Suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas struck twice on Sunday, leaving five civilians and two more soldiers dead amid a rising clamor for swift military action against the perpetrators of the worst government losses in years.
The Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) reported that Hassan Asnawi, a commander of the MILF’s 114th Base Command, led a 50-strong force that ambushed a truck owned by a rubber cooperative in Basilan, leaving five civilians dead and eight others wounded.
In Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte, armed men ambushed troops led by Lt. Col. Bagnum Gaerlan of the 5th Infantry Battalion, killing two soldiers and wounding four others.
Suspected MILF rebels also seized two schools in Zamboanga Sibugay on Saturday, police said.
The fatalities in the two attacks put the overall toll of lives in Mindanao in renewed violence last week at 33—28 of them soldiers and policemen. The dead included 19 killed in Basilan on Oct. 18 and seven on Oct. 21 in Zamboanga Sibugay.
Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, Wesmincom spokesperson, said troops had been dispatched to pursue the rebels in Basilan and Lanao del Norte.
MILF chief negotiator Mohaqher Iqbal said a Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team headed by Maj. Gen. Dato Mahdi Bin Yusof had started investigating the Oct. 18 incident. He said the findings would be discussed upon the resumption of peace talks next month in Kuala Lumpur.
President Benigno Aquino III has promised relatives of the slain government troops that those behind the attacks would be hunted down, but he rejected growing calls for the government to review its peace talks with the MILF.
Mr. Aquino sacked the Army spokesperson, Col. Antonio Parlade, for telling reporters that the government should suspend negotiations with the MILF and go after the perpetrators of the Oct. 18 massacre.
Senators were divided on the President’s decision to pursue peace talks, but all of those interviewed by the Inquirer on Sunday were for immediate military action.
Daylight attack
In the House of Representatives, San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito urged Mr. Aquino to take a strong action against the rebels and warned against a coup d’etat from disgruntled soldiers. Other lawmakers dismissed the threat, saying the President’s high popularity rating would prevent a power grab.
Maj. Harold Cabunoc, the acting Army spokesperson, said Gaerlan’s troops were ambushed about 11 a.m. on Sunday while traversing the Tukuran-Parang Road at Barangay Payong in Sultan Naga Dimaporo.
Gaerlan, who was riding in a civilian vehicle, was unharmed. Those killed and injured were onboard a KM450 military truck.
Cpl. Benjamin Aguilar, who was among those wounded, identified the dead as Corporals Jonathan Anot and Rolly Duhaylungsod, and the wounded as Capt. Antonio Raymond Barnes, S/Sgt. Johnny Dayoc and Sgt. Jaime Tamayo.
“The identities of the assailants are unknown but the MILF has forces roaming around in the area. They don’t have an ‘area of temporary stay’ in that town,” Cabunoc said. “If it is established that the MILF is behind the ambush, this is a clear ceasefire violation.”
He said Col. Ricardo Visaya, commander of the 104th Infantry Brigade, had dispatched reinforcements backed by armored vehicles to pursue the perpetrators.
The initial report reaching the Army said Gaerlan was on his way to facilitate the surrender of two MILF members.
Rubber tappers
The Army said the rubber workers were ambushed at Sitio Along-Along between Barangay Upper Cabengbeng and Barangay Sapah Bulak in Sumisip, Basilan, around 5:30 a.m.
Cabunoc said those killed and injured were on a truck owned by Tumahubong Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Inc. Development Cooperative that was used to haul rubber.
Killed were Renato Aligay, Junrel Langugon, Delord Johnson and Buenaventura Lugamay, all rubber tappers, and militiaman Fernando Tantalo. Wounded were workers Danilo Tonghay, Julibert Dingkong, Adzar Madjakin, Francisco Taklindo, Abdul Mot and Alfredo Rojas, and militiamen Gilbert Guevarra and Bonifacio Dagodog Jr.
Cabunoc said Army Scout Rangers were sent to go after the attackers. He said pursuit operations were allowed under ceasefire rules, pointing out the assault took place not in an “area of temporary stay” of the MILF.
Invoking the existing ceasefire agreement, the government did not pursue the MILF rebels who killed 19 Army Special Forces troops and wounded 14 others on Oct. 18 at Barangay Cambug in Al-Barka, Basilan.
The military, however, claimed the 41 Special Forces troops were 4 kilometers away from the recognized MILF “area of temporary stay” in Al-Barka when a large group of MILF rebels led by Dan Laksaw Asnawi ambushed them.
Local ceasefire
Chief Supt. Bienvenido Latag, police chief for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the latest MILF attacks happened after a local ceasefire agreement was reached with MILF representatives in Davao City on Saturday.
“We were assured that the harassment would stop beginning Sunday,” Latag said. He said the call for ceasefire had been relayed not just to the police but also to the military.
Von al Haq, MILF spokesperson, also expressed surprise at the weekend violence.
“How could that be when a ceasefire has been holding since Sunday?” he asked when told about reports of MILF forces occupying two public schools in Zamboanga Sibugay on Saturday night and the ambushes in Basilan and Lanao del Norte.
Al Haq said that during the meeting in Davao City on Saturday, both sides agreed to respect the ceasefire. “All units from various grounds were directed to respect the ceasefire and we made sure the directive transcended down to various commands,” he said.
Schools seized
On Saturday night, Senior Supt. Ruben Cariaga, police chief for Zamboanga Sibugay, reported that a certain Said, allegedly a commander of the MILF in Cotabato City, led some 150 men in occupying two public elementary schools in Talusan town.
Cariaga reported Said’s group destroyed some parts of Samonte Elementary School and took rice and two cows before moving to the adjacent village of Bulingan, where they also occupied Bulingan Elementary School.
Al Haq denied knowing Said. “We will check our records because we have so many commanders on the ground and his name is not so familiar to us,” he said.
“Since Saturday noon, all the units on the ground are under instruction to maintain defensive position and no one should move unless they are attacked,” Al Haq said.
“Where is our government? Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad asked while saying a prayer for the slain rubber workers. “Who will feed their children now? I hope the national leaders will do something so that the people may feel that the government is doing something for them.”
With reports from Julie S. Alipala, Jeoffrey Maitem and Hernan dela Cruz, Inquirer Mindanao; Dona Z. Pazzibugan in Manila; AFP and AP
Current Events in Philippines
Monday, October 24, 2011
Returning Sol Mercado sizzles as Meralco halts Petron
MANILA, Philippines—In only his first game back, Sol Mercado immediately showed what he could do for the Meralco Bolts.
Exploding for 16 points, Mercado paced Meralco in blemishing Petron Blaze’s record with a 80-70 triumph Sunday in the 2011 PBA Philippine Cup.
Mercado, who missed the first four games of the conference, also notched five rebounds and four assists while providing relentless spark, which helped Meralco maintain the advantage all throughout the game.
“I wanted to test how my legs felt. But I played basketball all my life so it’s just like riding a bike,” said Mercado, who scored 11 of his total points in the first half.
The Bolts, who moved on to a commendable 3-2 record, thrived in the highly defensive affair while also dominating the boards—which proved to be the key in the win.
“Our defense will keep us afloat,” said Meralco head coach Ryan Gregorio.
Gabby Espinas and Asi Taulava took turns in manning the paint as they plucked down 12 and nine rebounds, respectively, and combined for 22 points.
Taulava heated up in the fourth quarter to freeze Meralco’s lead, muscling his way inside as he even pulled off a one-handed throwdown for a 65-57 lead with three minutes to play.
Petron, which suffered its first loss in the conference, struggled to find rhythm in the offensive end although it kept grinding on defense all night.
Arwind Santos led all scorers with 17 points, 13 rebounds and also three of his squad’s eight blocks, but Petron couldn’t convert on the opportunity after his defense stop with 1:20 left in the game.
