Changing the game with digital ecosystems

September 12, 2021 | 8:28 pm

(Second of two parts)

To create long-term value and secure a competitive advantage, it is imperative for companies to undergo digital transformation and address rapidly-evolving consumer expectations as many economies begin preparing to reopen and start the period of recovery. Consumers today expect responsiveness and a variety of channels to access with a hyper-personalized experience. The need for digital interaction, online consumerism characterized by expectations of high responsiveness and extensive personalization, and new technology platforms were further accelerated by the pandemic. Companies forced to innovate and enhance business models through technology have blurred the boundaries between industries, leading to the emergence of what we call digital ecosystems.

Digital ecosystems are defined in a new EY study, Building successful digital ecosystems in Southeast Asia, as competitive game-changers. Formed through a combination of strategic partnerships and platforms, digital ecosystems deliver value to consumers through personalized products and services that cut across numerous channels. By presenting an interconnected set of offerings composed of businesses across various sectors, a digital ecosystem can fulfill consumer needs in one integrated experience.

To create an effective digital ecosystem roadmap and strategy, the EY study highlights three things companies must take into account before embarking on their digital ecosystem journey. In the first part of this article last week, we discussed the first two: evaluating the digital ecosystem maturity of the organization and defining the business model. In the second part of this article, we continue by discussing implementing and mobilizing the ecosystem.

IMPLEMENTING THE ECOSYSTEM
Once organizations identify a digital ecosystem opportunity, they need to follow certain steps to design an ecosystem. The first step consists of identifying the most suitable role for organizations to undertake: digital ecosystem partner, enabler, or orchestrator. Once their role is identified, organizations need to determine their business model based on digital and platform maturity and partnership ecosystem. Additional significant aspects that will need to be addressed include assessing and determining the nature of the ecosystem, product market fit for integrated solutions, and the monetization model to generate value from the ecosystem.

Moreover, to further sustain and scale the reach and capabilities of the ecosystem, organizations need to identify the key enablers of the digital ecosystem. These include organization structure and culture, talent pool, the technology stack and external resources that will need to be progressively developed to create a sustainable digital ecosystem.

Lastly, critical to building a successful digital ecosystem is understanding and creating the digital ecosystem evolution roadmap. This involves mapping maturity of the business within the ecosystem, building and growing partnerships, identifying the potential pitfalls of the digital ecosystem and designing a risk mitigation plan.

MOBILIZING THE ECOSYSTEM
The ultimate aim for organizations should be to assume the role of an ecosystem orchestrator who defines the reference architecture of the ecosystem. Of the three roles in an ecosystem — orchestrator, partner and enabler — orchestrators are pivotal players in any ecosystem, often outperforming other entities in terms of revenue and profit. With the larger control they hold over ecosystem dynamics, they are also subject to being more exposed to the gains and losses of the ecosystem.

Whether the orchestrator is an incumbent or an innovator, a business can mobilize a digital ecosystem in multiple ways: the build, buy and partner approach.

The build approach has the orchestrator begin with its own platform before organically involving and adding industry partners to expand. This includes ride-sharing apps that built the platform organically and were later joined by drivers and partners.

The buy approach is where the orchestrator strategically invests in platform-based businesses through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and investments to add upon their existing capabilities and customers. The investment made can be for small, strategic investments to get partners on board, or a majority stake.

The partner approach leverages joint ventures, strategic contracts and alliances to develop a customized, platform-based offering that connects stakeholders and customers across different industries. These can also involve data-sharing or licensing arrangements between partners.

CREATING LONG-TERM VALUE WITH ECOSYSTEMS
Though digital ecosystems were originally believed to be relevant only to selected industries and regions, recent times have seen dominant ecosystem players accelerate their activities worldwide. This is only expected to intensify with the world continuing to prioritize digital interactions in the wake of the pandemic.

The complex structure of digital ecosystems requires enterprises to define the right approach to maximize the value they can gain. It will be essential for businesses to assess how they create value to align their digital ecosystem strategy with the overall strategic vision of the company. They will need to assess market trends and identify the specific fit for their organization within the ecosystem.

