Villanueva, Barriga notch confidence-boosting wins in ‘Kumbati 8 & 9’
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Two-time world title challenger “King” Arthur Villanueva and Olympian Mark “Pretty Boy” Barriga earned confidence-boosting victories in Omega Pro Sports International’s one-day double-boxing event, “Kumbati 8 & 9” at the IPI compound in Mandaue City last Saturday, March 27, 2021. The 32-year-old Villanueva, a former ALA Boxing Gym stalwart, showcased his […] The post Villanueva, Barriga notch confidence-boosting wins in ‘Kumbati 8 & 9’ appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Hog industry to struggle amid tariff extension
The local hog industry faces a challenging outlook as it enters 2024, grappling with waning confidence in boosting local production following the recent endorsement from the board of the National Economic and Development Authority to extend low pork tariffs......»»
Lions fashion out confidence-boosting win over Knights
The San Beda Red Lions are heading to the NCAA Season 99 Final Four on a high note after drubbing rivals Letran Knights, 77-68, Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City......»»
PBBM challenges newly-promoted PNP officials to be agents of change
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. challenged the newly promoted Philippine National Police star-rank officers to be agents of positive change and help transform the country into the New Philippines that all Filipinos aspire for. In his speech at the oath-taking ceremony in Malacañang, Marcos emphasized the importance of public trust and community engagement in effective law enforcement. The Chief Executive added that there would be no space for police officers who would damage the PNP's reputation. “Mark my words, there will be no room for leniency for those who engage in acts that tarnish the reputation of our police and jeopardize the safety of our people,” Marcos said. “To our new officers here, I urge you to keep your integrity at all times and remain steadfast in your commitment to public service amidst the many challenges your institutions face,” he added. He called on the officers to bring the PNP closer to the communities as the Filipino people expect the police to be capable, professional, and responsive to their needs. Marcos also called on the PNP to be free from any form of corruption and abuse, so it could earn and maintain the trust, confidence, and admiration of the people. "Once again, I must emphasize our zero-tolerance policy for corruption and human rights abuses within the PNP," he said. Marcos also assured the PNP of his administration's full support, especially in terms of boosting their capabilities. "As you perform your duties in securing our people, you and your families can rest assured of the government's full support for your welfare and overall well-being," he said. Marcos ended his speech by challenging the newly promoted officers to be agents of change in the country. "I expect your support in our goal to introduce to the nation the new face of the new Philippines through your personalities—honorable, quick to respond to the call of need, and always ready to be a partner in society towards the New Philippines we aspire for," he said. The post PBBM challenges newly-promoted PNP officials to be agents of change appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Agri sector digitalization obtains positive review
Trade association Makati Business Club and research group Stratbase ADR Institute expressed confidence that the Marcos administration can attract more foreign investments in agro-industrial and digitalization through its participation in global economic meetings abroad. “As we have maintained close diplomatic relations with states, the President can use that to strengthen ties with our most beneficial trading and investment partners, such as the United States and Japan, in the areas of manufacturing and agro-industry,” Stratbase founder Dindo Manhit last Friday told the Daily Tribune in a Viber message. “We are confident that this administration will continue to advocate for reforms that will ensure our economic growth to make the country a premiere investment destination,” he added. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will fly to San Francisco in the US in November to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, Summit. Through Marcos’ several foreign trips, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the Philippines secured foreign investments amounting to $ 28.863 billion in manufacturing, renewable energy and information technology. The government plans to reach $70 billion. Low output creates opportunity MBC chairperson Edgar Chua said the country’s low agricultural production and the massive market can lure foreign investors to develop the local agro-industry, boosting agricultural raw materials into higher valued products. The post Agri sector digitalization obtains positive review appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chot cites Gilas ball movement, defense in confidence-boosting win vs Ivory Coast
Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes lauded the team’s defense and ball movement in their 85-62 victory against Ivory Coast on Friday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, while acknowledging that there are “some kinks” that still need to be fixed......»»