The Boosters had trimmed the deficit down to 75-70 when Santos swatted Espinas’ attempt, but they ultimately failed to score down the stretch.
Rookie Chris Lutz, who has been a consistent threat for Petron, added 16 points.
The scores:
MERALCO 80—Mercado 16, Espinas 14, Lanete 9, taulava 8, Isip 7, Faundo 6, Macapagal 6, Omolon 6, Borboran 5, Yee 3, Ballesteros 0.PETRON BLAZE 70—Santos 17, Lutz 16, Yeo 11, Miranda 7, Cabagnot 6, Ildefonso 6, Agustin 3, Baclao 2, Sharma 2, Guevarra 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 18-17, 36-30, 58-49, 80-70
PBA News
Like it or not, new peso bills star in currency award
What matter a mislocated map here or a wrong-colored beak there?
The series of new peso bills, which was vilified after its launch last December for those two design errors, has been judged as one of the best currency series in the world in an international design competition.
The set of new peso notes, called the “New Generation Currency (NGC)” series, was one of two finalists for best new currencies in the world in a worldwide contest organized by the International Association of Currency Affairs (Iaca).
Iaca is an international organization of central banks, currency-issuing authorities, currency producers and suppliers.
The winner of the Best Currency Award was the new series of shilling notes from Uganda. The other finalist for best new currencies was the new series of rupee notes from Sri Lanka.
The contest is aimed at recognizing the best currencies that have been issued within the last 18 months. The currencies were evaluated on the basis of their design, including innovativeness and security features.
‘Best security features’
Besides landing as a finalist, the Philippines’ NGC was also given a special award for best security features. The new series of peso notes was cited for its optically variable device patch, a feature of the new P500 and P1,000 bills.
This feature, which counterfeiters would find hard to imitate, is the reflective foil that bears the image of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) logo with a parrot in the P500 bill and the South Sea pearl inside a clam in the P1,000 bill.
The awards given to the Philippine currency were received by BSP Monetary Board Member Armando Suratos and BSP Deputy Governor Juan de Zuñiga at the award ceremony held earlier this month.
Diwa Guinigundo, the deputy governor who headed the committee in charge of the design of the new peso bank notes, said the BSP is proud of the new series of peso notes because of its sophisticated features.
The recognition of the new peso notes as one of the best in the world came after they were roundly criticized when they were launched in December last year.
The critics said the new peso notes had errors in design, and urged the BSP to recall the series.
Some of the errors cited were the allegedly inaccurately designed Philippine map and the wrong color used for the beak of the blue-naped parrot featured in the P500 note.
The BSP said what the critics are pointing out are not errors.
Sophistication of design
The map, which critics said mislocated the Tubbataha Reef by 400 kilometers and did not clearly show Batanes, was simply an artist’s rendition, the central bank said. The map need not be 100-percent accurate because it is an artistic depiction and not meant to be a navigational tool, it said.
As for the color of the parrot’s beak, which is rendered yellow in the P500 note when the actual color is red, the BSP said the inaccuracy was a consequence of printing-capability limitations. The printing of bank notes, unlike ordinary paper materials, have limited colors and the limitation did not allow the beak to be printed red, it said.
Instead of criticizing the peso notes, people should recognize the sophistication of the design, especially as far as security features are concerned, the BSP said.
For instance, the holograms and the embossed prints of monetary value in the peso notes make them difficult, if not impossible, to be imitated by counterfeiters, it said.
Fusion of substance, form
“NGC notes are beautiful. It is an elegant fusion of substance—the theme being what is the best and the brightest in the Philippines—and form rendered in a most artistic and tasteful fashion,” Guinigundo said.
“The jurors must have been impressed by the careful choice and use of cutting-edge security features that actually enhanced the color and thematic dimensions of our currency,” he said.
He said that besides being colorful, the new peso notes are durable (with 20-percent abaca and durability features embedded in the paper manufacture) and clean (it has bioguard properties that resist bacteria and other microorganisms).
So far between 400 and 500 million of the new peso notes are already in circulation.
Guinigundo said that despite this, there seems to be a scarcity of the new bank notes. He said this was because some people, when they get hold of a new bank note, tend to want to keep it rather than spend it.
Philippine Peso Exchange Rate
The series of new peso bills, which was vilified after its launch last December for those two design errors, has been judged as one of the best currency series in the world in an international design competition.
The set of new peso notes, called the “New Generation Currency (NGC)” series, was one of two finalists for best new currencies in the world in a worldwide contest organized by the International Association of Currency Affairs (Iaca).
Iaca is an international organization of central banks, currency-issuing authorities, currency producers and suppliers.
The winner of the Best Currency Award was the new series of shilling notes from Uganda. The other finalist for best new currencies was the new series of rupee notes from Sri Lanka.The contest is aimed at recognizing the best currencies that have been issued within the last 18 months. The currencies were evaluated on the basis of their design, including innovativeness and security features.
‘Best security features’
Besides landing as a finalist, the Philippines’ NGC was also given a special award for best security features. The new series of peso notes was cited for its optically variable device patch, a feature of the new P500 and P1,000 bills.
This feature, which counterfeiters would find hard to imitate, is the reflective foil that bears the image of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) logo with a parrot in the P500 bill and the South Sea pearl inside a clam in the P1,000 bill.
The awards given to the Philippine currency were received by BSP Monetary Board Member Armando Suratos and BSP Deputy Governor Juan de Zuñiga at the award ceremony held earlier this month.
Diwa Guinigundo, the deputy governor who headed the committee in charge of the design of the new peso bank notes, said the BSP is proud of the new series of peso notes because of its sophisticated features.
The recognition of the new peso notes as one of the best in the world came after they were roundly criticized when they were launched in December last year.
The critics said the new peso notes had errors in design, and urged the BSP to recall the series.
Some of the errors cited were the allegedly inaccurately designed Philippine map and the wrong color used for the beak of the blue-naped parrot featured in the P500 note.
The BSP said what the critics are pointing out are not errors.
Sophistication of design
The map, which critics said mislocated the Tubbataha Reef by 400 kilometers and did not clearly show Batanes, was simply an artist’s rendition, the central bank said. The map need not be 100-percent accurate because it is an artistic depiction and not meant to be a navigational tool, it said.
As for the color of the parrot’s beak, which is rendered yellow in the P500 note when the actual color is red, the BSP said the inaccuracy was a consequence of printing-capability limitations. The printing of bank notes, unlike ordinary paper materials, have limited colors and the limitation did not allow the beak to be printed red, it said.
Instead of criticizing the peso notes, people should recognize the sophistication of the design, especially as far as security features are concerned, the BSP said.
For instance, the holograms and the embossed prints of monetary value in the peso notes make them difficult, if not impossible, to be imitated by counterfeiters, it said.
Fusion of substance, form
“NGC notes are beautiful. It is an elegant fusion of substance—the theme being what is the best and the brightest in the Philippines—and form rendered in a most artistic and tasteful fashion,” Guinigundo said.
“The jurors must have been impressed by the careful choice and use of cutting-edge security features that actually enhanced the color and thematic dimensions of our currency,” he said.
He said that besides being colorful, the new peso notes are durable (with 20-percent abaca and durability features embedded in the paper manufacture) and clean (it has bioguard properties that resist bacteria and other microorganisms).
So far between 400 and 500 million of the new peso notes are already in circulation.
Guinigundo said that despite this, there seems to be a scarcity of the new bank notes. He said this was because some people, when they get hold of a new bank note, tend to want to keep it rather than spend it.
Philippine Peso Exchange Rate
Pacquiao bloodies sparring partner’s mouth, nose
The Manny Pacquiao engine is really starting to rev up. The Filipino ring icon was all business in sparring Thursday at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood and bloodied the mouth and nose of Hastings Bwalya in the second round.
