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Grealish opens England account in 5-0 win over Andorra

ANDORRA LA VELLA — Jack Grealish came off the bench to score his first goal for England and complete a 5-0 rout of Andorra on Saturday which edged his side a step closer to sealing their place in next year’s World Cup finals.

Manchester City’s Grealish, who came on for his 16th cap in the 73rd minute, produced a trademark dribble and finish to round off a satisfactory night for England manager Gareth Southgate who rested most of his big guns.

Ben Chilwell began the scoring in Andorra’s tiny national stadium, also with his first England goal, and Bukayo Saka made it 2-0 shortly before the interval.

AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham, given a first start for four years, made it 3-0 with a tap-in and James Ward-Prowse then had a 79th-minute penalty saved before converting the rebound.

But the best was saved for last as Grealish dribbled around a tiring Andorra defense before slotting in a low shot.

“It has been a long time coming and it’s about time that I scored because everyone has been saying it to me,” Grealish said. “I’m just delighted that I’ve got off the mark.

“In the back of my mind, there has been that feeling that I’ve just wanted to score, just to get off the mark. I’ve done that tonight, I’m delighted and it’s a night I won’t forget.”

In another mismatch, similar to England’s 4-0 win at Wembley last month, Andorra offered hard graft and defended robustly, but were no match for Southgate’s much-changed side who eased to their sixth win from seven matches in the group.

England now have 19 points, four more than Albania, who won in Hungary, and five more than Poland. Two wins from their last three games, at home to Hungary and Albania and away to San Marino, will book their place in Qatar.

It was a night for England’s peripheral players to make a mark and several will be happy with their night’s work.

Midfielder Phil Foden, playing in a deeper role, was the architect of much of England’s best work while Jadon Sancho also impressed after a slow start to his Manchester United career.

It was Foden’s ball which picked out Sancho in the 17th minute and the Manchester United player then teed up Chilwell to slot past Andorra’s keeper Josep Gomes.

The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but with all eyes on referee Kateryna Monzul, the first female official to take charge of a senior England international, she overturned the decision after a VAR check.

England had to wait until nearly half time to double their lead with Foden picking out Saka to finish clinically.

After a messy start to the second half, England got back into their rhythm and Sancho delivered a cross from the left which an unmarked Abraham prodded in.

There was more work for Monzul when Chus Rubio sent Grealish tumbling in the box, the Ukrainian official pointing to the spot. Gomes made a great save, but Ward-Prowse made no mistake when the ball popped back out.

Grealish put the icing on the cake of a lively cameo when he was picked out by a long throw out by England keeper Sam Johnstone before bamboozling Andorra’s defense and firing a low shot through a crowd. — Reuters

Schwartzman survives scare; Muguruza sent packing at Indian Wells

DIEGO Schwartzman saved two match points to survive American qualifier Maxime Cressy (6-2, 3-6, 7-5) on Saturday, advancing to the third round of Indian Wells.

The Argentine recovered from a 15-40 deficit in the 10th game of the third set to break Cressy’s serve, putting up just two double faults compared to 14 from his competitor across the two-hour and 38-minute thriller.

Briton’s Daniel Evans outlasted Japan’s Kei Nishikori (4-6, 6-3, 6-4) winning 80% of his first-serve points in a strong defensive effort that saw him save 10 break points.

“It was satisfying how I dealt with a bit of adversity after the first set,” said Evans, who claimed his maiden ATP title at Murray River Open in February. “It was nice to come through in a good, tough match.”

It was largely business as usual at the California tournament, where number one seeded Czech Karolína Plíšková defeated Polish qualifier Magdalena Fręch (7-5, 6-2) and eighth seed Hubert Hurkacz broke down the stubborn resistance of Alexei Popyrin to secure a (6-1, 7-5) win under warm, dry conditions.

Reilly Opelka fired off 11 aces in a (7-5, 6-3) win over Japan’s Taro Daniel as he advanced to the third round.

The 24-year-old American, who enjoyed his best Grand Slam showing last month when he reached the fourth round of the US Open, won more than 90% of his first-serve points and never faced a break point as he made light work of Daniel.

Australian Ajla Tomljanović secured the sole upset of the early matches, recovering from a rocky second set to send fifth seed Garbiñe Muguruza packing (6-3, 1-6, 6-3).

“I was really looking forward to playing Garbiñe because I did lose last couple of times, but I did try to focus on that one time I beat her and channel that energy, so I was really happy I got through today,” Tomljanović said in a post-match interview.

