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MIC makes pitch to infra, energy-security  investors

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THE Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) said it engaged with potential investors at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos to gauge their interest in infrastructure, energy security, digitalization and food security projects.

“WEF provided a key global platform for MIC to connect with international investors who are interested in investing in the Philippines,” MIC Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel Paul T. Salanga said.

He added that MIC is ready to step in for co-investment structures that de-risk large, strategic projects while advancing long-term national development.

“Being in the WEF allows us to connect global capital with priority sectors in the Philippines. Energy security, infrastructure, digitalization, and food security, where investments deliver both value and impact,” MIC Chief Investment and Operations Officer Kheed Ng said.

The MIC has said it is hoping to close investment deals with agricultural companies within the first half, saying that prospective recipients of its funding have strong export and job-creation potential.

Its latest deals include an P8-billion investment to buy up to 11.2% of port operator Asian Terminals, Inc.

The MIC posted income of P2.68 billion in 2024, up from P154.3 million a year earlier. It remitted P1.45 billion to the Treasury. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Chinese New Year boost seen for sari-sari stores

PACKWORKS.IO

TECH STARTUP Packworks said it expects 10% gross merchandise value (GMV) boost for mom-and-pop stores during the Chinese New Year.

“Packworks expects a 10% GMV growth and a 4% increase in transactions for this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations,” it said in a statement on Monday,.

“[This is] as more Filipinos are buying the same product per transaction, particularly during the festive occasion,” it added in an analysis of the segment, also known as sari-sari stores, from which it compiles data via an app.

Packworks said that it saw a steady increase in sales of items linked to abundance and luck, including hopia (red bean pastries), Chinese wine, and Asian noodles, during the occasion for the last three years.

“Hopia, a round pastry of Chinese origin symbolizing togetherness and good fortune, steadily grew sales from 2023 to 2025,” it said, noting that its median GMV rose 25% in 2025.

The Visayas posted strong sales growth, with the Central Visayas rising 240% in sales and 200% in number of transactions last year.

“This popularity reflects the region’s enduring Chinese cultural influence, particularly in the Western and Central Visayas, hubs home to significant Chinese-Filipino communities such as Iloilo, which is home to approximately 14,000 Chinese Filipinos,” it added.

Meanwhile, Chinese wine saw a 36% increase in median GMV last year from 3% in 2023.

“Growth was seen across most regions, with Central Luzon maintaining a consistent 10% sales increase each year, along with the Eastern Visayas, showing steadily rising growth from 72% in 2023, and the highest surge of 107% in 2024, and 115% in 2025,” it added.

Asian noodles also posted a 10% increase in sales last year, rebounding from a 3% decline in 2024.

“Soccsksargen recorded the highest sales in 2025 with a 25% increase, likely driven by a 36% rise in stores selling the product, the highest among all regions,” it said.

Packworks said the Western Visayas saw the largest jump in transactions at 25%, while Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas saw 17% and 9% growth in sales in 2025.

“Our historical data underscores how deeply traditional beliefs and cultural influences are embedded in the Filipino psyche, proving that commerce is inseparable from culture,” said Packworks Chief Data Officer Andoy Montiel.

“The sales trends show that for the average Filipino, Chinese New Year is not just a holiday but a window for investing in prosperity. These cultural nuances are mirrored in the sari-sari store ecosystem, proving that in our local market, heritage often leads the hand that shops,” he added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Zamboanga, Visayas closed fishing season ends

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) announced the lifting of the annual three-month closed fishing season for sardines and other small pelagic species in key breeding grounds, allowing commercial fishing operation to resume starting Feb. 16.

In an advisory on Monday, the BFAR said the ban has ended in the Visayan Sea and waters off the Zamboanga Peninsula, covering the East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait, and Sibuguey Bay.

The seasonal closure, implemented from Nov. 15 to Feb. 15, covered sardines in Zamboanga waters and sardines, herring, and mackerel in the Visayan Sea.

The ban restricted the use of commercial fishing methods, such as purse seines, ring nets, bag nets, and scoop nets, in the designated conservation zones.

