Making it to the finals only half of the battle, say Tropang Giga

October 18, 2021 | 7:49 pm

TnThuddle — “WE are relieved to have moved past San Miguel. But there’s also the feeling of, you know, that we are still far from over, that the job is only half done,” said TnT Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes after they secured the last PBA Philippine Cup finals berth on Sunday. — PBA IMAGES

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

WHILE they are happy to be back in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) finals, the TnT Tropang Giga recognize that it is only half of the battle and that there is still work to be done to realize their championship goals.

The Tropang Giga secured the last PBA Philippine Cup finals ticket on Sunday after defeating the San Miguel Beermen, 97-79, in their Game Seven semifinal rubber match at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

With great resolve, TnT bucked early struggles and when it got its collective groove was just not to be stopped in its push for a finals berth.

It was a total team effort on both ends for the Tropang Giga in the Game Seven win, led by Roger Pogoy, who shot his way out of a slump in the previous game to tally 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting.

Rookie Mikey Williams also stepped up big for his team, chalking up all-around numbers of 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists while big men Troy Rosario and Kelly Williams had double-doubles of 12 points and 12 rebounds and 11 and 10, respectively.

With the finals berth in the bag, TnT is now focusing on the next phase of completing the goals it has set at the start of the season.

“We’re fortunate to be back in the finals,” said TnT coach Chot Reyes, whose wards were a losing finalist in last year’s Philippine Cup finals although under the stewardship of another coach.

“Well, we’re happy, but we know that there’s still a huge job in front of us,” he added.

Waiting for TnT in the finals are the equally motivated Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots, who eliminated the Meralco Bolts in their own best-of-seven semifinal series, 4-2.

“We are relieved to have moved past San Miguel. But there’s also the feeling of, you know, that we are still far from over, that the job is only half done. But at least we’re here. Now, we have to figure out how to play and compete against this tough Magnolia squad,” Mr. Reyes said.

The multi-titled coach went on to say that important for them in the finals is to get better and instill that kind of mindset of not settling for where they are at the moment in their development under his watch.

“Being in the finals is great. I think that’s the objective of every coach in the league. But when I accepted the job, we’re looking at the long game. We’re trying to build a [winning] culture,” said Mr. Reyes, who made his PBA coaching return this season after a decade of being away to seek other pursuits.

TnT is seeking its eighth PBA title in franchise history and first since winning the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup.

Game One of the best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup finals between TnT and Magnolia is set for Wednesday with the official time expected to be announced by the league on Tuesday.

The series will be played at the DHVSU Gym after the PBA reconsidered its earlier plans to bring back the action in the finals to Metro Manila after quarantine restrictions in the area were scaled down.

Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 invitational tourney gets going in Pampanga

October 18, 2021 | 7:49 pm

Basilan’s-Hamadou-Laminou,-Quezon-City — REPRESENTATIVES of teams seeing action in the one-day Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 Invitational happening on Wednesday. — CHOOKS-TO-GO PILIPINAS 3X3

THE new season of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 kicks off on Wednesday at the Laus Events Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

A one-day invitational tournament, the event marks the return of the country’s first professional 3×3 league after a year of inactivity because of the prevailing conditions with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The last time the league held a tournament was in October last year at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.

The 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Invitational is done in partnership with TM and is still committed to promoting the domestic 3×3 basketball scene and talents.

“It’s about time 3×3 basketball returns,” said league owner Ronald Mascariñas.

“The pandemic has really affected our goal of garnering valuable FIBA 3×3 points for the country in our dream of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics,” added the staunch sports supporter, whose group has been instrumental in the past years for Philippine squads to compete and earn points in FIBA-sanctioned 3×3 tournaments.

Twelve teams will see action in the tournament, namely: HeiHei Manila, Pacquiao Coffee Bacolod, BRT Sumisip Basilan, Homegrown Grains Bocaue, AMACOR Mandaluyong, RBR Cabiao Nueva Ecija, Pasig Kingpins, Adam Esli Pasay, MNL Kingpin Quezon City, Essen Immunoboost Sarangani, Zamboanga Valientes, and ARQ Builders Cebu.

International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3×3 World Tour format will be in effect with the teams pooled in groups of three. The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout playoffs on the same day.

