By Nick Giongco

The Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Paranaque, a sprawling property put up by boxing immortal Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde in the 1970s, continues to operate even while the country is gripped by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Marty Elorde’s boxers get ready for dinner inside their quarters at the Elorde Sports Complex in Paranaque. (Photo by Marty Elorde)

But not every Tom, Dick and Harry is welcome to lace up and work out during these trying times.

Marty Elorde, son of the late Hall of Famer, told the Manila Bulletin that only those who are managed by his older brothers Johnny and Bebot are allowed to train.

The Elorde family is in unison with the government’s attempt to put the deadly virus in check.

“Only our boxers get to train inside although not everyone is working out regularly. Many of them are just training because there’s no other thing to do (because of the lockdown),” said Marty, who used to manage Manny Pacquiao alongside a Japanese friend way back in the early 2000s.

But those who do even wake up in the morning to jog around the massive complex that also houses a cockpit arena, swimming pool, tennis court and a popular drinking joint which Marty himself manages.

Marty currently manages over 10 boxers, including one-time world title challenger Edward Heno, who lost in October last year in Southern California.

But with the boxers unable to do their jobs, Marty doesn’t have a choice but to look after their needs.

Marty isn’t waiting for government help to arrive and has made sure there is food on the (long) table three times a day and a roof over their heads.

Actually, Marty was in the thick of preparations to bring his best fighters to the US so they could stay active and be on the radar screen of big-time promoters.

“I have everything all planned already but the pandemic prevented me from pursuing it,” Marty said.

“Times are hard and nobody has any idea when exactly this is going to end so we can all go back to our normal lives.”

In the meantime, Marty is taking it one day at a time.

“I remind my boxers to train even if there is no scheduled fight because once this is all over, it will be easier for them to book fights.”

Marty added: “How can I get them fights if I don’t see them training?”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

The Philippine Sports Commission is urging national sports associations to update its list of national team members who receive monthly training allowances after getting inquiries regarding this matter.

Participants and athletes from the Philippines parade in the 30th SEA Games opening at Philippine Arena, Bocaue, Bulacan, November 30, 2019. (MB File Photo)

Marc Velasco, PSC national training director, said Thursday that they have received reports of athletes asking about training allowance for this month’s payday since the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was extended until April 30.

“May iba kasing na nagtatanong kung may sweldo pa ba sila, pero pinapa-revert namin sa NSA nila. They should ask kung inayos na ba ng NSA,” Velasco told the Manila Bulletin.

“May iba kasi for review ng board dahil hindi rin klaro sa lineup from the NSA. Kasi as NSA, they have the exclusive power based sa law na baguhin yung list nila ng national team.”

Last month, PSC chairman Butch Ramirez said that the agency would continue to provide the needs of the athletes, coaches and employees of the agency.

“These are extraordinary times which call for extraordinary commitment and service from all of us,” said Ramirez.

The agency – the government’s arm for sports – has at least 800 national team athletes under its care. These athletes are categorized in three levels and receive different training allowances.

Those in the Class A category, the likes of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, EJ Obiena of athletics, Caloy Yulo of gymnastics, and boxers Eumir Marcial and Nesthy Petecio get a monthly allowance of P40,000.

Those in Class B receive between P25,000 to P30,000 while athletes in Class C pocket at least P10,000 to P12,000.

“Actually these are not salaries, these are training allowances as members of the national team. These are categorized based on the list na bini-bigay ng mga NSAs sa PSC,” said Velasco.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Grandmaster Joey Antonio has made it a habit to top Chess 960, or Fischer-Random, tournaments.

The 54-year-old Antonio Thursday claimed his second title after ruling the third leg of the Cesar Orbe Memorial Chess 960 Series done on online app, chess.com.

GM Joey Antonio

Antonio bested Jan Roldan Oriendo of Marikina City in the 11th and final round to end up in a five-player logjam for first place with FIDE Master Narquinden Reyes, Ellan Asuela, John Michael Silvederio of Iloilo City and FM Alekhine Nouri with 8.5 points apiece.

Antonio emerged with the highest tiebreak score of 59.5 to claim his second crown after reigning supreme in the first leg two weeks ago.

