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Low farmgate prices in 2025 seen behind decline in Q1 palay output

PHILIPPINE STAR/ KJ ROSALES

LOW FARMGATE PRICES in late 2025 gave farmers little incentive to plant, likely leading to a decline in first-quarter output of palay (unmilled rice), analysts said.

“The palay harvested in the first quarter of 2026 was planted in the last quarter of 2025, during which time palay prices were severely depressed, even with the import ban,” Raul Q. Montemayor, national manager of the Federation of Free Farmers, told BusinessWorld.

Mr. Montemayor said the low prices discouraged many farmers from maintaining or expanding their production in the last cropping season.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said palay production is projected to have declined 6.9% year on year to 4.37 million metric tons (MMT) in the first quarter, based on standing crops as of March 1.

In a report, the PSA said the forecast, if borne out, indicates a retreat from the year-earlier output of 4.7 MMT.

The new forecast also represents a 1.7% downgrade from the PSA’s January estimate of 4.45 MMT.

The area to be harvested based on the standing crop may have decreased by 6.1% to 1.08 million hectares, the PSA said.

The palay yield is also projected to have dipped by 0.7% year on year to 4.06 MT per hectare.

“Some farmers could have decided not to plant or reduced their input usage, resulting in lower yield, in reaction to the decline in palay prices,” Mr. Montemayor said.

Danilo V. Fausto, president of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc., said the palay output may have also been affected by damage to an irrigation system in Nueva Ecija late last year.

Mr. Fausto said the damage affected around 30,000 to 40,000 hectares of farmland in the leading rice-producing province.

“While the National Irrigation Administration tried to catch up on the repair, recovery of the planted areas affected by a lack of irrigation will be delayed, pushing the harvesting of palay to the second quarter,” he told BusinessWorld via Viber.

Meanwhile, former Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said the downward trend in palay production may persist due to rising input costs as a result of the Middle East war.

“With the increase of fuel prices and fertilizer prices, the farmers will scale down their planting and reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers, thereby lowering rice production this rainy season,” he told BusinessWorld via Viber.

The PSA noted in its report that of the 1.01 million hectares farmers had intended to plant this quarter, only 750,130 hectares, or 74.3%, was actually planted.

Mr. Fausto said reduced input use and high fuel costs for land preparation could further cut palay yield by as much as 20% to 30% in the coming quarters.

Despite the projected decline in rice harvest this year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is confident that the Philippines can tap adequate supplies of rice from its source markets overseas.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. earlier told BusinessWorld that rice supply remains sufficient in major suppliers such as Vietnam, India, and Myanmar.

The Bureau of Plant Industry reported that the Philippines imported 1.29 MMT of rice in the first quarter, with 85.47% of shipments coming from Vietnam.

The rice imports recorded in the first quarter are 40.17% higher than the year-earlier shipments of 917,855 MT and 71.54% higher than the DA’s forecast of 750,000 MT. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

Agri credit council announces freeze on farmer, fisherfolk loan payments

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THE Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) said it will stop collecting loan payments from farmers and fisherfolk for one year, citing the need to provide relief from rising fuel prices.

In a statement on Thursday, the ACPC, an arm of the Department of Agriculture (DA), said the moratorium applies to qualified borrowers with active loans. Their loan payments can be suspended for up to 12 months, subject to approval by partner lending institutions.

The council said the moratorium is being carried out under the Survival and Recovery Program, which provides financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk recovering from calamities or economic disruptions.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said in a statement that the loan relief is part of the government’s strategy for mitigating the effects of higher input costs.

“We are prioritizing immediate relief while strengthening long-term access to credit so our agricultural sector remains productive and stable despite external shocks, particularly rising fuel and fertilizer costs,” he added.

The ACPC will work with its lending partners to carry out the moratorium, with applications to be evaluated based on eligibility and loan status. Priority will be given to borrowers in good standing who are facing temporary financial difficulties. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

SIPP draft approved by FIRB

THE Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) said it approved the revised Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), which removes several activities from the list of qualified investments, according to a resolution released this week.