Teams are allowed to tap foreign reinforcements as well.

The champion team will take home P100,000. The second and third place finishers will receive P50,000 and P20,000, respectively.

To ensure the health and safety of all participants, the league held a briefing for teams last weekend where the protocols that need to be observed and other particulars were discussed.

“We’re ready to hold the event and we have reviewed the rules of FIBA 3×3,” said league technical head Hector Villanueva.

The tournament is regulated by the Games and Amusements Board and endorsed by FIBA 3×3 as well as supported by Gatorade, Chooks!, Uling Roasters, and Adobo Connection. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

British breakthrough as Norrie bags Indian Wells title

October 18, 2021 | 7:48 pm

norie — CAMERON Norrie (GBR) hits a shot as he defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) in the men’s final in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. — REUTERS

CAMERON Norrie battled back to defeat Nikoloz Basilashvili (3-6, 6-4, 6-1) in the Indian Wells final on Sunday, becoming the first British man to win the Masters 1000 tournament.

It appeared an upset was in the works when the hard-hitting Basilashvili quickly took the first set, but Norrie regrouped in the second, breaking the Georgian at love to force a decider.

In the third set, the left-handed Norrie broke early and saved three break points to take a 3-0 lead as unforced errors began to pile up for Basilashvili under the lights in the Southern California desert.

Norrie sealed the biggest win of his career when Basilashvili sent a forehand long on championship point.

“What can I say? Obviously, I’m so happy. It’s my biggest title so I can’t really describe it right now,” said Norrie, who was playing in his sixth final of his breakout year.

Britain’s Andy Murray, Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski have all played in the men’s finals at Indian Wells, but finished runner-up.

The 26-year-old Norrie, born in South Africa to a Scottish father and Welsh mother, won his first ATP singles title at Mexico’s Los Cabos Open in July.

Norrie has shown steady improvement all year and expertly executed his strategy of forcing Basilashvili into long rallies in the final, giving himself the opportunity to dictate points from the baseline.

He congratulated Basilashvili on his outstanding tournament, where the 29-year-old stunned world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals and American Taylor Fritz in the semis.

“I’m sorry it went my way. You deserved it just as much as I did,” Norrie said.

“Well done to you and your team on a great week.”

Basilashvili said he was disappointed in the outcome, but looked forward to returning to the event, which is sometimes referred to as the fifth major.

The tournament was not held last year due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and was pushed from March to October this year because of the global health crisis.

It will return to its regular March date on the sports calendar next year.

“I was hoping to get a title, but it’s okay,” Basilashvili said.

“I will move on and I hope that I’ll come back here in March and play better tennis.”

Norrie’s breakthrough win comes on the heels of British teenager Emma Raducanu’s stunning triumph at the US Open last month. — Reuters

Paula Badosa outworks Azarenka to win Indian Wells crown

October 18, 2021 | 7:48 pm

PAULA Badosa survived a stiff challenge from Victoria Azarenka to produce a gutsy (7-6(5), 2-6, 7-6(2)) win in an epic Indian Wells championship match on Sunday.

Azarenka was two points from winning the tournament for a third time and serving at 5-4 in the decider when her game began to unravel behind a series of uncharacteristic errors.

Badosa took advantage of the shift in momentum and held her nerve in the final tie-breaker, firing a crosscourt forehand winner on championship point and falling to the court in joy at the end of the more than three-hour battle.

The 23-year-old Badosa praised Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour veteran and two-time major champion Azarenka, who she said she had admired since she was a teenager.

With the win, Badosa becomes the first Spanish woman to win the tournament in the California desert and will move to a career high world number 13 on Monday.

The tournament, which is sometimes called the fifth major, was not held last year due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and was pushed back from March to October this year due to the global health crisis.

“Very well deserved match. I had a lot of fun playing out here,” Azarenka said.

The Belarusian also praised the crowd, which backed her at key moments in the match.

“Thanks to all you guys for your support. It is really special to play in front of the crowd after such a long break.

“Thank you for all your energy this week.” — Reuters

Hanoi SEA Games to take place in May

October 18, 2021 | 7:47 pm

THE rescheduled 31^st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, will take place in mid-May next year.