According to the BFAR, the restrictions are imposed annually to protect economically important fish species during their spawning period and to support the long-term sustainability of fish stocks.

The BFAR has said that similar seasonal closures in past years contributed to improved sardine catches and helped sustain the fishing industry in affected regions. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

Ban on pork imports from Czech Republic lifted

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Vladimircech from Freepik

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it lifted a ban on imports of domestic and wild pigs, as well as pork products and by-products, originating from the Czech Republic.

Via Department Circular No. 07, the DA lifted the 2022 restrictions that had barred the entry of live pigs, pork meat, pig skin, and semen from the Czech Republic due to an African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak there.

According to the circular, the decision to lift the ban follows an official report from the State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic, which confirmed that the ASF outbreak in the country had been resolved.

The DA also said that the Czech Republic is now considered free from ASF, with the likelihood of contamination from such imports deemed negligible.

The DA said imports may resume, provided that the products were slaughtered or produced after the order took effect and that all transactions comply with existing rules and regulations.

The DA said that standard sanitary and import requirements will remain in place to ensure the continued protection of the hog industry. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

From anti-hero to protagonist? The BIR’s lyrical shift toward audit reform

For years, the relationship between the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the taxpayer has been fraught with stress, uncertainty, and administrative friction. Many business owners start their day not with coffee, but with the familiar unease brought by BIR notices of overlapping Letters of Authority (LoA), simultaneous audits, and multiple Revenue Officers (ROs) looking into the books the exact same taxable year. To taxpayers, it feels like being pierced through the heart, but never (quite) killed. We survive the audit only to dread the next one.

Anyone who has dealt with an LoA knows that the BIR’s previous audit system often felt stuck in a loop of “I have this thing where I get older, but just never wiser.” The fragmented examinations, parallel case handling, and redundant investigations became part of the status quo. Under earlier rules, a single company could be pursued by different divisions all at once, e.g., all Internal Revenue Taxes except Value-Added Tax (VAT) cases are handled by the Revenue District Office (RDO) while VAT-specific cases are overseen by the VAT Audit Section (VATAS). This created a multiverse of cases that strained corporate resources, heightened uncertainty and perhaps more concerningly, opened a space for inconsistencies and unintended administrative overreach.

With the recent issuance of Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 1-2026, however, the BIR appears ready for a new era, almost echoing a familiar line: “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.” Yet this isn’t just a self-deprecating lyric, but more like an earnest step toward a more systematized, transparent, and taxpayer-friendly deficiency assessment procedure.

SINGLE-INSTANCE AUDIT FRAMEWORK
The new directive from the Commissioner, which lifted a two-month suspension on the issuance of LoAs, among others, signals a significant shift. The Bureau’s intention is clear: to streamline the audit process and put an end to the overlapping cases and duplication of audits that have burdened businesses. A key strength of the framework lies in the finality and certainty it seeks to introduce. Once an audit for a particular taxable year is completed, taxpayers can reasonably expect that all tax issues for that year have been examined and resolved, subject only to the narrowly defined fraud exception. This reduces the risk of successive or piecemeal examinations for the same year under different tax categories and reinforces the principle that audits should be comprehensive, conclusive, and time-bound.

On the surface, this is a welcome development that promotes clarity and supports the government’s Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) initiative. However, the issuance does not directly address situations where a taxpayer may be audited for different taxable years at the same time — an experience familiar to taxpayers who are subject to consecutive or multiyear audits. In practice, a company may still find itself undergoing audits for open years such as 2023 to 2025, since the single-instance rule is applied on a per-year basis. As a result, taxpayers may still need to manage separate audit teams, checklists, and timelines for each year, requiring careful coordination and sustained internal resources.

Tax audits are generally intended to be corrective, serving as a means to identify gaps and guide taxpayers toward improved compliance rather than to impose punitive measures. When deficiencies or non-compliances are identified during an assessment, it may be helpful for taxpayers to be given reasonable window to implement corrective and systemic improvements. Allowing such adjustments to take effect before the issuance of a new LoA immediately for the same recurring issues can better support the spirit of voluntary compliance and help avoid an inefficient cycle of repetitive assessments.