Bwalya, who sports a 7-0 record with five knockouts, bore the brunt of the Pacquiao offensive and got peppered with solid body blows and uppercuts.Pacquiao then sparred with Rey Beltran for four more rounds and did two more rounds with Bwalya.
Pacquiao is in the second phase of his training for his looming bout with Mexican archnemesis Juan Manuel Marquez.
The two will square off November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao had earlier set up camp in Baguio City, where he revealed he is seriously preparing for the third bout against an opponent who gave him a difficult time in their two previous matches.
UFL Cup: Global salvages draw with Pachanga
MANILA, Philippines—Defending champion Global salvaged a 2-2 stalemate against newcomer Pachanga last night to keep its last 16 hopes alive in the United Football League Cup at the muddy University of Makati pitch.
Substitute Franco Borromeo fired a volley to the top corner with a minute remaining as Global fought back from two goals down to sustain its bid for a place in the knockout stage.
The draw between two teams belonging to the tournament’s toughest group boosted Stallions FC into the knockout phase. Stallions prevailed, 8-0, over Cebu Queen City to finish their group assignments with six points.
Pachanga will face Queen City on Saturday needing just a draw to seal its entry to the next round. In this scenario, Global can only hope to gain a wild card to the knockout stage by emerging as one of the two best third-placed teams.
Army completed a sweep of its group G assignment with a 4-nil beating of Manhur to also book its place in the next round, while Nomads topped group A with a 9-0 win over Baguio FC.
Kaya-Cignal also finished the group stage unbeaten after a 6-1 victory over ABC Stars at the Alabang Country Club field.
Borromeo’s goal from a pinpoint cross from the debuting Angel Guirado capped an entertaining finish to what started as a dour game hampered by poor pitch conditions.
Pachanga, which hit the post three times in the first half, was finally rewarded in the 50th minute when Shelmar Filongco found an unmarked Joven Bedic, who slotted the ball past a helpless Paolo Pascual.
National team player Neckson Leonora doubled the advantage with a fine individual effort, outsmarting two Global defenders, before rifling in a curling shot from just inside the box 70th minute.
Sparked by the introduction of Guirado early in the second half, Global got back into the game a minute later when Izo El-Habbib followed up the Fil-Spanish’s striker saved effort.
Donaire wins via unanimous decision vs Narvaez
NEW YORK – Filipino fighter Nonito Donaire retained his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization bantamweight titles Saturday with a 12-round unanimous decision over Argentina’s Omar Navarez.Donaire improved to 27-1 and stretched his nine-year winning streak to 26 fights.
The three judges at ringside at the Theater at Madison Square Garden all scored it 120-108 in favor of Donaire, who dealt Navarez the first defeat of his 11-year pro career.
However, the crowd of 4,425 was unhappy with the lack of action and Donaire’s inability to break through the challenger’s defenses for the knockout.
Donaire won the title with a convincing second-round knockout of Fernando Montiel in Las Vegas in February.
The 28-year-old southpaw, fighting in New York for the first time, was looking comfortable by the fourth round, when he began landing more punches and backed Navarez into the ropes with a combination.
Navarez, also a southpaw, went into a defensive shell, keeping his clenched hands in front of his face as he seemed happy to let the bout go the distance.
When Donaire managed to land some uppercuts late in the 10th round, the crowd went wild but they reverted to jeers as the pace dropped off in the 11th.
Donaire was not too happy either.
“I don’t know what’s going on in his head,” he said of Navarez’ passive stance. “He didn’t want to fight.”
In Manila, Malacanang immediately congratulated Donaire for his victory.
“Congratulations to the Filipino Flash…We’re all very proud of you,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.
Valte said Donaire’s win showed that “it’s not only the (people’s champ) Cong. Manny Pacquiao who does us proud when it comes to the boxing arena.”
She said the country has many good boxers and underscored the need for the country to continue to support them. With report from Christine Avendano, Philippine Daily Inquirer
nonito donaire news
Friday, October 21, 2011
Omar Narvaez confident of toppling Nonito Donaire Jr.
NEW YORK—Argentina’s Omar Narvaez oozed with confidence when he finally spoke Wednesday about his world championship fight with Filipino titleholder Nonito Donaire Jr.
“He is still young. I have the experience, I have been in this situation many times,” the 36-year-old Narvaez told a Top Rank Promotions writer.
Fighting for the first time on United States soil and at 118 pounds, he said that his relative obscurity from media’s prying eyes will work to his advantage.
“No one knows me here,” added the five-foot-3 Narvaez, a southpaw. “On Saturday you will know me. I will go home with his belts.”
Donaire saw Narvaez at the hotel lobby while waiting for the bus that would take him to the Philippine Consulate for a courtesy call and remarked that the challenger’s “got a big head.”
“That’s good, bigger target,” Donaire jokingly told his trainer Robert Garcia. The 5-foot-7 Donaire, acknowledged as the quicker, more powerful puncher of the two combatants, said he is upbeat about his chances because he holds one very big edge.
“I’m the smarter boxer,” he said.
Though he trained during his media workout at nearby Kingsway Gym, Donaire also buckled down to work late Tuesday and jogged until 11 p.m. He said he’s feeling sharp because he can now recuperate faster than before.
He credited it to a recovery cocktail prepared by his controversial strength and conditioning coach Victor Conte.
“It’s a no-calorie protein shake which makes recovery faster,” the Filipino Flash said. “Boxing is 50 percent training and 50 percent recovery because the body gets drained by too much work.”
At the Philippine Consulate here, Donaire received words of encouragement from staff and a coffeetable book from Consul General Mario de Leon.
“Your impressive record as a three-division world champion earned you legions of fans here in the US, the Philippines and in many parts of the world,” De Leon told Donaire. “You serve as an inspiration not only to aspiring boxers in the Philippines but also to Filipino-American athletes.”
Donaire also fielded questions from the US-based reporters where he revealed that he was bullied when he was a kid.
“I get bullied in school and go home crying because I was that small, frail kid,” he said. “I had asthma and always got sick. I’m fortunate to come to the US, eat food. And I’m very blessed to be where I am right now.”
Donaire said he plans to move up in weight and fight three times next year, including one, hopefully, at the 16,000-seater SM arena being constructed at the Mall of Asia in Pasay.
But before that, Donaire and wife Rachel are set to marry in church on Nov. 11 in Manila.
“It’s crazy, many things are happening,” said Rachel, whose paternal grandmother Ines passed away last Oct. 13. “I’m super excited over this fight. But we’ve been dealing with things one at a time.”
Rachel also clarified that her involvement in Team Donaire is something Nonito himself wanted.
“Cameron Dunkin (Donaire’s manager) does the fight contract, the opponents,” said Rachel. “All I ever do is schedule interviews like when you call, I’ll make sure it’s appropriate for him. That he’s not sleeping or not cranky. I also help with his website and e-mails. But Twitter, he does it by himself.”
Rachel, a former US and Philippine taekwondo national team member, said she doesn’t want to get involved in her husband’s career, but Nonito “believes in my ability to do it and he wants me in his team.”
“As far as my involvement, it’s only because of the fact that I was also a fighter,” she said. “I understand what he needs. A lot of women out there can’t understand it. They could try but they can’t, unless she’s been there and cut weight and get hit. I know what it’s like to cut weight and get hit.”
nonito donaire news
Pacman’s vicious counter: Marquez will eat his words
MANILA—Figure of speech or not, Manny Pacquiao’s message revealed his desire to hand Juan Manuel Marquez a vicious beating when they tangle on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“I’ll let him (Marquez) eat his words,” Pacquiao said in Filipino during a television interview Thursday.
The normally cautious pound-for-pound king was reacting to Marquez’s insistence that he won their first two showdowns in 2004 and 2008, which ended in a draw and split decision for Pacquiao, respectively.
