Filipinos in south seek end to Israeli counterattacks on Gaza

October 22, 2023 | 8:07 pm

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

FILIPINO Christians and Muslims on Sunday called for an end to Israel’s counterattacks on Gaza and criticized the Philippine government’s support for Israel

Hundreds of residents in the southern Philippine city of Cagayan De Oro held a “solidarity walk for Palestine,” calling for a just resolution to the war between the Israeli government and Hamas militants who launched a surprise missile attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

Participants held placards that read “Free Palestine” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Thousands from the Bangsamoro region earlier condemned the Israeli military’s offensive in Gaza.

Israel launched a counterattack on the Palestinian enclave, sending waves of airstrikes, enforcing a blockade and deploying tens of thousands of its troops for a ground assault. This was after the Palestinian Islamists, backed by a barrage of rockets, stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip into nearby Israeli towns, killing 1,400 people and taking hundreds as hostages.

Alile Hissah, a 26-year-old Filipino Muslim law student in Metro Manila, said the Philippine government has failed to consider the welfare of millions of Palestinians who have been driven away from their homeland for almost a century in its rush to condemn Hamas.

The Israeli government has been demanding that more than a million Palestinian civilians move to the southern part of Gaza as it embarks on a ground offensive, an order that the United Nations (UN) has condemned amid the collapsing humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory.

The United States on Oct. 18 vetoed a UN resolution to condemn all violence against civilians in the Israel-Hamas war and to urge humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, saying it was too early to craft an appropriate Security Council response to the crisis.

The Hamas military wing has said it launched the surprise attack so that “the enemy will understand that the time of their rampaging without accountability has ended,” citing Israel’s occupation of the West Bank that started during the Arab-Israeli war of 1967.

It also cited Israeli police raids on their places of worship including the Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and the detention of thousands of Palestinians.

“Despite the facts, several Western countries assented to the actions of the Israeli Defense Forces,” Ms. Hissah said. “What saddens me more is that even the Marcos administration stands with Israel.”

The Gaza Strip is one of the two territories occupied by Palestinians — the other being the West Bank, which the Israeli government has been trying to invade in recent years.

The two areas, along with East Jerusalem, came under Israeli occupation after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Since the war, Israel has responded to Palestinians’ demand for a homeland through military force.

Rayiane Maravilla, a young mainline Protestant who works as a lecturer in Manila, said many Filipinos including fellow congregation members have overlooked the plight of Palestinians, who have been fighting for their right to self-determination.

“Most Christians today are the number one enabler of illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands,” he said via Messenger chat, noting that personal leanings “should not blind us into holding those who are accountable.” “Silence is complicity. And complicity is a sin.”

David Michael M. San Juan, a professor at De La Salle University’s Philippine Studies department, said Filipinos who “uncritically support” Israel mostly think of the country as the “biblical Israel.”

“Some are also rightfully angry at the atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians, without realizing that Hamas’ actions are also driven by decades of injustices perpetrated by the Israeli state against the Palestinians,” he said via Messenger chat.

US President Joseph R. Biden has defended Israel’s “right to self-defense,” vowing to support the Israeli military’s fight against Hamas militants.

BANGSAMORO DREAM
For Ms. Hissah, the Palestinian cause is not so different from the struggle of many Filipino Muslims.

“I really hope that we would not reach a point where some local groups would be forced to resort to violence like what Hamas did,” she said, noting that the government’s refusal to heed Filipino Muslims’ call for self-determination had led to violence in the past.

In 2018, decades after peace negotiations between Muslim rebels and the Philippine government, Congress passed a law that created the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which has its own Parliament and justice system and is fiscally autonomous.

The Bangsamoro Parliament last week passed a resolution calling for an end of hostilities that endanger lives and threaten any hope of having the decades-long conflict resolved.

“We are Palestine, and Palestine is us,” Bangsamoro Transition Authority member Anna Tarhata Basman said in a speech as she sponsored the resolution in Parliament.