CONSOLIDATION, A HELP OR HIDDEN RISK
The implementation of the single-instance audit framework comes with automatic consolidation without any action required from the taxpayer. However, it also comes with incredibly tight deadline to opt out which is Feb. 16, 2026, feels like a tale as old as time, where the taxpayer is left scrambling while the Bureau sets the clock. This raises practical concerns: Can the Bureau realistically implement and operationalize this framework within the timeframe? Will extensions be considered?

While the consolidation of multiple audits is presented as a measure intended to ease the burden on taxpayers, it may also carry certain implementation risks if not carefully managed. If a taxpayer’s All Internal Revenue Taxes except VAT audit was at the Final Assessment Notice (FAN) stage, meaning they were inches away from resolution and settlement, consolidating it with a newly opened VAT audit may effectively be hitting the reset button.

Alternatively, this can also be interpreted as fast forwarding the audit procedure to match the advanced stage of the All-Internal Revenue taxes except VAT audit, it risks violating the taxpayer’s constitutional right to due process. Taxpayers will be unable to adequately defend themselves against VAT findings that haven’t even been properly ventilated at the initial stages of the audit procedure.

This tension between speed and fairness suggests that the Bureau might still be staring directly at the sun but never in the mirror regarding the logistical challenges these tight timeline and consolidations create.

SYSTEM VS HUMAN JUDGMENT
The RMO also introduced a system-assisted, risk-based selection model for audits. The criteria for mandatory and priority cases are outlined in Annex A of the RMO, aim to eliminate the weaponization of audits by removing human discretion and influence. The anonymization of examiners and supervisors also aligns with the Bureau’s digital transformation efforts.

Still, essential questions remain:

Who oversees the algorithm?

Who defines the risk parameters?

To what extent can backend adjustments still be made?

Even with increased automation, human intervention and judgment will continue to play a meaningful role, raising the need for strong controls and oversight.

BALANCING UNIFORMITY AND PRACTICALITY
Furthermore, Annex B of the RMO provides for the standardized Checklist of Requirements for Presentation/Submission of Documents/Record remains a significant burden. While it aims for uniformity, it still requires exhaustive documentation.

For instance, Item 2 – Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration documents are public records held by the SEC. In the spirit of a truly integrated EoDB, there is a golden opportunity here to relieve the taxpayer of their role as the middleman. Similarly, Item 4 – Proof of tax credits is a quarterly and annual submission of taxpayers via the electronic Audited Financial Statements (eAFS) system and should be readily available to the BIR.

To truly embrace streamlined audit procedures and assist taxpayers, the BIR may consider removing the monster on the hill by developing industry‑specific sub-checklists to reduce unnecessary document demands and improve audit efficiency.

FINAL THOUGHTS: ROOTING FOR THE ANTI-HERO
RMO No. 1-2026 marks a meaningful lyrical shift, a recognition that the BIR audit system needed calibration. The Bureau may have played the anti-hero in the taxpayer’s story for too long. The story of the one we “agree with” in principle that is, taxes must be collected, but the one we “disagree with” in practice that is, the procedure is always painful.

But as we navigate the opt-out and mandatory consolidation deadlines of Feb. 16 and March 4, respectively, the business community remains cautiously hopeful. For the BIR to fully remove its anti-hero persona, consolidation must not become a tool for delay, and the promise of single-instance auditing must eventually extend to multi-year audit management.

We are beginning to believe the Bureau is changing. We are slowly letting go of the feeling that the Bureau is the antagonist. But until these reforms function smoothly and consistently, without infringing on due process, taxpayers will continue to root for the Bureau’s reform, even if it is exhausting to always root for the anti-hero.

Let’s Talk Tax is 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.

 

Charisse A. Datiles is a manager from the Tax Advisory & Compliance practice area of P&A Grant Thornton, the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

pagrantthornton@ph.gt.com

Stocks down on BSP watch, Semirara’s plunge

BW FILE PHOTO

PHILIPPINE STOCKS closed lower on Monday as investors looked ahead to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) policy meeting, with declines in share prices of Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) and its parent DMCI Holdings, Inc. (DMCI) due to the reported non-renewal of the former’s coal contract also weighing on sentiment.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dropped by 0.25% or 16.03 points to close at 6,368.55, while the broader all-share index decreased 0.92% or 32.97 points to end at 3,527.29.

