Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube
Home Blog Page 5603

Undaunted and unstoppable in the face of uncertainty

Throughout history, we have seen how times of great uncertainty and disruption have triggered sudden leaps and progress despite the problems and challenges they bring. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception, it being the greatest global disruption the world has seen in many decades. Yet while the pandemic practically brought the world to a halt, it is also heartening to see how this period brought with it immense opportunities amidst many challenges. While is it true that many businesses suffered because of it, with many forced to close down, we have also seen numerous businesses accelerate their transformation and evolved to survive and then thrive as the world moved closer to post-pandemic recovery, pivoting their own business models and creating new ones.

When the pandemic disrupted business strategies and challenged continuity, companies were forced to place a renewed focus on people, purpose and technology. Crisis, after all, inspires innovation, and this holds especially true for entrepreneurs.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION DURING THE PANDEMIC
Though the pandemic caused many to lose their jobs, it also served as a catalyst for many others to enter the business landscape as entrepreneurs. According to a survey by Sales Force, the pandemic created a unique batch of startups that saw new opportunities to create new markets and attract new customers during a period of heightened uncertainty. As much as 56% of the survey respondents share that starting a business now was easier than before the pandemic. Most of the new startup founders embraced technology from the beginning, using digital tools and searching for more technology-based solutions to fuel business growth.

NBC News reveals that entrepreneurs opened their own businesses at more than twice the rate seen in pre-pandemic times, aided by improved remote technology previously unavailable during other economic downturns like the Great Recession. Data from the US Census Bureau also shows that business applications nearly doubled during the first few months of the pandemic, remaining elevated and well above pre-pandemic levels. Economist Leila Bengali from the UCLA Anderson Forecast identifies lower fixed costs as one of the reasons for this, with the availability of the internet and a deeper familiarity with technology making it all the easier for innovative individuals to get their business online.

In an interview, Christy Wyskiel, Senior Advisor to the President of Johns Hopkins University for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said that the essence of entrepreneurship is identifying an unmet need and moving as fast as possible to get a meaningful product to market — which is exactly what society needs during a crisis. The pandemic dramatically accelerated productive collaboration in the service of society, and the paradigm has now changed, particularly in this period of post-pandemic recovery. Entrepreneurs should not be paralyzed by uncertainty, but instead should seek long-term value and success by continuing to serve their existing customers while being ready to pivot when needed to address potential opportunities.

The pandemic also created a massive push towards digital transformation. In the Philippines, we now find almost every product or service available on online shopping platforms. Almost every brand in the country rapidly transitioned to existing online selling platforms or invested in developing their own online sales mechanisms. In the micro-sized enterprise space, people have gotten more used to the idea of starting their own businesses using digital tools and leveraging social media to take advantage of existing conditions — for example, during the lockdowns, the number of home-based online food sellers mushroomed like never before. Many found surprising success and were able to cultivate regular customers due to people being unable to go out and dine. The pandemic also gave rise to new business opportunities in logistics, entertainment, personal care and many other areas.

CELEBRATING THE SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Analysts predict that the rate of growth of entrepreneurship will remain high in the post-COVID-19 economy, as shared by Forbes. Because of the massive increase in startups caused by the pandemic, developments on an individual entrepreneurship level will likely aid numerous economies.

As Gaston Taratuta, EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022, said in his acceptance speech in Monaco, “Being an entrepreneur is more than just building a successful business. It’s about creating and seizing opportunities where ones don’t readily exist or aren’t easily attainable.” This has never been truer than in the stories of 18 indomitable Filipino entrepreneurs that we are celebrating in the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 Philippines program. The program recently concluded its search for the country’s most successful and inspiring entrepreneurs with the theme of Undaunted. Unstoppable. And will be holding its awards gala tonight.

Guided by their purpose, motivated by their aspirations and fueled by their relentless determination, these Filipino entrepreneurs helped empower communities and uplift the nation. Their stories have been published in BusinessWorld over the past few weeks with the hope that in sharing them, present and future entrepreneurs can be further inspired by their struggles and successes.

