Disposal, the problem of the future

May 19, 2021 | 8:00 pm

A recent item on the Wonderful Engineering website discusses a scientific breakthrough in battery technology that solves a “40-year-old problem.” A team at Harvard University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) is developing a battery using “lithium-metal,” which can store more energy and charge at a fraction of the time compared to “lithium-ion” batteries.

Xin Li, an associate professor at SEAS, noted, “A lithium-metal battery is considered the holy grail for battery chemistry because of its high capacity and energy density. But the stability of these batteries has always been poor… By studying their fundamental thermodynamics, we can unlock superior performance and harness their abundant opportunities.

“This proof-of-concept design shows that lithium-metal solid-state batteries could be competitive with commercial lithium-ion batteries. And the flexibility and versatility of our multilayer design makes it potentially compatible with mass production procedures in the battery industry,” he added.

I believe it is only a matter of time before the Harvard team’s research leads to commercial production of better batteries. More and more the world is relying on non-fossil fuel energy sources, to support the increasing demand, particularly for portable computers and mobile devices, as well as electric vehicles.

The thing is, as battery technology improves and battery use ramps up, who is currently looking into battery disposal? Or, more important, battery recycling? As I had tackled in previous columns, the shift to non-fossil fuel energy will eventually lead to a crisis in disposal unless we also start working on new systems and technologies for disposal.

In a report, BBC Technology of Business reporter Emma Woollacott noted that by 2030, the EU hopes to have 30 million electric cars on European roads. Of course, electric cars run on batteries. And these power sources eventually get spent. Over time, they degrade and require replacement. But, for every replacement, there will be an issue of disposal.

“The rate at which we’re growing the [European electric vehicle] industry is absolutely scary,” Woollacott quotes Paul Anderson of the University of Birmingham, also co-director of the Birmingham Center for Strategic Elements and Critical Materials. “It’s something that’s never really been done before at that rate of growth for a completely new product.”

He adds, “In 10 to 15 years when there are large numbers coming to the end of their life, it’s going to be very important that we have a recycling industry.” Woollacott notes in her report that while traditional lead-acid batteries are widely recycled, the same cannot be said for the lithium-ion versions used in electric cars. The same may be the case for lithium-metal batteries.

“Currently, globally, it’s very hard to get detailed figures for what percentage of lithium-ion batteries are recycled, but the value everyone quotes is about 5%,” according to Anderson. “In some parts of the world it’s considerably less.” It can be assumed that in most cases, old batteries are simply dumped.

With the introduction of electric and hybrid vehicles in the Philippines, I wonder if regulators and policymakers have considered regulations — or legislation — to manage the disposal of batteries from electric vehicles. Or, for that matter, disposal of solar panels from solar farms and solar homes, and used turbines from wind farms. Over time, all these materials degrade and are replaced.

The BBC notes that Nissan is now reusing old batteries from its Leaf cars in the automated guided vehicles that deliver parts to workers in its factories. Volkswagen is said to be doing the same, but has opened its first recycling plant, in Salzgitter, Germany, that can recycle up to 3,600 battery systems per year during the pilot phase. Renault is also recycling all its electric car batteries.

Perhaps for major car manufacturers, recycling EV batteries is not that difficult. But, what about the thousands of electric bikes, scooters, tricycles, and other electric personal mobility devices or transportation now on our roads? At some point, their batteries will run down. How do we currently regulate the disposal of their used batteries?

In a previous column, I cited a report in Bloomberg Green by Chris Martin on how wind turbine blades from wind energy farms all over the world couldn’t be recycled and were now piling up in landfills, and that companies were now searching for ways to deal with the tens of thousands of blades that have reached the end of their lives.

For wind turbines, disposal doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. And large-scale recycling is still not an option at this point. So, those used giant fiberglass blades eventually end up in landfills and add to solid waste pollution. And, if they degrade over time, maybe some toxic waste will also go into the soil.

The disposal “problem” affects the solar energy industry as well. The International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that by 2050, up to 78 million metric tons of solar panels will have reached the end of their life, and this will result in about six million metric tons of new solar e-waste annually. And, just like wind turbine blades, these used solar panels will also mostly end up in landfills. And with solar panels, when they break down, toxic waste does go into the soil.

The proper disposal of EV batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, and electronic devices will be the big problem of the future. In this line, energy and technology policies cannot be short-sighted. Companies in renewable energy and EVs should also consider technologies and facilities to recycle their own waste, either on their own or through partners.

