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WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, ‘GLENDA’?

Typhoon kills 7, leaves trail of destruction THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014 VOL. 32 NO. 198 ISSN 0116-3973

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RESCUE workers try to remove the debris after the roof of the barangay hall of Barangay Palatiw in Pasig City collapsed due to strong winds brought by typhoon Glenda. (Photo by Mark Balmores)

TYPHOON Glenda uprooted thousands of trees, including this 105-year-old acacia, one of the landmarks of Bicol Universiy in Legazpi City. (Photo by Nino Luces)

Blackouts hit Metro

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Two major dams still in critical level 4

THE Calumpang bridge in Batangas City collapsed at the height of typhoon Glenda’s onslaught yesterday. (Photo by Manuel S. Aclan)

For reactions or comments: tempo_mb@yahoo.com or tempo@mb.com.ph

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THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

Typhoon spares Metro Manila Typhoon “Glenda” left at least seven people dead and knocked out power in many areas but it spared Metro Manila, and densely populated northern provinces from being directly battered yesterday when its fierce wind shifted slightly away, officials said.

Still, the typhoon’s 150-kilometer (93-mile) wind and blinding 185-kph (115-mph) gusts, brought down trees, electric posts and ripped off roofs across the capital of 12 million people where government offices and schools were closed. More than 370,000 people moved from high-risk villages to emergency shelters in six provinces.

In a shantytown at the edge of Manila Bay, hundreds fled when strong wind tore tin roofs off their shanties. Most were drenched by the rain before

they reached an evacuation center with the help of firemen and rescue personnel.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said he was relieved there were no reported deaths after the typhoon sideswiped his city although its wind still downed trees and damaged seaside shanties, prompting more than 1,000 residents to evacuate.

“It was like a drill,’’ he said.

“We hauled people away from dangerous seaside areas, whether they liked it or not.’’

Elsewhere, a woman died af-

STRONG waves brought about by typhoon ‘Glenda’ are shown here throwing debris onto the national highway of Calbayog City, Samar. (Photo by Nestor L. Abrematea)

ter being hit by a fallen electric post in Northern Samar province and two men, including one traveling on a motorcycle, were separately pinned to death by falling trees in two other provinces. Three members of a family were killed when a wall collapsed on them in Lucena city, southeast of Manila and an 11month-old boy died after being hit by a wall in a house in Cavite province near the capital, officials said.

Three fishermen have been reported missing in Catanduanes, near Albay province, where Glenda made landfall late Tuesday.

There were no immediate estimates of the damage in communities that lost power and telephone connections while being pummeled by the wind and rain.

With last year’s massive devastation and deaths from Typhoon Yolanda still in many people’s mind, officials said 373,000 people readily evacuated after being told of the danger.

Polangui Mayor Cherilie Mella Sampal said 10,000 of the 80,000 residents in her town in Albay, about 340 kilometers (210 miles) southeast of Manila, were evacuated before the typhoon struck Tuesday. Sampal said she saw the wind topple electric posts and lift roofs off houses.

Sampal said residents were worried after witnessing Yolanda’s horrific aftermath last November.

“We’re used to and prepared for calamities,’’ Sampal told The Associated Press by cellphone.

A YOUNG boy passes by a fishing boat swept by typhoon Glenda in Baseco, Tondo, Manila. (Photo by Ali Vicoy) “But when people heard that the eye of the typhoon will hit the province, they feared we may end up like the victims of Yolanda,’’ she said.

Yolanda’s strong winds and tsunami-like storm surges flat-

tened towns, leaving at least 6,300 people dead and more than 1,000 missing.

Glenda is the seventh storm to batter the Philippines this year.

About 20 typhoons and storm lash the archipelago.

Taxpayers may file claims The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said yesterday that business and professional taxpayers who lost properties due to typhoon “Glenda” may claim tax losses when they file their 2014 Income Tax Returns next year.

BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares said victims of the calamity may file a sworn statement of loss and other requirements at the revenue district that has jurisdiction over them.

A sworn declaration shall state

the nature of the event, time of occurrence, and exact location of the destroyed or damaged properties.

The BIR chief stressed that losses covered by insurance are not tax-deductible.

A police report shall also be included in the report in case theft occurred during the natural disaster.

The Tax Code prescribes that the sworn statement shall be submitted within 45 days after such calamity or disaster occurs.

(Jun Ramirez)

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

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Glenda blows 2 parked jets

TOPPLED electric posts make traveling the Alabang Zapote road in Las Pinas a daunting chore. (Photo by Bob Dungo Jr.)

By ANJO PEREZ

BLACKOUT

By MYRNA VELASCO

Typhoon Glenda plunged Luzon and Visayas grids into widespread blackouts as it left massive damage to transmission facilities and triggered flooding in some areas, which in turn caused hurdles in electricity supply restoration.

As of noon Wednesday, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) indicated that it deployed its choppers “to assess damage” in Southern Luzon and Metro Manila areas which had been hardly hit by the typhoon’s strike dawn of Wednesday.

“We are trying to complete the loop around Metro Manila so we can power up Metro Manila by late afternoon,” NGCP senior adviser to the president Joseph Ferdinand Dechavez said.

Millions of Filipinos who had been reeling hard from the wallop of the calamity woke up even more exasperated on hump day with the pestering blackouts and downed communication lines.

NGCP reported that around 16 transmission lines were affected, based on its monitoring as of Wednesday morning. That excluded yet the damage being assessed in the lines wheeling electricity to Metro Manila.