Entrepreneurs showed us that a single idea can spark positive change and disrupt the status quo. According to a 2023 study, “Entrepreneurship during a pandemic,” entrepreneurs have been known to act as focal points during a time of crisis, playing a critical role in the context of post-disaster recovery by providing leadership and signaling that their communities are likely to survive. This same spirit burns strong within Filipino entrepreneurs who lead as Undaunted visionaries, equipped with Unstoppable resilience and the ability to adapt.

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

 

Henry M. Tan is a Partner and the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines Program Director of SGV & Co.

Philippines to keep US as its top security ally — political analysts

UNITED States Vice-President Kamala Harris at Camp Pendleton — OFFICE OF KAMALA HARRIS

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

THE UNITED States would likely remain as the Philippines No. 1 security ally under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., analysts said on Sunday, as the US vice-president is set to visit the country this week.

“In just a few months in office, the implementation of a key defense agreement between the two countries is in full swing,” said Robin Michael R. Garcia, who teaches political economy at the University of Asia and the Pacific.

“The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement is one of the pillars of the US-Philippine alliance and its implementation was stalled during ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s time,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “The fact that it is being implemented and perhaps expanded tells us that President Marcos is charting a different direction from the previous administration.”

Mr. Garcia said infrastructure development for five military bases is under way.

US Vice-President Kamala Harris, who will be in the Philippines for the first time on Nov. 20 to 22, is expected to meet with Mr. Marcos and Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Ms. Harris, the highest-ranking US official to visit the country since Mr. Marcos took office in June, is set to visit the island province of Palawan near the South China Sea.

“The Philippines has taken a different route toward the United States under President Marcos,” Mr. Garcia said. “This was also previously seen in the president’s “charm offensive” in his recent talk with the US business community.

Ms. Harris’ visit to the Philippines follows the meeting between Mr. Marcos and US President Joseph R. Biden in New York, said Victor Andres Manhit, president of think tank Albert del Rosario Institute for Strategic and International Studies.

“The September meeting in the US demonstrates the Marcos administration’s openness and intent to further strengthen and explore more partnerships with the United States as a long-time ally,” he said in a Messenger chat.

Mr. Manhit, citing a June 2022 poll by his group, said the US was the most trusted country by Filipinos at 89%.

In the past five years, the US has committed more than $625 million in military assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he pointed out.

Mr. Manhit said the two countries are also expected to boost their maritime patrols, which is viewed as essential amid the escalating tension in the region.

He said the Marcos government’s engagements with both the US and China show its “eagerness to redirect the country’s foreign policy away from the US-China strategic competition.”

The presidential palace earlier said the Philippine leader had accepted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s invitation to visit China in January.

“His statements and meetings with President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping demonstrate his commitment to maintaining a hard balance between the two,” Mr. Manhit said.

“While China is looking at us closely and may perhaps see the Harris visit as a concerning development, it is still trying to woo President Marcos,” Mr. Garcia said. “The outcome of the state visit is something to watch out for.”

Mr. Marcos had a bilateral meeting with Mr. Xi for the first time on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Thailand last week, where the two tackled the South China Sea dispute.

Mr. Marcos reiterated his position that the sea dispute is not the totality of the two countries’ relations, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Friday.

“Marcos Jr. stressed his consistent view that relations between the two countries should not be defined by maritime issues and that both sides may further enhance communication in this regard,” it added.

The agency said the Philippines wants to find ways to advance joint exploration of oil and gas in the disputed waterway.

“Multilateral cooperation with big and small states should be the direction that the Marcos administration should take in order to secure a better roadmap for the future direction of the country’s foreign policy,” Mr. Manhit said. “This also applies in the context of the global economic recovery from the pandemic.”

Marcos government told to follow through on human rights pledges

A TEAM from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized two kilos of shabu worth P13.6 million in a house rented by a Canadian national at the Ayala Alabang village in Muntinlupa City on Friday. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL ANTONIO DE GUZMAN

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should follow through on its human rights promises to the United Nations (U.N.) and allow people to express dissent, political analysts said at the weekend.

“The Philippine government cannot turn a blind eye to the reality of attacks on journalists, lawyers and human rights workers,” Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade, a legal analyst at Partners in Justice International, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“These attacks have greatly affected our civic spaces so much as to produce a chilling effect on those who continue to express dissent and speak up.”

