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MMDA to fence in EDSA yellow lanes

THE METROPOLITAN MANILA Development Authority (MMDA) is planning to build a fence along EDSA’s yellow lanes to restrict public buses, a move that is seen to help in decongesting traffic, according to MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo S. Garcia Jr. “The whole EDSA stretch, we will put a fence. Ang opening lang ‘yan ay (The only openings would be for) loading and unloading bays, intersection, and establishments with a minimum three-meter distance,” Mr. Garcia said on Wednesday. He added that they are targeting to have the fence structures before the year ends. Meanwhile, Mr. Garcia said they will file a motion for reconsideration on the court injunction against the provincial bus ban along EDSA. He said the Office of the Solicitor General and the MMDA legal team are already preparing the appeal in time for the scheduled hearing next week. Despite the court order, the dry run on the ban still pushed through on Wednesday. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Cebu Pacific to assess Mati City flights when airport is ready

BUDGET CARRIER Cebu Pacific is ready to assess the viability of flights to Mati City, the capital of Davao Oriental province, as soon as the development of the airport for commercial operations starts. Cebu Pacific Director for Corporate Communications Charo Logarta-Lagamon told BusinessWorld in an interview last week that they have always been open to that opportunity. “Mati has always been on our radar. But as of now, there is nothing concrete yet given that the airport is not 100% done and there is still a lot of technicalities that need to be ironed out before we can use it for commercial flights,” she said. Ms. Lagamon noted that an online campaign a few years back indicated interest for Mati among travelers. “Mati is one of the choices of netizens. Obviously, there is some market but how big the market is and will that market be viable and sustainable, that is something we need to assess,” she said. Last month, Mati City Mayor Michelle Nakpil-Rabat said they are working on land ownership issues relating to the airport so that they can undertake the runway expansion and open it for commercial flights. Meanwhile, Ms. Lagamon said they continue to evaluate potential routes to and from Davao City while “beefing up our Cebu and Clark hubs.” “In fact, we are launching new routes on August 9,” she said. — Maya M. Padillo

Davao City councilor wants sanctions on parents of truant students

A DAVAO City councilor has proposed an ordinance that will penalize parents and guardians of truant students. Councilor Albert T. Ungab said adults who “willfully or without justifiable cause” fail to send their children to school should undergo a community seminar for the first offense, render community service in a public elementary or secondary school for the second offense, and imprisonment of one to six months for the third time. The proposed ordinance states that children between six and 17 must be in school as they “have the right to education which includes the right to avail kinder, basic elementary, secondary” levels. “Truancy has become one of the major problems in schools, negatively affecting one’s future,” Mr. Ungab said. Truant students are defined as those who, at minimum, miss 30 minutes of class without reason for five times within a school year. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

Nationwide round-up

DoLE penalizes GMA Network over work safety standards

GMA
BW FILE PHOTO

THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has ordered GMA Network, Inc. to pay a P100,000 per day penalty after investigations showed that the broadcasting company failed to follow occupational safety and health (OSH) standards, which resulted to the death of veteran actor Eddie Garcia. In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said, “May (There is an) imposition na (to) penalize sila ng (them with) P100,000 a day until they comply.” Under the OSH Law, P100,000 is the maximum fine imposed on employers found to violate standards. This daily fine applies until the OSH violation has been corrected. Mr. Bello said GMA’s violation is its failure to have a safety officer at the shooting location for the television drama. “Kung meron sila ‘di namatay si (If they had one) Eddie Garcia (would not have died). He was not properly attended to,” Mr. Bello said. The DoLE-National Capital Region (NCR) Office, in its recommendation dated July 17, said GMA also failed to submit an accident report as required under the law. GMA will now have to submit a letter to DoLE explaining why they failed to do so. DoLE-NCR will also “require the network to submit schedule and locations of their ‘Teleserye’ (shootings) and will be subjected to spot visit to determine the compliance with the existing Occupational Safety and Health Law.” GMA was yet to issue a statement as of this reporting. — Gillian M. Cortez

