By Waylon Galvez

The NCAA has decided to indefinitely postpone its remaining sports events in seniors division starting Friday due to the 2019 novel coronavirus or COVID-19 following a Management Committee (MANCOM) resolution that was reached Thursday at The Arena in San Juan City.

NCAA MANCOM chairman Peter Cayco of host school Arellano University called for an emergency meeting and the group decided to call off the games as well as the upcoming events.

“Upon consultations with our respective Policy Board members, and with various government agencies like the Department of Health and the Commission on Higher Education, the NCAA Management Committee has decided to postpone the remaining events indefinitely,” said Cayco.

“Of course, our main concern always is the safety of our students, our athletes – remember that these athletes are also students – and the entire NCAA community,” added Cayco.

JUST IN: A week after postponing its juniors events, the NCAA Management Committee (MANCOM) – chaired by Peter Cayco of host school Arellano University – has decided to call off games “indefinitely” starting Friday, Feb. 14, due to the COVID-19. #NCAASeason95 | via @batangBOYAA pic.twitter.com/XCZXFzfPvC

— Manila Bulletin Sports (@mbsportsonline) February 13, 2020

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The decision came exactly a week after the MANCOM made a similar resolution on the games in the junior’s division because of the same reasons.

In a memorandum, the CHED has issued a similar guideline to all schools regarding ways to protect Filipinos against the deadly virus, and this includes “to avoid attending, participating in and organizing events that draw a huge number of attendees” until the DOH declares it is safe to conduct events.

The events affected by the postponement of games are volleyball, beach volleyball, soft tennis, football, athletics and the cheer dance competition.

Cayco said that they will consult with the DOH and other concerned parties next week.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) approved on Thursday a resolution creating an Athletes Incentives Trust Fund that will serve as another source of financial reward for winners from the Olympic Games, Asian Games and the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG).

POC president Bambol Tolentino said the board resolution was approved unanimously and that to jumpstart the POC’s noble undertaking, he is going to put up a seed money worth P10 million.

“I am going to start the ball rolling with P10 million and hope the others will follow,” said Tolentino, stressing that the private sector will be eyed to lend a hand in the project.

Tolentino said even ordinary individuals can contribute as the POC hopes to provide additional funding to medalists from the Olympics, Asian Games and SEAG.

“There is no small amount when it comes to helping,” said Tolentino.

Under the law, winning athletes are rewarded with handsome incentives from the government.

Tolentino said that while he doesn’t see the POC matching what the government can afford to give, what the POC can gather will be substantial enough.

The amount collected will be used solely for the purpose of rewarding achievers “and not for any other purpose,” added Tolentino.

Meanwhile, the POC formally recognized during the same board meeting three groups as associate members: obstacle course, underwater hockey and e-sports.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

TOKYO  – Tokyo Olympic organizers stressed Thursday they are not considering scrapping the Games due to the coronavirus and blasted ”irresponsible rumors” to the contrary.

With only 162 days to go until the opening ceremony, concerns have been raised about Japan’s hosting of the Games with the virus spreading throughout Asia.

But Tokyo 2020 CEO Yoshiro Mori slapped down such concerns at a meeting with top International Olympic Committee officials.

”With regards to the coronavirus… there are many irresponsible rumours but I would like to make it clear again that we are not considering postponing or cancelling the Games,” he said.

”We would like to coordinate with the national government and act in a calm manner,” he stressed.

The virus has already forced the rescheduling of a swathe of sporting events in Asia, including Olympic qualification competitions for boxing and basketball – both in China.

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike has promised to implement ”thorough measures” to protect people from the coronavirus in the run-up to the Olympics.

Japan has not seen any deaths from COVID-19 but has 28 cases on its soil, with four in serious condition in hospital.

Another 174 people, including a quarantine officer, have been infected on a cruise ship floating off the Japanese coast – the outbreak’s largest single cluster.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government has come under fire for its handling of the infection, especially quarantine measures seen as too lax in the early stages of the epidemic.

”These struggles in turn have sparked concerns about the forthcoming Tokyo Olympics, as Japan prepares for the arrival of millions of international visitors over the summer,” said Tobias Harris from Teneo Consultancy.

The mayor of the Olympic Village, Saburo Kawabuchi, told the meeting there was ”still no clue as to when the virus will be resolved” and appeared to pin hopes on increased humidity to kill off the disease.

”We have the rainy season that could defeat the virus,” he said.

In China on Thursday, hard-hit Hubei province where the virus emerged announced 242 more deaths and nearly 15,000 extra patients as authorities changed their threshold for diagnosis.

At least 1,355 people have now died nationwide and nearly 60,000 have been infected after Hubei’s health commission reported the new numbers.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz and world boxing champion Jerwin Ancajas have a lot of things in common.

