Cone sticking to Gilas Pilipinas 12 regulars and three alternates

February 27, 2025 | 7:31 pm

CALL HIM “hard headed” but Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone is sticking to his guns.

Amid passionate fans’ online rumblings for additions and/or changes to his small pool after the frustrating February window, Mr. Cone said he isn’t inclined to tinker with what he’s been implementing since Day One.

“At this point, no, we’re not going to add to the pool. We’re not going to subtract from the pool, unless there’s guys out there that don’t want to join us anymore,” said the Gilas mentor of his 12 regulars and three alternates who would embark on the bid to qualify for the 2027 Olympics.

“But as long as these guys want to continue to play and represent, we’re going to let them represent. People are going to get angry about it. They’re going to get angry at me about it. That’s the bottom line. But we came in with a program. We came with an idea and we’re not going to change it at that first point. We’ll see what happens.”

Mr. Cone explained the many intricacies of redoing things as far as the system, team chemistry and the like if new faces keep on coming in.

“It’s not that easy to pull somebody out or add to the pool or get a bigger pool. There’s finances involved. There’s budget. There’s extra travel time, more practice time. It’s not as simple as just saying, okay, now we’re going to go to 15 or 18 or 20 people,” he said.

“We came in with a program, and we’re going to stick to that program as much as we can. We’re not going to be too hard-headed about it, or I guess that’s the way I’m being described now, being hard-headed. But we suffered some failure at this point.

“Hopefully we can learn from it. But you don’t learn from success; you learn from failure. We’re not going to be great all the time and that’s just an impossible thing to do. But we can be better than what we were, that’s for darn sure.”

After a string of successes in 2024 highlighted by a famous upset of world No. 6 Latvia and No. 22 New Zealand and a 4-0 sweep of the first two windows of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, Gilas stumbled big time in its recent foray.

Though they started with a come-from-behind win against host Qatar, the Nationals lost badly to Lebanon and Egypt in the Doha Invitational Cup then with tired legs, fell to Chinese-Taipei and the Tall Blacks in the Qualifiers on the road.

Mr. Cone admitted their mistake in subjecting the Pinoy dribblers to the rigors of playing three games in three days in Qatar, flying home before packing their bags again for Taiwan and then heading to Auckland immediately after.

Then there’s the difficulty of adjusting to life minus 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, who’s out on an ACL injury, and trying to fast-track the integration of returning big man AJ Edu into the triangle offense.

“I really don’t have words for what happened there. It was hard. It was tough. We didn’t respond as well as we hoped,” he said. — Olmin Leyba

Quiambao powers Goyang vs Busan in Korean League

February 27, 2025 | 7:31 pm

KEVIN QUIAMBAO stamped his well-known versatility in an emphatic Korean Basketball League return after a stint in the final window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers with Gilas Pilipinas.

The Gilas winger flirted with a triple double of 12 points, eight rebounds and career-high 18 assists the Goyang Sono Skygunners stunned the Busan KCC Egis at its homecourt, 95-85, in the homestretch of the KBL regular season on Wednesday night.

It’s the third straight win for the Goyang in the last five games to climb to 13-26 in ninth place.

With Mr. Quiambao’s brilliance, Goyang stayed in the thick of the race for the sixth and last playoff slot, moving within striking distance of Anyang (14-25), Busan (15-25) and Wonju DB Promy (17-21) with still 15 games to spare.

The 23-year-old Mr. Quiambao, a two-time MVP and one-time champion for De La Salle University in the UAAP where he established himself as a point forward, just came off a tough campaign with Gilas last weekend.

The 6-foot-7 young star played limited action as Gilas stumbled to Chinese Taipei, 91-84, and New Zealand, 87-70, on the road.