“Investors took a cautious stance while waiting for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ policy decision, which will be up this week,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Manager Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.

“Trading was tepid with net value turnover at P4.22 billion, lower than the year-to-date average of P6.35 billion. This comes as many investors choose to stay on the sidelines while waiting for catalysts,” he said.

All 16 analysts in a BusinessWorld poll expect the Monetary Board to deliver a sixth straight 25-basis-point (bp) cut at its first meeting for the year on Thursday (Feb. 19) to bring the policy rate to 4.25%.

The BSP has lowered benchmark borrowing costs by a total of 200 bps since its easing cycle began in August 2024.

“The local market was dragged by the steep losses from SCC and DMC after the Department of Justice denied SCC’s plea to extend its mine operating contract in Semirara Island beyond the 50-year legal limit. Although, SCC could still join Department of Energy’s contract auctioning alongside other interested parties,” AP Securities, Inc. said in a market note, referring to the ticker symbols of SMPC and DMCI.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said the contract to mine on Semirara Island will be auctioned off as SMPC’s bid to extend its term by 13 years beyond the 2027 expiration was thumbed down.

SMPC was the day’s worst index performer as its shares plunged by P7.10 or 21.39% to P26.10 each. DMCI shares also dropped by P1.58 or 14.66% to P9.20 apiece.

Most sectoral indices ended lower. Industrials dropped by 0.89% or 81.80 points to 9,088.76; mining and oil retreated by 0.8% or 144.63 points to 17,854.77; property went down by 0.65% or 14.28 points to 2,171.41; holding firms decreased by 0.20% or 10.52 points to 5,051.61; and services declined by 0.15% or 4.23 points to 2,648.36.

Financials was the lone gainer, rising by 0.13% or 2.78 points to 2,137.59.

Market breadth was negative, with 140 decliners against 79 advancers, while 51 names closed unchanged.

Value turnover went down to P5.28 billion with 1.04 billion shares traded from the P8.37 billion with 984.77 million issues that changed hands on Friday.

Net foreign selling decreased to P90.80 million from P451.64 million.

Philippine financial markets are closed on Tuesday (Feb. 17) for the Lunar New Year holiday. — A.G.C. Magno

Driving sustainable energy solutions in the Philippines: From vision to action

(Second of two parts)

In brief:

• Energy providers must evolve from traditional utility roles to offer customized, flexible solutions that meet the specific needs of businesses, particularly in the context of sustainability and digital transformation.

• The Philippine energy market is seeing increased competition and innovation, with companies seeking energy-as-a-service contracts and advanced digital tools to enhance efficiency and support sustainability goals.

• Strategic partnerships and a deep understanding of diverse business energy needs are essential for energy providers to create value, drive economic prosperity, and support the transition to renewable energy sources in the Philippines.

Businesses are increasingly recognizing the critical role that energy plays in their operations, prompting a shift away from traditional utility services towards more flexible and customized solutions. As sectors such as technology and automotive innovate within the energy market, energy providers must adapt to meet the diverse and complex needs of their clients.

With the government and private sector committed to a greener future, energy providers have a unique opportunity to redefine their services, enhance their offerings, and support businesses in achieving their energy objectives while navigating the challenges of a changing energy climate.

In the first part of this article, we discussed the significant transformation of the energy landscape driven by rising electricity demand from businesses, highlighting the need for energy providers to adapt their strategies to meet complex client needs and capitalize on opportunities for sustainable and reliable energy solutions.

In this second part, we discuss the evolving role of energy providers as they seek to enhance their offerings and better serve business clients by focusing on customized solutions, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships that align with the growing demand for clean energy and operational flexibility.