The news was announced by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham N. Tolentino on Monday after attending an online SEA Games Federation meeting among member countries.

Mr. Tolentino said the Vietnam organizers agreed to a mid-May opening for the SEA Games, adding that for his part he suggested for the sporting meet to start on May 12.

The Hanoi SEA Games were originally scheduled from Nov. 21 to Dec. 2 this year, but because of the uncertainty still being presented by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Vietnam made the tough choice to postpone it to a later date.

“The Vietnamese organizers will confirm the specific dates soon,” said Mr. Tolentino, also a member of the House of Representatives from the eighth district of Cavite province.

As per initially agreed upon, there will be 40 sports, consisting of 520 events, to be played in Hanoi. It is less than the 54 in the 30^th SEA Games which the Philippines hosted and topped in 2019.

The POC submitted a 626-athlete entry by numbers for the Hanoi Games. They will compete in 39 sports.

Mr. Tolentino said the Philippine delegation will fly to Vietnam in batches depending on the events schedules.

Among the SEA Games Federation members present at the online meeting were Major General Charouck Arirachakaran, Dr. Varin Tansuphasiri, Professor Charoen Wattanasin, Dato Seri Chaiyapak Siriwat and Thana Chaiprasit of Thailand, Dato Norza Zakaria and Dato Nazifudin of Malaysia, Ferry Kono of Indonesia, Chris Chan of Singapore and Tran Van Manh of Vietnam. — MASM

Chicago Sky rally to beat Phoenix Mercury, 80-74, to claim the franchise’s first championship

October 18, 2021 | 7:47 pm

THE Chicago Sky came from behind to beat the Phoenix Mercury (80-74) and win the best-of-five finals series 3-1 on Sunday, earning the franchise its first championship.

The Mercury looked poised to force a Game Five when they took a 14-point lead late in the third quarter, but the Sky came roaring back, tying the game at 72 in the fourth quarter on a wide open three pointer by Candace Parker.

The Sky took a lead they would not relinquish on back-to-back buckets by Stefanie Dolson and played lockdown defense on the final Mercury possessions to win the title and send the sold-out Chicago crowd into a frenzy.

Allie Quigley scored 26 points and fellow guard and wife Courtney Vandersloot came one rebound away from a triple-double as the Sky won behind a balanced attack they have been riding all postseason. “I’m so proud of this group,” said Parker, who finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds and four steals to win her second championship.

“So proud of our fight, of our next man up mentality. Stef coming in and having those two layups, Sloot doing what she’s done all year. Allie too. It’s amazing.

“We’ve got the whole city here. It’s amazing how Chicago supports us. We’re champions for life now.”

The Mercury, who were blown out in Game Three, were much better through the first three quarters.

The visitors finished the first half on a 9-0 run to take a 44-37 lead into the break and led 63-54 at the end of the third quarter behind dominant post play by Brittney Griner, who finished with a game high 28 points.

But the fourth quarter belonged to the Sky, who outscored the Mercury 26-11 in the final period to bring the trophy to Chicago. — Reuters

Robinsons holds biking fun ride

October 18, 2021 | 7:47 pm

UNDERSCORING its push to promote an active and healthy lifestyle, Robinsons Malls is expanding its initiatives geared towards that with a biking fun ride set for this weekend.

Done in partnership with the National Bike Organization (NBO), the fun ride builds on the success of the Robinsons Place Manila Bike Tour in July and seeks to show the health and wellness benefits of biking as well as encourage people to pick up the activity as an eco-friendly alternative mode of transportation.

The new edition of the fun ride, happening on Sunday, Oct. 24, starts at Robinsons Metro East along Marikina-Infanta Highway in Pasig City at exactly 6 a.m., through the slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, and ends at Robinsons Place Antipolo in Rizal.

Assembly is at Robinsons Metro East’s East Deck, which is located at the sixth-floor roof deck of the mall.

The fun ride is an extension of the various initiatives of Robinsons Malls with NBO, which include regular biking lessons at Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Magnolia, and Robinsons Metro East as well as the launch of self-service bike repair stations.

