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Kaya plays PSM Makassar in Jakarta; match to be held behind closed doors

JAKARTA, INDONESIA — A year after two fiery matches in the AFC Cup, the Philippines’ Kaya FC–Iloilo and Indonesia’s PSM Makassar are set to meet again in back-to-back games in the Asian club competition. The teams will face off today, at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium in Jakarta, before meeting again in Manila on April 15. With only a point separating the two sides in Group H, and the memory of last year’s contests still fresh, both contests are expected to bring plenty of exciting action.

“PSM is one of the tough opponents in the group. We just played last year, and over two matches we didn’t win against them. We’re happy that we’re grouped together again, and this time we’ll try to get a win,” said Kaya head coach Oliver Colina.

After missing out on the majority of matches in 2019, Simone Rota has played the full 90 minutes in the last two outings and is expected to partner with Carlyle Mitchell in the heart of Kaya’s defense once again.

“It’s been two weeks that we’ve been preparing. We know they’re a strong team, and we know that every point is important for us to reach the next stage,” he said. “We played them last year, but this time we are a new side — new signings, new coaching staff, so I think we will do better this time.”

While the domestic league in the Philippines has yet to begin, PSM Makassar hse had a few more matches to get acquainted with its new Croatian coach Bojan Hodak. Including the qualifying round for the AFC Cup, the Indonesian side has managed four wins, one draw, and one defeat in 2020 so far. Although presumably sharper in terms of fitness, its busy schedule has not been without some setbacks.

“Maybe it’s not an advantage for them that their league hasn’t started, but they are fresh. For us, it’s our fourth match in 12 days,” said Mr. Hodak “We have a few players that can’t play. Our captain, Wiljan Pluim had a red card and is still suspended for this match. We have two or three players who are either injured or sick after our last match as well.”

“They’ve played two games and they have played really well. They had a draw away to Shan [United], and had a draw against Tampines [Rovers], so at the moment they are leading the table (Group H). It will be a tough match,” he added. “They don’t have many stars on their team, but they are a very hard-working team. We must give respect to them also.”

Among those fit to play for PSM is in-form Indonesian striker Ferdinand Sinaga, who boasts a tally of six goals in the 2020 AFC Cup so far.

“We watched a lot of their games, but it’s not just about individuals in football. We need to deal with the whole team. We’ve studied how the team plays, and we’ve studied the individuals as well,” said Mr. Colina. “We just found out today that he (Pluim) will not play. He’s a very good player and one that carries the team. We are very happy he’s out, but again this team has a lot of good players,” said Mr. Colina.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Tuesday’s match will be played behind closed doors, denying PSM’s passionate supporters the opportunity to act as the team’s 12th man.

“We know we are playing behind closed doors. Normally there is a big crowd, so right now we are just focusing on ourselves and we’re not really thinking of anything [outside of that],” said Mr. Rota. “In the past two weeks, we’ve really focused on our team. We’ve looked at some of their games, but really we’re focused on us, and what we need to do.”

Tuesday’s match will kick off at 4:30 p.m. (Philippine time), and will be aired live on FOX Sports 2, and One Sports PH’s TV Channel, Facebook Page, and YouTube.

DepEd revives, expands suspension on events, field trips

THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) has reactivated the ban on national and regional activities following the confirmation of new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country. In a memorandum released Monday, the 5th in a series of COVID-19-related directives, DepEd expanded the suspension order to all inter-school events in cities and towns with “at least one local transmission as confirmed by the DoH (Department of Health).” As of March 9, the cities of Taguig, San Juan, Marikina, and Quezon City in Metro Manila are covered by this provision. San Juan and several other local governments in the capital have already ordered a suspension of classes in both public and private schools. “All division and district activities in all other cities and municipalities are highly discouraged,” states DepEd Memorandum No. 34, s. 202 signed by Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones on March 9. All off-campus activities such as field trips are included in the ban. However, the ongoing National Schools Press Conference and the National Festival of Talents have been exempted and will be carried out as scheduled. Activities within a school “may proceed, provided that all personnel and learners exhibiting respiratory infections must not attend,” states the order.

