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Tolentino: Our athletes are prepared
Team Philippines will be prepared and ready to win when it marches to the 19th Asian Games that will open on Saturday at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China. No less than Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino declared their readiness, saying that they will deploy the best and most prepared athletes in the prestigious quadrennial meet that got delayed by a year due to Covid pandemic. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal, will be at the helm together with other standouts like pole vaulter EJ Obiena, swimmer Kayla Sanchez, and boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam. Although expectations will be tempered on the chances of Diaz as she will compete in the heavier 59-kilogram category, she is still expected to make her presence felt as she had already warmed up in the World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after finishing seventh. Even the boxers will be ready as they are coming off an intensive training in India and Australia in a bid to dominate the Asian Games that will also serve as a qualifying tourney for the Paris Olympics. Tolentino said he has high hopes for the 396-man national delegation. “We are very much prepared. Some of our athletes are coming off from their training abroad,” said Tolentino, who will join Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann in leading the send-off ceremony for Team Philippines on Monday at the Philippine International Convention Center. In the previous edition of the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018, the Filipinos finished 19th after pocketing four gold, two silver and 15 bronze medals. It was the country’s best finish since grabbing five gold medals in 1951 in New Delhi, seven gold medals in 1962 in Jakarta, eight gold medals in 1958 in Tokyo and 14 gold medals in 1954 in Manila. The first batch of Filipino athletes had already left for Hangzhou. First to leave were Olympian Cris Nievarez and the national rowing team composed of Joanie Delgaco, Tammy Sha, Feiza Lenton, Edgar Ilas, and Zuriel Sumintac with coaches Shukhrat Ganiev, Ed Maerina, Nic Jasmin and Con Fornea. The rowers will kick off their campaign in the men’s single sculls, lightweight men’s double sculls, women’s single sculls, and lightweight women’s double sculls on Wednesday at the Olympic Sports Expo Center. Also first to arrive in the bustling city in Hangzhou, the capital and most populous city in Zhejiang Province, are the staff of the national women’s football team, windsurfers and indoor and beach volleyball players. The national booters, popularly known as the Filipinas, are expected to arrive in the coming days in batches as they kick off their campaign on Tuesday. Tolentino said exceeding their performance in the previous Asian Games will already be considered as a success. “This will be the best of the team. We hope to exceed our performance for the last four years,” said Tolentino, who is pinning his hopes on Diaz as well as Asia’s best vaulter Obiena, Olympic medalists Marcial, Petecio and Paalam, and two-time Olympic medalist Sanchez. “We have high hopes for medals in weightlifting, boxing, swimming, and e-sports, with potential surprises in martial arts as well.” The post Tolentino: Our athletes are prepared appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pinoy’s got talent
“That’s cool, Attorney,” said Mr. Arico “Acoy” Matibay, a fictional client of mine from the Philippines. He was sitting in my office along with his long-time sweetheart, Ms. Dinah Sia Maasim, seeking legal advice about their chances of getting a green card in the US. “So, if we have special talents or skills that are way above what ordinary people have, we can apply for a green card?” interjected Ms. Maasim, who could not mask the excitement on her face. “Yes,” I replied. “But there are a number of requirements that need to be met in order to qualify for this type of visa. Number one is that exceptional talent or ability should pertain to the arts, sciences, or business. Number two is there should be an employer willing to sponsor the person.” I explained further that this type of sponsorship was relatively faster because it belonged to the EB-2 immigrant visa category with only a one-to-two-year waiting period for a green card. Also, the application could bypass the labor certification process and be filed directly with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services if accompanied with proof that the person had international acclaim or recognition in his/her field of specialty, that he/she performed or possessed the special skills within the past year, and that the exceptional ability would be put to use in the US immediately. “To prove these things,” I continued, “you can submit evidence of awards or prizes, certificates of membership in international associations, published materials about the work or talent, authorship of scientific or scholarly articles, proof of participation as a judge or panel member, etc.” “In addition,” I went on, “at least three of the following types of documentary evidence must be submitted: an academic record of diploma, award, or certificate, letters showing at least 10 years’ full-time experience in the specialty field, license or certification to practice the profession or occupation, proof of high salary commensurate with the exceptional skill, proof of membership in professional associations, or evidence of special recognition from industry peers or governmental organizations.” After I finished talking, the couple exchanged excited glances and smiled at each other, their faces beaming with satisfaction. Mr. Matibay spoke first: “Thank you for the explanation, Attorney. I think we can meet most of the requirements.” “Our special talents have made us somewhat popular in Asia,” added Ms. Maasim, smiling. “We’ve also received awards from the industry, plus we’ve been very active in performing our special skills this past year. We also intend to use our exceptional talent here in the US. In fact, there’s an employer/producer who’s very much willing to put us to work as soon as possible.” “Not only that,” continued Mr. Matibay, “we’re also members of a professional film group that sometimes act as panel judges for amateur movie contests. We’ve been doing this gig for 15 years now and we’re among the top five percent of high-earners.” “That’s quite impressive,” I said. “May I ask what is it that you guys both do?” “We’re acrobatic porn artists, Attorney,” replied Mr. Matibay proudly. “We do triple-X movies and live shows. Our most popular segments are the Torture Chamber and Banana Split. We also do Jose and the Pussycats. Last year, we did a Covid special called Strep Throat. We actually have a demo tape with us, Attorney. It’s called The Magic of Johnson and Larry’s Bird.” My head started spinning and it took me a while to find the courage to tell them that the US did not consider porn acrobatic talent as a skill of exceptional caliber for EB-2 sponsorship purposes. Sexceptional ability maybe, but exceptional ability certainly wasn’t. I advised them to try their luck in Russia instead. The post Pinoy’s got talent appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
An old antibiotic may get new life as an STI prevention pill
