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Lady Bulldogs regain Top 2 spot on resumption of UAAP

UAAP MEDIA TEAM/ NICOLE HERNANDEZ

Games Thursday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
10 a.m. — UP vs DLSU (men)
12 noon — FEU vs ADMU (men)
2 p.m. — UP vs DLSU (women)
4 p.m. — FEU vs ADMU (women)

NATIONAL University (NU) wasted no time following up its big time win against erstwhile unbeaten University of Santo Tomas (UST) with an easy work of the University of the East (UE), 25-14 25-14, 25-12, in the resumption of the The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Bulldogs, who dented the previously unbeaten Golden Tigresses before the 10-day Holy Week break, needed only 75 minutes to dispatch the Lady Warriors behind the lethal duo of Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.

Ms. Solomon fired 14 points on 13 hits while the versatile ace Ms. Belen was everywhere once again with 12 points on eight attacks and four blocks complemented by 10 digs and 10 receptions.

All players, save for the liberos and setters, scored for NU that hiked its slate to 8-2 on the back of pace-setting (UST) (8-1) and reigning champion De La Salle University (7-1) in a photo finish for the Top Two spots and the twice-to-beat bonuses in the Final Four.

Peaking at the right time with now two straight wins in the second round, the former champion’s offense was unforgiving up to an extent that UE wasn’t able to register a single block.

Led by Ms. Belen and libero Shaira Mae Jardio with 12 digs, the Lady Bulldogs — who opted to stay with the team during the Holy Week break instead of going home to their provinces — also protected the floor like it’s their backyard with no single ace from the Lady Warriors.

Super rookie Casiey Monique Dongallo was limited to just six points while Riza Nogales had the same output for the Lady Warriors, who slid to 2-7 at seventh place. — John Bryan Ulanday

Cignal guns for magic four vs dangerous Farm Fresh

CIGNAL HD SPIKERS — PVL.PH

Games Thursday
(PhilSports Arena)
4 p.m. — Farm Fresh vs Cignal
6 p.m. — Nxled vs SGA

CIGNAL eyes to reclaim its lost bearing and its old spot in the magic four as it tangles with an unpredictable Farm Fresh Thursday in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

The HD Spikers would be aiming to mend their broken hearts after blowing what could have a been one of the biggest, if not their biggest, victories to date in a stinging 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 defeat to the Creamline Cool Smashers last March 27.

Had Cignal won, it would have seized a piece of the lead.

Instead, the loss sent the franchise spiraling out of the magic four and into sixth spot with a 4-2 record.

But they would have a chance to leapfrog back to their old slot if the HD Spikers could hurdle the Foxies in their 4 p.m. duel.

Cignal, however, shouldn’t go into that match overconfident as Farm Fresh, which owns a 2-4 record, has shown its uncanny ability to slay some of the league dragons as evidence by the latter’s shock 25-23, 25-22, 25-16, win over Chery Tiggo last March 9.

The HD Spikers should rely anew on the troika of Jovelyn Gonzaga, Ces Molina and Roselyn Doria, who had 22, 19 and 19 points, respectively, the last time out, as they shoot for a win that should serve as a soothing balm to their wounded hearts.

Meanwhile, Nxled (1-5) and Strong Group Athletics (SGA) collide at 6 p.m. — Joey Villar

18 teams to headline Pinoy Liga Collegiate Cup

DE LA SALLE University Green Archers — UAAP MEDIA TEAM/ STEVE MARION

Games Saturday
(Enderun Colleges)
12n.n. — Lyceum vs FEU
2:30 p.m. — UP vs San Sebastian

Games Sunday
(Enderun Colleges)
12n.n. — Fatima vs Perpetual Help
2:30 p.m. — Guang Ming vs Enderun

UAAP king De La Salle University and NCAA champion San Beda University headlines the cast as the Pinoy Liga Collegiate Cup ushers in the star-studded Season 3 this weekend at the Enderun Colleges.

A total of 18 teams that also includes the former champions Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the East (UE) figure in the battle among the country’s finest varsity squads for the title of the premier pre-season tournament now recognized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

UE, led by now UP Maroon Rey Remogat, won the inaugural title in 2022, followed by the Tab Baldwin-mentored Ateneo last year as all fancied collegiate squads figure in expected tightrope battle anew.

De La Salle, with UAAP Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao at the helm, leads the Prime Division with Ateneo, NCAA runner-up Mapua University, National University, Lyceum University of the Philippines, Enderun Colleges, Manila Central University and Guang Ming College while San Beda banners the Edge Division with UAAP runner-up University of the Philippines.

