplicable scores.

But so much for Pacquiao as a boxer. Whether or not he has a return bout with Horn, his place in boxing’s pantheon of pugilistic immortals is assured. It will take a long time, if at all, for another boxer to claim eight division championships.

While his fans have echoed the advice that Pacquiao should retire, my social media comment took a different slant. I said that, Pacquiao the boxer, having once again suffered the pain of an unjust and unfair decision, will hopefully realize, as Pacquiao the senator, the pain experienced by the families of EJK victims who have been subjected to unjust and unfair decisions by him and his colleagues in the Senate.

And I added, for good measure, “I hope he tells Dick Gordon that.”

Why does a decent, humble, likeable, disciplined, principled, dedicated athlete like Pacquiao become a sycophantic and amoral politician? What is it about political power that makes a Mr. Hyde out of a Dr. Jekyll?

When Pacquiao decided to run for the House of Representatives and subsequently for the Senate, it was tempting to portray him as the epitome of the Peter Principle. A person promoted to his level of incompetence.

But Pacquiao possessed an admirable trait that defied the Peter Principle — a hunger for learning and an obsession to rise above his lowly beginnings, not just in the ring but academically and intellectually.

Unable to finish high school because of poverty, he resolved not only to finish high school but to earn a college degree, as well. In 2007, he passed a high school equivalency exam and promptly took a course in business management at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University.

In TV interviews after his victories over Barrera and Morales, Pacquiao’s responses in English became the butt of good-natured jokes. But he persevered. Today, he speaks passable English and has even managed to deliver privileged speeches in the Legislature.

To prepare himself for his career as a congressman, Pacquiao took the Certificate Course in Development, Legislation and Governance at the Development Academy of the Philippines, Graduate School of Public and Development Management.

It probably is not an exaggeration to assume that Pacquiao has better prepared himself for his official government functions than President Donald Trump. Trump has been outdoing himself in intellectual shallowness to the embarrassment of right-thinking Americans.

It may be assumed that Pacquiao has no need for money, having been named the second highest paid athlete in the world in 2015. It may also be assumed that even his bout against Horn in Brisbane, without pay-per-view revenues, will net him a tidy sum above the legitimate, unstolen earnings of fellow politicians.

In sum, Pacquiao has it made. He has demonstrated an impressive capacity for achievement, well beyond the ability of many learned individuals. And he has achieved the honor and respect reserved only for bona fide heroes.

Why then dissipate such a lofty stature by being a low-down, party-jumping, boot-licking, opportunistic politician?

This is not to say that Pacquiao the senator has already become all of that. But he certainly sounds and acts the part. His unprincipled, transactional loyalty to his political cabal and to those who have no respect for human rights and the value of human life is like rust eroding his reputation — he is fast being exposed as a hero with feet of clay.

Pacquiao’s admirers would like him to retire sooner, rather than later. That is entirely up to him. If he doesn’t want to suffer the fate of Muhammad Ali, he should quit while he still has full control of his faculties.

But where I hope Pacquiao will retire from is being a trapo — a traditional politician. He has no need to be so. And he has an opportunity to demonstrate true adherence to principles and even genuine nobility in his political career.

Pacquiao should learn a lesson from Mark Antony’s eulogy for Julius Caesar: “The evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones.”

Greg B. Macabenta is an advertising and communications man shuttling between San Francisco and Manila and providing unique insights on issues from both perspectives.

gregmacabenta@hotmail.com

Getting to bottom line

July 5, 2017 | 6:19 pm

Fence Sitter
By A. R. Samson

Of course life is more complicated than an income statement, if only because so much of it is unquantifiable and not subject to laws of profit and loss. What are heartaches after all but emotional deficits in life’s cash flow?

And yet financial jargon applies to things other than earnings. Take net income which is also called the bottom line. It subtracts expenses from revenues to come up with a final number to determine the health of an organization, or its moribund Stage 4 status.

Nonfinancial situations too can use this concept of the bottom line, in this case perhaps more properly called a “net outcome.”

Even in social conversations, the bottom line is alluded to. It directs where an argument is headed, what the possible outcome of a thorny situation is, or how a relationship will resolve itself “at the end of the day” (another favorite phrase of business people). The effort to cut short a rambling monologue of hurts and slights is to cut to the chase and pose the question — what’s the bottom line here?