After a flawless run in the first two windows, Mr. Quiambao and company thus settled for a 4-2 slate at second spot of Group B albeit already qualified for the Asia Cup proper in August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, UAAP Finals MVP JD Cagulangan bested fellow Maroon Javi Gomez de Liaño with four points, five rebounds and two assists as Suwon KT Sonicboom (22-17) drubbed Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (14-25), 63-56. — John Bryan Ulanday

Lady Altas, Lady Knights remain unbeaten to lead NCAA volleyball

February 27, 2025 | 7:30 pm

Games on Friday
(San Beda Gym)
9 a.m. – EAC vs SSC-R (Men)
11 a.m. – EAC vs SSC-R (Women)
1 p.m. – San Beda vs AU (Women)
3 p.m. – San Beda vs AU (Men)

UNIVERSITY OF PERPETUAL Help fended off Jose Rizal University’s (JRU) late uprising and eked out a 25-17, 22-25, 25-14, 25-22 victory on Thursday to remain unscathed and on top in NCAA Season 100 women’s volleyball at the San Beda Gym.

Shaila Allaine Omipon and Winnie Bedana took turns and uncorked 21 and 20 points, respectively, to help propel the Lady Altas claim their second straight victory and keep their place at the helm.

“It’s a blessing in disguise that we lost a set so that we could learn from it,” said UPHSD coach Sandy Rieta.

Up two sets to one, the Las Piñas-based belles faced a rough challenge from the Lady Bombers in the fourth set when the former couldn’t easily put the latter away and even had to shatter a deadlock at 18.

But the prolific duo of Mses. Omipon and Bedana went to work and came through just in time to seal the deal.

JRU dropped to 0-2.

In the other women’s game, Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights also posted its second straight win with a 25-21, 32-34, 25-11, 25-21 win over Mapua University Lady Cardinals.

In men’s play, five-peat feat-seeking UPHSD clobbered JRU, 25-20, 25-21, 25-19, to likewise roll to a second win in a row.

Kobe Brian Tabuga and skipper Jefferson Marapoc were at the center of the storm after unloading 15 and 13 hits, respectively, for the Altas, who are still grieving the demise of their coach Sammy Acaylar just a little over a month ago. — Joey Villar

TNT, Gin Kings eye second win in Commissioner’s Cup semis

February 27, 2025 | 7:29 pm

Games on Friday
(PhilSports Arena)
5 p.m. – NorthPort vs Ginebra
7:30 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs TNT
*Ginebra, TNT lead series, 1-0

THE ONES who landed the first blow aren’t at ease. The ones on the receiving end aren’t in panic mode.

The protagonists in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals know all too well they’re in for what can be a war of attrition.

“It’s going to be a grind the whole way through,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes, whose troops seek a followup to their 88-84 opening nail-biter against Rain or Shine (ROS) in Friday’s Game 2 at the PhilSports Arena.

“We have no illusions that this will be easy by any means. They’re a very well-balanced, well-constructed, well-coached team. They’re very versatile. They have a great import with them. So we really have to be at our best.”

Holding a 1-0 lead like his pal Mr. Reyes, Tim Cone and his Barangay Ginebra charges refused to feel too good about themselves following their emphatic 115-93 beating of NorthPort.

“It’s only one game. We’ll see how this thing evolves over seven games. We didn’t win anything here,” said Mr. Cone.

“We won big (in Game 1) and we just had a really good shooting night and they had an off night. And those things have a tendency to turn around so we’re just going to put this one away and try to focus on Game 2. You know it takes four games to win this series.”

The results of Wednesday’s opening matches did little to shake the confidence of both ROS and NorthPort.

“We’re still good for now. We just have to watch the tape and then do the necessary adjustments,” said Batang Pier star Arvin Tolentino ahead of their 5 p.m. strike-back bid against the Gin Kings.

“This is not the time to feel down. I know, it’s a blowout loss and all, but we have to really stay positive because it’s a long series. Forget about this, tomorrow’s another day, another game.”

The Elasto Painters had a good opportunity to seal Game 1 but were doomed by turnovers in the stretch.