“Filipinos in Mindanao have experienced — and to a certain extent, still experience — the horrors of armed conflict,” Mr. David said. “The Palestinian cause resonates in our country, and especially in Mindanao because it is somehow related to the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination.”

“The Palestinians yearn for a Palestine where they will be free to build their dreams without fear of bombs and bullets from Israel,” he said. “Our Moro brothers and sisters also dream of a free Bangsamoro, and to a certain extent, they have realized this dream through the establishment of the BARMM which majority of the Moros and Filipinos support.”

Mr. David urged Filipinos and other countries to continue calling for an immediate ceasefire between the Israeli government and the Hamas group — “ideally via the UN, which should work out a practical solution where Palestinians will have their homeland and freedom back.”

“It’s a long way from here but for sure, negotiations can only prosper if the warplanes are quiet.”

Gov’t must ensure jobs from Saudi investments, say labor organizations

October 22, 2023 | 8:06 pm

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINE government should ensure that recent investment deals with Saudi Arabian business leaders translate into more jobs for Filipinos and domestic job creation, labor groups said over the weekend.

The Presidential Communications Office announced last Friday that a Philippine business delegation signed investment deals with Saudi business leaders worth more than $4.2 billion.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said the deals would create over 15,000 jobs for Filipino job seekers.

In a Viber message on Sunday, Jose “Sonny” G. Matula, president of the Federation of Free Workers, said: “The prospect of 15,000 jobs, with an estimated value of over $120 million, may sound promising on the surface, but it is essential to approach this news with a dose of skepticism.”

He said the government must elaborate on how the deals would generate more jobs for Filipinos in Saudi Arabia.

“The fate of the 15,000 jobs and their impact on the Filipino workforce will depend on the successful execution of these deals, which, at this point, are shrouded in uncertainty,” Mr. Matula added.

In a separate Viber message, Josua T. Mata, secretary general of the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), said the government must weigh the social costs of a “mass exportation” of skilled workers on the Philippine economy.

“It is true this will mean more jobs for workers, but what happened to the promise that migration would only be one of the options for our workers?” he said.

The Palace said that Saudi investors also showed a “warm response” to Mr. Marcos’ pitch for the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), which aims to boost the country’s economic growth.

The country’s first sovereign wealth fund is expected to generate about 100,000 direct and indirect jobs as its initial capitalization becomes fully paid in over the first 10 years of operations, according to the Department of Finance.

The Bayan Muna party-list and Senator Aquilino Martin D. Pimentel III last month challenged the MIF’s legality before the Supreme Court, as the said Congress rushed its approval, “short-circuiting” the process outlined in the Constitution.

“Other than the issue of constitutionality, a cloud of uncertainty looms over these developments as the President himself has suspended the Maharlika Funds implementing rules, adding to the concerns about the practicality and effectiveness of these investment opportunities,” Mr. Matula said.

Last week, the President ordered a slowing down in the implementation of the MIF to give authorities time to put up the necessary safeguards, a move that Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said was a good exercise of “prudence.”

Non-DepEd assessment urged

October 22, 2023 | 8:06 pm

Sherwin-Gatchalian — PHILIPPINE STAR/ GEREMY PINTOLO

A PHILIPPINE senator said on Sunday that the government should establish an independent agency or body that would assess learner outcomes of students in public schools.

“If you think about it, how can the Department of Education (DepEd) do self-correction when it is the one who developed and delivered the curriculum?” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said in a statement.

Mr. Gatchalian cited as an example Australia’s National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), a program that is independently run and measures how well Australian youth are developing their skills and literacy.

“It makes sense to have an independent body to come up with the assessment, analyze it, and tell the DepEd what to do because then you have the concept of check and balance,” said Mr. Gatchalian.
He recalled that in 1991, the government already pushed for the creation of an autonomous national testing and evaluation agency, but it did not materialize. — John Victor D. Ordoсez

Kids’ medical discounts pushed

October 22, 2023 | 8:06 pm

children-playground-PHILSTAR-BOYSANTOS — PHILIPPINE STAR/ BOY SANTOS

A CONGRESSMAN reiterated on Sunday that children should also be given discounts to medical and dental services.

