By Waylon Galvez

From a previous coaching stint in the PBA to being elected Parañaque City councilor, Vincent ‘Binky’ Favis has implemented a team concept to make sure everyone on his team is on the same page.

One important thing Favis emphasizes is discipline, which for him is the key in the overall effort to slow down the spread of the coronavirus.

“Parehas lang din ang pananaw ko, team concept pa din. Kung dati sa basketball mayroong teamwork, dedication, honesty and, of course discipline, ito pa din naman and konsepto ko bilang konsehal,” Favis told Manila Bulletin Friday.

“That’s one of the biggest challenges that we have been facing – discipline the people. Not just in our city, or in Metro Manila, but the entire country. Even in other parts of the world, that’s the problem.”

There have been numerous reports of people not practicing social distancing or disregarding calls to wear face masks, orders to stay home and to not go out without proper identification, Favis said.

There are even videos that went viral of people gathering for illegal gambling and drinking sessions despite the liquor ban.

However, gradually Favis said that Filipinos are learning to have discipline since the coronavirus can cause serious illness that can lead to death.

“For me, I try to look at it on a positive aspect. Within this challenge, it teaches everyone to give discipline better importance. Natuturuan ang tao para maging disiplinado, and nakikita naman natin,” said Favis.

Favis, 50, guided the Letran Knights to the NCAA championship back in 1999 and called the shots for a few squads in the now defunct Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

He became a head coach in the PBA with the Coca-Cola Tigers from 2005 to 2008.

As a public servant, Favis is now on his third and final term as councilor in the second district of Parañaque City, which he said is handling the health crisis and the ECQ well.

“I could very proudly say that our city is handling it very good. We’re quite fortunate, because we’re getting also support from the business sector and other stakeholders in the city,” said Favis.

“All the 16 barangays – from the barangay captains to konsehals – lahat sila masisipag sa pag-disinfect, sa pamimigay ng donations. Unfortunately things are not just enough, kulang na kulang.”

“We’re a city with almost a million of population, I wish we had less (COVID-19) cases. All together the city is in a very challenging situation, but the city is doing its best,” added Favis.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Athletics has given way to survival at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The Philippine Sports Commission no longer has any say in the operations of key facilities inside the RMSC being used to shelter COVID-19 patients.

Now that the Department of Health (DOH) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are now in charge of running two venues, the PSC has distanced itself from involvement.

“It just so happens that the venues are PSC facilities but other than that, we at the PSC don’t have any participation in the operations,” said PSC national training director Marc Velasco.

“PSC employees are not allowed to even enter and the nearest we can go to is the gate (of the RMSC),” said Velasco, who was assigned by PSC chairman Butch Ramirez as point man over at the RMSC should a need arises.

Ramirez, meanwhile, is staying put at the Philsports in Pasig, whose 12,000-capacity arena, is likewise on standby in case the number of coronavirus cases soar in the coming weeks.

Over at the RMSC, two newly-upgraded venues—the Ninoy Aquino Stadium (NAS) and Rizal Coliseum—have been spruced up to shelter patients.

In fact, the NAS already has several patients being treated shortly after its completion while the nearby coliseum, about 200 meters away, is also on standby to house patients once its 110-bed neighbor runs out of space.

Last week, the Bases Conversion Development Authority, sent teams to transform the NAS and Rizal Coliseum into makeshift hospitals with the help of the DOH, AFP and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Velasco said that in the event a national athlete falls sick, he or she has to coordinate with the LGU of residency to determine what steps to take.

“They might think that since the RMSC has been used as facilities, they can go here and get treated,” said Velasco.

“That’s not the case and we have to observe protocol and follow the algorithm,” he said.

Velasco added that the PSC doesn’t have a say on these matters or can dictate (to authorities) that an athlete be admitted at the RMSC venues the moment he or she gets sick.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

Five-star recruit Jalen Green will skip college and instead enter the NBA G League’s freshly revamped professional pathway program, becoming the first player to do so in a major landmark for the NBA.

Fellow five-star recruit Isaiah Todd, who decommitted from Michigan earlier this week, will also join the G League program, according to The Athletic, pairing with Green on a new team in Southern California.

According to ESPN, the reshaped program will group elite prospects on one team and pay them each at least $500,000, while serving as a one-year development program before they are eligible to enter the NBA draft.