Companies use the bottom line for comparing one quarter with another. Is the present success sustainable? And if the bottom line is declining, even embraced by parentheses, are the present challenges capable of being addressed? To improve the bottom line, there are really only two numbers to look at: revenue and expenses.

Financial types seldom accept responsibility for the revenue side, having little inkling on sales or marketing, except for the collection part. They tend to focus on the expense side. Sometimes referred to as “bean counters” probably due to their fixation on the beans inside a jar and how the level is dropping, CFOs sign the checks and borrow from banks to pay salaries and services, when revenues do not cover these. They know where the money is going, not too much where it’s coming from. It’s then the time to go after the spendthrifts — can you just stick to fast foods for your client calls?

The revenue side can be trickier. Sales people are experts in justifying unmet targets. The litany of woes is long. The industry is shrinking. Competition is growing. Our products are obsolete and nobody wants them. My grandmother hates our ads. The other company is cooler. This all ends in a dramatic rhetorical question — why don’t you try selling our shitty stuff? The outburst is met with shocked silence. This portends the sudden exit of the drama queen, maybe to the cooler company she praises so much, if they’ll have her. The Fence Sitter’s Tarzan Law for high pitched noises applies here: Do not yell out defiantly when letting go of a vine… unless another one is close at hand.

Managing a healthy bottom line has many moving parts. Say, you try to improve your top line by investing a lot of capex, as well as taking on board new (and expensive) talents to raise the revenue side. But then the competition too has moved forward and changed the game again with cheaper and more knowledgeable staff.

So you move to the expense side. Cost-cutting is not the magic bullet it is advertised to be. Doesn’t head count reduction bring the savings straight to the bottom line? This even looks easier to do. (They’re just lounging around waiting for a bayonet attack.) There are surely morale issues and sometimes even litigations and media-hogging protest moves. Also, exit packages enhanced to encourage people to jump out of a moving train with a bit of a push, can be pricey. This cost premium reduces the immediate impact of savings in salaries.

Still, a negative bottom line can be temporary, just as a healthy one is. Analysts understand that financial statements are mere snapshots of particular periods. There may be hidden risks that will impact the bottom line in the next reporting cycle.

The bottom line as a concept then is useful too in navigating through life. The revenue of glorious moments is reduced by the miseries of public humiliation and financial reversals. The bottom line tells us not what we have accomplished or even where we failed. It points to what we still have left. This may be a negative sum telling us we need to work harder at reducing self-inflicted unhappiness and then moving slowly up to a break-even point.

When we have hit bottom, the only way to go is up… or down to a new bottom.

A. R. Samson is chair and CEO of Touch DDB. ar.samson@yahoo.com

Japan’s proactive approach to maritime security: The case of supporting the Philippines during the PCA arbitration

July 5, 2017 | 6:13 pm

Thinking Beyond Politics
By Renato Cruz De Castro

In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague announced its long-awaited ruling on the protracted maritime dispute between the Philippines and China. The PCA ruled in favor of the Philippines in 14 of its 15 claims against China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea. The court declared that China’s claims — defined by the nine-dash line — violate international law. The tribunal concluded that whatever historic rights China had to the resources in the waters of the South China Sea were extinguished when it ratified the United Nations’ Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).

It also noted that, although Chinese navigators and fishermen, as well as those of other states, had traditionally used the land features in the South China Sea, there was no historical evidence that China had exercised exclusive control over the waters or their resources. The tribunal asserted that historical navigation and fishing by Chinese navigators involved the exercise of high seas freedom, rather than a historic right. The PCA ruling was a major victory for the Philippines.

JAPAN’S PROACTIVE APPROACH TO MARITIME SECURITY
The Philippines’ filing against China could be traced to the three-month long standoff between a lone Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel and Chinese civilian ships off Scarborough Shoal in 2012. In mid-June 2012, after the Philippines withdrew its lone vessel, China took control over Scarborough. Chinese Maritime Surveillance (CMS) personnel constructed a chain barrier across the mouth of the shoal to block Philippine access to it. China also deployed these vessels to protect Chinese fishing boats operating deep into the Philippines’ EEZ.

In January 2013, the Philippines directly confronted the Chinese approach during the Scarborough Shoal impasse by filing a statement of claim against China in the PCA at The Hague. As expected, China did not participate in the proceedings, citing its policy of resolving disputes on territorial and maritime rights only through direct consultation and negotiation with the countries involved.

