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Tariff pause seen as window to attract relocating manufacturers

RAUL JOSEPH A. CONCEPCION — FACEBOOK.COM/RAULJOSEPHCONCEPCION

THE PHILIPPINES should take advantage of the 90-day pause before the higher US tariffs set in to attract manufacturers relocating from heavily tariffed China, an industrialist said.

Concepcion Industrial Corp. Chairman and President Raul Joseph A. Concepcion called the 90-day pause a strategic opportunity as “many countries and companies (look), because of the tariff differentials, to move away and to deleverage against China,” he said on the Money Talks with Cathy Yang program on One News.

“As a result of that, then you will see, I think, an opportunity for the Philippines to invite manufacturers to come in, and this is the time. I think we have that small timeframe to ask people to come into the Philippines,” he added.

The Philippines was assigned a 17% tariff, the second lowest in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after Singapore’s baseline rate of 10%.

ASEAN member countries are facing some of the highest duties. Cambodia was assigned a 49% tariff, followed by Laos (48%), Vietnam (46%), Myanmar (44%), Thailand (36%), Indonesia (32%), Malaysia (24%), and Brunei (24%).

US President Donald J. Trump has since announced a 90-day pause on the tariffs, leaving only the blanket 10% duty on most trading partners until July.

Asked how the tariffs have been affecting businesses, Mr. Concepcion said companies in the last two weeks have received calls inquiring whether they can manufacture products for export to the US.

“That opportunity is available to us today, and the ability to do that now is very important for us. We just have to work smarter. Right now the government, together with the private sector, has to look for those opportunities and then obviously focus and pursue those,” he said.

“We’ve got to look at making the Philippines a destination. We have to broadcast that and market that and really put up the support services that help companies that are willing to transfer here,” he added.

However, he said that a free trade agreement may not be beneficial for the Philippines in the long term.

“It is good if it helps. But at the end of the day, I do not think that that is something that is sustainable in the long term. Companies do not come in and invest just because of trade deals,” he said.

He added that more than a trade deal, the Philippines should ready its infrastructure, logistics, downstream industries, and workforce.

Ateneo de Manila Professor Luis F. Dumlao said that the Philippines should articulate to the US that the two economies are complementary.

“We do have a deficit in electronics, but what we export to them are parts that the US can complete as manufactured end-user products, which they can export around the world, including the Philippines,” he said.

“We should sit down basically as partners, not as trade competitors,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Dumlao said that he does not think that a free trade deal is possible between the Philippines and the US.

“The US, for political reasons, will never get rid of its subsidy on agricultural products. So we have to rely on second best,” he said.

“That is why we have to sit down together and get to something that is as close to free trade as possible. Knowing that we should not be naive that absolute free trade is possible,” he added.

Further, he said that there is a need for the Philippines to market its second-lowest tariff in ASEAN.

“We should try to take advantage of the fact that others will be diversifying instead of putting all their eggs on China in terms of manufacturing. We are not going to get them all, but it is just an opportunity to get a piece of the action,” he added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

PHL debt-to-GDP ratio seen at 60.2% — AMRO

REUTERS/THOMAS WHITE/ILLUSTRATION

THE Philippine debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio will likely settle at 60.2% this year, ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said on Monday.

In its Fiscal Policy Report, AMRO forecast points to an improvement from the 60.7% it projected for the end of 2024.

The government seeks to bring the ratio down to 60.4% by the end of 2025, and to 56.3% by 2028.

“The government debt-to-GDP ratio has begun to decline or stabilize in more economies, including Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam,” AMRO said on Monday.

A ratio of 60% is considered by development banks to be manageable for economies like the Philippines.

“The debt-to-GDP ratio began to decline or stabilize in more economies (in ASEAN+3), while others saw a slower rise. Robust economic growth and high inflation helped stabilize or lower debt ratios, but high effective interest rates exerted upward pressures.”

ASEAN+3 consists of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus China, Japan and South Korea.

“Despite signs of debt stabilization in some economies, government debt and gross financing needs are expected to remain elevated,” it said.