“We’re disappointed but we feel we have this big chance of getting back. We’re anticipating a long series and the more games we play, the better for us,” said ROS mentor Yeng Guiao, displaying the team’s outlook for the 7:30 p.m. second match. — Olmin Leyba

Thunder escape 18-point deficit, race past Nets

February 27, 2025 | 7:29 pm

CHET HOLMGREN scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who rallied from an 18-point deficit and pulled away for a 129-121 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday in New York.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 27 points but was on the bench for Oklahoma City’s decisive 18-0 run. The rally occurred two nights after the Thunder blew a 25-point lead and allowed the final 16 points of the fourth quarter in an overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Aaron Wiggins added 24 off the bench and Jalen Williams contributed 22 for the Thunder, who shot 53.3% and won for the 10^th time in 12 games. Holmgren pulled down a game-high 17 rebounds.

Oklahoma City scored 18 straight points in a span of 3:11 to turn a 103-99 deficit into a 117-103 advantage with 5:13 left as the trio of Holmgren, Williams and Cason Wallace combined for all of 16 points.

The Thunder took the lead for good with 7:38 remaining when Williams was credited with a layup as Keon Johnson was called for goaltending. Oklahoma City held a 117-103 edge after a Williams basket capped the spree.

Brooklyn’s Day’Ron Sharpe started for Nic Claxton (suspended due to flagrant-foul accumulation) and scored a career-high 25 points while collecting 16 rebounds. He scored 18 in Brooklyn’s 76-point first half, but the Nets lost for the third time in four games, were outscored 68-45 in the second half and 68-28 in the paint on the night.

Cameron Johnson added 19 for the Nets, as did Killian Hayes, who started for D’Angelo Russell (sprained right ankle). Ziaire Williams contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds and Keon Johnson finished with 16 points for the Nets, who shot 40.9% and sank 15 of their season-high 23 treys in the opening half.

Brooklyn wound up 23 of 61 (37.7%) from long distance.

The Nets led 30-12 after a dunk by Jalen Wilson and held a 40-29 edge after the opening quarter.

The Thunder sliced the gap to 52-50 on a 3 by Alex Caruso with 6:18 left in the half. Brooklyn countered Oklahoma City’s comeback try by ending the second quarter on a 24-11 run to take a 76-61 lead in the locker room following a 3-pointer by Cameron Johnson.

The Nets held a 13-point lead with 3:32 left in the third quarter and settled for a 96-90 edge entering the fourth.

PISTONS EXTEND WIN STREAK WITH IMPRESSIVE OUTING VS CELTICS
Malik Beasley scored 26 points in 22 minutes off the bench and the host Detroit Pistons extended their winning streak to eight games by cooling off the Boston Celtics 117-97 on Wednesday.

Detroit now has its longest winning streak in 17 years. The last time the Pistons won eight or more consecutive games came in 2008, when they strung together 10 victories from Jan. 23-Feb. 13.

Cade Cunningham had 21 points and 11 assists for Detroit, and Tobias Harris tossed in 16 points while grabbing nine rebounds. Jalen Duren added 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics, who saw their six-game winning streak snapped, with 27 points. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard had 18 points apiece, while Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 11 points. Al Horford logged nine points and 10 rebounds.

The Pistons led by nine points after the first quarter and pushed the advantage early in the second. Boston rallied to tie it at 55-apiece entering halftime by making 11 3-pointers in the second quarter.

Tatum led the Celtics at the break with 15 points, while White and Pritchard had 12 apiece. Beasley led the Pistons with 12 points. — Reuters

Liverpool opens 13-point gap as Arsenal held by Nottingham Forest

February 27, 2025 | 7:28 pm

LONDON — Liverpool opened up a 13-point lead in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United as closest pursuers Arsenal played out a 0-0 stalemate at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

If the weekend’s results appeared to have given Liverpool one hand on the trophy, Arne Slot’s team now seem unstoppable.

Goals in each half by Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister were enough for Liverpool to see off Newcastle who slipped one place in the table to sixth.