China stops releasing youth jobs data as economic figures disappoint
China said it would stop publishing data on its rising youth unemployment rate on Tuesday, as it released a raft of disappointing figures that stoked concerns over the state of the world's second largest economy. Shortly before the latest uninspiring indicators were published, the central bank cut a key interest rate in an effort to boost flagging growth. Tuesday's data added to a slew of disappointing figures in recent months reflecting a slump in China's post-Covid rebound, with joblessness among 16- to 24-year-olds hitting a record 21.3 percent in June. The country slipped into deflation for the first time in more than two years in July, due to waning consumption and flagging exports. The National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday said it would no longer release age-group-specific unemployment data starting this month, citing the need to "further improve and optimise labour force survey statistics". "Starting from this August, the release of urban unemployment rates for youth and other age groups across the country will be suspended," bureau spokesman Fu Linghui said at a press conference. Overall, unemployment rose to 5.3 percent in July compared with 5.2 percent in June, the NBS said. As indicators of an economic slowdown have piled up, many experts have called for a large-scale recovery plan to boost activity. But for the time being, authorities are sticking to targeted measures and declarations of support for the private sector -- with little in the way of tangible steps. Slowing retail sales Tuesday's announcement that youth unemployment data would be suspended came as Beijing released a series of weak economic indicators for July. Retail sales, a key gauge of consumption, grew 2.5 percent year-on-year in July, the NBS said, down from 3.1 percent in June and falling short of analyst expectations. Industrial production grew 3.7 percent in July from a year ago, down from 4.4 percent in June. The suspension of youth jobs data "may further weaken global investors' confidence in China", Ting Lu, China economist at Nomura, said in a note. Chinese social media users on Tuesday were skeptical of officials' explanation for the move, with the topic receiving over 140 million views and tens of thousands of comments on the Weibo platform. "Can you solve the problem by gagging and blindfolding yourself?" asked one Beijing-based user in a post liked by more than 3,000 people. Chinese leaders have sought to boost domestic consumption in recent weeks, with the State Council last month releasing a 20-point plan to encourage citizens to spend more in sectors including vehicles, tourism and home appliances. The country's top brass has warned that the economy faces "new difficulties and challenges" as well as "hidden dangers in key areas". The recent data suggests China may struggle to achieve a five percent growth target set for the year. The economy grew just 0.8 percent between the first and second quarters of 2023, according to official figures. Rate cut In a surprise move, the central bank on Tuesday cut the medium-term lending facility rate -- the interest for one-year loans to financial institutions -- from 2.65 percent to 2.5 percent. A lower MLF rate reduces commercial banks' financing costs, in turn encouraging them to lend more and potentially boosting domestic consumption. "We believe the Chinese economy is faced with an imminent downward spiral with the worst yet to come, and the rate cut this morning will be of limited help," Lu of Nomura said. The Consumer Price Index, the main gauge of inflation, fell 0.3 percent in July, the National Bureau of Statistics said last week. China slipped into deflation in July for the first time in more than two years, after a short period of deflation at the end of 2020 due largely to a collapse in the price of pork, the most widely consumed meat in the country. While cheaper goods may appear beneficial for purchasing power, falling prices pose a threat to the broader economy as consumers tend to postpone purchases in the hopes of further reductions. A lack of demand then forces companies to reduce production, freeze hiring or lay off workers, and agree to new discounts to sell off their stocks -- dampening profitability even as costs remain the same. The post China stops releasing youth jobs data as economic figures disappoint appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Yes, anybody can fly with aerial arts
photograph courtesy of Lariza Jane E. Cabaltierra AERIAL silks. photograph courtesy of Kate Cometa AERIAL hammock. Zendaya as circus aerialist Anne Wheeler in the 2017 musical drama film The Greatest Showman is truly captivating. But do you know that you can also do her aerial tricks? Well, yes, if you take lessons in aerial arts, which are offered in local studios. Aerial arts is a type of performance in which one or more artists perform aerial dance and acrobatics with the use of an apparatus, such as hoop, silks and hammock as the most common ones. Aerial hoop Aerial hoop (also known as lyra) looks a lot like hula hoop, though made of steel and suspended from an overhead point upon which a performer can do tricks while spinning. Nesh Zamora teaches aerial hoop at Elite Aerial Arts, which she co-owns. She began her aerial arts journey in 2012. She was then engaged to be married and weighed about 138 pounds, so she wanted to slim down to fit nicely into her wedding gown. She “chanced upon” a dance and fitness studio around the Ortigas area, where she discovered pole fitness, dance and eventually, aerial arts. She fell in love with aerial hoop and silks that she continued taking lessons in different studios in Metro Manila and in the United States even after she achieved her ideal weight. “It was a slow start for me,” she recalls. “I needed to psych myself to believe that I can be at par with the other girls in class. Would you believe it took me six sessions to just be able to climb the aerial fabric? There are no shortcuts in learning aerial arts. It is truly for everyone as long as they are willing to put in the work.” Zamora says she started teaching aerial hoop and silks in 2014, after taking “intensive classes from known aerialists in countries like Thailand, Hong Kong and the US.” Today, she also teaches and performs (during parties or corporate events) aerial silks and hammock, as well as less common types like aerial straps, cube, moon and lyrapole. She recommends aerial arts not only for only for its health and health and confidence-boosting benefits but also the friendships formed among students and teachers. “Whatever lifestyle, gender, age and even weight you may have when you enter our studio, you will end your first session knowing that aerial arts is for you.” Tips for new students: 1. Make sure you choose a studio with qualified instructors and which puts premium to student safety in terms of the quality of equipment used and instruction pacing. 