Taraka taps P100M DBP loan for irrigation, water supply projects

THE MUNICIPALITY of Taraka will be the first to avail of a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) under the Mindanao Water Program, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chair Emmanuel F. Piñol announced Monday. The P100-million loan, scheduled for signing on March 21, is “for the construction of six solar-powered irrigation systems and a potable water supply system,” Mr. Piñol said on his social media page. He said at least five other local government units “are now in the process of enrolling in the program.” The Mindanao Water Program, launched Dec. 6 last year, is a joint project of MinDa, DBP and the Department of Interior and Local Government. It is intended to bring safe drinking water supply to households and irrigation system to farms. “The program is based on LGU (local government unit) self-reliance and is designed to be economically viable through an Economic Enterprise Concept where fees are collected from the beneficiaries to pay off the loans,” The MinDA chair said. The irrigation systems in Taraka are expected to increase rice production in currently rain-fed farms. “With the solar-irrigation systems, farmers hope to plant twice a year at least and increase their yield from 3 metric tons once a year to 6 metric tons per harvest per hectare or 12 metric tons in one year.” Taraka, considered an important Maranao historical and cultural preservation area, has been chosen as showcase site for a MinDA-initiated agriculture-based poverty reduction program.

>> See related story on https://www.bworldonline.com/maranao-cultural-town-taraka-chosen-as-showcase-area-for-poverty-reduction-program/

Lady Spikers go for second win in a row

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

HAD it solid in their University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 82 women’s volleyball debut at the weekend, the De La Salle Lady Spikers look to sustain their form as they go for their second win in a row in league action today.

To take on the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the scheduled 3:30 p.m. match at the Mall of Asia Arena, the Lady Spikers (1-0) try to build on their impressive four-set victory over defending champions Ateneo Lady Eagles last Saturday and further get early traction in the tournament.

Despite being mostly composed of rookies, La Salle was the steadier team in its game against rival Ateneo on its way to the 25-17, 17-25, 25-17, 25-15 win.

Veteran Tin Tiamzon led the way for the Taft-based Lady Spikers, notching a triple-double of 17 points, 13 digs and 12 receptions.

La Salle got off to a strong start in the opening frame versus Ateneo, anchored on its stifling defense.

The Lady Eagles, led by rookie Faith Nisperos, would regain their footing in the second set to level the count at one set apiece.

The reigning champions continued to dictate the tempo in the early goings of the third stanza until La Salle flipped the switch.

Fueled by a combination of precise execution and Ateneo’s poor defense, the Lady Spikers snatched a 2-1 set lead before sprinting to a 17-7 spread in the fourth courtesy of a Jolina Dela Cruz hit.

Ateneo tried to recover from it but just could not get the job done, eventually slumping to the defeat.

Dela Cruz was also steady for La Salle in the win with 13 markers while freshmen Thea Gagate and Leila Cruz made a splashing debut with 10 and nine points, respectively.

Following their victory, La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus said the win was a good way to start the season and gauge where they are while also underlining the need to continue working on their game.

“This was a crucial game for us as we got to see where our players are at. As expected there were jitters on the part of the players, especially the young ones, but credit to them as they were able to rise above it as the game progressed,” said Mr. De Jesus in Filipino as he reflected on their performance.

As a team, La Salle, composed of eight rookies, committed 33 errors.

Turning their attention to the Fighting Maroons (1-1), Mr. De Jesus said they are looking to do better this season versus State U, after going winless against the latter in Season 81.

“We did not win against them last year but I think we have a better chance against them this season because we have the personnel to do it. Good thing we won today (Saturday) so that the players are more inspired and confident against UP on Tuesday,” said Mr. De Jesus.

UP (1-1), for its part, is also gunning for a second straight win in today’s match after swinging to the win column last Saturday against the University of the East, 25-23, 25-20, 18-25, 25-17.

It was a bounce-back win for the Maroons after being dominated in their season debut by Ateneo in three sets.

Also playing today are the men’s teams of La Salle and UP at 2 p.m.