“Government support for our young citizens is imperative, especially during their formative years, in order for them to grow up into fully equipped adult citizens,” Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte said in House Bill No. 8312.

“This is especially important to children from disadvantaged areas, where access to healthcare services is low or limited to private institutions,” he said.

Under the proposed Junior Citizens Act, children whose family income is less than P250,000 is entitled to a 20% discount and value-added tax (VAT) exemption on medical and dental check-ups, medicines, vaccines.

“This benefit given to junior citizens extends to professional fees of physicians in private hospitals and of home healthcare service providers,” Mr. Villafuerte said.

The proposed discount and VAT exemption also applies to hospital and outpatient services like diagnostics and laboratory fees, as well as funeral and burial services.

Entrance fees for leisure and amusement sites like concerts and cinemas can also be given discount and VAT exemption, Mr. Villafuerte said.

The bill also seeks to make children automatic members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) until they reach the age of 12.

The measure, which was filed in May, is pending at the Committee on Welfare of Children.

The Philippines is ranked 5^th globally for the most number of zero-vaccine children or children who have not received a single vaccine, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported in 2021.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said that only 48% of Filipino infants have been vaccinated, with pneumonia causing approximately 31,000 deaths among children under five years old in 2022. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

BoI taps Security Bank

October 22, 2023 | 8:05 pm

THE BOARD of Investments (BoI) has entered a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Security Bank Corp. for its Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) program which aims to attract more foreign investments in the Philippines. Under the agreement, Security Bank will be one of the depository banks for the SIRV program which will allow foreign investors to send their money to the Philippines through the bank to qualify for the program.

“We at the BoI are optimistic that this collaboration with the Security Bank will further strengthen the synergy of government and the private sector, and, hopefully, lead to a mutually beneficial relationship for both parties,” BoI Executive Director Maria Veronica F. Magsino said in a statement.

“The BoI’s SIRV program aims to increase the country’s foreign currency reserves by providing a residence visa with multiple-entry privileges in exchange for a minimum investment of US$75,000 in an eligible type of business (service or manufacturing industry),” the BoI said.

Last week, Trade Undersecretary and BoI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo reported that the investment approvals at the BoI reached P734 billion in the first nine months. He said that the number represents an increase of 102% from the P362 billion approved investments in the same period last year.

Of the nine-month approved investments this year, P427 billion accounted for foreign investments, which Mr. Rodolfo said are mostly on renewable energy projects.

In November last year, the government removed the foreign equity restrictions on renewable energy projects. Mr. Rodolfo said that this is among the reasons why there are a lot of investments in the sector. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

BARMM eyes boosting education

October 22, 2023 | 8:05 pm

COTABATO CITY — Local executives called on the 80-seat Bangsamoro Transition Authority to make an audit and evaluation of dilapidated schools in the region’s 116 municipalities as they welcomed three proposed measures to: establish a high school in every barangay; a technical skills facility in every municipality; and integrate special education (SPED) in public schools.

The Public Information and Media Relations Division of the parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) explained in a statement over the weekend that Bill 252 that was filed last week is an enabling measure for the establishment of at least one high school in each of the barangays in BARMM’s component towns.

Reacting to this development, local executives said there are existing schools that can still be fixed to ensure cost-efficiency in the implementation of Bill 252, along with Bills 253 and 255. There are 2,590 barangays covered by BARMM.

“This pro-poor, pro-peace bill is meant to improve the quality of secondary education in BARMM,” one of its authors, Parliament Member Baintan A. Ampatuan, said on Sunday.

The Bill 253, on the other hand, aims to establish one technical skills learning center for each of the municipality in BARMM, alongside a learning facility for “special children” as proposed via the Bill 255.

Myra B. Mangkabung, superintendent of schools in Lamitan City in Basilan, said Sunday she and her subordinate-mentors and school principals are in favor of the three proposed regional edicts, for them “high-ticket” interventions that can improve the quality of education in the Bangsamoro region.

“That is long overdue. We are in favor of having one public high school in all of the barangays in Lamitan City and in all the municipalities in Basilan,” Ms. Mangkabung said.