Completing Edge are Adamson University, UE, Letran, Our Lady of Fatima University, San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Diliman College as well as the souped-up University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and Far Eastern University (FEU).

Perpetual recently named former FEU tactician Olsen Racela its new head coach while the Tamaraws will be mentored by PBA legend Sean Chambers, who just arrived in the country over the weekend to start their training camp.

“We want the players to enjoy the tournament for an opportunity to learn. The Pinoy Liga is a stage to improve their skills before they go to their respective leagues,” said founder Benny Benitez as Pinoy Liga also sealed a free TV partnership deal with Aliw Channel 23.

“We’re now on free-to-air TV so that the countryside, the whole nation can see us. They can check their favorite college and university teams, their favorite players and see the players to watch out for,” added Mr. Benitez, joined by Ian Borbe, the technical head of BRASCU, Amelie Hotel brand and marketing manager Mark Abellon and Eastern Communications representative Gian Barcarse. — John Bryan Ulanday

PSC kickstarts nationwide Indigenous People’s  Games

(L-R) Commissioner Matthew ‘Fritz’ Gaston and IP Games project head Elias Samorin lay down the details of the 2024 IP Games - Luzon leg during the Philippine Sportswriter Association Forum on Wednesday.

THE PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) will hold three regional legs of the Indigenous People’s (IP) Games this year that will start in Luzon at the Municipality of Salcedo, Ilocos Sur on April 19-20.

The IP Games made a successful comeback last year in Palawan after the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, PSC eyes Bacolod City in Visayas and General Santos City in Mindanao as possible hosts of the remaining two legs.

“We are acknowledging the culture and traditions in these games. We are expecting to see a bigger number of participants this year, well over a thousand for all the three regional legs. We might even have an additional leg for Bangsamoro,” said Commissioner Matthew ‘Fritz’ Gaston who oversees the IP Games.

“We would like to acknowledge our LGU partner and host in Ilocos Sur, headed by Gov. Jeremias “Jerry” Singson and Salcedo Mayor Ninya Grazielle Gironella-Itchon, together with our support sponsors Milo and Pocari for their assistance,” he added.

The PSC has been organizing the IP Games since 2018 as part of its mandate of showcasing and preserving the traditional sports and games. Among the games popularly played in the program all throughout are pana, sumpit, kadang-kadang, trumpo, and javelin. 

The program also conducts Indigenous People’s Forum that emphasizes the importance of the IP community and its preservation across generations.

In partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) and the local government units (LGUs), the program aims to expand and reach more IP communities annually.

CAS rejects International Boxing Association’s appeal after Olympic body withdrew recognition

THE INTERNATIONAL Boxing Association’s (IBA) appeal against a decision to withdraw recognition of it being the sport’s international federation was dismissed on Tuesday by global sport’s top court.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) in June decided to strip the IBA of recognition over its failure to complete reforms on governance, finance and ethical issues.

“The IOC Session took its decision based on the recommendation issued by the IOC Executive Board on 7 June 2023 following a long process, initiated shortly after the Olympic Games Rio 2016,” the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said in a statement.

“During (the process) the IOC requested the IBA to undertake various measures to address serious concerns related to its governance and financial stability.”

It added that the IBA had not complied with the conditions set down by the IOC.

“The IBA had not increased its financial transparency and sustainability including through diversification of revenues (nor) changed its process relating to referees and judges to ensure its integrity,” CAS said.

The sports court added that the IBA had not implemented all the measures proposed by the “Governance Reform Group” established by the IOC, including a change of culture.

“The Panel determined that these three elements justified the IOC Session’s decision to withdraw recognition of the IBA,” the statement added.

“(It also) emphasized that the IOC’s right to control the circumstances in and the conditions on which it confers recognition outweighed the IBA’s personality rights.”

Rival body World Boxing said last month it will seek recognition from Olympic organizers to replace the IBA and keep the troubled sport on the program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. — Reuters

Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves top Houston Rockets for 52nd win

NAZ REID scored 25 points on 10-for-17 shooting, and the Minnesota Timberwolves held on for a 113-106 win over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.

Anthony Edwards added 21 points for Minnesota (52-23), which won for the fifth time in the past six games. Rudy Gobert notched a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Jalen Green scored 26 points to lead Houston (38-37). Fred VanVleet scored 22 points and Jabari Smith, Jr. finished with 18 for the Rockets, who have lost back-to-back games after winning the previous 11.