The resolution, uploaded on Tuesday, detailed the FIRB’s approval of the draft 2025-2027 SIPP presented by the Board of Investments (BoI).

The draft includes the removal of activities such as motor vehicle inspection centers, facilities for scrapping, treating, storing, and disposing of old public utility vehicles, as well as industries affected by geopolitics and trade wars, the FIRB said.

“Catering and barter shall be among those excluded as registrable activities under Section 293(R) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended,” according to the resolution. “Mining-related extraction activities shall be excluded or removed in the 2025 SIPP and its general policies and specific guidelines.”

It retained the classification of modern voice services as a creative or knowledge-based industries and services export as well as defense services in Tier II but upgraded defense-related manufacturing to Tier III.

The FIRB said the draft also prescribed a ceiling for the housing units eligible for incentives at P3.6 million per unit, which will not be limited to the economic housing segment.

The BoI said last week that it is planning to release the SIPP before the State of the Nation Address in July, with plans to add coal mining and production to the activities eligible for priority status.

In an advisory on Wednesday, the FIRB added that it extended the deadline for the filing of the Annual Tax Incentives Report (ATIR) and the Annual Benefits Report (ABR).

With the extension, registered business enterprises have until June 15 to submit the tax documents in light of the national energy emergency.

Meanwhile, the deadline for the consolidated ATIR and ABR for all investment promotion agencies and the Cooperative Development Authority was also moved to July 15. —  Justine Irish D. Tabile

Exporters support suspension of excise tax and VAT on fuel

REUTERS

THE Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) said it supports the suspension of excise tax and value-added tax (VAT) on fuel, noting that the measure would ease cost pressures for businesses and consumers.

In a social media post on Thursday, Philexport President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr. said relieving the tax burden will help stabilize prices and maintain company competitiveness. 

“Fuel is a fundamental input across industries. Reducing the tax burden on fuel will have a cascading positive effect, lowering operational expenses and ultimately stabilizing prices of goods and services,” he said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Monday announced the suspension of excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene to cushion the effects of rising fuel prices, but maintained the levies on gasoline and diesel.

The reduction is equivalent to P3.36 per kilo of LPG or about P37 per tank and P5.60 per liter of kerosene, he said.

The group noted that fuel price reductions of as much as P6 per liter for diesel and P10 per liter for gasoline would mean savings for the country’s transport, logistics, and export industries.

Such an adjustment would also support micro, small and medium enterprises, whose operations are more sensitive to fuel price shocks, Mr. Ortiz-Luis said.

Diesel prices have settled at P100.05 per liter, coming down from their highs after the outbreak of fighting in the Persian Gulf on Feb. 28. Gas and kerosene costs rose by P52.30/liter and P82.40/liter, respectively.

Suspending VAT and excise tax collection on fuel would also help mitigate inflation, Mr. Ortiz-Luis said.

Rising prices hurt low- and middle-income households the most, he noted, with higher transport costs passed on to the price of basic goods like food and medicine.

Headline inflation accelerated to 4.1% in March — the highest in two years — driven by rising fuel and transport costs due to the fighting in Iran.

Philexport also noted that “broader economic benefits, including sustained business activity, preserved jobs, and stronger consumer demand, can help offset fiscal losses over time.”

The Department of Finance said suspending excise tax and VAT on fuel would result in foregone government revenue of about P136 billion.

“Targeted, time-bound relief measures such as the suspension of VAT on fuel are critical to safeguarding economic momentum, supporting exporters, and protecting Filipino consumers from further price shocks,” Mr. Ortiz-Luis said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Sinlaku remains outside PAR; Local thunderstorms to affect country — PAGASA

DOST-PAGASA FB PAGE

The entry of Typhoon Sinlaku (international name) into the Philippine Area of Responsibility remains low, while localized thunderstorms are expected across the country on Friday, according to the state weather bureau.