Road to T’boli town weavers, other tourism sites completed

SEVERAL ROAD projects have been completed in the town of T’boli, including the Lang Dulay Road that leads to the site of its T’nalak weavers. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported last week that its South Cotabato 2nd District Engineering Office has delivered the 2019 Convergence Road Projects, which also cover the concreting of Bacdulong Road towards the Lake Sebu circumferential road and the Poblacion-Lake Sebu Road leading to T’daan Kini. The convergence projects are in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Tourism. “With the completion of these road projects amounting to P120.59 million, we expect a boost in the growing economy and promotion of South Cotabato’s culture and ecotourism,” District Engineer District Engineer Hadji Khalil D. Sultan said in a statement. Other projects within T’boli have also been finished such as access to El Kini Hot Spring, Lake Holon, and Mt. Melibingoy.

Sports events hit by the coronavirus epidemic

HERE is a partial list of international sports events hit by the coronavirus outbreak:

OLYMPICS

* Crowds will be smaller and receptions have been scrapped at the Tokyo 2020 torch-lighting ceremony in ancient Olympia, Greece next week. The dress rehearsal the day before will be held without spectators.

The International Olympic Committee gave further unequivocal backing to this year’s Games in July and August, urging athletes to prepare “full steam” despite the coronavirus threat.

ATHLETICS

* The World Athletics Indoor Championships, scheduled for Nanjing from March 13–15, were postponed until next year. World Athletics is working with organizers on a date to host the biennial event in 2021.

* The Paris marathon has been postponed from April 5 to Oct. 18 due to the virus outbreak in France.

* The Barcelona marathon scheduled for March 15 has been postponed until Oct. 25.

* The Marathon des Sables ultramarathon, scheduled for April 3–13, has been postponed to Sept. 18–28.

ICE HOCKEY

* The Women’s World Ice Hockey Championships, scheduled for Canada from March 31 to April 10, have been cancelled.

SOCCER

* Italy has ordered all major sporting events, including top-flight Serie A soccer games, to be played without fans for a month in a bid to curb Europe’s worst outbreak of the virus.

* Ten Serie A matches have been postponed as well as two Coppa Italia semi-final ties (Juventus vs. AC Milan and Napoli vs. Inter Milan).

* The President of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravina, has refused to rule out the suspension of Serie A soccer if a player tests positive for the coronavirus.

* The Serie A match between Parma and SPAL on March 8 was delayed before kick-off for 35 minutes after Italy’s Minister for Sport called for the league to be suspended during the outbreak.

* Players in England’s Premier League will forgo traditional pre-match handshakes between opponents as a measure to prevent the further spread of the virus, the league said.

* Players from Danish Super League clubs Brondby and Lyngby are in isolation after they met and hugged former Denmark international Thomas Kahlenberg, who has since tested positive for the virus.

* The Swiss soccer league has been put on hold until at least March 23 after the clubs rejected the possibility of playing matches without spectators attending.

* Asian Champions League matches involving Chinese clubs Guangzhou Evergrande, Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai SIPG were postponed.

The quarterfinals will be moved to September while the semifinals have been moved to Oct. 14–15 and 28–29. The final dates (Nov. 22 and Nov. 28) remain unchanged. — Reuters

Nationwide round-up

Anti-graft court rules to proceed with Arroyo trial over helicopter deal

THE ANTI-GRAFT court denied for lack of merit the bid of former first gentleman Jose Miguel T. Arroyo and his co-accused for a demurrer to evidence in connection with a helicopter purchase deal with the police in 2009. The prosecution alleges that the accused sold second-hand helicopters as brand new to the Philippine National Police (PNP). “Where there thus appears sufficiency of evidence preliminarily weighed at this instance, it is only for the accused to present their defense for a proper appreciation of the charges. The most cost-effective and expeditious way to do this is to proceed to trial, unabated by any other motions,” the Sandiganbayan said in its minutes of the proceedings held on January 30. A demurrer to evidence is filed by the accused for an outright dismissal of the case based on supposed insufficient evidence presented by the prosecution. “This Court has already ruled…that there is sufficient evidence to establish the crimes charged. The appreciation of evidence has to be done on a wholistic perspective in consideration of the facts and evidence presented,” Sandiganbayan said. Aside from Mr. Arroyo, the others accused are Jesus A. Versoza, Romeo C. Hilomen, Roman E. Loreto, Avensuel G. Dy, Claudio D.S. Caspar Jr., Ronald D. Roderos, Ruben S. Gongona, Ma. Linda A. Padojinog, Leocadio Salva C. Santiago Jr., Erminalndo O. Villafuerte, and Job Nilan D. Antionio. — Genshen L. Espedido