The United States is set to roll out a powerful new weapon in the long fight against sexually transmitted infections: a decades-old antibiotic repurposed as a preventative pill. DoxyPEP, or doxycycline used as a post-exposure prophylaxis, has been found to significantly cut the risk of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis when used after condomless sex. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is developing national guidance for clinicians, will need to weigh the need to contain record high rates of STIs impacting millions of Americans against potentially giving rise to more antibiotic-resistant strains. "Innovation and creativity matter in public health, and more tools are desperately needed," senior CDC official Jonathan Mermin told AFP. But the recommendations, set for publication this summer, will remain narrow in scope. They will likely target only the most at-risk groups of gay men and transgender women with histories of prior infection. As word spreads, some clinics are already prescribing DoxyPEP. Malik, a 37-year-old man in Washington, said his doctor recently told him he could start using doxycycline as a "morning-after pill" following risky sex, something he's had to do twice -- including after a partner did not warn him he had removed his condom. Two-thirds reduction Reported cases of the three bacterial infections grew to 2.5 million in the United States in 2021, following about a decade of growth. Several issues are behind the rise: fewer people are using condoms since the advent of PrEP -- daily pills that significantly reduce chances of contracting HIV. And people who are on PrEP are recommended to undergo screening every three months, likely increasing the identification of infections. Then there is the basic epidemiological fact that the greater the number of people infected, the more they can further infect. Researchers have found DoxyPEP efficacious in three of four trials. "What we found was there was about a two-thirds reduction in sexually transmitted infection every three months," Annie Luetkemeyer, who co-led a US trial, told AFP. The physician-scientist at the University of California, San Francisco recruited some 500 people in San Francisco and Seattle among communities of men who have sex with men and transgender women. Efficacy was greatest for chlamydia and syphilis, both of which were reduced by about 80 percent, while for gonorrhea it was about 55 percent. There were few side effects. Antibiotic resistance Broadening access to doxycycline has prompted concerns about causing antibiotic resistance, particularly in gonorrhea, which is fast mutating. But early research hasn't shown cause for alarm. Connie Celum of the University of Washington, who co-led the US study, told AFP researchers tested gonorrhea samples from breakthrough infections in the DoxyPEP group and compared them to the group who didn't receive the pill. Though they found the rate of resistant gonorrhea slightly higher in the DoxyPEP group, she says the finding could simply mean the pill is less effective against already resistant strains, rather than causing that resistance. DoxyPEP could even boost responsible antibiotic stewardship -- cutting the incidence of infections, thus also cutting need for antibiotic treatment. If it slashed gonorrhea cases by some 50 percent, it could reduce the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment with the current frontline treatment drug, ceftriaxone, which doctors are eager to preserve. Longer term study is required, on both impacts on STIs but also "bystander" bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, which live inside people's noses but sometimes cause serious infections. 'Additional tool' Malik said that while he is glad he could use DoxyPEP as a last resort, he wishes more men were willing to use condoms. Since moving to America from South Asia, he gets relatively little interest on dating app Grindr when he says he's not willing to have condomless sex. But Stephen Abbott -- a doctor at Washington's Whitman-Walker clinic who prescribes and uses DoxyPEP -- said it's crucial to meet people where they are. "From speaking with patients, and being part of the community that's now on PrEP... I think the age of prevention through condoms is fading," he told AFP. A 42-year-old man in London who runs a cultural organization told AFP that word had spread about DoxyPEP through the international gay party circuit and he had procured a supply on the black market and through a partner who buys in bulk in Mexico. It had largely worked for him, though he did have one breakthrough infection of throat gonorrhea. He said he was looking forward to the United Kingdom adopting similar guidance so that people have the right information and aren't left to guess at the right dosage. For Luetkemeyer, DoxyPEP won't be "the answer" to the STI epidemic, and there is considerable interest in the development of a gonorrhea vaccine. "But I'm optimistic... I think this is an additional tool," she said. The post An old antibiotic may get new life as an STI prevention pill appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kim climbs US Open leaderboard with sizzling third-round start
Tom Kim turned in a record-equalling front nine at Los Angeles Country Club then found himself holding on for dear life as he tried to play his way into contention at the US Open. The 20-year-old from South Korea had seven birdies in the first 10 holes -- his 29 on the front nine matching the championship nine-hole scoring mark. Kim joined Vijay Singh in 2003 at Olympia Fields, Louis Oosthuizen in 2015 at Chambers Bay and Neal Lancaster, who did it back to back in 1995 and 1996 at Shinnecock and Oakland Hills. Coming in, however, there were bogeys at 13, 15 and 16 by Kim as the sun-baked course, hosting a US Open for the first time, showed its teeth. "Those three bogeys really don't feel like bogeys because I barely missed it by a yard or two," said Kim, whose four-under par 66 put him at three-under 207 for the tournament. "But major championship golf, US Open, really brings it out of you. "Would have been nice to kind of par in and see that bogey-free or see one or two more birdies, but if you told me at the start of the day, I'd take that score." One of Kim's bogeys came at the par-three 15th, playing Saturday at just 81 yards. Birdies were proving even harder to come by there than they had in the first two rounds, when it played at 124 and 115 yards and saw three holes in one. Kim said it still offered one of the few "realistic" birdie chances on the back nine because players are hitting a wedge off the tee. "If you have a wedge, you have a chance to get it close and have a chance," he said. - No room for error - But at 81 yards, there's certainly no room for error. "I mean, it was 76 yards, 80 something to the hole. You have four yards of green to work with," Kim said. "You're long, you're dead; you're short, you're dead. It's a really simple wedge shot, but with the wind kind of going down to left, you've got to really hit it at the right time. "It's a wedge. You don't want to bail out left. Then you have like a 40-footer down the hill. "I just kind of got cute and kind of got plugged in the bunker. A bogey from 80 yards stats-wise isn't great, but definitely double is in play there." Kim, who earned his second US PGA Tour title at TPC Summerlin last October and owns two titles on both the Asian Tour and Koran Tour, is chasing a first major title. He's trying to follow the trail blazed by Asia's two male major winners: South Korean Yang Yong-eun -- who out-dueled Tiger Woods to win the 2009 PGA Championship -- and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion. Although he'd told himself not to watch the scoreboard, Kim admitted he couldn't help himself as the birdies were falling. "It did catch my mind once I was seven-under, after 10 where, man, if I can keep this going, have a good finish -- and if the leaders kind of stumble -- I might have a chance to be really close up there on Sunday," Kim said. "But it was a really short thought because I still had the hardest part of the golf course right in front of me." bb/js © Agence France-Presse The post Kim climbs US Open leaderboard with sizzling third-round start appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Geopolitical implications of NATO-Plus