Acting Press Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

The Philippines accepted 200 recommendations from member-states of the United Nations Human Rights Council, including investigating extralegal killings and protecting journalists during its periodic review in Geneva last week.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said the government does not sanction attacks, harassment or intimidation of human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists.

“The Philippines is a vibrant democracy where freedom of expression, including the right to hold dissenting opinions, and the right of peaceful assembly are protected,” he said, according to a copy of his statement before the U.N. on Nov. 16.

Fides M. Lim, convenor of human rights group Kapatid, doubts the government’s sincerity to address these issues.

“So far, there is little basis for optimism when the main implementor of those recommendations fosters the prevalent climate of impunity through victim blaming,” she said in a Messenger chat.

Last week, more than 30 member-states of the U.N. Human Rights Council urged the Philippines to do something about extralegal killings and rights abuses in connection with Mr. Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

During a U.N. session on Nov. 14, the United States urged the Philippines to hold those behind human rights violations during the drug war accountable. It added that state officials should stop tagging people as communists.

Mr. Remulla told the UN Human Rights Council the government would “dispel the mistaken notion that there is a culture of impunity in the country.”

Arjan P. Aguirre, a political science instructor at the Ateneo de Manila University, said the government should do something about the killings of activists, lawyers and journalists.

“These are not just statistics that can be denied; they have names and lives that were lived and they have stories to tell,” he said in a Messenger chat.

The UN Rights Committee has said the Philippines should comply with international human rights mechanisms and cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s drug war probe.

The Philippines remained the seventh worst country in the world where journalist killers get away with murder, global watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists said in a report on Nov. 2.

The presidential palace said the Marcos government was working with religious groups to persuade drug suspects to surrender.

At least 6,117 suspected drug dealers had been killed in police operations, according to data released by the Philippine government in June last year. Human rights groups estimate that as many as 30,000 suspects died.

“While the government may downplay the attacks on human rights defenders happening on a daily basis, we cannot deny for a fact that journalists, lawyers, and human rights workers have faced a lot of threats while carrying out their duties,” Ms. Tugade said.

“It must enable rather than destroy an environment that respects and protects the work being done by human rights defenders.”

Marcos gov’t needs anti-corruption agenda as it woos investors, private partners

G-WATCH.ORG

THE MARCOS administration must lay down an agenda against corruption and bribery as it pursues investors and public-private partnerships for the country’s economic recovery, according to a national research organization on transparency, citizen participation, and accountability.   

Joy G. Aceron, convenor-director of government watchdog G-Watch, said there has been “a general rollback on governance reforms” under the previous administration, wasting efforts in the past to address corruption and bribery in the country.  

“There were efforts in the past to address corruption and bribery in state transactions but under the previous administration, there has been a general rollback on governance reforms, especially those that fight or deter corruption,” she said in a Messenger chat.  

“There have been problems regarding access to information and transparency in some agencies. This is despite many efforts to open government,” Ms. Aceron said.   

“The lack of support from the top that enables and fosters transparency has a great impact on agencies and government officials.”  

She said the government should be alarmed by indicators showing worsening corruption and bribery in the Philippines.   

In the 2022 Bribery Risk Matrix released by US business association TRACE, the Philippines’ score worsened, although its ranking improved five places to 114th out of 194 countries.  

The Philippines under former president Rodrigo R. Duterte had ranked poorly in global rule of law and corruption indexes.   

“If the national government does not act on its own, then civil society and citizens should utilize available means to ensure accountability from government officials,” Dennis F. Quilala, who teaches political science at the University of the Philippines, said in a Messenger chat.   

“Filing cases against those who bribe and accept bribes should be considered.”  

Mr. Quilala said adopting measures to enhance ease of doing business would also boost investor confidence.   

“It is important for the government to improve the services for business not only to perform better in terms of business sector perceptions of its services but also to benefit its citizens,” he said.   

“There have been efforts from local governments to streamline the processes,” he noted. “The challenge would be how hundreds of other local governments can learn from these models. The national government can facilitate this.”  

