By Jonas Terrado

Kaya-Iloilo settled for a 1-1 draw with 10-man PSM Makassar in their AFC Cup match held behind closed-door Tuesday afternoon at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Eric Giganto scored his second goal of the competition with the equalizer early in the second half but the winner eluded Kaya the rest of the way despite having more players on the pitch to split a point with Indonesia’s Liga 1 side.

The second straight draw dislodged Kaya from top spot in Group H after Singapore’s Tampines Rovers produced a 2-1 home win over Myanmar’s Shan United at Jurong West Stadium.

Tampines improved to seven points with Kaya in second place, two behind the Singaporean outfit.

“I think we really did away from home, but at the end of the day, we didn’t beat these guys,” lamented Kaya team captain Jovin Bedic.

The match was played without the presence of spectators as part of Indonesia’s own preventive measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Kaya got an early advantage when PSM defender Dedi Gusmawan being sent off for two yellow cards inside 10 minutes.

WATCH | @PSM_Makassar 1-1 @kayafc

A 10 man PSM hold strong to share the points with Kaya FC.#AFCCup2020 | #PSMvKAY pic.twitter.com/1xGtaQBpK2

— #AFCCup2020 (@AFCCup) March 10, 2020

But Kaya fell behind despite that edge as Osas Saha converted from the center box off Yakob Sayuri’s through ball in the 22nd minute to put PSM in front.

It took until the 50th for Kaya to cancel Saha’s opener as Giganto struck a header off Arnel Amita’s cross from the right flank.

Attempts to go ahead went futile for Kaya despite having 65 percent possession of the ball and four shots on target.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Source: Manila Bulletin

 

 

By Kristel Satumbaga and Waylon Galvez

The UAAP yesterday decided to suspend all events till March 17 in light with the declaration of public health emergency due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The decision was in compliance with President Duterte’s order to suspend classes in all levels in Metro Manila until March 14, although the league decided to extend it till Tuesday “to give everyone concerned enough time to adjust to the current situation.”

“More importantly, the President stated that ‘students (are) to be confined in their homes and will continue to study…’” the statement said.

Affected events are three volleyball playdates, two football match days, two softball game days, Game 3 of the girls basketball finals and the baseball opening match.

The league will have another announcement on Monday how it will proceed with the rest of the season.

The NCAA, however, is inclined to scrap the remaining events although the Policy Board – composed of owners and presidents of participating schools – has yet to convene.

In all likelihood, the Board will implement what the league’s Management Committee has reached Monday.

Chaired by Peter Cayco of host Arellano University, the ManCom recommended to terminate all events effective March 10.

While awaiting the Policy Board decision, ManCom has decided to suspend the resumption of events on March 16 “until further notice”.

Aside from volleyball, other affected games include the return of high school volleyball girls’, men’s football, lawn tennis and soft tennis, track and field, and the 15-under basketball, and beach volleyball.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO

Middleweight Eumir Felix Marcial’s rousing performance didn’t rub off on the four other Filipino fighters in the Asia-Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament in Amman, Jordan.

Early Tuesday (late Monday night in Jordan), flyweight Irish Magno and lightweight Riza Pasuit wilted in the quarterfinals, dropping similar unanimous decisions to Mary Kom of India and Shih-Yi Wuh of Chinese-Taipei, respectively.

Hours earlier, fly Carlo Paalam and women’s feather top seed Nesthy Petecio were also handed the pink slip by Amit Panghal of India and Sena Irie of Japan to the tune of 4-1.

Still, Paalam and Magno could still end up taking the bus to the Olympics if they win their scheduled boxoffs.

Paalam faces a Kazakh puncher while Magno meets a Tajik in the other boxoff since the top six in their respective divisions will advance to the Olympics.

“If they win in the boxoffs, they’ll be in the Olympics,” said Abap secretary-general Ed Picson.

Earlier in the tournament, feather Ian Clark Bautista and welter James Palicte were eliminated, leaving Marcial as the only one who made the Tokyo grade.

Marcial , 24, who stopped his Mongolian rival in the quarterfinals to earn the Olympic berth, could still top the slugfest if he wins his last two bouts.

But all is not lost for the non-winners as Paris is set to staging the World Qualifying from May 13-24, where the Filipinos will mix it up one last time with entries from the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia-Oceania.

In the 2016 Rio Olympics, boxing just sent two qualifiers—light-fly Rogen Ladon and lightweight Charly Suarez—who also got eliminated early.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

Stefanos Tsitsipas displayed his soft personal side outside the court in a video blog posted on his YouTube channel during his five-day stay with the Greek Davis Cup team last week.

The 11-minute video showed the world No. 6 Greek tennis hero exploring the streets of Manila at night with the team’s fitness trainer Christos Fiotakis.

The two visitors were seen buying groceries for a mother and two children, and treating a female teenager to a meal at a popular local fast food store.

In an earlier interview, Tsitsipas admitted his experience that night was cultivating.