Questions that businesses must ask themselves include what opportunities to capitalize on the enterprise digital spend, how to build integrated, future-ready IT and data architecture, and how to digitally enable their workforce to drive transformation. After determining the maturity of the platform opportunity in their sector, the incumbents and disruptors in the current landscape, and whether their business model is best suited for the role of orchestrator or participant, businesses will need to assess and lock in quality partners through strong value propositions and develop one-stop solutions to commercialize the value chain end-to-end.

By identifying the key objectives they need to achieve, be it core business growth, entry into new market segments or optimization within their operations, businesses will be able to more effectively map out their roles within an ecosystem and secure long-term value.

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

Marie Stephanie C. Tan-Hamed is a Strategy and Transactions Partner of SGV & Co.

Philippines logs 21,411 more COVID-19 infections

September 12, 2021 | 8:18 pm

A VILLAGE law enforcer mans a compound in Tibagan, San Juan after it was locked down amid rising coronavirus infections. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

PHILIPPINE health authorities reported 21,411 coronavirus infections on Sunday, bringing the total to 2.23 million.

The death toll rose to 35,145 after 168 patients died, while recoveries increased by 25,049 to more than two million, the Department of Health (DoH) said in a bulletin.

There were 181,951 active cases, 86% of which were mild, 9.5% did not show symptoms, 1.3% were severe, 2.59% were moderate and 0.6% were critical.

The agency said 65 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 57 of which were tagged as recoveries and one as a death, while 58 recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Five laboratories failed to submit data on Sept. 10.

Meanwhile, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo slammed presidential spokesman Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr. for his rude behavior towards a medical group that has been criticizing the government’s pandemic plan.

A leaked video last week showed Mr. Roque lashing out at the group’s representatives during an inter-agency task force meeting. The group had opposed the government’s earlier plan to ease the lockdown in Metro Manila.

In her weekly radio program, Ms. Robredo said the task force should listen to all sectors, adding that government officials should not humiliate people who have different opinions. “Government officials like us are here to represent the people,” she said in Filipino.

Mr. Roque on Sept. 10 said the task force had provisionally approved the rules for localized lockdowns in the capital region that were to be enforced from Sept. 16 to 30.

The government on Sept. 7 reversed an earlier plan to place Metro Manila under a general community quarantine with granular lockdowns starting Sept. 8. Instead, a modified enhanced community quarantine was extended until Sept. 15.

ALERT LEVELS
Meanwhile, Manila, the capital and nearby cities will be placed under a common alert level under the government’s new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) policy to prevent people from congregating in areas with a more relaxed quarantine, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco V. Densing III told ABS-CBN News Teleradyo.

Metro Manila mayors agreed the region should only have one alert level, he said, adding that an inter-agency task force would finalize the new policy on Monday.

The presidential palace on Friday said Metro Manila would only have two lockdown levels, with several alert levels in a policy shift that seeks to shield the economy from a coronavirus pandemic.

Metro Manila will either be under an enhanced community quarantine or general community quarantine. Restrictions in areas under a general lockdown would depend on the alert level imposed on specific areas within it, he said.

Areas in the capital will be placed under alert levels 1 to 4, with 4 being the strictest and under which dining, personal care services and mass gatherings will be barred.

The government was still finalizing the list of specific establishments under the categories and the allowed activities per alert level.

Mr. Densing earlier said houses and streets with clustered coronavirus infections might be placed under a “stronger granular lockdown.”

Only health workers, inbound and outbound overseas Filipino workers and people in “highly extraordinary circumstance” like those needing urgent medical care will be allowed to go in and out of an area under a granular lockdown.

Mr. Roque said families affected by granular lockdowns would receive aid such as food from local governments and the Social Welfare department.

Criminalizing remarks on public officials’ net worth may be illegal

September 12, 2021 | 8:17 pm

AN OMBUDSMAN proposal to criminalize commentaries on the net worth of public officials is illegal and would have a “chilling effect” on media and good government advocates, according to a constitutional expert.

Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires should not go “overboard” in restricting access to the net worth statement of government officials, Antonio Gabriel M. La Viña, former dean of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government, said by telephone.