Sinlaku was last located 2,420 kilometers north of Luzon, moving northward at 10 kilometers per hour (kph), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 p.m. media briefing on Thursday.

It also maintained its typhoon category strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 155 kph and gustiness of up to 190 kph.

“At present, we expect it to continue moving northward, away from our country,” PAGASA weather specialist Charmagne Marie B. Varilla said during the media briefing in Filipino.

“We also do not see it entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility, so it is not expected to have any impact on the country,” she added.

According to Reuters, Typhoon Sinlaku was reported to have hit the Northern Mariana Islands, home to about 45,000 people, including Saipan and Tinian, bringing destructive winds, storm surges, flooding, and widespread power and water outages.

The storm also battered Guam and several American military bases.

Meanwhile, localized thunderstorms are expected in Metro Manila and the rest of the country on Friday. PAGASA said these may bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

It warned of possible flooding and landslides.

The ridge of a high-pressure area is also expected to affect northern Luzon, which may bring cloudy skies and a low chance of rainfall in the area, Ms. Varilla said. — Edg Adrian A. Eva

iPeople sees micro-credentials as a solution for PHL’s skills gap

WORKERS are seen at a manufacturing facility in Santa Rosa, Laguna. — PHILIPPINE STAR KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

Education firm iPeople, Inc., said micro-credentials can help bridge the skills gap in the Philippines and position Filipinos at the forefront of emerging roles and talent globally.

“Across our network, we’re transforming how education works from traditional four-year degrees to lifelong, stackable learning experiences,” iPeople, Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rey Vea said in a news release.

“Micro-credentials form a new learning culture that empowers Filipino students to take control of their future careers,” she added. “Building skills and credentials they can take with them anywhere they go.”

Data from the 2025 Global Skills Index by online learning platform Coursera found that the Philippines ranked 88th globally in terms of business, technology, and data science skills.

To help upskill and foster globally competitive Filipinos, iPeople commits to providing internationally recognized and industry-aligned micro-credential offerings through its partnership with Coursera.

Completion of certifications ensures the issuance of tamper-proof, globally verifiable digital credentials.

“This is about future-building Filipino talent,” said Ms. Vea.

“Our partnership with Coursera also makes it possible for us to anticipate emerging roles, and micro-credentials can be rolled out in a timely manner,” she added.

According to CHED’s Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 1, Series of 2025, all micro-credentials nationwide must align with the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) and follow quality assurance processes to ensure transparency, portability, and industry recognition.

The agency also urged universities to implement micro-credentials in ways that are responsive to both national development goals and local workforce needs.

The firm noted that the micro-credentials offered across six iPeople schools were designed based on the Philippine Skills Framework, international skills taxonomies, World Bank studies, World Economic Forum, Coursera, and other sources.

Each certification will also be submitted to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to ensure accreditation and acceptance worldwide.

iPeople currently has partnerships with various institutions nationwide, including Mapъa University, Mapъa Malayan Colleges Laguna, Mapъa Colleges Mindanao, Mapъa Malayan Digital College, University of Nueva Caceres, and National Teachers College. — Almira Louise S. Martinez

DOST funds project for rapid detection of heavy metals in high-value crops

REUTERS

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has funded a project to develop a portable, cheaper, and faster method of detecting heavy metals and trace elements in high-value crops that could pose health risks to humans if consumed regularly.

The project is titled “Development and Application of Rapid, Non-destructive Heavy Metal and Trace Element Detection Techniques in Plant Materials.”

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said the project is a scientific intervention aimed at addressing heavy metal contamination in agricultural lands.

“This project will help improve the quality of our produce while equipping our farmers with a cost-effective method for detecting heavy metals,” he said.

Heavy metals and trace elements can be found in crops due to agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, industrial activities in nearby areas, metal equipment used in processing, as well as transport and storage, DOST said.