2. Come to class with an open mind. 3. Try out all types of aerial equipment to see what excites you the most. 4. Listen and watch intently. Don’t be shy to ask your instructors to repeat or demonstrate what is being taught. 5. Enjoy and document your progression by taking photos and videos. 6. Never compromise your safety. Elite Aerial Arts Address: 143-3 Maginhawa St., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. Website: eliteaerialarts.com. FB: Elite Aerial Arts, IG: @eliteaerialartsph. Aerial silks Aerial silks (also referred to as tissu, fabric and ribbon) are two long pieces of fabric made of not silks but a blend of polyster-lycra or nylon tricot that measure at least 16 meters each. These fabrics are draped down from a single point, which is then connected on a ceiling or outdoor rig using steel or aluminum hardware. The performer will climb the silks and do different kinds of sequences on them. Lariza Jane E. Cabaltierra is an aerial instructor at Idanceph dance studio and a junior member of the Whiplash Dance Company. In 2014, or merely a year after she learned aerial silks, this former teacher of ballet for kids made the cut in the Hall of Fame of TV5’s Talentadong Pinoy with her stunning performance. Over the years, she’s learned many other apparatuses, such as hoop, hammock, chandelier, moon and helix. She says not to believe in misconceptions that aerial arts is only for women who are young, strong and have a dance background. “It’s a step-by-step process. Little by little, your body will become strong and you will have confidence that you can do the tricks. As long as you’re happy with what you are doing, just keep going. What matters is what your heart wants.” Tips for new students: 1. Wear comfortable clothing that is suitable for the class you will be attending. 2. Do some proper warm-ups before class starts. 3. Expect more laughter and be ready to surprise yourself. 4. If you have a health concern, don’t be shy or don’t hesitate to tell the teacher or coach about it. 5. Be friendly, so you can make new friends and have a support system. 6. Most of all, just enjoy the class. Idanceph Address: #96 Maginhawa St., M Place Building, Diliman, Quezon City. FB: Idanceph. Aerial hammock Aerial hammock (also called slings) is similar to the one used in aerial yoga or aerial fitness, but with a much longer fabric, so the performer can do more tricks while spinning. Kate Cometa teaches aerial hammock at Beast House Pole and Aerial Dance Studio. She discovered aerial arts in 2016, when, as she tells it, “life had me all kinds of confused,” especially in her relationships and career choices, while suffering from insomnia and anxiety. “When I started in aerial silks, I looked more like a flailing sausage than a graceful aerialist. For two whole months, I couldn’t even manage a simple invert.” But she didn’t give up and even became “obsessed” with aerial arts, not minding “spending all my money on class cards and super cool aerial outfits.” She then joined her first recital and realized that it wasn’t just a hobby but already her “heart and soul.” She also ventured into hoop and silks, and even outside her comfort zone with pole dance. In 2018, she started teaching aerial hammock and joined her first competition, the Philippine Aerial Cup, in the amateur women pole division. “The most important thing is to allow yourself to be a beginner and fully enjoy the class,” Cometa points out. “There’s no need to worry about your fitness background or any preconceived notion. Everyone is welcome. It’s an inclusive community that embraces diversity and celebrates the uniqueness of each individual.” Tips to new students: 1. Listen to your teacher and truly know your body parts, both left and right. It may sound simple, but you’d be surprised how often we forget those essential details when we’re hanging in the air. 2. Approach your aerial journey with an open heart that is ready to accept new things, embrace challenges and love every step of the process. It’s through this openness that you’ll find the true magic of aerial arts. 3. Let the guidance and expertise of your instructor sink in and trust that they are there to support you on your incredible journey. (Cometa leads the aerial flow workshop in Cebu on 8 to 10 July.) Beast House Pole and Aerial Dance Studio Address: 2nd Floor, Pioneer Centre, United Street corner Pioneer St., Kapitolyo, Pasig City. FB: Beast Home Pole and Aerial Dance Studio. IG: @beasthomeph. The post Yes, anybody can fly with aerial arts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Washington sweats over high-stakes vote to stave off default
Congressional leaders were racing to secure backing for a cross-party deal to raise the US debt limit and avert a first-ever default as they faced a growing backlash from conservatives ahead of a crucial Wednesday evening vote. Congress has just five days to green-light an agreement between Republicans and Democrats to allow more borrowing and ensure the country doesn't miss loan repayments -- sending the economy into a potentially ruinous nose dive. The "Fiscal Responsibility Act" -- hammered out between Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Democratic President Joe Biden over the weekend -- needs a simple majority to clear the 435-member House and head to the Senate. But multiple Republicans have already announced their opposition -- angry that proposed spending cuts accompanying a two-year suspension of the debt ceiling fall far short of what they agreed in a bill passed by the House last month. While McCarthy has described the deal as "transformational," Chip Roy, a leading figure in the hard-right Freedom Caucus, called it a "turd sandwich." "Not one Republican should vote for this deal. It is a bad deal. No one sent us here to borrow an additional $4 trillion to get absolutely nothing in return," Roy said at a Freedom Caucus news conference Tuesday. Avoiding another crisis The floor vote is planned for around 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Thursday), according to a provisional House schedule. The agreement would hold spending flat for 2024 while boosting cash for defense and veterans and clawing back $28 billion in unspent Covid aid money. Crucially, it will then cap increases at one percent until the year after the presidential election, a win for Biden who would not have to go through a repeat of the crisis at the height of his reelection campaign. It would increase work requirements on federal food stamp recipients and welfare safety net programs, but does not make the sweeping reforms to government health insurance that Republicans had pushed for. Party strategists were bullish that the grousing from the right did not represent a consensus within the broader party. "Members from all across the conference shared their support for this important bill" during a party meeting late Tuesday, Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik told reporters after a key panel, the House Rules Committee, advanced the bill to a floor vote. "This is a win for the American people and future generations," she said, calling it "a historic step to restoring fiscal sanity and holding Washington accountable." But a bloc of at least 20 conservative Republicans have announced they will oppose the compromise, accusing McCarthy of caving to the White House and ensuring he will need to rely on Democratic votes to get the deal over the line. Freedom Caucus chair Scott Perry told reporters the bill "fails completely", while fellow House Republican Nancy Mace said she was voting no because "playing the DC game isn't worth selling out our kids and grandkids." 