THE EVOLVING ROLE OF ENERGY PROVIDERS
As businesses recognize the importance of energy in their operations, they are seeking more than just traditional utility services that could provide flexibility and customization based on their specific needs. Energy providers must adapt to this changing landscape by broadening their definitions of service. Companies from various sectors, including technology and automotive, are entering the energy market with innovative solutions. For instance, a Swedish EV manufacturer has implemented an app that streamlines EV charging management for customers across Europe.

In the Philippines, developers will need to develop cutting-edge solutions that fit the current advancements of the country. Addressing the need for automation and streamlining of energy-related processes would give businesses the ability to modify their chosen solutions not only to fit their unique energy needs but also to the energy climate of the country. Aside from revamping and adding offerings, the upskilling of the workforce will also be required.

Many organizations plan to upskill existing employees, hire new specialists, and partner with external experts to navigate the complexities of energy management. This shift presents a significant opportunity for energy providers to demonstrate their value and support businesses in achieving their energy objectives.

Findings from the EY Navigating the Energy Transition research program, which surveyed economies at different stages of energy transition, underscores the need for energy providers to focus on consumer-centric strategies such as customized energy solutions, energy efficiency consulting, and digital tools and analytics.

For the Philippines, a consumer-centric energy provider fulfills the following roles:

• Choice provider: Some of the conglomerates or prominent energy producers are already in the retail market. The country’s Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) mandate provides competition and options for the contestable customers. They have the power to choose a tariff that aligns with their preferences whether on cost, risk, or sustainability objectives.

• Efficiency partner: Aside from conglomerates and energy producers venturing into retail electricity supply, some of them are also in the energy efficiency space. Usually, they provide consultancy services to businesses for energy savings, but to fully embody the evolving landscape, they can offer Energy-as-a-Service contracts that bundle lighting, HVAC optimization, high‑efficiency motors, and ISO 50001-compliant energy management systems.

• Digital optimizer: Advanced metering infrastructure and other digital tools could be part of the consumer-centric initiatives that the energy providers may offer. It will support the retail aggregation program of the Department of Energy (DoE).

More than the savings and digitization, sustainability is also a top priority for businesses, with nearly all surveyed organizations setting goals to increase their use of carbon-free energy. However, companies may be unwilling to compromise growth in pursuit of sustainability. They expect customized energy solutions that align with their specific needs and are willing to invest in on-site power generation and battery storage.

Philippine companies are no longer treating sustainability as a “nice‑to‑have.” It now sits alongside cost efficiency and digital transformation as a board‑level priority. The government, together with private companies, is making significant strides in the sustainability space through renewable energy generation, with projections indicating that over 11,000 megawatts (MW) of clean energy capacity will be operational by 2030. According to the DoE, solar photovoltaics are expected to contribute the largest share, with approximately 8,431 MW planned, and around 7,399 MW anticipated to be operational by 2026. Moreover, distributed solar and storage are moving from pilots to portfolio strategies. The DoE reports cumulative net‑metered solar at approximately 141 MW from the past 10 years and at least 252 MW of own‑use projects, which clearly signals a steady shift behind the meter.

On the storage side, policy and market design are catching up: DoE Circular 2023‑04‑0008 established Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) policy for the power industry, commitments of about 1,850 MW by 2030, and major integrated solar‑plus‑BESS or integrated renewable energy storage system (IRESS) deals by leading developers. With these continued efforts from both public and private sectors, energy providers must recognize the growing demand from businesses in the Philippines for sustainable solutions and collaborate with them to create innovative offerings that harmonizes growth and sustainability.

STRATEGIC ACTIONS FOR ENERGY PROVIDERS
EY’s latest research on business energy demand reinforces the urgency: commercial and industrial loads will drive the next wave of electricity growth, so winning providers will be those that reimagine the business energy experience end‑to‑end.

Enhancing digital offerings is essential for meeting the evolving expectations of business customers. Providers should focus on developing advanced digital tools that deliver proactive insights and facilitate AI-enabled interactions, allowing customers to self-serve and analyze their energy consumption patterns. Even though the Philippines differs in terms of level of advancement in digital infrastructure to other countries, developers could learn from the experience of others in integrating technology into their energy processes and services and tailor them to the country’s own landscape.