It is hard, even next to impossible, to remain neutral in our global war-prone situation today. This article is an attempt, as much as possible, to present a neutral geopolitical analysis. Events are cited here not to support one side or the other but as facts with deep geopolitical implications. As mentioned often in this column, the polarization of nations into two opposing sides always precedes a world war. The formation of the Allies and the Axis was the precursor for both World Wars I and II. Today, rapid polarization in both economic and military areas is happening at a dizzying pace — a preview of World War III which will be five- to ten-fold as big and intense as the previous world wars due to the advent of new sophisticated weapons that make the old weapons obsolete. All of a sudden, invincible carrier fleets will be vulnerable to multiple hypersonic missile attacks. Powerful lasers can now take out satellites, paralyzing entire military and commercial systems. There are dozens of game-changers, some of them still secret. The rise of NATO-Plus has increased the chances of World War III. Right now, it is germinating rapidly. The US Congress wants India in NATO-Plus. India is what Ukraine is to Russia, namely, the enemy in the backyard, threatening the nation’s “existential existence.” India, the ancient arch-enemy of China, welcomes this move. It will be effortless for the US to court India into NATO-Plus. India is forging a deal with the US to buy 30 killer drones. The proximity of India to China is of extreme geopolitical concern to both US-NATO-Plus and China and even Russia. Ironically, India is a major importer of Russian energy, which may be preempted if it joins NATO-Plus. In fact, Russia is in a predicament. It is being paid in Indian currency which is piling up unused in Indian banks, due to sanctions. Right now, the US is taking inventory of “non-NATO allies,” whom they can court into NATO-Plus. The campaign for NATO-Plus is gathering momentum with five members as of this writing — Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel and New Zealand. Remember that more than half of NATO’s power lies with the US. NATO-Plus is a US initiative. China is rattled by this turn of events, warning that it would plunge the Indo-Pacific into war. This is true, but remember, this was partly in reaction to China’s earlier belligerence and aggressive moves in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. NATO-Plus will naturally intensify the ongoing cooperation between China and Russia, exchanging more armaments and high-level talks on cooperation and mutual defense protocols. China and Russia are part of a multinational bloc similar to NATO. Since early 2022, Putin and Xi have been forging “a sweeping long-term agreement that challenges the United States as a global power” (The New Yorker, Feb. 2022). The possibility of the Philippines joining NATO-Plus cannot be discounted. The catalyst may be a US-China war in Taiwan and/or the South China Sea. If China retaliates against US killer drones emanating from the EDCA bases, this will enhance the chances of the Philippines joining NATO-Plus. However, massive collateral damage to Filipino civilians around the EDCA bases, when push comes to shove, may derail present mutual defense agreements with the US. To stay neutral is the dilemma of PBBM, the Philippines being the rope in a US-China tug-of-war. If he leans heavily toward the US, especially in a US-China war in Taiwan and/or the SCS, China can stop its much-needed trade with the Philippines. On the side of economic alliances, the US is worried about the current expansion of the China-Russia-led BRICS economic bloc “which received membership applications from 19 countries ahead of a June summit, potentially expanding the group’s influence throughout the Middle East and Africa.” (Fox News, undated). Their primary goal is to destroy the US dollar. In the interest of peace in the Asia Pacific, it is better if NATO-Plus fails because otherwise, it would result in a frenzy of purchases of deadly new state-of-the-art weapons by eager warriors that would plunge the region into war — which is happening now in Europe and the Middle East. eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post Geopolitical implications of NATO-Plus appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Building a community of leading gamers
Globe is leveling up its stake in the gaming world through its partnership with AcadArena, home of Southeast Asia’s campus gaming. Together, the partners are building a community of gamers aspiring to be leaders in esports, game technology, and pop culture. To kick this off, Globe is all set to empower gamers of all kinds at CONQuest 2023, the biggest gaming and pop culture convention in the Philippines set to unfold at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex from 2-4 June 2023. CONQuest promises to be a thrilling spectacle featuring top streamers, influencers, shout casters, cosplayers, esports athletes, voice actors, and musical acts. International sensations Valkyrae, Pokimane, Lilypichu, Michael Reeves, and Tuonto are poised to share the stage with Korean indie rock band The Rose. Matching them step by step are Filipino powerhouses VeeWise, RikuPH, and a host of other local figures. The festival is gearing up to be an experience like no other, especially for Globe customers. Through the partnership with AcadArena, subscribers can get exclusive perks such as 10 percent discounts on tickets and chances to win tickets from different tiers, from day passes to coveted Premium passes, using their Globe Rewards points on GlobeOne. Globe users can also enjoy express lane entry simply by showing their proof of SIM registration. They also get the privileged opportunity to lay claim to special CONQuest 2023 merchandise. For a hassle-free trip, Globe customers can ride the shuttle service from SMX to three selected Ayala Malls using Globe Rewards points. On top of these treats, they also get the opportunity to score an academic scholarship and a CONQuest Premium Pass for a chosen student leader. Globe plans to ignite the venue of the much-anticipated event with an immersive, experiential booth that will reward gamers for their life’s wins. From getting freebies when they donate their Rewards points for a cause to indulging in free arcade plays and memorable meet-ups with their favorite streamers, the Globe gaming community is in for an action-packed, unforgettable weekend! "We in Globe are very much thrilled to once again present and enable AcadArena’s CONQuest, especially as it becomes a space for all types of gamers, with the event going beyond just games and esports and expanding into music and pop culture. It’s a perfect match as we aim to strengthen the Philippines' gaming community and provide festival goers with the most reliable mobile network in the Philippines.," said Ralph Aligada, Head of Globe Games and Esports. Ariane Lim, AcadArena COO shared, "With CONQuest getting bigger each year, we at AcadArena are very excited to see the festival goers in the activities and events that they will be able to experience. Our presenters, led by Globe, always give new gaming experiences each year, with 2023 shaping up to be the most novel one yet. We look forward to bringing our festival goers the best that AcadArena and Globe can offer." The post Building a community of leading gamers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gilas Pilipinas’ SEAG win fuels excitement for 2023 FIBA World Cup