“The statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) is not an integrity tool,” he said. “It doesn’t tell you if a person is corrupt or not, but it can be a tool to investigate whether there is hidden wealth.”

Mr. La Viña noted that while the document had been used by politicians against their opponents, the Ombudsman should try to find a balance in promoting transparency and protecting public officials from harassment by “bad and evil people.”

“The media has never been bad or evil about SALNs,” he added.

“Any measure that hinders citizens from exercising their constitutional right to hold their political leaders accountable must be rejected,” Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a senior research fellow at the Ateneo de Manila University Policy Center said in a Viber message.

Mr. Martires’s proposal showed he values the privacy of politicians more than transparency, said Marlon M. Villarin, a political science professor from the University of Santo Tomas.

“Although his intention is to insulate government officials from unjust treatment, this act is publicly magnified more to be a protection than promotion of transparency and accountability,” he added.

Mr. La Viña said public commentaries on officials’ SALNs are “within the scope of guaranteed freedom of the press and expression.” Libelous comments will have legal consequences, he added.

Mr. Martires on Thursday asked congressmen to amend the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees by imposing a jail term of at least five years on anyone who comments on a public official’s net worth.

He also said that the media should not be allowed to “make any comments” on SALNs because they “can… destroy a government official.”

“What I’m proposing is to make stringent penalties that anyone who makes a comment on the SALN of a particular government official or employee must likewise be liable for at least an imprisonment of not less than five years,” he added. Party-list Rep. Arlene D. Brosas has said the proposal would “inhibit the people’s right to free speech.”

The Supreme Court in February rejected a lawsuit questioning the validity of an Ombudsman memo limiting public access to net worth records of public officials.

The tribunal said the Ombudsman may regulate access to official records including the SALN, noting that the right to access SALNs is not absolute.

Mr. Martires in September last year issued a memo requiring notarized consent of an official before a request for a copy of his net worth statement is approved.

The Ombudsman memo has allowed President Rodrigo R. Duterte to keep his 2018, 2019, and 2020 net worth statements secret. Some public officials including Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo release their net worth statements to journalists who request a copy.

Under the law, it is illegal to obtain or use net worth statements for any commercial purpose other than by news media that write stories for public consumption.

Mr. Martires this month denied the request of lawyer Dino S. De Leon for a copy of Mr. Duterte’s net worth statement, citing his Sept. 2020 memo. — Russell Louis C. Ku and Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Super typhoon Kiko cuts off power in northernmost islands; Agri damage from Jolina hits over P613M

September 12, 2021 | 8:16 pm

SUPER TYPHOON Kiko (international name: Chanthu) left most parts of Batanes, the northernmost province in the country, without power as of Sunday morning with its strong winds and rain that reached signal #4 in a five-level warning system.

The national disaster management council, in its 8 a.m. situational report on Sunday, said there was power outage in the Batanes towns of Sabtang, Ivana, Uyugan, and Itbayat beginning Saturday morning.

As of 11 a.m. Sunday, the storm alert level in the province was already down to signal #1, according to state weather agency PAGASA’s bulletin.

Typhoon Kiko, which came on the heels of typhoon Jolina (international name: Conson), was expected to be out of the Philippine area by Sunday afternoon, according to PAGASA.

Farm losses brought by typhoon Jolina increased to P613.51 million versus the previous estimate of P324 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. — Marifi S. Jara, Revin Mikhael D. Ochave, and Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Private sector employees get training to augment Davao City’s contact tracing teams

September 12, 2021 | 8:16 pm

Contact-tracing-DAVAO-CITY-CIO — DAVAO CITY CIO

WORKERS IN Davao City’s private establishments are being trained on contact tracing to help them establish in-house crews that could augment the local government’s teams.

“The city conducts training on private establishments how to contact trace. We are teaching these establishments so that they would know better who among their contacts (need) to be traced,” said Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of Davao City coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) task force.

The first batch of trainees are mainly from business process outsourcing (BPOs) companies, where there were several outbreaks this year.

“Because there was an incident of surge of cases among the BPOs. Fortunately, cases have gone down among these establishments and they are very cooperative. Private establishments are open in helping the city government of Davao,” she said.