'Keep moving forward' Congressman Dan Bishop told reporters he had "zero" confidence in McCarthy and threatened to push for his ouster, accusing the party leader of "lying" over the contents of the deal. Any single lawmaker can introduce a "motion to vacate the chair" -- a concession McCarthy offered the Republican hard right in return for their support for his speakership election in January. Assuming it gets to the House floor, the bill needs 218 votes, with Republican leadership bracing for somewhere between 40 and 60 of their 222 members defecting. On the left, lawmakers have voiced frustration over the new work requirements that would kick into federal aid programs while corporations and the rich are being asked to pay no more in taxes. The left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said in a statement the agreement was a "significant improvement" over the House-passed bill but complained it would leave older, low-income Americans hungry and "should be rejected." Democrats appear to have enough support however to bail out McCarthy if he faces a sizable rebellion. Among the conservative advocacy groups, the Heritage Foundation urged House Republicans to "go back to the negotiating table" while the Club for Growth suggested it would single out Republicans supporting the bill for poor marks in its "congressional scorecard." Biden, who has tried to counter progressive angst over the deal by emphasizing that "not everyone gets what they want," urged Congress Tuesday to "keep moving forward on meeting our obligations and building the strongest economy in the history of the world." The post Washington sweats over high-stakes vote to stave off default appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2023 FIBA World Cup full support urged
In three months, the Philippines will be hosting the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the biggest and most prestigious basketball tournament in the world. The joint bid of the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan bested other European countries and won hosting rights, with a promise to deliver a “world-class” tournament. This marks the second time for the country to host the World Cup — the first was in 1978. According to FIBA Archive, the PH line-up included Ramon Cruz, Bernardo Carpio, Alexander Clarino, Steve Watson, Edward Merced, Federico Israel, Federico Lauchengco, Nathaniel Castillo, Gregorio Gozum, Leopoldo Herrera, Cesar Yabut and Cesar Teodoro. The team was coached by Nicanor Jorge. During the assembly meeting, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis highlighted the crucial role that the Philippines will play in hosting the World Cup. “We play this year our biggest event, the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 3 Asian countries — and this will be the first time in three countries combining together almost 500 million people. It will be an unprecedented event in terms of quality for the players and the fans,” he said. For this year, our very own Gilas Pilipinas is set to compete with 31 other teams. As the lead host, the Philippines will organize all the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final games featuring the top 8 teams, while Japan and Indonesia will co-host the competition of eight teams each. Preparations are in full swing, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Alfredo Panlilio, who also was recently elected as the Second Vice President in the FIBA Asia board for 2023-2027. Commenting on his election, Panlilio was quoted as saying: “It is an honor to be elected in the board of members of FIBA Asia to help the federation continue promoting the game of basketball and camaraderie in the region and the world,” acknowledging the huge responsibility to push for the development of new projects in Asia that would elevate the level of basketball competitions in the region. In recent years, FIBA has embraced a comprehensive approach to basketball development, encompassing various formats such as 5x5, 3x3, women’s tournaments, and youth competitions. This progressive strategy aims to nurture talent at all levels, providing opportunities for players of diverse backgrounds and promoting inclusivity within the sport. By embracing these multifaceted endeavors, FIBA is actively shaping the future of basketball, ensuring its continuous growth and global appeal. As a passionate basketball enthusiast, I am filled with immense excitement for this opportunity to host the prestigious FIBA World Cup. This historic event not only signifies our nation’s love for the sport but also holds the promise of remarkable growth and advancement in basketball programs under the visionary leadership of Panlilio and other esteemed members of the FIBA board. The future of basketball in our country looks brighter than ever before. Moreover, the Philippines stands poised not just to relish the rewards of the World Cup in the realm of sports, but to make an indelible mark on the country’s revenue generation through travel and tourism. The tournament’s influx of visitors from around the globe will serve as a significant catalyst, bolstering the local economy and showcasing the Philippines as a premier destination for international travelers. Case in point – a FIBA study showed that when the World Cup was hosted by Spain in 2019 before the emergence of Covid-19, it raked in $396 million or P22.6 billion in revenues while only setting an operational budget of $38.6 million or P2.2 billion. The upcoming international sports competition holds tremendous promise for uplifting the Philippines on multiple fronts – as a host, in the realm of basketball, and within the tourism industry, which has been significantly impacted by the pandemic. Regardless of our personal fanhood, I urge everyone to stand united in wholeheartedly supporting our team – Gilas Pilipinas. Our unwavering backing will serve as a powerful catalyst in boosting their confidence, enabling them to represent our country with pride and strive for victory. Together, we can make a resounding impact and proudly wave our flag on the global stage while bringing forward the kind of relationship we Filipinos have with the sport, profoundly anchored on one word – PUSO. The post 2023 FIBA World Cup full support urged appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Endings and beginnings