To drive energy prosperity, energy providers should deepen their understanding of business customers by moving beyond traditional categorizations and grasping the diverse drivers of energy needs. This tailored approach will enable providers to align their services more effectively with the specific requirements of different organizations. Empowering account managers to become energy success managers through internal upskilling is also crucial, as this transformation will yield strategic partnership, equipping them to offer personalized and data-driven recommendations and insights that help businesses navigate their energy challenges.

Additionally, energy providers must prioritize support for mid-sized businesses, which often face barriers in achieving their energy goals. Offering scalable solutions and flexible financing options could create significant value for this segment and contribute to broader economic prosperity.

Finally, clarifying their roles within the energy ecosystem will be vital for providers. They should define a clear strategy that aligns with the needs of businesses and captures new value opportunities. Fostering collaboration with other organizations will be key to creating innovative solutions that meet the diverse needs of business customers, ultimately enhancing the energy experience and supporting businesses in achieving their energy ambitions.

FROM A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE TO A LOCALIZED LENS
The path to sustainable energy in the Philippines goes beyond by just adding renewables — it envisions recasting the way energy solutions are conceived, commercialized, and experienced. The drive for sustainability is about moving from transactional supply to strategic partnerships that align with business requirements, using digital platforms suitable for local infrastructure, and creating financing frameworks that bring adoption to the whole range of businesses. It is also about defining clear roles in the energy system and fostering partnerships to accelerate grid modernization and innovation.

By embracing customer-centric design, leveraging advisory knowledge, and implementing frontline digitalization, energy providers can transition from being commodity traders to enablers of resilience and growth, acting as accelerators of the green energy transition. This approach will not only facilitate cost savings for enterprises and help achieve environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets, but also contribute to national targets of 35% renewable energy share in 2030 and 50% in 2040, making sustainability not just an environmental objective but also an economic advantage.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice where the facts and circumstances warrant. The views and opinions expressed above are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of SGV & Co.

 

Smith C. Lim is the energy sector leader and a strategy and transactions partner, and Chip A. Maalihan is a strategy and transactions associate director, both of SGV & Co.

Eala advances; Baptiste retires

ALEX EALA — DUBAIDUTYFREETENNISCHAMPIONSHIPS.COM

Next for Eala is world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini of Italy

ALEXANDRA “ALEX” EALA earned a shot at world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini of Italy, taking a 6-4, 0-1 win via retirement after the injury of American foe Hailey Baptiste in Round 1 of the WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships early on Monday morning.

Ms. Eala, who slid down to No. 47 in this week’s Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings, ran away with the Round of 64 win as Ms. Baptiste did not push through to the rest of the match due to an abdomen pain early in the second set.

The 20-year-old Filipina sensation broke free from a 3-all score in the first set behind a 4-1 finishing kick that set the tone in her triumph.

Ms. Baptiste broke serve in the second for what was seen as a retaliation in a bid to force a decider only to pull out as Ms. Eala took the win in 57 minutes.

Albeit in no way Ms. Eala wanted, it became a repeat win for her after a 6(1)-7, 7-6(4), 6-1 comeback win against then top-ranked Ms. Baptiste in the qualifiers of the Eastbourne Open, where she earned her first WTA Finals appearance only to bow to Australia’s Maya Joint, 4-6, 6-1, 6-7 (10-12), in the epic marathon finale.

Ms. Baptiste, 24, once again was the No. 1 seed in the Dubai qualifiers and scored a 6-4, 6-4 win against Chinese Shuai Zhang (WTA No. 86) to get a shot at Ms. Eala in the main draw but to no avail.

“Obviously, no one likes advancing this way, being on tour I’m starting to discover really at this level how different it is to maintain your health physically. I really hope Hailey is okay and will bounce back soon,” said Ms. Eala.

Up next for Ms. Eala in the Round of 32 is the multititled Ms. Paolini, who gained a bye in the first round as the No. 6 seed in the 1000-level tourney next only to the four majors.

