PHL-Japan disaster relief training

July 8, 2021 | 8:14 pm

THE AIR forces of Japan and the Philippines, two countries vulnerable to natural calamities, concluded on July 8 a four-day bilateral training on emergency and disaster relief operations at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga. During the training, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) deployed a training unit of a Lockheed C-130H cargo aircraft. Only ground training exercises were held as inflight exercises were canceled following the Philippine Air Force C-130H plane crash in Sulu on July 4. “As a strategic partner and friend of the Philippines, we are very much satisfied that our bilateral training contributes greatly to further strengthen the cooperation between our two Air Forces.” Major Mizuno Masaki, JASDF unit commander, said.

Giannis: Feels good playing in the NBA Finals

July 8, 2021 | 7:16 pm

Giannis-(2) — “IT FELT good. It felt good. Just wearing the jacket and seeing the Finals logo on the jacket and the jersey; obviously, we didn’t get the win, but it’s good to be here,” said the Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo after Game One of the NBA Finals. — MILWAUKEE BUCKS FB PAGE

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

GIANNIS Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns in Game One of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals but for the two-time league most valuable player, it did not make a dent on the excitement of playing in his first-ever “Big Dance.”

“It felt good. It felt good. Just wearing the jacket and seeing the Finals logo on the jacket and the jersey; obviously, we didn’t get the win, but it’s good to be here,” said the Bucks superstar in the postgame interview, the transcript of which was shared to Philippine sports media.

“It’s good to enjoy the moment, enjoy the games. You can never take things like this for granted and just try to make the best out of it. We worked hard all year to have an opportunity to win a championship, and we’re going to keep working hard day-by-day and put ourselves in a position to win,” he added.

The Bucks fell to the Suns, 118-105, in the opener of the NBA Finals on Wednesday (Manila time) in Phoenix off solid games for the home team’s “Big Three” of Chris Paul (32 points and nine assists), Devin Booker (27 points) and DeAndre Ayton (22 points and 19 rebounds).

Mr. Antetokounmpo returned from a hyperextended left knee he suffered in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals (ECF) against the Atlanta Hawks, and tallied 20 points and 17 rebounds in 35 minutes of play in his first game back.

“Physically I feel better, mentally I feel good, and I try to figure it out,” Mr. Antetokounmpo said of the current status of his health.

He went on to say, as was seen in Game One, they have their hands full against the Suns, who like the Bucks are in their first NBA Finals in decades.

Mr. Antetokounmpo particularly pointed to All-Stars Paul and Booker as key to Phoenix’s success and that they must do a better job at limiting their impact on the games.

“[We] Just gotta keep making it tough on them, tough as possible. They are going to get a lot of shots to go. [They are] Great playmakers. Most of the time, they are going to make the right decision. The ball is going to be in their hands a lot. Just have to make it as tough as possible,” he said.

While they are down early in the series, Mr. Antetokounmpo said they are still confident of finding their way back, honed by the many adversities they had to deal with previously, including losing a 2-0 ECF lead to eventual 2019 NBA champs Toronto Raptors and being booted out in the first round of the playoffs last season by the Miami Heat.

“We just have to keep finding a way. You cannot predict the future. But in any situation we are in, we’ve got to find a way to win the game, win the game and find a solution to be better, play better and do it together, yeah,” he said.

The Bucks are back in the Finals again since 1974 and are looking to win another title in addition to their lone championship won in 1971.

Phoenix, meanwhile, has not won an NBA title and is playing in their first championship series since 1993.

Game Two of the NBA Finals can be seen on NBA TV Philippines and on TV5 on Friday, July 9, at 9 a.m.

Olympic-bound Obiena rises to sixth in world rankings

July 8, 2021 | 7:16 pm

TOKYO Olympic-bound pole-vaulter EJ Obiena continues to pack momentum heading into the quadrennial sporting meet, now improving to sixth in the world rankings.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Mr. Obiena, 25, the first Filipino athlete to book a spot in the rescheduled Olympics this year, shared that he has climbed to sixth in the rankings from 10^th place previously.

He padded his cause after doing well in European tournaments he recently joined in, which he used as part of his preparation for his Olympic campaign beginning later this month.

Among the tournaments he competed in was the 2021 Taby Stavhoppsgala Street Pole Vault in Stockholm, Sweden, where he won gold by clearing 5.8 meters.

In the latest rankings released by World Athletics, Mr. Obiena garnered a score of 1,343, bested only by Sweden’s Armand Duplantis (1,524), United States’ Sam Kendricks (1,469), Poland’s Piotr Lisek (1,443), France’s Renaud Lavillenie (1,379) and US’ Christopher Nilsen (1,360).