“Bicol region was isolated from the grid due to the outage of several 230-kilovolt lines,” the company said.

As of press time, power utility giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced that 86percent of its 5.3 million customers were “left without power,” as it confirmed that the transmission lines of NGCP “remained out” as of mid-day yesterday.

“Due to said outages of vital NGCP transmission lines, generation

Transmission facilities down; no power in MM plants in the south are unable to deliver power to Meralco,” the utility firm explained.

Given the extent of supply disruption from the south, Meralco noted “efforts to convey power from the northern grid has been undertaken.”

At its own load network, Meralco emphasized that it has been assessing “the extent of damage in its distribution facilities, including poles, transformers, wires and sub-transmission lines.”

The utility firm also deployed its own team to repair damage at

Two international airplanes parked at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were grounded yesterday after the strong winds brought by typhoon Glenda caused severe damages to their vital parts.

The Boeing 777 of Singapore Airlines and the Boeing 737 of Malaysia Airlines both sustained extensive damage to their wing and fuselage after the 150 kilometer per hour winds of typhoon Glenda whipped through the tarmac of the Manila airport.

During the height of the storm, the Singapore Airlines wide body jet parked at Bay 6 of the NAIA was pushed to five meters to its side forcing its wing and left engine to smash into the terminal’s aerobridge.

According to the NAIA Media Affairs Division (MAD), the Singapore Airlines plane sustained damages to its left wing as well as the cowling of its left engine leaving it unable to fly.

Meanwhile, the MAD disclosed that the Malaysian Airlines narrow body jet was pushed to its side hitting an air-step in the process and causing damage to its fuselage. It was learned that the potent gusts of Glenda forced the aircraft to pivot to its right causing it to slam into the parked metal stairs.

As a result of the damages, both airplanes were grounded pending its repair.

The affected passengers will be accommodated on the next available flights, officials said.

its facilities, yet it asserted that it “could not give an estimated time as to when power will be restored,” especially in the hardest hit areas of Calamba-Laguna-BatangasRizal and Quezon.

Meralco added “restoration time depends on several factors including how soon the affected transmission facilities will be operational.”

It emphasized that there will be volumes of debris to be cleared in affected areas, in addition to the scale of damage that it must work on at its facilities.”

A TOYOTA car parked at the GSIS Metro Homes is destroyed by a tree which fell due to strong winds brought by Typhoon Glenda yesterday. (Photo by Tony Pionilla)

No LRT, MRT

MEN hold tight to a tree during the height of Typhoon Glenda’s onslaught in Manila Bay yesterday. (Photo by KJ Rosales)

The operations of the elevated rail transit systems in Metro Manila were suspended yesterday due to power outages caused by Typhoon Glenda.

Lawyer Hernando Cabrera said the operations of Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines 1 and 2 as well as the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line 3 were temporarily halted due to fluctuating power supply along the rail lines.

“LRT and MRT operations are still suspended. Track clearing activities and safety inspections on going,” Cabrera announced via microblogging site Twitter.

Cabrera said full power supply is needed for the three overhead mass transit systems to resume normal operations.

“Operations will resume as soon as safety of all concerned is secured,” he added.

Similarly, the provincial operation of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) from Sipocot to Naga City in Camarines Sur remained suspended yesterday. However, PNR officials could not be reached as of press time to confirm the status of its city operation from Tutuban in Manila to Cabuyao in Laguna.

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THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

NEWS ROUNDUP 2 CL dams still in critical level CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Two major dams in Central Luzon have remained in critical level despite the rains brought by typhoon “Glenda.”

Based on its 6 a.m. report yesterday, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) said that water level of Angat Dam in Bulacan was at 162.78 meters with spilling level of 210 meters, while Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija posted 176.81 meters with spilling level of 216 meters.

Engineer Josephine Salazar, operations manager of the NIA Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS), said that the dams’ water level is way below their spilling level, which makes it difficult to circulate hydraulic power.

She explained that Angat and Pantabangan dams need 98 meters and 40 meters, respectively, to complement their spilling levels to prevent water shortage.

Salazar said that that both dams had stopped releasing water to its covered areas to achieve stable water supply. (Franco G. Regala)

Truck hits 2 motorbikes; 2 dead KORONADAL CITY – Two people died while four others were injured when a wayward cargo truck rammed two motorcycles along a national highway in Barangay Saravia here last Tuesday.

Nestor Salcedo, Koronadal police chief, said a cargo forward truck driven by Richard Belocillo, 22, of Zamboanga City, lost its brake and rammed a Honda Wave motorcycle driven by Federico Bustria and a Kawasaki Bajaj motorcycle driven by Jomer dela Cerna.

Bustria and his back rider, pregnant wife Jecelyn, died on the spot.

Dela Cerna and his three passengers, who are all students, sustained serious body injuries.

Police said Belocillo was trying to overtake another vehicle but the truck lost its brakes and collided with the approaching motorcycles.

Belocillo was placed under police custody pending the filing of criminal charges against him. (Joseph Jubelag)

Bicol fugitive nabbed in Isabela CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela – Isabela police arrested one of Bicol’s most wanted man at Zone 2, Barangay Bicobian, Divilacan, here, at 10 a.m., Monday.

Police identified the apprehended fugitive as Carlos Marqueses, 51, fisherman, who had been wanted for murder. He carried a R140,000 bounty on his head.