House minority bloc files resolution for probe on DoH’s medicine overstock

THE MINORITY bloc in the House of Representatives has filed a resolution calling for an investigation on the overstocking of medicines by the Department of Health (DOH). “I filed a House resolution (No. 203) with the minority block, directing the House committee on health to conduct an investigation and inquiry in this matter with an ending view of instituting fiscal reforms within the agency relative to inventory, use, control, and distribution of medicine by the DoH,” Minority Leader Bienvenido M. Abante Jr., who represents the 6th District of Manila, said in a press briefing Wednesday. He cited the recent admission of DoH Undersecretary Rolando Enrique D. Domingo in a news show that about P3 billion worth of overstocked medicines remain with the agency. The Commission on Audit, in its 2018 report, noted that P300 million worth of medicine, or 2% of the overall stock, was nearing expiry as of Jan. 31, 2019. The report also found that over P30 million worth of expired medicine was distributed to various health centers. “With medicines that are expensive, that is beyond the reach of our citizens, this is not just wasteful but this is criminal,” said Mr. Abante. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Lawyers’ group brings protection case before SC

THE NATIONAL Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to reverse the decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) denying its protection from alleged threats and attacks by the government. In the petition, the NUPL said the CA “committed errors of law and grievous errors in its findings” when it denied its petition for writ of amparo and habeas data. The appellate court denied the petition saying NUPL members failed to substantially prove that their life, liberty, and security are violated and the group lacked legal standing to file the petition for writ of amparo on behalf of its members. The court also dropped the case against President Rodrigo R. Duterte as the petitioner failed to prove that the President’s declaration of his intention to kill suspected members of the New People’s Army and communists were directed at them. In its SC filing, the group claimed that the CA “sweepingly disposed” their petition. “The continued vilification, harassment and threats to the lives, security and liberty of the petitioners by any act of the respondents, including but not limited to issuing public statements maligning and vilifying the petitioners and their activities as human rights lawyers must stop now. We ask Your Honors to stand by your lawyers,” the NUPL said in its petition. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Nation at a Glance — (08/08/19)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Nation at a Glance — (08/08/19)

Team USA not ‘C’ players, says head coach Popovich

LOS ANGELES — When Gregg Popovich agreed to take over as head coach of USA Basketball for Mike Krzyzewski, many envisioned names such as Harden, Love, Lillard, and Davis on the backs of the uniforms.

Those top-level NBA stars dropped off the Team USA roster and won’t compete in the FIBA World Cup in China next month, but Popovich doesn’t sound worried about his team.

“I’ve said that we’re going to be fine and by that what I really meant is that we’re blessed with a lot of depth in USA Basketball,” he told reporters after a team practice in Las Vegas. “All of the players here want to be here, there’s no question about it. And that’s a big part of the battle itself. And so, when you look at the enthusiasm, the youth, the athleticism and versatility, that’ll really work well for us because our depth will be a factor.”

Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker is one of those players. He said he’s happy for the opportunity to vie for a spot on the final 12-man roster.

“This is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of us,” said Walker, an All-Star Game starter in February who relocated from Charlotte to Boston via free agency in July. “I think a lot of us are happy those guys pulled out because this is our chance. It’s our chance to get on the big stage and showcase our talent. A chance for us to do something new. It’ll be a new-look team. Everybody is kind of doubting us, but I think we’re hungry.”

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, James Harden of the Houston Rockets, and Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are among the NBA stars who decided not to take part.

In their place are players such as Kyle Kuzma of the Lakers, Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz and Walker’s new Celtics teammates, Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum.

“These are not ‘C’ players,” Popovich said. “You’ve heard a lot of criticism about who isn’t here, and I keep repeating that it’s about who is here. There’s some really good talent and it’s going to be difficult getting to a 12-man roster when you really think about it. So, every day is important to these players and I would say today’s effort was terrific. We had a great first day of practice. Certain individuals did an outstanding job. Overall, it was terrific.”

The World Cup begins in China on Aug. 31. Team USA opens play the following day against the Czech Republic. — Reuters

Vince Carter wants to see absent NBA stars play in World Cup but respects their decision

HAVING had the chance to represent the United States in international basketball competitions, including a memorable one at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, National Basketball Association veteran star Vince Carter said he would love to see league stars don the national colors for the “Star-Spangled Banner” but understands and respects their decision for declining considering the circumstances they are in.