Aside from Mindanao-born athletes, Diaz (Zamboanga City), recently-crowned World Cup champion, and Ancajas (Davao del Norte), share a common denominator in their choice of nutritionist: top dietitian Jeaneth Aro.

And here’s a couple of more things.

Diaz and Ancajas, the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight titlist, are seeing action in April.

They are also enlisted in the military. Diaz with the Air Force; Ancajas with the Navy.

Diaz is competing in the Asian championships in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana) on April 18.

Ancajas, making the ninth defense of the IBF 115-lb throne, enters the ring a full week earlier on April 11 in San Diego, California.

Fortunately for Aro, the seven-day gap in-between the events in April allows her to attend to their respective needs.

A member of Diaz’s core team, Aro expects to fly to Kazakhstan to be with the lifter at least five days before her 55 kg event.

As for her obligations with Ancajas, one of just four Filipino world boxing champions, Aro has to be with him the same amount of days she has to be with Diaz.

Ancajas is currently deep in training in Dipolog City after deciding to abandon his camp in Magallanes, Cavite, because of the Taal Volcano eruption.

Apart from her two elite clients, Aro’s fingerprints can also be found in the national men and women’s boxing squads, rowing and taekwondo, whose athletes are revving up for slots to the Tokyo Olympics.

With Aro around, one would expect that every Filipino athlete will always hunger for more.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Standings W L

*CSB 7 0

*Arellano 7 1

*Perpetual 6 2

*San Beda 6 2

JRU 4 5

Letran 3 4

LPU 3 5

SSC-R 2 6

Mapua 1 7

EAC 1 8

*semifinalist

Games Friday (The Arena, San Juan)

10 a.m. – San Beda vs Lyceum (Mens)

12 noon – San Beda vs Lyceum (Womens)

2 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Mapua (Womens)

3:30 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Mapua (Mens)

Defending three-time champion Arellano University solidified its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs following a dominant win over Emilio Aguinaldo College 25-15, 25-14, 25-20 in NCAA Season 95 volleyball Thursday at The Arena in San Juan.

Carla Amaina Donata scored 12 points, last season’s MVP Necole Ebuen contributed 11 points, Sarah Princess Verutiao added 18 excellent sets and Princess Bello had 12 digs.

Arellano star spiker Regine Ann Arocha sat out the game as part of coach Obet Javier’s plan in preparation for their final game against undefeated College of St. Benilde on Monday.

“Pinahinga muna for our next game,” said Javier. “Nabigyan din yung iba ng chance to play like si Donata, na nag-step up naman. So maganda yun for the team, sa players for their confidence.

“Now we prepare for St. Benilde, yun na ang focus namin. Paghahandaan namin, kasi doon nakasalalay kung san kami sa playoffs. We’ll go all out of course, yan ang mindset ng players.”

Arellano’s win improved its record to 7-1 behind CSB (7-0).

The Lady Blazers face the Mapua Cardinals (1-7) Friday, a game they are expected to win before their encounter against the Lady Chiefs.

A setback, however, by CSB against either Mapua or Arellano will result to a crossover semifinal playoffs with the top two teams earning twice-to-beat bonus in the semifinals.

But a victory by St. Benilde in its last two matches means outright finals berth for the Lady Blazers, leaving Arellano, Perpetual Help and San Beda to a stepladder playoffs to determine the last finals slot.

As for EAC, the team finished its elimination round campaign with a 1-8 card. Cathrine Almazan led the Lady Generals with 14 points.

In men’s action, Arellano defeated EAC 22-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21, 15-13 to improve to 6-2 and gain semifinal spot. The Chiefs, who got 23 points from Jesrael Liberato, join the Perpetual Help Altas (8-0) and the Generals (7-2).

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

With his hands on the wheel, CJ Perez is setting his sights on leading the Columbian Dyip to the playoffs as he enters his second PBA season faced with high expectations.

Perez, a frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year which will be handed during the 45th season opener on March 8, is working doubly hard to put the Dyip to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2016 after falling short in all three conferences the previous season.

Columbian went 11-22 in 2019 but gave itself a fighting chance in the race for the bottom playoff spots each conference.

“Nabitin kami last season pero this season, sana makamit na namin yung playoffs,” said Perez. “Kung paghihirapan namin siguro makakamit namin kasi hindi naman madaling makapasok sa playoffs.”

For that to happen, Perez is determined to equal or at least exceed the performance he put the previous campaign that saw the former Lyceum star average a league-best 20.8 points with 7.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals.

Perez’s play also earned him a spot with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup in China where he emerged as one of the team’s best players. He also helped the country’s win the gold in the inaugural 3×3 competition of the Southeast Asian Games.