Was it anticlimactic? When the World Health Organization announced recently that Covid-19 “is no longer a public health emergency of international concern”, I expected a more intense reaction from people. From the whole world, actually. Instead, there was nothing. Ho-hum. Moving on. It seems that more than three years after WHO first declared the pandemic in March 2020, people had become immune to the exciting news. Blasé, passive, indifferent. Call it what you may — this is another side of the pandemic, the one where the numbness has set in after years of unprecedented challenges with no end in sight. Yet that is, indeed, just one side. We all know that the health restrictions also caused many people to step up — do something — just to keep earning money. We met over a hundred of them just today (9 May at the Bellevue Manila) during the Daily Tribune’s inaugural Asian Innovation Forum where MSMEs participated in a discussion of various ways the Filipino entrepreneur can compete in a vastly changed world. If the WHO says it is “time to transition” — in their case “to long-term management of Covid-19,” it must be said that many Filipino small business owners had already done just that, over the last three years. And while it may seem like the end is in sight for the pandemic — or, indeed, that the end has come, if the WHO’s pronouncement is the basis — for our entrepreneurs, it is just another beginning. Transitioning into a world in flux is the secret to growth for small businesses aiming for a bigger share of the market. When competitiveness is key, one must innovate to keep ahead of the game. It was heartwarming to see so many business owners joining the DT forum and being really engaged in the short talks delivered by our esteemed speakers and panelists: Atty. Rowel Barba, Director General of the Intellectual Property Office Philippines; George Royeca, founder and CEO of Angkas; PCSO’s Frederick Imson, representing Honorable Mel Robles; UnionDigital’s Dr. David Hardoon; Kim Lato, founder, and CEO of Kimstore; Ida Tiongson, president and CEO of Opal Portfolio Investments Inc., and Rowena San Jose, chief trade-industry development specialist of the Department of Trade and Industry-National Capital Region. Ms Catherine Mary Biazon, head of Gender and Development of Muntinlupa, gave a talk on the city’s innovations and accomplishments toward the cause of women empowerment. I must admit that I was riveted by all their topics. This is unusual as any discussion on tech and finance naturally makes my mind drift off. Yet the stories that were shared on how they persevered through challenging times; how passion carried them through any obstacle simply because they believed in their ideas and dreams; as well as the other side of the coin, where practical steps must be taken to legitimize, grow and strengthen a brand — they resonated with me. The big turnout at the AIF, the perfect mix of speakers, and the resolve we felt when we witnessed the active exchange of ideas during the event inspired us to continue with this advocacy of helping “serve the lifeblood of our economy, the MSMEs, by boosting their confidence and helping open avenues for their growth and development,” as I hoped to say during my welcome remarks. “We take inspiration from our present leaders in urging a Bayanihan mindset — and this is one way that we, as a media organization, have been able to do that — using our platforms and resources, to harness the information, create the opportunity and put together the right people to help build a stronger community… and ultimately for the Filipino entrepreneur to get a foothold in a wider market.” The post Endings and beginnings appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BSP: Timely, broader vaccination to prevent deeper economic scars
The timely and extensive access to vaccines is crucial in preventing deeper economic scars, boosting demand and shoring up confidence amid the emergence of COVID-19 variants in the country, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said......»»
Boosting vaccine confidence
A few years back, there was a big furor about Dengvaxia, the vaccine against killer disease dengue, that resulted in vaccine confidence to very significantly dive. The issue became so big that many Filipinos were outright scared to get inoculated against ANY disease. My own discussions with mothers in communities showed this. The issue, the fear then has not been properly addressed......»»
Zamboanga‘s SM City Mindpro set to open
The opening of SM City Mindpro in Zamboanga is a testament to the flourishing economic activities in Mindanao, boosting the confidence of SM Prime to continue its expansion plans in the region. The post Zamboanga‘s SM City Mindpro set to open appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
FIBA: Mighty Jimmy and the shot that introduced Gilas to the World
This story was originally published on Feb. 24, 2019 It’s Saturday night at Mall of Asia and the arena is absolutely rocking. Eternal basketball rivals in the Philippines and South Korea are delivering another classic. Gilas Pilipinas is down to the final minute of regulation against its longtime tormentor in the second of two semifinal games. The national team is up by two, 81-79. The Philippines is hosting the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championships where three tickets to the 2014 World Cup are at stake and the winner of this particular game gets one of those tickets. Given the rich history of both teams and what it would mean to the winner, this pivotal game has gone down the wire as everyone pretty much expected. Also knowing the history of both teams in international play, Gilas’ precarious two-point lead was not safe at all. A ghost was lurking in the background and a dreaded curse felt almost inevitable. Down to the final minute of the crucial grudge match between the Philippines and South Korea, guard Jimmy Alapag has the ball and a two-point lead. What he will do will help define not only his career but the legacy of the Gilas name as a national team. WAKE-UP CALL Even before the Philippines-Korea game, Gilas Pilipinas already had to go through one emotional game early in its homestand for the Asian Championships. In a preliminary round