Speaking at a global media conference for the Jr. NBA Global Championships happening this week where he is part of the broadcasting team, eight-time NBA All-Star Carter was asked for his thoughts on the decision of some established league superstars not to play for the US in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China later this month.

Among the notable names to decline were Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, James Harden of the Houston Rockets, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards.

In their place are a number of young veterans and up-and-coming stars like Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors, Kyle Kuzma of the Lakers, Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz. Coach of the team is the San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Poppovich.

Mr. Carter, who will be playing once again for the Atlanta Hawks next season, his is 22nd year in the NBA, said that he understands where the players who dropped out were coming from, including how they were looking after their health, and respects their decision.

“I think it’s preference. You have to kind of look at the background of the player as far as injuries. Some of these guys feel like they’ve played a lot of games in a lot of months, have been dedicated to playing the game, and they don’t really get the same amount of time off as some of the guys who maybe didn’t play deep into the playoffs or are not getting that call to play on an Olympic team of some sort…,” said Mr. Carter in the conference call, the transcript of which was shared to BusinessWorld.

“Now, it’s an honor to play, and I think sometimes they’re worried about when the actual Olympics comes around instead of the qualifying. A lot of these guys are just trying to stay injury-free or are just fatigued in general… I recall back in my time playing in the Olympics, the gold medal game, our training camp had already started. Obviously, they’ve adjusted that. But a lot of these guys are now playing so many games in the NBA season, playing all the preseason, playing all of the regular season and of course some like the Steph Curry of the Warriors are playing into the Finals or even playing in the Conference Finals. That’s a lot of basketball that these guys are playing. To ask them to do that, it’s a tough decision, I’m sure, because of the loyalty to your team. You have a job to do as the star player to make sure they’re ready to go at the beginning of the year,” he added.

Mr. Carter, 42, also shared that he is excited for next season especially off the heels of a flurry of player movements this offseason and the number of good rookies coming in.

“I don’t think there was anything like that (player movements). I think it was like 206 players that were free agents, 40 percent player movement. That’s insane. I think what it’s done, I think they’re going to gain more fans. Well, I think they’re going to gain more viewers because of the parity… You’re not sure who’s going to win it. I think now they’re going to gain more viewers because of it. You have to kind of watch and see how this plays out. I think it’s just great for the NBA. It’s just great to see,” he said of busy free agency.

“There are [also] a lot of great rookies out there. It’s easy to say Zion [Williamson] and [Ja] Morant. I got the opportunity to have a conversation with RJ Barrett, so I’ve gotten to know him well… I’m just interested to see these top five guys, top eight players who are really talked about,” Mr. Carter added, turning his attention to the rookies.

The Jr. NBA Global Championships happens from Aug. 6 to 11 in Orlando, Florida. The Philippines is represented in it by Jr. NBA Philippines 2019 standouts Heinz Gabriel Demisana, Sebastian Reyes, Lionel Matthew Rubico and lone Filipina Camille Nolasco who are all part of the team from Asia-Pacific. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Lowry thrilled for Leonard, but wants to stay in Toronto

TORONTO — All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry understands why Kawhi Leonard would leave for the Los Angeles Clippers, but the longtime leader of the Toronto Raptors has no desire to bolt Canada.

“I want to be there — I would love to do a long extension, but we’ll see what happens,” Lowry said. “I’m here for USA Basketball and (to) support the guys and be around the group. I would love to be there long term, but we’ll have that discussion when the time is right.”

Lowry, 33, is in camp with Team USA but dealing with a left thumb injury. The right-handed shooter is still going through some workouts and could be available when competition begins, coach Gregg Popovich said. The FIBA World Cup is played in China next month.

“It depends on the doctor,” Popovich said of Lowry’s availability. “He’s still in a hard cast. Sometime here soon he goes to the doctor and that will have a lot to do with the decision.”

The timing of an extension for Lowry will be tricky for Toronto, which will prioritize a deal for NBA Most Improved Player Pascal Siakam. Siakam averaged 16.9 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Raptors and is being asked to pick up even more slack with Leonard leaving town.