Marquez, who arrived in Manila early Thursday morning for the launch of the four-city, three-nation press tour of Pacquiao-Marquez III at the Quirino Grandstand Saturday, also warned he is ready to wage another war with the eight-division champion.
As if to back his claim, Marquez jogged and did stretching exercises minutes after checking in at the Manila Hotel, where his team, including the legendary trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain, and promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank are billeted.
Pacquiao said it’s good that Marquez is preparing hard for their World Boxing Organization welterweight title duel as he will also make sure that he’s in 100-percent condition on fight night.
“He’d long been asking for a rematch, let’s give it to him,” said Pacquiao, hinting that Marquez, the World Boxing Council lightweight titlist, will be in for a rude awakening after the Filipino superstar’s victory over bigger fighters (Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley).
Pacquiao, who knocked down the Mexican three-division champion four times, three in the first bout and once in the second, also started light training earlier than usual on Monday.
Pacquiao’s training camp with the renowned Freddie Roach, however, will span eight weeks, divided equally between Baguio City and the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
The 38-year-old Marquez, who’s guaranteed $5 million for the trilogy plus pay-per-view shares in excess of one million PPV buys, paid a courtesy call on the Mexican ambassador to the Philippines yesterday, did some interviews and later had an exclusive dinner with Pacquiao, who will be receiving $20 million plus PPV shares.
Today’s schedule calls for the protagonists to walk together from the Manila Hotel, where a press conference will be held, to the venue where a projected crowd of 50,000 are expected to converge.
As a precautionary measure, a thousand policemen, including a SWAT unit, will be deployed in the area.
The affair will be covered by GMA-7, which will also bring in some of its stars to provide entertainment.
Later on, Marquez, who owns billiard halls back home, is slated to watch the World Pool Championship at SM North.
By Roy Luarca
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Friday, September 2nd, 2011
pacquiao marquez training, pacquiao marquez news
Mobile browsing made much easier
MANILA, Philippines—Remember when mobile phones were just for calling and texting?
With technology moving at high speed, the mobile phone has definitely taken us further than we could imagine, enriching our lives and answering people’s needs.
These changes have made life more convenient and more exciting. Mobile browsing, or Internet on our cell phone, for example, opened us to an entire world of connectivity.
The days of going home, staying late in the office to send an e-mail or looking for an Internet café just to get connected to the World Wide Web, are over.
Now, all you need is a reliable mobile phone and you’re one with the universe in a snap.
E-mail, which has become an important part of life to keep in touch with the outside world, can now be accessed anytime, anywhere—through mobile phones.
Who doesn’t want to know what is happening around? News. Philippine movie schedules.
Traffic situation. Scores at UAAP games. Most downloaded songs? Mobile surfing allows us to find out what we need when we need it—without having to search for a Wi-Fi connection or a PC just to be kept in the loop.
Today’s technology has given us wide mobile phone applications: from games, travel, reference, lifestyle, and even specialized apps for just about every need.
You can download these into your smartphone if you need to read documents on the road while commuting.
You can try Springpad or mobile versions of Adobe Reader. Or you can share photos, store and organize recipes, play games with friends—they’re all on the mobile Web.
Speaking of websites, you’ve probably got a Facebook, Twitter, or Multiply account and can’t probably stand it when you don’t get to log in for a day.
Mobile Internet allows us to let our family and friends online know what we’re thinking, doing, watching, and liking—by the minute, wherever we are.
All this now made possible with your Internet-capable handset: a Globe mobile Internet plan, and a Globe network that’s made even stronger and faster.
Customized mobile browsing plans
So you can enjoy mobile Internet your way, Globe has tailor-fit mobile data plans based on your needs, activities and transactions, as well as sites you visit.
After all, the Globe experience is all about personalization, customization and flexibility, providing Globe-fanatics a unique and enjoyable connection all the time.
Want to enjoy the most affordable mobile Internet plan? Globe Prepaid PowerSurf15. Send a quick e-mail or two, post a status update, upload a photo of that yummy dessert you just enjoyed, re-tweet the newest MMDA traffic advisory to spread the news, Google-up a word you just encountered, or check if you can make it to the last screening of your fave flick—all for 25 centavos a minute.
With Globe, the benefits are endless. Boring yourself to death while on traffic or in a long queue may just be a thing of the past as you find joy in tinkering with your mobile phone while you’re online.
Globe Prepaid PowerSurf15 is available for only 25 centavos per minute or P15 for 1 hour, consumable for an entire day’s use.
You can skip the traffic because you know which roads are full. All you need is your mobile phone and Globe PowerSurf to be continuously in the know while you’re on the go.
There’s also the Globe Postpaid PowerSurf for you. It is a mobile Internet plan that gives Globe postpaid subscribers bulk megabytes (MB) of mobile data, consumable per kilobyte (kb) and valid for 30 days.
Postpaid PowerSurf allows you to be ON at fixed charges, enabling you to enjoy push notifications and instant updates on your mobile phone. Globe Postpaid PowerSurf is available in three denominations: PowerSurf 99 with 50MB allocation, PowerSurf 299 with 300MB allocation and PowerSurf 499 with 1GB allocation.
Not too privy about KB/MB consumption of mobile data? Fast facts: A one-minute YouTube video viewed is approximately 2MB, 1 pure text e-mail sent is approximately 20KB, one pure text tweet sent is approximately 30KB, one page of a Google search result is approximately 40KB.
One page of Facebook (http://m.facebook.com) is approximately 25KB. PowerSurf 99 lets you enjoy 1,250 Google searches or viewing of 25 one-minute videos. Visit www.globe.com.ph/surf for a quick assessment of your mobile data usage as well as for more details on KB/MB usage.
Turn on your Globe PowerSurf now. For Prepaid PowerSurf, text PowerSurf15 to 8888 to register. Other available variants: Text PowerSurf30 to 8888, P30 for three hours, valid one day; text PowerSurf50 to 8888, P50 for five hours, valid three days.
For Postpaid PowerSurf, text PowerSurf 99, PowerSurf 299 and PowerSurf 499 to 8888.
Content-rich mobile browsing
Once you’ve selected which mobile data plan suits you best, it’s time to complete your mobile Internet experience by choosing applications and content that are sure to hook and make you yearn for more.
Globe has partnered with some of the best content providers to make your experience exciting and relevant.
Catch the latest UAAP games live on your mobile phone without falling in line to get tickets. You don’t need to be at the court just to see your favorite collegiate cagers and show some school pride.
Key in http://m.globe.com.ph/uaap on your phone browser to watch the games live on your cell phone. You can also text UAAP and send to 2910 to view live streaming of the games on your phone.
Can’t get enough of music and need a dose of it to get you through the day? Download the hottest and latest songs on your phone for free. Just visit the Globe Mobile Portal at http://m.globe.com.ph/freesongs to start compiling your list.
Full songs are available for download with new songs added every week. To get the WAP link, text FREESONGS to 2910.
For Facebook junkies who want to be the first to know the latest post, like or comment, download the Facebook Java application on your phone and use it for free until Oct. 31, 2011. Just text FB to 2910 and click on the link to start your download.
Just recently, Globe launched m.globe, its all-in-one mobile portal that allows users to enjoy the best of mobile Web in a single platform. Through m.globe, users get instant access to Facebook and Twitter, send and receive e-mails via Yahoo, Gmail or Windows Live, search via Google, monitor account balance, get the latest news and entertainment updates, plus enjoy exclusive content on their mobile phones in a snap.
Users of Android phones can also download the Android widget for free from m.globe. To access m.globe for free, text M.GLOBE to 2910 or visit http://m.globe.com.ph.
philippine movies
With technology moving at high speed, the mobile phone has definitely taken us further than we could imagine, enriching our lives and answering people’s needs.
These changes have made life more convenient and more exciting. Mobile browsing, or Internet on our cell phone, for example, opened us to an entire world of connectivity.