Szoboszlai struck in the 11^th minute when Luis Diaz cut the ball back for the Hungarian whose shot beat Nick Pope.

Mac Allister doubled the home side’s lead in the 63^rdminute after Mohamed Salah picked him out.

Liverpool has 67 points from 28 games with Arsenal on 54, albeit having one game in hand. Forest has 48 points. — Reuters

Taurasi legacy

February 27, 2025 | 7:28 pm

“One more year!” The chants from the 11,333-strong crowd reverberated at the Footprint Center as the buzzer sounded to mark the end of the Mercury’s 2024 regular season. Considering that they spotted the visiting Storm 21 points in the first quarter alone, the fans in the arena could have left much earlier. Instead, they stayed on, bent on convincing the cornerstone of the purple and orange for the last two decades to keep plodding on. Needless to say, Diana Taurasi was noncommittal. “If it is the last time, it felt like the first time” was all she volunteered.

Certainly, Taurasi knew she didn’t have anything left to prove in and for the sport she thrived in since donning the colors of the University of Connecticut at the turn of the millennium. Three national championships, three WNBA titles, six Olympic gold medals, and six Euroleague crowns punctuated her hoops history. And that wasn’t even counting the individual honors she had been bestowed en route. The only question was whether she had already felt her heart to be full, never mind the prolonged valedictory the Mercury feted her within the week leading up to the homestand against the Storm.

Five months later, Taurasi gave a definitive answer. Not that anybody was shocked that she opted to formally put a period to her playing career the other day. At 42, she found the daily grind too taxing to be worth the opportunity cost. No doubt, she loved burning rubber; it was the intense preparation prior to doing so that finally ate at her resolve. Her advancing age, increasing susceptibility to injury, and, yes, her overcrowded mantel all signaled to her that it was time to exit stage left. “There’s still days where I’m like: I can still do this, I can still want to play basketball,” she said then. “But then there’s days where I can barely crawl out of bed. That’s the struggle when you’re at this point in your career; you have to do so much you have to do to get back on the court.”

Taurasi is embracing retirement as the WNBA’s undisputed leading scorer of all time, but she knows records are meant to be broken. For one year, at least, she got to see the significant strides the WNBA had made. A geometric progression in follower volume, charter flights, a new collective bargaining agreement on the horizon, expansion — all these, and more, made her beam with pride as she pondered on her invaluable contributions along the way. And so she looks ahead to better things, knowing full well the legacy she leaves behind.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

PLDT eyes KKR stake to take control of Philippines fintech unit

February 27, 2025 | 7:07 pm

Bloomberg-PLDT headquarters — PLDT Inc. headquarters — BLOOMBERG

PLDT Inc. is interested in acquiring KKR & Co.’s stake in its fintech affiliate in a move that could allow the top Philippine telecom company retake control of the now-profitable business.

“It looks like Maya is starting to turn the corner. We’d be keen to increase our stake,” PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel Pangilinan told reporters on Thursday.

PLDT reported its 2024 net income rose 21% to P32.3 billion ($558 million) as Maya Innovations Holdings became profitable in December, backed by the strong performance of its digital banking arm.

PLDT founded Maya — formerly called Voyager Innovations — in 2013 and owns about 38% of the company. KKR holds a stake of around 30%.

The global fund, which first invested in the fintech group in 2018, is “scanning the market for values for Maya,” Pangilinan said. “We’d be a buyer of whatever might be available,” he said.

Retaking control of Maya would allow PLDT to have more say in the company that’s facing growing competition with bigger rival GCash. Backed by Jack Ma’s Ant Group, GCash has dominated mobile payments in the Philippines and is working to build its banking business, an area of focus for Maya.

Along with PLDT and KKR, other investors in Maya include PLDT parent First Pacific Co., Chinese technology giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. and the World Bank’s International Finance Corp.

Mr. Pangilinan also said PLDT is in talks with a foreign investor for the sale of a minority stake in its data center unit after negotiations with CVC Capital Partners ended without a deal. He declined to identify the prospective buyer.