Canadian Vasek Pospisil was forced to retire in the first set against compatriot Denis Shapovalov, seeded ninth at the tournament after reaching the Wimbledon semifinal earlier this year, and Norwegian sixth seed Casper Ruud made quick work of Spain’s Roberto Carballés Baena (6-1, 6-2).

US Open champion Daniil Medvedev showed no signs of a Grand Slam hangover with a business-like (6-4, 6-2) win over Mackenzie McDonald to advance into the third round at Indian Wells on Saturday.

All aspects of the top-seeded Russian’s game were clicking as he improved to 5-0 in head-to-head matches against the American.

The 25-year-old was sharp from the outset, breaking McDonald to open the match on a warm night in the Southern California desert. — Reuters

Sky faces red-hot Mercury as WNBA Finals kick off

THE Chicago Sky takes on the red-hot Mercury in Phoenix to kick off the best-of-five Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Finals on Sunday, hoping to keep their Cinderella story on track to hoist the trophy for the first time.

Chicago overcame seven straight losses earlier this year to end the regular season 16-16, before stunning the top-seeded Connecticut Sun in the semifinals, and will need everything in its arsenal to avoid repeating history after the Mercury swept them in the 2014 Finals.

“Our big focus this postseason… has been about our defense, our rebounding, our ability to move and share the ball,” two-time league MVP Candace Parker told reporters.

“I think if we do that — it’ll still be hard — but I like our chances.”

Parker signed with her hometown team this year after 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks, joining veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot, who put up the league’s second-ever postseason triple-double last month and All-Star Kahleah Copper, who averaged 18.2 points per game in the playoffs.

But to seize the WNBA crown, the Sky will have to take down titans including all-time scoring leader and 10-time All-Star Diana Taurasi, who put away 14 points in the fourth quarter of the Sky’s 87-84 win on Friday over the Las Vegas Aces in Game 5 of the semifinals.

There is also the 6’9” impenetrable force of nature Brittney Griner, the best center in the league, who finished second in MVP votes this year behind Sun forward Jonquel Jones and put up 21 points and 9.7 rebounds per game in the playoffs.

“She’s just been so incredible all year for us,” three-time champion Taurasi said of Griner in a televised interview. “We’ve asked her to do everything: Play 40 minutes, defend the best player, help, block shots, score, rebound — she’s incredible.”

Taurasi already has plenty to celebrate after her wife, retired WNBA player Penny Taylor, gave birth to their second child on Saturday morning.

The team will have to do without Canadian point guard Kia Nurse, who tore her ACL in Game 4 of the Mercury’s semifinal series against the Aces.

The WNBA Finals kick off on Sunday. — Reuters

Hamilton qualifies quickest, but Bottas takes pole

ISTANBUL — Lewis Hamilton qualified quickest for the Turkish Grand Prix on Saturday, but a 10-place grid penalty for the Formula One championship leader meant Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas took pole position.

Hamilton’s title rival Max Verstappen, two points behind the Briton with seven races remaining, qualified third for Red Bull and will join Bottas on the front row at Istanbul Park on Sunday.

The pole was a first since Portugal in May for Bottas, and the 18th of his career, but Hamilton was fastest in every phase of qualifying after taking the hit for a new engine that exceeded his season’s allocation.

“Tomorrow is going to be difficult, but I’ll give it everything,” said Britain’s seven times world champion Hamilton of the task ahead.

“We’ve got the long straight down the back, we’ll see what we can do. Hopefully, we can give the fans here a good race.”

Verstappen took a grid penalty at the previous race in Russia and finished second after starting at the back of the field, his progress helped after late rain caused problems for others.

Mercedes will be looking to Bottas, who is leaving the team for Alfa Romeo at the end of the season, to keep Verstappen behind him while Hamilton sets about fighting through from 13th.

“I’ll focus on my own race tomorrow, that’s the way to go when you start in front, and try to keep up a good pace,” said the Finnish.

Verstappen struggled with the setup in Friday practice, with the track far grippier than last year’s slippery surface, but said the team had made “a decent recovery.

“Tomorrow, lining up in second, let’s wait and see what the weather will do, but overall I’m pretty happy,” said the Dutch 24-year-old.

“Let’s see how competitive we will be in the race. The tyre wear seems quite high around the track, but it’s quite fun to drive.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will share the second row with AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly, who will be expected by Red Bull to make life difficult for Hamilton as a driver for their sister team.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso, for Alpine, and Verstappen’s Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez line up together on row three and will also be hard to get past.

