Economic managers to report on economy, infrastructure

April 21, 2021 | 7:52 pm

ECONOMIC MANAGERS will report on the state of the economy and the infrastructure program at an upcoming forum Monday, according to the Department of Finance (DoF).

The DoF said the scheduled economic development and infrastructure clusters forum, “Sulong Pilipinas 2021,” scheduled for Monday, will serve as a pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) briefing.

“This year’s pre-SONA seeks to address primarily the existing concerns of the public over the lingering pandemic and the government’s programs to contain the quick spread of the lethal coronavirus. We do hope that our citizens will be able to tune in to the forum as the country’s top policy makers discuss our path to a quick and strong recovery from this global health and economic crises,” Finance Assistant Secretary and the agency’s spokesperson Paola Sherina A. Alvarez said in the statement.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III will report on the government’s priority plans on the economy while Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar will deliver an update on the infrastructure program.

Meanwhile, Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua will talk about the government’s socioeconomic priorities for 2021-2022.

Central Bank Governor Benjamin E. Diokno will discuss the monetary, external and financial sectors, while the status of the flagship infrastructure projects will be presented by Vivencio B. Dizon, the presidential adviser on flagship projects, and Arthur P. Tugade, Transportation secretary.

Economic managers are currently reviewing their 6.5-7.5% growth target for the year, with the reimposition of lockdown measures in the capital region and adjacent provinces expected to dent the full-year result by 0.8 percentage point.

The Philippine Statistics Authority will report first quarter gross domestic product on May 10.

“The audience can expect Secretary Dominguez to delve deeper into the challenges we’re facing right now, the accomplishments in the previous year that we can build on, the Duterte administration’s four-pillar socioeconomic strategy to beat COVID-19, and the pending legislative proposals endorsed by our economic managers to the Congress,” Ms. Alvarez said.

There will also be an update on the vaccination program, she said. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Business registry booms as pandemic forces turn to entrepreneurship

April 21, 2021 | 7:50 pm

BUSINESS NAME registrations in the first quarter are well ahead of their year-earlier pace, approaching the halfway mark of the full-year 2020 total, the Department of Trade and Industry said.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said that the number of registrations in the first three months totaled 432,962, nearly half of the full-year total posted in pandemic-depressed 2020 of 916,163.

“Due to the economic challenges wrought by the present pandemic, we’ve seen that there is a need to be more innovative in the way we do things. Many of our countrymen have adapted to the challenging times through entrepreneurship,” Mr. Lopez said in an online event Wednesday.

Business registrations in 2019 totaled 637,580.

“We are also seeing a complementing boom in e-commerce adoption,” Mr. Lopez said.

Businesses have turned to online selling after the government imposed the lockdown last year, lowering foot traffic in malls and other commercial centers.

Online business registrations since the start of 2021 have surpassed 9,000.

Last year, online business registrations surged past 80,000 compared to around 6,000 from 2018 to 2019, Mr. Lopez said.

Small businesses however continue to be affected by the pandemic. The number of small businesses applying for loans from the government remained lower than expected as weak business confidence may have dampened interest in taking on loans, Mr. Lopez said earlier this month. — Jenina P. Ibañez

IRR on new mining deals being drafted, MGB says

April 21, 2021 | 7:44 pm

THE drafting of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Executive Order (EO) No. 130, which lifted a moratorium on new mineral agreements, is currently in progress, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said Wednesday.

MGB Director Wilfredo G. Moncano said in a mobile phone message to BusinessWorld that a working group is currently preparing the IRR for EO 130.

“The MGB Working Group is drafting it, to be presented tomorrow (April 22) for comments and inputs. And then next week, other Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sectors will be asked to comment, suggest and provide their inputs also,” Mr. Moncano said.

“After that, the Department of Finance (DoF) and other stakeholders will be given the chance to sound off on their opinions and suggestions before forwarding it to the Environment Secretary for approval,” he added.

EO 130 was signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on April 14, which lifted the nine-year moratorium on new mineral agreements. It amended Section 4 of EO 79 issued by former President Benigno S. C. Aquino III in 2012. The recent order also paves the way for the review of current mining deals for possible renegotiation.

When asked for a specific date on the release of the IRR, Mr. Moncano did not answer, other than to say that the MGB will push for its immediate approval.