Games from Aeroflot

Aeroflot Open
Moscow, Russia
Feb. 19–27, 2020

Final Top Standings

1–4. IM Aydin Suleymanli AZE 2474, GM Rinat Jumabayev KAZ 2646, GM Rauf Mamedov AZE 2643, GM Aravindh Chithambaran (IND 2630, 6.5/9

5–10. GM Aleksej Aleksandrov BLR 2592, GM Vugar Asadli AZE 2538, GM Adhiban Baskaran IND 2654, GM Manuel Petrosyan ARM 2590, GM Mustafa Yilmaz TUR 2607, GM David Paravyan RUS 2629, 6.0/9

Total Participants: 97 players

Time Control: 100 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 50 minutes for the next 20 moves, followed by 15 minutes play-to-finish with 30 seconds added to your clock after every move starting move 1

The Aeroflot Open was a huge gathering of very strong players and naturally a lot of beautiful chess was played. Here is my favorite game from the event.

Puranik, Abhimanyu (2597) — Sjugirov, Sanan (2674) [A07]
18th Aeroflot Open-A 2020 Moscow (5.7), 23.02.2020

The 20–year-old GM from Maharashtra, India, Abhimanyu Puranik, is known for his tactical radar which allows him to find his way through even the most chaotic positions. In the following game though he gets outplayed by the pride of Kalmykia Sanan Sjugirov.

Ten years ago Sjugirov was creating waves and became one of the youngest ever to qualify for the Russian SuperFinals at the age of 16 (this was in 2009). He has lost a bit of momentum since then but still remains a tough customer. Take a look at what he did to Puranik.

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.0–0 e5 5.d3 Ne7 6.e4 0–0 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1 Nc6 9.Nc3 Nde7 10.Rb1

The usual move here is 10.a4. This move, planning b2–b4, was considered bizarre when it was first used around 2015. However, Magnus Carlsen started using it too in 2017 and now it is considered main line theory.

10…a5

Right away Black prevents b2–b4.

11.b3 Nf5 12.Nb5 Re8 13.Bb2 a4 14.bxa4

A bit of a strange move. Interesting is 14.b4 with the follow-up to be a2–a3. Black cannot take the pawn because of 14…Nxb4 15.Bxe5! Bxe5 16.Rxb4 Black’s position is awkward. For example the bishop cannot even retreat to g7 due to 16…Bg7 17.Rxe8+ Qxe8 18.Nxc7 White has won material.

14…Rxa4 15.a3 Ra8 16.c4 Nd6

Planning …e5–e4 to target the c4–pawn.

17.Qb3 Bf5 18.Rbd1 Qd7 19.a4 Rad8 20.c5 Be6!

This is the start of some mind-bending tactics.

21.Qa3 Nc4! 22.dxc4

White doesn’t have the luxury of declining the sacrifice. 22.Qb3 Nxb2 23.Qxb2 e4 Black is clearly winning due to the discovered attack against the queen.

22…Qxd1! 23.Nxc7!

Taking the queen is taboo: 23.Rxd1? Rxd1+ 24.Bf1 Bh3 Is White about to be mated? No, for he can still defend with 25.Nd2 Rd8! (25…Rxd2?? 26.Bxh3 of course leaves White ahead on material) 26.Nd6! cxd6 27.Qb3 (the only defense, attacking the rook on d1) 27…Re1 (…Bh6 is coming) 28.f3 Bxf1 29.Nxf1 dxc5 30.Kf2 Rdd1 31.Ne3 Rb1 32.Qc3 Nb4 it looks like additional material losses cannot be prevented.

