By Nick Giongco

Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena has come to realize that there is nothing more precious in the world than saving human lives.

EJ Obiena (Handout photo)

As the death toll escalates in Italy, where he has been training amid the worsening conditions, Obiena told the Manila Bulletin that efforts to move the Tokyo Olympics from its original date of July 24-Aug. 9 seems to be the best option.

Admitting that a scrapping of the Tokyo Games is going to be utterly heartbreaking not only to him but fellow athletes, the 6-2 Obiena insists that “things (COVID-19) are currently bigger than sports (Tokyo Olympics.)”

While aware that the Japanese organizers and the International Olympic Committee are now being pressured to act immediately, Obiena remains confident they will come up with the right decision.

“I leave it to the officials who know more on what should be done regarding the matter,” said Obiena, who became the first Filipino athlete to make the Olympic grade last September after topping a European tournament.

So far, Obiena and world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno, have earned Olympic tickets.

With all the news surrounding the fate of the Olympics, Obiena swears he feels “indifferent.”

“I don’t really have a opinion on the matter. My mindset now is if ever the Olympics is going now then I’m gonna be ready (but) if the Olympics is going in next year, (then) I’m gonna be ready, too.”

Obiena is just a few select athletes allowed to continue training in the city of Formia, a seaside spot halfway between Rome and Naples.

In Italy alone, the death toll has reached over 6,000 as the total number has passed 15,000 worldwide.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

As the trend points to the Tokyo Olympics being postponed, the leadership of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on Tuesday said a delay looks the more viable option.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino (MB File Photo / Alvin Kasiban)

“It’s better to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympics rather than cancelation so as not to lose (Philippines) our chance for our first gold medal—or even more golds,” said POC president Bambol Tolentino.

“If the Games are postponed) more Filipinos have more chance to qualify. A postponement would mean more time to train for those who have already qualified and for those who are still trying to qualify.”

Word got out from a high-ranking official from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) early Tuesday that the Tokyo Games set July 24 to Aug. 9 won’t proceed as scheduled given the current situation.

But the Swiss-based IOC and the Japanese organizers have yet to come up with an official statement.

Still, a postponement of one year, according to Tolentino “is ideal enough.”

With all the Olympic-related tournament and qualifiers put on hold, athletes from everywhere have been unable to train and compete at the highest level.

“I favor a postponement because the health and safety of everyone in sports—both in the Philippines and all over the world—is paramount in this Covid-19 pandemic,” said Tolentino.

“The POC advises all athletes, coaches, officials and stakeholders to stay safe, stay at home and observe government and Health Department protocols so we could defeat this virus,” he added.

The Philippines, so far, has four confirmed qualifiers: pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno.

Obiena is coronavirus-ravaged Italy while Yulo is in Japan. Marcial and Magno are observing quarantine protocol after a stint in the Asia-Oceania qualifiers in Amman, Jordan.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Japeth Aguilar and Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood have strong chances of reaching the 5,000-point club in the 45th PBA season that is currently suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Japeth Aguilar and Gabe Norwood are closing in on 5,000 career points. (PBA Images)

An unofficial count revealed that Aguilar has compiled 4,641 points in 362 career games with Burger King/Talk ’N Text/GlobalPort and Ginebra while Norwood produced 4,657 points in 533 games for Rain or Shine, his only team since being selected first overall in the 2008 Draft.

Barring any injuries or a dip in production, Aguilar and Norwood will be able to achieve the 5,000-point mark sometime after the PBA Philippine Cup.

Eighty-seven local players and five imports have joined the 5,000-point club since the PBA opened shop in 1975.

Twenty-one are currently active, notably Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa (10,071), San Miguel’s Arwind Santos (9,334), NLEX’s Asi Taulava (8,530) and the Beermen’s June Mar Fajardo (6,213).

The foreign cagers who made the club are current Meralco coach Norman Black (11,329), seven-time Best Import Bobby Parks (8,955), Alaska great Sean Chambers (8,225) and Lew Massey (5,386).