Mr. Obiena said the rise in rankings serves as further inspiration for him to do well in the Tokyo Olympics and bring pride and glory to the Philippines.

“Pursue your passion and prepare to work hard, real hard. Work continues, but this fills me with inspiration and gratitude,” Mr. Obiena wrote on Facebook.

“The Olympics is very near and no one can predict the results, but rest assured that the fighting spirit is very much alive. We will proudly not just represent the Philippines, but fight for its glory,” he added.

Mr. Obiena earned a spot in the Olympics in September 2019 in the Summer Universiade in Italy.

Since then, 18 other Filipino athletes booked spots for the Tokyo Games, namely, gymnast Caloy Yulo, boxers Eumir Felix Marcial, Irish Magno, Nethy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Erleen Ann Ando, rower Cris Nievarez, taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, golfers Juvic Pagunsan, Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan, shooter Jayson Valdez, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, trackster Kristina Knott and swimmers Luke Gebbie and Remedy Rule.

The Olympic Games happens from July 23 to Aug. 8. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Alex Eala, doubles partner Priska Nugroho looking to sustain strong start to Wimbledon campaign

July 8, 2021 | 7:13 pm

Ealadoubles2 — FILIPINO Alex Eala (right) and Indonesian partner Priska Nugroho were to play in the second round of the Wimbledon girls’ doubles event later on Thursday. — ALEX EALA FB PAGE

THE girls’ doubles tandem of Filipino Alex Eala and Indonesian Priska Nugroho got its debut Wimbledon campaign off to a rousing start on Wednesday and out to sustain it.

The two defeated Erika Matsuda of Japan and Valencia Xu of the United States in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0, in their opening doubles match.

Mses. Eala and Nugroho were dominant, never allowing their opponents to get any headway and finishing the contest in just 32 minutes.

In each of the two sets, the Philippine-Indonesian team raced to an early 2-0 lead and never looked back from there.

The win thrust the Eala-Nugroho team to the second round of the tournament where they were set to face the duo of Chelsea Fontenel of Switzerland and Ashlyn Krueger of the United States later on Thursday.

Mses. Eala and Nugroho, the third-seeded team in Wimbledon, partnered to win the 2020 Australian Open. Rafa Nadal Academy scholar Eala was also part of the French Open title-winning girls doubles team early this year.

It was a busy Thursday for Ms. Eala, 16, in London as she was also to play in the second round of the girls’ singles event against Spanish netter Ane Mintegi Del Olmo.

She booked a spot in the round of 32 after defeating Argentina’s Solena Sierra, 6-2, 6-4, in her first match. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Hanoi SEA Games postponed; EJ Obiena, Kiyomi Watanabe PHL flag-bearers in Olympics

July 8, 2021 | 7:11 pm

THE 31^st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, set for later this year is not pushing through over COVID-19 concerns.

Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino shared the development in a virtual media conference on Thursday after he attended the meeting of the SEA Games Federation where the decision to defer was made.

“The federation unanimously decided not to hold the SEA Games this year because of COVID,” said Mr. Tolentino. “Vietnam was having a tough time deciding because of the situation with COVID so we just moved to have it postponed to give them more time.”

The POC head said no specific date has been given yet on when the rescheduled SEA Games will take place, leaving the decision on Vietnam, but Mr. Tolentino said they are hoping to have it happen within the first half of next year.

Philippine chef de mission (CDM) to the Hanoi Games Ramon Fernandez lamented the decision to postpone but understood it.

“It’s about public safety and we understand that. We just have to get back to the drawing board and discuss our next moves,” said Mr. Fernandez, who was also with Mr. Tolentino at the media conference.

Also announced were the flag-bearers of the Philippines in the opening ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics, namely pole-vaulter EJ Obiena and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe.

Mr. Tolentino said the selection of the flag-bearers was primarily based on the availability of the athletes by the time of the opening and when their events will be.

Mr. Obiena is expected to be due in Tokyo in time for the start of the Games on July 23 and will compete on July 31. Ms. Watanabe, meanwhile, is already based in Japan.

The flag-bearers will join six Philippine sports officials in the parade, namely Olympic CDM Mariano Araneta, Lani Velasco (swimming), Dave Carter (judo), Daniel Bautista (skateboarding), Cynthia Carrion (gymnastics) and Nolito Velasco (boxing). — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

PhilCycling national trial for road gets going this weekend

July 8, 2021 | 7:09 pm

PHILCYCLING’S national trial for road flags off this weekend. — PHILIPPINE NAVY STANDARD INSURANCE FB PAGE

TOP road cyclists in the country gather at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga on Saturday, July 10, for the national trials of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling).