In February, Philippine outstanding debt rose to a fresh high of P16.63 trillion, the Bureau of the Treasury reported.

AMRO said the region should “navigate fiscal strategy through uncertainties by adopting flexible responses while remaining committed to fiscal prudence.”

At the end of 2024, the budget deficit settled at 5.7% of GDP, lower than 6.2% at the end of 2023.

In February, the deficit widened by 4.11% to P171.4 billion from a year earlier.

“Fiscal authorities should maintain agility and flexibility to respond swiftly to emerging shocks, particularly those arising from heightened risks such as more aggressive protectionist policies and escalated geopolitical tensions,” it added.

US President Donald J. Trump on April 9 paused his new reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, although a baseline 10% tariff on almost all US imports remains in effect.

The Philippines faced a 17% reciprocal tariff, which was the second lowest among Southeast Asian countries. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Thai coconut processor to invest over P1 billion in Misamis Oriental

PHIVIDEC INDUSTRIAL AUTHORITY FB PAGE

PHILCO FOOD Processing, Inc., a unit of Thai World Group of Companies, is building an over P1-billion coconut processing facility in Misamis Oriental, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

In a social media post, PEZA said that a 20-year lease agreement was signed between PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority and PhilCo to establish the facility within the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Tagaloan.

“It is expected to generate 2,500 jobs and expand market access for coconut farmers in northern Mindanao and nearby provinces,” PEZA said.

According to PEZA, the project was granted a six-year income tax holiday and other incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy Act.

The facility is expected to start construction in October, and is targeted to start commercial operations as early as December.

Most of its products will be exported to Thailand, the European Union, and the US, PEZA said.

According to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the plant will occupy a 39,596-square-meter site that will produce 78,000 tons of ultra-high-temperature-treated coconut milk annually as well as frozen coconut meat.

“With an initial rental of P6.335 million per year, increasing by 5% annually, this investment highlights northern Mindanao’s growing appeal as an industrial hub,” PIA said.

PHIVIDEC Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Donato J. Bernedo said that the facility is expected to boost Mindanao’s agricultural economy, sourcing 500,000 coconuts daily.

“By creating 2,500 jobs, this project promises opportunity and dignified work for our citizens, particularly in Mindanao. It will also breathe new life into the coconut industry, offering better incomes and a stable market for thousands of coconut farmers,” he said.

“Once they produce, they will use our port facilities, which brings additional revenue for PHIVIDEC. The supply chain requirements of the facility will also benefit other local businesses,” he added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Tougher enforcement threatened for substandard steel products

PIXABAY

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it will more strictly enforce the penalties for producing and selling substandard steel.

In a statement on Monday, Assistant Trade Secretary Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero said that confirmed violators of Republic Act 4109, or the Standards Law, are liable have their Philippine Standard (PS) Licenses suspended or revoked.

Mr. Uvero made his remarks following the results of a market test-buy conducted by the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI), the industry association.

The PISI said rebar samples taken from over 15 hardware stores in the first two months failed to meet industry norms for mass variation and elongation.

Meanwhile, angle bars sampled from two manufacturers in Cavite and Cebu on Feb. 28 and March 18 were found to have been substandard.

The PISI sent the summary of the random market test purchases of rebar and angle bars to the DTI on April 7.

Mr. Uvero said that the DTI is conducting store and plant visits to check compliance with the Philippine National Standards, and auditing PS licensees. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

PHL agri-fisheries valued at P1.73 trillion in 2024

Farmers are seen in a rice field in Bustos, Bulacan, Oct. 17, 2023. — PHILIPPINE STAR/KJ ROSALES

THE value of production of Philippine agriculture and fisheries declined 2.1% to P1.73 trillion in 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported.

Central Luzon accounted for 13.7% of the total, followed by Northern Mindanao (10.3%) and Davao Region (7.5%).

Central Visayas recorded the highest growth in the value of production with 5.2%, followed by Eastern Visayas (3.9%) and Soccsksargen (1.91%).

Meanwhile, Negros Island posted a decline of 11.5%, followed by the 9.5% and 6.6% declines in Western Visayas and Mimaropa, respectively.