“There are aspects that we (MGB) have no control like at the level of the Secretary. But, we will work hard to have it completed soonest,” Mr. Moncano said.

Environment Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones has said there are 100 mining projects in the pipeline that could potentially generate P21 billion in revenue, which can then be allocated to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) containment effort and to provide financial assistance to the poor.

Mr. Leones said the upcoming mining agreements are divided in Phase 1, which includes 35 projects implementable in the near term, and Phase 2 with 65 projects further out in the timeline.

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said in a statement on Wednesday that all pending applications for mineral agreements will undergo thorough.

“There is no automatic approval even if these mining applicants submit all the requirements,” Mr. Cimatu said.

According to Mr. Cimatu, the final exploration exercise must show that the delineated mineral resources and reserves are sufficient for at least 10 years of commercial extraction for metallic minerals, and seven-years for non-metallics.

The mining feasibility study should detail the cost to develop the mine and demonstrate a capacity to pay for all operating costs, including administrative overhead, milling, environmental, social development, and safety and health costs.

Other requirements that mining companies need to meet include a demonstration of financial capability to pay national and local taxes, royalties, local government fees, other National Government fees, and interest and charges on loans.

“Applicants should prove that the benefits of the mining operation, which is a national interest, will far outweigh the risks from adverse environmental effects,” Mr. Cimatu said.

According to the DENR, a total of 309 mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs) across the country have been issued by MGB.

Of the total, 51 MPSAs are in Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and the Dinagat Islands. Zambales has 40; Calabarzon 36; Central Visayas 32; Bicol Region 26; Samar and Leyte 19; and Davao Region 18.

Last year, the MGB estimated the value of metallic mining output to have risen 1.13% to P132.21 billion, of which nickel ore and its by-products accounted for 51.8% or P68.48 billion; gold 36% or P47.60 billion; copper 11.25% or P14.88 billion; and silver, chromite, and iron P1.26 billion. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

TESDA to offer training in operating farm drones

April 21, 2021 | 7:43 pm

THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) said it will offer a training program in drone operation for agricultural workers.

TESDA said in a statement Wednesday that the program was finalized after the development of competency standards for agricultural drone operators for use by training institutions. The standards were arrived at in partnership with stakeholders and experts from AgriDom Solutions Corp., an agricultural technology-based solutions provider.

TESDA Director General Isidro S. Lapeña said: “Drones have become an essential part of smart farming, helping farmers to deal with a wide range of challenges and gaining numerous benefits. Specifically, drones can be used for estimating soil condition, planting future crops, fighting infections and pests, agriculture spraying, crop surveillance, livestock monitoring, among others.”

“Graduates of the training program could be employed as ground support, junior drone pilots, and senior drone pilots,” he added.

Mr. Lapeña encouraged all technical and vocational education and training institutions to register their own agricultural drone operation courses.

According to TESDA’s Qualification and Standards Office, the DJI Academy of Davao Region began working on program offerings this month. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Agricultural damage due to Typhoon Bising upgraded to P163.36M

April 21, 2021 | 7:42 pm

THE CROP damage estimate for Typhoon Bising (international name: Surigae) has been upgraded to P163.36 million from the previous estimate of P45.93 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday.

The DA said in a bulletin that 9,774 metric tons (MT) of crops were lost across 4,826 hectares, with 3,353 farmers affected.

“Affected commodities include rice, corn, assorted vegetables & fruits, livestock, fisheries produce and facilities, and agri-infrastructure. These values are still subject to validation,” the DA said in the bulletin.

According to the bulletin, rice losses due to the typhoon amounted to 5,449 MT, valued at P93.49 million. A total of 2,996 hectares of farmland was also affected. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

The promise of speedy disposition of civil cases

April 21, 2021 | 7:41 pm

When deciding whether or not to go to court for judicial action or remedy, the main concerns can be summarized as follows: (1) the length of time to finish the case, (2) the chances of winning, and (3) the cost of litigation. In my opinion, the 2019 Amendments to the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure and the 2020 Guidelines for the Conduct of Court-Annexed Mediation (CAM) and Judicial Dispute Resolution (JDR) in Civil Cases, which took effect on May 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021, respectively, addresses these concerns. The Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) defines CAM as a voluntary process conducted under the auspices of the court, wherein the parties are referred to the Philippine Mediation Center Unit (PMCU) for the settlement of their dispute, assisted by a Mediator accredited by the Supreme Court. JDR, on the other hand, is a process whereby a JDR judge employs conciliation, mediation or early neutral evaluation of the case.