showdown against Chinese Taipei, the Filipinos collapsed in the fourth quarter, allowing the Taiwanese to steal a morale-boosting 84-79 win. In 2013, the relationship between the two countries hit a rough patch over the death of one Taiwanese fisherman. In an updated May 17 report by CNN’s Jethro Mullen, “Taiwan has reacted angrily after one of its fishermen was killed by a Philippine coast guard vessel.” Taiwan had frozen applications from OFWs seeking jobs in its territory and the government of then President Ma Ying-jeou demanded an apology, among other things, from the Philippines. While the national basketball teams of both countries never really had any prior animosity with each other, tension was naturally present as both teams squared off in Group A action. Gilas Pilipinas and Chinese-Taipei both entered the showdown with identical 2-0 records and the winner would take control of solo Group A lead heading into round 2. Taking a good lead into the fourth quarter, the Philippines was outscored by 18 in the last 10 minutes and the national team took its worst home loss in quite some time. “At the time, it was a huge game for us. We understood what was happening in Taipei during that particular time. We really wanted to win for what our kababayans were going through at that time,” guard Jimmy Alapag said on that first home loss in the 2013 Asian Championships. “We didn’t get the job done, and it was tough especially to lose a game like that, it was a very emotional and it was a game that we knew we needed,” he added. The crushing loss meant that the Philippines had little room for error in round 2. While Gilas didn’t have any world beaters lined up in the second round, anything less than a perfect run would have meant an early clash with Asia’s established powerhouse teams in the knockout stages. On the other side of the bracket, defending champion China, Iran, and South Korea were battling for position and were expected to finish in the top-3. That means if Gilas Pilipinas failed to finish no. 1 in its group, the national team would have faced one of those teams in the quarterfinals. Gilas picked up a crucial win over Qatar in the 6th of August and the day after, the Philippines got some help from those same Qataris as they beat Taipei in a close decision. At the end of round 2, all teams finished with identical win-loss records but Gilas Pilipinas would take over first place after all tiebreaks were considered, barely edging out Taipei. The Philippines ended up avoiding defending champion China, Iran, and South Korea and instead got Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals. No. 2 Taipei drew China and the third-running Qataris were matched up with the South Koreans. “I think that was the moment we grew up and grew closer. I think that was the lowest of the lows, just because of the atmosphere and what was going on between both countries. It kind of felt that we let our end of the bargain down, you know what I mean? We’re on our home soil and we didn’t take care of business. I think that was one of those moments where we had to really check ourselves and find a way to make it right,” forward Gabe Norwood said of the Taipei loss. “But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. In tournaments like FIBA-Asia it’s important that you have short-term memory whether it was a win or a loss. We needed to let go of that game and continue to stay the course, keep our focus in the tournament,” Alapag added. On August 7, four days after Gilas lost to Taipei, the rift between the Philippines and Taiwan would reach a resolution and the latter country lifted its freeze hiring and other sanctions on the former. The Philippines also did issue on official apology over the death of the Taiwanese fisherman a couple of months prior and the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila recommended the pressing of homicide charges to erring members of the Philippine Coast Guard. DARK HISTORY If the word “rival” is to be defined as a, “person or group that tries to defeat or be more successful than another person or group” then sure, the Philippines and South Korea are rivals. Both countries are rivals in the Asian basketball scene and they have been going at it for a very long time. But if the word rival can also mean “equal” or “peer,” is the Philippines really a worthy basketball rival to South Korea? The Philippines’ history with South Korea in terms of basketball is dark. Very dark. Consider the most high-profile matches between the two countries and you’ll see that the Philippine national team is just not at the level of South Korea. Or at the very least, Koreans always seem to reach 120 percent of their potential when they play Filipinos and we barely bring out 80 percent of our abilities when matched up against our East Asian neighbors. The 1998 PBA Centennial team, arguably the greatest Philippine team ever assembled, was demolished by South Korea in the Asian Games. A national team set up for gold only settled for bronze. Speaking of a bronze medal game, the original Gilas Pilipinas team lost a podium finish to South Korea in the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championships. That team squandered a double-digit lead and collapsed late. Of course, who can forget the semifinals of the 2002 Asian Games in Busan when Olsen Racela had the chance to put the Philippines up four but missed two free throws. South Korea would win with a booming triple at the buzzer off a broken play and would later take down China to capture the gold medal. South Korea is the Philippines’ basketball nemesis for all intents and purposes. A worthy adversary that always seem to emerge victorious at our expense. Still, all that previous disappointment didn’t seem to bother Gilas Pilipinas six years ago. The team was not scared and instead, they were excited even. One factor to greatly consider was that fact that the game was in Manila. It makes all the difference to play at home. “We understood the bad history that we had with Korea. We haven’t been very successful with them in quite some time but we knew from Day 1 that if ever we got an opportunity to play them at home, then we have a great chance,” Alapag said. “Man, pre-game, it was just the focus. Everybody was up for the challenge, I don’t think anybody was really nervous, I think it was just the anxiety... we wanted to get out there and do it already,” Norwood added. Playing at home had its perks for sure, but it also had its drawbacks. For all the painful losses the Philippines suffered at the hands of South Korea, it would have been devastating if Gilas actually took a beating in Manila. Stakes were extra high in this particular chapter of this long, ongoing saga. “There was always pressure, it was something that we acknowledged early. Playing at home, it’s