Japan, however, sent representatives to the hearing. Throughout the two-year proceedings of the Philippines’ claim on China on the South China Sea dispute, Japan consistently communicated its unequivocal backing to the Philippines’ approach on the basis of international law. On May 23, 2013, no less than Prime Minister Abe conveyed his country’s support to the Philippines’ decision. Tokyo’s public encouragement to Manila in its claims against Beijing brought to light Japan’s determination to prevent any unilateral action that may change the status quo in the South China Sea as it insisted that countries in the region to cooperate and adhere to the UNCLOS.

STRENGTHENING MARITIME SECURITY CAPABILITIES
Japan has also assisted the Philippines in building up its Navy and Coast Guard. A month after the ruling came out, Foreign Minister Kishida met President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao. They discussed how their two countries could work together for the peaceful resolution of the South China Sea dispute based on the Award. He informed President Duterte that Japan intends to move ahead with providing patrol boats to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and leasing the Philippine Navy (PN) with training aircraft for maritime reconnaissance.

During the ASEAN summit in Laos, Prime Minister Abe held his first meeting with President Duterte. He unveiled Japan’s plan to provide two 90-meter patrol vessels in addition to 10 multi-role vessels for the PCG to boost its search-and-rescue and fisheries protection capabilities. He also decided to lend five TC-90 training aircraft to the PN that would useful for reconnaissance missions, disaster relief operations and transporting supplies. Japan’s goal is to assist the Philippines to improve its maritime surveillance capabilities in the light of increasing Chinese maritime activities and despite worsening Philippine-US relations.

During his state visit in January 2017, Abe emphasized that since both the Philippines and Japan are maritime nations, Japan will support the Philippines’ capacity-building in maritime security. On March 28, the first reconnaissance planes were formally transferred to the Philippine Navy.

PROACTIVE APPROACH
Japan’s diplomatic and security support to the Philippines is part and parcel of PM Abe’s proactive approach in international affairs.

In December 2012, after his return to power, he pushed Japan to take a proactive role in upholding the liberal international order, with a specific emphasis being placed on the security and governance aspect of the maritime domain. On Dec. 17, 2013, the Japanese government adopted a national strategy that incorporated Abe’s advocacy for Japan’s proactive role in world affairs.

The formulation and release of this national security strategy was a result of the recognition that Japan’s minimalist security policy, which emphasized economics and limited involvement in external security affairs, was inadequate to the new security environment marked by China’s rapid military expansion as well as North Korea’s growing missile capabilities. In the face of these developments, Japan had be responsible for defending the post-Second World War liberal order in East Asia.

Japan launched the “multilayered security cooperation” with like-minded countries that included US allies in the region such as South Korea, Australia, as well as with countries whose coastal territorials are critical to Japanese sea-lanes of communications. In the aftermath of the tense standoff at Scarborough Shoal in 2012, the Philippines requested Japan for patrol ships and diplomatic support. Japan readily extended its helping hand to the Philippines.

Renato Cruz De Castro is a Trustee of Stratbase ADR Institute, and a Professor in DLSU-Manila.

KaTropa submitting to the process of development

July 5, 2017 | 6:08 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter

THE TNT KaTropa were just two wins away from getting back to the top of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) but were waylaid by the San Miguel Beermen in the just-concluded Commissioner’s Cup.

While it no doubt left a sting, they are looking at it as something they had to go through to reach the spot where they want to be.

Following a 115-91 loss in Game Six of the finals of the mid-season PBA tournament last Sunday, TNT saw its hopes of finally ending more than a year of title drought crushed by on-a-roll San Miguel.

It was game wherein the Beermen just could not do anything wrong and held sway for nearly the entirety of the contest, resulting in them collecting their second straight title this season and 24th PBA hardware overall.

“It was not the way we wanted the series to end but it what it is. That’s life. You plan for things but God knows better. What is important for us is that we know we gave it our all and our best,” said TNT coach Nash Racela as he absorbed and set things in perspective all that had happened in their first finals appearance since 2015.