Senior Supt. Sotero Ramos Jr., Isabela police director, reported to Chief Supt. Miguel Laurel, Cagayan Valley police director, that Marqueses was nabbed by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Honest Villahor of 5th Judicial region, RTC Branch 52 for the crime of murder. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

House to investigate Judiciary allowances

By CHARISSA M. LUCI

In the wake of possible Executive-Judiciary clash over the Supreme Court’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) ruling, the House of Representatives is seeking to look into the special allowances for justices, judges, and other court employees.

Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., chairman of the House committee on justice, said after their probe into the Supreme Court’s R1.775-billion “pork barrel” or the controversial Judiciary Development Fund (JDF), they are also bent to scrutinize the Special Allowances for the Judiciary (SAJ).

“After JDF, SAJ should be looked into next,” he said in a media interview, even as he clarified that the planned investigation was merely a coincidence and has nothing to do with the SC ruling on DAP. Tupas said Congress should “repeal” Republic Act 9227 which grants justices, judges, and all other positions with special allowances equivalent to 100

percent of their basic monthly salary specific to their salary grades under the Salary Standardization Law (SSL).

“The law should be repealed,” he said, citing that the SAJ is considered as an “advanced salary.”

The SAJ are funded by legal fees collected by the judiciary and the SC’s imposition of hikes in current and new fees it collected.

In 2012, Malacanañg sought the scrapping of special allowances of justices and judges, saying that have already been fully integrated into their salary increases as of June 1that year.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) proposed all balances of the SAJ Fund be

‘Peach ribbon’ for impeach bid In direct defiance to President Aquino’s call to his supporters to wear yellow ribbons, a militant group urged the public to wear peach ribbons instead.

In a statement, Bayan Metro Manila chairperson Raymond Palatino said the ‘Peach Ribbon to Impeach

Aquino’campaign aims to draw support for Aquino’s impeachment for his involvement in controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and pork barrel scam.

“Every time we see a yellow ribbon, we remember how Aquino coddled big time porkers in the

MILF exec hits Abad COTABATO CITY – A Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) official berated Budget Secretary Butch Abad for linking the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB) to the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), which the Supreme Court declared recently as unconstitutional.

“Implicating the FAB (with DAP) is ridiculously malicious,” MILF peace panelist Robert Maulana M. Alonto said in his Facebook page on Tuesday.

Alonto claimed that Abad, in his interview over a national TV network Tuesday, “implied” that FAB “also benefited from the DAP.” “Perhaps he (Abad) confused the FAB from the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) because in subsequent statements, he referred to the ARMM as having been recipient of the DAP,” Alonto said.

He added: “Whatever it is, implicating the FAB is ridiculously malicious.

DAP is exclusively government’s. The MILF has nothing to do with it for the simple reason that the MILF was not, and is not, in the business of knowing, let alone inquiring, where government sources out its funds.”

Alonto deemed the wrong attribution as an act of “a drowning man pulling down others to drown with him.” (Ali G. Macabalang)

reverted to the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund, which means that it should be deposited to the National Treasury as income of the General Fund.

The SC rejected the proposal, saying that it ran counter to RA 9227and undermines the independence of the judiciary.

Tupas, who had consultations with the SC sought the “special audit” of SC’s R1.775-billion JDF, which includes confiscated bail bonds amounting to billions.

“All they have is general audit.

What we are asking is that COA should conduct a special audit of these funds,” he said.

He said the SC is “open” to the idea that the JDF “will be scrutinized by Congress.”

FISHING vessels are docked several meters away from the shoreline in Barangay Aplaya, Dingalan, Aurora province’s southernmost town, as huge waves triggered by strong winds brought by typhoon ‘Glenda’ pummeled its coastline yesterday. (Photo by Ariel P. Avendaño)

Cabinet, Senate and House of Representatives. It also reminds us how Aquino remained unapologetic despite the Supreme Court ruling on the unconstitutionality of the DAP,” Palatino said.

“Instead of yellow, the appropriate color of the times is peach.

Peach because we support the impeachment bid to make Aquino accountable for his growing crimes and sins to the Filipino people,” he added.

He also said their campaign will also give face to the growing number of disgruntled Filipinos, who lost confidence in the government due to the soaring prices of basic commodities and services, demolition of urban poor communities, proliferation of destructive mining and lack aid to calamity victims.

Palatino said they will continue with their “fashion protest” up to July 28, when Aquino is scheduled to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Last Tuesday, Aquino made the “yellow ribbon” appeal to his supporters after a recently published survey from Pulse Asia and Social Weather Station showed his declining trust and satisfaction ratings.

(Samuel Medenilla)

MORE NEWS Suspension opposed Senators Ramon “Bong” B. Revilla Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” E. Estrada, both charged with plunder in connection with the “pork barrel” fund scam, have separately filed before the Sandiganbayan oppositions to the motions filed by state prosecutors seeking their suspension.

The Sandiganbayan First Division is handling the plunder and graft charges against Revilla, while the Fifth Division is handling the cases of Estrada.

Though each senator has different law offices handling their cases, their lawyers agree that the suspension of a plunder accused is allowed if valid information has been filed.

According to the Plunder Law (Republic Act 7080), “any public officer against whom any criminal prosecution under a valid information under this Act in whatever stage of execution and mode of participation, is pending in court, shall be suspended from office.”

At the moment, Estrada and Revilla have separately filed petitions before the Supreme Court questioning the validity of the charges against them.

The lawyers of Estrada pointed out that “it is a matter of public record that the validity of the information in this case is being challenged before the Supreme Court and remains an issue to date.” (Jeffrey G. Damicog)

Catapang next AFP chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio P. Catapang, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1981, has been named as the new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff.

