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PHL urged to support Trump tariffs, leverage favored access to US market

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, April 2, 2025. — REUTERS

By Aubrey Rose A. Inosante, Reporter

THE GOVERNMENT has been slow in responding to the tariffs imposed by US President Donald J. Trump, an academic said, adding that the Philippines needs to support Washington’s reordering of the global trading system while positioning itself as a hub enjoying favored access to US markets.

University of Asia and the Pacific Institute of Law Dean Jemy Gatdula described the government’s response to the tariff increase as “tentative” and “slow.”

“We should have early on declared support for Trump’s restructuring of the global security and trade system,” Mr. Gatdula told BusinessWorld via Facebook Message. “We should have immediately explored ways to lower our tariffs vis-a-vis the US, positioning us as a low-tariff trade hub (with) greater access to US communication, blockchain, finance, shipbuilding, and energy investment and technology.”

Nine days after Mr. Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” imposing at least 10% tariffs on all its trading partners, the Philippines has yet to announce a concrete plan to counter the 17% tariff imposed by the US.

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said on April 7 that her department is “definitely” open to lowering tariffs on US goods, adding that she will meet soon with the economic team to discuss the matter.

Palace Spokesperson Clarissa A. Castro said only that the matter is currently being studied.

“We should maximize our US Global System of Preferences access, as well as reviving the possibility of an FTA, improving our competitiveness and productivity, while increasing tariffs on China and correcting our $23-billion trade deficit with China,” Mr. Gatdula said.

In an e-mail, HSBC economist for the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Aris D. Dacanay said the Philippines can promote a China +1 strategy, referring to the approach taken by some manufacturers to relocate some operations to “friendlier” countries.

“While negotiating for even lower tariffs, a trade delegation can be sent to aggressively woo foreign manufacturers and multinationals selling to the US to relocate to the Philippines, to potentially build and reconfigure the country’s manufacturing sector,” Mr. Dacanay said.

The Philippines exported $12.14 billion worth of commodities to the US in 2024. Of the total, 53% or $6.43 billion were electronic products.

He also proposed that the Philippines buy more US agricultural goods.

Minimal Government Thinkers, Inc. President Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. said the government should pursue variety of measures, calling the response so far as insufficient.

“I think the Philippines should put on the table the possibility of zero tariffs with US. So far Vietnam and Taiwan have offered this to the US. Not for all products but for priority products like liquefied natural gas, cars, other manufactured goods,” he said.

Vietnam Deputy Prime Ministers Bui Thanh Son on April 7 offered to remove all US import tariffs and requested a postponement of tariffs by at least 45 days.

This was struck rejected by Mr. Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro.

Jose Enrique A. Africa, executive director at think tank IBON Foundation, has characterized the government’s inaction as caving in to US bullying while holding on to “misguided free market dogma that lower tariffs are always better.”

“The best response for the government to take has to start from finally realizing that the era of export- and Foreign Direct Investment-led investment started winding down in 2008/2009 and it is urgent to shift to domestic-led and -oriented development,” he said.

Some ASEAN countries have started to formulate a joint approach to negotiating, as the region with some of the highest tariffs.

Cambodia was hit with a 49% tariff, followed by Laos (48%), Vietnam (46%), Myanmar (44%), Thailand (36%), Indonesia (32%), Malaysia (24%), and Brunei (24%).

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reportedly called Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to discuss the region’s tariffs.

On April 4, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet wrote US President Donald J. Trump, committing to a 5% tariff for US goods in 19 product categories.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira and Indonesia Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto are heading to the Washington in hopes of securing a deal for their countries.

Aside from also dispatching a delegation to the Washington for tariff talks, Malaysia has lobbied for a united ASEAN response to the US, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Macroeconomic Policy and Analysis Section Chief Vatcharin Sirimaneetham said the Philippines’ economic growth is tied to the reaction of its exporters to tariff changes, finding new markets and adjusting prices.

“This is what other countries around the world are also doing, so competition is especially high,” he said.

He said the eventual US tariff on the Philippines after negotiations will be closely watched, as well as the exemptions for categories of goods and the impact on regional supply chains in Asia.

In its Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2025 report, the Philippine economy was projected by ESCAP to expand by 6.1% this year, unchanged from its forecast issued a year earlier. The report had been prepared before the US tariffs were announced.