The elite riders will vie for spots in the national team which will see action in the Asian Road Cycling Championships in August in Thailand, and the 31^st Southeast Asian Games in November in Vietnam.

A total of 111 cyclists — 98 men and 13 women — are registered to compete in the two-day event.

The women’s 17.1-km individual time trial (ITT) kicks things off at 8:30 a.m., followed immediately by the men’s 24.6-km ITT.

The men’s and women’s criterium will follow at midday at the Clark Parade Grounds.

The road races on an out-and-back course — 98.40 kms for women and 147.60 kms for men — are scheduled on Sunday, July 11.

PhilCycling officials, headed by its federation’s president Abraham Tolentino, and executives of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Clark Development Corp. (CDC) are expected to see the national trials off.

The national trials are being staged under a “bubble” setup in close coordination with BCDA and CDC and the Central Luzon Regional Task Force, Office of Civil Defense, Department of Health, Philippine National Police, Province of Pampanga and the Department of Tourism.

It is presented by Standard Insurance, Smart, MVP Sports Foundation, and supported by Go for Gold, Chooks-to-Go, GAC Motor, Gatorade, Versa, 7-Eleven, Le Tour de Filipinas, 7-Eleven, UBE Express, Inc., Powerade, Wilkins, Coca-Cola, Shimano, Bike-X and MadCrank. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

England into Euros final after ending Danish dream run

July 8, 2021 | 7:06 pm

LONDON — England and their long-suffering fans finally have the chance to add another trophy to the 1966 World Cup after they overcame Denmark 2-1 in extra-time on Wednesday to reach the European Championship final for the first time. Harry Kane’s goal, following up after his penalty had been saved, finally saw off battling Denmark to set up a Sunday showdown against Italy, also looking to shake off the ‘60s as they seek to win the title they last lifted in 1968.

On a night to remember in front of almost 60,000 roaring fans, England fell behind to Mikkel Damsgaard’s superb free kick, equalized with an own goal, dominated the game and then won it via their captain, albeit somewhat unconvincingly, in the 104^th minute. “Unbelievable — what a game though,” said Kane. “We dug deep and we got there when it mattered. We reacted really well — we’re in a final at home, what a feeling.” It was of course a particularly special night for coach Gareth Southgate, whose penalty shoot-out miss sent England out of the semifinals of Euro 96. “We said to the players at some point, we’re going to have to show resilience and come back from setbacks, and we did that tonight,” he said. “The most pleasing thing is that we’ve given our fans and our nation a fantastic night and the journey carries on for another four days. We’ve said we want to create memories, I’ve said to the young ones ‘it isn’t always like this.’”

It was a tough way for Denmark to end their emotional ride from the fear and distress of Christian Eriksen’s opening game collapse to their first semifinal since their shock Euro 92 win, but their exhausted players left Wembley with socks rolled down but heads held high. “I am proud of this group and everyone who has been on this journey. It has been fantastic to be involved. I am hungry and empty, but I am also proud,” said Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

CROWD STUNNED
Having swept past Ukraine 4-0 in the quarterfinals, England knew they faced a considerable step up on Wednesday and the quality in the Danish ranks was amply illustrated after 30 minutes when Damsgaard fired a powerful, dipping 25-yard free kick over the wall and beyond the diving Jordan Pickford.

England had reached the semis without conceding a goal and the crowd were stunned. The question of how England would respond to their first real setback would now be addressed.

The answer was calmly and patiently, as they passed their way back into the ascendancy. Raheem Sterling was denied at point-blank range by Kasper Schmeichel before the 39^th-minute equalizer, when Bukayo Saka hit the byline and fizzed over a low cross that Simon Kjaer bundled over his own line in his attempt to stop the ball reaching Sterling.

Schmeichel was on hand again with an excellent diving save to palm away a Harry Maguire header and England began to turn the screw in the second half, but, despite their relentless passing and probing around the box, they struggled to carve out a clear opening and the match rolled into extra time.

The extra 30 minutes became a virtual attack vs defense exercise, as Schmeichel saved again from Kane and Jack Grealish and the fear of penalties began to rise among the home fans.

The ever-dangerous Sterling continued to drive into the box though and was eventually brought down by Joakim Maehle for the VAR-reviewed penalty that Kane struck poorly and Schmeichel blocked, only for the captain to tuck home the rebound.

England then negotiated the last 15 minutes to spark the loudest, and surely most confident rendition of “Football’s Coming Home,” ever to ring around Wembley.