Heavy metals that may be present in crops include cadmium, copper, lead, chromium, arsenic, and mercury, which, if consumed in significant amounts, can cause cancer, cardiovascular, neurological, and kidney diseases.

Through the project, high-value agricultural crops such as cacao, coffee, and mangoes—often produced for export—will be tested for heavy metal contamination using a portable diagnostic method based on nuclear-related techniques.

If successful, farmers, farm owners, and other stakeholders will have access to a cost-effective and accessible device that can help improve crop quality, marketability, and livelihoods.

The project is being implemented by the DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and monitored by the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

It is expected to run for two years in the regions of Ilocos, Western Visayas, Davao, Zamboanga Peninsula, and SOCCSKSARGEN.

The project was formally launched during a meeting held on January 12. — Edg Adrian A. Eva

UE offers more scholarships for SY 2026-2027

The University of the East campus in Manila. — UE FILE PHOTO

The University of the East (UE) announced on Thursday the expansion of its scholarship offerings for School Year (SY) 2026-2027 to create more learning opportunities for Filipino students.

“We continue to strengthen pathways to access and opportunity in higher education through our scholarship programs to support qualified and deserving students,” UE President and Chief Academic Officer Zosimo Battad said in a news release.

According to data from the forensic company The Nerve in 2025, 46% of working students dropped out of school due to limited financial capacity, 38% due to family responsibilities, and 29% due to difficulty balancing work and life.

To ease the financial burden among students, Mr. Battad noted that the expanded scholarship initiatives reflect the university’s commitment to an inclusive higher education.

One of the scholarship offerings is the UE-Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc. legacy scholarship, in partnership with the corporate social responsibility arm of the LT Group of Companies. This program offers full coverage of tuition and miscellaneous fees, along with allowances for books, transportation, and uniforms, and a monthly stipend.

Scholars under this program who meet the prescribed academic requirements each semester will continue to receive benefits for the duration of their degree.

Senior high school graduates who received honorary awards from both public and private schools can also apply for entrance scholarships.

Meanwhile, Filipino senior high school graduates, children of UE alumni, overseas Filipino workers, and dependents of employees of LT Group member companies can apply for financial assistance programs, including special tuition discounts.

Student athletes who compete in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and those who qualify for membership in UE’s performing groups, including the UE Chorale, UE Silanganan Dance Troupe, UE Band, and UE Drama Company, can also apply for financial grants.

Qualified undergraduate students can gain up to P15,000.00 per semester under a separate Student Financial Assistance Program.

UE, founded in 1946, currently has two branches located in Manila and Caloocan. In October last year, it broke ground for its new campus in Eton City in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, is its first expansion outside Metro Manila. — Almira Louise S. Martinez

Bolts face NLEX for a step closer to Commissioner’s Cup playoffs

MERALCO BOLTS — FACEBOOK.COM/PBAOFFICIAL

Games on Friday
(Ynares Center-Montalban)
5:15 p.m. – Phoenix vs Blackwater
7:30 p.m. – Meralco vs NLEX

NLEX and Meralco have taken a similar route in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup so far.

Both squads got off to identical 2-0 starts then dropped their third assignments before countering with three straight wins on their way to joint second at 5-1.

And on Friday night, it’s time for the rampaging crews to go their separate ways, with the winner moving just one adrift spotless leader Rain or Shine (7-0) and taking a step closer to the playoffs.

“Meralco is always a tough team to play. They’ve got bigs, they’ve got guards that can score and they can defend also,” said NLEX coach Jong Uichico.

The 7:30 p.m. tiff at Ynares Center-Montalban serves as a reunion of sorts for the Bolts and NLEX reinforcement Cady Lalanne.

Before the conference started, the NLEX Road Warriors loaned the 6-foot-10 Mr. Lalanne to Meralco in the latter’s campaign in the East Asia Super League. Mr. Lalanne scored 18 points in the Meralco Bolts’ 79-88 loss to Ryukyu, where he helped a late run that nearly erased the Japanese club’s 20-point lead.