Per ESPN, the program was bolstered after urging from NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who wanted the G League to interest players that might try to play professionally in Australia, as LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton did this year. Talks with the NBA Players Association about eliminating the NBA’s one-and-done rule have gone nowhere, per ESPN.

“We have kids leaving the United States — Texas and California and Georgia — to go around the world to play, and our NBA community has to travel there to scout them,” G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim told ESPN. “That’s counterintuitive. The NBA is the best development system in the world, and those players shouldn’t have to go somewhere else to develop for a year. They should be in our development system.”

The new G League system quadruples the previous player salary ($125,000) and will provide financial incentives for participation in games, community events and life skills programs, according to ESPN. The development team will focus on training and exhibition games, facing G League teams — about 10-12 games — but also international and academy teams.

Green, a 6-foot-5 combo guard from Fresno, Calif., made a formal announcement of his decision on social media Thursday, and the league welcomed him with a press release.

“We’re thrilled to welcome a player and a person of Jalen’s caliber to the NBA G League,” Abdur-Rahim said in a statement. “He represents the next generation of NBA players, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him develop his professional skills in our league. Jalen will learn from an NBA-caliber coaching and player development staff as he begins his professional basketball journey in the NBA G League.”

Green is ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect by the 247Sports Composite. He is also the nation’s No. 2 combo guard and the No. 2 player in the state of California, per the index.

Following a season in the G League, Green would be eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft.

Green, who turned 18 in February, won gold medals with USA Basketball at the FIBA U17 and U19 World Championships in 2018 and 2019.

Auburn, Memphis, Oregon, Florida State and Southern California were among the schools competing for a commitment from the McDonald’s All-American.

Todd, a 6-foot-10 prospect from Raleigh, N.C., announced Tuesday that he was decommitting from Michigan in favor of playing professionally for a year.

He is ranked as the No. 13 prospect in the nation by the 247Sports Composite, as well as the No. 2 power forward and the No. 1 player from North Carolina.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Teenage tennis sensation Coco Gauff revealed Thursday that she suffered depression as a 14-year-old, just before her history-making Wimbledon breakthrough.

Gauff said she struggled with her mental health after being constantly touted as the sport’s next big thing and even hailed as a new Serena Williams.

“Throughout my life, I was always the youngest to do things, which added hype that I didn’t want,” Gauff told the ‘Behind the Racquet’ website.

“It added this pressure that I needed to do well fast. Right before Wimbledon, going back to around 2017/18, I was struggling to figure out if this was really what I wanted.

“I always had the results so that wasn’t the issue, I just found myself not enjoying what I loved. I realised I needed to start playing for myself and not other people. For about a year I was really depressed. That was the toughest year for me so far.”

Gauff has had to deal with a great deal more pressure in the last 12 months after becoming — at just 15 — the youngest player to qualify for Wimbledon last summer.

She went on to reach the last 16 at the All England Club, beating former champion Venus Williams on the way.

She then made the third round of the US Open and fourth round at the Australian Open in January.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Denver Broncos star linebacker Von Miller has tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the second NFL player to be hit with the disease which has caused a pandemic.

Miller’s agent Joby Branion told the NFL Network television network Miller was resting at home and is “in good spirits.” He added that Miller plans to speak publicly on Friday.

Miller is the second active NFL player known to have tested positive for the coronavirus.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen revealed that he is recovering from COVID-19 after also testing positive.

Allen said he has since gotten over his virus symptoms, one of which included losing his sense of taste.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

The US PGA Tour on Thursday announced plans to resume in June, with the first four tournaments being closed to spectators due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The tour suspended its season after the first round of the Players Championship last month, previously targeting a return on May 21.

The extended suspension means that the Canadian Open and the Barbasol Championship have been cancelled.

The postponed Charles Schwab Challenge, which tees off on June 11 in Fort Worth, Texas, is scheduled to be the first event after the resumption.

“The health and safety of all associated with the PGA Tour and our global community continues to be our number one priority, and our hope is to play a role — responsibly — in the world’s return to enjoying the things we love,” said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.

He added: “We will resume competition only when, working closely with our tournaments, partners and communities, it is considered safe to do so under the guidance of the leading public health authorities.”