23…e4!

Opening up the long diagonal severely strains White’s defenses.

24.Nxe8

Let’s take a look at the alternatives:

24.Rxd1? Rxd1+ 25.Bf1 Bh3 26.Nd2 Rd8 27.Nd5 Rxd2 28.Bxh3 (28.Bxg7 Rd1 29.Ne3 Rxf1+ 30.Nxf1 Rd1 31.Qa1 Rxf1+ 32.Qxf1 Bxf1 33.Bc3 Bxc4 with an easily won endgame) 28…Rxb2 with Bd4 and Ne5 coming up;

On the other hand 24.Bxg7 exf3 25.Qc3 Re7 seems to hold for White.

24…exf3 25.Bc3?

[25.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 26.Bf1 Bxc4 (whether this bishop goes to c4 or h3 White’s reply will be the same) 27.Qa1! and now both sides will have to settle for a draw after 27…Rxa1 28.Bxa1 Bxf1 29.Bxg7 Ba6]

25…Rd3?

An inexactitude. Much stronger is 25…Nd4! (with the idea of Ne2+) 26.Bf1 (26.Rxd1? loses quickly: 26…Ne2+ 27.Kf1 Rxd1+ 28.Be1 Bxc4 the end) 26…Nc2 27.Rxd1 Rxd1 28.Qb2 Bh3 finishes off White.

26.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 27.Bf1 Bxc3

[27…Bh3 28.Qa1! holds]

28.Qb3?

He cannot take the bishop — 28.Qxc3? Nd4! forces White to give up his queen for the knight as otherwise …Ne2+ leads to mate.

However, even at this late stage White still has a defense. 28.h3! Nd4 29.Nf6+ Kg7 30.Ne8+ Kg8 (30…Kh6 is scarier but also leads to perpetual check 31.c6! Ne2+ 32.Kh2 Rxf1 33.Qf8+ Kh5 (33…Kg5? 34.Qc5+ Kh6 35.Qe3+ g5 36.h4! the tables are turned and it is now White who wins) 34.Qc5+ g5 35.h4 h6 36.Qe3 Bg4 37.cxb7 Rg1 followed by checking on g2 and g1) 31.Nf6+ Kg7 32.Ne8+ Kg8 draw.

POSITION AFTER 28.QB3

Now we get to see Sjugirov’s idea.

28…Rxf1+! 0–1

The Chessbase website <www.chessbase.com> has a facility where all the games are automatically analyzed by their chess engine. Anyway, after 28…Rxf1+! it indicated that White lost with the comment “lost on time?” The question mark means that it does not understand why White lost.

If it had thought a bit longer though then perhaps it would have noticed that Black has a beautiful forced mate in 7 here: 29.Kxf1 Bh3+ 30.Kg1 Nd4! 31.Qxc3 (31.Nf6+ Kh8 32.Qd1 Ne2+) 31…Ne2+ 32.Kh1 Bg2#

The list of the youngest chess grandmasters in history is frequently changing. When the World Chess Federation (FIDE) was reorganized after World War II it set up rules for the granting of international titles and, in 1950, came awarded the Grandmaster title to 27 players. The youngest in that list was David Bronstein who was 26 years of age. Bobby Fischer held the distinction of “youngest GM in history” when he became a GM in 1958 at the age of 15 years, 6 months, 1 day. It was 33 years later, in 1991, that Judit Polgar broke his record by a month. Three years later it was broken again by another Hungarian prodigy, Peter Leko and 3 years later the Frenchman Etienne Bacrot lowered the record to 14 years and 2 months. Then came Ruslan Ponomariov, then Bu Xiangzhi and finally in 2002 Sergey Karjakin set the bar at 12 years and 7 months, and his record still stands up to today.