“What else do you want to hear from me? He going to get paid. … For a guy like that, you just got to keep improving and keep it going,” Lowry said.

Leonard spent only one season in Toronto and wasn’t with the Raptors for even a full year. Still, Lowry credits Leonard for helping bring a title to the franchise.

“I am happy for the guys that — especially a guy that helped do something fantastic and something great,” Lowry said. “He’s an unbelievable friend of mine and is a good guy. He made a decision to go home and he is happy with that and I am happy for him. Truly. I am genuinely happy for him. It gives him a chance to be around his family and friends. You got to respect the guy and be happy for him.” — Reuters

The Paris Grand Chess Tour

Paris leg, Grand Chess Tour
Paris, France
July 27–August 2, 2019

Final Standings, Rapid

1. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, 6.5/9, 2. Alexander Grischuk, 6.0/90, 3-4. Ian Nepomniachtchi, Viswanathan Anand, 5.5/9 5-6. Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Fabiano Caruana, 4.5/9, 7. Hikaru Nakamura, 4.0/9, 8-9. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Daniil Dubov, 3.5/9, 10. Anish Giri, 2.5/9

Time Control: 25 minutes play-to-finish with a 10 second delay (not increment) starting move 1

Final Standings, Blitz

1-3. Viswanathan Anand, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Hikaru Nakamura, 10.5/18, 4-5. Ian Nepomniachtchi, Fabiano Caruana, 10.0/18, 6-8. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Alexander Grischuk, 8.0/18, 9. Anish Giri, 7.5/18, 10. Daniil Dubov, 7.0/18

Time Control: Five minutes play-to-finish with a three-second delay (not increment) starting move 1

Combined Overall Standings (Rapid results count double)

1. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, 21.0/36

2. Viswanathan Anand, 20.5/36

3-4. Alexander Grischuk, Ian Nepomniachtchi, 20.0/36

5. Jan-Krzysztof Duda, 19.5/36

6. Fabiano Caruana, 19.0/36

7. Hikaru Nakamura, 18.5/36

8. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, 15.0/36

9. Daniil Dubov, 14.0/36

10. Anish Giri, 12.5/36

The Grand Chess Tour is comprised of five rapid/blitz tournaments and two classical (Croatia which took place last June and Sinquefield Cup which starts August 15) events. The twelve full tour participants will play in both classical events as well as in three of the five rapid/blitz tournaments.

There have so far been three legs of the Grand Chess Tour: Ivory Coast (Rapid/Blitz), Croatia (Classical Chess) and Paris (Rapid/Blitz). The current over-all standings are as follows:

1. Magnus Carlsen (two events), 33 Grand Chess Tour (GCT) points, total prize winnings, $127,500

2. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (three events), 25 GCT points, $70,000

3. Wesley So (two events), 22 GCT points, $75,000

4. Ian Nepomniachtchi (three events), 18 GCT points, $42,333

5. Fabiano Caruana (two events), 16 GCT points, $48,000

6. Hikaru Nakamura (three events), 14 GCT points, $40,000

7. Viswanathan Anand (two evens), 13 GCT points, $35,000

8. Ding Liren (two events), 13 GCT points, $29,833

9. Levon Aronian (one event), 11 GCT points, $35,000

10. Sergey Karjakin (two events), 8.5 GCT points, $20,500

11. Anish Giri (two events), 8 GCT points, $24,833

12. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (two events), 6 GCT points, $17,500

Wesley So is doing well so far. He was fourth place in Ivory Coast rapid/blitz ($15,000) and second place in Croatia ($60,000). Maxime Vachier-Lagrave is currently ahead of Wesley in Grand Chess Tour (GCT) points but he has already played in three events against Wesley’s two.

This August there will be two more legs:

Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz, August 8-15, 2019, Saint Louis, Missouri USA

Sinquefield Cup (Classical), August 15-30, 2019, Saint Louis, Missouri USA

Both events will be hold at the Saint Louis Chess Club in Saint Louis, Missouri. Wesley will not be playing in the Rapid & Blitz but will see action in the Sinquefield Cup. We all hope that Wesley can keep up his good form there.