The 2020 Guidelines for CAM and JDR in Civil Cases provides the specific cases covered by the mandatory CAM and those that may be referred to JDR. Generally, these are cases that could be the subject of a compromise and where compromise is not prohibited by law nor contrary to morals, good customs, public order or public policy.

In practice, lawsuits may take years (give or take five years, at the earliest, to over 10 years if appealed up to the Supreme Court) to conclude. Fortunately, based on the mandatory timeline provided under the 2020 Guidelines for CAM and JDR, such cases can be concluded in a matter of months in case of a successful CAM or JDR.

Pursuant to the rules and guidelines, a notice of pre-trial must be issued within five calendar days after the last responsive pleading was served and filed, setting the pre-trial not later than 60 calendar days from the filing of the pleading. For cases covered by Summary Procedure, the preliminary conference must be set not later than 30 calendar days from the filing of the last responsive pleading.

After the pre-trial/preliminary conference, and the issues have been consolidated, the court will refer the parties to a CAM, subject to some exemptions. The mediator has no more than 30 calendar days from the date of the order referring the case to CAM to complete the mediation process without further extension. If a settlement is reached, the PMCU will submit to the referring Judge the Mediator’s Report on the result of the proceedings with the copy of the compromise agreement and any attachments.

The referring Judge will evaluate the agreement and may either approve or disapprove it, or require its amendment. If found acceptable, a judgement will be issued, approving the compromise agreement and stating that the same was rendered through CAM (to distinguish it from judgments based on compromise agreements entered into during JDR).

In case of non-settlement, a Mediator’s Report stating the outcome (i.e., failed CAM or no CAM conducted) will be submitted to the referring Judge. Thereafter, in a hearing set for such purpose, the referring Judge will determine if a settlement is still possible, and if so convinced to be feasible, refers the case to a JDR Judge.

The JDR Judge is to conduct the JDR proceedings immediately upon receipt of the referral order. The proceedings will be conducted within a non-extendible period of 15 calendar days from the receipt of the referral order.

If the case is settled through JDR, the JDR Judge will accomplish a JDR Report and return the case to the referring Judge for appropriate action. If a full settlement is reached, the parties will submit a draft compromise agreement to the referring Judge for judgement upon compromise enforceable by execution. On the other hand, if there has been full compliance with the terms of the compromise agreement, the parties are instead to submit a satisfaction of the claims or a mutual withdrawal of the parties’ respective claims and counterclaims. The referring Judge will then issue an order declaring the case terminated.

If the case is not settled through the JDR process, the case will proceed to trial. On the other hand, if a partial settlement is reached, the parties will submit their terms to the referring Judge for approval and judgement on partial compromise, which may be enforced without waiting for the resolution of the unsettled part.

Cases which are on appeal from the exclusive and original jurisdiction of first-level courts may also be referred to the JDR if the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge is convinced that settlement is still possible. In the case of JDR on appeal, the RTC Judge has 15 calendar days to complete the JDR proceedings. This may be extended for another 15 days upon joint motion of the parties on the ground that settlement is likely to be concluded. If settlement is reached, the compromise agreement is to be submitted to the RTC judge for judgment upon compromise. Otherwise, the RTC Judge will declare the failure of the JDR and render a decision within the prescribed period.

The promise of a speedy disposition of civil cases is among the championed objectives of the 2019 Amendments to the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure and the 2020 Guidelines for the CAM and JDR in Civil Cases. Through effective mediation, a successful CAM or JDR will expedite the disposition of civil cases. It may well be the panacea to our slow justice system. After all, when court dockets are congested, justice delayed is justice denied.

The views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Isla Lipana & Co. or Cabrera & Company. The content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for specific advice.

Maria Ysidra May Y. Kintanar-Lopez is a Manager at the Tax Services Department of Isla Lipana & Co. and a Senior Legal Advisor of Cabrera & Company, member firms of the PwC network.

+63 (2) 8845-2728

may.y.kintanar@pwc.com

Super League breakaway in tatters after English clubs quit

April 21, 2021 | 6:42 pm

MANCHESTER City was reportedly the first to back out of the Super League venture. — MANCHESTER CITY F.C. FB PAGE

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND — European soccer’s breakaway Super League project lay in tatters on Tuesday after the six English Premier League clubs involved in the project quit 48 hours after agreeing to join Italian and Spanish teams in the controversial elite competition.