Catapang will replace Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista who will relinquish his post tomorrow, two days ahead of his actual retirement age.

Catapang is currently the vice chief of staff of the AFP, a position he held since May. He was the former commander of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) and 7th Infantry Division (ID). CATAPANG The AFP welcomed Catapang’s appointment, saying they are confident that his vast experience and leadership skills will bring the 125,000-strong organization to greater heights.

A testimonial parade and review will be held tomorrow at the AFP general headquarters parade ground in honor of Bautista, followed by a change of command ceremony to be led by President Aquino.

According to a military spokesman, the President signed Catapang’s appointment Tuesday.

He bested other contenders of the AFP top post – Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri and Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado.

(Elena L. Aben)

2 fires despite ‘Glenda’ Close to R1.5 million in properties were destroyed in two separate fires that hit an old house and a squatter’s colony in Quezon City at the height of typhoon “Glenda” yesterday.

Supt. Jesus Fernandez, Quezon City fire marshal, said the first fire occurred in a two-story house on 13 Mayumi St., Barangay Teachers Village.

Fernandez said that based on their initial investigation, the fire that hit the house owned by Lani Manalang started at 3:12 a.m. He said the fire immediately spread in the house that was built in the 1960s.

Fernandez said investigators are looking at the possibility that an electrical short circuit caused the fire. No one was hurt or killed in the fire that reached the fourth alarm.

Meanwhile, some 25 houses mostly made of light materials were destroyed while 50 families were rendered homeless in the second fire in Area 7, Nawasa Line near corner Republic Ave., Barangay Holy Spirit.

Fernandez said an estimated R400,000 in properties were lost in the fire that started at 3:49 a.m. in a two-story house owned by Edwin Anover and occupied by Roque Inding.

Fernandez said firefighters put out the fire that originated on the second floor at 5:20 a.m. No one was also hurt or killed in the blaze that reached the fourth alarm. (Francis T. Wakefield)

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

2 PNoy impeachment complaints filed today Two separate impeachment complaints will be filed today against President Aquino for violating the Constitution and betraying the public trust by implementing and failing to justify his Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Piqued by Aquino’s defense stance on DAP, the YOUTH Now Movement and the Bayan or the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan will separately lodge the impeachment complaint with Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon and Bayan Muna party-list Rep.Neri Colmenares as endorsers.

They criticized the President for keeping the DAP brains, Budget and Management Secretary Flor-

encio “Butch” Abad, and failing to explain to people the benefits of the controversial program.

“Where’s the transparency?

Where’s the accountability?” Ridon asked.

In a statement, Bayan said, “Until now, they are unable to fully account for the funds spent. (President) Aquino remains unrepentant to the end.”

Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., chairman of the House Committee on Justice, assured that any impeachment complaint filed against Aquino or Supreme Court justices would be attended with “urgency.”

“I assure that any impeachment complaint will be treated

with urgency. It is our constitutional duty that once an impeachment complaint is filed and referred to our panel, we will hear the complaint whether it is against the President or members of Supreme Court,” he said.

But he was quick to clarify that there was “no instruction” to impeach the SC justices after Aquino threatened the High Court with a possible clash for declaring as unconstitutional the DAP. “Whether or not the SC justices will be impeached is a hypothetical. We should always be ready to hear impeachment complaints. (Charissa M. Luci)

Gun listing caravan set The Philippine National Police (PNP) will conduct a nationwide caravan to encourage holders of illegal firearms and delinquent owners to register their guns.

Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, chief police information officer, said the caravan will be an initial step for their planned nationwide gun amnesty soon.

“This is to help facilitate the processing for the application of license to own and possess firearm or LTOPF,” said Sindac.

He said personnel of the Firearms and Explosives Office, headed by Chief Supt. Virglio Lazo, will be going to the provinces to receive the application for gun license.

The first schedule will be from September 2-4 for gun owners in the Caraga region. It will be held in Camp Rodriguez in Libertad, Butuan City.

This early, the regional police have s t a r t e d d i s s e mi nat i ng information on the firearms caravan.

In the announcement, the CARAGA regional police told gun owners to bring all the requirements to save time. They are the results of examination on neuro-psychiatric test, drug test, ballistic and stencil certificate, police clearance from the Directorate for Intelligence or PNP regional Intelligence Division, gun safety seminar, court clearances, Sandiganbayan for government officials, copy of the birth certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO), proof of billing, and two government-issued IDs.

Gun holders were also advised to bring company ID, Income Tax Return (ITR) for private and OFW, copy of appointment order for government employee, retirement order, deed of sale or donation for transfer of firearms.

“Secure these requirements as early as possible while waiting for the caravan,” the announcement read.

Sindac said the caravan will be an initial step for gun licensing since they could not yet implement a gun amnesty due to the Temporary Restraining Order issued by the court.

The six-month gun amnesty is stipulated in the newly enacted Republic Act 10591.

“We hope to get the DoJ opinion on the matter. The FEO has to abide by the SC ruling,” said Sindac.

The TRO, it was recalled, covers the centralization of the application and renewal of the firearm licenses, the signing of the waiver by a gun license applicant that would allow the PNP personnel to visit or enter their home, and the delivery of gun licenses using a private or a delivery courier or services.