For more information on the biking fun ride and various initiatives of Robinsons Malls and NBO, check out the Robinsons Mall Facebook page and nationalbicycle.org.ph. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Braves earn second straight walk-off win over Dodgers

October 18, 2021 | 7:46 pm

EDDIE Rosario lined Kenley Jansen’s first pitch off the glove of shortstop Corey Seager and into center field for a walk-off single on Sunday night, scoring Dansby Swanson as the host Atlanta Braves worked their ninth-inning magic for a second consecutive game in a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

Joc Pederson had a two-run home run and Austin Riley an RBI double as the Braves completed a two-game home sweep of the defending World Series champs by rallying twice from two-run deficits.

Travis d’Arnaud led off the ninth against Brusdar Graterol (0-1) with a bloop single. After he was forced out at second on a Swanson bunt attempt, the Braves advanced the potential winning run into scoring position on a Guillermo Heredia infield out before Jansen entered the game and Rosario ended it.

The best-of-seven series moves on to Los Angeles for the next three games. The Dodgers also trailed the Braves 2-0 in last year’s NLCS before winning four of the next five to advance to the World Series.

The Dodgers put the ball in 20-game winner Julio Urias’ hands with a 4-2 lead entering the last of the eighth, but the Braves rallied into a tie. After Ozzie Albies’ RBI single got Atlanta within one, Game 1 hero Riley doubled off the fence in center field, scoring Albies with the tying run.

Los Angeles twice blew two-run leads in the first eight innings after grabbing an immediate lead when its second batter of the game, Seager, followed a Mookie Betts single with a two-run home run off Atlanta starter Ian Anderson.

Pederson, a former Dodger, got his new club even in the fourth with a two-run shot against Los Angeles starter Max Scherzer.

The Dodgers took their last lead on another two-run hit, this one a bases-loaded, two-out double by Chris Taylor in the seventh for a 4-2 lead.

Both starting pitchers exited early. Anderson lasted just three innings, charged with two runs on three hits with two strikeouts and three walks. Scherzer wasn’t around much longer, going 4 1/3 innings, during which he allowed two runs and four hits. He walked one and struck out seven.

Rosario’s game-winner capped a four-hit night for the in-season acquisition from the Cleveland Indians. His hit total equaled that of the Dodgers, who were limited to a homer, a double and two singles by eight pitchers, including Will Smith (2-0), who was credited with the win after pitching a 1-2-3 top of the ninth.

The Dodgers failed to take advantage of nine walks, going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. — Reuters

NFL roundup: Cowboys escape with OT win over Patriots

October 18, 2021 | 7:46 pm

DAK Prescott found CeeDee Lamb for a 35-yard touchdown pass with 3:52 left in overtime (OT) as the Dallas Cowboys held off the host New England Patriots 35-29 on Sunday for their fifth straight win.

Prescott finished 36 of 51 for 445 yards, three touchdowns and an interception for Dallas (5-1), which hasn’t lost since a 31-29 setback at Tampa Bay on opening night. Lamb hauled in nine catches for 149 yards and two TDs and Ezekiel Elliot rushed for 69 yards on 17 carries.

The Cowboys took over at their own 20-yard line after the Patriots won the coin toss and punted on the first possession of overtime. Prescott orchestrated a seven-play, 80-yard drive and connected with an open Lamb for the winning score. Prescott strained his right calf on the play and will have an MRI on Monday.

Mac Jones was 15 of 21 for 229 yards, including two touchdowns and an interception for New England (2-4). Damien Harris rushed 18 times for 101 yards and a touchdown and Kendrick Bourne led the Patriots with 75 receiving yards.

JAGUARS 23, DOLPHINS 20: Matthew Wright made a 53-yard field goal as time expired to help Jacksonville snap a 20-game losing streak, courtesy of a win over Miami in London.

Wright also made field goals of 54 and 40 yards. Entering this game, Jacksonville (1-5) had not made a single field goal this year. Rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 25 of 41 passes for 319 yards and one touchdown, and Marvin Jones, Jr. caught seven passes for 100 yards and one score.

Tua Tagovailoa returned from missing three games with fractured ribs and completed 33 of 47 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns for Miami (1-5), which has lost five straight games. Rookie wideout Jaylen Waddle had 10 catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns, while tight end Mike Gesicki had nine receptions for 115 yards.