“It is challenging to comment on the projected economic growth in 2025 now because the underlying information and assumptions are still evolving daily, with a usually high degree of uncertainty,” he said.

For 2026, the Philippines is expected to grow 6.3%, ESCAP said.

Both of these projections were within the Development Budget Coordination Committee’s 6-8% GDP growth until 2028.

Industrialization touted as best counter to US tariffs

WORKERS are seen at a manufacturing facility in Santa Rosa, Laguna. — PHILIPPINE STAR KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES needs to focus on developing industrial capacity and growing the domestic market for products which will face higher US tariffs, an economist said.

“Efforts to lower tariffs would be the conventional short-term response,” IBON Foundation Executive Director Jose Enrique A. Africa said via Viber. “The government should however also look to Filipino industrialization and increasing domestic family purchasing power as well to create domestic demand for the products facing higher tariff barriers in the US.”

The White House last week said the Philippines will be charged a 17% “discounted reciprocal tariff,” in response to Philippine tariffs of 34% on US goods, as estimated by US trade officials.

US President Donald J. Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff applicable to all its trading partners, with the rates set higher for countries that impose high tariffs on US goods.

Within Southeast Asia, the Philippines had the second-lowest tariff next to Singapore, which was granted the 10% baseline tariff. Cambodia faces the steepest tariff at 49%, followed by Laos (48%), Vietnam (46%), Myanmar (45%), Thailand (37%), Indonesia (32%), Malaysia (24%) and Brunei (24%).

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque has said that her department is open to lowering tariffs on US goods.

She said the Philippines is “definitely” looking at reducing tariffs on US products but noted that the economic team will discuss the extent of what the Philippines can offer.

Mr. Africa said most exports of the Philippines to the US would not be affected by the executive order imposing the reciprocal tariff, which exempted semiconductors and auto parts, among other products critical to reindustrialization efforts.

In 2023, electronics accounted for about 56% of Philippine exports to the US, machinery 15%, chemicals 4%, and vehicles 2%.

“Bolstering domestic demand with higher family incomes and more robust and expansive Filipino industry is really the most viable strategy over the medium- to long-term especially with the growing risk of escalating tariff retaliation,” he said.

Design of Camarines Norte port serving wind farms approaching completion

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Nicholas Doherty from Unsplash

THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is currently finalizing the design for a port improvement project at a new site in Camarines Norte, which will support the offshore wind industry.

“We are finalizing the engineering designs for a new site in Mercedes, Camarines Norte and will bid out the construction of said port as soon as the program of works is completed,” PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said in a message to BusinessWorld. 

The port regulator had announced last month that it will recommend the cancellation of the auction for the Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte port improvement project.

“We are canceling the bidding for the Panganiban Port Project as the site was determined to be technically not suitable,” Mr. Santiago said.

In January, the PPA allocated P2.11 billion to improve Jose Panganiban port to make it suitable for servicing the offshore wind industry.

The Department of Energy (DoE) had designated Jose Panganiban as one of three ports scheduled for repurposing for the offshore wind industry. Situated close to 14 offshore wind energy service contracts, Jose Panganiban was being positioned to service wind farms with an estimated capacity of 8,150 megawatts. Two wind projects in the area are in the advanced pre-development phase.

Jose Panganiban had been among the PPA’s 14 flagship projects valued at P16 billion, scheduled for completion by 2028.

To date, the DoE has awarded 92 offshore wind energy service contracts to 38 renewable energy developers with a total potential capacity of 69.06 gigawatts (GW).

According to the Philippine Offshore Wind Roadmap, the Philippines has a potential capacity of about 63 GW from offshore wind resources. Also identified as priorities for redevelopment as offshore wind service bases are Currimao, Ilocos Norte and Sta. Clara, Batangas City.

In 2024, the PPA awarded the P839.18-million Currimao Port expansion project to Davao construction company Khan Kon Chi Construction and Development Corp. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

ASEAN exploring joint response to US tariffs

REUTERS

TRADE Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque is set to meet her counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Thursday to discuss a possible collective response to the US tariffs.