The days of going home, staying late in the office to send an e-mail or looking for an Internet café just to get connected to the World Wide Web, are over.
Now, all you need is a reliable mobile phone and you’re one with the universe in a snap.
E-mail, which has become an important part of life to keep in touch with the outside world, can now be accessed anytime, anywhere—through mobile phones.
Who doesn’t want to know what is happening around? News. Philippine movie schedules.
Traffic situation. Scores at UAAP games. Most downloaded songs? Mobile surfing allows us to find out what we need when we need it—without having to search for a Wi-Fi connection or a PC just to be kept in the loop.
Today’s technology has given us wide mobile phone applications: from games, travel, reference, lifestyle, and even specialized apps for just about every need.
You can download these into your smartphone if you need to read documents on the road while commuting.
You can try Springpad or mobile versions of Adobe Reader. Or you can share photos, store and organize recipes, play games with friends—they’re all on the mobile Web.
Speaking of websites, you’ve probably got a Facebook, Twitter, or Multiply account and can’t probably stand it when you don’t get to log in for a day.
Mobile Internet allows us to let our family and friends online know what we’re thinking, doing, watching, and liking—by the minute, wherever we are.
All this now made possible with your Internet-capable handset: a Globe mobile Internet plan, and a Globe network that’s made even stronger and faster.
Customized mobile browsing plans
So you can enjoy mobile Internet your way, Globe has tailor-fit mobile data plans based on your needs, activities and transactions, as well as sites you visit.
After all, the Globe experience is all about personalization, customization and flexibility, providing Globe-fanatics a unique and enjoyable connection all the time.
Want to enjoy the most affordable mobile Internet plan? Globe Prepaid PowerSurf15. Send a quick e-mail or two, post a status update, upload a photo of that yummy dessert you just enjoyed, re-tweet the newest MMDA traffic advisory to spread the news, Google-up a word you just encountered, or check if you can make it to the last screening of your fave flick—all for 25 centavos a minute.
With Globe, the benefits are endless. Boring yourself to death while on traffic or in a long queue may just be a thing of the past as you find joy in tinkering with your mobile phone while you’re online.
Globe Prepaid PowerSurf15 is available for only 25 centavos per minute or P15 for 1 hour, consumable for an entire day’s use.
You can skip the traffic because you know which roads are full. All you need is your mobile phone and Globe PowerSurf to be continuously in the know while you’re on the go.
There’s also the Globe Postpaid PowerSurf for you. It is a mobile Internet plan that gives Globe postpaid subscribers bulk megabytes (MB) of mobile data, consumable per kilobyte (kb) and valid for 30 days.
Postpaid PowerSurf allows you to be ON at fixed charges, enabling you to enjoy push notifications and instant updates on your mobile phone. Globe Postpaid PowerSurf is available in three denominations: PowerSurf 99 with 50MB allocation, PowerSurf 299 with 300MB allocation and PowerSurf 499 with 1GB allocation.
Not too privy about KB/MB consumption of mobile data? Fast facts: A one-minute YouTube video viewed is approximately 2MB, 1 pure text e-mail sent is approximately 20KB, one pure text tweet sent is approximately 30KB, one page of a Google search result is approximately 40KB.
One page of Facebook (http://m.facebook.com) is approximately 25KB. PowerSurf 99 lets you enjoy 1,250 Google searches or viewing of 25 one-minute videos. Visit www.globe.com.ph/surf for a quick assessment of your mobile data usage as well as for more details on KB/MB usage.
Turn on your Globe PowerSurf now. For Prepaid PowerSurf, text PowerSurf15 to 8888 to register. Other available variants: Text PowerSurf30 to 8888, P30 for three hours, valid one day; text PowerSurf50 to 8888, P50 for five hours, valid three days.
For Postpaid PowerSurf, text PowerSurf 99, PowerSurf 299 and PowerSurf 499 to 8888.
Content-rich mobile browsing
Once you’ve selected which mobile data plan suits you best, it’s time to complete your mobile Internet experience by choosing applications and content that are sure to hook and make you yearn for more.
Globe has partnered with some of the best content providers to make your experience exciting and relevant.
Catch the latest UAAP games live on your mobile phone without falling in line to get tickets. You don’t need to be at the court just to see your favorite collegiate cagers and show some school pride.
Key in http://m.globe.com.ph/uaap on your phone browser to watch the games live on your cell phone. You can also text UAAP and send to 2910 to view live streaming of the games on your phone.
Can’t get enough of music and need a dose of it to get you through the day? Download the hottest and latest songs on your phone for free. Just visit the Globe Mobile Portal at http://m.globe.com.ph/freesongs to start compiling your list.
Full songs are available for download with new songs added every week. To get the WAP link, text FREESONGS to 2910.
For Facebook junkies who want to be the first to know the latest post, like or comment, download the Facebook Java application on your phone and use it for free until Oct. 31, 2011. Just text FB to 2910 and click on the link to start your download.
Just recently, Globe launched m.globe, its all-in-one mobile portal that allows users to enjoy the best of mobile Web in a single platform. Through m.globe, users get instant access to Facebook and Twitter, send and receive e-mails via Yahoo, Gmail or Windows Live, search via Google, monitor account balance, get the latest news and entertainment updates, plus enjoy exclusive content on their mobile phones in a snap.
Users of Android phones can also download the Android widget for free from m.globe. To access m.globe for free, text M.GLOBE to 2910 or visit http://m.globe.com.ph.
philippine movies
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
10 held for violating ‘motorcycle lane’ rule–MMDA
MANILA, Philippines — At least 10 motorcycle riders were arrested on the first day of the “motorcycle lane” rule on Macapagal Highway in Pasay City and Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcer Jack Sevilla said on Monday.
The 10 errant drivers were given a 15-minute lecture on the use of
motorcycle lanes and other safety measures on motorcycle riding, such as keeping headlights on, wearing protective gear like helmet, shoes and keeping a license with Restriction Code 1, Sevilla said.
The MMDA has designated the fourth lane of Commonwealth Ave in Quezon City, and the first lane from the sidewalk on Macapagal Highway, as motorcycle lanes.
Light vehicles can use the 4th lane at Commonwealth but only to “pass through,” according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Engineer Joel Donato.
Starting next week, motorcyclists who do not use the designated lanes will be fined P500, lawyer Yves Gonzales of the MMDA also said.
Deaths from vehicular accidents involving motorcycles have been rising in the past years, prompting authorities to assign specific lanes for the two-wheeled vehicles.
Current Events in Philippines
The 10 errant drivers were given a 15-minute lecture on the use of
motorcycle lanes and other safety measures on motorcycle riding, such as keeping headlights on, wearing protective gear like helmet, shoes and keeping a license with Restriction Code 1, Sevilla said.
The MMDA has designated the fourth lane of Commonwealth Ave in Quezon City, and the first lane from the sidewalk on Macapagal Highway, as motorcycle lanes.
Light vehicles can use the 4th lane at Commonwealth but only to “pass through,” according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Engineer Joel Donato.
Starting next week, motorcyclists who do not use the designated lanes will be fined P500, lawyer Yves Gonzales of the MMDA also said.
Deaths from vehicular accidents involving motorcycles have been rising in the past years, prompting authorities to assign specific lanes for the two-wheeled vehicles.
Current Events in Philippines
Monday, October 17, 2011
Tigers send Aces down to 3rd loss
MANILA, Philippines—Powerade also has a rookie that’s making a huge difference. And he’s not JV Casio.
Marcio Lassiter, the third-overall choice in the Draft, keyed a telling surge in the third quarter that lifted the Tigers to a 79-67 victory over Alaska, keeping the fancied Aces winless in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With a 2-1 record, Powerade has given coach Bo Perasol one of his best starts with the squad since coming from Air21 in 2009. And it has also given him the chance to talk with a lot of optimism.