The stricter gun law is the government’s answer against rising number of crimes which is usually being perpetrated with the use of guns, almost all of them unlicensed. (Aaron B. Recuenco)

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THURSDAY, 17, 201415, 2014 SATURDAY,JULY FEBRUARY

EDITORIAL

Reflections Today

The Brazil World Cup: The gentle mastery of Christ We can excel in football A [J Gospel reading: Mt 11:28-30 ESUS s a i d ,] “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Reflections MY BURDEN LIGHT. Shortly after my fi rst religious profession, my mother suffered a mild stroke and was rushed to the hospital. It seemed that the burden of the whole world was being laid on my shoulders. I was restless and worried.

I also felt guilty for insisting that my mother come to my profession, which might have caused the stroke. I even questioned God, “Lord, is this the price of responding to your call?”

I said a lot of words to God then until I could not think of anything else to say except, “Yes, Lord, your will be done.”

I finally found myself surrendering all my worries and burdens to Jesus.

Days passed, and my mother gradually recovered and was allowed to go home to the province. I then felt peace within me.

Jesus speaks of “my yoke” in the Gospel. The yoke binds two or

more animals that plow the field or carry heavy burdens. The rabbis also speak of the “yoke of the Torah” that binds the person to God by doing God’s commands and precepts. Taking the yoke of Jesus is obeying God’s commandment: that “we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us” (1 Jn 3:23). This command is not burdensome, because we carry it out with Jesus. If we carry the yoke with love, the burden becomes light.

A visitor once saw Mother Teresa of Calcutta cleaning an old, sick leper. She said that she would not do such work even if she were paid a lot of money.

Mother Teresa said she would not do it either for the money. But she was doing it for the love of Jesus. *** Someday, everything will make perfect sense.

So, for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears, and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason. *** SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 8957328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

BOUT a billion people watched the FIFA World Cup soccer football tournament in Brazil which ended Sunday after 32 days of competitions involving national teams from 32 countries. Football is the biggest spectator sport in Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa, but not so much in the United States and – possibly because of our historical links – the Philippines. In the US, the big games are baseball, football, and basketball. In the Philippines, the big game is basketball. We are fortunate to have a Philippine team competing in the FIBA World Cup of Basketball which will be held in Spain this August, after we finished second – after Iran – in the Asian championship.

But, it is said, our chances of victory in world basketball are minuscule. Basketball is a tall man’s game and players of any consquence are six-and-a-half to seven feet tall. Against tall teams, Philippine players have to rely on speed and accuracy and passion. And they have to import tall American players to add height to their ranks; for the Spain championship, we have naturalized a seven-foot player from the Brooklyn Nets. For a while, there was some controversy over using an American player on the national team, but the Senate ultimately relented and approved a resolution granting him Filipino citizenship.

Which brings us back to the football championship in Brazil. This year’s champion is Germany and the hero in the championship final against Argentina was a young man, 22-year-old Mario Gotze, who is 5 feet, 9 inches tall (1.76 meters). In the 113th minute of the extended game, with only seven minutes left, the young Gotze, who had just come off the bench as a substitute, stopped a pass with his chest, then booted a shot into the goal. At 5’ 9”, he was as just as tall as many Filipinos. In a basketball court, he would have been lost among the giants, but on the football field, he excelled. So could many Filipinos.

Soccer football is growing sport in Philippine schools. And we have a international team, the Azkals, with the Fil-British brothers Phil and James Younghusband, which has won over the national teams of some nations abroad. We are good in several other sports. We are specially good at boxing – where our “Pambansang Kamao” -- Manny Pacquiao – has made a name for himself and for our country. We have had good teams in women’s softball and now we are moving strongly into women’s volleyball.

After the Brazil World Cup, we hope that the tremendous global interest in that event will rub off on us. Football calls for endurance, stamina, speed, determination.

We have these among our athletes and we can excel in international competitions that call for these qualities.

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

Firing Line Robert B. Roque, Jr.

Abad’s finger-pointing

I

WOULD hate to be where Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Butch Abad is now. It is almost as if he is a kid caught red-handed with his hand in the cookie jar.

After the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) was unconstitutional, Abad has gone on a finger-pointing spree. He would have the public believe that the program was actually a brainchild of President Aquino.

Abad would also have the senators account for what he says was their share of the R149-billion fund, making unsubstantiated claims about how much this

and that senator received.

More than a few senators have said that the amounts allegedly released to them were nothing more than figments of Abad’s imagination. Among them is former senator Joker Arroyo, who has always been proud of the fact that he never availed of any pork barrel during all his years in the Senate.

The burden of proof that the senators whom he named as having received millions in DAP allocations lies squarely on the Budget secretary’s shoulders.

There is always a paper trail where the release of government funds is concerned, and it is the DBM that is supposed to be the keeper of that trail.

Malacañang apologists constantly harp about the SC ruling that allegedly gave the DBM the benefit of the doubt by saying it may have acted in good faith.

Well and good. But such a rejoinder has two sides. It is possible that Abad’s DBM may have

10 DAP projects thumbed down The Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) was designed to bankroll fast-moving projects to pump prime growth from 2011 to 2013 but the program encountered some glitches prior to being struck down by the Supreme Court.

Of the 116 DAP-identified projects worth R144 billion, at least 10 projects amounting to R8.9 billion were actually not approved

by President Aquino while a few ones were either not implemented or had some issues.