“We have a meeting on Thursday with the ministers from all over ASEAN. That is when we are going to discuss what the stance of everyone is,” she told reporters on the sidelines of the National Food Fair.

“Of course, as ASEAN, we have to (stick) together,” she added, noting that the meeting will be virtual.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday called for a united ASEAN response to the US tariffs.

He said Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, is ready to lead efforts to “ensure ASEAN’s collective voice is heard clearly and firmly on the international stage.”

The US imposed some of the highest tariffs on ASEAN countries on Wednesday. Cambodia is facing a 49% tariff, followed by Laos (48%), Vietnam (46%), Myanmar (44%), Thailand (36%), Indonesia (32%), Malaysia (24%), and Brunei (24%).

The Philippines’ 17% tariff is among the lowest in the region, second only to Singapore, whose goods will be charged a “baseline” rate of 10%.

Since US President Donald J. Trump’s tariff announcement on April 2, countries have started to individually approach the US to seek a compromise.

Vietnam has said that it is open to bringing down tariffs on some categories of US goods to zero.

Ms. Roque said the government has not yet discussed what it is willing to offer as a concession to the US.

“Wala pa kaming napag-usapan tungkol doon. (Nothing has been discussed) We just want to listen, actually, to what (ASEAN ministers) have to tell us because we all work together,” she said, adding that the Philippines’ 17% rate is deemed an “advantage.”

According to Ms. Roque, the Philippine economic team met on Tuesday to discuss its response to the tariffs.

“We discussed the possibilities for strengthening trade just in case it remains at 17%,” she said.

“We accepted the tariff as 17%, and then we’ll see how it goes from there. I really need to talk to my (US) counterpart to clarify things,” she added.

She said the Philippines does not intend to impose retaliatory tariffs on the US.

On Monday, Ms. Roque said that the DTI is open to lowering tariffs on US goods.

On Tuesday, PCCI Chairman George T. Barcelon said that the government should consider lowering tariffs as have other countries.

“That is something that the government should consider in consultation with the private sector,” he said.

“President Trump knows that each country will individually approach the US, and they will come to some sort of a compromise … I think that is the best way,” he added.

However, he said that the Philippines should study how it can take advantage of its relatively low tariff.

“With a lower rate, that automatically gives us the comparative advantage. But we have to do our homework and see what sectors can benefit from this,” he said.

“If we think that a certain sector will be more competitive and get more buyers, we have to build up capacity there,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ms. Roque said that the Philippines still hopes to secure a bilateral free trade agreement with the US.

“We are still optimistic, and another thing we are looking at is to push for FTAs not just with the US but with a lot of countries because there are really a lot of benefits that we can generate from FTAs,” she said.

She said that the other markets the DTI is looking at include South America, the Middle East, and elsewhere in Asia. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Telcos say ID database will help vet applicants seeking to register SIMs

A VENDOR shows different SIM cards for sale at a stall in Quiapo, Manila, Oct. 8, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR /KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) said access to a central database of government identification cards can help ease the difficulties in registering subscriber identity module (SIM) cards.

“There’s the issue again on the law itself, which states that any ID can be presented, but the question is how do we vet the IDs that will be submitted,” PCTO Vice-President and Smart Communications, Inc. Head of Regulatory Affairs Roy D. Ibay told reporters on Monday. 

Mr. Ibay noted the many challenges in the SIM registration process, particularly the lack of a central database for IDs, which would enable telecommunication companies to verify the authenticity of government documents.

“That has always been the clamor from telcos that the government should come up with a way for telcos to verify any government ID,” Mr. Ibay said.

“Not all government IDs have a database. So that’s another issue that we are trying to address,” he added. 

In March, telecommunications companies expressed their opposition to a proposal from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to require SIM card registrants to make a personal appearance.

Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration Act of 2022, requires mobile phone users to register SIMs under their names or risk deactivation.

“There’s a way that we can probably interlink the telcos’ systems to be able to vet the national level up to the barangay level,” Mr. Ibay said.

The NTC’s proposal is part of a comprehensive review of the current registration process amid rising concerns over fake identities and individuals selling their identities for potential illegal use.