San Miguel’s Marcio Lassiter and Magnolia’s Paul Lee were the recent players to join the exclusive club when they pulled it off in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup.

Getting to 5,000 seems cherry pickings for Aguilar if Ginebra continues to go on deep playoff runs in all three conferences like in the past two seasons.

He produced 1,616 points in 104 games in 2018 and 2019 which saw Ginebra win two championships during that stretch.

Norwood, on the other hand, needs to go a bit beyond the scoring production he had in 2018 and 2019 in order to reach the milestone this season.

The member of George Mason’s 2006 US NCAA Final Four run averaged 44 games and 322.5 points in the previous two seasons that saw Rain or Shine reach the semifinals three times.

Sol Mercado is also closing in on 5,000 but is currently without a team after being released by Phoenix Super LPG, which acquired the veteran guard in an offseason trade with NorthPort.

Mercado has 4,883 points in 439 career games with Rain or Shine, Meralco, GlobalPort/NorthPort, San Miguel Beer, Barako Bull and Ginebra.

Sol Mercado, currently a free agent, needs more than 100 points to reach the 5,000-point club. (PBA Images)

A long shot to reach 5,000 this season is Magnolia guard Mark Barroca, who has 4,260 points after his team’s loss to San Miguel in the PBA Philippine Cup opener last March 8.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Four PBA stars are scheduled to take part in an esports competition aimed at raising funds to help health workers serving as frontliners in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marc Pingris, left, and June Mar Fajardo are scheduled to take part in an esports charity event for health workers. (PBA Images)

Marc Pingris announced Tuesday that he, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar and Kiefer Ravena will take part in the event dubbed as “Lockdown Games” organized by Mineski Esports Philippines.

Pingris, who is known for playing DOTA with Fajardo, added that the event aims to raise P1 million that will be donated to the University of the Philippines Medical Foundation.

“Meron na tayong magagawa, masusuportahan pa natin ang #StayHome campaign ng DOH (Department of Health), at makakatulong pa tayo sa #frontliners,” Pingris said on his Instagram account, adding that interested gamers can take part in Marvel Super War, Call of Duty Mobile and DOTA2.

“Help us raise ONE MILLION PESOS para sa UP Medical Foundation. “#LockdownGames sa Marvel Super War, Call of Duty Mobile at DOTA2 — G na! Also panoorin kami nina (Japeth), Abai (Fajardo) at (Kiefer) sa DOTA2 Showmatch sa April 6, 5 p.m.,” added Pingris.

View this post on Instagram

Sali na! Meron na tayong magagawa, masusuportahan pa natin ang #stayhome campaign ng DOH, at makakatulong pa tayo sa #fronliners. Help us raise ONE MILLION PESOS para sa UP Medical Foundation. #LockdownGames sa Marvel Super War, Call of Duty Mobile at DOTA2 – G na! Also:panoorin kami nina Japet, Abai, at Keifer sa DOTA2 Showmatch sa April 6. 5pm Abangan ang iba pang detalye #LakadMatatag #dotaboys

A post shared by Marc Pingris (@jeanmarc15) on Mar 23, 2020 at 5:12am PDT

The event is the latest endeavor participated by PBA players and coaches in hopes of helping those affected by the pandemic that forced the government to imposed an “enhanced community quarantine.”

Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso led a drive to help PBA gameday personnel affected by the league’s suspension of games due to COVID-19 while Aguilar and his wife Cassandra have raised money to purchase medical supplies for health workers.

San Miguel Beer’s Terrence Romeo, on the other hand, has quietly donated medical supplies to various hospitals while Ravena and brother Thirdy gave food packs to soldiers assigned at a checkpoint in Cainta, Rizal.

Ryan Arana of Rain or Shine celebrated his 37th birthday by also handing out food packs to soldiers.

The Lockdown Games began Tuesday with the Marvel of War competition that will end on Thursday while the Call of Duty Mobile is set March 30 to April 2 and the DOTA 2 on April 5.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been postponed to no later than the summer of 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Tuesday.

The Games were scheduled for July 24-August 9, but after telephone discussions between IOC president Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a joint decision was taken for the first postponement of an Olympics in peacetime.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

With the possible delay, even cancellation, of the Tokyo Olympics, Hidilyn Diaz said it would be hard to accept the fact as an athlete after all the preparations, training, competitions and sacrifice to get to the Games.

Hidilyn Diaz (MB File Photo)

However, the 28-year-old weightlifter understands the reasons behind the call to postpone the event as the world is dealing with the deadly COVID-19 that has affected and claimed thousands of lives.

“Four years kasi ang preparation for Olympics,” said Diaz in a message Monday to the Manila Bulletin. “With four months to go… sayang malapit na sana. Isang kurot na lang nandyan na.

“Pero may mga bagay na hindi natin control. Siguro as an athlete whatever the decision of International Olympic Committee, tatangapin ko.”

Diaz is seeking a second straight Olympic berth in the 55kg women’s category following her silver medal finish in the 53kg division in the Rio Olympics four years ago in Brazil.

Diaz only needs to join one more Olympic Qualifying Tournament (QOT) to formalize her entry to the Games.

She was supposed to join the Asian Championship next month to complete the required six OQTs but Kazakhstan backed out as host, while Uzbekistan begged off as replacement site.

The IWF met last week and made modifications to the qualifications. It is awaiting approval from the IOC.

Despite all that has happened, Diaz said she is still hoping for a miracle.

“Olympics ang nagbibigay ng hope sa aming mga athlete na after all this things happening maging okay na lahat at ma-push through na ang Olympics. Yes nandun pa rin ang hope at gusto ko na tapusin ang preparation sa Olympics,” said Diaz.

“I left everything for the Olympics, for the country. Pero yun nga, may mga bagay na hindi natin kontrolado.”

“Alam ko mahirap ang pinagdadaanan nating lahat, mahirap but we have to continue sa ginagawa natin. Follow the protocols para may contributions tayo to stop sa spread ng Coronavirus,” she added.

Diaz is currently with her “Team HD” composed of Chinese coach Kaiwen Gao, strength and conditioning coach Julius Naranjo and massage therapist Belen Bañas in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

GM Banjo Barcenilla finished with 15 points on 14 victories, two draws and two losses to claim the crown.

United States-based Grandmaster Banjo Barcenilla split the point with FIDE Master Sander Severino in the 18^thand last round to reign supreme in the inaugural leg of the 1^st Philippine National Bullet Championship that was done on an online application chess.com.

Barcenilla, 47, finished with 15 points on 14 victories, two draws and two losses to claim the crown.

His two defeats came against International Master Daniel Quizon and University of Santo Tomas varsity player Samson Lim, Jr., who wound up at second and third with 14.5 and 14 points, respectively.

The feat came four months after Barcenilla topped the Battle of GMs that secured him a seat to the Philippine team plunging into action in the World Chess Olympiad in Russia this year.

GM Joey Antonio was fourth with 13 points while IM Paulo Bersamina and FM Dino Ballecer and Cotabato City bet Datuali Sinsuat were at fifth to seventh with 12.5 points apiece.

Severino, a four-gold medal winner in the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, was at eighth with 12 points.

Barcenilla and all titled players are already seeded in the semis and will be joined by the top 10 non-masters of this leg and the next nine to determine the 16 Grand Finalists.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines president and chairman Butch Pichay is bankrolling this tournament with a total cash pot worth more than P200,000 as their version to give Filipinos a venue to play amid the COVID-19 threat.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

De La Salle and College of St. Benilde currently house more than a hundred homeless people in light of the Enhanced Community Quarantine brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo from DLSU’s Instagram account)

De La Salle and College of St. Benilde opened their doors in the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by providing shelter to the homeless.

In a post to their official social media accounts, two photos show numbers of people lying on mats inside a hall.

“De La Salle University serves as a temporary sanctuary to the homeless in Manila during the enhanced community quarantine,” the post stated, adding that they are currently housing 79 individuals, among them women and elderly.

“(They) are currently staying at the second floor of the Enrique Razon Sports Center until the Luzon-wide lockdown is lifted,” said the post, referring to the hall where most of its student-athletes practice for collegiate leagues.

The university said the initiative is in partnership with the Divine World Missionaries (SVD) through their “KAin, LIgo NG ayos (KALINGA) Program.

“SVD volunteers are looking after the basic needs of those who are taking shelter in Razon.

Meanwhile, College of St. Benilde currently houses 80 homeless individuals, where they are also being provided with the same necessities. St. Scholastica’s College in Manila is reportedly housing a number of guests.

The post drew thousands of responses from people, who donated cash and in kind such as pillows, mattresses, protective masks, vitamins, toiletries and alcohol.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

LOS ANGELES – Olympic champion swimmer Cameron van der Burgh said Sunday he had contracted COVID-19, offering insight into how coronavirus infection could affect 2020 Olympic hopefuls.

Olympic champion swimmer Cameron van der Burgh (AFP)

“I have been struggling with Covid-19 for 14 days today,” South Africa’s van der Burgh wrote on Twitter. “By far the worst virus I have ever endured despite being a healthy individual with strong lungs (no smoking/sport), living a healthy lifestyle and being young (least at risk demographic).”

Van der Burgh, the 2012 Olympic 100m breaststroke world champion and former world record-holder, retired from the sport in 2018.

A still-fit 31, he remained among those least likely to be severely impacted by the deadly virus.

But he said the debilitating effects of the illness were lingering.

“Although the most severe symptoms (extreme fever) have eased, I am still struggling with serious fatigue and a residual cough that I can’t shake,” van der Burgh wrote. “Any physical activity like walking leaves me exhausted for hours.”

Van der Burgh followed his London triumph with a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and retired after winning gold in the 2018 short course world championships.

He said contracting the virus would be a severe blow to any athlete in training.

“The loss in body conditioning has been immense and can only feel for the athletes that contract Covid-19 as they will suffer a great loss of current conditioning through the last training cycle. Infection closer to competition being the worst.”

As the International Olympic Committee faced mounting pressure to delay the 2020 Tokyo Games in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, van der Burgh feared that Olympic hopefuls would put their health at risk trying to prepare.

“Athletes will continue to train as there is no clarification re summer Games and thus are exposing themselves to unnecessary risk — and those that do contract will try rush back to training most likely enhancing/extending the damage/recovery time,” he wrote.

“Please, look after yourself everyone! Health comes first — COVID-19 is no joke!”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Organizers of the Philippine Superliga have reset its 2020 Grand Prix Conference to a later date in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) global outbreak.

Organizers advised its players to go home and practice social distancing in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as the league resets its 2020 Grand Prix Conference to a later date. (MB File Photo)

In a statement released to their official social media accounts on Monday, the league’s decision came “after careful evaluation of the current COVID-19 situation and in consultation with the eight team owners, considering the uncertainty of the duration of the community quarantine imposed by the National Government.”

The league advised eight participating teams to encourage their local and foreign players “to go home and be with their loved ones as health and safety are the top priorities during these trying times.”

The league also said it will hold a special team owners’ meeting to play for the next steps once the lockdown gets lifted.

Luzon Region has been under Enhanced Community Quarantine since last week, prompting other major local tournaments to also postpone and cancel scheduled events.

Prior to the announcement, the league had already postponed matches scheduled March 14 until April 12.

It also hosted a closed-door playdate last March 10.

The Conference started last Feb. 29 with teams participating namely Generika-Ayala, Chery Tiggo, PLDT Home Fibr, Sta. Lucia, Marinerang Pilipina, F2 Logistics, Cignal HD and Petron Blaze.

Source: Manila Bulletin