We require industries and businesses to clean their air emissions and their water discharge or general effluents. Then, shouldn’t we require EV companies to recycle their own batteries; wind farms to recycle their own turbines; solar farms to recycle their own panels; and, computer makers and mobile phone makers to recycle their own waste? Their waste shouldn’t end up in landfills.

As I had noted in a previous column, the very things we are doing now, like shifting to renewable energy and other non-fossil fuel sources to save the environment, are the very things that will become the source of environmental challenges in the future. That is, if we don’t plan things better. “Clean up” should always be part of the development agenda.

Marvin Tort is a former managing editor of BusinessWorld, and a former chairman of the Philippine Press Council

matort@yahoo.com

The challenge of education quality is being addressed

May 19, 2021 | 8:00 pm

Last week, Mr. Andrew J. Masigan in his column, “Plummeting education standards: A national emergency,” wrote about our poor results in the 2018 cycle of the Programme for International Student Assessment, or PISA. PISA looks into the learners’ ability to apply in various settings the knowledge they have gained in formal education, covering three foundational domains: Reading Literacy, Mathematical Literacy, and Scientific Literacy.

As a Department led by an academic in Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, we foster a culture of critical thinking, and so we welcome the skepticism and criticism required by this culture. Mr. Masigan reiterates what DepEd had emphasized in its report: our PISA results reflect the urgency to decisively address the challenge of quality in basic education. However, in his analysis of the causes and response to this issue, we find that he made arguments that are misinformed and misleading.

The thesis of Mr. Masigan’s column is that education standards are “plummeting.” To plummet is to fall straight down at a high speed, or to drop sharply and abruptly. By juxtaposing our PISA performance with the word “plummeting,” he creates an impression that education standards have taken a precipitous fall under the present administration, without establishing a reference origin.

The Philippines participated in PISA for the first time in 2018 since it was first administered in 2000. It was not imposed on us, but was the deliberate decision of Secretary Briones to signal DepEd’s determination to confront the challenge of quality, to benchmark against global standards, and to take advantage of an independent assessment designed by education experts. The results are available not only to DepEd, but also to other organizations like the Philippine Institute for Development Studies and the World Bank, as well to academics, for study and recommendation.

The 2018 PISA results confirmed what we already knew and were prepared to address about the quality of basic education, and jolted everyone to the urgency of addressing education quality. Ironically, it is now being used by Mr. Masigan to support his claim that education standards are plummeting due to “the government’s lack of urgency and lackadaisical attitude towards uplifting our education standards.” He adds that education “was never high on the Duterte’s government’s list of priorities.”

From a budget standpoint, DepEd got P568.4 billion in 2017, a 31.1% increase from 2016, higher than at any other year from the previous administration. The budget dipped in 2019 to P531.6 billion to contribute to free tertiary education. While DepEd contributed P8.2 billion to Bayanihan 1, it was a net recipient of P4.3 billion in Bayanihan 2. Mr. Masigan in fact contradicts himself in the same column when he noted that “the DepEd, under the leadership of Secretary Leonor Briones, has secured the lion’s share of the national budget amounting to more than P600 billion per year.”

From a focus standpoint, Secretary Briones flagged quality as a key challenge for the education sector from the beginning of her term, based on the historically poor results in the National Achievement Test. The first section of her vision and agenda document, “Quality, Accessible, Relevant, and Liberating Basic Education for All” talked about “Our foremost task: Raise the quality of education.” She acknowledged that “the K to 12 basic education program rolled out by the preceding term led by Br. Armin Luistro should be seen in the light of the challenge of raising the quality of education,” and gave her commitment to its full implementation.

Mr. Masigan makes a sweeping dismissal of the DepEd’s thrusts as “a basket of motherhood statements.” The thrusts he refers to are the four components of DepEd’s program Sulong EduKalidad, namely, the review and updating of the K to 12 curriculum, the continuous improvement of the learning environment, the upskilling of teachers and school leaders through a transformed professional development program, and the engagement of stakeholders for support and collaboration.