“When you’ve waited as long as we have to get through a semifinal, the players — considering the limited international experience some of them have — have done an incredible job,” Southgate said.

“We suffered in Moscow (in the 2018 World Cup semifinal defeat by Croatia) on a night like this and we’ve managed to put that right. It’s an incredible occasion to be a part of. The fans were incredible all night. There was mayhem on the pitch and I was part of it. We’ve got to enjoy the fact we’re in the final, but there’s one more massive hurdle to conquer.” — Reuters

Nevada will not discipline fighters for marijuana use

July 8, 2021 | 7:06 pm

THE Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) unanimously voted against disciplining boxers and UFC/MMA fighters who test positive for marijuana, the organization announced on Wednesday.

This move comes on the heels of the United States Anti-Doping Agency adopting a similar stance.

“We should always be at the forefront of these issues,” NSAC chairman Stephen J. Cloobeck said in a statement. “I believe it’s warranted and merited since it is legal in this state… I think we need to jump forward, being the leader as we’ve always been.”

The NSAC will continue testing for cannabis over the next six months for data collection purposes before determining whether to continue the practice. Any fighter who tests positive will not be punished, however.

The NSAC, however, retained the right to remove a fighter from a bout if they are clearly impaired by marijuana or alcohol.

In 2015, the NSAC voted to suspend UFC fighter Nick Diaz for five years following repeated positive drug tests for marijuana. That ban was later reduced to a year and a half after his appeal. — Reuters

Suns, Bucks aim to stick with plan for Game 2

July 8, 2021 | 7:06 pm

TWO teams that believe they’ve got the other right where they want them hope to follow a successful script when the Milwaukee Bucks and host Phoenix Suns duel in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night.

Seeking their first-ever NBA title in their first trip to the Finals in 28 years, the Suns used a fast pace and near-perfect foul shooting as difference-makers in opening the best-of-seven series with a 118-105 victory on Tuesday night.

Phoenix got 32 points from Chris Paul, 27 from Devin Booker and 22 from Deandre Ayton — and a combined 20-for-20 at the line from the trio — to gain an immediate upper hand for the fourth consecutive time this postseason.

In their prior two Game 1 wins over Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers, the Suns outscored the visitors a combined 29-11 on fastbreak points and missed only three of their 29 free throws. In both rounds, they went on to sweep the first two games at home.

They then outran the Bucks 20-17 and missed only one of their 26 free throws on Tuesday, putting themselves in familiar territory not only in the win-loss column but also in mind-set entering Game 2.

“That’s the deal. You want to win every game. That’s everybody’s motivation,” Suns coach Monty Williams said on Wednesday. “To win the first game at home was great for us. But we also have the mentality that we’re not satisfied. We have been in this situation before.

“We talked about it this morning. We have already started to prepare ourselves for the best Milwaukee effort that we’re going to see in the series. We’re ready for that. I’m grateful for the experiences we have had leading up to this because I think it’s prepared us for the Game 1 and in particular Game 2.”

Like the Suns, the Bucks walked off the Phoenix court following Game 1 with a been-there, done-that vibe. Milwaukee rallied from 1-0 deficits in each of the past two rounds, including thumping the Atlanta Hawks (125-91) in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals en route to winning four of the last five games of the series.

It’s not by design, Milwaukee veteran forward P.J. Tucker assured on Wednesday.

“No, we didn’t want to lose, but we’re here now,” he said. “What are we going to do about it? That’s what this team does. We have guys that react. We learn. We’ll figure it out.

“We’re not playing the guys we were just playing, so we’ve got to adjust some things.”

One thing to which the Bucks unexpectedly find themselves adjusting is the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The two-time league MVP wasn’t necessarily at his best after a two-game absence caused by a hyperextended left knee. He finished with 20 points, which was 12.9 fewer than his average in the eight games immediately prior to sustaining the injury in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.

However, star teammates Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, who between them averaged 55 points and made 36.1 percent of their 3-point attempts in Antetokounmpo’s absence the previous two contests, were even further off their games in his return, totaling just 39 points while shooting 5-for-16 from long range.

Holiday said the Bucks were too unselfish with Antetokounmpo on the court, hesitating to take shots they’d been taking — and making — while he was out of action.

“Bud showed those to us,” Holiday said of a Wednesday film session with coach Mike Budenholzer. “Just got to let them fly.” — Reuters

Naomi Osaka exhorts girls to embrace being ‘different’

July 8, 2021 | 7:06 pm

JAPAN’S Naomi Osaka, a self-confessed introvert who withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon on mental health grounds, has encouraged girls around the world to embrace what make them different.