The Timberwolves’ 52nd win of the season moved them past the 2002-03 club starring Kevin Garnett for second place in franchise history. Mr. Garnett’s 2003-04 team holds the franchise record with 58 wins.

On Tuesday, a 3-pointer by Mr. Conley increased Minnesota’s lead to 96-81 with 7:48 to play.

Houston stormed back with a 19-5 run to pull within 101-100 with 1:52 left. Jeff Green and Mr. VanVleet made back-to-back 3-pointers to finish the run and put the pressure on the Timberwolves in the final two minutes.

Houston trailed by at least five points the rest of the way.

The Timberwolves led 81-72 at the end of the third quarter. Cam Whitmore made a dunk to pull Houston within 75-72 with 1:50 to go in the quarter. Minnesota scored the final six points on one basket by Mr. Edwards and two by Kyle Anderson.

Minnesota relied on a strong second quarter to build a 54-45 lead at halftime. Mr. Reid led all scorers with 17 points. — Reuters

Juventus beats Lazio 2-0 in Coppa Italia semis first leg

TURIN, Italy — Juventus earned a 2-0 advantage over Lazio in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semifinal on Tuesday when forwards Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic both scored for Massimiliano Allegri’s side in the second half.

The win edged Juventus closer to their 22nd final in the cup, which they have won a record 14 times.

The return leg will be played in Rome on April 23.

Juventus could have opened the scoring early in the game when they were awarded a penalty for Matias Vecino’s foul on defender Andrea Cambiaso but the referee overturned his decision after a VAR check showed that the Juve right-back was offside.

Lazio, who lost striker Mattia Zaccagni through injury in the 14th minute, looked better in the opening half, pressing for chances while they held more possession.

But the visitors, who on Saturday edged Juve 1-0 at home in Serie A with a last-gasp goal, struggled for precision and Chiesa eventually gave Juventus the lead five minutes after the break.

The Italy striker profited from a neat vertical pass by Mr. Cambiaso to strike from the edge of the box low inside the right post.

The goal sparked Juventus into life and Mr. Vlahovic doubled their advantage in the 64th minute, netting into the bottom far corner.

Weston McKennie played Mr. Vlahovic in from the right flank with a first touch for the Serbian to break into the box and score his 10th goal across all competitions since the turn of the year.

“It was a really difficult period for all of us, we knew we had to be up to this game,” Mr. Vlahovic told Mediaset.

“We played against a very strong team, with a strong coach. We gave everything and after the goal everything became easier.”

Juventus are unbeaten in their last 23 home games in the competition, a record streak for the Bianconeri in the tournament.

Their last home Coppa Italia defeat came in March 2015, a 2-1 loss to Fiorentina with a brace from Mohamed Salah.

Lazio, who have reached the Coppa Italia semifinals for the first time since 2018-19, ended the game with no shots on target, suffering five consecutive defeats away from home in the competition for the first time.

Fiorentina hosts Atalanta in the other semifinal on Wednesday. — Reuters

Powerful quake jolts Taiwan

FIREFIGHTERS work at the site where a building collapsed following the earthquake in Hualien, Taiwan, in this handout provided by Taiwan’s National Fire Agency on April 3, 2024. — TAIWAN NATIONAL FIRE AGENCY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS

TAIPEI — A 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Taiwan on Wednesday, the strongest tremor to hit the island in at least 25 years, killing four people, injuring hundreds and sparking a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines that was later lifted.

Taiwan’s government said four people had died in the mountainous, sparsely populated eastern county of Hualien near where the epicenter was, with 711 injured.

The fire department said 77 people remained trapped, some in collapsed buildings in Hualien.

Taiwan television stations showed footage of buildings at precarious angles in Hualien, where the quake struck just offshore around 8am (0000GMT) as people were going to work and school.

The quake was centered just off the east coast at a depth of 15.5km (9.6 miles), according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.

“It was very strong. It felt as if the house was going to topple,” said 60-year-old Taipei hospital worker Chang Yu-lin.

The presidential office said president-elect Lai Ching-te, who takes office next month, would visit Hualien later on Wednesday.

Video showed rescuers using ladders to help people out of windows, while elsewhere, massive landslides caused by the tremors carved down hillsides.

There was also strong shaking felt on Taipei’s subway system, which closed briefly to evacuate passengers though service resumed soon after on most lines.

Japan’s weather agency, which put the earthquake’s magnitude at 7.7, said several small tsunami waves reached parts of the southern prefecture of Okinawa.