The 30-year-old Ms. Paolini, a gold medalist in the 2024 Paris Olympics with compatriot Sara Errani, boasts a bevy of milestones compared to the youthful Filipina pride to make herself the heavy favorite in the duel for a seat in the final four. Aside from reaching a career-best of No. 3 in both the singles and doubles, Ms. Paolini was a two-time Grand Slam singles finalist laced by a doubles championship in the 2025 French Open.

That should be enough warning on how steep of a mountain Ms. Eala has to climb to book a Round of 16 ticket against either WTA No. 14 Linda Noskova of Czechia or the winner between Romania’s Sorana Cirstea (No. 32) and Belarus’ Aliaksandra Sasnovich (No. 113).

Ms. Eala, who’s assured of $26,000 and 65 points, is out to garner more ranking points to hold fort inside the Top 50 after a seven-spot slide this week.

The lefty ace went free fall after a first-round exit in the WTA 1000 Qatar Open last week.

Before that, Ms. Eala made the semifinals in the WTA 250 ASB Classic in New Zealand on top of a pair of quarterfinals finishes in the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open for her first home tourney and the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open, where she also reached the doubles final four with Indonesian partner Janice Tjen.

She also completed an appearance in all four major main draws after a debut in the Australian Open last month in Melbourne, where she netted an exhibition crown in the Kooyong Classic as well. — John Bryan Ulanday

Creamline Cool Smashers battle ZUS Coffee in PVL All-Filipino Conference

CREAMLINE COOL SMASHERS — FACEBOOK.COM/PREMIERVOLLEYBALLLEAGUE

Games on Wednesday
(FilOil Arena)
4 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Capital1
6:30 p.m. – Creamline vs ZUS Coffee

CREAMLINE hopes to start something big out of its breakthrough PVL All-Filipino Conference win over sibling rival Choco Mucho as it clashes with ZUS Coffee on Wednesday at the FilOil Arena.

The Creamline Cool Smashers summoned the championship form that won them 10 championships and crushed the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 27-15, 17-25, 25-21, 25-15, last week at the MOA Arena to improve to 1-1.

That same aura of invincibility was absent when Creamline was ambushed by PLDT in a humiliating straight-set defeat five days before.

“This is a good win for us and we hope to get our rhythm from this,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.

For their returning beloved setter Jia de Guzman, she had tempered expectations saying the tournament had just started.

“We don’t want to get too far ahead of us because we admittedly at this point are still familiarizing ourselves with one another,” said the Alas Pilipinas standout and Japanese league veteran.

The ice cream-making franchise will be up against a ZUS squad that had also claimed its first win in three starts at the expense of Akari, 16-25, 25-18, 18-25, 25-23, 15-12, on Thursday at the same San Juan venue.

Game time is at 6:30 p.m.

Also seeking a second win are Choco Mucho (1-2) and Capital1 (1-2) at 4 p.m. — Joey Villar

WGAP tees off with 2026 Philippine Ladies Open

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN — SCREENSHOT FROM INSTAGRAM.COM/BIANCAPAGDA

THE ROAD to golfing greatness in the Philippines will once again pass through the manicured fairways of The Manila Golf & Country Club as the 2026 Philippine Ladies Open (PLO) takes center stage from Feb. 24 to 26, with the backing of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines (WGAP), the prestigious annual tournament is set to draw up to 100 of the country’s top amateur talents alongside international standouts, reinforcing its reputation as the premier proving ground for the next generation of champions.

PSC Chairman Patrick C. Gregorio praised the impact of women’s golf in the country, noting its proven ability to produce global winners.

“The success of Bianca Pagdanganan and Yuka Saso shows that Filipino women can compete and win against the very best in the world. The Philippine Ladies Open is where those journeys begin,” Mr. Gregorio said.

The Philippine Ladies Open has long been a springboard to global success with Mses. Pagdanganan and Saso among its distinguished alumnae.

Ms. Pagdanganan ruled the 2017 edition and was an Asian Games dual medalist who now competes on the LPGA Tour.

Back-to-back champion in 2018 and 2019, Ms. Saso went on to become a two-time US Women’s Open titlist and an Asian Games dual gold medalist, cementing her status as one of Asia’s brightest stars.