CARDINALS 37, BROWNS 14: Kyler Murray threw four touchdown passes and Arizona remained the lone unbeaten team in the National Football League (NFL) by rolling past host Cleveland.

Kyler Murray completed 20 of 30 passes for 229 yards, and DeAndre Hopkins hauled in a pair of scores as the Cardinals (6-0) cruised despite the absence of head coach Kliff Kingsbury (COVID-19 protocols).

Already injury-riddled, Cleveland (3-3), saw quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder), wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. (shoulder) and running back Kareem Hunt (calf) sustain injuries. Hunt did not return after his injury early in the fourth quarter. Mayfield finished 19 of 28 for 234 yards and two touchdowns, but had three turnovers. Donovan Peoples-Jones had four catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns.

CHIEFS 31, WASHINGTON 13: Patrick Mahomes passed for 397 yards and two touchdowns and Kansas City overcame three turnovers to topple Washington at Landover, MD.

Mahomes bounced back from two second-quarter interceptions, completing 32 of 47 passes. The Kansas City (3-3) defense, ranked 31^st coming in, held Washington (2-4) scoreless in the second half. Tyreek Hill snagged nine receptions, and Travis Kelce added eight for 99 yards as the Chiefs’ offense rolled to 499 total yards.

Taylor Heinicke completed 24 of 39 passes for 182 yards, but Washington gained little offensive rhythm, recording just 76 second-half yards. J.D. McKissic led Washington with 110 yards from scrimmage.

RAVENS 34, CHARGERS 6: Baltimore played stingy defense in shutting down Justin Herbert and Los Angeles’ dynamic offense en route to a home win.

The Ravens (5-1) held Los Angeles (4-2) to just six points and 208 total yards. Herbert struggled to move LA’s offense against Baltimore’s suffocating defense, finishing 22 of 39 for 195 passing yards, with a touchdown and an interception. The Ravens held the Chargers to just 26 rushing yards.

Lamar Jackson didn’t fare much better statistically for the Ravens, completing 19 of 27 passes for 167 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. However, unlike the Chargers, Baltimore established the running game, finishing with 187 rushing yards against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL.

RAMS 38, GIANTS 11: Matthew Stafford threw three touchdown passes during a dominating second quarter and Los Angeles remained undefeated in three road games by beating New York in East Rutherford, NJ.

Stafford was 22-of-28 passing for 251 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception. He threw second-quarter scores to Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Darrell Henderson, Jr. as the Rams (5-1) turned an early deficit into a 28-3 half time lead.

Henderson had 78 yards rushing on 21 carries and added a rushing touchdown, and Kupp finished with nine receptions for 130 yards. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was 29-of-51 passing for 242 yards and three interceptions after spending the week recovering from a concussion last weekend at Dallas.

COLTS 31, TEXANS 3: Carson Wentz threw two touchdown passes, Jonathan Taylor rushed for 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns and host Indianapolis rode big plays in trouncing Houston.

Taylor gained 139 yards and posted both of his touchdowns in the second half as the Colts (2-4) methodically pulled away from the error-prone Texans (1-5), whose skid reached five games. Houston committed three turnovers, two of which the Colts converted into scores.

Wentz passed for 223 yards with scoring strikes of 51 yards to Parris Campbell in the first quarter and 28 yards to Mo Alie-Cox with 11:50 left in the third, with the latter score following a Darius Leonard interception of Texans rookie quarterback Davis Mills.

PACKERS 24, BEARS 14: Aaron Rodgers passed for two touchdowns and ran for another, Aaron Jones had 110 yards of total offense and the defense allowed its fewest points this season as Green Bay downed host Chicago.

The Packers (5-1) stretched their winning streak to five games, overcoming three Bears sacks to outgain Chicago 323-277, and Rodgers improved to 21-5 against the NFC North-rival Bears in his career. He was 17-for-23 through the air for 195 yards while rushing for 19 yards.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields was 16-for-27 passing for 174 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while adding 43 yards on the ground. Rookie Khalil Herbert rushed for 97 yards on 19 carries and scored his first NFL touchdown.

BENGALS 34, LIONS 11: Joe Burrow tossed three touchdown passes to lift visiting Cincinnati to a convincing victory over winless Detroit.