Less than a hundred days before the opening tip of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Filipino basketball fans are growing excited as they await the final list of local and international basketball superstars who will be playing in the Philippine leg of the said basketball championship. Following Gilas Pilipinas’ euphoric win against an import-laden Cambodian team in the recent 32nd Southeast Asian Games, and with the team’s grit and sound coaching strategies, basketball enthusiasts are optimistic about the team’s chances in this year’s FIBA World Cup. With Gilas Pilipinas facing familiar foes — Italy, Dominican Republic and Angola — in the FIBA World Cup’s group stage, the victory over Cambodia could inspire the players as they compete with these teams. Playing in front of the home crowd will boost the team’s morale as Gilas Pilipinas sets their sights on winning in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and qualifying to represent the flag in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. The Philippines last played in the 1972 Olympics and winning the FIBA World Cup could end the drought. In an interview, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Alfredo S. Panlilio shared his wishes that Gilas Pilipinas could win at least two (games) and move to the next round. Since the 2014 FIBA World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas had only won once in 10 matches. Thus, there is enormous pressure to perform at an all-time high, considering that the Philippines is one of the co-hosts of this year’s tournament. Panlilio added, “If we do that (win at least two games and advance to the knockout stage), possibly, because the highest ranking Asian team after every tournament gets a slot in the Olympics. It’s a reward if we’re the highest Asian team. In the meantime, what remains crucial for Gilas Pilipinas’ coaching staff is its selection of players that would participate in the FIBA World Cup. The players’ selection also excites Filipinos as they all wait to see if Filipino-American and Utah Jazz Guard Jordan Clarkson would don the country’s colors. News reports quoted Gilas Pilipinas Head Coach Chot Reyes saying, “The selection would be based on various factors such as schedules, players’ plans, and even economics. To be very honest about it, to be very frank, economics will also be an issue.” “There are a lot of things that are going to be involved in making the final determination. We plan to have a 16- or 18-man pool, and it might be more, to go on an extended training period that will include foreign camps and tune-up games against quality competition,” Reyes said. The Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia will host this year’s FIBA World Cup from August 25 to September 10, 2023. The games will be played simultaneously at the Araneta Coliseum for Groups A and B, Mall of Asia Arena for Groups C and D, Okinawa Arena in Japan for Groups E and F, and at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta for Groups G and H. The qualifying teams will head to Manila as the Playoffs and Finals Games will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena. As the country prepares to host the most prestigious FIBA World Cup, Panlilio also called on all basketball stakeholders to unite to support Gilas Pilipinas as it competes in the international arena. With the Philippines’ passionate fans, rich basketball culture, and world-class venues, the stage is all set for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which is certain to leave a mark on the global basketball landscape. The post Gilas Pilipinas’ SEAG win fuels excitement for 2023 FIBA World Cup appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Next five years set to be hottest period ever: UN
It is near-certain that 2023-2027 will be the warmest five-year period ever recorded, the United Nations warned Wednesday as greenhouse gases and El Nino combine to send temperatures soaring. Global temperatures are soon set to exceed the more ambitious target set out in the Paris climate accords, with a two-thirds chance that one of the next five years will do so, the UN's World Meteorological Organization said. The hottest eight years ever recorded were all between 2015 and 2022 -- but temperatures are forecast to increase further as climate change accelerates. "There is a 98-percent likelihood that at least one of the next five years, and the five-year period as a whole, will be the warmest on record," the WMO said. The 2015 Paris Agreement saw countries agree to cap global warming at "well below" two degrees Celsius above average levels measured between 1850 and 1900 -- and 1.5C if possible. The global mean temperature in 2022 was 1.15C above the 1850-1900 average. The WMO said there was a 66 percent chance that annual global surface temperatures will exceed 1.5C above pre-industrial levels for at least one of the years 2023-2027, with a range of 1.1C to 1.8C forecasted for each of those five years. ' Uncharted territory' While this does not mean that the world will permanently exceed the Paris benchmark, "WMO is sounding the alarm that we will breach the 1.5C level on a temporary basis with increasing frequency", said the agency's chief Petteri Taalas. "A warming El Nino is expected to develop in the coming months and this will combine with human-induced climate change to push global temperatures into uncharted territory. "This will have far-reaching repercussions for health, food security, water management and the environment. We need to be prepared." El Nino is the large-scale warming of surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. The weather phenomenon normally occurs every two to seven years. Conditions oscillate between El Nino and its opposite La Nina, with neutral conditions in between. The WMO said earlier this month that the chances of El Nino developing were 60 percent by the end of July and 80 percent by the end of September. Typically, El Nino increases global temperatures in the year after it develops -- which in this cycle would be 2024. Despite the cooling influence of La Nina conditions over much of the past three years, the warmest eight years on record have all been from 2015 onwards, with 2016 the hottest. Heat gets trapped in the atmosphere by so-called greenhouse gases, which are at a record high. The three major greenhouses gases are carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Temperatures rising since 1960s Global land and sea mean near-surface temperatures have increased since the 1960s. The chances of temperatures temporarily exceeding 1.5C above the 1850-1990 average have risen steadily since 2015, a year when they were considered close to zero. Britain's Met Office national weather service is the WMO's lead center on yearly to 10-yearly climate predictions. While there is a 66-percent chance that one year between 2023 and 2027 will exceed the 1.5C threshold, there is now a 32 percent chance that the entire five-year mean will do so, the Met Office said. "Global mean temperatures are predicted to continue increasing, moving us away further and further away from the climate we are used to," said Met Office expert scientist Leon Hermanson. Temperatures in 2023 are likely to be higher than the 1991-2020 average in almost all regions except for Alaska, South Africa, South Asia and parts of Australia, the WMO said. Parts of the South Pacific Ocean are likely to be cooler than average. The post Next five years set to be hottest period ever: UN appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