Ms. Mangkabung said SPED facilities for children with learning handicaps are also needed in all of the municipalities in the Bangsamoro region.

“Having a high school in each barangay in the Bangsamoro region will solve the problem of overcrowding in high schools in its municipalities. No high school student must be left behind. That is our goal here,” Parliament Member Suharto M. Ambolodto, a co-sponsor of the bills, said.

Gerard M. Cagayan, a public elementary school teacher, said he would be happy seeing a high school rise in each of the barangays in his hometown, Upi in Maguindanao del Norte, where ethnic non-Moro Tedurays walk long distances every day to attend classes in areas far from their homes. — John Felix M. Unson

Motor tanker catches fire; 1 dead

October 22, 2023 | 8:05 pm

A MOTOR tanker caught fire on Sunday morning in the Alpha Anchorage Area in Batangas, killing one individual at the scene, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.
First to respond and aid the troubled M/T Sea Horse around 9 a.m. was the PCG’s multi-role response vessel, BRP Bagacay, and personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). The Coast Guard Station Batangas also coordinated with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office to help in firefighting efforts.

Tugboats Motor Tug Great Lark, Motor Tug Sedar 7, and Motor Tug Sedar 8 also assisted in efforts to contain the fire until it was declared fire out at 11:08 a.m.

While the PCG confirmed the death of one person in the incident, the identity and circumstances surrounding the event were still under investigation as of press time.

The Marine Environmental Protection Group Batangas has coordinated with Petron Company to prepare for the containment of a possible oil spill following the incident.
Meanwhile, passenger ship M/V Our Lady of Fatima 03 had to be towed to Nasugbu, Batangas on Saturday after encountering engine trouble that left it dead in the water for several hours.

All its 54 passengers and nine crew members were declared safe by the Command Center of Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog.

The vessel departed Port of Tilik on Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro at 7:30 a.m. but encountered engine trouble while transiting between Ambil Island and Fortune Island around 9:30 a.m.
Following a distress call, its sister ship M/V Lubang Express, set out from Port of Tilik at 2 p.m. and towed the vessel to the Wawa Port in Nasugbu, safely docking at 6:20 p.m. — NCB

Centeno stuns Fisher in WPA World Ten-Ball Women’s Championship

October 22, 2023 | 5:54 pm

CHEZKA CENTENO took up billiards when she was still five years old and played in dimly-lit pool halls in hometown Zamboanga City where she used a beer case to reach the pool table.

Almost two decades later, her unbridled determination and love for the game propelled her to a place where she has a legitimate shot at realizing her life-long dream of becoming a pool champion of the world.

Displaying unbending grit and magnificent shot-making, the 24-year-old Ms. Centeno clawed her way back from the grave and snatched a shock 9-8 hill-hill victory over British legend Allison Fisher Saturday to move on the cusp of ruling the WPA World 10-Ball Women’s Championship in Klagenfurt, Austria.

The many-time Southeast Asian Games gold winner from the Philippines dismantled an 8-4 deficit by stringing together the last five racks including the 17^th and final frame where she needed a foul by Ms. Fisher to clean up the rest and pull off one of the biggest, if not the biggest, upsets in the tournament.

The giant-sized triumph catapulted Ms. Centeno straight to the finals against three-time world 9-Ball queen Yu Han of China, who got through with an empathic 9-2 demolition of battle-scarred Kelly Fisher of England.

It could be extra motivation for Ms. Centeno when she tackles Yu in the race-to-nine finale as it was the latter who showed the former’s mentor, two-time world 10-ball winner Rubilen Amit, the door with a 9-3 win in the quarters Friday.

The win also secured Ms. Centeno a cool P1.4 million purse.

But for sure, the former world junior champion would hunger for more — a whopping $50,000 (P2.8 million) — the biggest prize in the history of the women’s event.

It also buried the ghost of the painful past after a 9-7 quarterfinal defeat to Ms. Fisher in the Kamui World Women’s 9-Ball Championship in Atlantic City, New Jersey last January that denied her a chance at a world crown.