Currently the five youngest GMs in history are:

Sergey Karjakin (Ukraine/Russia), 12 years seven months,

Dommaraju Gukesh (India), 12 years, seven months, 17 days

Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan), 12 years, 10 months, five days

Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (India), 12 years, 10 months, 13 days

Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan), 13 years, 1 month, 11 days

Never heard of Sindarov? Early in 2018 people were just starting to mention a great new talent in Uzbekistan when he suddenly achieved all of the required three norms within a 4-month span. Two years later in the 2020 Aeroflot Open he is still very young, all of 14 years old, and he took down his compatriot GM Rinat Jumabayev.

Sindarov, Javokhir (2537) — Jumabayev, Rinat (2646) [B88]
18th Aeroflot Open-A 2020 Moscow (1.8), 19.02.2020

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.Nge2 Nf6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 a6

We have transposed to the Sicilian Najdorf.

6.a3!?

Ever since players like Magnus Carlsen, Sergey Karjakin and Vishy Anand started playing 6.a3 against the Najdorf it is quickly gathering steam. It is basically a waiting move and in some cases it provides the a2–square for the light-squared bishop.

6…e6 7.Bc4 Nc6 8.0–0 Be7 9.Ba2 0–0 10.Be3 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 b5 12.f4 Bb7 13.Qd3 Rc8 14.Rae1 Qc7 15.f5 e5 16.Bf2 d5 17.exd5 Rfd8 18.Bg3 Nxd5 19.Bxd5

Not so good is 19.Bxe5?! Qb6+ 20.Bd4 (20.Kh1? Nf4 discovering an attack on the white queen as well as on g2) 20…Bc5

21.Ne2? Ne3! 22.Qxe3 Rxd4 23.Kh1 Rg4 Black is clearly winning;

21.Bxc5 Qxc5+ 22.Rf2 Nf6 23.Qg3 Re8 the initiative is worth more than the pawn given up;

21.Nxd5 Bxd4+ 22.Kh1 Rxd5 (22…Bxd5? 23.Bxd5 Rxd5 24.c3 white wins back the piece) 23.Bxd5 Bxd5 24.c3 Qc6! 25.Qxd4 Bxg2+ 26.Kg1 Bxf1 27.Rxf1 Re8 Black’s better pawns give him the superior game.

19…Bxd5 20.Bxe5

[20.Nxd5 makes it easy for Black. After the exchanges 20…Qc5+ 21.Bf2 Qxd5 22.Qxd5 Rxd5 23.Re2 f6 Black has control of the d-file]

20…Bc5+?

Correct was 20…Qc5+! 21.Rf2 (21.Bd4 Bc4! 22.Bxc5 Bxc5+ 23.Kh1 Bxd3 24.cxd3 Bxa3) 21…Bh4! 22.Bg3 Bf6 with Black clearly superior. However, Jumabayev had latched on to a tactical idea which had a flaw. We will see later how it went.

21.Kh1 Bxg2+

Black continues with his idea.

22.Kxg2 Rxd3 23.Bxc7 Rd2+ 24.Kh1 Rxc7?

Jumabayev’s idea. He already has a rook on the second rank and there is no back rank threat because he can defend it with …Bf8. Sadly, there was a hole …

25.Re8+ Bf8 26.Ne4! 1–0

Alas! After 26.Ne4 Rdxc2 there follows 27.Nf6+ gxf6 28.Rg1+ Kh8 29.Rxf8#

Don’t feel too bad for Jumabayev, as he just shrugged off this loss and scored five wins and three draws from the remaining eight rounds to tie for first.

 

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

bobby@cpamd.net

Nation at a Glance — (03/10/20)

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 — (03/10/20)

Lakers vs best of rest

The Lakers knew they had their work cut out for them heading into the extended weekend. On their plates were a pair of matches deemed to define their last-quarter blitz through the 2019–20 season. Considering their status as tops in Western Conference standings, and with a relatively healthy lead over the best of the rest, the outcomes of the set-tos didn’t appear nominally critical. On the other hand, more than simple bragging rights were at stake for them. The Bucks and Clippers just so happened to be the biggest stumbling blocks to their championship hopes, and not for nothing had they been a combined zero and three against the powerhouses.