After a storm of protests from fans, players, managers, and governments, alongside threats of bans and sanctions from the game’s European and world-governing bodies UEFA and FIFA, the English clubs capitulated under pressure and threw in the towel.

Manchester City was the first to back out of the venture and then Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea announced it was following suit.

The Super League issued a statement which suggested it may be suspending its project but stopped short of abandoning it altogether.

“Given the current circumstances, we shall reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project, always having in mind our goals of offering fans the best experience possible while enhancing solidarity payments for the entire football community,” the statement said.

The Madrid-based organization said the departure of the English teams was due to “pressure” placed on them and said they were “convinced that the current status quo of European football needs to change.”

The league, which was announced on Sunday with 12 founding members, has been championed by Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez, the new competition’s chairman. It is now left with three Italian clubs — AC Milan, Juventus, and Inter Milan — plus Pérez’s Real Madrid along with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid from Spain.

Pérez canceled a planned radio interview on Tuesday.

Inter Milan looks likely to be the next to leave with the Italian news agency ANSA quoting a club source as saying, “The Super League project in its current state is no longer considered of interest by Inter.”

Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), whose elite Champions League competition was at risk from the proposed new league, threatened to ban the clubs and players who joined the Super League, but its president Aleksander Čeferin had earlier urged the English clubs to think again.

“I said yesterday that it is admirable to admit a mistake and these clubs made a big mistake,” he said after the English clubs announced their decisions to leave.

“But they are back in the fold now and I know they have a lot to offer not just to our competitions, but to the whole of the European game.

“The important thing now is that we move on, rebuild the unity that the game enjoyed before this and move forward together,” he said.

MORE MONEY
The Super League had argued that it would increase revenues to the top clubs and allow them to distribute more money to the rest of the game.

United States investment bank JPMorgan was brought in to finance the new league, providing a 3.5-billion euro ($4.21-billion) grant to the founding clubs to spend on infrastructure and recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the sport’s governing bodies, other teams and fan organizations said the Super League would boost the power and wealth of the elite clubs and the partially closed structure of the league goes against European football’s long-standing model.

Unlike Europe’s current top-level Champions League competition, where teams have to qualify through their domestic league, the founding Super League teams would have guaranteed themselves a place in the new competition every year. — Reuters

World governing body FIFA expresses support for European model amid Super League issue

April 21, 2021 | 6:41 pm

ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND — FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called for respect and dialogue as he expressed the organization’s strong disapproval of the proposed European breakaway league project, and has requested that the concerned parties consider their position in line with respecting the institutions that exist to protect the interest of national, European and global football.

“FIFA is an organization which is built on values, the true values of sport,” said the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) president in his address to the 45^th Ordinary UEFA Congress in Montreux, Switzerland. “It is an organization that is built on our statutes, the statutes that define the institutional framework, with the pyramid, with FIFA, the confederations, the associations, the leagues, the clubs, the players. And at FIFA, we can only strongly disapprove the creation of a super league…”

The FIFA president emphasized his full support to the European sports model, a successful model of openness and inclusivity, promotion and relegation, and a model that he promoted in his 16 years at Union of European Football Associations (UEFA): “FIFA is here, and I am here today as FIFA President, to bring full support to European football, to UEFA, and the 55 member associations of UEFA and of FIFA, to the leagues, clubs, players, and to fans.”

“We can see that there is a lot to throw away for the short-term financial gain of some,” Infantino added. “People need to think very carefully, they need to reflect, and they need to assume responsibility. They need to think not only of their shareholders, but they need to think about all the people, of all the fans, of all those who have contributed to make European football what it is today. It goes back not only decades, it goes back more than one hundred years. People — with love, with passion, with commitment — have created all this. And we need to protect this. It is our task.”

“FIFA is a democratic organization, an organization that is open,” the FIFA President concluded. “Everyone can bring ideas and proposals, but always with respect for the institutions, leagues, associations, UEFA and FIFA; with respect for the history and with the respect for the passion of so many people around the world.”