Northern Mindanao had the largest share of crop value with 12.1%, followed by Cagayan Valley (10.7%) and Central Luzon (9.7%).

Value of livestock was led by Calabarzon, which accounted for 13.8% of the total, followed by Central Luzon (11.9%) and Northern Mindanao (11.7%).

Central Luzon also had the top share of poultry production with 26%, followed by Calabarzon (19.5%) and Northern Mindanao (9.2%).

In fisheries production, Central Luzon accounted for 17.4%, followed by Soccsksargen (10.4%) and the Western Visayas (8.8%). — Justine Irish D. Tabile

DEPDev to be tasked with drafting long-term infrastructure master plan

BW FILE PHOTO

NATIONAL ECONOMIC and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the new department that will replace NEDA will be tasked with preparing a long-term infrastructure master plan.

“In fact, the law now tasks us to produce the first long-term framework for the period 2025 to 2050,” Mr. Balisacan told reporters during a briefing last week.

NEDA will be reorganized into the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed Republic Act No. 1214 on April 10.

The law takes effect on April 27, 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation last April 12.

Under the law, infrastructure planning will be guided by a “Comprehensive Infrastructure Master Plan” that spans multiple administrations.

Mr. Balisacan said previous multi-year master plans are often ignored in the course of changes of government.

“It will not be easy for any cabinet member like Secretary of Public Works or Secretary of Transportation to just ignore the presence of such a master plan,” Mr. Balisacan said.

He said this will raise the chances that good projects will be ultimately implemented.

The law will reconstitute the NEDA Board into the Economy and Development Council, chaired by the President.

The NEDA Board in March approved P70.6 billion worth of projects involving community development, irrigation and road infrastructure.

Nigel Paul C. Villarete, senior advisor at technical advisory group Libra Konsult, Inc. said similar long-term master plans are already in place but have not been given attention.

“We are not giving attention to long-term plans. For the longest time, NEDA categorized our planning as long-, medium-, or short-term, focusing on the five-year Medium-Term Development Plans, and allowing the Local Government Units to do their shorter-term plans,” he told BusinessWorld on Monday.

Mr. Villarete said long-term plans provide clear direction to guide shorter-term plans down the line.

However, Mr. Villarete noted that shorter-term plans tend to be favored as they coincide with the terms of political officials.

“The more we move NEDA away from political interference, the better it can focus on longer-term plans,” he added. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Simplified VAT refunds under CREATE MORE

The government has been pushing to attract more investors for the Philippines to become more competitive with other ASEAN countries. Recent tax laws are trying to keep up with the digital world, where convenience and simplicity are paramount. Government agencies are upgrading their systems to accommodate the clamor for expedited processes.

One of the matters that taxpayers and investors want to address is the challenging VAT refund process. While we recognize that taxes are the lifeblood of the government, which justifies strict VAT refund rules, we also need to recognize that there is still room for improvement on how to make the refund process less taxing.

To be fair, several laws have been passed showing that the government is serious about making things easier for investors. One important law is Republic Act 12066, or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy, also known as the “CREATE MORE” Act, which was signed into law on Nov. 11.

One of the main features of CREATE MORE is the amendment of Section 112 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), which outlines the new process for VAT refunds. Pursuant to this, the BIR issued Revenue Regulation (RR) 10-2025 on Feb. 25 and Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 30-2025 on April 10. These regulations were issued to implement the VAT provisions of CREATE MORE. In addition, RA 12079, an act creating a VAT refund mechanism for non-resident tourists, was signed on Dec. 6.

Essentially, these laws cover three types of VAT refunds. First, a refund of input VAT of a taxpayer which is related to zero-rated sales and effectively zero-rated sales. The law provides that any VAT-registered person whose sales are zero-rated or effectively zero-rated may, within two years after the close of the taxable quarter when the sales were made, apply for the issuance of a tax credit certificate or refund of creditable input tax due or paid attributable to such sales, except transitional input tax, to the extent that such input tax has not been applied against output tax.