In April this year, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio issued an executive order for the mandatory swab testing of a positive patient’s contacts up to the third generation or F3 contact.

Ms. Schlosser said having tracers among the private sector makes information gathering easier as it would be among colleagues and acquaintances. — Maya M. Padillo

BFAR lifts red tide warning across several areas

September 12, 2021 | 8:15 pm

THE BUREAU of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) removed warnings issued in the areas of San Pedro Bay in Western Samar, Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, and Biliran Islands after testing negative for paralytic shellfish poison or red tide.

In its 26^th shellfish bulletin, BFAR said areas still affected by red tide include Milagros in Masbate, Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Carigaya Bay in Leyte, Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte, and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Hospital group outlines need to increase 2022 health budget for Delta response

September 12, 2021 | 8:14 pm

THE PHILIPPINE Hospital Association (PHA), which represents both public and private medical establishments, has underscored the need to increase the government’s pandemic response budget for next year, citing the increased threat from the coronavirus Delta variant and rising costs of medicines.

“It will be more than justified considering the uncertainties presented by the pandemic and the need to align and respond to it accordingly,” President Jaime A. Almora told BusinessWorld in an e-mail interview.

He said the group submitted a request for a supplemental fund for health-related items and services under the proposed budget for next year, which is currently under deliberation in Congress and still open to amendments.

Mr. Almora said there is currently a shortage of medicines for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, adding that those available are priced exorbitantly at about three to four times more than earlier costs.

“Just like funding for purchase of vaccines, the government should provide funds for medicines. Preventive and curative should be considered,” he said.

Mr. Almora also urged Congress to provide an adequate allocation to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to ensure payment of reimbursements claimed by hospitals for COVID-19 patients.

As of end-August, PHA said PhilHealth owed about P21.1 billion to hospitals, causing “severe financial distress” to medical institutions.

Mr. Almora also pushed for the continuous payment of Special Risk Allowance (SRA) to both public and private health workers.

Senator Richard J. Gordon, Sr. filed in August Senate Bill No. 2371 that mandates the continuing grant of SRA and other benefits to both public and private health workers, whether assigned directly in COVID wards or not, with retroactive application from July 2021.

“Our health workers risk their lives to respond to their duty of collectively operating the country’s healthcare system during this pandemic,” said Mr. Gordon in a statement last Saturday. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

CoA questions Boy Scouts over P4.79M spent on ‘special project’

September 12, 2021 | 8:13 pm

STATE AUDITORS questioned the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSoP) over non-compliance with existing laws and regulations as well as lack of supporting documents for the disbursement of P4.789 million in 2019 and 2020 for a program to increase membership.

In its 2020 audit report, the Commission on Audit (CoA) said the funds allotted for the Scout Membership Growth Campaign Program (SMGCP) did not qualify as a “Special Project” under the 2019 national budget

The SMGCP was launched in 2019 with the goal of having 3.7 million scouts by 2025. It granted honoraria to project officers and assistant project officers worth P50,000 and P30,000 in 2019 as well as P60,000 and P36,000 in 2020, respectively, for program implementation.

“The subject SMGCP could not be considered as a ‘Special Project’… inasmuch as the project’s purpose, objectives, and undertakings are very much aligned with the BSoP’s purpose and functions as an organization,” CoA said.

Auditors also noted that payment of honoraria worth P1.993 million or 41.62% of total incentives were paid without any completion of deliverables.

In an audit comment, BSoP said that their legal basis is a resolution issued by their National Executive Board on Feb. 16, 2019, approving the program’s implementation. Aside from that, BSoP said the honoraria were “erroneously termed and accounted” as a personnel services item.

The CoA said in their rejoinder that the board resolution is not an appropriate legal basis and a proper study in 2019 and 2020 should have been conducted on budget items prior to the approval and implementation of the SMGCP. Nevertheless, they said that the funds would still violate existing laws and regulations. — Russell Louis C. Ku

Gatchalian reiterates call for quick passage of bill vs financial fraudsters

September 12, 2021 | 8:13 pm

Sen. Gatchalian-2 — SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN FB PAGE

SENATOR SHERWIN T. Gatchalian again called for the speedy passage of a bill that will protect consumers amid prevalence of financial fraudsters.