Based on the list provided by the Department of the Budget and Management, the projects proposed but “not approved” were the re-acquisition of air rights sold by the Philippine National Railway (PNR) to the Home Guaranty Corp. (HGC) (R2.2 billion); construction of 360 bridges under the “Tulay ng Pangulo sa Kaunlaran Pang-Agraryo” (R1.8 billion); construction of 96 new rural health units (RHUs) and rehabilitation of 1,841 RHUs (R1.9 billion); implementation of the registry system for basic sectors in agriculture phase 2 (R1.4 billion); and rural electrification

program to cover additional 100 sitios and 160 barangays (R1 billion).

Also failing to get Aquino’s approval were the pilot testing of National Community Driven Development Project in Albay, Leyte, and Compostela Valley (R209 million); the Kilometer-Zero National Monument redevelopment project (R207 million); development of Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-Tourism Park in Cavite (R149 million); rehabilitation of the Watson Building near Malacañang (R7 million); and detailed engineering studies for restoration of Goldenberg Mansion and Teus House in Malacañang (R4 million).

The reason for the disapproval of the projects was not specified by the Budget department.

Two more projects, namely the R4.5-billion purchase of additional Metro Rail Transit (MRT) cars and the R2.2-billion incentive program for around 6,201 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel affected by the rationalization plan, were also “not implemented,” according to the DBM. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)

acted in good faith, and it is equally possible that all his actions, vis-a-vis the DAP, were committed as part of a devious plan, including the removal of an SC chief justice perceived to be unfriendly to the Aquino administration.

That the DAP was created and released to some of the senator-judges at the height of the impeachment trial of then chief justice Renato Corona is beyond suspicious.

As a result of the SC ruling, there is a growing clamor calling for President Aquino to resign or be impeached. But there is an even bigger clamor for Butch Abad to leave.

Like it or not, it is not enough for every Cabinet secretary to competently do his or her job.

Public perception is just as important. The perception is that Butch Abad was the Napoles-style mastermind of the DAP. He is now damaged goods. Every action he takes becomes suspect.

Dear Manay Gina Gina de Venecia

Losing interest Dear Manay Gina, My boyfriend and I have been together for two-and-a-half years. We already have an 9month old daughter. In one of our quarrels lately, he said that he’s losing interest in me. He said that he is no longer in love with me. There was no more romance between us. He is also away most of the time. The longest he stayed away was two weeks but then he came back.

I am at a loss. I love him and I don’t see myself with anyone

Unless Abad truly believes he is indispensible to the Aquino Administration, there is only one course of action for him to take, and that is to stop the fingerpointing and take a sabbatical from government service. Better yet, he should go fly a kite in his home province of Batanes. The winds there are pretty conducive to kite flying at this time of year.

There’s an old saying about finger-pointing that is perfectly apt for Butch Abad: You may have one finger pointing in one direction, but you have three of your own fingers pointing back at you. *** PNoy is treading on dangerous ground. A lot of Filipinos perceive his TV pronouncements last Monday, questioning the SC decision on his spending program, as a veiled threat to the High Court, a co-equal branch of government.

Making threats then announcing that the Palace will appeal the decision is clear intimidation.

It is tantamount to bullying the SC into reversing its ruling. It is like telling the 14 justices, including his appointees and perceived allies, that he is better than them at interpreting the law. *** I agree with Paranaque Congressman Gus Tambunting when he made this reaction on PNoy’s non-acceptance of Abad’s resignation: “It’s his (Aquino) privilege to accept or refuse the resignation of anyone in his Cabinet but it reinforces the perception that his ‘Daang Matuwid’ (Righteous Path) criteria only apply to other people, especially his political nemeses and not his friends, partymates, and allies.” *** SHORT BURSTS. For comments or reactions, emailfiringline@ymail.com or tweet @Side_View. Read current and past issues of this column at http://www.tempo.com.ph/category/opinion/firing-line/

else.

about these difficult and emotional issues. If you find you get nowhere when you try it on your own, I hope the two of you will seek the counsel of your parents and trusted family members. There needs to be a serious discussion to figure out what both of you want for the three of you in the future.

Affectionately, Manay Gina

Marissa

Dear Marissa, It sounds to me like you boyfriend is ambivalent about taking on adult responsibilities.

On the one hand, he probably loves his little girl and still has strong feelings for you. On the other hand, he may feel he gave up his youth too soon.

T h e t w o o f yo u n e e d t o have a very serious talk about what each of you want out of life and your relationship. You are parents but you aren’ t married. That alone tells me that both of you have had some reservations. You may not see yourself with anyone else, but you didn’t make a total commitment either.

You may need some help to have a productive conversation

DPWH official backed RAWIS, Legazpi City – Engineer Danilo Dequito, Regional Director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 5, has been endorsed as DPWH Region 4-A director.

Dequito thanked those who have expressed their support in

7

his bid to become DPWH Region 4-A director.

According to them, Dequito is very much qualified for the post.

They urged DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson to appoint Dequito to the post, saying that

“You don’t develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.” – Epicurus * * * Send questions to manaygina@hotmail.com he has only four years left in service and hails from Pagbilao in Quezon, one of the provinces of Region 4-A. Dequito has expressed desire to serve his region before he retires.

He had served the DPWH as district engineer of Palawan, Mindoro, Marinduque, and Laguna.

8

1iiiiijiii

tempoen@gmail.com

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

Dennis umani ng simpativa UMANI ng maraming simpatiya si Dennis Padilla matapos siyang magpahayag ng kanyang saloobin hinggil sa pagpalit ng apelyido ng anak niyang si Julia Barretto. Umani naman ng maraming bashers si Julia.

May mga nag-post na kesyo hindi raw sisikat si Julia at walang mararating sa showbiz.