McLaren’s Lando Norris, on pole in Russia and leading until the final laps, was eighth fastest and starts seventh with Lance Stroll alongside for Aston Martin.

Hamilton will also have to get past AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and four times world champion Sebastian Vettel’s Aston Martin.

Further back, Mick Schumacher got his Haas into the second phase with an impressive lap and lines up 14th for the only team yet to score a point this season.

McLaren’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo, winner of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, qualified 16th with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz keeping him out of the second phase right at the end.

Sainz, who starts at the back of the grid due to an engine change, also gave teammate Leclerc a useful aerodynamic tow to help the Monegasque into the final phase. — Reuters

Construction of National Academy of Sports in Tarlac has begun

(FROM LEFT) BCDA Senior Vice-President Engr. Joshua Bingcang, Capas Mayor Rey Catacutan, Tarlac Governor Susan Yap, NAS Executive Director Josephine Joy Reyes, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Education Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma, and NAS Deputy Executive Director Emil Arroyo at the unveiling of NAS’ architectural renders. — BCDA

THE construction for the P557.8-million first phase of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) has begun, with the marker and architectural renders unveiled at the weekend.

Born under Republic Act (RA) 11470, which was signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in June 2020, the NAS is a green and climate-resilient learning center and training ground for deserving Filipino scholar-athletes, to be built at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

As per the timeline set by proponents, academics and administrative buildings as well as a multi-purpose gym will be completed in February 2022 under NAS Phase 1.

It is in line with the effort to prepare the pioneering and future students of NAS once face-to-face learning resumes, equipping them with a conducive environment for academics, sports training and character development.

To usher in the construction of the first phase, officials of NAS, Department of Education (DepEd), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), on Saturday, unveiled the ceremonial marker and architectural renders of the soon-to-be home of Filipino student-athletes and professionals.

“This momentous and historical event marks the beginning to showcase not just a physical structure, but an institution that will provide the educational advancement and development of high-quality sports programs, training and experience to our future world-class student-athletes,” NAS Executive Director Josephine Joy B. Reyes during the unveiling ceremony.

The construction also comes on the heels of NAS formally opening classes on Sept. 13, welcoming its first batch of student-athlete scholars who are enrolled in a specialized sports-oriented education curriculum via remote learning modalities amid the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Authors of RA 11470 at the Senate expressed their excitement over the start of the construction of NAS and said that they hope the vision of the academy of providing support for the academic and skills development of future Filipino athletes will be realized now and moving forward.

For the BCDA, to have NAS inside the New Clark City is a welcome addition as it complements the thrust it has set for the P9.5-billion sports complex.

“Our athletes have waited so long for world-class sports facilities. BCDA is thrilled to be part of the creation of the National Academy of Sports, and the development of the country’s athletes who will study and train there. With a sports-centered academic program and facilities at par with international standards, we envision NAS to be a cradle for future world champions,” said BCDA President and CEO Vivencio B. Dizon in an earlier e-mail interview with BusinessWorld.

The complex includes a 20,000-seat Athletics Stadium with an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)-certified track; a 2,000-seat International Swimming Federation (FINA)-certified Aquatics Center; and an Athletes’ Village. It was built to serve as the showpiece of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in December 2019.

It, too, is the first major sports hub developed by the government since the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex was built in 1934. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

UNICEF’s move-a-thon for a cause ongoing

UNICEF Philippines has partnered with RUNRIO Events to bring Filipinos together for a virtual move-a-thon for a cause — Heroes for Children.

Kicked off on Oct. 1, the activity will go on until Oct. 31, with the hope of raising funds to support vulnerable Filipino children especially during this time of the pandemic.

First launched in 2015 by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Anne Curtis, the Heroes for Children campaign has been made to adapt because of the prevailing current conditions, taking the form of a virtual move-a-thon this time around, where anyone can bike, run, walk, dance, or exercise at their own pace and at the same help children in need.

The move-a-thon is open to all individuals, friends, families, persons with disabilities, and even fur babies both here and abroad. It is designed for participants of every fitness level to take part in the activity for a cause done in the safety of their own homes and communities.

Participants can choose a category and activity, and complete their distance goals within the whole duration of the virtual move-a-thon.

Registration is ongoing at the Race Roster website or visit bit.ly/UNICEFHeroes2021. Particulars can also be found on said sites.

This year’s iteration of the Heroes for Children campaign is being held in commemoration of UNICEF’s 75th anniversary.