“People are so humble… It’s really inspiring to see people behave this way,” said the 21-year-old, who also shared his experience with a series of street photographs.

Tsitsipas also hosted a live video feed on his Instagram account answering questions from fans a few hours after organizers cancelled the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California on Monday.

One fan asked to share his experience in Manila and he answered, “[Manila] was insane. It was really, really good.”

“I’ve seen similar situations in life: poor people, poverty… but what I saw this time was quite shocking and I think it makes me appreciate life more,” he said.

“Survival is No. 1 there, but in such a way that it seems normal… They’re happy people, they love life. You can see it in their faces. In a way, I felt like I wanna give [back] to them.”

“It’s a different experience.”

Tsitsipas was part of the Greece Davis Cup team that saw action in the World Group II playoff tie against the Philippines last Friday and Saturday at the Philippine Columbian Association claycourt.

He said his overall experience in Manila — from playing for Greece to getting to know the city during his brief stay — is memorable.

“I am going to think about it for quite a while. I really like it here, I won’t lie. I’ve met some really positive people that brought me joy and just very charming people that showed their appreciation for me,” he said.

The Greeks, also composed of Tsitsipas’ younger brother Petros, Markos Kalovelonis and Michail Pervolarakis and team captain Dimitris Chatzinikolaou, edged the PH squad of AJ Lim, Jeson Patrombon, Francis Casey Alcantara, Ruben Gonzales and Jed Olivarez 4-1 to get promoted to Group II in September.

The Filipinos, for their part, were relegated to the Regional Group III, but admitted being richer in experience for having played against one of the world’s best.

Source: Manila Bulletin

 

By TITO S. TALAO and JONAS TERRADO

The COVID-19 scare is turning the Philippine Basketball Association upside down.

For 44 years the PBA has persevered to hold three-conference games in packed venues before record-breaking crowds. But with the coronavirus crisis reaching fevered heights in many parts of the world, league governors, along with commissioner Willie Marcial, will meet Tuesday night at Bonifacio Global City to decide how to proceed with the 45th season in near-empty arenas and vacant seats.

From soaring gate receipts to government-mandated zero attendance, if it comes to that.

“No choice tayo,” says PBA commissioner Willie Marcial. “We need to address this matter the soonest.”

That would be no later than 8 p.m., hours before the second playdate of the Philippine Cup Wednesday which would pit TNT KaTropa against Phoenix Super LPG and NLEX against NorthPort at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Pag-uusapan namin kung itutuloy yung naka-schedule na laro,” says Marcial on the phone. “Ilalahad ko sa kanila [PBA governors] lahat ng scenario. Puwedeng ma-suspend ang games ng one week, two weeks o one month. Puwede ring ilaro ng closed-door.”

Marcial told the Bulletin earlier that a decision will depend on how it will impact the league’s television coverage, sponsorship deal and calendar for the 45th season which came off the wraps Sunday.

The option to move closed-door games to smaller venues – if a decision to keep fans away is made – will also be discussed, but only if the government – through the Department of Health perhaps, says Marcial, mandates that PBA games could be held only if spectators are not present to prevent further spread of the virus.

“Baka ma-penalize kasi kami pag nilaro namin sa mas maliit na venue kung sakaling closed-door na.”

Even as the PBA mulls its next move with the rise in numbers of those locally infected, Marcial says the league is careful not cause unnecessary apprehension with other leagues.

“Siempre tinitignan din nila ang PBA, hinihintay nila kung ano gagawin natin. Ayaw naman natin na mag-panic sila pag bigla tayong mag-cancel o suspend ng mga laro.”

Meanwhile, if the PBA decides to push through with its regular playdate, TNT KaTropa takes on Phoenix Super LPG at 4:30 p.m. while NLEX and NorthPort face off at 7 p.m.

The first doubleheader of the season-opening conference was supposed to put center Poy Erram on the spotlight.

Erram is slated to make his debut with TNT KaTropa since being acquired from NLEX as part of a three-team deal which also involved Blackwater.

His arrival has boosted TNT’s chances of competing for the prestigious Jun Bernardino Perpetual Trophy, given his ability to protect the shaded lane.

NLEX continues to deal with life after Erram and the match with NorthPort will see if coach Yeng Guiao’s squad has the capability to compete sans the veteran center.

 

The league went through with the season-opening Philippine Cup game between defending champion San Miguel Beer and Magnolia amid the rises of COVID-19 cases over the weekend.

Safety measures were observed during the opener with the Big Dome requiring every person to undergo a thermometer scan while hand sanitizers and alcohol were placed in different areas.

The decision will likely affect the ongoing PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup which already had three playdates since the tournament started last week.

It would be recalled that both the tournaments were delayed last month as part of precaution against the spread of the disease.

But with cases likely to rise in the next few days, the PBA may be in a better way of being safe than sorry.

 

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO

Only 18-20 Filipino athletes have genuine chances of making the grade for the Tokyo Olympics, chief of mission Nonong Araneta said during a media briefing Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Araneta said 19 national sports association leaders had submitted a list of 64 names but less than a third “are within striking distance” of the Olympic mark.