Second, the refund of input VAT arising from (a) cancellation of VAT registration and (b) cessation or dissolution of business. For VAT refunds due to cancellation of VAT registration, the claim must be filed within two years from the date of cancellation and the taxpayer application for the issuance of a tax credit certificate or cash refund for any unused input tax which may be used in payment of his other internal revenue taxes, or apply for a refund for any unused input tax. For cancellation of registration due to cessation or dissolution, the taxpayer may claim within two years from the date of the issuance of the BIR tax clearance.

Third, the VAT refund on locally purchased goods of non-resident tourists under RA 12079. The law requires the government to engage the services of one or more reputable, globally recognized, and experienced VAT refund operators that will provide end-to-end solutions to establish and operate the refund system for tourists. The details are covered by separate Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 12079 issued by the Department of Finance (DoF), the BIR and Bureau of Customs (BoC). As yet, the BIR has not issued the detailed rules and regulations outlining the requirements for the processing of VAT refunds.

It is noteworthy that the regulations indeed specified and simplified the documentary requirements for a taxpayer refund claim, and it appears that the taxpayer is no longer required to submit documents which are already in the BIR records. However, note that certified true copies of invoices/receipts must be submitted to the BIR, as this will be forwarded to the Commission on Audit (CoA) if the claim is approved for refund. Note further, that the original copies must be presented still to the BIR for stamping with “VAT refund claimed.” Hence, the taxpayer must be meticulous in keeping these documents.

The VAT refund related to zero-rated sales and effectively zero-rated sales are quite clear. However, I wish to highlight one of the requirements when a corporate taxpayer which closes its business opts to file for a refund of input VAT. The BIR requires the submission of the Certificate of Dissolution from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). To note, the regulation provides that in case of VAT refund due to cessation of business, the two-year period within which to file the refund is counted from the date of issuance of the BIR clearance. Note that in case of dissolution, a corporation has several options to dissolve. Some corporations opt for shortening the corporate term. One mode is when the effective date of dissolution is more than one year from the date of application with the SEC. The other mode is when the effective date of dissolution is less than one year from the date of application.

If the corporation decides to dissolve with the effectivity of dissolution of more than one year from the date of application, the SEC will issue the duly approved certificate of filing of amended articles of incorporation prior to the date of dissolution. In this case, a corporation which intends to file for a VAT refund will be able to comply with the requirement of the BIR to submit an equivalent to a certificate of dissolution.

However, if the taxpayer corporation decides to dissolve the entity with an effectivity of less than one year from the date of application, the SEC usually requires the presentation of a tax clearance. In this scenario, the taxpayer will have to go through the process of securing tax clearance before it can secure the Certificate of Dissolution or the duly approved certificate of filing of amended articles of incorporation from the SEC. Here, the taxpayer must consider the timeline and the resources that they need to fully execute the dissolution, including the refund process. Securing tax clearance is challenging and usually takes years, as the BIR needs to conduct mandatory audits, if applicable.

On top of the challenges in securing tax clearance, note that there is still the possibility of denial; hence, the taxpayer corporation must also factor in the requirements when appealing its case to the courts. Court cases in the Philippines usually take years to be fully resolved, since both the taxpayer and the BIR elevate these matters up to the Supreme Court. There will be technicalities that need to be considered as well in terms of documentary evidence and witnesses.

The government’s effort to simplify the VAT refund process is commendable; however, a corporation which is on the verge of dissolution must check at the onset if the filing of a VAT refund is indeed simple and worth claiming.

Let’s Talk Tax, a weekly newspaper column of P&A Grant Thornton that aims to keep the public informed of various developments in taxation. This article is not intended to be a substitute for competent professional advice.

 

Gemmalu O. Molleno-Placido is a senior manager from the Tax Advisory & Compliance Practice Area of P&A Grant Thornton, the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

business.development@ph.gt.com

PSEi inches up on bargain hunting after break

BW FILE PHOTO

THE MAIN INDEX inched higher on Monday as investors picked up bargains and repositioned after the Lenten break.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went up by 0.05% or 3.38 points to close at 6,138, while the broader all shares index declined by 0.31% or 11.68 points to 3,645.31.