Burrow completed 19 of 29 passes for 271 yards and connected on scoring strikes to running backs Joe Mixon and Chris Evans and tight end C.J. Uzomah. Mixon finished with five catches for 59 yards and also added 18 rushes for 94 yards for the Bengals (4-2).

Jared Goff completed 28 of 42 passes for 202 yards for the Lions (0-6). Cincinnati’s aggressive defense limited winless Detroit to just four first downs and 51 total yards in the first half.

VIKINGS 34, PANTHERS 28 (OT): Kirk Cousins threw 27 yards to K.J. Osborn on the first possession of overtime as visiting Minnesota defeated Carolina in a mistake-filled game in Charlotte, NC.

Cousins threw three touchdown passes and Dalvin Cook returned to action by rushing for 140 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. Cousins went 33-for-48 for 373 yards through the air.

Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold was 17-for-41 for 207 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Carolina forced overtime by driving 96 yards, scoring on Darnold’s 7-yard pass to Robby Anderson and converting a two-point conversion pass with 42 seconds left.

RAIDERS 34, BRONCOS 24: Derek Carr was 18-for-27 passing for 341 yards and two touchdowns, Kenyan Drake had a touchdown run and catch, and visiting Las Vegas beat Denver on Sunday.

Henry Ruggs III had three catches for 97 yards and a touchdown and Josh Jacobs ran for another for Las Vegas (4-2). Terry Bridgewater was 35-for-49 passing for 334 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions, Noah Fant had nine catches for 97 yards and a score. Courtland Sutton had eight receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown for Denver (3-3).

The Raiders were playing their first game since Jon Gruden resigned as head coach after offensive e-mails were made public last week. Rich Bisaccia was elevated to interim head coach. — Reuters

Irving’s vaccination stance looms large over NBA season

October 18, 2021 | 7:45 pm

LOS ANGELES — The 75^th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) tips off on Tuesday with fans focused on Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving, whose refusal to take the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine in defiance of New York City’s mandate led the Nets to announce he would not suit up for the championship contender.

The loaded Nets roster includes Kevin Durant and James Harden, but the team will be at a disadvantage without sharp-shooting point guard Irving, a seven-time All-Star who won a title with Cleveland in 2016.

Irving, 29, framed his decision as one of personal choice in an Instagram Live video last week.

“Nobody should be forced to do anything with their bodies,” Irving said.

“You only get one of these (bodies). If you choose to get the vaccine, I support you. If you choose to be unvaccinated, I support you.”

More than 700,000 people have died in the United States from COVID-19. Vaccination rates have risen more than 20 percentage points after multiple institutions adopted vaccine requirements, while case numbers and deaths from the virus are down, the White House said last week.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said the widely available vaccines can keep the recipient from getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 while protecting others, particularly those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

“It was a bold move by Brooklyn,” former NBA coach and current ESPN commentator Jeff Van Gundy told reporters on a call.

“I’m sure it came after great deliberation and speaking to Durant and Harden to see how they felt.”

New York’s mandate requires proof of at least one shot of the vaccine to enter large indoor spaces. The NBA has said players who are unable to compete due to local mandates will miss out on pay.

Van Gundy said Brooklyn has accumulated enough talent to win a championship even without Irving, but said he expects to see the situation get worked out one way or another.

“I think it will get resolved, and I don’t know how,” he said.

“I think we’ll see him play this year, and I’m hopeful for Brooklyn and really for NBA fans that we do, because he’s a special, special talent.”

POINT GUARDS ON THE MOVE
Irving is not the only point guard who has generated attention during a busy offseason, which saw a flurry of moves at the sport’s most important position.

The dynamic Russell Westbrook has joined the Los Angeles Lakers, the rapidly improving Lonzo Ball has gone to the Chicago Bulls, and the tenacious Kyle Lowry is now a member of the Miami Heat.

Former player and coach turned ESPN commentator Mark Jackson said it will be fascinating to see those players adapt to their new environments.

Playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Westbrook gives the Lakers a “legitimate chance” to win it all, Jackson said.

Ball brings size and shooting ability to the Bulls and will benefit from playing alongside veteran forward DeMar DeRozan while Lowry is an elite point guard who adds “toughness” to the Heat squad, he said.