Lady Aces roll to third straight win

The Paranaque Lady Aces remained unbeaten as they defeated the Glutagence Glow Boosters, 76-67, in WNBL Season 2021 action on Sunday. — WNBL

The Paranaque Lady Aces remained unbeaten on Sunday as they defeated the Glutagence Glow Boosters, 76-67, in the Pia Cayetano WNBL Season 2021 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Lady Aces reasserted their spot at the top of the standings with a 3-0 win-loss record beating the Glow Boosters, who suffered their second straight loss to go down to 3-2.

Paranaque won in a collective effort with Jhenn Angeles finishing with 13 points and six assists, and Mary Joy Galicia contributing 13 points and six rebounds.

Blanche Bahuyan had nine points, and Allana Lim scored eight points and hauled 16 rebounds. April Siat and Marydyn Tingcang also had eight points apiece, as Angeli Gloriani dished out eight assists.

The Lady Aces also spoiled the gallant stand of Raiza Palmera-Dy, who waxed hot with 34 points, 11 rebounds and three steals to lead the comeback attempt of the Glow Boosters after trailing by as many as 20 points.

Paranaque outscored Glutagence, 19-7, in the second quarter for a 37-24 halftime lead. They went on a 10-3 burst, 47-27, midway in the third.

Ms. Palmera-Dy had 22 points in the final canto but her efforts proved short as the Glow Boosters lost in two consecutive days after they dropped a 71-61 decision against Pacific Water last Saturday.

Sky vs Mercury

To argue that the Chicago Sky have had an up-and-down campaign would be an understatement. They began with high hopes; the arrival of proven winner Candace Parker had them eyeing the hardware with optimism before a game had even been played. And then bad luck set in; the former Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Defensive Player of the Year awardee was injured in the opener, and her absence in the next eight contests had them reeling. When she returned, however, they looked every bit ready and able to meet expectations, reeling off seven straight matches. Still, a swoon at the end of the regular season had pundits fretting about their playoff chances.

Considering how the Sky managed to stay upbeat despite the ebbs and flows, it’s no surprise that they’re in the Finals against the odds. Parker’s numbers haven’t been spectacular, but they remain solid and, more importantly, complementary of those around her. And if there’s anything she brings that don’t show up in her stat lines, it’s the confidence to perform under pressure. Even as they have been tested throughout their postseason run, she has proven to be a rock on which her teammates, and head coach James Wade, all too gladly lean.

That said, it’s clear that Parker continues to shine when needed. In Game Four of the semifinals, she put up an outstanding effort on both ends of the court, securing for the Sky a Finals slot and, in the process, eliminating the top-seed Connecticut Sun, starring reigning MVP awardee Jonquel Jones. Wade’s prognosis upon her hiring — that she brings with her invaluable experience — was spot on. As Courtney Vandersloot, one of the WNBA’s best point guards, noted, “We were missing one piece, and it was Candace Parker.”

Up next for the Sky are the equally resilient Phoenix Mercury, featuring all-time great Diana Taurasi. Under the circumstances, it’s but fitting that they’ll be doing a reprise of the Finals in 2014, when they last did battle for the crown — and when they likewise did so with a sub-.500 record. There’s at least one difference — and make that a significant one. This time around, they have Parker, and they feel it’s their time as a result.

 

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.

Energy department sees delay in rolling out green energy auction

THE DEPARTMENT of Energy (DoE) said the green energy auction program (GEAP) may not launch as planned this month, with talks still ongoing with participants on rules governing the programs.

“The conduct of the first auction may not happen this month as initially indicated due to ongoing discussions with relevant entities,” the DoE’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau Director Mylene C. Capongcol told BusinessWorld by e-mail last week.

“We are in the finalization stage of the circular and are currently deliberating on comments received from stakeholders including timelines of the GEAP activities for the first auction,” she added.

The auction will adopt certain mechanisms of the current feed-in tariff program, excluding the “price discovery” process.

“For GEAP, the price shall be based on the auction conducted,” Ms. Capongcol added.

The program allows eligible renewable energy developers to supply a portion of the electricity generated from their facilities to qualified customers who may subsequently enjoy power prices below market rates.

The GEAP seeks to help the government hit a 35% share of renewables in the power generation mix by 2030.

As of end-2019, renewables accounted for 20.8% of the Philippines’ power mix, according to DoE estimates.

The Energy department originally planned to launch the auction for green energy suppliers in June, but deferred its target date to this month, noting that the auction committee was still in the process of compiling data at the time. — Angelica Y. Yang

BIR registers over 100 influencers as of mid-Sept.