Sotto commits to join Gilas for key tourneys this year

April 21, 2021 | 6:38 pm

YOUNG Filipino international basketball campaigner Kai Sotto has committed to play for the national team in key tournaments this year. — FIBA

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

KAI Sotto expressed his commitment to don the national colors in key tournaments this year.

The young international basketball campaigner shared on Wednesday that he is looking forward to playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in June and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup after.

“I’d like to announce that I’m very excited and honored to be joining the Gilas national team playing in the OQT and FIBA Asia Cup,” said Mr. Sotto, 19, in a virtual press conference where he was introduced as well as the latest brand ambassador of Smart Communications, Inc.

In the briefing, it was also announced that the former Ateneo High School standout has signed a multi-year deal to play in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) with the Adelaide 36ers.

Mr. Sotto, who is currently in the United States training under the guidance of his management team East West Private, surprised many when he decided to come back to the country early this year to play for the national team in the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers despite him part of Team Ignite in the NBA G League, which was set to see action in the league’s “bubble” tournament in February.

Unfortunately for him, the Asia Cup event here was canceled over concerns on the spike of coronavirus cases.

He then went back to the States after and tried to rejoin his Team Ignite squad in the bubble, but things did not pan out as hoped and both parties mutually agreed to part ways.

Mr. Sotto has since continued with his training and is now in Miami, Florida, honing his skills.

For the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the expression of commitment of Mr. Sotto to play for flag and country is a welcome development.

SBP officials said there is nothing definite yet as to when the young player can join the team, but they are working on having him over as soon as possible to begin preparation with him in tow.

“This announcement is still fresh to us. We’re looking forward to having Kai play with the young Gilas Team soon. We still need to discuss things with Kai and his management group. There’s still a lot that needs to be sorted out, especially with the situation with the pandemic and all the quarantine and lockdown protocols,” said SBP program director Tab Baldwin, who was also part of the press conference.

PLAYING DOWN UNDER
Meanwhile, Mr. Sotto said he is excited to showcase his wares Down Under with the Adelaide 36ers.

“I’m both excited and a little nervous. It’s a different kind of competition in the NBL and place than the United States. But I’ll work hard and do what I have to do to adjust and earn my spot and help the team,” he said.

Recognizing what the seven-footer could potentially give their team, officials of the 36ers said they are happy to have Mr. Sotto play for their team, which is looking to improve in the nine-team NBL.

“We are delighted to welcome Kai, both to the club and the City of Adelaide. Having him in Adelaide will only enhance the club’s reputation for identifying and developing elite basketball talent,” said Adelaide Chairman Grant Kelley.

“The thing with Kai is that he realizes that he has work ahead of him as all rookies do when coming in to this tough league, but his combination of height and developing skills set give him every chance to raise his game,” 36ers General Manager Jeff Van Groningen, for his part, said.

The Adelaide officials went on to say that they do not see any conflict with Mr. Sotto’s commitment with Gilas as the NBL is set up to work along the scheduled windows of FIBA and that they will communicate with the SBP to make the process fluid as possible.

Volleyball federation sets national team tryouts

April 21, 2021 | 6:37 pm

LOCAL volleyball star and Japan league player Jaja Santiago is among those invited to national team tryouts in Subic set for next week. — JAPAN V. LEAGUE

THE Philippine national volleyball team’s preparation for the 2021 Southeast Asian Games goes into higher gear next week with tryouts set in Subic, Zambales.

Organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), the tryouts will be from April 28 to 30 and done under a “bubble” setup following strict health and safety protocols.

The PNVF said invitations were sent to 40 women and 40 men for indoor volleyball tryouts while 20 women and 20 men were invited for beach volleyball.

The federation is looking to assemble formidable teams to represent the country in the biennial sporting meet in Vietnam, happening from Nov. 21 to Dec. 2.

“The PNVF is currently prioritizing its elite/high-performance initiatives through the National Team Commission. The national team will be focusing on the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi in December,” said PNVF President Ramon Suzara in an announcement.

“These tryouts are needed in order for the athletes to be at their optimal condition prior to key competition events this year,” he added.

The volleyball federation head went on to say that they have met with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority officials and Philippine Red Cross officers at the Subic Gym on Monday to finalize health and safety protocols.

Among the things agreed upon was that athletes, coaches, organizers, and officials involved would undergo RT-PCR tests 48 hours before the tryouts with a guaranteed turnaround time of 24 hours.