World-class foes boost triathletes
Competing against world-class foes had prepared the national triathlon squad for the tough grind in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. Triathlon Association of the Philippines president Tom Carrasco yesterday said he is confident over the SEA Games chances of the triathletes after getting world-class exposure in the 30th Subic International Triathlon over the weekend. In the previous staging of the biennial meet in Hanoi, the Filipinos dominate the triathlon and duathlon event after bagging three gold, one silver and one bronze medal. Now, Carrasco is pumped up, knowing that his wards would deliver in the 11-nation conclave set in Phnom Penh from 5 to 17 May. “We’ve just completed the elite events as a final tune-up for our Cambodia-bound team. They experienced a very tough race today (Sunday) competing again Asia’s best. Very good experience,” Carrasco, who is looking to win at least three gold medals in the biennial meet, said. Carrasco said seeing action in high-level events is definitely a big boost to the triathletes. “We might not have had a Filipino on the podium of the SuBit race but I’m happy they got exposed to a world-class experience,” Carrasco said in a separate interview. In the SuBit event, five-time SEA Games gold medalist Kim Mangrobang emerged as the best local performer after finishing 24th in the 48-woman field with a clocking of one hour, one minute and seven seconds. In the men’s side, Filipino-Spanish Fernando Casares finished 25th out of 66 local and international competitors after crossing the finish line in 54:46. Mangrobang and Casares will banner the 11-man national team in both the triathlon and duathlon events of the biennial meet. Also competing in the SEA Games are Raven Alcoseba (women’s triathlon and women’s aquathlon), Kim Remolino (men’s triathlon and mixed relay), John Chicano (men’s duathlon) and Kira Ellis (women’s duathlon). For the aquathlon events, Gene Quiambao (women’s aquathlon) and Josh Ramos (men’s aquathlon) will join Alcoseba and Remolino the mixed relay team will be composed of Ellis, Aki Lorbes, Erica Burgos and Wacky Baniqued. The national squad will be flying to Cambodia this Friday, just in time for the start of the event on 6 May at the Cambodian province of Kep. The post World-class foes boost triathletes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Eagles keep Ateneo afloat
With its fancied women’s team already out, the men’s squad is left as the last team standing for the vaunted volleyball program of Ateneo de Manila University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85. The hopes of salvaging their school pride in this centerpiece sport now rests on the shoulders of the Blue Eagles after their women’s squad missed the Final Four for the first time in 14 years. Ateneo head coach Timmy Sto. Tomas and the rest of the team would rather not think too much of the plight of their women’s counterparts and just focus on their task at hand. He said they do not want any added pressure as they work hard to keep its semis bid alive. “It’s not really an added pressure. The women’s team, they have their own goal and we have our own goal. We just have to manage our expectations,” Sto. Tomas said. “Because if we dwell too much on what happened to our women’s team it will be an added pressure on our end.” After all, even the Blue Eagles are in a precarious position in their Final Four campaign in what turned out to be a difficult year for the school’s volleyball program. “So as much as possible we try to focus on what’s happening on our team. We don’t treat it as pressure but motivation so that our volleyball program will still have a team heading to the Final Four. It’s more of a motivation rather than pressure.” Ateneo pumped life into its flickering semis hopes after beating De La Salle University in a marathon contest, 22-25, 25-19, 26-28, 25-20, 15-13, last Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena behind the career night of Ken Batas. Batas did justice for the Blue Eagles as he dropped 30 points for their seventh win in 13 games tied with the Green Spikers and Far Eastern University in a three-way tie at third to fifth. Three-peat-seeking and undefeated National University and second-running University of Santo Tomas secured the top two spots armed with twice-to-beat advantages. Ateneo, which advanced to the next round in the previous six seasons, faces the daunting task of bringing NU on Saturday to better its chances of securing if not assuring at least a playoff for a semis ticket. “We want to get in the Final Four. We have to play really well against NU, especially since they’re unbeaten. We don’t want our fate to be determined by the remaining games of other teams,” Sto. Tomas said. A loss would push the Blue Eagles to the brink of elimination. A defeat coupled with wins by La Salle and FEU against University of the East and Adamson University, respectively, would show the Blue Eagles the exit door marking the first time Ateneo won’t have any team in the semis since 2014. “We have to work hard to keep our semis fate in our hands,” the mentor added. The post Eagles keep Ateneo afloat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UST makes Final Four grade
University of Santo Tomas completed the Final Four cast after showing Far Eastern University the exit door, 26-24, 22-25, 25-16, 25-23, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Veteran Eya Laure capped her efficient outing by hammering down the finishing blow to banish the last hurdle blocking the way of the Tigresses’ third straight semifinals appearance. UST improved its win-loss record to 9-3 for a share of the second spot with semis-bound defending champion National University. Standings leader and twice-to-beat De La Salle University and Adamson University occupy the other Final Four seats. Laure, whose back-to-back aces midway through the fourth set cleared the way for UST to take control of the match, finished with 28 points and had eight digs. The outside hitter and skipper punched in 23 kills off 47 attempts and had three aces and two kill blocks for the Tigresses, who will shoot to boost their chances of clinching the last semis incentive with another win over the Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday. While Laure took care of offense, Detdet Pepito took charge of the floor defense drawing praise from head coach Kungfu Reyes. “We’re just happy our B7 (Pepito) was activated especially during the latter part of the game. Detdet was a bit tentative in the first and second sets. At least, she bounced back on the following sets,” Reyes said of his defense specialist who had 21 digs and 19 excellent receptions. UST had a close call in the opening set and allowed FEU to steal one in the second frame before recovering its bearing to seal the win. Laure landed consecutive service winners to seal the Tigresses decisive 5-0 rally to take a 19-17 lead in the