Nine months later, she served Ms. Fisher a dish best served cold — revenge. — Joey Villar

Swimmer Gawilan guns for gold as 4^th Asian Para Games goes full blast

October 22, 2023 | 5:53 pm

HANGZHOU, China — Veteran para swimmer Ernie Gawilan tries to break the golden ice for the country as the 4^th Hangzhou Asian Para Games goes full blast Monday at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Complex and surrounding venues here.

Mr. Gawilan, 32, will plunge into action in the S7 men’s 200-meter individual medley at the modern 6,000-seat HOC Aquatic Arena at 7:29 p.m., just a stone’s throw from the 80,000-capacity HOC Stadium where the colorful and festive opening ceremony was held last Sunday night.

It will be the first of three events he will aim to defend after capturing three golds in the 2018 edition held in Jakarta, Indonesia in the stint backed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Also seeing action in the swimming championships are Cambodia ASEAN Para Games double gold medalist Gary Bejino in the S6 men’s 100-meter freestyle, Edwin Villanueva in the SM8 men’s 200-meter individual medley and Muhaimin Ulag in the SB9 men’s 100-meter breaststroke.

The vaunted national para chess team, which delivered five gold, two silver and six bronze medals in the 2018 Asian Para Games, will also start competing in the men’s and women’s standard events at the Hangzhou Qi-Yuan Chess Hall on the fringe of the HOC Complex.

They are bannered by wheelchair-bound Fide Master Sander Severino, who bagged four golds in the Indonesian capital five years ago, and Darry Bernardo, who was the most prolific chesser in the last Cambodia ASEAN Para Games with six mints in June.

Powerlifting also gets underway at the Xiaoshan Sports Center Gymnasium with Romeo Tayawa and Marydol Pamatian vying in the men’s -54-kilogram and women’s -41kg divisions, respectively.

Thrower Jesebel Tordecilla, who won a silver in the Cambodia ASEAN Para Games, kicks off the country’s drive in track and field in F56 women’s javelin throw at the Huanglong Sports Center Stadium about an hour away from the HOC Sports Complex.

“Our national para athletes have been working and training hard for the 4^th Asian Para Games for the last five years. Now is the time for them to shine in this continental sports showcase once again and I encourage our countrymen to pray and support them,” Philippine Paralympic Committee President Mike Barredo said.

“Lord willing, we hope to match or surpass our achievements in the last Asian Para Games in Indonesia,” Mr. Barredo, who is also a member of the Asian Paralympic Committee Executive Board, added. — PSC

Pinay 5 upsets New Zealand, 1-0, in thriller for futsal finals berth

October 22, 2023 | 5:52 pm

HOST Philippines eked out a pulsating 1-0 win over New Zealand to secure a spot in the finals of the PFF Women’s Tri Nation Futsal Invitational 2023 Saturday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Althea Rebosura delivered a stunning strike late in extra time while Mykaella Abeto came through with big-time saves as the Pinay 5 bounced back strong from a pair of losses.

The victory came at the right time for the home squad, which previously dropped its two elimination round assignments, 4-9 to Indonesia and 1-4 to New Zealand.

The Indonesians claimed an automatic seat to the championship game after topping the elims on a sweep at the expense of the hosts and the Kiwis, 3-1.

Despite an 0-2 record and No. 3 ranking, the Pinay 5 still got a crack at the second finals ticket via the you-or-me playoff against the No. 2 Futsal Ferns (1-1).

Cheered by a roaring home crowd, the Pinay 5 seized control of the tightly-fought contest with only two minutes left in OT with Rebosura sending it home.

The Futsal Ferns pushed hard for the equalizer but Philippine keeper Ms. Abeto stopped all of their three attempts in the final minute of the match to ice it to the delight of supporters. — Olmin Leyba

Santo Tomas snaps 19-game losing run in beating FEU

October 22, 2023 | 5:51 pm

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) ended a year-long, 19-game losing dry spell after taming rival Far Eastern University (FEU) with a 68-62 win at the close of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament first round yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Growling Tigers last won on Oct. 1, 2022 for the opener of Season 85 before succumbing to 13 straight losses to end their campaign plus a 0-6 start in the return of coach Pido Jarencio this season.