He earlier valued PLDT’s data center business at over $1 billion and a partial sale would help the group cut its debt. The company may sell some property assets if efforts to find an investor for the data center business fail.

“Compared to data centers around the region, we’re modest sized. We want to grow that so that we achieve the right timing for the right valuation for our data centers and not pre-sell it ahead of its time,” he said. — Bloomberg

Hope and light: DigiPlus, BingoPlus Foundation deliver resilience in action in South Luzon

February 27, 2025 | 6:41 pm

DigiPlus and BingoPlus Foundation delivers solar solutions in remote communities and recovery assistance to disaster-stricken families, as part of its KabuhayanPLUS resilience program.

DigiPlus Interactive, through its social development arm, BingoPlus Foundation, continued efforts in promoting resilience in vulnerable communities by bringing its KabuhayanPLUS program in South Luzon regions. Anchoring on disaster response and sustainable livelihood, the Foundation delivered solar solutions in Mangyan Indigenous People (IP) communities in Mindoro and financial assistance to typhoon victims in the Bicol Region as part of post-disaster recovery initiatives.

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Lighting Up IP Communities of Mindoro

Bright lights and bright smiles spread across the Mangyan Indigenous People (IP) community as BingoPlus Foundation trekked the mountains of Manalansay, Oriental Mindoro to provide solar lights and solar generators in response to Samahan ng Magbubukid ng Manaul or SaMa Manaul’s request for assistance to solve their electricity problems.

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According to IP residents of Manaul, the lack of electricity has impacted their ability to maximize hours to produce their handicraft and other forms of livelihood. Children must also study despite the dark, reading by the furnace or with only a flashlight.

Communications is also dependent on the ability to travel to the town proper to charge mobile phones.

“Even if I want to finish my work, I can’t because I can only work until there is light. As a mother, it really pains me to see my kids not being able to accomplish their requirements in school because it’s too dark to work at night,” said Liza Gayot, who’s been a long-time resident of Manaul. “I’m thankful for BingoPlus Foundation because you are the light of our life and home,” said Gayot. “After 20 years, we finally have lights in our own homes,” she added.

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Bringing Hope to Typhoon Victims in Bicol Region

Meanwhile, BingoPlus Foundation concluded its commitment to provide financial assistance to bereaved families of Super-Typhoon Kristine, as part of a P37-million pledge initiated since November 2024. From January to February 2025, the Foundation collaborated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V in Bicol Region to provide financial aid to 74 affected families from Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes and Masbate.

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The DSWD also donated family food packs, drinking water, hygiene supplies and first aid kits. The turnover ceremony held in Pili, Camarines Sur was joined by DSWD Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations Paul Ledesma and DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio.

“Our hearts go out to all the families affected by Typhoon Kristine,” said Angela Camins-Wieneke, Executive Director of BingoPlus Foundation. “While the typhoon has since passed, the loss of loved ones — many of whom were breadwinners — is an additional burden to bear in the journey to recovery.” According to beneficiaries, the financial assistance of P250,000 will be used not only for house repairs, but also to sustain the education of orphaned children and daily household needs of families left behind.

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Noodle maker Nissin plans big investments, eyes pickup in demand

February 27, 2025 | 6:24 pm

Bloomberg-Nissin Food instant noodles — Packets of Nissin Food instant noodles sit on a shelf at a store in Hong Kong. — BLOOMBERG/CALVIN SIT

Nissin Foods Holdings Co., one of the world’s largest instant noodle makers, plans to invest “many hundreds of millions of dollars” in the next several years for expansion in Japan and elsewhere, according to its chief executive officer.

Nissin Foods expects continued demand for cheap precooked noodles even as the industry works to shed its image of being an unhealthy staple, President and CEO Koki Ando said in an interview on the sidelines of the World Instant Noodles Association summit in Manila on Wednesday.