fourth set. The Lady Tamaraws kept the game close but an error followed by Laure’s crosscourt hit put the Tigresses at match point. Laure put FEU out of its misery after saving two match points in the battle that lasted two hours and 15 minutes. Imee Hernandez added 19 points while Milena Alessandrini, Jonna Perdido and Regina Jurado scored seven each for UST, which came back from a 16-21 deficit to steal the extended opening set. The Lady Tamaraws kissed their semis hopes goodbye after dropping to a 6-7 slate. Still, it was a good run for FEU, which will close its campaign against Adamson on 30 April, after finishing with a 1-13 card last year. Laure put FEU out of its misery after saving two match points in the battle that lasted two hours and 15 minutes. Chenie Tagaod scored 12 points while Gerzel Petallo had 11 for the Lady Tamaraws. Meanwhile, De La Salle University mercilessly mauled also-ran Ateneo de Manila University, 25-22, 25-19, 25-18, to secure the top seeding in the Final Four. Rookie Shevana Laput picked the perfect time to drop her career-high 16 points as the Lady Spikers hiked their record to 12-1 and extended their head-to-head winning streak over their archrivals to 12 dating back to Season 79 spanning six years. Angel Canino added 13 markers while Thea Gagate had 12 for La Salle, which will close its elims campaign on 29 April against winless University of the East. In men’s play, FEU halted a four-game slide with a morale-boosting upset win over UST, 25-21, 22-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-10, to strengthen its bid for a Final Four seat. Rey Sabanal and Dryx Saavedra scored timely hits in the fifth set as the Tamaraws escaped with their seventh win in 13 games. The duo pushed FEU’s separation to 13-9 in the deciding frame before UST’s rookie sensation Josh Ybanez committed the last of his team’s costly 45 errors from the pipe to send the Tamaraws at match point, 14-10. Then Mark Calado wasted no time, attacking from the back row straight to the center of the Golden Spikers’ court for the skid-breaking victory. Calado had 21 points and seven digs for the Tamaraws while Saavedra pitched in 16 points. Ybañez uncorked 28 points on 27-of-52 attacks with 17 excellent receptions and six digs as the Tigers saw their eight-game winning streak snapped for a 10-2 card. The post UST makes Final Four grade appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pepito ramps up defensive game
Top libero Detdet Pepito stepped up big time despite a shaky start, providing stability on defense for University of Santo Tomas’ all-important win to secure a Final Four spot in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament. The pint-sized defensive specialist needed some time to get her rhythm going but once getting a grasp of the game, Pepito did wonders for the Tigresses especially down the stretch of their 26-24, 22-25, 25-16, 25-23, win over Far Eastern University yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena. UST won its fourth straight game for a 9-3 win-loss record tied with semis-bound defending champion National University to join standings leader and twice-to-beat De La Salle University and Adamson University in the Final Four roster. Pepito admitted she had difficulty getting her game going and that she felt she played at the pace of their opponent. “It took some time for me to heat up. I guess because we’re playing at the pace of FEU,” she said. “But thankfully all of us woke up at the perfect time and we began clicking.” Pepito tallied 21 digs and 19 excellent sets. Her floor defense and good passing paved the way for the Tigresses’ decisive 5-0 run in the fourth set that created significant separation on their way to a third straight semis stint. ‘It took some time for me to heat up.’ Pepito’s performance earned UST coach Kungfu Reyes’ praise. “She really stepped up, especially in the latter part of the game,” he said of the libero. The sophomore, however, deflected the credit, saying the Tigresses’ win was brought by the team’s collective effort. “The highlight of this game was how we recovered from our miscues and lapses. We refused to bury our heads in our mistakes and just think of ways to bounce back,” she said. Despite clinching a semis seat, the job is far from over for UST. The Tigresses are looking to score a repeat over the Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday to better their chances of arming themselves with a twice-to-beat advantage. “We’ll prepare (for the game against NU) starting tomorrow on training because there is no time to relax. It’s important for us to get that top two spots,” Pepito said. The post Pepito ramps up defensive game appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UST makes Final Four grade
University of Santo Tomas completed the Final Four cast after showing Far Eastern University the exit door, 26-24, 22-25, 25-16, 25-23, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Veteran Eya Laure capped her efficient outing by hammering down the finishing blow to banish the last hurdle blocking the way of the Tigresses’ third straight semifinals appearance. UST improved its win-loss record to 9-3 for a share of the second spot with semis-bound defending champion National University. Standings leader and twice-to-beat De La Salle University and Adamson University occupy the other Final Four seats. Laure, whose back-to-back aces midway through the fourth set cleared the way for UST to take control of the match, finished with 28 points and had eight digs. The outside hitter and skipper punched in 23 kills off 47 attempts and had three aces and two kill blocks for the Tigresses, who will shoot to boost their chances of clinching the last semis incentive with another win over the Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday. While Laure took care of offense, Detdet Pepito took charge of the floor defense drawing praise from head coach Kungfu Reyes. “We’re just happy our B7 (Pepito) was activated especially during the latter part of the game. Detdet was a bit tentative in the first and second sets. At least, she bounced back on the following sets,” Reyes said of his defense specialist who had 21 digs and 19 excellent receptions. UST had a close call in the opening set and allowed FEU to steal one in the second frame before recovering its bearing to seal the win. Laure landed consecutive service winners to seal the Tigresses decisive 5-0 rally to take a 19-17 lead in the fourth set. The Lady Tamaraws kept the game close but an error followed by Laure’s crosscourt hit put the Tigresses at match point. Laure put FEU out of its misery after saving two match points in the battle that lasted two hours and 15 minutes. Imee Hernandez added 19 points while Milena Alessandrini, Jonna Perdido and Regina Jurado scored seven each for UST, which came back from a 16-21 deficit to steal the extended opening set. The Lady Tamaraws kissed their semis hopes goodbye after dropping to a 6-7 slate. Still, it was a good run for FEU, which will close its campaign against Adamson on 30 April, after finishing with a 1-13 card last year. Chenie Tagaod scored 12 points while Gerzel Petallo had 11 for the Lady Tamaraws. In men’s play, FEU halted a four-game slide with a morale-boosting upset win over UST, 25-21, 22-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-10, to strengthen its bid for a Final Four seat. Rey Sabanal and Dryx Saavedra scored timely hits in the fifth set as the Tamaraws escaped with their seventh win in 13 games. The duo pushed FEU’s separation to 13-9 in the deciding frame before UST's rookie sensation Josh Ybanez committed the last of his team's costly 45 errors from the pipe to send the Tamaraws at match point, 14-10. Then Mark Calado wasted no time, attacking from the back row straight to the center of the Golden Spikers' court for the skid-breaking victory. Calado had 21 points and seven digs for the Tamaraws while Saavedra pitched in 16 points. Ybañez uncorked 28 points on 27-of-52 attacks with 17 excellent receptions and six digs as the Tigers saw their eight-game winning streak snapped for a 10-2 card. The post UST makes Final Four grade appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pepito ramps up game