“San Miguel played almost a perfect game in Game Six. It’s really hard to beat them if they are playing like that. It’s really the character of their team. That’s why they are champions. When they need to step up, they step up. We are in the process of getting there. They did not reach the level where they are now overnight. We know they had to deal with a lot of drama before. And it took them years and a lot of conferences before they started winning championships again. And we are going through the same process and we just have to remind ourselves of that,” added the coach, who incidentally coached in his first PBA finals series.

But while they fell short of their mission, Mr. Racela said it was not completely for naught for in the long run the experience they gained in the series should only serve them in good stead.

“Entering the series many people said that we did not have the experience to beat a team like San Miguel but next time that will not be the case because that was what gained in this series, the learnings and experience. And hopefully we get another chance to be on this stage,” said Mr. Racela.

“There were a lot of positives for us in this conference. Getting to the finals is one. That means we were better than 10 other teams and it’s just that there is one team that is still better than us,” he added.

Next stop for TNT is the season-ending Governors’ Cup, happening in the next couple of weeks, where they hope to finally go over the hump, Mr. Racela said, with import Michael Craig bannering their campaign.

The TNT KaTropa view their finals loss in the just-concluded PBA Commissioner’s Cup as something that should only make them better moving forward. — ALVIN S. GO

Venus in tears, Murray, Nadal stroll as No. 3 Wawrinka falls

July 5, 2017 | 6:05 pm

LONDON — Venus Williams wept at Wimbledon over the “devastation” of a fatal road accident for which she is facing legal action as Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal eased into the second round on Monday.

Britain’s Andy Murray reacts as he runs to return to Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. – AFP

World number three Stan Wawrinka was the opening day’s biggest casualty, losing to Russian debutant Daniil Medvedev while there were emotional comeback wins for Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka.

Williams, the 37-year-old five-time champion, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of her maiden appearance at the All England Club.

But that landmark has been overshadowed by her involvement last month in a road accident near her Florida home which resulted in the death of a 78-year-old man.

“There are really no words to describe, like, how devastating and — yeah. I’m completely speechless. It’s just…” Williams said in a news conference before breaking down and leaving to compose herself.

The family of Jerome Barson, who suffered a fractured spine and numerous internal injuries in the smash, said they intend to sue the US star.

When she was asked how she was coping mentally, Williams added: “I have no idea what tomorrow will bring. That’s all I
can say about it. That’s what I’ve learned.”

Despite the tragedy at home, Williams remained focused enough on Court One to clinch a 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 victory over Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the first round.

Defending men’s champion Murray celebrated the news that he is about to become a father again by reaching the second round.

The top seed and world number one downed Kazakh lucky loser Alexander Bublik 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, showing little sign of the hip problem which plagued him in the build-up.

“I have felt OK the last few days and the adrenaline you feel by playing a match numbs any pain you may have,” said the British star after seeing off world number 134 Bublik.

Murray next faces Dustin Brown, the man who knocked out Nadal two years ago.

German world number 97 Brown came back from a set and a break down to beat Portugal’s Joao Sousa 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-4.

JOY FOR KVITOVA, AZARENKA
World number two and two-time champion Nadal secured his 850th career victory with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 demolition of Australia’s John Millman.

Fresh from winning his 10th French Open title, Nadal goes on to face Donald Young for a place in the last 32.

“I haven’t had many matches on grass for the last few years, but I had some positive feelings,” said Nadal, who missed last year’s tournament with a wrist injury.

Swiss fifth seed and French Open runner-up Wawrinka was knocked out by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

World number 49 Medvedev, making his Wimbledon debut, handed 33-year-old Wawrinka a sixth first round loss at the All England Club, although his efforts were hampered by a left knee injury which required an ice pack at the changeovers.

“I wasn’t feeling the way I wanted to feel. But I played against a great player who was confident,” said Wawrinka whose pain was eased slightly when girlfriend Donna Vekic won her opening match.

Medvedev, 21, kissed the Centre Court grass to celebrate his victory, his first at any Slam.

“A year ago I was ranked 250. If someone told me in one year I would win on Centre Court I would tell you, you are joking,” said the wirey Russian.

There was plenty of emotion too for 2011 and 2014 Kvitova as the popular Czech downed Sweden’s Johanna Larsson 6-3, 6-4.

Kvitova was playing just her eighth match since suffering a potentially career-ending hand injury fighting off a knife-wielding burglar at her home in December.

“I felt the energy from the crowd and it was amazing to be back here at Wimbledon and playing on the beautiful Centre Court,” the 27-year-old said.