“I’m quite confident that given the time together, we can be even better than that (2-1),” Perasol told reporters. “We have youth, veterans still willing to play, and they understand they have to work together for the team.”
The foremost veteran in Perasol’s lineup, Gary David, scattered 26 points against the befuddled Alaska defense, and Lassiter, with Casio still sitting it out, continued to prove his worth as an outstanding rookie.
Lassiter scored eight of his 13 points when the Tigers gained control in the third, and then had his only bucket in the fourth—a double-pumping triple off LA Tenorio—which gave Powerade a 74-66 lead with 3:51 to go.
That was a second-half performance that Perasol said he talked Lassiter into.
“I told him that contrary to what [he was] hearing, I don’t think [he’s] living up to expectations,” Perasol recounted when asked what he told Lassiter in the locker room.
“I’m sure he is going to get even better.”
Orphaned by long-time coach Tim Cone before the start of the season, Alaska lost a third straight game, and this one was the worst after being held to just 67. The Aces scored an average of 73.5 points in their first two setbacks.
LA Tenorio finished with just three points on 1-of-11 shooting in 36 minutes. Nursing a bruised right elbow, Tenorio has shot a dismal 6-of-35 in Alaska’s first three games.
Petron Blaze zoomed to the lead earlier after routing Shopinas.com with little effort, 98-87.
The scores:
POWERADE 79—David 26, Lassiter 13, Kramer 10, Adducul 7, Antonio 7, Lingganay 6, Calimag 4, Vanlandingham 3, Cruz 2, Anthony 1, Crisano 0.
ALASKA 67—Reyes 12, Baracael 11, Thoss 11, Dela Cruz 10, Bugia 8, Baguio 6, Cablay 4, Tenorio 3, Custodio 2, Salamat 0, Eman 0.
Quarters: 28-15, 36-35, 63-55, 79-67
5 kidnap suspects killed in shootout with police; Taiwanese victim rescued
MANILA, Philippines—Five suspected kidnappers were killed in Bulacan early Sunday in a gunfight with police operatives who rescued a kidnapped Taiwanese businessman.
The Philippine National Police chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome, congratulated the operatives for the successful rescue of the hostage identified as Ying Ching Chang, 29, reportedly the co-owner of a garments manufacturing company in Valenzuela City.
Chief Superintendent Isagani Nerez, chief of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (Pacer), reported that Ying was rescued unharmed from the suspects’ safehouse in Barangay (village) Bigte in Norzagaray, Bulacan, around 2:10 a.m. Sunday.
Nerez said two kidnappers who were guarding the blindfolded victim were killed after they shot it out with the raiding police team.
Three other kidnappers who fled were intercepted about a half hour later at a police-military checkpoint in nearby Barangay Minuya, also in Norzagaray.
Nerez said the kidnappers opened fire at the lawmen, shattering the windscreen of a PRO3 mobile patrol car.
The three were shot dead in the gunbattle.
Nerez reported that the rescue operation was mounted by operatives of Pacer, the PNP Special Action Force, Highway Patrol Group, the Police Regional Office 3 and the National Capital Region Police Office.
He said police operatives recovered the entire P210,000 ransom paid by the family of the victim who was reportedly snatched at gunpoint last Wednesday.
Current Events in Philippines
The Philippine National Police chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome, congratulated the operatives for the successful rescue of the hostage identified as Ying Ching Chang, 29, reportedly the co-owner of a garments manufacturing company in Valenzuela City.
Chief Superintendent Isagani Nerez, chief of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (Pacer), reported that Ying was rescued unharmed from the suspects’ safehouse in Barangay (village) Bigte in Norzagaray, Bulacan, around 2:10 a.m. Sunday.
Nerez said two kidnappers who were guarding the blindfolded victim were killed after they shot it out with the raiding police team.
Three other kidnappers who fled were intercepted about a half hour later at a police-military checkpoint in nearby Barangay Minuya, also in Norzagaray.
Nerez said the kidnappers opened fire at the lawmen, shattering the windscreen of a PRO3 mobile patrol car.
The three were shot dead in the gunbattle.
Nerez reported that the rescue operation was mounted by operatives of Pacer, the PNP Special Action Force, Highway Patrol Group, the Police Regional Office 3 and the National Capital Region Police Office.
He said police operatives recovered the entire P210,000 ransom paid by the family of the victim who was reportedly snatched at gunpoint last Wednesday.
Current Events in Philippines
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Philippines risks investors’ loss of faith–Senator Osmeña
Laws regulating financial transactions are “so loose” that the Philippines risks discredit among investors unless these are addressed, Sen. Sergio Osmeña warned on Sunday.
Osmeña, chair of the Senate banks, financial institutions and currencies committee, also denied the charge of businessman Roberto Ongpin that the legislative committees looking into his allegedly questionable dealings with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) had already prejudged the case.
“There is no prejudgment,” said Osmeña III in a phone interview with the Inquirer, adding that he expected the Senate inquiry into the propriety of Ongpin’s loans and buy-up of DBP’s Philex Mining shares to be “a really long process.” Ongpin’s deals, he added, were “just one (aspect).”
The two hearings conducted so far despite Ongpin’s absence showed “ang daming butas ng batas (there are so many holes in the law),” especially those concerned with insider trading,” Osmeña said.
“The problem is that the law is so loose. I’ve read them, eh. In the United States, someone who was involved in this kind (of deal) after a three-month trial was recently given an 11-year sentence and fined $10 million,” he noted.
“Here in the Philippines, if we don’t tie up the loose ends, our financial system cannot be credible… We need to tighten the laws to become more credible to investors,” the senator said.
Osmeña did not discuss the specific loopholes in the country’s laws.
Ongpin, a trade minister in the Marcos dictatorship, denied there was anything anomalous in his dealings with DBP, noting that his company’s P660-million loan was fully repaid. He said the DBP also made a good profit when he bought the bank’s Philex shares at P12.75 each. Charges that he had engaged in insider trading when he turned around and sold the Philex shares to businessman Manuel Pangilinan for P21, were criticism based on the “benefit of hindsight,” he said.
A Senate resolution penned by Sen. Panfilo Lacson had directed the Senate banks and blue ribbon committees to investigate the DBP for “alleged anomalous large-scale financial transactions” resulting from “behest loans and similar sweetheart deals…”
Lacson, sought for reaction to Ongpin’s comment about the prejudgement of his case, said: “What some of the senators may have prejudged are the anomalies involved in the loan transactions with DBP” and not Ongpin specifically.
“What’s obvious is the fact that the senators have already formed their individual opinions on the issue,” he added in a text message.
Philippine Peso Exchange Rate
Osmeña, chair of the Senate banks, financial institutions and currencies committee, also denied the charge of businessman Roberto Ongpin that the legislative committees looking into his allegedly questionable dealings with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) had already prejudged the case.
“There is no prejudgment,” said Osmeña III in a phone interview with the Inquirer, adding that he expected the Senate inquiry into the propriety of Ongpin’s loans and buy-up of DBP’s Philex Mining shares to be “a really long process.” Ongpin’s deals, he added, were “just one (aspect).”
The two hearings conducted so far despite Ongpin’s absence showed “ang daming butas ng batas (there are so many holes in the law),” especially those concerned with insider trading,” Osmeña said.
“The problem is that the law is so loose. I’ve read them, eh. In the United States, someone who was involved in this kind (of deal) after a three-month trial was recently given an 11-year sentence and fined $10 million,” he noted.
“Here in the Philippines, if we don’t tie up the loose ends, our financial system cannot be credible… We need to tighten the laws to become more credible to investors,” the senator said.
Osmeña did not discuss the specific loopholes in the country’s laws.