There are now 14 events listed for the 2019-20 PGA Tour season.

Former PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas said he is in favour of the plan.

“I love that the PGA Tour put something out there,” Thomas said. “If it happens or not is an unknown since everyone’s safety remains a top priority. But to have them put the effort to show us a plan is great.”

In addition to the Charles Schwab Challenge, the tournaments scheduled to be held without fans are the RBC Heritage (June 18-21) in Hilton Head, South Carolina; the Travelers Championship (June 25-28) in Cromwell, Connecticut; and the Rocket Mortgage Classic (July 2-5) in Detroit.

The only major championship left on the 2019-20 calendar is the PGA Championship from August 6-9 in San Francisco.

Under the current plan, the FedEx Cup playoffs for the 2019-20 season will wrap up with the September 4-7 Tour Championship in Atlanta.

As part of their return, the PGA wants to ramp up testing.

“We see changes and developments being made in the world of testing, available tests,” said Andy Pazder, the PGA Tour’s chief tournament and competitions officer. “We’re following very closely through the assistance of our expert medical advisers the development of more large-scale testing capabilities.

Testing is key

“We obviously are aware that the FDA recently approved use of a saliva-based test. It gives us confidence that we will be able to develop a strong testing protocol that will mitigate risk as much as we possibly can.”

Some sort of testing should be in place by the time the Canadian Open organizers are ready to hold their event in 2021.

“The RBC Canadian Open has always been a rallying point for Canadian golf and while we share in the crushing disappointment with our fans, players, volunteers and many event partners, our primary responsibility is the safety of our people and our communities,” said Golf Canada chief executive Laurence Applebaum.

“It is now our full intention to push forward together with RBC, the PGA TOUR, the City of Toronto and our host clubs with the goal to bring the 2021 RBC Canadian Open to St. George’s Golf and Country Club with Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

The NBA’s top official in China is stepping down after just under two years in the role, the NBA announced on Thursday.

NBA China chief executive Derek Chang is leaving to spend more time with his family. He was hired in June 2018.

“We are thankful for Derek’s many contributions leading our business and colleagues in China, including during a time of unprecedented challenges,” said Mark Tatum, the NBA’s deputy commissioner and chief operating officer.

Chang’s tenure was marked by growth of the sport and the league’s brand in China, but also by strained relations between the league and the Beijing government.

Last fall, China responded angrily to a social media tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey for his backing of anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

The league is reportedly searching for a replacement for Chang, who will officially leave his position on May 15.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Postponing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will provide a welcome boost to the coronavirus-hit Japanese economy next year, a senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) official claimed on Thursday.

With tens of thousands dying around the world from the coronavirus, the IOC and Japan last month took the historic decision to delay the Olympics by one year, with an Opening Ceremony planned for July 23, 2021.

The pandemic has devastated the global economy as economists predict a second Great Depression, with $9 trillion wiped out and tens of millions of jobs lost.

Japan, the world’s third-largest economy, is no exception, but IOC official John Coates told reporters holding the Games in 2021 could be a “very positive opportunity for an economic stimulus” that could “kickstart the economy again.”

“I think there will be a lot of countries and cities around the world wishing for a similar opportunity,” he said.

Economists at SMBC Nikko Securities have estimated postponing the Games would reduce Japan’s GDP this year by some $6 billion — to be recouped next year if the Olympics actually take place.

Coates claimed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe “may well have had in mind that your country may be in a recession then and this would be an opportunity for a great economic stimulus”.

In terms of the budget, organizers have already recognised there will be “massive” additional costs from the $12.6 billion the Games were supposed to cost — shared between the Japanese government, Tokyo 2020 and the host city.

Coates said they would use the postponement to look at ways of reducing those additional costs. Organizers would look at “what are the must-haves and what are the nice-to-haves,” he pledged.

Moving the world’s biggest sporting event is an unprecedented challenge that touches on every aspect of the organization — from hotels to venues and volunteers.

Organizers have stressed they are working towards a new Opening Ceremony on July 23, 2021 but Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto has admitted uncertainty over the global impact of coronavirus.

There is “no Plan B,” Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya told reporters at an online briefing on Tuesday.