“Probably there can be face-to-face (registration) if there is a technical problem with registering online and also if the ID used has an issue,” he said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Induction furnaces blamed for low-quality rebar

Workers were seen at a construction site in Manila. — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE GOVERNMENT needs to ban induction furnaces, which are incapable of consistently producing quality steel, an industry official said.

Roberto M. Cola, a member of the Department of Science and Technology’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center Governing Council, said the output of induction furnaces in the Philippines has increased since 2017.

“The main drawback of induction furnace facilities is that there is no process of removing the harmful elements in the liquid steel, thus resulting in inconsistent quality of products produced,” according to Mr. Cola, who is also a former president of the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI).

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday, he said such inconsistencies in steel quality represent “a safety hazard since these steel products are used in the construction of buildings and infrastructure.” 

Induction furnaces are also considered harmful to the workers and surrounding communities, as such plants generally do not have dust and emissions collecting equipment.

“Harmful gases and dust generated during scrap melting are just allowed to be emitted directly to the environment,” he said.

He said other countries have banned the technology, including China and Japan, making Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries the preferred destination for obsolete and unwanted induction furnaces.

Induction furnace steelmaking capacity in the Philippines has increased to around 3 million metric tons (MT) today from less than 150,000 MT in 2017.

“These facilities are the main source of substandard reinforcing steel bars and angle bars in the market,” he said.

“They should be banned. They are banned in other countries, so we should do it because the Philippines is more at risk,” he added, noting the Philippines’ exposure to natural calamities.

PISI has reported that rebar samples taken in the first two months failed to meet industry standards for mass variation and elongation.

Meanwhile, angle bars sampled in Cavite and Cebu on Feb. 28 and March 18 also failed to meet industry standards.

PISI sent the summary of the random market test purchases of rebar and angle bars to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on April 7.

“The continued high instances of non-conformity of samples purchased lead us to conclude that there are larger quantities of substandard products being sold in the market today,” PISI President Ronald C. Magsajo said in a letter to the DTI.

“We must learn from the recent tragedy that has hit our ASEAN neighbors and take the necessary steps to guarantee no such disaster occurs in our country,” he added, referring to the building collapses in Myanmar and Thailand following the Myanmar earthquake.

The group asked the DTI Fair Trade Group to impose the maximum penalties allowed by law on violators.

“Our call is for us to be stricter in our regulation and let us learn from our neighbors,” Mr. Magsajo said.

Bureau of Philippine Standards Senior Trade-Industry Development Specialist John Steven Magboo said no policy currently prohibits any manufacturing process.

“In the standards, there is nothing that specifies what manufacturing process should be adopted when manufacturing steel bars,” he said.

“So, during the audit, we do not discriminate whether they are using an induction furnace or electric arc furnace,” he added.

However, he said that the DTI is open to discussing the issue and asked for the private sector and other government agencies to help in collecting data.

“I think if there is more data available and if we can really prove that the use of an induction furnace doesn’t really produce consistent products that conform with the Philippine National Standards, I think that is the time to prohibit the use of such a process,” he added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

100 towns targeted for climate-resiliency project

REUTERS

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will focus a climate resiliency project on farmers in 100 municipalities across five regions.

The Adapting Philippine Agriculture to Climate Change (APA) Project, a seven-year initiative supported by $26 million from the Green Climate Fund and an additional $13 million co-financed by the DA and the weather service PAGASA, is expected to indirectly benefit around about 5 million farmers through climate advisories. It is also projected to directly support 1.25 million persons in vulnerable farming households through the development of agri-enterprises.

The target municipalities are in the Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Bicol, Northern Mindanao, and Soccsksargen regions, the DA said in a statement.

“At least 45,000 farmers are expected to engage in agri enterprise development, applying various climate-resilient agriculture options to priority crops,” it said.

In an April 7 meeting, the project’s national technical working group discussed the enhancement of the Climate Information Service (CIS) platform hosted by the DA’s Agro-Climatic Advisory Portal to deliver more localized and tailored climate and weather advisories.

“The APA Project envisions an inclusive and accessible CIS, particularly for women, youth, Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Cultural Communities,” DA said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Tax-free foreign currency deposits for heirs

Parental love is one of the strongest and most selfless forces in the world. Having experienced this love through my own parents, who have always been there to support and nurture me, I now find myself, as a parent, driven by the same desire to care for and protect my child. This influence extends to every decision I make, particularly those concerning financial security and inheritance. My hope is that my dedication will transcend life’s limitations, allowing me to provide for my child even after I am gone. This enduring love naturally intersects with practical matters like estate planning and tax considerations, which are crucial to ensuring that the legacy we leave behind is secure and beneficial for our loved ones.