Former world number one Azarenka defeated CiCi Bellis of the United States 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 in her first Grand Slam since taking time off after last year’s French Open to have her first child Leo in December.

The two-time Australian Open champion made the semifinals at the All England Club in 2011 and 2012.

“I understand that I need to be patient but the competitor in me wants everything quick,” admitted Azarenka.

Nick Kyrgios, who beat Nadal at Wimbledon in 2014, will not get another opportunity to repeat that shock.

The combustible 20th seeded Australian was 6-3, 6-4 down to France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert when he called it quits after failing to shake off the hip injury which has plagued him in recent weeks.

Women’s second seed Simona Halep, blasted off court in the French Open final by Jelena Ostapenko, downed New Zealand qualifier Marina Erakovic 6-4, 6-1.

Ostapenko, the 2014 Wimbledon junior champion, saw off Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 6-0, 1-6, 6-3. — AFP

Kaya battles Stallion in midweek PFL action

July 5, 2017 | 5:59 pm

KAYA FC-Makati makes a short turnaround as it heads south of the metro in Biñan to battle Stallion Laguna FC in midweek Philippines Football League (PFL) action today.

Kaya FC-Makati faces off with Stallion Laguna FC today in Biñan. — PFL FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

Played its last game on Sunday where it fought to a 2-2 draw with Global Cebu FC at the University of Makati, Kaya, currently at fifth place with a 3-2-3 record and 11 points, now focuses on Stallion (0-3-5) in their scheduled 4 p.m. game at the Biñan Football Stadium with the end view of getting the full three points with a win and pad its top four push in the newly created national football league.

In its previous game against Global that was rain-drenched, Kaya put itself in a position to win but just could not get the victory to the dock.

Kaya broke a 1-1 tie with Global in the 89th minute with a goal from Robert Mendy but the celebration proved to be short-lived as forward Sekou Sylla pulled Global even a minute later resulting in the stalemate.

The result left Kaya ruing the lost opportunity as it could have significantly helped its PFL cause, especially since it was near notching the win.

“For majority of the game, our defense played well, but split seconds of switching off can cost you a game. Our players performed well. It’s better to have one point rather than none in this game. I think our players held them well and we were able to score. But just a split second of switching off cost us,” said Kaya coach Noel Marcaida, whose wards ended a two-game losing streak with the draw.

LOOKING FOR BREAKTHROUGH
Stallion, for its part, is out to finally get its first-ever victory in the PFL in today’s game on its home turf.

While it has been competing, the breakthrough win it is angling for has yet to come in eight games so far.

In its previous match last Saturday, Laguna was on the raw end of a 5-2 victory by Ceres-Negros FC.

Stallion was rendered out early when it gave away four goals in the first half alone. It tried to rally back but Ceres would have none of that and stayed in control the rest of the way.

Meanwhile, also seeing action today are Global and Ceres, who will collide in a marquee match at the former’s home of Cebu Center Sports Complex at 7 p.m.

Global (4-2-2) is currently at third place with 14 points while Ceres (4-1-1) is a hair down at fourth with 13 points. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Lyceum Pirates installed as legit NCAA Season 93 contenders

July 5, 2017 | 5:53 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter

OWING to their impressive showing in the preseason and the retooling they did from last year, the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates have many in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) noticing, installing them as a legit contender when Season 93 rolls out this weekend.

Coached by former Philippine Basketball Association player Topex Robinson, the Pirates will now feature transferee from Ateneo CJ Perez, who many consider as a potential game-changer for the team, joining some solid holdovers from Season 92, including big man Mike Harry Nzeusseu, as well as other newcomers.

The preparation and buildup Lyceum has done are seemingly making things happen for the Intramuros-based school with the Pirates finishing third and the second best NCAA team in the recent Premier Cup that had teams from the NCAA and University Athletic Association of the Philippines competing.

Lyceum’s spirited showing in the preseason has many believing that it may now finally shed its middling ways in the country’s longest standing collegiate league and go deep in the tournament.

“We all know we’re one of the smallest teams in the NCAA but we have a system that puts premium on speed and aggressiveness to neutralize our size disadvantage,” said Mr. Robinson of the kind of team they will be having in Season 93.