OK, time now to look at some exciting games from Paris.

Alexander Grischuk played one of the three best games of his career during the rapid section, according to himself.

Caruana, Fabiano (2819) — Grischuk, Alexander (2766) [C54]
GCT Paris Rapid (9.2), 29.07.2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6

The days of the Petroff and then the Berlin are over — nowadays everybody and their cousin plays the Italian Game and, more specifically, the Giuoco Pianissimo (Giuoco Piano with d3).

6.0–0 a6 7.a4 Ba7 8.Re1 0–0 9.h3 Be6 10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.b4 Nh5 12.Ra2 Qe8 13.Na3 Nf4 14.Bxf4 Rxf4

[14…exf4?! is not so good as it allows 15.d4 which blocks and g1–a7 diagonal and leaves his a7–bishop out of play. If he tries to open up the center with 15…e5 then 16.b5 axb5 17.axb5 Na5 (17…Nd8? 18.Qb3+ Ne6 19.Nc2! the awkward positions of Black’s bishop and knight gain White a piece) 18.Qd3 with both black pieces stuck in the corner the first player is doing very well indeed]

15.Nc4 Qg6 16.b5 Raf8!

Important to get out of the potential pin on the a-file right away. Bad is 16…axb5? 17.axb5 Ne7 due to 18.b6! cxb6 19.Nxd6 Nc6 20.d4! Raf8 21.Nxe5 Nxe5 22.dxe5 White is clearly better.

17.Ncd2

[17.bxc6? Rxf3 18.cxb7 Bxf2+ wins]

17…Ne7 18.d4 Qf6!

Forcing white to open the g1–a7 diagonal.

19.dxe5 dxe5 20.bxa6 bxa6 21.Qe2 a5 22.Rf1 g5 23.Nc4 Ng6

Black is strongly threatening …g5–g4.

24.Nh2 Qg7 25.Qd3

[25.Nxa5? Rxf2 26.Rxf2 Rxf2 27.Qxf2 Bxf2+ 28.Rxf2 Qd7 White’s pieces are too uncoordinated to match up against Black’s queen]

25…Nh4 26.Ng4

Targeting e5, although 26.g3 is also possible: 26…Nf3+ 27.Kg2 Nxh2 28.gxf4 Nxf1 29.f5! White may survive, although I admit it looks scary.

26…h5 27.Ngxe5 g4 28.hxg4 hxg4 29.Qg3 Qg5 30.Re2 Kg7 31.Nd3

White is defending with all his might and he is succeeding so far, but both players were also very short of time here.

31…R4f6 32.Qxc7+ R8f7 33.Qe5?

He should have gone back 33.Qg3!

33…Qh6!!

Threatening 34…Nf3+ 35.gxf3 gxf3 and then one of his rooks goes to the go-file.

34.Qg3 <D>

POSITION AFTER 34.QG3

See if you can spot the winning move.

34…Kh8!

The king has to leave the g-file.

35.Rb2 Nf3+! 36.gxf3 gxf3

If the king was on the g-file this move would not have been possible.

37.Rfb1

[37.Qh2 Rg7+ 38.Kh1 Qxh2+ 39.Kxh2 Rh6#]

37…Rg7 38.Qxg7+ Qxg7+ 39.Kf1 Rh6 40.Ke1 Qxc3+ 0–1

[40…Qxc3+ 41.Kd1 Rh1+ 42.Ne1 Rxe1#]

The modern Benoni is a big favorite of mine, although lately there are only a few elite players who wield it once in a while. In faster time controls though it is very playable for Black. Take a look at the following smooth execution by Caruana.

Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2765) — Caruana, Fabiano (2819) [A70]
GCT Paris Rapid 2019 Paris (8.5), 29.07.2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 exd5 6.cxd5 g6 7.e4 Bg7 8.h3 0–0 9.Bd3 b5 10.a3

A rarity here. The two most common moves are:

10.Nxb5 Re8 (10…Nxe4? is dangerous for Black) 11.0–0 Nxe4 12.Re1 a6 13.Na3 Nf6 with dynamic equality;

10.Bxb5 Nxe4 11.Nxe4 Qa5+ 12.Nfd2 Qxb5 13.Nxd6 Qa6 14.N2c4 Nd7 15.0–0 Ne5 (15…Nb6 16.Nxb6 Qxb6 17.Nxc8 Raxc8 is anothr way to go) 16.Nxc8 Raxc8 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 with some compensation for the pawn.

10…b4 11.Ne2 Re8 12.Qc2 Ba6 13.Nd2 Bxd3 14.Qxd3 Nbd7 15.0–0 a5 16.Ng3 h5 17.Re1 Nb6

Black’s idea is to play …Nfxd5 as the white e4–pawn is pinned against his rook on e1.

18.Re2 Nfd7 19.Nf3

Lots of tactical tricks here. 19.f4 to prevent the Black knight from going to e5 is met by 19…c4! 20.Qf3 (20.Nxc4 Nc5 21.Qc2 b3 the knight on c4 is lost) 20…Nc5 Black is doing very well.

19…Ne5 20.Nxe5 Bxe5 21.Nf1

[21.f4 Bg7 followed by …c4]

21…c4! 22.Qd1 b3 23.Nd2 a4 24.Nf3 c3 25.bxc3

[25.Nxe5 c2 26.Qd3 Rxe5]

25…Bxc3 26.Bg5 Bf6 27.h4 Rc8 28.Qd3 Nc4 29.Rc1 Ne5 30.Nxe5 Rxc1+ 31.Bxc1 Bxe5

Black is clearly winning.

32.g3 Qc7 33.Be3 Rb8 34.f4 b2 35.Qb1 Qc4 36.Kf2 Bd4 37.Bxd4 Qxd4+ 38.Kg2 Rb3 To be followed by …Qc3. White has seen enough. 0–1

 

Bobby Ang is a founding member of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and its first Executive Director. A Certified Public Accountant, he taught accounting in the University of Santo Tomas for 25 years and is currently Chief Audit Executive of the Equicom Group of Companies.

bobby@cpamd.net

Heart and soul

Udonis Haslem has more than 522,000 followers on Instagram, so it’s but typical for him to see his posts draw significant reaction. Still, his latest contribution to the social media app tops the cake. Hitting Cyberspace yesterday, it featured a photograph of the Larry O’Brien Trophy ensconced in his locker-room stall at the AmericanAirlines Arena along with the caption “Too be continued Heat Nation!!!” and hashtags “#og” and “heatlifer.” Netizens pounced on the announcement; in a span of six hours, it drew a whopping 31,000 likes and nearly four figures in comments practically carrying the same message: “Legend.”

Indeed, Haslem is exactly that for the Heat. Since making the National Basketball Association as an undrafted rookie in 2003, he has been a model of hard work and perseverance. For all his supposed lack of talent, he has three championships to his name — including that in 2006, when he was a vital cog for then head coach and current president Pat Riley. He was still crucial to the cause during the LeBron James era, but, by then, it had become clear that he already left his best days on the court behind him.

All the same, the Heat know how much Haslem brings to the table. Off the floor, he’s as valuable as any other player in red and black, bar none. It’s why he has been serving as team captain for the last 11 years, and why Riley didn’t have second thoughts bringing him back for a 17th season. His Instagram post underscores the pride with which he competes, never mind the 228 DNP-CDs to his name. And given the myriad intangibles he brings, the $2.6-million veterans minimum contract he inked is a decided bargain.

Little wonder, then, that Riley, not normally predisposed to handing out praise, described Haslem yesterday as “the heart and soul” of the Heat. And even as, in all likelihood, his deal will be his eighth and last, it signifies his worth to an organization that always strives to win. Ask those who have had the privilege of burning rubber with him. They’re only too glad to have him around. If he talks a big game, it’s precisely because he walks the walk.

 

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.