Without looking into the work that has gone into them, it may be easy to dismiss these as vague platitudes, but had Mr. Masigan taken time to check, he would have learned about the progress of DepEd’s various programs under Sulong EduKalidad. For example: the recently completed K to 12 review report through a technical assistance from the Assessment Curriculum and Technology Research Center; investments like the 213,736 new teaching items created (and 93% filled), more than 125,000 new classrooms, and over 62,000 ICT packages delivered, among others; the National Educators’ Academy of the Philippines transformation program, with 73 new plantilla items secured, guidelines for the recognition of professional development programs finalized, and a customized graduate program developed by the Philippine Normal University; initiatives in pre-service education of teachers through the legislative route led by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and Representative Roman Romulo; and, the convening of the Educ Forum as a platform for consultation, collaboration and high level advice.

I agree with Mr. Masigan that education should be approached holistically. COVID-19 compels us to broaden our perspective on education, learning space and learning processes. The disruption of in-school learning delivery has necessitated that we reach out to households and communities as active partners in the learning process. We need to acknowledge that aside from teachers, our neighbors, the media, scientists, and our leaders all have an effect on learning.

There are no quick fixes to quality. Meeting the challenge will take time. It will require that we work together in a manner that is informed, deliberative, and responsible.

* Access the full version of the response here: NMalaluan – Response on Educ Quality – full version.pdf

Signed,

Undersecretary

Nepomuceno A. Malaluan

Department of Education

Our lowered expectations

May 19, 2021 | 8:00 pm

LOWERING EXPECTATIONS is supposed to be an antidote against disappointment, and a way to be content. The more modest the goals, the easier to surpass them — that’s the belief. It’s the key to happiness.

The practice of intentionally lowering the expectation of others is also called “sandbagging.” It compels companies, especially those listed in the stock exchange, to give low guidance numbers for future revenues and profits. Sometimes, the numbers they disclose to investors and analysts have already been achieved but are not yet reflected in the financial statements. This allows the companies to then exceed expectations when the actual numbers are reflected, thus being rewarded with a higher price for the stock.

There was a popular OPM song by rapper Andrew E in the ’90s that advocated lowered expectations in romantic relationships. “Humanap ka ng Pangit” advises one not to be too picky and just settle for an ugly (even repulsive) mate in order to be happy. There are less chances of being spurned and having your heart broken if you lower your standards. Anyway, she can be kind and forgiving. The rich DOM fits the bill too.

Have we lowered our expectations when it comes to our country? Maybe brought them too low? Here are some effects of settling for less than we deserve.

We accept the lack of civility in political discourse. The leader, when he pops up for some announcement, deals with criticisms and perceived shortcomings (like failing to feed the hungry) with personal attacks and street-level insults, laced with challenges to brawls… or debates to squeeze away from afterwards. (What if he loses?)

Uncivil and bleeped-for-TV language has become so routine that we have learned to shrug it off and just consider it part of the evening news. Invectives and profane language in public are not to be imitated. These are prerogatives allowed only to the leader. And that’s the official word of the spokesman.

The news on our country being the tail-ender in the region in terms of economic growth (or contraction) and the worst performing in the handling of the pandemic… except maybe for India which is announced with a misplaced sense of complacency.

Even this early, in our selection of the best candidates for next year’s election, we automatically dismiss people who are too bright, too honest, or too respectful of the law as simply “unwinnable” with no appeal to the masses. Thus do we gravitate to the mediocre, but popular, possibilities. This attitude of settling for the least qualified would be laughable in a corporate setting. Would a law firm reject a bar topnotcher because he does not relate well to the filing clerks and messengers?

Absences from the work of inspiring the nation, providing leadership, and charting the way forward? That’s okay. As long as the others do the work. There’s a committee on it. Not showing up for long stretches is an extreme case of working under the mosquito net. Indeed, the job is too stressful.

All these effects of lowered expectations are justified with a shrug — it is what it is. But should it be so? Can we not raise our expectations a bit? Doesn’t our country deserve higher standards and more ambitious goals? Can it not aim higher in its choice of its leaders including for local government and the legislature? Lowered expectations have not served the country well.

The election process has already started. Yes, a year before the actual polling. We need to do our part in voter education, advocacy of the right candidates, and being active participants in the country’s recovery efforts. People Power was not just a celebration of a single historical event. It was an example of active citizenship at work through many months leading to an election, and the people in the streets asserting the choices they made.

Ordinary people are being called to be part of a country raising its own expectations. We can no longer settle for the ugly and the mediocre. We need to raise the bar. No more settling for consolation prizes, like Miss Congeniality. Let’s go for the crown. We’ve done it before. We can do it again.