“The Philippine government has to realize that if it wants to attract investors, they have to adopt the strategies of other countries and hopefully do better in terms of investor perception,” he added. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza 

Construction of P3.3-B hydropower plant in Davao Oriental eyed by Jan. 

A DIGITAL rendition of the planned hydropower plant in Davao Oriental’s Caraga town. — DAVAO ORIENTAL PROVINCIAL GOVT

THE PROPONENT of a P3.3-billion hydropower project in Davao Oriental’s Caraga town is eyeing to start construction by January, according to the provincial governor.    

Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon said she met last week with representatives of the Caraga A2 Hydro Power Corp., previously named Volga Power Corp., and was informed that the company has completed the main requirements for renewable energy project.  

“For several years since the project was started in 2014, the company has already secured the initial requirements, such as Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC), endorsements from the municipal and barangay LGU (local government unit), and the feasibility study, while the processing of other requirements are currently ongoing,” she said in a statement.  

The proposed Caraga A2 Hydroelectric Power Project will consist of three mini-hydropower plants with a total capacity of up to 20.9 megawatts. It will be a run-of-the-river facility using the Caraga River. 

This is “truly a welcome development,” Ms. Malanyaon said, noting that it is aligned with her administration’s policy of pursuing renewable energy sources to energize the province’s remote communities.   

“Aside from generating enough power to provide electricity to households and local industries, the project is also anticipated to provide employment opportunities to villages and residents of nearby barangays during the construction and operational phase,” Volga Power consultant Meriam Buguis said as quoted in the statement.  

The facility will require 360 skilled workers during the construction phase and 15 personnel for operations, based on the Environmental Impact Assessment report submitted by the company to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Davao Region office.   

Caraga A2 Hydro Power Corp. is aiming to complete construction by 2025, and have an initial operational contract for 25 years, renewable for another 25 years.   

Caraga is a coastal town on the eastern side of the Mindanao mainland with a population of about 40,000 as of 2020.  Its economy is mainly driven by coconut products, among other agricultural goods.    

The first class municipality is also home to eco-tourism and heritage sites such as the Caraga Lagoon, Pusan Point, and the San Salvador Church Bell Tower built in 1802. — MSJ 

Bill proposes P2,000 monthly allowance for PWDs

BW FILE PHOTO

A PROPOSED law that will provide a P2,000 monthly allowance to persons with disabilities (PWD) has been filed at the House of Representatives.  

“Because of multiple socio-economic barriers, persons with disabilities have less income and more expenses than those without disabilities,” Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael D. Vargas, the bill’s author, said in a statement on Sunday.  

“And under the COVID-19 crisis, their economic vulnerabilities have intensified further preventing them and their families from escaping poverty,” he added.   

House Bill 5803 or the Disability Support Allowance Bill seeks to establish a social protection program to support PWDs, who represent at least 12% of the Philippine adult population.   

The bill’s explanatory note states that Filipinos with disabilities “face significant barriers in accessing education and health care, community and citizenship participation, and seizing economic opportunities.”  

Under the bill, PWDs include “those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”  

Mr. Vargas said existing measures supporting PWDs — including a 20% discount on certain products and services, mandatory and subsidized Philippine Health Insurance Corp. membership, and financial subsidy programs — “have significant limitations in who can benefit from them.”  

The bill mandates a progressive roll-out of the monthly allowance.   

In the first three years, the measure will only cover children with disabilities up to the age of 17. It will be expanded in the next three years to include those with disabilities up to the age of 59. After that, the program will cover all PWDs.  

The amount needed for the implementation of the bill will be included in the annual national budget. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Tarlac’s Belenismo Festival

PHILIPPINE STAR/ WALTER BOLLOZOS

RESIDENTS and local tourists view and take photos of different renditions of the nativity scene at Tarlac’s annual Belenismo Festival on Nov. 20.

World Cup 2022: Which major football players are missing?

KARIM BENZEMA — REUTERS

France players: Benzema, Pogba, Kante, Kamara, Kimpembe

FOLLOWING is a list of players who have been ruled out or are doubtful through injury for the soccer World Cup, which runs from Sunday through Dec. 18.