Top libero Detdet Pepito stepped up big time despite a shaky start, providing stability on defense for University of Santo Tomas’ all-important win to secure a Final Four spot in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament. The pint-sized defensive specialist needed some time to get her rhythm going but once getting a grasp of the game, Pepito did wonders for the Tigresses especially down the stretch of their 26-24, 22-25, 25-16, 25-23, win over Far Eastern University on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. UST won its fourth straight game for a 9-3 win-loss record tied with semis-bound defending champion National University to join standings leader and twice-to-beat De La Salle University and Adamson University in the Final Four roster. Pepito admitted she had difficulty getting her game going and that she felt she played at the pace of their opponent. “It took some time for me to heat up. I guess because we’re playing at the pace of FEU,” she said. “But thankfully all of us woke up at the perfect time and we began clicking.” Pepito tallied 21 digs and 19 excellent sets. Her floor defense and good passing paved the way for the Tigresses’ decisive 5-0 run in the fourth set that created significant separation on their way to a third straight semis stint. Pepito’s performance earned UST coach Kungfu Reyes’ praise. “She really stepped up, especially in the latter part of the game,” he said of the libero. The sophomore, however, deflected the credit, saying the Tigresses’ win was brought by the team’s collective effort. “The highlight of this game was how we recovered from our miscues and lapses. We refused to bury our heads in our mistakes and just think of ways to bounce back,” she said. Despite clinching a semis seat, the job is far from over for UST. The Tigresses are looking to score a repeat over the Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday to better their chances of arming themselves with a twice-to-beat advantage. “We’ll prepare (for the game against NU) starting tomorrow on training because there is no time to relax. It’s important for us to get that top two spots,” Pepito said. The post Pepito ramps up game appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cesafi HS MVP Bahay upbeat about Magis Eagles’ chances in NBTC National Finals
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Jared Bahay, the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) high school MVP is motivated heading into the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) National Finals on March 15-19, 2023, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. This after he was named the top player and the top all-star of […] The post Cesafi HS MVP Bahay upbeat about Magis Eagles’ chances in NBTC National Finals appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Late birdie binge puts Malixi in Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship title hunt
Rianne Malixi kept her nerves in check and did the next best thing to get into the early mix of the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship in Thailand Thursday — set up chances from close range......»»
Ramos confident of Gilas’ chances
Young gun Dwight Ramos said recently he realizes Gilas will be up against a souped-up Indonesian team in the coming FIBA Asia Cup third qualifying window at Clark but is confident of bringing down coach Rajko Toroman’s squad just the same when the Southeast Asian rivals clash on June 18......»»
Asia stocks slip with US stimulus unlikely before election
Asian markets mostly fell Thursday as chances of a pre-election stimulus package from Washington dimmed, while investors were also spooked by warnings from US officials that Russia and Iran had tri.....»»
Eduard Folayang: When an underdog finally became a world champion
In the five years that I was with the ABS-CBN Sports website, I was fortunate enough to have covered quite a number of memorable sports moments, so when I was asked to write about which was the most memorable for me, it was tough to narrow it down to just one single coverage. I could have written about Letran’s momentous upset of a dynasty-seeking San Beda in the NCAA Season 91 Finals, or I could have written about the Philippine Azkals making history by clinching a spot in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Being an MMA fan, I could have written about getting to be Octagon-side for the UFC’s first and only trip to Manila, which was indeed a dream come true for me. When I think about it however, the coverage that sticks with me to this day, even four years later, was being cage-side, just inches away from Eduard “Landslide” Folayang as he pummeled Shinya Aoki to become the ONE Lightweight World Champion in Singapore back in 2016. I tell people about that night all the time, and I believe I’ll continue to do so for the rest of my life. A Fan First As I mentioned earlier, I’m an MMA fan. In fact, being a fan was actually how I eventually got into sports writing. During my first year or so with ABS-CBN, I got wind of a show on Balls Channel entitled “The Takedown” which was, you guessed it, about the UFC. Immediately, I knew that I wanted to be a part of that show, in any capacity. I even offered to research or write for free, LOL. While I never did get to work on the show (because unfortunately, it lasted only a few episodes), I did get to make some connections (shoutout to Sir Lori, Ms. Jo, and Ms. Anna!) which eventually landed me a gig as a UFC writer for the Balls Channel Website. During that time, I got to meet and interview stars like BJ Penn, Alexander Gustafsson, Urijah Faber, Cung Le, and even Arianny Celeste. For an MMA fan like me, it was like working a dream job. It was a pretty sweet gig. Eventually, that job with the Balls Channel Website would lead me to a spot on the ABS-CBN Sports Website which was launched in 2015. By 2016, I had started covering Asia-based MMA promotion ONE Championship quite a bit because ABS-CBN had signed a broadcast deal with them, and because ONE had a ton of homegrown Pinoy fighters on their roster, most notably Folayang and the Team Lakay guys. Folayang, whose contract with ONE expired in March of 2016, re-signed with the promotion and returned to action in August, defeating Adrian Pang by Unanimous Decision in Macau. That win over Pang earned Folayang the biggest bout of his career at that point: a title shot against reigning champion Aoki. When I learned of that title fight, I was very excited for Folayang, but had little expectations for his chances, being that Aoki was a legend in the sport. Best Seat in the House Eduard Folayang finally getting to fight for a world championship was a huge deal for Filipino MMA fans, especially those that had followed the Baguio-based star’s career since his days in the URCC. The Pinoy star was on ONE’s first ever event, but could never