For rival teams in the NCAA, considering where Lyceum is coming from it is no doubt a “darkhorse” in the upcoming tournament, hosted this year by San Sebastian College and with a theme of “NCAA Strong @ Season 93.”

“Considering what they have done in the preseason and how Coach Topex has established a solid identity and system with the team, Lyceum is a team to contend with this year,” said comebacking NCAA coach Boyet Fernandez of defending champion San Beda College during the press conference for Season 93 last Monday.

He was seconded by coach Egay Macaraya of host San Sebastian, who lined up the Pirates among the top teams to give perennial favorites like San Beda and Arellano a tough challenge.

“Lyceum should be up there with the improvement it is showing and should challenge San Beda and Arellano,” the Stags coach said.

For Mr. Robinson, their newfound “weight” in the NCAA scheme of things is something they are embracing and taking on as a challenge.

“It has always been our vision to have a winning culture in Lyceum. We’re not yet there but we are on our way. We welcome the challenge as a darkhorse and we will control what we can control and let’s see where it leads us,” said Mr. Robinson, whose team has not finished better than sixth place since joining the league in 2011.

He went on to say that they are aiming for a Final Four spot and go deeper if possible.

“Who wouldn’t want to play in the Final Four and win a championship? But we can’t get ahead of ourselves and drown ourselves with a glass of water. We have to keep working harder to achieve it,” he said.

NCAA Season 93 kicks off on Saturday, July 8, at the Mall of Asia Arena. Games will be broadcast live over S+A and S+A HD and via livestreaming on sports.abs-cbn.com.

Gilas offense tailor-fit for Kobe Paras

July 5, 2017 | 5:48 pm

JUST a few days after being included in the Gilas team, Kobe Paras, the youngest member of the squad, is making a good impression.

Head coach Chot Reyes is beginning to take notice.

“His physical skills are very self-evident, but he has to understand first, how to play within this team, within this group of players. Secondly, how to adopt his game to the kind of offense that we’re running. I think the offense is tailor-fit for him,” Mr. Reyes told BusinessWorld.

Mr. Paras didn’t have much difficulty running the dribble drive offense of Mr. Reyes as it is similar to the ones they’ve been doing in his former college team, Creighton.

“It’s perfect, actually. Just because in my old college, Creighton, we run a lot.

I’m used to running. Me and Ray Parks did a bunch of dribble drive. It’s great because this has been Coach Chot’s system ever since. When I was watching Gilas before, I was able to see it,” added Mr. Paras, son of Benjie Paras, the only Rookie of the Year/Most Valuable Player awardee in the PBA.

As the youngest member of the squad at 19, the second generation cager was able to blend himself well with the more experienced players in the Gilas team composed of young players in the PBA.

Mr. Paras added that the experience of playing bigger, faster and more athletic players in the United States had really prepared his skill set, which he is now using while joining the national team program.

“It’s a great experience,” Mr. Paras said. “When I was in the States, I’ve been competing against top of the line players, so I got used to it. If you see high school players in the States, they’re bigger compared to our college players here. I became more comfortable with the banging and everything. But it’s a great feeling being part of the pool because I look up to these guys and now they’re my teammates.”

Ray Parks, who rejoined the national team program and also spent years playing in the United States, was also impressed to see the growth of Mr. Paras.

“It feels great to play with a great competition and talent. Kobe is definitely a talented player,” added Parks.

Seeing Messrs. Paras and Parks playing together was like bringing back the hands of time. Their dads — Benjie and Bobby — were teammates with Shell in the PBA and together they led the team to two championships. — Rey Joble

Ancajas says he was ready to go 12 rounds in Brisbane

July 5, 2017 | 5:45 pm

IT was a relatively short workday for Filipino champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas at the “Battle of Brisbane” last Sunday after stopping challenger Teiru Kinoshita of Japan by technical knockout in the seventh round of their scheduled 12-rounder. But the still IBF junior bantamweight titleholder said that had it went the full distance he was nonetheless ready.

Anjacas — IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas (R) with coach and trainer Joven Jimenez. — *ALVIN S. GO*

Made his second title defense of the International Boxing Federation title he won in September last year, Mr. Ancajas (27-1-1) said he really trained hard for what he considered was his biggest fight to date as far as profile goes and did not want to disappoint himself and his supporters.