Ongpin, a trade minister in the Marcos dictatorship, denied there was anything anomalous in his dealings with DBP, noting that his company’s P660-million loan was fully repaid. He said the DBP also made a good profit when he bought the bank’s Philex shares at P12.75 each. Charges that he had engaged in insider trading when he turned around and sold the Philex shares to businessman Manuel Pangilinan for P21, were criticism based on the “benefit of hindsight,” he said.
A Senate resolution penned by Sen. Panfilo Lacson had directed the Senate banks and blue ribbon committees to investigate the DBP for “alleged anomalous large-scale financial transactions” resulting from “behest loans and similar sweetheart deals…”
Lacson, sought for reaction to Ongpin’s comment about the prejudgement of his case, said: “What some of the senators may have prejudged are the anomalies involved in the loan transactions with DBP” and not Ongpin specifically.
“What’s obvious is the fact that the senators have already formed their individual opinions on the issue,” he added in a text message.
Philippine Peso Exchange Rate
Powerade takes on winless Alaska; Petron Blaze eyes solo lead
MANILA, Philippines—Petron Blaze seeks a third straight win against winless newcomer Shopinas.com Sunday as Alaska shoots for a first victory in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After turning back two formidable squads, the Boosters are the logical choices to extend their winning streak in the 4:15 p.m. contest before the Aces take the floor against dangerous Powerade in the 6:30 p.m. mainer.
Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot will continue to be the Boosters’ main men, with rookie Chris Lutz expected to also play major minutes and keep in step with the other rookies who have been impressive thus far in the young season-opening tournament.
Cabagnot was the hero in Petron’s first two victories, while Santos is churning out MVP-like all-around numbers.
Lutz, a former Smart Gilas standout, has been the revelation for coach Ato Agustin, settling in immediately in the off guard position where he has become another double-barreled threat in the already formidable Petron roster.
The Boosters are tied with idle Talk ‘N Text for the lead while the Aces have dropped two close games, the last against B-Meg and old coach Tim Cone.
Alaska has shown no signs of struggling under new coach Joel Banal, but the Aces have failed to get things together in the clutch.
Cyrus Baguio, LA Tenorio and Sonny Thoss, veterans of the old Alaska squad, will again carry the fight for the Aces, with rookie Mac Baracael to play major minutes again and provide intensity on both ends.
Jayvee Casio, the first overall choice in the Draft, sat out the first two games of the Tigers as veteran Gary David has been left with much of the scoring burden together with Marcio Lassiter.
Another former Smart Gilas standout, Lassiter is playing true to form for the Tigers, who are looking to make a significant playoff run this season.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Texters ‘starve’ Paul Lee, turn back Elasto Painters
Prized rookie Paul Lee of Rain or Shine squeezes his way through a tight defense
by Jason Castro and Harvey Carey of Talk 'N Text. PBA/NUKI SABIO
MANILA, Philippines – Harvey Carey was as offensive-minded as he could get, and the Talk ‘N Text defense shut down super rookie Paul Lee in the fourth period Friday night for a 107-98 victory over Rain or Shine and a share of the PBA Philippine Cup lead.
Even without a single offensive play designed for him, the workhorse came away with 28 points and 14 rebounds as the Tropang Texters, playing minus three superstars, rose to 2-0 before a good-sized Smart Araneta Coliseum crowd.
Coach Chot Reyes threw several men on Lee, and the No. 2 pick in this season’s Draft was ‘starved’ to 17 points and to only four meaningless markers in the fourth quarter as they came when Talk ‘N Text was already in command.
The Elasto Painters saw a two-game winning streak come to a halt, but Reyes was quick to point out how special Lee really is, as he later on revealed a defensive ploy that put at least two men on Lee all the time.
“We wanted to make sure that there was an extra guy on Paul Lee,” Reyes said. “Yet, despite all that, he still scored 17 points. And for me, that’s a special player.”
Petron Blaze, the Texters’ Governors’ Cup tormentor, and Talk ‘N Text are the only undefeated teams left in the field.
Carey was on the floor for all but four minutes, and the 6-foot-4 veteran even drained a triple at the 9:20 mark of the third period for a 58-55 lead the Texters never relinquished.
It was just his second career three-pointer after sinking one on March 14, 2003. Coming into the game, Carey missed his last 29 attempts from beyond the arc and was 1-for-32 there.
“We were fortunate enough to get a great scoring game from Harvey, and I think that was the big difference in tonight’s ball game,” continued Reyes.
Talk ‘N Text was without Ranidel de Ocampo, Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams, who all played with the National team in Wuhan, China and are being allowed by their mother team to rest, according to Reyes.
“We’re basically limping along. If you notice we’re getting really tired and our players are gutting it out till the end,” Reyes said. “We’re 2-0 now, and I am very happy with the effort. But we need to get better when we play the stronger teams in the league.
“The fact that we pulled this out is more than anything an effort victory.”
Meanwhile, B-Meg shoots for a second straight win when the Llamados, who are slowly getting comfortable with Tim Cone’s system, battle Meralco in a road game presented by Phoenix Fuels at the San Juan Arena Saturday.
The scores:
TALK ‘N TEXT 107—Carey 28, Reyes 19, Castro 18, Fonacier 13, Dillinger 11, Aguilar 7, Peek 7, Aban 4, Raymundo 0, Lao 0.
TALK ‘N TEXT 107—Carey 28, Reyes 19, Castro 18, Fonacier 13, Dillinger 11, Aguilar 7, Peek 7, Aban 4, Raymundo 0, Lao 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 98—Lee 17, Belga 16, Norwood 12, Cruz 11, Arana 11, Chan 10, Quinahan 10, Buenafe 7, Matias 4, Rodriguez 0.
Quarters: 22-21, 47-48, 74-69, 107-98
More info's about PBA news at www.inquirer.net.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Tough Talk N’ Text tests ‘Lee-thal’ Rain or Shine
MANILA—Rain or Shine, starring rookie Paul Lee, gets its first true test Friday when the surprising Elasto Painters clash with rock-solid Talk ‘N Text for the lead in the PBA Philippine Cup on the line at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The stocky former University of the East ace has taken over the Painters in so short a time, relegating former Rookie of the Year Gabe Norwood to the background with impressive all-around numbers of 20 points, five rebounds and 5.5 assists.
“He’s physically tough, mentally tough. He’s just special, you just can’t coach that,” Guiao told Inquirer.net recently. “We’re trying to give him all the confidence he needs. And at the same time he’s jelling well with our other players.”
Expected to take turns trying to shackle Lee are Ryan Reyes, Jason Castro, Jared Dillinger and maybe even Aaron Aban.
Meanwhile, crowd-darling Barangay Ginebra seeks a second straight win against Barako Bull in the 7:30 p.m. contest.
The Kings will be led by Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand, who scored seven straight points in a fourth quarter team that allowed Ginebra to zoom past Alaska, 83-72, last Sunday.
Barako Bull, meanwhile, is coming off a 95-83 defeat to Petron Blaze.
Lee has been the playmaker, finisher and quarterback all at the same time for the Painters, a young squad looking to make it deep in the playoffs for the first time.
“What I’m aiming for is to have eight or nine assists,” Lee told Inquirer.net when asked on what improvements he still needs to make in his game. “Plus, I still have to improve on my defense.”
Aside from Norwood, Ryan Araña, Jervy Cruz, Beau Belga and the comebacking Ronnie Matias will be playing key roles for Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Guiao and Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes, incidentally, didn’t have a cordial last meeting after almost coming to blows in a tuneup match before the start of the season.
Reyes, who won the Coach of the Year award from the PBA Press Corps at the end of last month, had publicly apologized to Guiao and Petron Blaze coach Ato Agustin, and it would be worthy to note how Guiao and Reyes would treat each other tonight.
Japeth Aguilar will be Reyes’ main man after the 6-foot-9 beanpole flashed a sterling 27-point effort against Meralco last week.