Reyes (55.5) took second, Aseula (54.75) third, Silvederio (50) fourth and Nouri (48.75) fifth in this weekly tournament organized by National Chess Federation of the Philippines executive director Cliburn Orbe.

Also claiming a place in the top 10 were Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, Oriendo, Johann Cedrick Gaddi of Taytay and Romeo Sadia III of Escalante.

Meanwhile, Karl Ochoa continued his juggernaut as he snared two titles in the Day Three Santos Optical at PCBA Arena and another Chestropolis Arena tournament on the same day.

Ochoa scored 76 points at PCBA ahead of Asian Para Games gold medalist Henry Lopez with 74 and then edged younger brother Kyle, whom he had the same score of 36, via tiebreak hours after to register his sixth tournament triumph in the last four days.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Fans and players expressed their heartbreak over the cancellation of the UAAP Season 82 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as it affected the semester’s centerpiece sport — volleyball.

“UAAP” trended on Twitter on Tuesday night moments after the league’s announcement, saying that “the conditions for the resumption… can no longer be met” following the government’s extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to April 30.

“Haaayss… sakit sa heart,” said University of Santo Tomas’ EJ Laure on her Twitter account.

Haaayss… sakit sa heart

— Ej Laure (@ennajielauree) April 7, 2020

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Fans were anticipating EJ’s return this season from injury as she was to team up with younger sister Eya in the hope of steering the Lady Tigresses to the championship they failed to win last season.

Other players who also aired their sentiments on social media were Eya Laure, Ateneo’s Jules Samonte and Dani Ravena, and National University’s Risa Sato, to name a few.

me rn: pic.twitter.com/waGSmGFzz4

— Eya Laure (@eyalaureee) April 7, 2020

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— Jules Samonte (@julessamonte) April 7, 2020

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https://t.co/KmjadRBfNQ

— Dani Ravena (@ravenadani) April 8, 2020

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Sayonara UAAP seasons 82

— Risa Sato (@risajun_61) April 7, 2020

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Volleyball was initially scheduled to start mid February, but was delayed for two weeks due to COVID-19 threat.

The tournament, however, was able to host a few match playdates before it was halted due to the lockdown.

The Ateneo Lady Eagles are gunning for a second straight crown while the NU Bulldogs seek a three-peat title.

Other collegiate sports affected were football, baseball, softball, athletics, tennis and 3×3 basketball. The league had already cancelled all remaining high school events last month.

“All other issues related thereto will be resolved at the proper time as we continue to focus our time, energy and resources in battling this crisis,” said the statement signed Season 82 President Emmanuel Fernandez and Executive Director Rebo Saguisag.

Prior to the season cancellation, the league adjusted its collegiate calendar by looking at resuming tournaments no earlier than May 1.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

To keep ultra-active athletes like him pre-occupied and always on-the-go, Filipino boxer Eumir Felix Marcial is going into growing vegetables like eggplant, bitter gourd (ampalaya) and bottle gourd (upo) in his third-floor home that is undergoing renovation in Imus, Cavite.

Filipino boxer Eumir Felix Marcial attends to his ‘plantation’ on the third floor of his house in Imus, Cavite.

Marcial, who has earned a spot in the Tokyo Olympics next year, is on the lookout for something else to do as the government extends the lockdown up to April 30 owing to the pandemic.

“Para naman ito sa kabutihan nating lahat,” said Marcial, who topped the Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualifying last month in Amman, Jordan.

Marcial started planting at the start of the lockdown and is glad that the fruits of his labor promise to pay off.

“Tumutubo na nga eh,” said an excited Marcial.

High-profile athletes like Marcial, who is almost always on training mode, are not used to staying indoors unable to perform their normal routine.

“Hindi ka talaga mapakali,” said Marcial. “Madalas naka-upo ako at bigla na lang ako tatayo at maglalakas at uupo ulit at ang sabi ng girlfriend ko nahihilo na daw sa sya sa akin.”

Apparently, Marcial is not content with just doing some boxing training, watching TV and attending to his mini-farm.

The past few days, Marcial is likewise engaging in something a bit queer.

‘Plantation’ of boxer Eumir Felix Marcial.