Well, not anymore as Nic Cabañero came to the rescue when the Growling Tigers needed him the most by cashing in 23 points on nine-of-16 clip spiced by six rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes of play.

He wasn’t alone in the battle as the undersized slotman Christian Manaytay stood tall with a 10-11 double-double to repel the Tamaraws’ frontline with Migs Pangilinan (9), Angelo Crisostomo (8), Kenji Duremdes (7) and Ivanne Calum (7) throwing in vital support.

Mr. Duremdes, son of basketball legend Kenneth, added 10 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal in an all-around play.

Hopes were high for Santo Tomas, upon the appointment of Mr. Jarencio in the offseason to replace Bal David, entering the season after a free-falling campaign in the entire Season 85.

But to no avail, it still took long for the young Growling Tigers to find their niche in the UAAP jungle dominated by battle-tested powers before catching the Tamaraws — who were on a two-game streak — napping in time for the second round.

Santo Tomas slightly seized control in the first half off Mr. Cabañero’s and-one at the buzzer, 55-50, before slowly but surely breaking away in the second half behind a 10-4 rally to post the biggest lead at 65-54.

The Growling Tigers were never threatened from there on for a morale-boosting win to stay in Final Four contention entering the second phase.

“This will give us confidence going into the next round. We’re going to be happy today and we’re going to work again,” said Mr. Cabañero.

Ljay Gonzales (11), Xyrus Torres (11) and Jorick Bautista (11) paced FEU, which slid to 2-5 for a tie with University of the East at sixth to seventh spot — with UST lurking just behind. — John Bryan Ulanday

The Scores:

UST 68 – Cabañero 23, Manaytay 10, Pangilinan 9, Crisostomo 8, Duremdes 7, Calum 7, Manalang 4, Llemit 0, Laure 0, Gesalem 0, Lazarte 0, Esmena 0.

FEU 62 – Gonzales 11, Torres 11, Bautista 11, Sleat 8, Tempra 7, Faty 7, Ona 5, Competente 2, Alforque 0, Bagunu 0, Montemayor 0, Buenaventura 0, Felipe 0.

Quarterscores: 22-17, 38-34, 55-50, 68-62.

Bacoor outlasts Iloilo, 72-61, for last spot in MPBL Final Four

October 22, 2023 | 5:50 pm

TOP-SEED Bacoor thwarted Iloilo in Game 3, 72-61, to complete the Final Four cast in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) South Division over the weekend at the Strike Gym in Cavite.

The Strikers led from the get-go and never looked behind, leading by as many as 20 points for a reverse sweep of the eighth-ranked Royals after a stunning 89-86 defeat in Game 1.

Bacoor retaliated in Game 2 with a one-sided affair, 92-52, serving as its stepping stone for the killer blow with James Kwekuteye leading the way.

The ex-San Beda stalwart banged in 15 points while Jhaymo Eguilos (13 points, 12 rebounds) and JM Nermal (11 points, 12 rebounds) provided solid support for the Strikers.

Bacoor will face No. 4 seed Zamboanga, which also needed three games to fend off No. 5 Quezon, in the semis pairing. The other bracket features No. 2 Batangas against the winner between No. 3 General Santos and No. 6 Muntinlupa.

Motivated by its home fans — including Bacoor City mayor Strike Revilla — the Strikers waxed hot early in building a 10-point lead after the opening salvo before expanding it to a 58-38 gap in the third quarter.

Bacoor kept Iloilo at bay from there on for the convincing win to finally get over the hump after a quarterfinal exit last season.

Mr. Revilla lauded the Strikers, and also the Royals, for a great duel in three games much to delight of the Bacooreños, whom they dedicated the big win for a ticket in the division semis.

Joshua Flores (15) and CJ Catapusan (10) led the tough stand of Iloilo despite being the lowest-ranked squad in the South Division. — John Bryan Ulanday