“The local market edged higher this Monday as investors resumed their bargain hunting,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message. “Appreciation of corporate fundamentals and hopes that the local economy will weather the storm caused by the United States’ tariff policies helped the market in its climb.”

“Also aiding was the hopes of further monetary policy easing by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Finally, the strengthening of the local currency against the US dollar also gave the market support,” Mr. Tantiangco added.

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto last week said that Philippine gross domestic product may have expanded by 6% in the first quarter. National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan also said he is hopeful the economy grew by at least 6% in the quarter as rate cuts and cooling inflation likely drove domestic consumption.

The BSP on April 10 cut benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points (bps) to bring the policy rate to 5.5%, putting its easing cycle back on track after an unexpected pause in February.

The central bank has now slashed borrowing costs by a cumulative 100 bps since it kicked off its rate-cut cycle in August last year. BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. has said that they are considering further reductions this year.

“Philippine shares started off tepidly as investors remain on the sidelines after the Holy Week break to gauge the price action movement of the market at the beginning of the week,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message.

Majority of sectoral indices closed in the red on Monday. Property declined by 0.91% or 20.20 points to 2,193.08; industrials retreated by 0.59% or 52.19 points to 8,706.64; services went down by 0.57% or 11.13 points to 1,917.04; and holding firms dropped by 0.07% or 3.92 points to 5,063.35.

Meanwhile, mining and oil rose by 3.16% or 304.83 points to 9,944.92 and financials climbed by 1.44% or 34.55 points to 2,426.10.

“Bank of the Philippine Islands was the day’s index leader, climbing 2.35% to P135.10. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. was the main index laggard, falling 3.1% to P21.90,” Mr. Tantiangco said.

Value turnover rose to P4.56 billion on Monday with 1.05 billion shares exchanged from the P4.21 billion with 951.74 million issues traded on Wednesday.

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 109 versus 93, while 51 names were unchanged.

Net foreign selling increased to P46.86 million on Monday from P11.66 million on Wednesday. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Peso surges to near 7-month high as dollar extends slide

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO jumped to a near seven-month high on Monday as the dollar continued to reel amid tariff concerns and US President Donald J. Trump’s threats to fire US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell.

The local unit closed at P56.61 per dollar on Monday, surging by 19 centavos from its P56.80 finish on Wednesday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

This was the peso’s best finish in nearly seven months or since its P56.295 close on Oct. 4, 2024.

The peso opened Monday’s session sharply stronger at P56.64 against the dollar. It traded better than Wednesday’s close for the entire session as its weakest was at just P56.65, while it climbed to its intraday best of P56.48 versus the greenback.

Dollars traded fell to $1.46 billion on Monday from $2.3 billion on Wednesday.

“The pair closed higher on broad dollar weakness amid the intensifying trade war and concerns over Fed Chair Powell’s position following Trump’s criticisms. The dollar extended its losses,” a trader said in a phone interview.

The peso was also supported by remittances following the long weekend, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort likewise said in a Viber message.

For Tuesday, the trader sees the peso moving between P56.40 and P56.70 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort said it could range from P56.50 to P56.70.

The dollar tumbled on Monday as investor confidence in the US economy took another hit over Mr. Trump’s plans to shake up the Federal Reserve, which would throw into question the independence of the central bank, Reuters reported.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Friday that the president and his team were continuing to study whether they could fire Mr. Powell, just a day after Mr. Trump said Mr. Powell’s termination “cannot come fast enough” as he called for the Fed to cut interest rates.

Against the Swiss franc, the dollar sank more than 1% to a 10-year trough of 0.80695, while the euro peaked at $1.153525, its highest since November 2021.

The dollar also hit a seven-month low of 140.615 yen.

Against a basket of currencies, the dollar slid to a three-year low of 98.164 on Monday. The New Zealand dollar jumped more than 1% to $0.6013.