Included in the list of players invited for the women’s team tryouts are setters Rhea Dimaculangan (PLDT), Kim Fajardo (F2 Logistics), Alohi Robins (Cignal HD), and Jia Morado (Creamline); and outside hitters Alyssa Valdez (Creamline), Myla Pablo (PetroGazz), Kalei Mau (F2 Logistics), Ces Molina (PetroGazz), Kat Tolentino (Choco Mucho), and Faith Nisperos (Ateneo).

Opposite hitters invited include Jovelyn Gonzaga (Army), Mylene Paat (Chery Tiggo), Dindin Santiago (Chery Tiggo), Kim Kianna Dy (F2 Logistics), and Eya Laure (UST/Chery Tiggo); middle blockers Aby Maraño (F2 Logistics), Risa Sato (Creamline), Jaja Santiago (Chery Tiggo/Ageo Medics), Majoy Baron (F2 Logistics), Bea de Leon (Choco Mucho), Maddie Madayag (Choco Mucho), and Marist Layug (PLDT); and liberos Dennise Lazaro (Choco Mucho), Dawn Macandili (F2 Logistics), and Kath Arado (PetroGazz).

For men’s volleyball, among those invited are setters Jessie Lopez (Air Force), Kim Dayadante (Go for Gold), Ish Polvorosa (Cignal) and Josh Retamar (NU/Sta. Elena); outside hitters Mark Alfafara (PLDT), Marck Espejo (Cignal), Dan Aldrin Garnica (USPF), and Bryan Bagunas (Go for Gold); and opposite John Vic de Guzman (PLDT), Ysay Marasigan (Cignal), Mark Enciso (IEM), Joeven dela Vega (Navy), Jao Umandal (PLDT), and Banjo Mondero.

Middle blockers include Rex Intal (Cignal), Kim Malabunga (Go for Gold), Francis Saura (Go for Gold), John Edward Carascal (SWU), Nilo Jasmin, Jr. (SWU), Chumson Njigha, Jr. (Ateneo), JP Bugaoan (Cignal), and Lloyd Josafat (UE/PLDT); and liberos Jack Kalingking (Navy), Ricky Marcos (Go for Gold), and Manuel Sumanguid (Cignal).

Women’s beach volleyball has Sisi Rondina (Creamline), Bernadeth Pons (Creamline), Dij Rodriguez (Creamline), Dzi Gervacio (Creamline), Alexa Polidario (Abanse Negrense), Babylove Barbon (UST), Jackie Estoquia (Sta. Lucia), Milena Alessandrini (UST), DM Demontaño (Sta. Lucia), and Princess Robles (NU) as among the invited.

Men’s beach volleyball, meanwhile, has Jude Garcia (Creamline), Jaron Requinton (Creamline), Anthony Arbasto (Creamline), Edwin Tolentino (Air Force), Ranran Abdilla (Creamline), Ronald Umang-it (Mapua), Joven Camaganakan (IEM), AJ Pareja (Creamline), Jade Becaldo (Cebu), Calvin Sarte (Davao), James Pecaña (PLDT), Jason Uy (Army), and Greg Dolor (Navy).

National coaches Odjie Mamon (volleyball women) Dante Alinsunurin (volleyball men), Paul Jan Doloiras (beach volleyball women), and Rhovyl Verayo (beach volleyball men) will supervise the tryouts.

The men’s and women’s volleyball team tryouts are set for April 28 and 29 at the Subic Gym, while those for the men’s and women’s beach volleyball squads are scheduled on April 30 at the Subic Tennis Courts. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Folayang views latest clash with Aoki as a legacy fight

April 21, 2021 | 6:33 pm

“THIS next fight is very important. It’s an important juncture in my career,” said Filipino MMA veteran and champion Eduard Folayang of his third fight with Japanese legend Shinya Aoki. — ONE CHAMPIONSHIP

FILIPINO mixed martial arts (MMA) champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang will face Japanese legend Shinya Aoki for the third time in ONE Championship in a fight the Team Lakay stalwart is viewing with much significance especially in further establishing his legacy in the sport.

Set to return to action at “ONE on TNT IV” in Singapore on April 29, Mr. Folayang (22-10) tries to go up one over Mr. Aoki in their ongoing lightweight rivalry where they have split their first two encounters.

Mr. Folayang took the first back in 2016, knocking out then ONE lightweight champ Aoki in the third round to become the new champion.