Raising expectations will make us work harder to achieve more ambitious goals. Disappointment is a small price to pay if we fall short. The country is worth the effort.

Tony Samson is Chairman and CEO of TOUCH xda

ar.samson@yahoo.com

PFF rues naturalization setback of Marañon but remains hopeful

May 19, 2021 | 7:34 pm

BIenve-(2) — SPANISH striker Bienvenido Marañon is still waiting for his Filipino naturalization to be made official. — PHILIPPINES FOOTBALL LEAGUE

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THE Philippine Football Federation (PFF) expressed disappointment over the delay in the Filipino naturalization of Spanish striker Bienvenido Marañon, but it remains hopeful of it eventually getting the nod.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, PFF President Mariano Araneta said it was unfortunate that the papers of Mr. Marañon did not progress as hoped just as they were looking forward to adding the player to the national team in time for a key continental tournament next month.

The PFF statement came on the heels of the naturalization of Ivorian basketball player Angelo Kouame being signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday and announced a day later.

The papers of Mr. Kouame were filed around the same time as Mr. Marañon’s but while the former’s bid progressed, the latter’s papers were yet to be transmitted to Malacañang pending amendments to the bill granting him Filipino citizenship.

The naturalization of Mr. Marañon was discussed in the plenary of the House of Representatives on Tuesday with Congress concurring with Senate amendments on the bill.

The PFF could only surmise that the current challenges with the pandemic might have caused the delay, but it still could not help but rue what happened.

“We understand the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the process which may have stalled Bienve’s papers in Congress. [But] It is unfortunate that Bienve wasn’t able to get his naturalization on the same day as Angelo as both of them went through the process together,” said Mr. Araneta.

The PFF head went on to say that admittedly, the snag has a direct effect on their push to assemble a formidable team for the joint continental qualifiers in early June.

“We have been facing challenges in preparing the men’s national team for the remaining matches of the joint FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in China starting June 3. We were hoping that the urgency of our situation would have made the process of Bienve’s naturalization faster. But with the current situation, we are facing the prospect of not having Bienve in the team for the remaining matches, considering the numerous requirements he has to comply with before he can suit up for the country.”

Just the same, Mr. Araneta said they in the PFF “remain patient and hopeful that Bienvenido Marañon can join the national team in the future.”

Mr. Marañon has been a steady fixture in the Philippines Football League as a member of Ceres-Negros FC, and, now, United City Football Club, where he is the top scorer.

NCAA Season 96 primer set for airing beginning May 23

May 19, 2021 | 7:34 pm

Martin-Javier-(right)-and-Sophia-Senoron. — SPORTSCASTER Martin Javier and model/actress Sophia Senoron are the hosts of the NCAA Season 96 primer Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96 which will begin airing on May 23 over GTV.

THE countdown for the much-awaited return of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) picks up beginning May 23 as the primer Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96 starts its daily airing over GTV.

One of the early offerings of GMA Network as the new broadcast partner of the country’s oldest collegiate league, Rise Up Stronger serves to drum up interest for the return of the NCAA from the pandemic-forced break.

The show, which is done under the lead of GMA Synergy, a collaborative effort of different groups in the Kapuso Network, is designed to give viewers their daily dose of everything and anything NCAA.

Sportscaster Martin Javier and model/actress Sophia Senoron are the hosts of the show.

“We are excited for the airing of Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96 because it is a product of great collaboration amid a very unique situation,” said GMA Regional TV and Synergy First Vice-President and Head Oliver Victor Amoroso at the media conference for the show on Tuesday.

“The network really put in the effort and the resources needed to show to our viewers here and abroad the world-class talent of our Filipino student athletes. We hope NCAA fans will look forward to the episodes we prepared for them every day,” he added.

For Mr. Javier, the show is commendable for its aim to spotlight the true heroes of the NCAA in the athletes and he is proud to be part of delivering such a message.

“The NCAA is a wonderful league. A lot of great athletes came from it. And I’m very happy and honored to be presenting their stories in the NCAA’s new home,” he said in the media conference.

He went on to say that they are hopeful as well that the show will set the pace for the eventual resumption of collegiate sports activities in the country.

Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96 will be aired on GTV on Sundays at 5:05 p.m., Saturdays at 4:30 p.m., and Mondays to Fridays at 2:45 p.m.

For those abroad, it can be seen via GMA Pinoy TV and GMA News TV.