PAUL POGBA (FRANCE): Pogba injured his knee in pre-season and underwent surgery in September to repair a damaged meniscus.

The 29-year-old resumed training, but on Oct. 31 his agent said the midfielder would not return to action for Juventus or world champions France before the World Cup.

N’GOLO KANTE (FRANCE): The Chelsea midfielder suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury that has restricted him to two league appearances this season. He will be sidelined for four months after undergoing surgery.

TIMO WERNER (GERMANY): The RB Leipzig forward, 26, sustained an ankle injury during their 4-0 Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk at the start of November and will be sidelined for the rest of 2022.

REECE JAMES (ENGLAND): The 22-year-old right back injured his knee in Chelsea’s Champions League clash against AC Milan in October and said he will not be a part of the England team.

DIOGO JOTA (PORTUGAL): The Liverpool forward will miss the tournament due to a calf injury sustained in their victory over Manchester City, but the Premier League club’s manager Juergen Klopp said that he would not require surgery.

PEDRO NETO (PORTUGAL): The 22-year-old Wolverhampton Wanderers winger will undergo surgery on an ankle injury sustained against West Ham United in October.

BOUBACAR KAMARA (FRANCE): The Aston Villa midfielder suffered a knee ligament injury in September that will keep him out until after the World Cup.

ARTHUR MELO (BRAZIL): Liverpool’s on-loan midfielder picked up a muscle injury in the build-up to a Champions League clash with Rangers in October.

SCOTT KENNEDY (CANADA): The 25-year-old defender sustained a freak shoulder injury at the end of October while playing for SSV Jahn Regensburg in the German second division.

JESUS ‘TECATITO’ CORONA (MEXICO): The Sevilla winger suffered a fracture on his left ankle while he was training with the LaLiga club in August and underwent surgery.

GIOVANI LO CELSO (ARGENTINA): The midfielder picked up a hamstring injury while playing for Villarreal. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni described him as being “irreplaceable” when naming his squad.

MARCO REUS (GERMANY): The Borussia Dortmund captain sustained an ankle injury and failed to recover fully in time. Reus also missed the 2014 World Cup after getting injured on the eve of Germany’s departure for Brazil, where they won the title.

BEN CHILWELL (ENGLAND): Left back Ben Chilwell pulled up with a hamstring injury during added time in Chelsea’s Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb and said days later he had suffered “significant damage” that would rule him out of the World Cup.

PRESNEL KIMPEMBE (FRANCE): The Paris St Germain center back ruled himself out because of a hamstring injury.

YUTA NAKAYAMA (JAPAN): The defender will miss the World Cup after being ruled out for the rest of the season due to an Achilles injury.

AMINE HARIT (MOROCCO): Morocco’s Olympique de Marseille forward Amine Harit sustained a knee injury during a Ligue 1 match against AS Monaco, ruling him out of the tournament.

SADIO MANE (SENEGAL): Sadio Mane was named in Senegal’s squad for the World Cup despite suffering an injury playing for Bayern Munich, but has been ruled out of the tournament after officials confirmed he would need surgery on the injury.

CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU (FRANCE): The RB Leipzig forward was included in France’s squad for the World Cup, but was ruled out of the tournament after picking up a left knee injury following a tackle from team mate Eduardo Camavinga in training.

JOSE GAYA (SPAIN): Valencia left back Jose Gaya was withdrawn from Spain’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar after suffering an ankle injury in training.

KARIM BENZEMA (FRANCE): Real Madrid striker and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was ruled out of the World Cup for France after suffering an injury in training the day before the start of the tournament. — Reuters

(Compiled by Hritika Sharma, Aadi Nair, Rohith Nair and Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru, Tommy Lund in Gdansk)

GM Joey Antonio shares the lead of FIDE Senior Chess Championship

GRANDMASTER JOEY ANTONIO — NATIONAL CHESS FEDERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES

FILIPINO Grandmaster (GM)Joey Antonio crushed French GM Eric Prie to seize a share of the lead almost halfway through the Open 50+ division of the 30th FIDE World Senior Chess Championship in Umbria, Italy Saturday.