Estate planning ensures that our beneficiaries enjoy the fruits of our labor without unnecessary burdens. An essential aspect is understanding how estate taxes impact wealth transfer. In the Philippines, the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2018, fixed the estate tax rate at 6% of the net estate’s value. This change aimed to simplify the estate tax process, making it more predictable and manageable for families.

Under the current Philippine tax rules, a decedent’s gross estate comprises all properties wherever situated, including real properties, personal property, tangibles, and intangibles. However, for non-resident aliens, only properties situated in the Philippines are included. With respect to intangible personal property, its inclusion in the gross estate is subject to the rule of reciprocity. This means that estate planning can become quite complex, particularly for families with assets in multiple jurisdictions.

Alongside this fixed rate, the TRAIN Law introduced modifications to standard deductions and specific exemptions applicable in determining the net estate. Although these adjustments streamline the wealth transfer process, heirs must remain vigilant in comprehending the allowable deductions and exemptions to accurately assess the net estate value.

In 2024, a Supreme Court case addressed an issue concerning estate taxes and foreign currency deposits. The case involved the estate of a deceased person, for which the sole heir and representative, along with the estate itself, had already paid the estate tax. However, the estate subsequently claimed that the deceased’s foreign currency deposit in a Foreign Currency Deposit Unit (FCDU) of a bank was erroneously subjected to estate tax. The estate argued that these deposits should have been exempted under Republic Act (RA) No. 6426, as amended by Presidential Decree Nos. 1034 and 1035, collectively known as the Foreign Currency Deposit Act of the Philippines.

Issued in 1974, the Foreign Currency Deposit Act primarily aimed to encourage the inflow and retention of foreign currency deposits within the Philippine banking system. It was designed to attract foreign currency deposits from both Filipino citizens and foreigners by offering a secure and favorable banking environment. One of the major incentives is the exemption of foreign currency deposits from all forms of taxation, including income tax, estate tax, and other national internal revenue taxes. This exemption was intended to make foreign currency deposits more attractive to potential depositors.

In its counterargument, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) asserted that estate tax should apply to these foreign currency deposits, claiming that the exemption granted under RA No. 6426 was implicitly repealed by the 1997 National Internal Revenue Code. This is because it is neither listed as an allowable deduction for estate taxes nor included among the acquisitions and transfers exempt from estate taxes under the Tax Code.

The Supreme Court, however, upheld that foreign currency deposit accounts are exempt from all taxes, including estate tax, under RA No. 6426. This ruling underscored the principle that as a special law regulating the foreign currency deposit system and detailing exemptions and incentives, the specific provisions of the Foreign Currency Deposit Act take precedence over the broader provisions of the 1997 Tax Code concerning national internal revenue taxes. The Court determined that the 1997 Tax Code, as a general tax law, cannot nullify or alter the specific exemptions provided by RA No. 6426 without a clear and explicit provision stating its repeal.

The landmark ruling highlights the fundamental rule in statutory construction that, when there is a conflict between a general law and a specific law, the specific law takes precedence because it more clearly reflects the legislative intent.

By reaffirming the tax-exempt status of foreign currency deposits under the Foreign Currency Deposit Act, the Supreme Court provided clarity and reassurance for families navigating the intricate landscape of estate taxation in the Philippines. It has also reinforced the agenda of a 50-year-old piece of legislation enticing people to invest in foreign currency.

The profound impact of parental affection goes beyond nurturing and protection in this life. It intertwines with critical financial decisions that we make today that affect the value of the gifts we will leave behind. The Supreme Court case serves as a pivotal reminder of the complexities inherent in estate planning and the importance of understanding nuances in tax law that can help preserve our legacy and reflect our enduring dedication to the well-being and prosperity of future generations.

The views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Isla Lipana & Co. The content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for specific advice.