“Gumagawa na rin ako ng tuyo,” he said in a high-pitched voice, looking forward to the day when he will pair his dried, salted fish with a generous serving of fresh greens.

But doing all these things seem to be not enough.

“Nag-iisip na rin akong magpalipad ng saranggola.”

Now, only if his fellow athletes could do the same thing to keep themselves composed and collected.

Indeed, these are extraordinary times.

Can’t wait to see what Marcial is going to do next.

WATCH:

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz is doing her part in raising funds for frontliners fighting COVID-19.

Hidilyn Diaz, 2nd from right, with, from left, nutritionist Jeaneth Aro, coach Julius Naranjo and Chinese mentor Kaiwen Gao in training camp in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With them is Malaysia’s Chinese coach Wang Zhi-quan. (Photo courtesy of Hidilyn Diaz)

Through her Instagram account, Diaz posted Tuesday an online weightlifting seminar – from techniques, experience and knowledge in the sport – and asked participants to donate.

View this post on Instagram

Hi, good day! I will be conducting an online weightlifting seminar via zoom, I’m doing this to do my part as a Filipino and to share my passion, experiences, and knowledge in weightlifting. In order to join, you need to donate, all of the proceeds will go towards pandemic relief in the Philippines. You can register in this link https://bit.ly/HDWeightliftingSeminar-Registration Or click the link in my bio. Stay safe everyone! @yks.media

A post shared by Hidilyn Diaz OLY (@hidilyndiaz) on Apr 6, 2020 at 4:38am PDT

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The 28-year-old lifter said proceeds would be used to purchase food, which she intends to distribute to poor people in Metro Manila, Bulacan and her hometown Zamboanga City.

Diaz also said that she wants to help the health workers by providing them additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as they continue to fight and possibly end the spread of the virus here.

“Yes idea ko po,” said Diaz in a chat Tuesday with the Manila Bulletin. “Actually naiinggit ako sa mga singers and artista, kakanta sila then marami ng nagdo-donate at naka-contribute and nakatulong na sila sa kapwa, at sa bansa natin.”

Diaz said that by sharing her experience, knowledge and techniques, it would encourage people to join the seminar this month, and be able to raise funds from donations from participants.

So far, Diaz said that following her post, there were already 20 individuals and P20,000 total donation. She said that interested parties can send cash assistance between P500 to P2,000.

“Ang food package po nagkakahalaga ng P480-P490. More on gulay po ibibigay namin. Also, titignan din po kung kaya din magbigay sa organizations for PPE for the frontliners,” she said.

“They can go to my IG account (@hidilyndiaz) and meron link, click po sila dun to participate then nandun narin po ang mga information san nila puwede maipadala yung donation,” said Diaz, adding that some family members in the country will be helping her with the food distributions.

Diaz said that since she is in KL, she would be using multiple teleconference applications to accommodate participants. She would be doing it by batches if necessary to accommodate everybody.

Bottom line, according to Diaz, is to be able to do something and provide help. Although she already made her contribution during the early stages of the lockdown here, she said there are still ways to continue supporting others.

“It’s a personal advocacy po talaga,” said Diaz.

“Whatever situation we are right now, we have to be positive and be light to other people. To my fellow athletes we can share our talent and contribute to our country in our own little way.”

“But I think the best contribution is to stay home, stay healthy and stay strong,” added Diaz.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Long-time Philippine Tennis Association president Salvador “Buddy” Andrada passed away Wednesday morning due to cardiac arrest. He was 83.

Long-time Philippine Tennis Association president Salvador “Buddy” Andrada

Considered as one of the pillars of the sport in the country, Andrada served as tennis chief from 1986 to 2005.

He was also a former Philippine Sports Commissioner.

Among Andrada’s legacies was the Andrada Cup, an age-group tournament for upcoming tennis players, which ran for 30 years until its last staging in 2018.

It was considered the longest-running tennis tournament in the country.

Andrada, a former military man, founded the tournament in 1989 to boost the country’s grassroots program in the sport.

Andrada is also the first Filipino to serve as president of the Asian Tennis Federation, which was founded in Manila in 1964.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

The Olympic flame will be removed from display in Japan, officials said Tuesday, as the country braces for a state of emergency due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) that also forced the historic postponement of Tokyo 2020.