“They’re a good team and we have to be prepared to play them. They got great players over there,” said Mr. Lalanne.

“I played with them so I know some of the guys and I kind of feel I have an idea what they’re going to do defensively to me, too. So it’s going to be a good game. Just looking forward to playing them.”

But Mr. Lalanne is facing an import who still wasn’t around during his brief stint with the Bolts — Marvin Jones. The 7-foot Mr. Jones replaced original choice Ismael Romero and has proven himself to be a good fit for Meralco.

“He’s had a big impact on us. He fits in our culture in terms of not having just one guy dominate and he understands the game. I think the reason why some of these other guys have had big games is because of him,” said Bolts coach Luigi Trillo of Mr. Jones.

Meanwhile, Phoenix (3-3) seeks to arrest a two-game slide while Blackwater (1-5) takes a second shot at giving new coach Pat Aquino his maiden win in the 5:15 p.m. curtain raiser. — Olmin Leyba

Shakey’s girls volleyball international league kicks off Sunday at DLSU Greenhills Gym

NU-NAZARETH SCHOOL — SHAKEY’S SUPER LEAGUE

THE Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) will stage its biggest edition to date with 44 teams slugging it out in the rebranded Rising Stars Cup starting this Sunday at the De La Salle University (DLSU) Greenhills Gym.

Reigning champion National University (NU)-Nazareth School headlines the field that will have two divisions for the second year as the SGVIL levels it up in a bid to champion more grassroots and up-and-coming spikers from all over the archipelago.

And for the first time, a foreign squad in Diverse Auckland Cubs from New Zealand, is in the fray to give the young Filipina bets a run for their own money.

“The interest at the high school level in joining the Shakey’s GVIL has exponentially grown, and it is an honor for us, a pleasure for us to be able to host them again this year,” said Dr. Ian Laurel, president of the league organizer Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. during the tournament presser on Wednesday at the Shakey’s Paseo de Magallanes.

NU leads the 20-team Division I while titleholder Domuschola International School from Pasig banners the Division II with 24 teams.

The NU Lady Bullpups have been drawn to Pool A with King’s Montessori, inaugural champion California Academy, Lyceum of the Philippines Academy and Bethel Academy.

Bacolod Tay Tung, which finished runner-up to NU last year, spearheads Pool B with Canossa Academy, Holy Rosary College, University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta and Immaculate Conception College, while De La Salle-Lipa, Far Eastern University-Diliman, University of the Philippines Integrated School, San Felipe Neri Catholic School and St. John’s Institute make up Pool C.

Former champion Adamson University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Chiang Kai Shek College, University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle Santiago Zobel are in Pool D to complete Division I.

Domuschola International School, which drubbed Everest International Academy in the finale last year, headlines Pool E in Division II with Miriam College, Corpus Christi School, The Beacon Academy, MGC-New Life Christian Academy and San Beda University.

Runner-up Everest International Academy, La Salle Green Hills, Diverse Auckland Cubs, Saint Pedro Poveda College, St. Theresa’s College-Quezon City and UST-B comprise Pool F, while Pool G has Immaculate Conception Academy-Greenhills, Assumption-Antipolo, NU-Nazareth School Team B, St. Jude Parish School, CCF-The Life Academy and PACE Academy.

Completing it are St. Paul College-Pasig, La Salle Zobel-B, St. John Institute Team B, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo De Cebu, Bacolod Tay Tung Team B and University of Batangas High School in Pool H.

A three-set format will be implemented in the prelims for faster play with the top two teams from each pool marching on to the knockout quarterfinals until the finals featuring the traditional five sets.

But there’s more to it than just claiming the bragging rights as the best high school team, as the finalists will be fielded as the country’s representatives in the SGVIL Invitationals in July against fancied bets from the United States and Japan.