To the rescue si Gretchen Barretto sa kanyang pamangkin at nag-post siya sa kanyang IG account ng ganito: "There's a valid reason for the change of name. Julia is a very good and sweet daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend . What her father or what

Chef Boy Logro

people think of her cannot and will not define her.

"As to your opinion, whether she will go far in life only God and time will tell. Julia is a prayerful, talented and intelligent child that should take her far beyond you can ever imagine."

0, di ba, ang sarap maging tita ni Gretchen na parating handang ipagtanggol ang kanyang (0 mga) pamangkin. Ano kayang reaction ni Claudine Barretto?

Mukhang dead rna naman si Gretchen sa sinabi ni Claudine sa isang panayam na never na silang magkakaayos 0 magkakabati.

(Rowena Agilada)

~

DENNIS Padilla

on during these trying days.

•

Ronald Constantino

,E

XPERIMENTAL'It was meant to be "experimental".. . to last, at most, a season (13 weeks).

But look, the "experiment" has been going on for the last two years .. . and still counting .

The " Experi ment" in reference is the ABS-CBN daytime soap "Be Careful with My Heart," starring Jodi Sta. Maria as Maya and Richard Yap as Ser Chief.

The soap defies the formula for success no star value, no highlycharged confrontations, no cliff-hanging twists and turns - but here it is making televiewers glued to their seats, crying and laughing as the plot of "Be Careful with My Heart" unfolds.

Some people say "enough ... nakakasawa na."

But how can one argue with success?

• 'I HEART YOU 2' - Come July 25 (Friday) at the Araneta Coliseum, the soap goes onstage via the thanksgiving concert titled " I Heart You 2" in celebration of its second year.

Free tickets, repeat free, will be distributed on July 21 and 23 at the ABS-CBN Center Road, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jodi and Richard and the rest

of the cast will sing and dance and act (read make the audience "kilig"). Joining them as special performers are Erik Santos, Juris, and Richard Poon .

• OFFCAM - While televiewers are excited by the romance of Maya (the barrio lass turned "yaya" turned career girl turned wife) and Ser Chief (the rich widower), offcam there's no such love affair.

The late-blooming Richard Yap is happily married, while Jodi Sta .

Maria is into a relationship with Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla .

Jolo and the rest of the Revilla family are undergoing tough times for reasons too familiar to be detailed here. May Jodi lend Jolo a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold

Minatal

M yum yum, mga Kapuso! Nagsasawa na ba kayo sa mga meryendang inihahanda ninyo sa inyong mga anak pag-uwi nila galing sa paaralan? Subukang lutuin ngayon ang modernong timpla ng Minatamis na Kamote na siguradong makakapagpawala ng pagod ng inyong mga anak at talaga namang makakapagpagana sa kanilang gawin ang mga homework nila.

'Be Careful' goes onstage Highspeed

Basta Everyday Happy

Enterta

BUSINESS IS - Well, business.

That's the "battle cry" of an exactor whenever concert producers talk to him for a possible show featuring his wife, a singeractress. Yes, hubby is the business manager.

The concert producers may be friends of long standing, but he refuses to give a friendly but fair talent fee.

As he says, "Business is business."

Very well then, no deal.

• FOREVER STARLET - Years back, there's this beautiful and multitalented newcomer whose parents believe in "business is business" dictum. One time, the producer of an awards-night show talked to the parents, explaining all guest artists would be given the same honorarium, f"1O,000 each. Big or small. The likes of Regine and Martin said yes. After all, the entertainment press was giving the awards and the writers have been very supportive of their daughter.

The parents said no way, "Business ito, trabaho nilang isulat ang anak namin."

Well, to date Ms. Beautiful and Talent remains a starlet... and will remain one forever.

INGREDIENTS : 100 grams small sago, cooked 2 pcs sweet potatoes or kamote, cut into big cubes 2 pcs pandan leaves 1 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 cup water 1 tablespoon butter

Timing Rowena Agilada

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon banana essence toasted sesame seeds for topping

PROCEDURE:

1. In a pan, combine the kamote and the sugar, then fry in medium heat.

2. When the kamote is already

Girlfri

URIOUS ang fans and supporters ni Enchong Dee kung sino ang non-showbiz girlfriend niya. Wala kasing ibang detalye sa sinasabing girlfriend ni Enchong .

Kesyo, private person ito, kaya ayaw niyang i-reveal ang identity nito. Ano kaya ang feeling ni girl na ayaw siyang ipakilala sa publiko ng kanyang BF? Ano siya, girlfriend sa dilim? Okey ba kay GF ang gano'n?

Nakipagrelasyon siya sa isang showbiz guy, siyempre, interesado ang fans kung sino ang GF ni Echong. Dapat nga maging proud si Enchong kung talagang love niya ang kanyang GF. Hindi 'yung itinatago niya ito. Duda tuloy ng iba, hindi raw kaya press release lang ni Enchong na may GF siya?

Whatever!

C

Bakasyon grande Enjoy to the fullest sina Richard Gutierrez at Sarah Lahbati kasama ang anak nilang si Zion sa bakasyon nila sa Coron, Palawan. First beach trip 'yun ni Zion at enjoy ang bagets.

Panay ang post nina Richard at Sarah ng pictures nila sa kanilang respective Instagram accounts.

May picture sila na magkasamang nag-diving at nakita nila ang isang lumubog na barko (Kyokuzan Maru ship wreck) noong World War II (1944). Nag-snorkling din sila at

ENCHONG Dee ayon sa post ni Sarah, nakakita siya ng dalawang dugong.