Bets from athletics, boxing, cycling, judo and weightlifting are among those knocking on Tokyo’s door, according to Araneta.

2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz is almost a shoo-in as she only has to participate in one more ranking event before being formally getting her berth.

So far, three athletes have formally secured their slots to the July 24-Aug. 9 Olympics: pole vaulter Ej Obiena, world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Eumir Felix Marcial.

Araneta said boxing can punch more qualifiers given its storied track record.

Paris will stage the World Qualifying in May and this will be the last chance for the six who failed to make a dent in Jordan to book Olympic slots.

Only Marcial, the 2019 world championships silver medalist, succeeded in hurdling the obstacle in the Jordanian capital of Amman as women’s top seed Nesthy Petecio and five others dropped like flies.

Araneta said that 3×3 basketball is in the running but it will have to come up with a super extraordinary performance during the India qualifiers to make the top three out of 20 entries.

“We are bracketed with Slovenia, France…mukhang malabo yan,” said Araneta, who heads the Philippine Football Federation.

The Philippines is bidding to send a relatively bigger athletes’ list to Tokyo after fielding just 13 in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

The UAAP has decided to suspend all events starting today until March 14 in light with the current public health emergency situation brought about by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The decision was in compliance with President Duterte’s order to suspend classes in all levels in Metro Manila until the said date.

“More importantly, the President stated that ‘students (are) to be confined in their homes and will continue to study…’” the statement said.

Affected events are three volleyball playdates, two football matchdays, two softball gamedays, Game 3 of the girls basketball finals and the baseball opening match.

This is not the first time that the league adjusted their schedule due to health precautions. Last month, the volleyball opening was delayed for two weeks for the same health concerns.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Tuesday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

2 p.m. – UP vs La Salle (men’s)

4 p.m. – UP vs La Salle (women’s)

De La Salle guns for a share of the lead with National University in UAAP Season 82 women’s volleyball when it squares off with University of the Philippines Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Match is at 4 p.m. with the Lady Spikers drawing strength from their 25-17, 17-25, 25-17, 25-15 victory over archrival Ateneo Lady Eagles last Saturday.

Though the triumph set the tone for their title campaign this season, Lady Spikers coach Ramil De Jesus said they also saw things that needed improvement.

In that match, the Lady Spikers gave up 33 points on errors.

“Sa ganitong mga game, di mo maiwasan lalo na sa mga bata. Sabi ko lang sa kanila, kalma lang. Andyan yung first game jitters pero nakita naman natin kahit bata yung players, madali naman silang makabalik. Tiwala lang,” he said.

The win, however, gave them enough confidence heading to their match against the Lady Maroons, a team they lost twice to last season.

“Ibang position na yung team ngayon so siguro mas mapaghahandaan namin itong UP. Mas may tao kami ngayon. Mas maganda tong nakauna ng panalo kasi inspired mga bata,” De Jesus said.

Veteran Tin Tiamzon, sophomore Jolina Dela Cruz and rookie Thea Gagate are expected to carry the fight once again for La Salle after combining for 40 points the last time.

The Lady Maroons, for their part, is coming off a 25-23, 25-20, 18-25, 25-17 win over the University of the East Lady Warriors to improve to 1-1.

Issa Molde and Tots Carlos spearhead the Lady Maroons after firing 24 and 15 points against UE and will have reinforcements from Justine Dorog, Maristela Layug and Roselyn Rosier.

Meanwhile, La Salle and UP’s male counterparts collide in the 2 p.m. opener with the Maroons seeking their second win in three matches.

The Green Spikers, for their part, aim to bounce back from a 25-20, 2519, 27-25 loss to the Ateneo Eagles over the weekend.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Game Tuesday

(Jakarta, Indonesia)

4:30 p.m. — PSM Makassar vs Kaya

Kaya-Iloilo looks to retain top spot in Group H when it battles host PSM Makassar Tuesday in the AFC Cup at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Philippines Football League side tries to secure the full three points against a familiar foe and end the first round of the group stage on a high note in the match set at 3:30 p.m. local time (4:30 p.m. Philippine time).

Both clubs will play behind closed door as part of preventive measures against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Iloilo leads the group despite being level with Singapore’s Tampines Rovers at four points apiece. The two sides battled to a scoreless draw in their previous match two weeks ago at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Coaches Oliver Colina and Yu Hoshide are banking on their team to produce better results this time against PSM Makassar, which Kaya faced twice in last year’s group stage.

Both teams battled to a 1-1 draw in their first meeting in West Java before Kaya fell 2-1 at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.

Kaya will try to beat the Indonesian side for the first time ever behind striker Takumi Uesato, team captain Jovin Bedic, midfielders Eric Giganto and Arnel Amita and veteran goalie Michael Casas.

PSM Makasaar is currently third in Group H with three points on one win and one defeat.

Source: Manila Bulletin