great having that support but at the same time, there is some added pressure because you wanna make sure that you make our home crowd proud of the team that they watch and ultimately, win games,” Alapag said, making sure to note that the national team knew of the disadvantages of playing at home even before the Korea game. “It was there but it was something that we acknowledged and we wanted to make sure that we took advantage of the opportunity playing at home,” he added. ALL FILIPINO, ALL HEART Once it was go time, the Philippines-South Korea game went about pretty normal, as you would expect any game from these two national teams. But even before halftime, an injury to Gilas center Marcus Douthit changed the complexion of the semifinals showdown. All of a sudden, the Philippines was without its anchor, without its best player. Sure, there were players on the Gilas bench that can come in and replace Douthit’s size but there was simply no one on the Gilas bench that can come in and replace his talent, production, and just overall presence. June Mar Fajardo was in that Gilas bench but it 2013, the would-be five-time PBA Most Valuable Player was just not at that level yet. It would have been easy for Gilas Pilipinas to fold like cheap furniture and succumb to the overwhelming pressure of trying to overcome South Korea to reach a stage very few Filipinos have reached before. Gilas didn’t fold and instead, the Douthit injury rallied the team even further. “Alam mo sa totoo lang, puso na lang yun eh. Nung nawala si Marcus talaga, sabi ni coach kailangan doble kayod tayo. Dahil sobrang dehado tayo kumbaga, wala na tayong import, wala tayong malaki,” forward Marc Pingris said. With Douthit gone, Ping ate up all of his minutes and worked by committee with guys like Ranidel De Ocampo and Japeth Aguilar to fill in the gaps. “As a player naman, kami nagusap-usap kami na kahit anong mangyari, lalaban kami. Yung time na yun, talagang patay kung patay,” Ping added. Despite losing its best player to an untimely injury, Gilas Pilipinas’ confidence in winning never wavered. With their collective backs against the wall, the Philippine national team played even better. Unlike the later iterations of Gilas Pilipinas, the 2013 team, aptly called Gilas 2.0, had the luxury of having actual preparation before the FIBA-Asia Championships. The amount of work that came before the tournament and the Korea game, the bond built over countless hours of training, all of that helped the national team avoid a monumental meltdown in front of a rabid Manila crowd. “We were such a close-knit team in terms of our chemistry, in terms of the talent that we had, so we felt confident even when Marcus went down early in the game. If you looked at our huddle, you had 11 more very confident guys, not just in themselves but more importantly, in each other,” Alapag said. “That just boiled down to the chemistry that we had. I don’t think any of us panicked, we were all confident in each other. We’ve all been into that situation with our PBA teams, having the ball in our hands and making a play. Knowing that we had five weapons on the floor that could make the winning play, I think it made us very confident and we were able to sustain our composure,” the former Gilas captain added. THE GHOST AND ITS CURSE Shin Dong Pa, Hur Jae, Lee Sang-min, Oh Se-Keun, TJ Moon, and Cho Sung-min are just some players from the South Korean national team that inflicted incredible damage to the Philippines over the course of decades. The dreaded Ghost of South Korea takes form in these players and its curse is to give Filipinos the most heart-crushing loss possible. In 2013, the Ghost was Kim Min-goo and his curse was to beat Gilas Pilipinas in Manila. Despite losing Marcus Douthit and trailing by three points at the break, the Philippines started to turn the tables in the second half. Gilas Pilipinas unleashed Jayson Castro and the Blur led a blazing offense in the third quarter, finding a way to take a 10-point lead over South Korea, the Philippines’ largest of the night. But as the dust settled and Gilas holding a 65-56 lead entering the final period, an ominous figure would make his presence felt. The Korean Ghost has arrived and his name was Kim Min-goo. His curse? Beat Gilas Pilipinas in Manila. Kim was 22 and a senior in college when he made the South Korean national basketball team as a backup shooter in 2013. In nine games in Manila, Kim would play well enough to make the tournament’s All-Star team, averaging 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. He led Asian Championships with 25 three-point field goals, 10 came in the last two games and five came against Gilas Pilipinas. Kim drilled back-to-back triples to open the fourth quarter against the Philippines. Later, his fifth triple — a four-point play at that — pushed the Koreans to within a point, 72-73. South Korea would take over soon after as Lee Seung-jun dunked the basketball on a fastbreak. The Ghost has arrived and his curse is in effect. “Ako pumasok sa isip ko yun nung lumamang Korea, na putek ito na naman,” Pingris said. “Pero ang sabi ko, sayang yung opportunity, kaya naman eh. So sabi ni Jimmy samin, no matter what happens wag kami gi-give up. Pinaghirapan natin to at may goal tayo, this year aalis tayo,” he added, noting the team’s goal to get into Spain and compete with the world’s best national teams. Faced with the possibility of dealing with a devastating defeat, Gilas had enough mental fortitude to keep things going. Trust your system, trust your preparation, trust your crowd, trust your teammates, and more importantly, trust yourselves. “You’re never out of the game if you’re playing at home,” Norwood said as they stared a deficit late against their destined rivals. “I think that was our mindset, keep it close and just find a way,” he added. Jimmy Alapag found a way. BORN READY Down 73-75, Jimmy Alapag was under heavy duress when he let go of a three-pointer from the left wing just in front of his bench. It was good to go. The Philippines was back on top by one as Alapag somehow managed to get his team to snap out of an initial shock following Korea’s strong fourth-quarter rally. The stage is now set for a wild finish and Jimmy will star in the final act of what has been an incredible show by Gilas and South Korea. “In situations like that, as an athlete and as a pro, that’s the situations that you dream about,” Alapag said. “Those are shots that you practice when you were a kid. When the shot clock is winding down, to have an opportunity to knock down a shot. It’s a shot that I practiced thousands of times,” he added. After the Philippines and South Korea traded baskets for the lead, Alapag made perhaps the most underrated play in this crazy and emotional encounter between two basketball rivals. Tasked