The Japanese then exacted payback in 2019 when he submitted the Filipino by way of arm triangle choke in the opening round to reclaim the lightweight belt.

Given what is at stake in his upcoming fight, the Baguio-based fighter said they in their team are working hard to have him ready and have the best possible game plan.

“This next fight is very important. It’s an important juncture in my career. Right now, the team is helping me prepare as always, and I am highly motivated to get this win. I have a pack of ferocious lions behind me, helping me sharpen my tools,” shared Mr. Folayang.

“I’m ready to go to war. Mentally and physically, I’m going to bring the best Eduard Folayang to the Circle,” he added.

The Filipino champion, however, admitted that presenting a challenge is the quick pivot they had to make since Mr. Folayang was originally set to face off with Japanese veteran Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama until the latter had to pull out of the contest due to injury. Mr. Aoki, too, saw his original opponent — American Sage Northcutt — back out, setting the stage for the trilogy fight with Mr. Folayang.

Despite that, Mr. Folayang is undeterred and forging ahead to have the best showing possible and win.

“Nevertheless, I’m going to be well prepared for the test he presents. I’m a striker through and through, but I will make the necessary adjustments for this fight. I am confident I will get my hands raised at the end,” he said.

Adding, “This is the most important fight of my career so far, and I will do everything I can to come out on top.”

“ONE on TNT IV” is headlined by the ONE light heavyweight world championship fight between champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang and challenger Vitaly Bigdash of Russia.

The event is the fourth and last installment of the “ONE on TNT” series, which is catered to North America apart from the promotion’s traditional audience. Matches in the series are being broadcast both digitally and on television on prime time in the United States.

Meanwhile, playing on Thursday, April 22, is “ONE on TNT III” headlined by the bantamweight collision between Brazilian John “Hands of Stone” Lineker and American Troy “Pretty Boy” Worthen.

It will be shown live in the country on One Sports beginning at 8:30 a.m. with an encore telecast on April 23 at 8:30 p.m. on the same channel and April 25 at 12 a.m. on TV5. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Brooklyn guard Harden out indefinitely; Hawks top Magic

April 21, 2021 | 6:32 pm

BROOKLYN Nets guard James Harden is out indefinitely after sustaining a setback during his rehabilitation from an injured right hamstring, the team announced on Tuesday.

“We’re back to square one,” Nets coach Steve Nash said. “He will be back when he’s back. It might be the playoffs. It might be sooner.”

The 31-year-old was reinjured during an on-court session, according to the team. He underwent an MRI exam on Tuesday to learn the severity of the injury.

Harden is averaging 25.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 11 assists in 34 games since joining Brooklyn early in the season from the Houston Rockets in a three-team trade. He has not played since April 5, when he left after less than five minutes of action against the New York Knicks.

Last weekend, Nets general manager Sean Marks spoke optimistically about Harden’s return.

“James is progressing well,” Marks said. “He’s looking forward to having at least one or two more play days, which means he’ll play four-on-four, five-on-five with the group in practice. And then hopefully if things go smoothly, he’ll be out and joining the guys in a game.”

Harden is a nine-time All-Star, three-time NBA scoring champion and the league’s 2017-18 MVP. He was considered a strong candidate for this season’s MVP honor before his injury.

Hawks over Magic

Meanwhile, Trae Young, wearing goggles for the first time due to an injury, scored 25 points and Lou Williams came off the bench to score 22 as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the visiting Orlando Magic (112-96) on Tuesday.

The Hawks (32-26) have won two straight and nine of their last 11 games. Atlanta improved to six games over .500 for the first time since March 11, 2017. Orlando (18-40) has lost three in a row and nine of its past 10.

Young was wearing the glasses to protect his right eyelid, which was scratched in a Sunday game against the Indiana Pacers. Young never seemed comfortable — and removed the goggles a couple of times during the game — but still shot 7-for-16 from the field while compiling seven assists, five rebounds and five turnovers.

Clint Capela had 14 points and 19 rebounds for his 11^th straight double-double, increasing his total to a team-leading 39.

Orlando was led by Cole Anthony with 17 points and eight assists and Wendell Carter, Jr. with 17 points and eight rebounds. Greg Harris scored 14, and Dwayne Bacon and Chasson Randle had 10 points apiece. — Reuters