Also gracing the PLO fairways in 2017 and 2018 was Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul, fondly known as “Jeeno,” who has since risen to world No. 1.

“These champions sharpened their competitive edge here,” said WGAP Secretary Greely R. Oposa, underscoring the tournament’s role in nurturing young golfers for international competition.

Mr. Gregorio pointed out that the future remains bright with continued support for grassroots programs.

“We believe the next generation of Filipina golfers will not only follow in their footsteps but surpass them. With the right training, exposure, and opportunities, more Filipinas will stand on global podiums and bring pride to the nation,” Mr. Gregorio emphasized.

Beyond its flagship event, WGAP is expanding its impact in 2026 through three cornerstone competitions aimed at deepening the country’s women’s golf pipeline.

The PLO remains the association’s crown jewel, while the 30th Luzvimin Invitational heads north to the scenic John Hay Golf Course in Baguio City.

Running from April to October, the six-leg WGAP Circuit and WGAP Cup will feature more than 220 women golfers from 15 member clubs, culminating in a high-stakes match play showdown.

With a membership base now at 555 and still rising, WGAP continues to champion grassroots and elite-level development for women golfers nationwide.

Its programs reflect a clear mission: cultivate talent, build competitive experience, and create pathways to international success.

Gregorio says no plan to move on from PSC post

PATRICK C. GREGORIO — PSC

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick C. Gregorio said he has no plan to move on from his current position, amid speculation he could be elevated to the Cabinet.

“Seriously, I studied Tourism in college, I have been a hotelier for 20 years and ever since I have been a believer of sports tourism. And I’m bound to honor that commitment (to advance sports tourism),” he said at a Monday symposium with Resto PH, a group of restaurant owners in the country, at the Wolfgang Steakhouse in Gateway 2, Cubao.

Also appearing at the symposium were Resto PH’s Eric Teng, Alberto Agra of obstacle sports, Francis Diaz, the University of the Philippines Human Kinetics dean and incoming National Academy of Sports executive director, Karen Caballero of sepak takraw and Passi, Iloilo Mayor Stephen Palmares. — Joey Villar

Converge’s Justine Baltazar beefs up Gilas Pilipinas frontline ahead of FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

GILAS PILIPINAS has called up Converge’s Justine Baltazar as the Nationals deal with frontline issues ahead of the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The Philippine quintet brought in the 6-foot-9 Mr. Baltazar to help regulars June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu man the paint with Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown (QMB) unlikely to play in the tough Group A matches against New Zealand on Feb. 26 and Australia on March 1.

Mr. Baltazar, who averaged 14.8 points and 14.2 rebounds and finished fourth in the race for the Best Player of the Conference award in the last PBA Philippine Cup, attended Gilas’ first training at the Upper Deck on Monday.

His length and inside presence should help fill some gap in the absence of the 7-foot-3 Mr. Sotto and the 6-foot-10 Mr. Millora-Brown, whom coach Tim Cone has virtually ruled out of the two home gigs.

Mr. Cone, in a report by Spin.ph, said QMB “chose not to join Gilas” for the window while Mr. Sotto, who just returned from a year-long recovery from ACL, is “reluctant because of the injury factor.”

Mr. Baltazar is the only new face in Mr. Cone’s pool for Window 2 with his Converge teammate Juan Gomez de Liaño back after previously serving pool duties last November.

They joined Justin Brownlee, Mr. Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, RJ Abarrientos, and Troy Rosario in the first sessions of the scheduled 10-day camp.

Mr. Edu, along with fellow overseas-based players Dwight Ramos, Kevin Quiambao, and Carl Tamayo are expected to be on board in the next few days.

Gilas holds pole position in Group A with four points and +65 points difference (PD) on account of its two-game sweep of Guam, 87-46 and 95-71. Powerhouse Australia also posted a perfect 2-0 (+7 PD) in the opening window at the expense of New Zealand, 84-79, and 79-77.

This makes the winless Tall Blacks even more determined to bounce back and beat the Filipinos in the duel set at the MOA Arena. — Olmin Leyba

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