with inbounding the ball just near underneath his own basket, Alapag found his Talk ‘N Text teammate Ranidel De Ocampo for an open look at three. Swish. Gilas leads, 81-77, with 91 seconds to go. “Ranidel was my favorite target for a very, very long time in my career,” Alapag said on the play that most people probably don’t even remember. “Once I saw that he got open, I wanted to make sure that I gave him as great a pass as possible and Ranidel has been known for a long time to take care of the rest,” he added. THE EXORCIST “Yeah, I was right under the basket,” Gabe Norwood says with a laugh when asked if he remembers the shot that changed the course of Gilas Pilipinas as a national team. Late in the fourth quarter of what was essentially a heavyweight bout, the Philippines just landed two strong haymakers but South Korea would refuse to go down without a fight, beating the count of 10 each time. Down to the final minute of a crucial grudge match with a World Cup berth on the line, Jimmy Alapag had his hands on the basketball as Gilas would go to its halfcourt set. Jimmy will never let go of said basketball. Up two, Jimmy did what Olsen wished he could 11 years prior. Up two against South Korea in a pivotal semifinal game, Alapag received a screen from Marc Pingris, which was enough to momentarily shake off Kim Tae-sul. With some room, Alapag drifted to his left and let a three-point shot fly. Boom. Gilas leads, 84-79, with 54 seconds to go. The shot would later be remembered as the one that ended the Korean Curse, the one that finally exorcised the Ghost. “The first thought that came to my mind was don’t miss,” Jimmy said of the clutch jumper. “That last one, Ping sets a good screen and I got a clean look. It’s a shot that myself, and Jayson [Castro], and Larry [Fonacier], and Gary [David], and Jeff [Chan], all of us, we practice that shot time and time again after practice. So you know, it was a shot that I was confident in but in that moment, all you’re thinking about was don’t miss,” he added. It’s one thing to be confident in yourself and to be confidednt in your preparation. It’s a different thing to actually perform under such pressure. As soon as Alapag managed to shoot his shot, Gabe Norwood did what any other good teammate would do and got in position to get the offensive rebound. You know, just in case. Gabe got the ball alright, but he got it after it swished through the rim. “When he put the shot up, I tried to crash for the rebound but I basically knew that it was going in,” he said. “I had probably the best view, I was right under the basket. I think caught it after it went through too,” Norwood added. Alapag checked out moments later as the Philippines went to its defensive lineup in order to stop another Korean comeback. South Korea turned to its most effective shooter in Kim and as he rose up to try and answer Alapag’s triple, Norwood met him at the apex for the game’s most dramatic stop. Gabe blocked Kim and Gilas would finish things off with a final Marc Pingris basket on the other end. A historic 86-79 win was complete. “I still get chills thinking about it, to look up and see grown men just breaking down. My wife was trying to hold my kids and she was holding back tears. It was just an awesome moment, the bond that we had on that team, the stuff that we did to get prepare, I think we poured it all out in that game,” Norwood said on the monumental victory. “I think it probably didn’t hit me until the final buzzer sounded. Not just for me but for the entire team, when that final buzzer sounded, it was such a special group of guys and the fact that we could share that moment with not just with each other but the entire country, it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Alapag added, savoring the moment of a Philippine win over Korea 28 years in the making. THE INTRODUCTION Gilas Pilipinas would lose to Iran the next day in the Finals of the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championships. The Philippines put up a fight but Hamed Haddadi would prove to be too powerful to stop. It would take another two years for Gilas to beat Iran but that didn’t really matter in the moment. The Philippines is headed to the World Championships for the first time in three decades. The Philippines has beaten South Korea and one singular shot has allowed the Gilas name to be known around the world. Jimmy wouldn’t say that though. At least not directly in that way. “For me, that shot was the biggest for my career. But really, it was our entire team. We’ve gone through so much and that was just one particular play that really culminated the entire game and all the contributions from other guys from Gabe’s defense, to Ping’s rebounding, to Japeth’s rim protecting, to Jayson and LA doing a lot of the legwork,” Alapag said. “Everybody had their part in contribution to the game. After the shot, after the buzzer sounded, it was just a very special moment for us as a team and for Philippine basketball to show that all of the sacrifices, all of the hard work, now it’s given an opportunity to re-introduce ourselves to the world,” he added. Jimmy wouldn’t say it, but his teammates would. That shot of his that beat South Korea in the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championships introduced the Gilas name to the world. It announced that the Philippines has finally arrived. Gilas’ breakthrough overtime win a year later in Spain against Senegal — a game Jimmy pretty much decided late as well — made it known that Filipinos are here to stay on the World stage. “I would say so, it got us to where we wanted to be in the World Cup. I think we shocked some people there as well. But just the work that went in, I think it showed the country that we can get back to where we want to be as long as you work together,” Norwood said. “Yung puso ni Jimmy, grabe naman. Makikita mo maliit pero gusto lang niya talaga manalo. Ang liit pero parang lion pag nagalit eh, nandoon yung tiwala namin sa kanya. Ano pa ba masasabi mo, Jimmy is Jimmy Alapag,” Pingris would add. [NOTES: At the time of original publishing, Gilas Pilipinas was fighting to make a return trip to the FIBA World Cup, this time in China in 2019. To secure its slot, the the Philippine national team needed to beat Kazakhstan in Astana plus a loss from Japan, Jordan, and/or Lebanon. One of the teams that can help Gilas is South Korea... ironically. Jimmy Alapag retired from national team play in 2014 and retired playing for good in 2016. He has since made himself a champion basketball coach in the ABL. Marc Pingris suffered an ACL injury in 2018 and is in the process of returning for his PBA team in the current 2019 season. Gabe Norwood is still in Gilas. He’s still an effective two-way weapon. 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