For its pilot week, joining Mr. Javier and Ms. Senoron as well are Kapuso stars and personalities Derek Ramsay, Kyline Alcantara, Boobay, Kim de Leon, Chef JR Royol, Yasser Marta, Faye Lorenzo, and Elle Villanueva, among others. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Fil-Am BMX racer Patrick Coo pursuing his Olympic dream

May 19, 2021 | 7:33 pm

FILIPINO-AMERICAN BMX racer Patrick Coo is currently preparing to make a push for his Olympic dream at the UCI BMX World Cup 2021 in Colombia from May 29-30. — PATRICK COO FB PAGE

FILIPINO-AMERICAN bicycle motocross (BMX) racer Patrick Coo is currently preparing to make a push for his Olympic dream.

The 19-year-old Coo, who is based in Bellflower, California, is set to compete at the UCI BMX World Cup 2021 in Colombia from May 29-30 where he hopes to earn qualification for the rescheduled Tokyo Games later this year.

He needs to finish at least in fourth place in the Bogota qualifier to book a spot in the Olympics.

The opportunity given him has Mr. Coo very excited and honored and that he is looking to get the best possible result in the qualifiers.

“I am proud to be racing for the Philippines. It has been a dream,” said the 2019 Asian Juniors BMX Championship champion and Team Philippines member. “I’m training really hard.”

For added inspiration, he is taking to heart the advice of BMX Olympian Daniel Caluag, who represented the country in the 2012 Summer Games in London.

“Danny has always been a great man and inspiration to me. He is my biggest motivation. After watching him in the 2012 Olympics, it is something that I also want to do, put our country on the map,” he said.

Adding, “Danny always told me to ride for fun and raise my heart out and that’s all that matters.”

Mr. Caluag was a no-go for the qualifiers because of his job as a frontliner nurse in the United States.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Sports Commission is rallying behind Mr. Coo’s Olympic push, providing almost P1.2-million financial assistance for his campaign in Colombia.

It also approved additional funding of P321,298 to cover the airfare, accommodation, allowance, visa fee, insurance, COVID swab test, and entry fee of Mr. Coo’s entourage along with national coaches Ednalyn Hualda and Frederick Farr.

“We have a lot of talented Filipino cyclists and one of them is our teenage BMX cyclist Patrick Coo. We are counting on him,” said PSC Chairman William Ramirez. “Patrick has a lot of potential, not only for this year but in the next Olympic cycle in Paris, France.”

In Bogota, Mr. Coo said he is expecting a very tough competition, but he is not allowing it to distract him in seeing through his goals.

“Dreams don’t work unless you work for it. We’re chasing the dream right now and the dream is the goal. I’ll do my best and hopefully, I’ll make it to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics,” he said.

If he does qualify, Mr. Coo will be joining eight other Filipino athletes who have already qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo to date, namely; pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, boxers Eumir Felix Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio, and Carlo Paalam; weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, and rower Cris Nievarez. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

‘No vaccine, no participation’ in effect at Hanoi SEA Games

May 19, 2021 | 7:33 pm

Lopez — To be able to compete in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, later this year, Filipino athletes must be vaccinated against the coronavirus after organizers decided to enforce a “no vaccine, no participation” policy. (2019 SEA Games website)

Filipino athletes competing in the 31^st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, later this year must be vaccinated against the coronavirus after organizers decided to enforce a “no vaccine, no participation” policy.

The Vietnam SEA Games Organizing Committee made the announcement during an online SEA Games Federation meeting on Tuesday, said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino.

The POC head that they were assured by the organizing committee that the biennial Games will push through but they will be strict in enforcing the vaccine policy.

“Their policy [no vaccine, no participation policy] is for the good of everyone,” said Mr. Tolentino in a statement.

He went to share that in relation to this they have written the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to consider prioritizing as well the inoculation of SEA Games-bound delegates, especially athletes and coaches.

“Most of the athletes from our Southeast Asian counterparts are already vaccinated and we’re the only country that is left behind,” Mr. Tolentino underscored.

Earlier, the POC said it intends to send 626 athletes for the Vietnam SEA Games, competing 39 sports.

The local Olympic body has already advised all national sports association to identify the athletes who will be prioritized for the vaccination program.

For its vaccination program, the POC has a $40,000 (P1.9-million) grant from the Olympic Council of Asia that would be used to purchase the vaccines.