Osaka, 23, one of Japan’s best gold medal prospects at the Tokyo Olympics, used her spot in the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) “Stronger Together” campaign to say the definition of an Olympian is broader than sometimes thought.

“People might think I’m quiet. Different. That I don’t fit the box of what an Olympian should be,” Osaka says at the start of the video released on Thursday. “But I’m proof that the definition is bigger than people think.”

The minute-long vignette begins with an overhead shot of Osaka about to serve on a tennis court before jumping to footage of her dancing in Tokyo’s central Shibuya district and laughing in front of a mirror with her sister.

The video, which also shows Osaka signing a TV lens after a win and at a tournament representing Japan, depicts girls of all ages playing softball, rugby, tennis, soccer and fencing, plus breakdancing.

“I want to inspire the girls out there watching right now. The ones that some people think are too different. Too quiet. Too something,” said Osaka, who has opened up on her anxiety facing media interviews after intense matches.

“And if we don’t fit that expectation of what people think we’re supposed to be, good. That just means we’re the ones who get to change it.”

Osaka’s video is the third of five athlete narratives in the IOC’s digital campaign ahead of the July 23.-Aug. 8 Tokyo Games. It follows ones by retired world-record sprinter Usain Bolt and skateboarding great Tony Hawk. — Reuters

Saso to play at Evian major

July 8, 2021 | 7:06 pm

FIVE of the top 20 players in the world rankings, including Lexi Thompson and Danielle Kang, will not play in the Evian Championship, the fourth major of the LPGA Tour season.

The Evian, played annually in France at a resort of the same name, is scheduled for July 22-25. This year’s tour schedule packs in two majors (the Evian and the Women’s Open at Carnoustie) and the Tokyo Olympics in the span of a month, July 22 to Aug. 22.

The deadline to commit to the event was Tuesday, according to Golfweek, and Kang and Thompson do not appear in the official field list. They have not publicly said why; however, Kang and Thompson are two of the four women who’ll compete at the Olympics for Team USA, so the tight schedule may have factored into their decision.

Earlier this season, Hannah Green of Australia and Shanshan Feng of China said they would take time off from the tour schedule to prepare for the Olympics. Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, the runner-up at last month’s US Women’s Open, also did not appear on the field list.

That’s not to say the Evian field will be weak. All three of this season’s major champions — Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit (ANA Inspiration), Philippines’ Yuka Saso (US Open) and World No. 1 Nelly Korda (Women’s PGA Championship) — have committed to play in France. So has Korda’s sister Jessica Korda, the final member of the American Olympic team after her sister, Thompson and Kang.

World No. 2 Jin Young Ko of South Korea will look to defend her 2019 Evian title. The major was not contested in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. — Reuters

Shocker

July 8, 2021 | 7:04 pm

Roger Federer fans, and there are legion, couldn’t help but beam with delight after their favorite player steamrolled to his record 18^th quarterfinal-round appearance at Wimbledon earlier this week. He certainly didn’t look the part of a would-be champion heading into this year’s staging of the sport’s premier event. Felled by two knee surgeries and safety protocols owing to the raging pandemic, he was able to play in only eight tournaments in the last 17 months. And his relative lack of sharpness showed early on; in fact, he could very well have been down and out in the first round had hitherto-unheralded opponent Adrian Mannarino not retired due to injury while leading two sets to one.

A week in tennis may not be long, but Federer spoke as if an eternity had passed between his near miss and his dominant showing in the Round of 16. He declared himself “extremely happy” with his performance and continued march at the All England Club. A month short of his 40^th birthday, he appeared to be gaining momentum and peaking at just the right time for a projected meeting with World Number One Novak Djokovic in the final. All he had to do was claim two more victories to keep his supposed date with fate. As things turned out, however, he could not summon the magic that made him the king of Centre Court for the better part of two decades.

That Federer lost to Hubert Hurkacz was arguably a shock in and of itself — with due apologies to the 14^th seed. That he did so in straight sets, a development not seen since he claimed the first of eight Wimbledon titles in 2003, was downright unforeseen. This was, after all, THE living legend, and ostensibly sharp and ready for his place under the klieg lights, with the hardware on the line. Then again, he wasn’t simply going up against a capable opponent. He was, more importantly, going up against himself; pushing the big Four Oh, he looked all too ready to test the rocking chair that await him.

Understandably, Federer refused to commit whether he would still be motivated to compete, or if he would contemplate going gently into the good night. He was forthright in his post-mortem, disclosing that he would discuss his future thoroughly with his team. No matter what path he decides to take, however, there can be no questioning his place in the annals of tennis as the greatest player it has had the privilege to host. He most definitely raged against the dying of the light. And rages still.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.