“We are planning to increase our investments,” said Mr. Ando, who also heads the association. The Tokyo-based company expects to boost capital expenditure up until 2030, devoting “many hundreds of millions of dollars” in Japan and other countries, Mr. Ando added.

Instant noodles, originally from Japan and now a global staple, are undergoing a change as producers create healthier variations of the meal. They aim to revive interest in the product after consumption dropped in 2023 for the first time in four years. That followed a 14% increase between 2019 and 2022.

Global consumption of instant noodles dipped nearly 1% to 120.2 billion servings in 2023, based on the latest industry data. Last year’s number “slightly exceeded” 2023, Ando said, adding that the industry group sees at least 120 billion servings this year.

Demand grew during the coronavirus pandemic with families holed up in homes. But consumption eased in 2023 as economies reopened and noodle prices rose in many countries, he said. China, Indonesia and India are the world’s top instant noodle markets.

Nissin Foods reduced salt in its Udon noodle by a third between 2005 to 2024, company data show. It also launched products fortified with various nutrients, such as protein, vitamins and minerals. —Bloomberg/Neil Jerome Morales

Pag-IBIG Fund announces record P55.65-B dividend in 2024; Regular Savings earn 6.6%, MP2 yields 7.1%

February 27, 2025 | 5:52 pm

Pag-IBIG Fund declared the highest-ever amount of dividends for its members’ savings at the Chairman’s Report 2024 held Thursday at the Philippine International Convention Center.

For 2024, Pag-IBIG Fund reported P55.65 billion in total dividends, marking the largest payout in the agency’s 44-year history. As a result, the dividend rates for the Regular Savings climbed to 6.6%, while the agency’s popular Modified Pag-IBIG 2 (MP2) Savings rate rose to 7.1%.

“For nearly five decades now, this institution has empowered individuals and families to find, acquire, and build the homes they aspire for—all in a system founded on trust, integrity, and shared opportunity,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said in a message. “This Chairman’s Report 2024 stands as proof of how your unwavering commitment has grown the contributions entrusted to your care, enabling every hardworking Filipino to achieve their dream homes. Let us remain steadfast in creating a strong, secure, and inclusive Pag-IBIG Fund that uplifts communities and ensures no Filipino is left behind in this era of Bagong Pilipinas.”

Pag-IBIG Fund recorded another banner year, with its 2024 net income reaching P67.52 billion—a 36% increase from P49.79 billion in 2023. The agency also surpassed the P1-trillion mark in total assets, closing the year at P1.069 trillion, another all-time high.

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who chairs the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees, underscored the agency’s outstanding performance and robust financial standing. “Pag-IBIG Fund has once again marked 2024 as one of its best-performing years, achieving record highs in both total assets and net income. This accomplishment directly benefits our members, as we declared P55.65 billion in dividends—equivalent to 82.71% of our net income, exceeding the 70% dividend requirement by law,” Acuzar said. “With our strong performance, sound investments and robust finances, we are well-equipped to continue providing our members with responsive benefits, and advance our efforts under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program, ensuring that more Filipino workers can access affordable homes.”

Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta highlighted the agency’s record-setting performance in 2024. She noted that Pag-IBIG released P129.73 billion in home loans, helping 90,640 members acquire new or better homes. The agency also collected a total of P132.81 billion in membership savings—P73.74 billion of which were voluntarily saved under Upgraded and MP2 Savings—and disbursed P70.33 billion in cash loans to assist more than 3.2 million members.

“Truly, when Pag-IBIG Fund performs well, our members benefit the most,” Acosta said. “We take great pride in our record-high achievements in 2024, which reflect our commitment to helping members achieve their dream of homeownership, find relief in trying times, and save for a brighter future. We remain steadfast in safeguarding our members’ contributions and ensuring they yield the best possible returns—because our members deserve nothing less than the highest level of public service and the most prudent stewardship of their hard-earned savings.”