The Philippines Seismology Agency issued a warning for residents in coastal areas of several provinces, urging them to evacuate to higher ground.

Taiwan also issued a tsunami warning, but reported no damage from that, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii later said the risk of damaging tsunami waves had passed.

Aftershocks could still be felt in Taipei, with more than 50 aftershocks registered, according to Taiwan’s central weather administration.

Chinese state media said the quake was felt in China’s Fujian province, while a Reuters witness said it was also felt in Shanghai.

Electricity operator Taipower said most power had been restored, adding that the island’s two nuclear power stations were not affected by the temblor.

Taiwan’s high speed rail operator said no damage or injuries were reported on its trains, but noted trains will be delayed while it carries out inspections.

Semiconductor giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a major Apple and Nvidia supplier, said it had evacuated some fabrication plants and its safety systems were operating normally.

“To ensure the safety of personnel, some fabs were evacuated according to company procedure. We are currently confirming the details of the impact,” according to the company.

It later added that those evacuated were beginning to return to their workplaces.

Taiwan’s benchmark share index largely brushed off the impact of the earthquake, closing down 0.6%. TSMC’s Taipei-listed shares ended down 1.3%. — Reuters

J.K. Rowling will not face action under Scottish hate crime laws, police say

J.K. ROWLING — EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

LONDON — J.K. Rowling will not face any action under Scotland’s new hate crime law after she challenged it by asserting on social media that a number of transgender women were men, police said on Tuesday.

The Harry Potter author, a prominent gender critical campaigner, made the comments on Monday, the day that the crime of “stirring up hatred” relating to age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity came into effect.

She was backed by British Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak, who said people should not be criminalized for saying “common sense” things about biological sex.

Police Scotland said it had received complaints in relation to Ms. Rowling’s social media post.

“The comments are not assessed to be criminal and no further action will be taken,” a spokesperson said.

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf had said the bill was about “protecting people from a rising tide of hatred.”

“Unless your behavior is threatening or abusive and intends to stir up hatred, then you have nothing to worry about in terms of the new offences being created,” he said.

Women are not protected as a group, but the Scottish National Party-led government in Edinburgh is looking at separate reforms to target misogyny.

Scotland has been at the forefront of extending rights to the transgender community but a previous attempt to make it easier to change a legal gender was blocked by London over concerns it would impinge existing equality legislation.

The new hate crime law has also faced criticism over its impact on freedom of speech and concerns that it could be used to silence some views, including from those who advocate for women-only spaces.

Ms. Rowling tested the law by listing 10 trans women, including a convicted rapist, sex abusers and high profile activists, on X and saying they were men.

“Freedom of speech and belief are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal,” she said.

LAW GIVES POLICE ‘WRONG PRIORITIES,’ PM SAYS
“I’m currently out of the country, but if what I’ve written here qualifies as an offence under the terms of the new act, I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment.”

Scottish ministers have previously said misgendering people would not be an offense under the new law.

However, Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhan Brown told BBC radio on Monday it would be a matter for police to decide.

Mr. Sunak said Britain had a proud tradition of free speech and that the new law had given the police the wrong priorities.  “We should not be criminalizing people saying common sense things about biological sex,” he told reporters. “Clearly that isn’t right.”

India Willoughby, Britain’s first transgender newsreader and one of those who was listed by Ms. Rowling, questioned why anyone should “publicly denigrate and mock” trans people.

“What a sad pathetic sight. The best-known author in the world sitting up all night to write a mega-long troll post about me, because she’s consumed by a hatred of trans people. Completely deranged,” India Willoughby said.

The Scottish Police Federation said officers were being asked to enforce new laws when resources were being cut.

“We are anticipating a high number of complaints in relation to social media posts and it is clearly going to create a lot of extra work,” it said. — Reuters

North Korea aims to switch to solid-fuel missiles for faster launches

SEOUL — North Korea successfully test-fired a new hypersonic missile, state news agency KCNA said on Wednesday, the latest step in a plan its leader Kim Jong Un described as aimed at using solid fuel to power its entire range of missiles.

The North is developing missiles and nuclear weapons undeterred by sanctions in the wake of United Nations (UN) Security Council bans, while analysts say solid-fuel missiles can be faster to deploy than liquid-fuel variants.

It drew swift condemnation from neighbors South Korea and Japan, as well as the United States for firing the intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) into the sea on Tuesday.