The logo for the Tokyo 2020 torch relay is pictured as the Olympic flame goes on display at the Aquamarine Fukushima aquarium in Iwaki in Fukushima prefecture on March 25, 2020, the day after the historic decision to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)

It had been on public display in the northeastern Fukushima region since last week, but Japanese Olympic organizers decided to shelve it as coronavirus cases climb in the country.

The ill-fated flame, lit in Greece, arrived in Japan on March 20 for a torch relay originally scheduled to start six days later and climax at the Olympics opening ceremony on July 24.

But the raging pandemic prompted the first postponement of the Games in peace-time, with the opening ceremony now slated to take place on July 23, 2021.

To keep the Olympic spirit alive in Japan, local organizers decided to maintain the flame in a lantern and display it in Fukushima, where the torch relay was going to start.

“Originally we wanted to hold the public display until the end of April. But considering recent developments, we decided to stop,” said a Tokyo 2020 organizing committee spokesman.

He declined to comment on where the flame will be stored, saying that organizers had no immediate plan to show it to the public and hoped to prevent people from congregating around the storage location.

The flame has had a troubled journey due to the coronavirus since being lit in ancient Olympia without spectators to avoid spreading the disease.

The Greek leg of the torch relay was scrapped when large crowds mobbed Hollywood actor Gerard Butler as he lit a cauldron in the town of Sparta.

The flame arrived to a muted welcome in northern Japan in front of a few dozen officials and guests, after plans to invite 200 schoolchildren were abandoned.

It then attracted large crowds in Japan despite calls from organizers to avoid mass gatherings because of the virus.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The PBA Board of Governors agreed on Tuesday to shorten the 45th season to one or two conferences due to the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to affect the country.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial. (PBA Images)

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said a two-conference season is the most logical option at this point, though the calendar could be reduced to a single tournament should the current crisis lingers.

“The leaning of the board right now is two conferences. Pero kapag humaba pa ang current situation, baka maging isang conference na lang,” Marcial said after a video conference participated by 11 of 12 team governors.

The decision came after the government earlier in the day extended the enhanced community quarantine imposed throughout Luzon until April 30. Marcial had eyed June as the earliest time for the league to resume.

A shortened calendar will mean that the PBA won’t be holding its traditional three-conference season for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign.

The PBA has been holding a three-conference season from 1975 to 2005, with the exception of 1981 which had two tournaments due to the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games.

The league shifted to a two-conference season from 2006 to 2010 to give way to the Philippines’ participation in FIBA-sanctioned competitions before reverting back to the usual three conferences.

The only thing that can be speculated is the arrangement surrounding the schedule, format and contracts with league sponsors and television partner TV5.

But everything remains cloudy until the situation improves.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

The UAAP on Tuesday cancelled its 82nd season due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has been going on for months.

UAAP has canceled the remainder of Season 82 due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (UAAP Images)

In a statement, UAAP officials said “the conditions for the resumption… can no longer be met” following the government’s extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine to April 30.

“All other issues related thereto will be resolved at the proper time as we continue to focus our time, energy and resources in battling this crisis,” said the statement signed Season 82 President Emmanuel Fernandez and Executive Director Rebo Saguisag.

JUST IN: UAAP Season 82 is cancelled | via @kristelsports pic.twitter.com/YTLt28fa1O

— Manila Bulletin Sports (@mbsportsonline) April 7, 2020

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The season still has remaining events in college volleyball and football, while baseball, softball, athletics, tennis and 3×3 basketball were not able to start.

This will be the first time since World War II that volleyball, which is the centerpiece sport in the second semester, will not be held.

Prior to the season cancellation, the league adjusted its collegiate calendar by looking at resuming tournaments no earlier than May 1.

The Enhanced Community Quarantine was initially scheduled to end on April 14, which will allow teams to train for at least two weeks before tournament resumption.

Despite this, the league is grateful to everyone who made the season a success.

“Nevertheless, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you, our fans, partners, student-athletes, coaches, and all other members of the UAAP community.”

Source: Manila Bulletin