“My teammates gave me the confidence I needed,” said Aguilar, who is hoping to break out of riding the bench mostly during his stint as a member of the national team.
Ali Peek and Harvey Carey are the other frontliners for Reyes with Ranidel de Ocampo expected to be a crucial factor with his versatility—if he is given the go-signal to play.
“Our problem now is getting our three national players (reigning MVP Jimmy Alapag, athletic rebounder and rim rattler Kelly Williams and versatile forward Ranidel de Ocampo) back from injury,” Reyes said after his team’s rout of Meralco.
PBA News
Thursday, October 13, 2011
PBA Philippine Cup: Meralco holds off Shopinas
MANILA, Philippines—Minus its main men, Meralco held off a gutsy Shopinas.com side, 79-72, Wednesday in the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Bolts, who missed the services of Mac Cardona and Sol Mercado due to injuries, drew 16 points and nine rebounds from Gabby Espinas.
Mark Macapagal added 14 markers for Meralco, which evened its win-loss mark to 1-1.
“We just found enough strength to win,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.
And that strength was also fittingly displayed by veteran big man Asi Taulava.
Taulava banged his way against JR Sena before hitting a jumper at the low block that gave the Bolts a 77-72 lead with only 25.4 ticks left.
Paolo Hubalde led the Clickers, who dropped to 0-2, with 21 points.
PBA News
The Bolts, who missed the services of Mac Cardona and Sol Mercado due to injuries, drew 16 points and nine rebounds from Gabby Espinas.
Mark Macapagal added 14 markers for Meralco, which evened its win-loss mark to 1-1.
“We just found enough strength to win,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.
And that strength was also fittingly displayed by veteran big man Asi Taulava.
Taulava banged his way against JR Sena before hitting a jumper at the low block that gave the Bolts a 77-72 lead with only 25.4 ticks left.
Paolo Hubalde led the Clickers, who dropped to 0-2, with 21 points.
PBA News
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Tim Cone faces old team as B-Meg tackles Alaska
They had a start they didn’t hope for last week and the fiery American’s latest stab at a first PBA Philippine Cup victory with his new squad comes Wednesday against no less than his former squad, the Aces, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Game time is 7:30 p.m., and Cone, like he has always done throughout his career, is trying to keep everyone’s eyes off himself and shift them to his players.
“I know in many people’s minds that this is a big game,” Cone said. “But as a team we want to approach this as just another game we need to advance in the standings. If it’s a big game, it’s only because both teams are coming off a loss.
“Are there going to be some butterflies for me personally? Certainly,” he continued. “But I don’t think that will be the case for the players, and they are the ones who count in this game.”
Two other teams also looking for first wins—Meralco and Shopinas.com—clash in the 5:15 p.m. contest.
The Triangle Offense was still alien for the Llamados when they narrowly lost to tournament-leader Petron Blaze last week, and Cone will get the chance to employ it against another formidable squad Wednesday night.
But the biggest test for them is that the Aces know the Triangle like the back of their collective hands.
Joel Banal, who took over from Cone, has a system of his own, but after having served as Cone’s deputy for most of his career, he could be one step ahead of the B-Meg coach.
James Yap and Kerby Raymundo, superstars who openly said that they prefer the Triangle more than any system they were in, didn’t produce the same numbers that they used to in that game against the Boosters.
They were held to just 10 points each and Cone would obviously want their respective productions to improve. Peter June Simon came off the bench and scored heavily for Cone against Petron.
Cyrus Baguio, LA Tenorio and Sonny Thoss will as usual carry the fight for the Aces, whose last championship with Cone came in the 2010 Fiesta Conference with the talented Diamon Simpson.
PBA News
With Cone in the middle, B-Meg and Alaska finally cross paths
The search for heroes and villains in the looming B-Meg-Alaska battle snaked through airport roads and crawled past religious processions before finally landing within arms length of an iconic basketball coach Saturday evening.
Alaska and B-Meg clash Wednesday evening at the Big Dome in what is expected to be an emotionally-charged encounter if only for the central figure wedged between both clubs: Grand Slam coach Tim Cone, the architect of the Alaska 90s dynasty who ended a 22-year relationship with the Uytengsu squad and hopped over to the SMC umbrella to coach the B-Meg Llamados.
The coach’s take on the divorce was altogether vague and revealing, descriptions that until Saturday night, could not have been possibly strung together to describe a single conversation.
“In a lot of ways, Tim is like Tiger Woods chasing Jack Nicklaus. He’s looking at the championship record of Baby Dalupan and he’s still going after it,” said the coach.
15 titles. That’s the yardstick Cone has set for himself. He’s got 13 now, but a check at the collection reveals an alarming trend: After winning nine titles in the 90s, Alaska has won just four more championships. Those stats, more than anything else, prodded Cone to seek opportunities elsewhere, said the coach, who will remain anonymous until he decides to write his tell-all article.
“It wasn’t about the money. Not with Tim,” he said.
Cone was doing it for history.
“He knew he wasn’t going to get Baby’s record by staying at Alaska,” the coach said.
In less blunt terms, that was exactly what Cone hinted at. In an interview with the Inquirer, when he was asked what specifically he was looking for that he found in B-Meg, that he could no longer find in Alaska, Cone simply said: “I felt that I reached my ceiling with Alaska.”
He was battling the monster he created, he added. The thing that he did not mention but what the coach-source agreed with was the case? The only way Cone could triumph over the legacy he had built—the one he was always being compared to—is to beat Dalupan’s record. And as the coach-source put it, Cone wasn’t getting that task done with Alaska.
It will be hard to sell that notion to Fred Uytengsu, who has kept silent on the issue despite conspiracy theorists postulating that the Cone transfer had been worked out right under the nose of the Alaska owner.
Uytengsu, long the moral compass of the PBA, has often complained that money talks too much in the league and that little is being done to silence big spenders. Ironically, in a season when PBA commissioner Chito Salud promised a more stringent watch on the salary cap, Uytengsu lost his long-time coach.
The outspoken owner was last noted to be in a business trip in Hawaii, but assistant coach Dickie Bachmann said Uytengsu will fly in to watch Alaska’s game against B-Meg.
“Fred will make sure he’s back for the game against Derby Ace on Wednesday,” Dickie told the Inquirer’s Beth Celis.
It won’t be a surprise if Uytengsu strikes his favorite pose when things don’t go his team’s way. Standing up, an arm stretched toward his object of derision, his index and middle fingers rubbing against his thumb.
Whether or not Uytengsu actually makes the gesture at the direction of Cone remains to be seen. If it happens, trust the crowd—B-Meg is one of the league’s most popular teams—to toss the villain’s robe on him.
But the coach-source insisted that there will be no villains or heroes when the Aces and Llamado clash. Whatever show of anger Uytengsu displays is understandable. Alaska had conceded several things to Cone (the coach-source said this includes breaking up the Grand Slam team, whose members, Cone was said to have told management, “no longer wanted to play” for him) so he could continue chasing history. Uytengsu always believed Cone would achieve that goal with the Aces.
It will be hard to make Cone the bad guy, too. For a full decade after one of the most successful runs in basketball history, the American coach watched as teams went on spending sprees to build superpowers that went on championship runs.
And the Aces were sideswiped along the way, while they pinched every penny to nobly defend the idea behind the salary cap and lost every other battle outside of it. As it became evident that Alaska could not—would not—keep up with the arms race, Cone saw his own personal window get smaller by the day.
And he jumped out before it closed completely.
And so each side will pin the villain tag on the other for as long as people are still willing to squeeze out every drop of drama from the Cone switch.
As far as heroes go, there’ll be little to go with until the final buzzer. And even then, you only have the winning team and the best player of the game. After all, this is just one game betweeh two teams that lost their season debuts.
The real hero will emerge when one of the two sides finally nails a championship—Alaska without Cone, or Cone without Alaska.
PBA News
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