“When it comes to what’s in store for the winners, we are planning a special edition of the SGVIL Invitationals this coming July. We will invite the top two teams in both divisions to play against their US counterparts, who will be arriving this July,” added Mr. Laurel. — John Bryan Ulanday

PSFI and PSC team up to host Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships

THE Pilipinas Sambo Federation, Inc. (PSFI) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will team up when the country hosts the Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships unfolding June 24 to 28 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“Sambo is a sport that needs exposure in the Philippines so here we are,” said PSC Chair Patrick Gregorio in Thursday’s media briefer at the Century Park Hotel in Manila.

PSFI President Paolo Tancontian said the country would get a chance to see former World No. 1 and three-time Asian champion Sydney Tancontian in person along with the country’s youngest stars.

“In our 10 years as an association, we at sambo have produced a world No. 1 and Asian champion in Sydney Tancontian and we hope she would inspire young athletes,” said Mr. Tancontian, patriarch.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino, along with PSC Commissioner Fritz Gaston and POC Secretary-General Wharton Chan, graced the launch and lauded the PSC for supporting PSFI.

“If not for the PSC, sambo will not have this big event so we thank the PSC for being aggressive in supporting and hosting international events like this one,” said Mr. Tolentino.

A total of 29 countries including Australia and New Zealand are battling for the 72 gold medals at stake including some in the juniors and cadet divisions. — Joey Villar

Tyrese Maxey scores 31, sends Philadelphia 76ers past Orlando Magic, into Eastern Conference playoffs

TYRESE MAXEY scored 11 of his team-high 31 points in the fourth quarter on Wednesday night for the host Philadelphia 76ers, who advanced to the Eastern Conference playoffs by beating the Orlando Magic, 109-97, in a play-in game.

The 76ers, who finished in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a 45-37 record, will be the seventh seed and will face the second-seeded Boston Celtics in a best-of-seven series starting on Sunday.

The Magic, who were also 45-37 but lost the home-court tiebreaker to the 76ers via Philadelphia’s 2-1 record in the season series, will face the ninth-place Charlotte Hornets in a play-in game to determine the eighth seed on Friday. The Hornets edged the 10th place Miami Heat, 127-126, in overtime on Tuesday.

Starter VJ Edgecombe (19 points, 11 rebounds) and reserve Andre Drummond (14 points, 10 rebounds) each had a double-double for the 76ers, who missed the playoffs last year after qualifying seven seasons in a row.

“Go back to the opening press conference of the year. I said we’ve got a really, really big hole to dig out of and we want to get in the tournament somehow,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. “It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t pretty, but we’re here now. And now we’ve got to see what we can do with it.”

Philadelphia’s Kelly Oubre, Jr. scored 19 points while Paul George added 16 points.

Desmond Bane put up 34 points for the Magic, who are aiming for their third straight playoff appearance. Paolo Banchero had 18 points while Anthony Black collected 13 points off the bench. Franz Wagner added 12 points.

“There’s frustration,” Bane said, “but it’s also a great opportunity ahead of us on Friday, getting the chance to play at home in front of our fans against another good team and the chance to go clinch a playoff spot against the Detroit Pistons.”

Neither team led by more than six in the first half, which ended with the 76ers ahead, 59-55. Bane and Banchero combined for the first five points of the third quarter before Edgecombe hit a 3-pointer to put Philadelphia ahead for good at 62-60 with 10:54 left, sparking a 14-2 run. The Magic ended the quarter on a 12-6 surge to close within 79-74.

Bane’s 3-pointer pulled the Magic within 83-81 with 9:47 remaining, after which George missed 3-point attempt. But Bane also missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer with 9:16 left, and Maxey answered with a layup to extend the 76ers’ lead to 85-81.

Orlando pulled within one or two points twice more, but Edgecombe and Maxey responded with jumpers on those occasions. Maxey scored seven unanswered points to give the 76ers a 94-86 edge with 6:25 left. The hosts led by at least four the rest of the way. — Reuters

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