Senate Bill (SB) No. 2287 or the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act was filed by Mr. Gatchalian, vice-chair of the Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, in June. It is pending at the committee level.

“We need to strengthen the powers of government and clear up the lines on who will protect financial consumers and what are the mechanisms for financial consumers to tap into in case of fraud,” said Mr. Gatchalian in a statement on Sunday.

The proposed measure aims to institutionalize proper mechanisms to protect consumers alongside the growth of financial products and services in the country.

The bill seeks to expand the powers of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and other financial regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, Insurance Commission, and the Cooperative Development Authority to cover crimes related to digital transactions.

“We need to stay ahead because hackers and fraudsters also evolve and they know how or where people are lax when it comes to protecting their identity and personal information,” said Mr. Gatchalian, also vice chair of the Committee on Economic Affairs. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Rights group says Parlade, Sinas appointments to worsen culture of impunity

September 12, 2021 | 8:10 pm

1 of 2

HUMAN rights group Karapatan on Sunday said the recent appointments of retired general Antonio P. Parlade, Jr. and former police chief Debold M. Sinas to key government posts will further worsen the culture of impunity in the country, noting that the two are currently facing legal complaints at the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a statement, Karapatan Secretary General Cristina E. Palabay said the appointments send a message that “those promoting the administration’s bloodlust will be rewarded with higher posts in the government.”

Mr. Sinas, now an undersecretary at the Office of the President, and Mr. Parlade, now part of the National Security Council, are still “facing complaints and allegations of human rights violations and war crimes,” Karapatan reiterated.

“Their appointments mean that President (Rodrigo R.) Duterte is not making them accountable for these acts,” it said.

Karapatan and other cause-oriented groups filed complaints last year against Mr. Parlade before the Ombudsman for red-tagging activists, citing potential violations of Republic Act No. 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, and the Ombudsman Act of 1989.

Mr. Sinas led a bloody anti-communist operation called Oplan Sauron, which led to more killings in Negros in central Philippines, according to international group Human Rights Watch.

Karapatan said Mr. Sinas has presided over police raids leading to arbitrary arrests of activists in Negros and Manila.

Mr. Sinas is facing a complaint for violating health protocols last year.

“Their appointments should be strongly denounced by all freedom-loving Filipinos as we demand that they be held accountable for their crimes,” Ms. Palabay said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Teen qualifier Emma Raducanu captures US Open Women’s title

September 12, 2021 | 6:47 pm

NEW YORK — Britain’s Emma Raducanu completed a Grand Slam fairytale on Saturday by beating Canadian Leylah Fernandez (6-4, 6-3) in the clash of the teens to be crowned US Open champion.

It was a victory that required blood, sweat and in the end a few tears as the 18-year-old became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title and the first British woman to hoist a major trophy since Virginia Wade, who was watching from courtside, triumphed at Wimbledon in 1977.

Wade has been in New York cheering from courtside seats while an infatuated Britain gathered around televisions and held its collective breath on Saturday as the teenager played out a Hollywood ending on an improbable script.

Raducanu’s win received the royal stamp of approval with Queen Elizabeth taking to Twitter to offer congratulations along with other members of the royal family.

“It’s an absolute dream,” beamed Raducanu, who will shoot up from 150^th to number 23 in the world rankings on Monday. “I’ve always dreamed of winning a Grand Slam. You just say these things.”

The first Grand Slam final — men’s or women’s — to be contested by two unseeded players was an unfathomable match-up featuring qualifier Raducanu and little-known Fernandez, who was 73^rd in the standings going into the tournament.

One unseeded player making a major final would be considered remarkable — two enters the realm of unbelievable.

All the more remarkable was that Raducanu’s march to the title required 10 matches and she did not drop a single set or even play a tie-break, swatting aside more experienced opponents with the same ease as she hammered winners.