POC first vice president Al Panlilio was tasked to lead the vaccine procurement. – Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Jayson Tatum scores 50 as Boston Celtics earn 7th seed

May 19, 2021 | 7:32 pm

BOSTON Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball over Washington Wizards forward Davis Bertans (42) during the first half at TD Garden. — REUTERS

JAYSON Tatum scored 23 of his 50 points in the third quarter and the Boston Celtics punched their playoff ticket with a 118-100 victory over the Washington Wizards in an NBA play-in contest on Tuesday night.

Kemba Walker added 29 points as Boston, which had lost five of its final six regular-season games, claimed the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference bracket. The Celtics will meet the second-seeded Brooklyn Nets in a first-round matchup.

Washington will have one more chance to make the postseason when it hosts the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night. The winner of that contest will land the No. 8 seed and face the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.

Bradley Beal scored 22 points while dealing with a hamstring injury for the Wizards. Russell Westbrook had 20 points, 14 rebounds and five assists but was just 6-of-18 shooting. Ish Smith recorded 17 points and eight rebounds for Washington.

Tristan Thompson added 12 points and 12 rebounds for Boston, which shot 39.6 percent, including 15 of 45 from 3-point range. Walker hit 6 of 14 from long distance and Tatum made 5 of 12.

Daniel Gafford scored 12 points for the Wizards, who made 43.5 percent of their shots but were just 3 of 21 from behind the arc.

Washington, which went 17-6 to finish the season, led 56-55 in the opening minute of the third quarter before the Celtics exploded with 14 straight points as part of a 19-2 burst.

Walker began the spurt with three consecutive 3-pointers and Tatum followed with a 16-footer and a 3-pointer to give Boston a 69-56 lead with 8:09 left.

Gafford scored on a tip-in to interrupt the run, but Tatum answered with a dunk and a 3-pointer as the Celtics took a 74-58 advantage with 7:13 remaining in the quarter.

Tatum knocked down a 22-footer with 28.1 seconds left to cap his huge quarter and give Boston a 90-80 lead entering the final stanza.

Washington trailed by seven early in the fourth quarter, but Boston answered with a 15-4 spurt. Tatum capped the run with a 3-pointer to make it 106-88 with 5:32 left. Just 66 seconds later, Tatum hit two free throws to reach the 50-point mark and boost the lead to 110-90.

Walker hit back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 116-94 with 2:36 left. — Reuters

Asian women’s volleyball championships to be played in Pampanga and Subic

May 19, 2021 | 7:32 pm

THE 21^st Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship to be played here in August will have as venue hosts Pampanga and Subic, Zambales.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation, Inc. (PNVF) made the announcement on Wednesday after its president, Ramon Suzara, started this week reaching out to pertinent authorities and partnering with them for the staging of the marquee volleyball tournament slated from Aug. 29 to Sept. 5.

Mr. Suzara got the approval of Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda and Bases Conversion and Development Authority Vice-President Arrey Perez to have their area as one of the hosts.

The PNVF official is also set to meet anew with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Atty. Wilma Eisma.

Mr. Suzara said that the San Fernando Convention Center will be the main competition venue, while the Subic Gym and Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center in Pampanga serve as secondary halls.

Local officials, Mr. Suzara said, were very receptive in becoming a host, seeing it as an opportunity to complement their grassroots sports program.

Renovation on the San Fernando Convention Center is currently under way to meet the international volleyball standards. Jiangmen, China, was originally set to host the continental volleyball tournament before deciding to withdraw.

Mr. Suzara said the PNVF took it as an opportunity to step up to the plate to host the event which the Philippines has hosted twice before in 1997 and 2017.

“We [PNVF] saw the opportunity and we grabbed it,” said Mr. Suzara.

The week-long tournament will also serve as a qualifier for next year’s FIVB Women’s World Championship to be hosted by The Netherlands and Poland.

Mr. Suzara said the Philippine team will start preparing for the tournament in June. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

PBA chief Marcial meets with MMDA officials on existing policies

May 19, 2021 | 7:31 pm

Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Willy Marcial on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos at the agency’s headquarters in Makati City.

The two officials discussed ways to forge stronger coordination particularly during this time of pandemic.

Mr. Marcial also took time to seek clarification and guidance from the MMDA chief regarding existing rules and regulations of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on contact sports such as basketball.