And it surely paid off as he cut short his title fight with a devastating performance that had his opponent not being able to continue just midway into the contest.

The end came for Mr. Kinoshita in the seventh round when he got hit with a solid hook to the body from Mr. Ancajas that immediately dropped him.

The Japanese was able to beat the count but the referee ruled him unfit to continue and ordered a stop to the fight at the 1:53 mark and handing out the win to Mr. Ancajas.

“I was anticipating the fight to reach 12 rounds as we believed Kinoshita was a very capable fighter. In training that was what we prepared for, going the full distance,” said Mr. Ancajas in the vernacular in a short online correspondence with BusinessWorld a day after his victory on Monday.

“When I was able to drop and stop him in the seventh round I was very happy because in a way it came to us as a surprise,” he added.

Mr. Ancajas’s victory proved to be the saving grace for the Filipinos at the Battle of Brisbane after boxing legend Manny Pacquiao lost in a highly controversial manner his World Boxing Organization welterweight title to Australian Jeff Horn by unanimous decision in the main event and junior welterweight Jonel Dapidran also losing by UD to hometown bet Brent James.

Moving forward, Davao del Norte native Ancajas, 25, said he is eyeing continued ascent in the sport and keep improving.

There are no details yet on his next fight but he vowed to be ready and take on all comers.

“There is no plan yet for my next fight but we are expecting that I will be back in the ring before the end of the year for a voluntary title defense,” Mr. Ancajas said.

Mr. Ancajas in fighting under Mr. Pacquiao’s MP Promotions and has extended his professional winning record streak to 14 after his latest victory. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Kevin Durant said to sign two-year deal with Golden State Warriors

July 5, 2017 | 5:41 pm

LOS ANGELES — Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors have agreed on a two-year contract worth about $53 million in a move that comes two days after they came to terms with superstar Stephen Curry.

Durant, who is an unrestricted free agent, will have a player option on the second year, American sports broadcaster ESPN reported on Monday.

The 28-year-old Durant is expected to have an annual salary of between $25 million and $26 million.

The Warriors came to terms with point guard Curry on a five-year, $201-million contract on Saturday.

Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder last summer to sign with the Warriors.

He played a key role this season in leading Golden State to its second National Basketball Association championship in three years over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In this year’s NBA finals, Durant averaged 35.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists as the Warriors won the series in five games.

LAKERS INK BALL
The struggling Los Angeles Lakers have signed second overall draft pick Lonzo Ball to a multi-million dollar, four-year contract, the NBA team announced on Monday.

No details were released but the deal is expected to be worth about $30 million which is the allowable amount for a No. 2 overall pick under the collective bargaining agreement.

Lakers new team President Magic Johnson described the 19-year-old Ball as the “new face of the franchise” at a news conference last month.

The Lakers are in desperate need of offensive help as they finished with the second worst record in the Western Conference after winning just 26 games last season. They finished 41 games back of the first place Golden State Warriors in the Pacific Division.

Ball averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.6 assists per game as a US college player last season. — AFP

Woods released from program, to continue treatment

July 5, 2017 | 5:38 pm

LOS ANGELES — Former world number one Tiger Woods says he has finished a program to help him manage his medications, following his arrest in May for impaired driving.

Woods said he would move forward with his next round of treatment to ease back pain and sleep issues with the help of his physician and relatives.

“I recently completed an out of state private intensive program,” the golfing icon wrote Monday on his Twitter account. “I will continue to tackle this going forward with my doctors, family and friends.

“I am so very thankful for all of the support I’ve received.”

Woods did not provide any details of the treatment or type of program and did not say when he expected to return to golf.
Woods was arrested May 29 near his Florida home for impaired driving.

A breathalyzer test showed no sign of alcohol but a police video showed Woods struggling to answer questions and he said later he did not realize how prescription drugs he was taking might interact.

Woods made a comeback from back surgery in December in the Bahamas but has played only twice this year, missing the cut at Torrey Pines and withdrawing from the European Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic in February.

In April, Woods announced he had undergone his fourth back operation since 2014 to ease back and leg pain and would miss the remainder of the season.

Woods, whose 79 career PGA Tour wins are three shy of Sam Snead’s all-time record, has not won a major title since the 2008 US Open and has not won any event since the 2013 World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational. — AFP

1...13,99113,99213,993...14,238 Page 13,992 of 14,238