“I think across the board as a fan of the NBA, it’s an awesome time, and teams have really put themselves in position to improve, some to have a chance to win it all, some to make the playoffs,” Jackson said.

“It’ll be an entertaining season.” — Reuters

Rory McIlroy wins CJ Cup for 20^th Tour victory

October 18, 2021 | 7:45 pm

RORY McIlroy converted an eagle putt from off the 14^th green on Sunday and held on for a one-stroke win at the CJ Cup at Summit in Las Vegas.

The four-time major champion from Northern Ireland posted a final-round 6-under 66 to go 25 under over four days. Collin Morikawa eagled the last hole for a 10-under 62, coming up just shy for second place at 24 under.

It was McIlroy’s second win of the calendar year and his 20^th career Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour victory.

“To get to 20 wins out here is a big achievement,” McIlroy said. “Yeah, I mean, I didn’t know if it was going to be this week, but I knew if I just kept my head down and kept playing well and doing the right things, eventually I’d get there.”

Playing in the final pairing with 54-hole leader Rickie Fowler, McIlroy made five birdies and one bogey before reaching No. 14, a par 5. His second shot landed short of the green, but he used his putter to sink an uphill 35-footer.

“I never really saw it as a chip, I saw it as a putt,” McIlroy said. “There wasn’t much break in it actually. The only thing I needed to do was get the speed right and just try and judge what it was going to do coming through that first little bit of fairway. And it came out really nice. It grabbed the hole, or the hole grabbed the ball maybe is a better way of putting it.”

McIlroy — who posted a 62 on Saturday to shoot up the leaderboard — was playing his first competitive golf since last month’s Ryder Cup, where Team USA spanked his European side 19-9. He said he had done some reflecting since that week.

“I felt like I started to work on the right things on my game,” he said. “I didn’t think that it would translate into a win this quickly, but I’m thankful that it did.”

Morikawa, the No. 3 player in the world, was considered the favorite entering the week because The Summit Club is his home course. That local knowledge proved useful on Sunday, as he made seven birdies on the front nine to go out in 29 and made eagle on the par-5 18^th by landing his second shot inside 7 feet of the pin.

“I was actually trying to land it just short of the ridge, but we knew if I flushed a 4-iron and I got some height on it, it would stop,” Morikawa said. “It was just exactly pretty much how we planned out. Always nice to finish on a couple good swings.”

Fowler slipped out of the lead with a double bogey at the par-5 seventh en route to a 1-under 71. He had to take an unplayable lie after his second shot at No. 7 and eventually three-putted.

Fowler finished T3 with Keith Mitchell (67), which he called “a big step in the right direction” after failing to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs last season. It’s his best finish since March 2019, when he tied for second at the Honda Classic.

“It felt good to finally hit the golf ball properly, at least most of the time, for 72 holes,” Fowler said. “A lot of quality shots, a lot of good swings this week.”

Talor Gooch (62), Sam Burns (66), Aaron Wise (66) and Australia’s Adam Scott (69) tied for fifth at 21 under.

Normally played in South Korea as part of the tour’s Asian swing, the CJ Cup was held in the Las Vegas area for the second straight year due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic travel restrictions. — Reuters

Constitutional basis for social responsibility of corporations vested with public interest

October 18, 2021 | 6:27 pm

heart-hands-ladder — VECTORJUICE-FREEPIK

We come to the root of where all great debates in the Philippines seem to start or end up with — the constitutional basis of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), as the basis for upholding the Stakeholder Theory for publicly held companies and all other corporations vested with public interest.

Although the constitutionally guaranteed principles of private ownership and free-market system are now beyond argument, our Constitution has, in unmistakable terms, decreed the “social function” of private property and economic enterprises, even when held or pursued through corporate medium, thus:

SEC. 6. The use of property bears a social function, and all economic agents shall contribute to the common good. Individuals and private groups, including corporations, cooperatives, and similar collective organizations, shall have the right to own, establish, and operate economic enterprises, subject to the duty of the State to promote distributive justice and to intervene when the common good so demands.

Sections 9 and 10, Article II of the 1987 Constitution declare that society should care first and foremost for its masses, rather than emphasizing the “individualistic” rights to property and livelihood, thus:

SEC. 9. The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.