The MMDA official vowed to help the PBA and the basketball industry as a whole, saying they will work on some actions to be undertaken which will be acceptable by the IATF, ensuring that the minimum health protocols being implemented by the government shall be strictly observed and adhered to.

“We have to ensure the safety of everyone, not only the players, but the general viewing public. We cannot compromise the health and well-being of all,” Mr. Abalos said.

The league is eyeing training in Metro Manila as its quarantine status eases to general community quarantine with heightened restrictions.

Mr. Marcial said that in line with their push to resume training they will be strictly complying with minimum health standards and keeping the players and officials safe once given a green light.

Most Japanese medical workers still not fully vaccinated as Olympics loom

May 19, 2021 | 7:30 pm

TOKYO — Less than 30% of Japan’s medics have been vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in major cities with just 65 days to go before the start of the Tokyo Olympics, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Wednesday, amid growing calls for the Games to be canceled.

Cabinet figures released this week showed that three months into Japan’s COVID-19 vaccination push, less than 40% of all medical workers in the country were fully inoculated.

The problem is especially pronounced in Games host-city Tokyo and other large population centres, where the rate of fully vaccinated medical workers was less than 30%, the Nikkei reported.

Much of the supply of vaccine was concentrated in large hospitals, and there had been problems in the reservation systems for medical staff, the newspaper said.

The slow rollout for doctors and nurses has been among complaints cited by medical groups that have come out against holding the Games as Japan battles to contain a surge in infections.

The government is aiming to inoculate most of its 36 million people over the age of 65 by the end of July. To reach that target, the government hopes to deliver about 1 million shots a day, about three times faster than the current pace.

So far, just 3.7% of Japan’s population of 126 million have gotten at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, the lowest rate among wealthy countries. Initially, the holdup was scant supplies of the vaccine developed by Pfizer, Inc and BioNTech SE , the only one approved by regulators so far.

But inbound shipments of the Pfizer shot have increased dramatically in May, and the government is expected to approve Moderna, Inc’s candidate this week for use in mass vaccination centers.

The shot developed by AstraZeneca PLC is also being considered by domestic regulators. — Reuters

PSG squeeze into French Cup final on penalties

May 19, 2021 | 7:30 pm

PARIS — Holders Paris St.-Germain reached the French Cup final after a nailbiting 6-5 penalty shootout win at Montpellier as the match ended 2-2 in regular time after the home side twice came from behind on Wednesday.

The outcome was a relief for manager Mauricio Pochettino after PSG were knocked out of the Champions League semifinals by Manchester City and trail Ligue 1 leaders Lille by three points with two games left.

“There is a magic in cup matches and they are never easy, but we could have made it easer for ourselves because we missed a lot of chances,” Pochettino told reporters. “We lack consistency and we have to work harder to find it.”

PSG’s best chance of winning a trophy this season will be the May 19 cup final at Stade de France against either Monaco or fourth-tier Rumilly Vallieres, who meet in the other semifinal on Thursday.

Junior Sambia blazed Montpellier’s final penalty over the bar before Moise Kean drilled in his spot-kick to send PSG through, with the visitors almost paying the price for missing a string of chances in regular time.

Kylian Mbappe returned from a niggling leg injury with an electrifying performance as he fired PSG ahead in the 10^th minute and restored their lead in the 50^th after Gaetan Laborde levelled on the stroke of half time.

Mbappe tormented his markers all evening and opened the scoring with a neat finish as he raced past two defenders to take a fine through ball by Idrissa Gueye in his stride and drill a rising shot past goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud.

Wasteful finishing cost PSG as Laborde leveled out of the blue with a spectacular shot into the top corner after he pulled away from Alessandro Florenzi on the left.

Mbappe struck again when he capped a fast break with a trademark finish, but PSG’s profligacy was punished again when Andy Delort tapped in Laborde’s perfect cutback in the 83^rd minute.

The visitors flirted with an exit as Montpellier kept gaining the upper hand in the shootout until Sambia lost his nerve and substitute Kean sealed a pulsating clash when he blasted his shot past Bertaud.

Mbappe, who took no part in the penalty shootout as he was substituted moments before Delort’s equalizer, was glad PSG survived some anxious moments.

“It was really stressful to watch the shootout from the sidelines and we are delighted to be in a position to defend the trophy,” he told French Eurosport.

“We played better than we did in the last few matches, but we must stop letting our rivals back into games.” — Reuters