He was also selected in Gilas pool for this month’s two 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers matches against Thailand and Indonesia.

“Either isustain ko lang or higitan ko pa mga nagawa ko kasi yung expectation ng tao mas tataas pa lalo kasi nakita nila kung paano ako maglaro nung rookie ako,” he said. “So ayun, more hardwork and discipline lang sa katawan para masustain ko yung ganoong laro.”

Perez is hoping to get some help from holdovers Rashawn McCarthy, who averaged 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.2 steals, Glenn Khobuntin and Eric Camson and role players Juami Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig.

Coach Johnedel Cardel’s team also selected Roosevelt Adams as the top overall pick in the draft while acquiring veteran Aldrech Ramos from Magnolia in exchange for Jackson Corpuz.

Source: Manila Bulletin

An imposing 2019 was all Cherry ‘Sisi’ Rondina and Bryan Bagunas needed to cement their status as the new toasts of Philippine volleyball.

Rondina and Bagunas won MVP honors for University of Santo Tomas and National University, respectively, in leading their schools to the UAAP volleyball finals, while finding time suiting up for the national team in the 30th Southeast Asian Games where they ended up winning a medal each.

The impact both made on the sport will have them conferred as Ms. and Mr. Volleyball in the coming SMC-Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night on March 6 at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.

A native of Compostela, Cebu, the 23-year-old Rondina is the latest to be recognized with the honor given in the past to Alyssa Valdez three times, Mika Reyes, and Dawn Macandili.

Bagunas, 22, on the other hand is the first to get the nod for the award outside of two-time winner Marck Espejo of Ateneo.

The special award accorded to Rondina and Bagunas is just among several to be handed out by the country’s oldest media organization during the gala night presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Cignal TV, Philippine Basketball Association, AirAsia, and Rain or Shine.

For winning the overall championship of the SEA Games, Team Philippines will be the recipient of the coveted Athlete of the Year award.

Rondina actually scored a double in UAAP Season 81 as she also run away with the MVP plum – her fourth – in beach volleyball tournament where she paired with Baby Love Barbon to give UST its sixth championship overall.

In doing so, she became the second player to win both the indoor and beach volleyball MVP awards in a single season after Wendy Semana of Far Eastern University did the trick in Season 70.

Rondina likewise guided the Tigresses to the finals when they dethroned the La Salle Lady Spikers and make the championship round for the first time in seven years. The school though lost to the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the deciding game of the best-of-three title series.

By the end of the season, Rondina was named UAAP Athlete of the Year in collegiate team sports, the only female bet to be accorded the award.

Soon after, Rondina was back on the sands to spearhead the country’s beach volleyball campaign in the SEA Games, where the team, also composed of Bernadeth Pons, Dzi Gervacio and Dij Rodriguez salvaged a bronze to end the Philippines’ 14-year medal drought in the sport.

Bagunas’ season was just as dominant.

The NU star proved it was his time to shine after capturing the Season 81 men’s MVP plum, the first ever Bulldog to win the award in the Final Four era and the first player to clinch the prized trophy following the five-year reign of Espejo.

He later teamed up with Espejo and together, steered the men’s team to the SEA Games finals following a dramatic five-set win over dethroned champion Thailand in what many regarded as one of the best moments of the country in the biennial meet.

The team later lost to Indonesia in three sets in the Filipinos’ first finals stint in 42 years, though the silver medal they won surely glittered like a gold.

Bagunas currently plays as an Asian import for Japanese club team Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler in the V-League.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

International Master Haridas Pascua topped the final four-man Olympiad playoff Wednesday night to claim the fifth and last berth to the Philippine team seeing action in the 44th World Chess Olympiad set Aug. 5 to 18 in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

The 26-year-old Pascua scored four points out of a possible six and finished half a point ahead of Grandmaster Darwin Laylo with 3.5 points.

He joins GMs Julio Catalino Sadorra, Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. and John Paul Gomez and IM Paulo Bersamina in the national squad.

Laylo had a chance to forge a tie and another playoff with Pascua, who lost his final round assignment to IM Daniel Quizon, had the former beaten IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia.

Laylo managed just a draw, however, to slip to second.

It will be Pascua’s second Olympiad stint after debuting in Batumi, Georgia two years ago.

“It’s always an honor playing for flag and country,” said Pascua, a Mangatarem, Pangasinan native who now lives in Baguio City.

Apart from the Olympiad, Pascua said his other goal is to reach the 2500-rating mark and officially become a full-fledged GM. His current rating is 2418.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Anthony Davis scored a team-high 33 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat Denver 120-116 in overtime in the final game before the all-star break for two of the top teams in the West.