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Palawan Group of Companies shines with three major wins at the 12^th International Finance Awards 2024

February 27, 2025 | 4:00 pm

Palawan Group of Companies (PGC) swept three major awards at the 12^th Annual International Finance Awards 2024 held in Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, securing recognition for excellence in financial inclusion and services. PGC was awarded Most Innovative E-Wallet App for PalawanPay, Best Pawning Company, and Most Innovative Remittance Company, in the Philippines.

Bernard Kaibigan, Group Marketing Head at PGC, expressed gratitude for the recognition of the company’s dedication to championing financial inclusion: “For almost 40 years, we’ve made it our mission to provide affordable, fast, and hassle-free services. Whether through Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, or PalawanPay, we’ve strived to make financial services accessible to every Filipino, especially the unbanked and underbanked.”

Bernard Kaibigan, Group Marketing Head at PGC, was grateful to the PGC team and most importantly to their “sukis” — beloved customers who remain at the core of the company’s mission.

The International Finance Awards, established in 2013 by UK-based International Finance magazine, celebrate excellence in the global financial sector. Recognizing talent, leadership, and innovation, these awards honor organizations and individuals driving market development through sustainability, financial inclusion, and technological advancement. International Finance, a leading source of credible financial news and analysis, employs a rigorous research process to select winners based on proven achievements.

Palawan Group of Companies proudly received multiple trophies during the awarding night, recognizing their commitment to providing affordable, fast, and hassle-free services to Filipinos while championing financial inclusivity.

Recognized as the “Best Pawning Company,” Palawan Pawnshop provides transparent collateral evaluation, competitive rates, and exceptional service. Its trademark of high appraisal values and low interest rates provides its “sukis” with greater cash payouts, solidifying its reputation as a reliable pawning partner.

Palawan Pawnshop-Express Pera Padala is a leading provider of domestic and international remittance services. Its nationwide presence, encompassing over 10,000 outlets, ensures accessibility for Filipinos throughout the country, including those in remote areas.

PalawanPay, awarded “Most Innovative E-Wallet”, has rapidly onboarded over 20 million users in just two years. Aside from its affordable cash-in and cash-out rates, it also offers innovative and convenient in-app access to services such as pawn renewal, microinsurance, and gold and jewelry transactions, all at competitive rates.

With these accolades, PGC reaffirms its stance as a leader in accessible, affordable, and innovative financial solutions. Grounded in its “mura, mabilis, at walang kuskos balungos” (affordable, fast, and hassle-free) philosophy, PGC is undoubtedly raising industry benchmarks. Most importantly, the company remains true to its commitment of empowering Filipinos by providing accessible and inclusive financial services.

ABOUT PALAWAN GROUP OF COMPANIES

The Palawan Group of Companies includes products and services such as Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, Palawan ProtekTODO, Palawan Credit, and PalawanPay. A brand trusted by Filipinos for almost four decades, PGC is one of the fastest-growing financial institutions in the country. With its strength in remittance and pawning services, the company is the market leader in the industry and has over 70,000 branches, Pera Padala outlets, and PalawanPay Money Shops nationwide.

Palawan Group of Companies offers a wide range of services, including pawning, domestic and international remittances, microinsurance, bills payment, electronic mobile phone loading, cash-in and cash-out of e-wallets, money exchange, ATM withdrawal, and cash disbursements. Additionally, the company sells jewelry and gold bars, catering to customers looking to invest in valuable assets.

Palawan Group of Companies introduced PalawanPay, an e-wallet app that allows users to send and receive remittances anytime, anywhere. PalawanPay is the company’s latest digital solution, offering faster, safer, and more convenient transactions. In addition to remittances, the app provides access to other financial services, including bills payments, mobile load top-ups, and scan-to-pay QR Ph codes. The app also features integrated functionality for pawn renewal, purchasing jewelry and gold items, ProtekTODO personal insurance, and claiming international remittances.

Palawan Group of Companies is supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

For more information, go to Palawan Pawnshop and PalawanPay websites.

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