 

Maryjane Almira Kau Chong is an assistant manager at the Tax group of Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network.

maryjane.almira.kau@pwc.com

Petro Gazz not keen on allowing finals rivals a Game 3 lifeline

PETRO GAZZ ANGELS — FACEBOOK.COM/PREMIERVOLLEYBALLLEAGUE

Games on Thursday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Akari (Battle for Third)
6:30 p.m. – Petro Gazz vs Creamline (Finals)

NO TOMORROW.

That’s how Jonah Sabete and the title-hungry Petro Gazz Angels are going to treat Game Two of their best-of-three Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference title showdown against the Creamline Cool Smashers on Thursday as they go for the jugular at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We’ll play Game 2 like there’s no tomorrow,” said the high-leaping, power-hitting Sabete, who was instrumental in that gripping 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10 win in last Tuesday’s series opener with her 16-point effort.

“Although we know Creamline will come out fighting, we can’t afford to let the series go into another game,” she added.

Given a chance, the Cool Smashers, owners of a four-peat feat and 10 championships in all, have been known for their incredible resiliency as evidenced by their last finals duel with the Angels two years ago.

There, the dynastic franchise came fighting back after dropping Game One by taking the last two games and the crown.

That memory still rankled until Thursday as it has deprived the franchise, winner of two Reinforced Conference crowns but none outside it, the elusive All-Filipino championship.

“We can’t think of that anymore. We have to focus on the task at hand, which is to win a championship,” said Petro Gazz spiker MJ Phillips, who also dropped 16 hits including clutch ones in the fifth and deciding set.

Brooke Van Sickle, who was the anchor that kept her team afloat following her 24-point masterpiece,  said Petro Gazz needs to be ready against a Creamline team that is expected to give it its all to take Game Two set at 6:30 p.m. and force a decider on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.

“I’m expecting Creamline to come out with their best volleyball on Thursday. We need to be ready. We can’t let the energy drop, especially not against a team like Creamline,” she said. — Joey Villar

Cavaliers rout Bulls, clinch East’s No. 1 seed

DARIUS GARLAND scored 28 points and Evan Mobley added 21 to go along with 11 rebounds and seven assists, helping the host Cleveland Cavaliers clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 135-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

Garland sank six 3-pointers and finished 10 of 17 from the field for the Cavaliers (63-16), who erupted for 43 points in the second quarter on their way toward completing a four-game season sweep of Chicago.

Cleveland’s Ty Jerome scored 18 points and De’Andre Hunter had 17 off the bench.

Jarrett Allen contributed 12 points and nine rebounds to send the Cavaliers to their seventh win in the last nine games.

Cleveland shot a robust 51% from the floor and 50% from 3-point range to overcome the absence of leading scorer Donovan Mitchell (left ankle sprain).

Patrick Williams scored 21 points and Matas Buzelis added 19 for the undermanned Bulls (36-43), who couldn’t overcome the absences of Coby White (rest), Josh Giddey (forearm) and Nikola Vucevic (right calf soreness).

Talen Horton-Tucker scored 17 points off the bench for Chicago, which is slated to host the Miami Heat on Wednesday night in a pivotal contest in the play-in tournament race.

Cleveland was nursing a 25-24 lead after the end of the first quarter before Garland scored 14 points in the second to give his team some breathing room.

The Cavaliers pushed their advantage to 44-31 after Mobley, Dean Wade and Jerome each drained a 3-pointer, and Garland converted from beyond the arc on consecutive possessions later in the quarter to extend Cleveland’s lead to 66-45.

Chicago cut a 27-point deficit to nine at 101-92 early in the fourth quarter; however Sam Merrill sank a 3-pointer and Max Strus added two more to highlight a 13-2 run for the Cavaliers. Garland converted from beyond the arc on consecutive possessions to push Cleveland’s lead to 122-99 with 5:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. — Reuters

Rice’s stunning free kick double fires Arsenal to 3-0 win over Real Madrid

LONDON — Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice’s two fantastic free kicks and a striker’s finish from Mikel Merino secured a 3-0 victory over shocked holders Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal at The Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

The hosts had the better of the first half as Real began slowly, with Eduardo Camavinga almost conceding a calamitous own goal when he blocked Antonio Rudiger’s clearance before Thomas Partey shot straight at goalkeeper Thibault Courtois.