SEC. 10. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.

In constitutional language, we as a nation declare that, above all else, equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities should be the main goals of society, and all activities, resources, and equity shall be deployed to achieve such ends; that economic progress, although important, when it benefits only the few would be an unwanted boon.

The doctrine of the “social function of Philippine corporations” has been upheld and applied by the Supreme Court in Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association, Inc. v. Romulo, where the main issue that had to be resolved was the lawfulness and constitutionality of the minimum corporate income tax (MCIT) imposed upon all corporations which did not report taxable income after the initial three succeeding taxable years of operations.

The Court summarized the technical aspect of the MCIT under the 1997 National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), thus: “Under the MCIT (minimum corporate income tax) scheme, a corporation, beginning on its fourth year of operation, is assessed an MCIT of 2% of its gross income when such MCIT is greater than the normal corporate income tax imposed under Section 27(A) of the NIRC. If the regular income tax is higher than the MCIT, the corporation does not pay the MCIT. Any excess of the MCIT over the normal tax shall be carried forward and credited against the normal income tax for the three immediately succeeding taxable years.”

The Court noted that “The MCIT on domestic corporations is a new concept introduced by RA 8424 to the Philippine taxation system. It came about as a result of the perceived inadequacy of the self-assessment system in capturing the true income of corporations. It was devised as a relatively simple and effective revenue-raising instrument compared to the normal income tax which is more difficult to control and enforce. It is a means to ensure that everyone will make some minimum contribution to the support of public sector.”

In justifying the constitutionality of the tax imposition, the Court in Chamber of Real Estate, employed a CSR principle that every corporation, even though operated primarily for profits, enjoys the protection granted by the State, and therefore is bound to assume certain social responsibilities, thus: “Domestic corporations owe their corporate existence and their privilege to do business to the government. They also benefit from the efforts of the government to improve the financial market and to ensure a favorable business climate. It is therefore fair for the government to require them to make a reasonable contribution to the public expenses.”

In fact, even the for-profit nature of private corporations was employed as the rationale for imposition of the MCIT, thus: The Court added: “The primary purpose of any legitimate business is to earn a profit. Continued and repeated losses after operations of a corporation or consistent reports of minimal net income render its financial statements and its tax payments suspect. For sure, certain tax avoidance schemes resorted to by corporations are allowed in our jurisdiction. The MCIT serves to put a cap on such tax shelters. As a tax on gross income, it prevents tax evasion and minimizes tax avoidance schemes achieved through sophisticated and artful manipulations of deductions and other strategems (sic). Since the tax base was broader, the tax rate was lower.”

In particular, on the argument that the MCIT is “unconstitutional because it is highly oppressive, arbitrary and confiscatory which amounts to deprivation of property without due process of law,” the Court employed not only the principle of taxes being the lifeblood of government, but also its duty to promote the common good, as the bases for upholding the lawfulness of the imposition, thus: “Taxes are the lifeblood of the government. Without taxes, the government can neither exist nor endure. The exercise of taxing power derives its source from the very existence of the State whose social contract with its citizens obliges it to promote public interest and the common good.”

We may therefore conclude with the thought that, in the exercise of its police power and the discharge of its duty to promote the common good, the State, through its agencies, and the judicial system, shall continue to promote and enhance the social function of private property, of the CSR of private corporations, and of ever-expanding and at the same clarifying the stakeholder theory in our jurisdiction.

There can therefore be little argument against the proposition that since private property and economic enterprise, which includes expressly that found in the corporate medium, is constitutionally endowed with “social function,” then the State may, through its various agencies, mandate a system of corporate governance that shall hold corporations, their Board of Directors and Management accountable to, and owing fiduciary duties, to stakeholders other than just the shareholders.

This article reflects the personal opinion of the author and does not reflect the official stand of the Management Association of the Philippines or the MAP.

Cesar L. Villanueva is chair of MAP Corporate Governance Committee, is a trustee of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), was the first chair of the Governance Commission for GOCCs (August 2011 to June 2016), is a former dean of the Ateneo Law School (April 2004 to September 2011), and a founding partner of Villanueva Gabionza & Dy Law Offices.

map@map.org.ph

cvillanueva@vgslaw.com

http://map.org.ph