seem to gain enough momentum to compete for a world title, until that point. That November night in Singapore, all the years of work sacrifice that Folayang had put in during his nine-year MMA career would finally pay off. This was only my second time to cover a ONE event overseas, so apart from having to write stories, I also had to take pictures. Learning from my past mistakes, I asked if I could have a spot cage-side so that I could take some at least decent photos. Thankfully, the ONE people agreed and gave me a spot just beside one of the judges’ tables. I had the best seat in the house. Now, as I said, I had tapered my expectations for the fight. I had seen what Aoki could do in the cage. I’ve seen the guy break peoples’ bones before, so honestly, I was just hoping that he wouldn’t injure Folayang. Our guy was the underdog heading into this fight, no doubt about it. Of course, as a Filipino and as a fan I was hoping for a massive upset. The beautiful thing about MMA is anything can happen. Shock The World This was legitimately the first time that I felt nervous covering a fight. It’s like that feeling you have when your favorite basketball team is in a close game with just seconds left. That first round was a frigging whirlwind of emotions if you’re a Pinoy MMA fan. It looked like Aoki was within moments of being able to submit Folayang on multiple occasions. The second round was a little bit more relaxed for Folayang, especially since he had been able to survive Aoki’s opening round grappling blitz. It looked like he was a bit more confident and he started to throw some of his trademark spinning kicks and elbows. A miscalculated flying knee attempt led to another Aoki takedown, but this time around, Folayang appeared a little more calm and relaxed under the pressure. Late in the round, Folayang began to attack Aoki’s torso with punches and kicks, and it looked like it had the Japanese legend a bit winded. The tide had shifted. Heading into the third round, there was a different feeling in the air. It felt like Aoki was done, and it felt like Folayang knew it. In the opening seconds of that fateful third frame, Folayang knew exactly what Aoki was going to do and had an answer for it. Aoki shot in for a takedown, and Folayang countered it with a jumping knee to the jaw. For a brief second, Folayang was on his behind, but managed to outmuscle Aoki and deliver another vicious knee. “Oh sh*t!” I yelled internally while scrambling to take photos of the ensuing beatdown. Folayang turned Aoki over and began to connect with punch after unanswered punch. Without taking my eye away from my camera’s viewfinder, I started yelling for Folayang to finish it. Folayang continued to punish Aoki with piston-like punches as the Singapore Indoor Stadium began to erupt. For what felt like an eternity, referee Yuji Shimada watched as Folayang unloaded nine years worth of heartbreak and frustration into a ground-and-pound sequence. And then, it was over. There was a new lightweight king. AND NEW! EDUARD FOLAYANG STOPS SHINYA AOKI IN ROUND 3! — Santino Honasan???? (@honasantino) November 11, 2016 The Landslide Reigns As much as I would have wanted to keep it cool, I started to freak out. I looked to my right and saw my fellow Pinoy journalists doing the same, one was even standing on the table, cheering the new world champion on. At that point, I had watched UAAP championships, NCAA championships, even some boxing world championships, but this one was different. I knew what Folayang had gone through. I knew that the odds were stacked against him. As the confetti began to rain down and the celebration inside the ring continued, I recomposed myself and started to take pictures again. I wanted to be able to capture this moment. After the official decision and the post-fight interview, I remember calling out to Folayang so that I could take a photo of him with his shiny new toy. I’ve gotten to witness other members of Team Lakay become champions since then. I’ve been blessed enough to see Geje Eustaquio, Kevin Belingon and Joshua Pacio all become titleholders within a single year. While getting to see Team Lakay draped in gold to end 2018 was definitely a sight to behold, being there cage side as ‘Manong Ed’ realized a life-long dream was definitely an experience that I won’t soon forget. Folayang's title win wasn't Team Lakay's first world champmionship, and it isn't the last. For me however, I think it's the most important, because it showed that no matter how many times you fall, you can still find your way to the top. Everyone loves a good underdog story. -- Santino Honasan has served as a sub-section editor for ABS-CBN Sports' website since 2015. He is among thousands of ABS-CBN employees who will be retrenched on August 31, 2020. .....»»
ONE Championship: Angela Lee banking on grappling experience against Denice Zamboanga
Reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela “Unstoppable” Lee has been nothing short of dominant at the top of the women’s atomweight division. The Singaporean star has been able to dispatch every challenger put in front of her, and when she finally steps into the ONE circle once again, Lee will face another new challenger in Filipina newcomer Denice “The Menace Fairtex” Zamboanga. Just two fights into the Asia-based promotion, Zamboanga has been impressive, posting wins over Jihin Radzuan and two-time title challenger Mei Yamaguchi. Those two outings were enough for Zamboanga to earn a shot at the queen of the atomweight division. For her part, Lee believes that it will be an great matchup. “I’m just excited to get back in the ONE Circle again. I’m feeling extremely motivated for my next matchup. I think it’ll be a great fight,” Lee told ONE Championship. In her two wins, Zamboanga was able to utilize superb wrestling and grappling to grind out victories, which poses an interesting challenge to Lee, who has put her elite-level grappling to good use as well. “I think Denice is very well-rounded,” Lee said. “She’s an up-and-coming fighter. I also think that her team did a great job in creating a smart game plan for her in the Yamaguchi fight, and she was able to execute that plan and get the decision win.” “She’s young, hungry, and well-rounded. She is the new breed of MMA fighter that can do it all. She can strike, wrestle, and grapple. But I think she may be inexperienced in certain areas of the game,” Lee added. Lee’s grappling has been her number one weapon throughout her career, winning seven of her ten career fights via submission, including her latest victory over reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight titleholder Xiong Jing Nan. Having a top-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt for a husband and training partner surely helps Lee’s cause. Lee is married to fellow ONE Championship athlete and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Bruno Pucci. “I love training with my husband. He always pushes me hard and brings out the best in me,” said Lee. “I’m very grateful to have him as my partner in life and in training. Bruno is a second degree BJJ black belt and a two-time No Gi world champion. He has a lot of knowledge and I really appreciate everything that he shares with me.” Zamboanga definitely provides a refreshing challenge for Lee, but the reigning champion is confident in her chances of holding on to the title. “I just think it’ll be a great fight. The fans will love it. It will definitely be exciting. But when that final bell rings, you will hear the words, ‘and still,’” Lee concluded......»»