Mr. Trump’s sweeping tariffs and uncertainty over his trade policies have sent global markets into a tailspin and darkened the outlook for the world’s largest economy, in turn weakening the dollar as investors pull money out of US assets. — Aaron Michael C. Sy with Reuters

Concio, Bersamina remain in title contention in Bangkok chessfest

MICHAEL CONCIO, JR. (left) and Paulo Bersamina. — BANGKOKCHESS.COM

THE PHILIPPINES’ Michael Concio, Jr. and Paulo Bersamina hurdled their respective assignments in the eighth and penultimate round to remain in title contention in the Bangkok Chess Club Open in Thailand on Sunday night.

Both the Filipino International Masters (IMs) relied on their superb endgame technique to eke wins — one by Mr. Concio over Australian IM James Morris in 66 moves of a Bogo Indian encounter and the other by Mr. Bersamina in a marathon 83-move triumph over Latvian Arsens Batashevs of an English clash.

Their wins catapulted them straight to a three-player logjam at third with 6.5 points each that included Indian Grandmaster (GM) Babu Lalit.

They were also half a point behind the pace-setting Macedonian GM Evgeny Romanov and Malaysian FIDE Master (FM) Ang Ern Jie Anderson, both owning seven points apiece.

For them to have a chance for the title they would need to win their final round assignment by all costs and hope Messrs. Romanov and Ang drew theirs.

Mr. Concio was battling Mr. Lalit while Mr. Bersamina Ukrainian GM Vitaliy Bernardskiy.

Another Filipino, FM Christian Gian Carlo Arca, went for the win but ended up splitting the point with Indian GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly via perpetual check.

The standoff, however, sealed the 16-year-old Panabo, Davao del Norte pride, the third of three required IM norms to become an IM.

All Mr. Arca, who has six points, needs to do now is to reach the 2400-rating plateau to become a full-pledge IM.

His current live rating is 2311.2.

Mr. Arca is also in contention of claiming his first GM norm if he beats former world challenger GM Nigel Short of England in the last round. — Joey Villar

Hoey shares 12th place in PGA Tour Corales Puntacana golf fest

RICO HOEY — PGATOUR.COM

THE PHILIPPINES’ Rico Hoey fired a closing one-under 71 to finish tied for 12th in the Corales Puntacana Championship on Easter Sunday in the Dominican Republic.

Mr. Hoey displayed resilience in the challenging layout, thrice rebounding with birdies after each bogey before knocking a crucial chip-in birdie on the par-3 17th.

The Fil-Am ace assembled a 10-under 278 card over four rounds in the $4-million PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour event to post his second-best finish of the season.

Mr. Hoey, whose highest placing so far in 2025 was 11th in the Texas Children’s Houston Open in late March, banked $77,000 (around P4.37 million) for his performance at the Puntacana Resort and Club.

The ICSTI-backed golfer wound up four strokes behind South African winner Garrick Higgo’s 274.

Mr. Higgo submitted an even 72 in the fourth round but it was enough to ease past overnight leader Joel Dahmen of the US, who faded big time in the final push.

Mr. Dahmen kissed his championship bid goodbye when he bogeyed the last three holes for a 76, which ultimately allowed Mr. Higgo to snatch the crown and the $720,000 top purse and sent him down to a share of second place at 275. — Olmin Leyba

Undermanned Rain or Shine splits first two games of eliminations

RAIN OR SHINE’S (ROS) depleted frontline embraces a bigger responsibility while Beau Belga and Keith Datu are still on the path to recovery and Luis Villegas is out for the season.

Veteran Mr. Belga is recovering from vertigo, Mr. Datu is sidelined by calf strain and Mr. Villegas is rehabbing from ACL surgery, leaving the likes of Caelan Tiongson and Leonard Santillan to man the fort.

Still, the Elasto Painters managed to split their first two assignments in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations, scoring a 113-96 bounceback win over Arvin Tolentino-less NorthPort after opening with a 95-109 dud.

“That’s a testament to how hard our bigs play,” said coach Yeng Guiao of the efforts of ROS’ bigs who are forced to play “out of position” due to their manpower shortage.

Mr. Guiao hopes to get at least one of them back in harness before they clash with teams powered by towering bigs.

Mr. Belga, who’s having trouble with his balance, said he’ll be out for one month. — Olmin Leyba