Coates said by choosing to move the Games by a whole year — rather than hold them in the Spring — they had given themselves “as much time as possible,” stressing that athletes’ health would be the guiding principle.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

With no end in sight yet as to when he will be allowed to return to the ring, Jerwin Ancajas is making use of the break learning how to take care of an improvised pond, a poultry farm and a piggery.

At the same time, Ancajas, who was supposed to defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight crown last April 11 in Las Vegas, is not letting up on his training.

“Twice a day,” said Ancajas from his home base in Barangay Ramirez in Magallanes, Cavite, when asked about his training schedule.

In the morning, he jogs and shadowboxes and in the afternoon, he does the mitts and punches the heavy bag to remain in shape.

“Kailangan kasing handa ng katawan kasi hindi natin alam kung kailan tayo sabihan na pwede na lumaban,” said Ancajas, who was penciled to make the ninth defense of the IBF 115-lb crown against Mexican Jonathan Rodriguez last week.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forced Top Rank to postpone the fight on the advise of the Nevada Athletic Commission as the disease began to spread across the US.

When he’s no longer clad in training gear, Ancajas makes it a point to attend to his tilapia, organic chickens and free-range pigs.

In fact, Ancajas and other fighters residing at Survival Camp, the name of his training headquarters, are also immersed in vegetable farming.

“We don’t go hungry here,” said Ancajas’ trainer Joven Jimenez, adding that greens — pechay, malunggay, okra as well as chili and kalabasa — are readily available within the confines of the 1,600-square property.

Ancajas takes pride in his chickens, which he doesn’t feed with commercial feeds.

“Yung itlog nila brown at hindi yung white na nakasanayan natin,” said Ancajas.

Last week, Ancajas, who hails from Panabo, Davao del Norte, tried his hand sampling one of them and having them roasted using wood fire and was delighted by its clean and savory taste.

Believing that he had suddenly turned into a pitmaster, Ancajas focused his attention to the one of the black pigs — a cross between a wild boar and a native black pig — that roamed around and had one of them slaughtered for roasting.

Jimenez burst into laughter at the attempt of his fighter to assume the new role of a lechonero.

It was disastrous.

While the skin looked tantalizing and delectable, the meat was half-cooked.

“Meron pang dugo-dugo,” admitted Ancajas.

The second time around, Ancajas did great and had everyone licking their fingers.

“Super sarap talaga dahil hindi kami gumamit ng (commercial) feeds.

“Malasang-malasa at pati ang buto halos kainin na rin naming lahat,” said Jimenez of the porky delight that weighed between 15 kg to 20 kg.

“Azolla, gabi at niyog at dahon ng saging ang pinapakain namin,” said Jimenez.

After he retires, don’t be surprised if Ancajas opens a barbecue business and becomes the patron of pork.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Reuters

Days before the premiere of ESPN’s “The Last Dance” documentary series, Michael Jordan opened up Thursday about the final season of his Chicago Bulls tenure in 1997-98, the central focus of the 10-part series.

Jordan told “Good Morning America” that the name of the series, which debuts Sunday on ESPN, comes directly from a message that head coach Phil Jackson gave the team before the campaign.

“At the beginning of the season, it basically started when [Bulls general manager] Jerry Krause told Phil that he can go 82-0, and he would never get the chance to come back,” Jordan said. “Knowing that I married myself to, obviously, and if he wasn’t going to be the coach, then I obviously wasn’t going to play.“

So Phil started off the year saying, ‘This is the last dance,’ and we played it that way. So mentally, it just kind of tugged at you through the course of the year, you know, that this had to come to an end.

But it also centered our focus to making sure we ended it right. So as sad as it sounded at the beginning of the year, we tried to rejoice and enjoy the year and finish it off the right way.

”The 1997-98 Bulls finished the regular season 62-20 before winning the NBA title, capping their second three-peat in a span of eight years.

Jordan retired after the season, before returning for two years with the Washington Wizards beginning in 2001.

Jordan, Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Jackson agreed to let an NBA Entertainment film crew follow the team in 1997, providing much of the basis for the docuseries.

Footage from Jordan’s childhood, his arrival in 1984 and the growing pains that predated the six-time championship dynasty will be mixed amid the triumphs of a team that became a culture-sweeping phenomenon.

Source: Manila Bulletin