Fernandez left a graveyard of seeds and champions in her trail to the final, her victims including second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka, four-time Grand Slam winner and defending champion Naomi Osaka, fifth seed Elina Svitolina and three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber.

Despite what the statistics might say, Raducanu insisted that winning the US Open was not a easy as it might have looked.

“I’d say even though I didn’t on paper drop a set, I think I faced a lot of adversity in every single one of my matches,” she said. “I can pick moments where I was down.”

ICY COOL
For the first time during the Flushing Meadows fortnight, the 19-year-old Canadian faced a younger opponent, if only by a couple of months. But she had no answers for the icy cool Raducanu.

Both players walked onto a frothing Arthur Ashe Stadium court with “I can’t believe I am here” ear-to-ear grins, but soon had their game faces on, focusing on the challenge ahead.

The charismatic teens had charmed the New York crowds with fearless play and contagious enthusiasm, leaving excited fans a difficult choice over who to back in the final, which in the end was evenly split.

While the scoreline might hint at a one-sided affair, the near two-hour contest featured plenty of jaw-dropping tennis and more than a dash of drama, particularly in a second set that Raducanu threatened to run away with when, at 5-2 up, she earned two match points on Fernandez’s serve.

The battling Canadian mounted a comeback to stay alive and when the Briton went down chasing a ball and scraped her knee — leaving blood dripping down her leg — the tide looked ready to turn.

As trainers bandaged the wound, Fernandez, who had just earned a break point, looked on in frustration, not wanting to lose the building momentum.

In the end, however, nothing was going to prevent Raducanu from realizing her destiny, as she returned to finish off her opponent with an ace.

“I have no idea what I’m doing tomorrow,” said Raducanu, who might indulge in a New York shopping spree after pocketing a winner’s purse of $2.5 million, almost 10 times her previous career earnings of $303,000. “I’m just really trying to embrace the moment, really take it all in.

“Right now, no care in the world, I’m just loving life.” — Reuters

Rain or Shine earns big win against San Miguel, 95-93

September 12, 2021 | 6:46 pm

PBA-Images — SANTI Santillan (in photo) and the Rain or Shine Elastopainters hacked out a 95-93 victory in PBA Philippine Cup action on Sunday. — PBA IMAGES

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THE Rain or Shine Elastopainters halted the charge of the San Miguel Beermen in the (Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup, hacking out a 95-93 victory in league action on Sunday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Towed by the spirited play of young cogs Santi Santillan and Javee Mocon and the clutch shooting and playmaking of Rey Nambatac late in the game, the Elastopainters pulled off the big win that thrust them to a 6-4 record and in a good position to finish among the top teams as the playoffs approach.

Rain or Shine trailed San Miguel throughout the first half and stared at a 10-point deficit, 51-41, at the break.

In the third quarter, the Elastopainters would gain some headway in their push, led by rookie Santillan and third-year man Mocon, who combined for 20 points of their team’s 31 points in the frame to sway the favor to their side.

They levelled the count at 66-all with 58 seconds to go and used it as a springboard to go on top, 72-69, heading into the final quarter.

The teams slugged it out in the fourth canto, fighting to a tight contest of 87-all with 5:09 to go.

Rain or Shine though would get some breathing room, 92-87, in the next two minutes and threatened to go for the closeout.

But the Beermen made one last push, tying the score at 93-all with 12 seconds to play after a basket off a steal by CJ Perez.

That set up the heroics of Mr. Nambatac.

Off the bench, he would score the go-ahead basket, banking in an off-balance shot to push his team ahead, 95-93, with two seconds left.

San Miguel sued for time after but could not get a decent shot in the ensuing play to preserve the win for Rain or Shine.

Mr. Santillan top-scored for the Elastopainters with 21 points, followed by Mr. Mocon, who had a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Rookie Anton Asistio also scored in double figures for Rain or Shine with 11 points while also adding seven assists.

“I just asked them to be fearless today. And they responded,” said Rain or Shine coach Cris Gavina in the post-game press conference.

For San Miguel, which saw its win streak stop at two and drop to 5-3, it was Terrence Romeo who showed the way with 20 points, with Mr. Perez and Arwind Santos adding 18 points apiece.