Watch nine Filipino female tech founders pitch their startups

Last weekend, nine female founded tech startups competed for a chance to represent the country on the global stage at She Loves Tech 2019, to be held in Beijing, China. Watch their pitches below:

1Export

1Export was founded by Mel Nava and is a one-stop, end-to-end exporting platform helping MSMEs and farming communities. They carry out this service by matching suppliers with traditional wholesalers and retailers abroad through data analytics, and processing export-compliant documents and labels.

Antipara Exploration Inc.

Antipara Exploration is an underwater 3D geospatial mapping and analytics company. Founded by Cherry Murillon-Cubacub, Laurice Dagum, Engr. Francis Corpuz, and Engr. Aaron Hilomen. it uses its own built underwater towed platform with camera and sonar system to provide maps and relevant information for marine management.

Container Living PH

Container Living provides a sustainable and modular-construction approach to modern building practices by using decommissioned shipping containers that are disaster-resilient and highly customisable. It was founded by Mac Evangelista, Engr. Aly Reyes, Mitch Menez, and John Aguilar.

FHMoms

FHMoms provides a platform which helps women find online jobs. Founded by Maria Korina Bertulfo, Lyra Jewel Decena, Rose Anne Fermocil, and Elisa Javier, their app narrows down employment options based on the results of their skill career matching quiz, and links users to online courses that will equip them with the knowledge and professional skills for their chosen online career path.

Goally

Founded by Gladis Morales and Rachel Jaro, Goally helps employees achieve their financial goals by providing an online dream planner, investment marketplace, and salary deduction facility.

Payo

Co-founded by Liron Gross, Payo is a gateway that manages and simplifies cash on delivery (COD) transaction for online sellers. We provide a full-suite of technological solutions including fraud detection, data analysis and courier optimisation, aimed to empower the merchants with abilities to seize control of the COD process, reduce cancellations and increase revenues.

SmartBride

Founded by Queency Kay Koh and Ira Manalastas, SmartBride is a virtual wedding planner powered by Artificial Intelligence. Their service automatically recommends free customisable wedding packages based on user’s preferences such as budget, location and target wedding date.

StyleGenie

StyleGenie is an online personalised styling service, with over a hundred Fashion Brands and 30,000 users on their platform. Founded by Abbie Victorino, Minrie Macapugay, Steph Oller, and Rhij Sarenas, stylists outfits based on customers’ Style Profiles and provide door-to-door delivery of the corresponding StyleBoxes.

Vesl Pte Ltd.

Founded by Maureen Nova Ledesma, Jessica Manipon, and Yroen Guaya Melgar, Vesl is a financial technology company innovating the trade finance sector by providing a platform that connects trade lenders and businesses to per invoice trade credit insurers, among other specialised insurance products.

Trade deficit narrows to lowest level in fifteen months

The country’s trade-in-goods deficit in June shrank to its lowest point in fifteen months as June imports declined by double-digits.

Preliminary Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed merchandise exports growing by 1.5% to $6.008 billion in June, faster than the one-percent growth in May but slower than the 3.7% growth in June 2018.

On the other hand, the merchandise import bill fell by 10.4% to $8.48 billion in June from $9.469 billion in the same month in 2018. This marked the third straight month of import decline this year.

These flows brought the country’s trade deficit to $2.473 billion in June, which is 30.4% less than the $3.553 billion shortfall in June 2018. The June deficit was the narrowest in fifteen months or since the $2.34-billion trade gap in March 2018.

On a cumulative basis, merchandise exports were down 0.8% to $34.114 billion from $34.397 billion in 2018’s comparable six months. This was below the revised two-percent growth target set by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) for 2019.

Year to date, merchandise imports posted a one-percent decline to $53.117 billion from $53.632 billion in January-June 2018, against the DBCC’s revised seven-percent projection for the year.

Cumulatively, the trade deficit declined 1.2% to $19.004 billion compared to last year’s gap of $19.235 billion.

The United States was the Philippines’ top export market in June with a 16.2% share at $974.36 million followed by Japan’s 14.6% ($874.18 million) and China’s 13.7% ($824.85 million) market shares.

The same month saw China as the country’s top source of imports with a 22.8% share at $1.93 billion followed by Japan’s 9.7% ($822.6 million) and Korea’s eight percent ($678.1 million). — Lourdes O. Pilar

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