The 60-year-old Olympiad veteran defended well against Mr. Prie’s coffeehouse tactics and ended up snatching a pawn and going an exchange up to essay a 47-move triumph in their center-counter game.

It was a win that propelled Mr. Antonio straight to the top alongside GMs Darcy Lima of Brazil, Maxim Novik of Lithuania and Frank Holzke of Germany with 4.5 points apiece after five rounds of this 11-round tournament.

Messrs. Lima and Novik split the point on top board while Holzke downed International Master David Cummings of Canada.

Mr. Antonio will try to hang on to a piece of the top spot as he was battling Mr. Lima in the sixth round at press time.

The Filipino online chess iron man is hoping to finally win here after coming close to accomplishing it five years ago also in Acqui Terme, Italy where he eventually wound up second behind winner GM Julio Granda Zuniga of Peru.

“Still a long way to go but I hope to sustain my momentum,” said Mr. Antonio who also bested Igor Tsyn of Israel, FIDE Master Milan Kolesar of Slovakia and IM Ali Hussein Al-Ali Hussein of Iraq in the first three rounds before halving the point with second seed GM Ivan Morovic Fernandez of Chile in the fourth round. — Joey Villar

NU ends a 7-year Final Four drought in beating UST

NU ends seven-year semifinal drought. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSELL PALMA

Games On Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
11 a.m. — UST vs UP
1 p.m. — NU vs DLSU
3 p.m. — ADMU VS UE
6:30 p.m. — FEU vs AdU

NATIONAL University (NU) finally broke out from its leash, ending a seven-year Final Four drought with a 67-57 come-from-behind win over University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Skipper John Lloyd Clemente unleashed 19 points and five rebounds including the dagger triple in the last minute as the Bulldogs listed their fourth straight win and ninth overall in 12 matches to join reigning champion and pacesetting University of the Philippines to the semis.

Omar John (12) and Kean Baclaan (10) backstopped Mr. Clemente in NU’s big triumph that in the process created a little breathing room from first-game winner Ateneo (8-3) in a wild race for a Top-Two finish that comes with a twice-to-beat advantage.

“We survived a gritty UST team. They played their hearts out. Good thing was, we came back in the second half. We regrouped and earned this tough win,” said coach Jeff Napa, who rushed straight to the Smart Araneta Coliseum for the PBA game of Northport, where he’s an assistant coach.

NU, the UAAP’s revelation team this season with a stellar campaign including handing UP’s lone loss so far, trailed early at 25-36 but regained its groove after the break by limiting Santo Tomas to eight points in the third.

The Bulldogs figured in a dogfight with the Tigers since then before uncorking a 12-0 run to transform a 52-54 deficit to a 64-54 lead for the win.

Earlier, Ange Kouame hauled down a 20-14 double-double as Ateneo clawed back from 19 points to earn at least a playoff in the Final Four and stay in hunt for a twice-to-beat advantage with an 8-3 card.

With the meltdown, FEU took a toll on its own semis bid as it fell to 4-8 while Santo Tomas crashed out of contention with its 10th straight loss at 1-10. — John Bryan Ulanday

The Scores:

First Game

ATENEO 71 — Kouame 20, Padrigao 13, Andrade 9, Ildefonso 8, Garcia 8, Ballungay 5, Koon 4, Lazaro 2, Daves 2, Chiu 0, Quitevis 0.

FEU 65 — Torres 19, Gonzales 15, Sleat 10, Tchuente 8, Anonuevo 8, Bagunu 3, Bautista 2, Alforque 0, Sajonia 0, Sandagon 0, Tempra 0.

Quarterscores: 14-21, 27-41, 49-54, 71-65.

Second Game

NU 67 — Clemente 19, John 12, Baclaan 10, Malonzo 6, Manansala 6, Figueroa 4, Palacielo 4, Enriquez 3, Galinato 3, Yu 0, Mahinay 0, Tibayan 0, Padrones 0, Minerva 0.

UST 57 — Cabanero 20, Faye 11, Pangilinan 8, Garing 6, Calimag 5, Manaytay 4, Duremdes 3, Manalang 0.

Quarterscores: 11-20, 29-36, 46-44, 67-57.