Real, bidding for a record-extending 16th title in the competition, grew into the contest and threatened on the break, though their few opportunities came from Arsenal errors and the visitors looked disjointed throughout the contest.

Courtois was by far the busier keeper and produced a stunning double save, the first from a powerful Rice header, on the stroke of halftime.

There was no stopping Rice’s opener, though, a fierce curling shot around the wall and beyond Courtois in the 58th minute for his first senior goal from a direct free kick.

“It’s been in the locker, but I’ve hit the wall too many times or it’s gone over the bar. Originally I was going to cross it and then I’ve just have seen the wall with the goalkeeper’s position. I thought… just go for it,” Rice said.

Arsenal could have been 2-0 up shortly after but for more heroics from Courtois, who produced a diving stop from Gabriel Martinelli followed by another from makeshift striker Merino in between David Alaba’s goal-line block.

Rice’s second free kick was even better than the first, curled straight into the top corner in the 70th minute, to leave the 15-time European champions looking stunned.

Merino then coolly fired Myles Lewis-Skelly’s pull-back into the bottom corner 15 minutes from time, following a pass from substitute Leandro Trossard, to give Arsenal a sizeable lead to take to Madrid next week.

The winners of the tie will face either Aston Villa or Paris St Germain, who meet on Wednesday, in the semifinals.

“We’ve had a brilliant game, we had a lot of motivation, that’s why we won,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “We have a game next week in the Bernabeu, we have to demonstrate we can do that again next week.”

Real will have to try and overhaul Arsenal’s lead without Camavinga, who was shown a second yellow card in the closing seconds for kicking the ball away.

The visitors did have some half-chances, most notably through Kylian Mbappe who scuffed his shot at the end of a fast break with the score at 0-0 in the first half.

But Real was unconvincing in attack and have now conceded 11 goals in their last four games in all competitions, while Arsenal has not lost a European tie when scoring three goals in the first leg.

Unused substitute Lucas Vazquez conceded Real were nowhere near their best but nonetheless, given his side’s European pedigree, warned Arsenal his team was far from finished.

“The tie is complicated, but if there’s one team in the world that can turn it around, it’s us, in our stadium and with our fans,” he told Movistar Plus.

Real will hope to take heart from the 1975-76 European Cup when they lost 4-1 away to Derby County in the first leg of the second round but won the return 5-1 at home. — Reuters

Thunder romp after Dončić ejection, torch Lakers to avenge Sunday loss

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER — WIKIPEDIA.ORG

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER scored 42 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 136-120 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

The Thunder (65-14) snapped a two-game losing streak — their first of the season — and set a franchise record for victories in a season. The previous record was set in 1995-96 when the franchise was in Seattle.

Lakers star Luka Dončić was ejected over four minutes into the fourth quarter when he picked up his second technical foul of the game.

Dončić appeared to say something to a courtside fan before he was called for the technical foul. Both he and teammate LeBron James argued their case but to no avail and Dončić soon headed for the locker room.

Dončić, who picked up his first technical in the third quarter, finished with 23 points and five assists.

Dončić had just hit a jumper to put the Lakers ahead 108-107. But after the ejection, Los Angeles went more than three minutes without a field goal as Oklahoma City reeled off a 13-4 run that included 3-pointers from Gilgeous-Alexander and Alex Caruso and a three-point play from Jalen Williams.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with six rebounds, six assists and just one turnover.

After not attempting a free throw in Sunday’s 126-99 Thunder loss to the Lakers, Gilgeous-Alexander was 9-of-11 from the line on Tuesday.

Williams added 26 points in the victory.

For the second consecutive game, the Lakers (48-31) tied a franchise record for 3-pointers in a half with 15 in the first half against the Thunder.

In Sunday’s win, Los Angeles used that hot shooting from outside to jump to a big lead by the second quarter and the Thunder never seriously threatened in the second half.

But on Tuesday, Oklahoma City was able to overcome the Lakers’ hot outside shooting with strong perimeter shooting of its own and strong defense.

Los Angeles was just 3 of 14 from beyond the arc in the second half, including missing all four of its fourth-quarter 3-pointers.

James led the Lakers with 28 points while Austin Reaves added 24. — Reuters

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