OVER A HUNDRED social media influencers have registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as of mid-September following attempts to compel content creators to disclose their income, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.

Finance Assistant Secretary Dakila E. Napao said at a virtual briefing Friday that 105 influencers and content creators registered as of Sept. 15, while almost 2,300 have registered as online retailers and service providers.

He did not disclose how much in taxes have been collected from influencers so far.

Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 97-2021 released on Aug. 16 requires influencers to register with the government and pay either percentage tax or value-added tax, depending on the nature of their earnings.

Influencers generate income from posts on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The BIR considers them self-employed individuals or persons engaged in business as sole proprietors.

The DoF said last month that the BIR has issued letters of authority covering 250 top-earning influencers, which allows revenue officers to audit taxpayer accounts.

Mr. Napao said there is no update from the BIR on the start of investigations.

“I’m sure that (BIR is) looking into those currently registered first and probably will be expanding their search to those who still haven’t registered — they will be part of those that will be examined,” he said.

Amid reports of social media influencers deleting their digital accounts, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said in the same briefing that they will still be required to comply.

“We will still go after them whether or not they have a social media account because if they earn money, and we have evidence that they earned money, they have to pay the tax,” he said.

Mr. Napao said the BIR can use information from third-party sources to assess influencers that have deleted accounts. — Jenina P. Ibañez

UPD University Council warns of risks in raising limits on foreign ownership

GLOBE.COM.PH

THE highest policy-making body of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman has warned against the risks posed by priority legislation that would open up vital industries to more foreign ownership.

In a statement, the UP Diliman University Council said Senate Bills (SB) 2094, 1156, and 1840 “present clear long-term risks for the country” in the wake of the damage done by the pandemic.

The UPD University Council is the highest policy-making body of the UP Diliman, composed of its Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and all assistant professors, associate professors and professors of the university.

SB 2094 seeks to amend the Public Service Act to reclassify “public utilities” such as telecommunications and transportation to “public services” and allow 100% foreign ownership in these industries.

SB 1156 seeks to amend the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 to liberalize the so-called “negative list,” or the industries from which foreign investment is either banned or restricted.

SB 1840 is a proposed amendment to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000, seeking to ease foreign entry by lowering the minimum investment threshold to engage in retail.

The council urged legislators to “use this moment to stand with and invest in the economic capabilities of the Filipino people.”

It specifically highlighted the need to develop domestic capacity in telecommunications.

“Instead of building the Philippine government’s capacity to secure the country’s digital and physical connectivity especially in the time of national and global emergencies, SB 2094 would pass on this responsibility to foreign corporations,” it said.

Last month, the Senate ratified the bicameral report that lowered the minimum paid-up capital requirement for foreign retailers to P25 million (or $500,000) from the current P125 million (or $2.5 million), thus opening up micro, small, and medium enterprises in the retail industry to foreign competition.

Also in September, the Senate approved on third and final reading a bill allowing foreigners to invest 100% in enterprises not covered by the negative list. 

Debate on the bill redefining public utilities will resume on Nov. 6. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Regulator approves P178.45-M capex for Aurora power co-op

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THE ENERGY Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved Aurora Electric Cooperative, Inc.’s (Aurelco) application to undertake a P178.45-million capital expenditure (capex) program running to 2023.

In a decision posted on the ERC website earlier this month, the regulator said it approved of the modified capex plan to finance 10 of the electric cooperative’s power projects.

Some P48.88 million will go towards the purchase of spare materials and equipment to help in the prompt repair of distribution lines after force majeure events.

Some P15.47 million will fund the installation of new kilowatt-hour meters and service drop wires, while P15.17 million will fund the replacement of overloaded distribution transformers.

Aurelco earlier sought ERC’s approval for the capex projects covering 2019 to 2021, but noted that none of these was implemented because of the absence of commission approval.

The power provider then submitted an amended timeline for the projects which are now scheduled for completion between 2021 and 2023.

“The commission finds the proposed projects are essential and necessary for the continuous, safe, reliable, secure and efficient service of Aurelco to its customers, pursuant to… the EPIRA (Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001),” the ERC said.

The regulator also ordered Aurelco to pay a permit fee of P1.34 million as authorized by the commission’s amended capex guidelines.

The decision, which was promulgated on Sept. 28, was signed by ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Agnes VST Devanadera and four commissioners.

Aurelco’s franchise area covers eight municipalities in Aurora province, as well as Dinapigue, Isabela; Alfonso Castañeda, Nueva Vizcaya; and part of Quezon Province. — Angelica Y. Yang

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