CSB  reclaims a share of the lead of Season 98 with Letran

MIGZ CORTEZA and Mark Sangco (not in the photo) came off the bench and filled the void left by a struggling Will Gozum. — NCAA/SYNERGY-GMA

Games Wednesday
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
12 p.m. — EAC vs AU
3 p.m. — CSB vs San Beda

COLLEGE of St. Benilde (CSB) drew strength from other sources when MVP leader Will Gozum sputtered as it turned back Arellano University (AU), 83-73, yesterday to reclaim a share of the lead with San Juan de Letran in NCAA Season 98 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Migz Corteza and Mark Sangco came off the bench and filled the void left by a struggling Mr. Gozum as the Blazers not only jumped to joint first with a 13-4 slate but also ensured them of at least a playoff for one of the two twice-to-beat incentives in the Final Four.

CSB could claim that important edge outright with a win against San Beda (12-5) on Wednesday.

A loss, however, would mean it would have to play another game for that advantage.

And CSB head coach Charles Tiu had the duo of Mr. Corteza, who had 15 points, and Mr. Sangco, who finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds, to thank for as Mr. Gozum was out of sync the whole game and wound up with nine points and 10 boards.

“They stepped up big for us. Will Gozum wasn’t that good today (yesterday),” said Mr. Tiu of the Corteza-Sangco frontcourt tandem.

The Arellano University Chiefs dropped to 7-10.

Earlier, San Sebastian edged Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 62-59, to improve to 8-9.

The Generals skidded to 2-15. — Joey Villar

The Scores:

First Game

San Sebastian 62 — Altamirano 18, Calahat 12, Aguilar 11, Sumoda 6, Cosari 4, Villapando 3, Una 3, Escobido 2, Are 0, Concha 0

EAC 59 — Cosejo 15, Dominguez 12, Tolentino 7, Maguliano 6, Cosa 6, Quinal 5, Balowa 4, Luciano 2, Angeles 2, Bajon 0, Umpad 0, An. Doria 0

Quarterscores: 20-15, 39-32, 53-44, 62-59

Second Game

CSB 83 — Nayve 17, Corteza 15, Sangco 11, Pasturan 10, Gozum 9, Oczon 6, Cullar 5, Lepalam 4, Carlos 3, Lim 3, Marcos 0, Mara 0, Davis 0

AU 73 — Flores 17, Doromal 14, Mantua 11, Tolentino 10, Talampas 10, Mallari 8, Ongotan 3, Oliva 0, Abastillas 0, Oftana 0, Sunga 0

Quarterscores: 24-24, 45-46, 64-59, 83-73

TNT tops Leg 3 of 2nd Conference

ALMOND Vosotros caught fire as TNT secured a redeeming triumph in Leg 3 of the PBA Season 2 Second Conference via a gritty 21-17 clincher over Cavitex yesterday at Robinsons Novaliches.

In a searing shooting display, Mr. Vosotros knocked down six consecutive two-pointers in the stretch to fuel the Tropang Giga’s turnaround from 9-13 and complete their return-to-the-top mission after last week’s runner-up heartbreaker to J&T Express in Leg 2.

Mr. Vosotros finished with 15 points highlighted by seven long bombs while Gryann Mendoza, Lervin Flores and Ray Mark Acuno accounted for a combined six markers plus other intangibles in delivering TNT’s latest feat worth P100,000.

It was one of the most dominant individual performances the league has seen but Mr. Vosotros quickly deflected credit. “Effort ng whole team ito — from the coaches to the utilities to the players,” he said.

TNT now owns two victories in the mid-season conference, counting its Leg 1 conquest. Overall, the Tropang Giga have won 10 leg titles and two conference championships since the inaugural season.

Cavitex’ Bong Galanza, Sherwin Concepcion, Dominick Fajardo and Jorey Napoles banked P50,000 for their runner-up finish.

The Braves were left to rue their failure to close TNT out after even holding a 16-15 upperhand in the middle of the Vosotros bombardment.

Meralco joined the podium and netted P30,000 after beating Ginebra in the battle for third, 17-15. — Olmin Leyba

1...5,6025,6035,604...14,236Page 5,603 of 14,236
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube