By Tito S. Talao

The way Filipino pole vault qualifier EJ Obiena sees it in the wake of the worldwide viral menace, the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, originally set in granite for July, is now up in the air.

It wasn’t as incorporeal a few months ago. Back in early December 2019, right about the time the 30th Southeast Asian Games was raging – with 11 nations and 5,630 athletes competing in 56 sports and COVID-19 not yet a feared unknown – the path to the XXXII Summer Games was smooth and gleaming, with host Japan putting up a US$1.4 billion New National Stadium to sit 68,000 spectators for football, rugby union and track and field.

Obiena, 24, was raring to raise the bar. He had won the gold in the 2019 Summer Universiade in Naples, Italy in July and secured a berth to the 2020 Olympic Games by surpassing the qualifying standard for pole vault during the Salto Con L’asta in Chiari, Italy in September, soaring 5.81 meters – a national record.

Tokyo would be a giant leap of faith for him.

Then the first reports of a mysterious pneumonia-like illness came out of Wuhan, China before New Year, and Obiena’s Olympic dreams took a nightmarish turn.

“I’m definitely affected,” Obiena tells MB Sports’ Nick Giongco from Formia, Italy via FB.

“It’s not a nice thought that the Olympics might be moved or even canceled. It feels like years of preparation will just go to waste with the pinnacle of all the competition being on the verge of cancellation.”

Obiena has been training since early 2014 under Ukrainian athletics coach Vitaly Petrov, who handled legendary pole vaulter Sergey Bubka, and was in Italy on March 9 when Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte imposed a national lockdown, restricting movement except for necessity, work and health circumstances, in response to the growing COVID-19 outbreak.

“Our original plan was to do the indoor season but was affected and now we are planning on fixing the outdoor season,” says Obiena. “But with all the affected nations cancelling the tournaments and circuits, everything kinda is in the air.

“We are just setting a time line of competition without specific competition and having as much contingency plans as we can like if the Olympics would be moved to the end of the year.”

Stuck in the country where he has been preparing for Tokyo, Obiena is making the most of the restricted environment, his limited options and budgetary constraints.

“We are forced to live inside the training center and nobody goes out and nobody goes in. Training continues but in an even more strict manner and just overall a bit dull as the training center is empty and it’s just the Olympic-bound athletes. It would be hard to just go anywhere at the moment.”

Boxing qualifiers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno, who earned tickets to the Olympics during the Asia-Oceania tournament in Amman, Jordan last week, are in the same boat, according to Alliance of Boxing Associations in the Philippines secretary-general Ed Picson.

“I’m sure they’re a bit apprehensive about the situation,” says Picson of Marcial and Magno. “But we did discuss the fact that it is not under our control. So our mindset is, we assume the Olympics will push through.”

Qualifying to the Olympics, Picson says, has somewhat shielded the two Filipino boxers from worrying over what they’ve been hearing on the news.

“They’re still euphoric, so I don’t think it affects them so much. They leave the worrying to us.”

ABAP, says Picson, is bent on continuing the boxers’ training but only after the team had completed the required 14 days of self-quarantine upon its arrival from Amman.

“The tricky part is how to schedule international camps because many countries have adopted stringent entry rules.”

Even specialized camps for Marcial and Magno, a tournament in Spain and the final Olympic qualifier in Paris, where more Filipino boxers hope to get through, are on hold, says Picson, with ABAP awaiting official word from the International Olympic Committee Task Force on how to proceed.

“Anyway, once we resume local training two weeks from now, we will explore all our options,” says Picson.

Whatever options remain to Carlos Edriel Yulo, the breathtaking dynamo who twirled and somersaulted his way to fame by winning a historic gold medal in the floor exercise of the World Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany last October, are also being considered, for certain, by the national gymnastics association, headed by its president Cynthia Carrion.

Yulo came away from the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) Apparatus World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan last week without a medal and is reportedly back in his training home base in Japan, with practically all international competitions heading to the Olympics postponed, suspended or outright canceled.

READ MORE: Japan PM Shinzo Abe pledges Tokyo Olympics to go ahead despite COVID-19 havoc

And so they await – EJ Obiena, Eumir Felix Marcial, Irish Magno and Carlos Edriel Yulo – for what the near future holds as far as the Summer Games are concerned. Having trained a lifetime to reach the pinnacle of athletic competition, only to watch helpless as an unseen malaise threatens to wipe out the path to their ultimate dreams, the suspense could only be gripping.

But EJ Obiena has this advice to his fellow Olympic qualifiers, something he must have felt in the rarified air above the bar at the highest peak of his vault: “I would just tell them to zone in into your craft. Don’t let the noise and distractions get into you. It’s very disappointing but all this is part of the process.” (with a report from Nick Giongco)

Source: Manila Bulletin

Despite the full closure of its facilities, the Philippine Sports Commission shall continue to serve and be available to the national athletes.

Chairman William I. Ramirez instructed the agency’s officials to ensure the unhampered delivery of basic services to the national athletes.

“These are extraordinary times which call for extraordinary commitment and service from all of us,” explained Ramirez as he ordered continuous assistance to the remaining athletes and coaches billeted at the agency’s Philsports Complex in Pasig City.

In previous announcements, the agency locked down its two major facilities located in Manila City (Rizal Memorial Sports Complex) and Pasig City (Philsports Complex). All athletes billeted in the said facilities were asked to go home. The remaining athletes who were unable to do so, have been accommodated at the Philsports dormitory. They will be provided with food, recreation facilities and medical monitoring.

Dormitory manager, Roselle Destura explained that some of the athletes needed to stay as they were unable to get tickets since they were all sold out for their destination. There are 28 athletes, four Filipino coaches and two Korean coaches – from fencing, boxing, athletics, and six para-sports – being assisted at Philsports.

Acting executive director Merlita Ibay supervised the sanitation activities in both venues, as well as making sure that athletes who need assistance to go home like booking and buying their trip tickets are properly helped.

The two deputy executive directors, Atty. Guillermo Iroy and Simeon Rivera, meanwhile, will ensure that staff are available for any medical emergencies, delivery of basic services in the facilities and its remaining occupants, as well as the processing of salaries and allowances of national coaches and athletes.

“We all increase our susceptibility when we go out of our homes, but we also know that there are very basic services that we need to deliver. I appreciate the sacrifice of our officers and staff to brave the risk to work on these things. Ito talagang para sa inang bayan,” said Ramirez who has been very hands-on in ensuring that all preventive measures are taken for the safety of athletes, coaches and employees.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella has asked the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) to reconsider five events instead of six as required number of meets for hopefuls to be tabulated for Tokyo Olympics qualification.

The deadly spread of COVID-19 forced the IWF to cancel the Asian Championship and a few more Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs) until April.

“There are athletes who are one short of a qualifying tournament, but what tournament and where when most events this month and the next are already postponed or even canceled,” said Puentevella Sunday.

“If they can tell us where and when, that’s OK, we’ll send our athletes. But if there is none, maybe they should reconsider this time by just having five events, instead of the six tournaments,” he added.

Puentevella said he made this proposal since the IWF executive board is set to meet starting Wednesday in Lausanne, Switzerland.

There are four Filipino weightlifters in the running for an Olympic berth, and Hidilyn Diaz, silver medalist in the 2016 Rio Olympics, is expected to book a spot with her sixth OQT.

The 28-year-old Diaz is set to compete in the South American-Ibero American and Open Senior’s Championship March 18 to 23 in Cali, Colombia. She is also at No. 5 spot in the IWF world ranking with the top eight advancing to the Olympics in Japan.

The three other Filipino weightlifters hoping to make the Olympic cut are veteran Nestor Colonia in men’s 67kg, Elreen Ann Ando and Kristel Macrohon in women’s 64kg and 71kg, respectively.

“It’s not just our athletes who’ll benefit with this (proposal), even the other countries,” said Puentevella.

“But for us, I think if they allow five tournaments instead of six, and then total the best scores from the qualifiers, we have a chance to send one or two more I think in the Tokyo Olympics,” he added.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Keeping in shape has never been as critical for PBA players.

Pros are making sure they stay fit even during the community quarantine period imposed around Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

With the league ordering a halt to regular practices for the next two weeks in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), several players have taken initiatives of training on their own.

“Halos sarado lahat ng basketball court,” said San Miguel Beer’s Arwind Santos on his Instagram story. “San kaya merong open para makapagpapawis man lang at makatakbo-takbo ng konti?”

Meralco’s Baser Amer found one, spending Sunday morning at a covered court in Cainta alongside NorthPort’s Garvo Lanete. They were accompanied by Amer’s fiancee Justine Balgan and Lanete’s girlfriend Shelby Pearl.

Amer’s teammate Cliff Hodge also did some time training, but also took precautionary measures by spraying a pair of basketballs with alcohol.

TNT KaTropa’s Roger Pogoy, on the other hand, spent time shooting jumpers at an outdoor court while NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena did the same along with brother Thirdy Ravena and Rain or Shine rookie Adrian Wong at a garage where a basketball ring was installed.

Magnolia’s Paul Lee posted Instagram stories of him lifting weights while his wife Rubie and daughter Tokyo look on while Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Scottie Thompson trained Saturday evening with younger brother Justin at the University of Perpetual Help Gym in Las Pinas City.

RELATED: Teamwork is key for Paul Lee and family

Alaska, meanwhile, initiated a Home Workout Challenge on social media in an effort to boost team chemistry.

Vic Manuel, Jeron Teng and even team governor Dickie Bachmann were among those who took part in the challenge while coach Jeffrey Cariaso said he climbed 27 floors of the condominium where he and his family reside.

“It’s just a fun way of checking up on each other,” Cariaso told the Manila Bulletin. “Players have great work ethic anyway, so this challenge was easy for them.”

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Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Two bills seeking to grant citizenship to Ceres-Negros football players Bienvenido Maranon and Robert Lopez Mendy were filed at the Senate recently.

A check with the Senate website revealed the bills were filed last March 3 in order for the two strikers to get a chance to represent the Philippine Azkals in future international competitions.

Senator Miguel Zubiri initiated Bills 1390 and 1391 in order to make Maranon and Lopez-Mendy as naturalized citizens.

Maranon, who hails from Spain, has been in the country since 2015 when he was signed by Ceres. He has led the Busmen to four domestic league titles, including the last three Philippines Football League trophies and multiple AFC Cup appearances.

The 33-year-old recently became the all-time leading scorer in the history of the AFC Cup when he found the back of the net twice in Ceres’ 4-0 win over Indonesia’s Bali United last Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

“He dreams of building a family in this country, and raising his children surrounded by the kindness, humility, and hospitality that Filipinos are known for,” Zubiri said in his explanatory note.

“He also aspires to represent the Philippines as part of the national team vying in international competitions, and make the country known as one of the top teams in the world of football,” he added.

The 33-year-old Lopez-Mendy, born in Dakar, Senegal, played for Forza, Green Archers United and Kaya in the United Football League and PFL before becoming part of Ceres’ title runs in last year’s PFL and Copa Paulino Alcantara.

He’s also married to Filipina Maebel “Ameera” Ybera Lacastesantos since 2016.

“Mr. Mendy envisions a Philippines that is known not only in the worlds of basketball and boxing,” said Zubiri.

“It is his desire to play an integral part in developing football in the country and helping mold the youth to become competitive and at the same time teach them to uphold the ideals of sportsmanship and fair play.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

The Nevada Athletic Commission will decide on March 25 the fate of boxing shows on deck for the month of March and April.

These will include two cards featuring Filipino champions Jerwin Ancajas and John Riel Casimero, who have appearances on April 11 and April 25.

Ancajas makes the ninth defense of the International Boxing Federation super-flyweight crown at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

In a unification clash, Casimero risks his World Boxing Organization bantamweight crown against World Boxing Association and IBF titlists Naoya Inoue of Japan at Mandalay Bay.

With all major events in the US being put on hold and scrapped altogether owing to the rapid spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), it won’t be surprising if Nevada decides not to proceed with these events.

Aside from the April 11 and April 25 shows, Nevada will also deliberate on promotions set for March 28, April 24 and May 2 featuring Canelo Alvarez.

Despite the grim prognosis, Ancajas and Casimero remain on training mode.

Ancajas just returned to Manila after spending almost three months in Dipolog City.

Casimero, meanwhile, has been training in Miami, Florida, the last five weeks and is due to fly to Las Vegas for the final stage of his buildup.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Leading trainer Bob Baffert said Saturday that May’s 146th Kentucky Derby could be postponed as racing went behind closed doors at California’s Santa Anita track for the first time since it opened in 1934 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Officials at Churchill Downs revealed Saturday that they were considering the “timing” of the showpiece and Baffert — who has saddled five winners in the “Run for the Roses” — said that the first leg of US racing’s Triple Crown could be pushed back from May 2 to later in the year.

“Churchill Downs is saying they’re not going to run the Derby without the people there, so I’m hearing may be June or in September,” Baffert said after saddling Charlatan to a big win in an allowance race at a deserted Santa Anita.

Only accredited media, owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms and a limited number of track employees were allowed in.

Major professional sport in the United States has been brought to almost a complete standstill by the coronavirus pandemic, with the NBA, NHL and MLS suspending play and Major League Baseball pushing back the scheduled start of their season by “at least two weeks” while suspending pre-season games.

The US PGA Tour season has also been suspended but Baffert said it was the postponement of the season’s first golf major, the US Masters at Augusta National next month, that had really caught his attention.

“Whenever they cancel the Masters, that’s like the Derby,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like this, it’s kind of scary. Hopefully, they can get everything under control.”

In a statement posted on its website, Churchill Downs indicated it was considering its options for the Kentucky Derby.

“We recognize that the impact of this iconic event extends well beyond the historic racetrack of Churchill Downs,” the statement said.

“The Kentucky Derby is a cherished and important time for the City of Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

“We are mindfully aware of our fans who travel from great distances to join us as well as our valued employees whose most intense preparations to host a world-class event begin now.

“For these reasons, we have been working carefully and diligently with relevant health experts and authorities to ensure we make the most responsible decision regarding the timing of the 146th Kentucky Derby this year.

“We thank you for your patience and are committed to providing regular communication and transparency as we move forward.”

Churchill Downs said it expected to have an update in the coming week.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Reuters

TOKYO – Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike on Saturday vowed to take thorough measures against the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak for the Olympic Torch relay through Japan and reaffirmed that preparations for a “safe and secure” 2020 Games were progressing, TV Asahi reported.

Koike’s comments came after Greece’s Olympic Committee on Friday canceled the remainder of the Olympic Torch relay through the country to avoid attracting crowds that could raise the risk of virus contagion.

The Olympic Torch relay through Japan is scheduled to start on March 26 in northern Fukushima prefecture.

“(We’re) taking thorough infection measures with regards to the Olympic Torch relay domestically,” Koike said according to TV Asahi, adding that preparations for a safe and secure Games were moving forward.

Japan has sought to dispel speculation that the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games could be canceled or postponed over the coronavirus outbreak, which has crippled global travel and brought the sports world to a virtual standstill.

Japan had 14 new coronavirus cases as of mid-afternoon on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 1,436, a Reuters tally of local media reports showed.

The total infections include 697 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and 14 returnees on chartered flights from China, according to data from public broadcaster NHK.

The virus has killed 28 people in Japan, including seven from the cruise ship, NHK said.

On Friday, Japan’s parliament approved a bill giving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe emergency powers that will let him close schools, halt large gatherings and requisition medical supplies as the country tries to slow the virus outbreak.

Abe will hold a news conference at 6 p.m. (0900GMT) on Saturday, the government said on Friday.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

Brooklyn Nets center DeAndre Jordan told a WFAN radio host that he believes all team members will be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) on Saturday.

“Just ran into DeAndre Jordan at Whole Foods, he says he thinks the entire Nets team is getting tested for COVID-19 tomorrow,” Maggie Gray posted Friday on Twitter. She co-hosts the “Moose and Maggie” show on weekday mornings.

Just ran into DeAndre Jordan at Whole Foods, he says he thinks the entire Nets team is getting tested for COVID-19 tomorrow.

— Maggie Gray (@MaggieGray) March 13, 2020

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The Nets had no official comment.

“We can’t disclose who may or may not be tested (or when), and would need a reason to test … if there was contact with someone who had it or if they had symptoms,” a team spokesman told the New York Post.

Brooklyn defeated the Los Angeles Lakers on the road on Tuesday. The NBA season was suspended on Wednesday.

Two Utah players, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, have tested positive for the coronavirus, but the Nets have not played the Jazz since Jan. 14.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell says he is feeling fine, playing lots of video games and looking forward to getting back on the court.

The Utah Jazz guard released a 30-second video clip via NBA.com on Saturday, updating his condition after testing positive for the coronavirus on Thursday.

“I just want to say thank you guys for your continued support. It means a lot to me. I feel fine. Things are going well. I’m just taking the proper precautions,” Mitchell said.

“As was told to me by the health authorities I’ve got to stay in isolation, so I’m solo in here, playing video games all day and I can’t wait to get back out there on the floor and play in front of the best fans in the world. I really miss playing in front of you guys and I’ll see you guys soon.”

Mitchell and Jazz teammate Rudy Gobert, who tested positive Wednesday, are both under quarantine.

The NBA suspended the regular season late Wednesday after Gobert’s positive result.

Mitchell, 23, played in his first All-Star Game last month. He has averaged 24.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 63 games in his third NBA season.

Source: Manila Bulletin