“Our defense got us back in the game and we came down and finished at the end of the game,” said Lakers all-star Davis. “We wanted to make sure we came in and got a win on the road heading into the all-star game.”

LeBron James showed his two-way prowess, finishing with a triple-double of 32 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds and making several clutch stops on defense down the stretch.

James recorded his 12th triple-double of the season to tie Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks for the league lead.

Davis scored seven points in the extra session, including a three-pointer that made it 119-116 for the Lakers with 2:41 remaining.

Davis said he enjoyed the first half of the season but added wins are going to be harder to come by in the second.

“It been a fun first half of the year,” he said. “We had our struggles, but we continued to fight.

“We are going to try to have a better second half. We got to pick it up defensively in the second half.”

Nikola Jokic finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, who missed their final five shots in overtime.

Dwight Howard had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Alex Caruso and Avery Bradley scored 10 points each for the Lakers.

Jamal Murray had a team-high 32 points and 10 assists and Jerami Grant had 15 points for Denver, who had their four-game win streak stopped.

Gary Harris scored 13 points and Monte Morris added 12 for Denver, who lost both home games to Los Angeles this season.

Elsewhere, TJ Warren scored 35 points as the Indiana Pacers ended a six-game losing skid with a 118-111 win over the shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks.

Milwaukee clawed their way back from a 25-point second-quarter deficit to pull within five points early in the fourth but the Pacers were able to take advantage in the absence of star Giannis Antetokounmpo and pull out the victory.

Warren shot a blistering 16 of 19 from the field for the Pacers, who made 62 percent of their baskets in the first half in front of 17,000 fans at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Malcolm Brogdon collected 17 points and 13 assists against his former team and Domantas Sabonis had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Pacers, who handed the Bucks their second loss in the last 16 contests.

Donte DiVincenzo scored a team-high 19 points and Khris Middleton added 17 for the Bucks, who also suffered their first loss in six games, without reigning league MVP Antetokounmpo in the lineup.

Antetokounmpo sat out his second straight game following the birth of his first child, Liam Charles.

Milwaukee missed just one of 25 free throws on the night but they still had their five-game winning streak stopped.

Indiana was blown out in their first two meetings of the season against Milwaukee, losing 102-83 in November and 117-89 on the road a month later.

Doncic scores 33 in return

Doncic marked a return from an ankle injury with a 33 point and 12 rebound performance to lead Dallas to a 130-111 win over the Sacramento Kings.

The Mavericks lost four of seven games with Doncic out of the lineup. He was 10-of-18 in shooting from the field and made 10 of 12 from the free-throw line in 31 minutes of playing time.

Kristaps Porzingis poured in 27 points on 11-of-16 shooting and also contributed 13 rebounds.

Tim Hardaway made five three-pointers on his way to scoring 19 points, and Seth Curry added 18 for Dallas.

In New York, Caris LeVert scored 20 points as the Brooklyn Nets registered a 101-91 victory over the Toronto Raptors, who saw their team-record 15-game winning streak come to a sudden halt.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Showing up in his open workout in Tijuana beaming with pride and confidence, Mexican champion Emanuel Navarrete on Wednesday vowed not only to whip Filipino challenger Jeo Santisima but become the first to knock him out when they square off on Feb. 22.

Ten days before making the fifth defense of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-bantamweight crown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Navarrete told the Mexican media why he is emerging triumphant anew.

“I am more than ready for my fifth defense. I always prepare 100% and go out for the knockout. I know that the Filipino has never been knocked out, so then I will be the first,” said Navarrete, who has a 30-1 record with 26 KOs.

“I’m very happy to fight again in Las Vegas and on a card that will get the world’s attention with the rematch between (Deontay) Wilder against (Tyson) Fury. We will arrive with great preparation, in great rhythm and give everything inside the ring. The championship will return to Mexico,” guaranteed Navarrete, whose list of title defense victims includes Juan Miguel Elorde.

Navarrete, despite his edge in experience, feels it will be foolish to look past Santisima, who packs a 19-2 mark with 16 KOs.

“The Filipino rival, Jeo Santisima, is very strong, very tough, hits hard and durable, but we will impose the conditions because if we let him take the initiative, it can cost us dearly. We are motivated and confident, and backed by a great preparation,” Navarrete said.

While Navarrete was showcasing his wares, Santisima was packing his bags in Cebu, where his journey will begin.

From the Queen City, Santisima and trainers Edito ‘Ala’ Villamor and Michael Domingo and promoter Michael Aldeguer, are flying to Manila to catch an evening flight to Los Angeles.

Team Santisima will train for a few days at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood before motoring to Las Vegas next week.

Source: Manila Bulletin