The Lakers would go on to pass the tests, and with aplomb. With reason, they have refused to publicly concede the significance of their victories beyond the here and now; there remains a lot of hoops to be played, and the depth of the competition extends no guarantees of success in the postseason. Yet, there can be no discounting the value of their immediate past body of work against the Bucks and Clippers. They didn’t simply win. They did so emphatically, and in a manner that speaks to their strengths versus pundits’ favorites.

Needless to say, the Lakers turned to their resident marquee names to carve the triumphs. Against the Bucks, Most Valuable Player candidate LeBron James proved superior. And he wasn’t just engaged on offense per usual; he stayed locked in at the other end of the court as well, holding down otherwise-unstoppable Giannis Antetokounmpo’s numbers to substantial effect. Meanwhile, fellow All-Star Anthony Davis put up a solid line to backstop the effort. Parenthetically, yesterday unveiled more of the same, with the two delivering in the crunch to claim their 11th win in 12 outings.

If there’s anything the Lakers showed over the weekend, it’s that they possess unparalleled versatility, not to mention the chops to use it efficiently. They went big against the Bucks, giving traditional centers JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard a combined 31 minutes to help contain Antetokounmpo’s length. And then they went small versus the Clippers, with the two logging a mere 19 minutes on aggregate. Yesterday, Davis spent a not inconsiderable amount of time at the five spot, clearly in an effort to keep the defense tight while allowing for constant switching.

The Lakers may or may not win the title in June. There’s still three months’ worth of battles to negotiate before the reckoning comes. Nonetheless, they answered any and all queries on their readiness to take the measure of the National Basketball Association’s acknowledged finest. They’ve long proven ready and willing. Over the weekend, they also showed they’re able. And when the hardware will truly be on the line, they have James — and, of course, Davis — to lean on while committing to be all of the above, and more.

 

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.

Colorful Holi Festival canceled due to virus fears

THE Asia Society announced that Holi Festival 2020 has been canceled due to the government’s declaration of a public health emergency over COVID-19.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the cancellation of Holi Festival 2020. This is in consideration of the risks and concerns surrounding COVID-19, and the public health emergency declared by the Philippine government,” the Asia Society Philippines said in a statement.

Holi, also known as The Festival of Colors, is a traditional and colorful Hindu festival best known for the vivid rainbow of powder clouds thrown into the air and at festival-goers.

The festival was to have been held on March 29 at SM by the Bay.

Asia Society Philippines has celebrated Holi in Manila for the last seven years alongside its partners —the Embassy of India, the Indian Cultural Association of the Philippines, and members of the Indian community.

“Notwithstanding the cancellation of Holi Festival 2020, Holi remains a season of hope and renewal. Let us continue to celebrate it with our loved ones and with our larger community, in good health and hopeful spirit,” the statement said.

Details on ticket refunds will be announced shortly.

Art in the Park postponed on virus fears

ART IN THE PARK, the “affordable art fair” which attracts throngs of art lovers and artists of all stripes, has been postponed because of the coronavirus.

“Mindful of our collective responsibility to help contain the spread of COVID-19, the organizers of Art in the Park and the Museum Foundation of the Philippines have decided to postpone the event scheduled for Sunday, March 15,” says a statement released on Monday by the organizer, Philippine Art Events, Inc.

“[I]n consideration of the recent advisories by both the World Health Organization and the Department of Health, we feel that pushing through with the event would be irresponsible,” it continued.

The organizers hope to reschedule the popular one-day art fair later this year.

Art in the Park has been held annually at the Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati since 2006. The fair offers visitors a range of paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, and new media at prices P50,000 and below.

This year’s fair was going to have 56 exhibitors, ranging from established galleries like Finale Art File and Avellana Art Gallery, to school groups like the Siliman University Fine Art Department and the UP College of Arts, to art collectives like The Thursday Group, Kulay Art Group, and Ang I.N.K. This year’s featured artists included Richard Quebral, Dex Fernandez, and Jackie Lozano, who was going to hold a live portrait session at the park.

A portion of all sales at Art in the Park is donated to the Museum Foundation of the Philippines.

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