Mr. Kim oversaw the launch of the new Hwasong-16B missile, KCNA said, calling it a strategic weapon showcasing the “absolute superiority” of the North’s defense technology.

It perfects the North’s project for “putting all the tactical, operational and strategic missiles with various ranges on solid-fueled, warhead-controlled and nuclear warhead-carrying basis,” Mr. Kim said, according to KCNA.

That would give North Korea the capacity for “rapidly, accurately and powerfully striking any target in the enemy side worldwide,” Mr. Kim said.

Analysts said it was unclear if the North would exclusively use solid-fuel missiles in future, and what the switch would mean for its arsenal of liquid-fuel weapons, such as its largest Hwasong-17 and Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

North Korea may heavily favor solid-fuel systems where possible, but actually phasing out liquid-fuel weapons is likely to play out over years, said Ankit Panda of the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

“There are obvious strategic advantages to an all-solid-fuel force for them in the form of greater promptness, responsiveness, and survivability,” he added.

North Korea would need to have high confidence in its production capabilities to allow solid-fuel missiles to sit for a number of years, during which they may develop imperfections that lead to in-flight failures, Mr. Panda added.

“India and other countries have had problems with this sort of thing with solid-fuel missiles,” he said. “Liquid-fuel missiles, despite their strategic disadvantages, don’t face this particular long-term handling problem.”

A move away from liquid fuel would be surprising, given recent state media coverage of such weapons, but would make sense if North Korea wants an extremely responsive missile force, said Decker Eveleth of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in California.

“Solid-fuel missiles are much, much faster to get off the ground in an emergency,” he said in a post on X.

Such a shift could also see North Korea place some ICBMs in silos, in addition to the mobile launch vehicles it has exclusively used so far, Mr. Eveleth added.

North Korea’s pursuit of hypersonic vehicles helps its broader effort to field warheads tougher to intercept.

Warheads typically launched by such missiles travel at more than five times the speed of sound or about 6,200 kph (3,850 mph), often maneuvering at relatively low altitudes.

That maneuverability, not speed, is the most attractive feature of such weapons, analysts say, as the latter can sometimes be matched or exceeded by traditional ballistic missile warheads.

Tuesday’s launch, which followed a ground test late in March of a solid-fuel engine for a new type of intermediate-range hypersonic missile, was also condemned by Britain, which said it breached UN Security Council resolutions. — Reuters

Dusit Thani Manila named one of the Top 10 Hotels and Resorts in the Philippines in the 2024 DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards

Dusit Thani Manila has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Hotels and Resorts in the Philippines in the 2024 DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards. This prestigious accolade underscores the hotel’s unwavering commitment to excellence and unwavering dedication to guest satisfaction.

DestinAsian magazine, widely recognized as Southeast Asia’s foremost luxury travel publication, recently revealed the results of its highly anticipated 17th annual Readers’ Choice Awards (RCA 2024). Dusit Thani Manila secured a coveted spot in the Top 10 Hotels and Resorts category, reaffirming its position as a premier hospitality destination in the Philippines known for exceptional service and world-class amenities.

Stanley Lo, General Manager of Dusit Thani Manila, expressed his gratitude, stating, “We are deeply honored to be acknowledged among the top hotels and resorts in the Philippines by the discerning readers of DestinAsian. This prestigious accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled guest experiences.”

The complete list of winners from the RCA 2024 can be found in the March/May 2024 print edition of DestinAsian magazine and will soon be available online at DestinAsian.com.

 

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Philippines says it is committed to maintaining position at Second Thomas Shoal

AN AERIAL VIEW of the BRP Sierra Madre at the contested Second Thomas Shoal on March 9, 2023. — REUTERS

MANILA – The Philippines will continue resupply missions to soldiers stationed in a grounded warship off Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea and China’s attempts to foil them will be met with a response, a top security official said on Wednesday.

Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson of the National Security Council, said the Philippines remains committed to keep the BRP Sierra Madre which it deliberately grounded in 1999 to bolster its maritime claims to the disputed waters.

“Our commitment to maintain (BRP Sierra Madre) will always be there. Any attempt by China to interfere with resupply missions will be met by the Philippines in a fashion that protects our troops both doing resupply and those that are (on shoal),” Malaya told a maritime forum.

The disputed shoal in the South China Sea has been a flashpoint of recent maritime run-ins between Manila and Beijing, including the Chinese coast guard’s use of water cannons that have injured Filipino soldiers.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Its territorial claims overlap with waters claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said China’s claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected. — Reuters

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