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

Barça title hopes ended by Celta defeat

May 19, 2021 | 7:29 pm

BARCELONA — Barcelona saw their hopes of winning La Liga extinguished as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Barça were dominant in the first half and deservedly took the lead through Lionel Messi after 27 minutes in what could be the Argentine’s final game at the Camp Nou given his unresolved contractual situation.

Messi expertly headed Sergio Busquet’s precise cross past Ivan Villar to make it 30 league goals for the season on 27 minutes.

“We hope that won’t be his last game here at the Camp Nou, but it’s a decision he needs to make,” defender Jordi Alba said.

“We were really good in the first half, they didn’t really create much and took their one chance when they got it.

“We had the game under control but in the second half just lost our heads a bit. They play really good football, they made it difficult for us and their second goal is unlucky for us.”

Indeed, Celta equalized against the run of play 11 minutes later as Santi Mina fired in from the edge of the box following a pacey counter-attack to stun the hosts.

Defender Ronald Araujo went close with a header after the restart as Barça tried in vain to retake the lead.

However, they found themselves up against it when Clement Lenglet was dismissed with six minutes to play and ultimately paid the price for the Frenchman’s rash decision making.

With just one minute of normal time left, Mina netted his second of the game to condemn the Catalans to at best a third-placed finish in Ronald Koeman’s first season in charge.

Barça are third on 76 points, four behind Real Madrid in second with one game remaining and two ahead of Sevilla in fourth. — Reuters

Chelsea gain revenge over Leicester in crunch top-four battle

May 19, 2021 | 7:29 pm

LONDON — Chelsea seized control of their destiny in the Premier League top-four battle as they avenged their FA Cup final defeat by Leicester City to beat them 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Roared on by 8,000 fans Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated and were rewarded after the break with Antonio Rudiger bundling in their opener before Jorginho rolled home a penalty.

Timo Werner twice had goals ruled out before the break while Leicester, who looked flat after Saturday’s celebrations, offered little threat until Kelechi Iheanacho gave the visitors a lifeline with a cool finish in the 74^th minute.

It was a nervy climax and Ayoze Perez wasted a glorious late chance to equalize but Chelsea clung on for a priceless win that moved them into third place on 67 points with one game remaining, meaning a win at Aston Villa on Sunday will guarantee them Champions League football next season.

For Leicester, there is now the looming possibility that they will let a Champions League berth slip through their fingers for the second season in succession.

A win would have ensured a top-four finish but they will drop to fifth if Liverpool win at Burnley on Wednesday.

Leicester, who have 66 points, finish with a home game against Tottenham Hotspur while Liverpool’s final game of the season is at home to Crystal Palace.

Chelsea’s win guaranteed Manchester United runners-up spot behind champions Manchester City.

“Fantastic. It was an outstanding performance but the job is not done,” Tuchel said. “We have two more to go. The fans made a huge difference. The speed in our game, the hunger, the ambition. It was a very strong performance and I’m delighted the team can present itself like this in front of our fans.”

BIGGER GAME
While Saturday’s historic first FA Cup final triumph sparked huge celebration in the East Midlands, Tuesday’s trip to Stamford Bridge was, in financial terms, an even bigger game.

Leicester have been in the top-four since January but could now miss the Champions League jackpot, as they did last season.

Chelsea flew out of the traps with Christian Pulisic just failing to turn in a cross and Reece James drilled a shot narrowly wide. Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel, magnificent at Wembley on Saturday, then made a sharp save from N’Golo Kante who, worryingly for Chelsea, went off injured before half time.

Werner thought he had scored in the 21^st minute when he was played in by Mason Mount, but he had drifted just offside.

The German was celebrating prematurely again before the interval when Cesar Azpilicueta flicked on a corner and Werner turned the ball just over the line before it was cleared.

While the ball had definitely crossed, a VAR check showed that Werner’s arm had made the final contact.

Leicester’s luck ran out in the 47^th minute when a Chelsea corner skimmed off the head of Jamie Vardy who was back defending and Rudiger forced the ball in.

Chelsea looked home and dry when Wesley Fofana tripped Werner just inside the box and Jorginho coolly rolled home the spot kick.

When Iheanacho swept in after a mistake by Mateo Kovacic it looked as though Leicester could get out of jail and Perez should have earned them a late point when, with the goal gaping, he fired a gilt-edged chance over the bar.

Tempers flared in stoppage time with virtually every player on the pitch involved in a mass shoving contest near the touchline after Rudiger pushed Ricardo Pereira.

When the dust settled, it was Chelsea who had one foot in the Champions League, whatever happens in this month’s final against Manchester City in Porto. — Reuters

Suns’ Monty Williams named NBCA coach of the year

May 19, 2021 | 7:28 pm

Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams has been voted Coach of the Year by the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA), it was announced on Tuesday.

Williams led the Suns to a 51-21 mark, the second-best record in the NBA, and their first divisional title since 2006-07. Their winning percentage of .708 is the fifth best in franchise history.

They’re the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

“Congratulations to Monty Williams on this most deserving recognition,” Dallas Mavericks coach and NBCA president Rick Carlisle said in a statement. “In just two years, Monty has taken the Suns from a 19-63 team to the second-best record in the NBA this season and the Suns’ first divisional title since 2007. To win the vote of our peers makes the… award one of the most meaningful in all of pro sports.”

The Suns ranked seventh in scoring offense and seventh in scoring defense, one of only four teams to rank in the Top 10 in both categories. Phoenix also had the league’s best road record at 24-12.

“I hold the utmost respect and admiration for the coaches in this league, so to be recognized by my peers is an incredible honor,” Williams said. “Every coach in our league sacrifices a ton to make their teams and organizations better, so this is unbelievably humbling.”

Scott Brooks, Michael Malone, Nate McMillan, Doc Rivers, Quin Snyder and Tom Thibodeau all received votes.

Williams is 85-60 in two seasons with the Suns. He went 173-221 in five seasons as head coach of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (2010-15). — Reuters