Sa Bohol naman nagbakasyon si Ruffa Gutierrez with her daughters Lorin and Venice . Sa Bellevue beach resort sila tumuloy. Nagenjoy sa swimming ang mga bagets. Manghang-mangha si Ruffa sa ganda ng nama las nilang view.

Balik-showbiz Happy si Rodjun Cruz for his

· men t In

~

NESTOR CUARTERO Editor

mis na Kamote

THURSDAY, JULY 17,2014

.IIII/PII

9

'Dyesebel' ends TV run Trailer Nestor Cuartero UST A THOUGHT: "Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free." - Jim Morrison

l

***

soft, turn off heat and set aside.

3. In a stock pan, boil the water, brown sugar, and pandan leaves until it turns into medium thick syrup.

4. Add the butter, vanilla extract, banana essence, and sago.

5. Mix the kamote in the syrup, top with toasted sesame seeds, and serve.

*** Para sa masasarap na recipes mula sa eksperto, patuloy na manood ng "Basta Every Day Happy" sa GMA.

iend sa dilim

END OFTHE UNE, DYESEBEL: Winding up a four-month run as television's Dyesebel, Anne Curtis says it is a great honor to hear people call her "Dyesebel," not Dyesabel as Gerald Anderson puts it.

"It just means the character made a mark on people," she says.

The popular series will air its finale this Friday (July 18). "'Dyesebel' taught me to be stronger and made me realize how committed I can be. We continued to work, rain or shine, because that's how much we love what we're doing," said Anne about her series where she co-stars with Sam Milby, Andi Eigenmann, and Gerald Anderson.

Anne and Sam Milby will be seen

ANNE Curtis as 'Dyesebel'

SAM Milby

next in a rom-com, "The Gifted."

has been said and done.

The buzz is loud that Boy Abunda is running for the Senate. Boy is working on his doctoral studies.

Our condolences to the family left behind by Margarita PinedaMartinez, mother to actors Albert and William Martinez, plus Ronnie and Bernadette. Mommy Margie, 68, passed on July 15 due to a lingering illness. Her remains lie in state at Heritage Park, Taguig City.

***

BY THE WAY... Despite Katrina Halili's protestations, Hayden Kho has won back his professional license as a doctor. After two years, the country has forgotten the sex video scandal he co-starred in. Dr. Kho is now a pastor. Katrina says he never asked for her forgiveness after all

Luis, Angel get early wedding gift from 'Ninang' Kris

RICHARD Gutierrez

ELYZA Rivera

girlfriend, Dianne Medina, host ng "Good Morning Boss" sa PTV 4. First time na magbida ito sa isang indie film, "Edukasyon (A Teacher's Devotion)" kung saan isang guro ang ginagampanan ni Dianne.

Tumatalakay ito sa kabayanihan ng mga guro na huhubog ng mga kabataan sa kagandahang-asal.

Ang nagbabalik-showbiz na si Elyza Rivera ang gumaganap bilang ina ni Dianne.

Nakalabas na si Elyza sa ilang

teleserye ng GMA7. Pansamantala siyang nag-lie low sa acting career para sumulat ng mga libro - "Regalong Hiram" (Borrowed Gift) at "Isyu sa Relasyon7 Heto ang Solusyon."

Wife si Elyza ng RPN president na si Robert Rivera. Tampok din sa "Edukasyon" sina Tommy Abuel, Daria Ramierez, Leandro Baldemor at Rey "PJ" Abellana.

Directed by Bobby Benitez at prodyus ng JMS Productions. May special screening sa SM North EDSA cinema on July 23.

ANGEL Locsin was stunned in receiving an early wedding gift from "Ninang" Kris Aquino during an appearance on "Kris TV" Tuesday.

She and boyfriend Luis Manzano took to calling Kris "Ninang" after Aquino addressed them as "my future inaanak sa kasal" on Instagram.

Rumors about the two's supposed wedding began early this year.

The gift-giving happened with Locsin telling Aquino that she hasn't been to Italy.

Just like that, Aquino promised to shoulder the couple's Italian honeymoon.

She blurted, "On cam, 'yun na ang regalo ko - the Italy honeymoon."

A seemingly shocked Locsin, asked back, "Seryoso7" "Seryoso, 00, pero airfare tapos isang ... siguro doon na lang sa Milan.

Ang mahal sa Venice - 3,000 euro a night 'yung hotel. Huwag doon!

Milan, mag-Milan ka na lang. (Sa) Milan masaya (mag- )shopping or Florence. Florence na lang, maganda 'yung shopping (experience doon),"

ANGEL Locsin Aquino said. "'Yung four nights na hotel ah, 'yun lang (sagot ko); the rest of the nights kayo na. 'Yung airfare mahal na 'yon.

"Super mahal ang Venice; kayo na 'yon. One night na lang kayo doon masabi lang na na-experience niyo ang Venice," the actress-host stressed.

Addressing Luis on TV, Aquino said, "0 ayan na inaanak ah, 'yun na 'yung regalo ko."

In previous interviews, Manzano shared that marriage is already in the horizon for him and Locsin and that he will be proposing "hopefully, very soon."

Locsin, on the other hand, is gearing for the big screen remake of "Darna."

The "Legal Wife" actress revealed in the same "Kris TV" episode that she has been preparing to lose weight to be able to don the character's iconic red two-piece suit.

"Mabilis talagang pumayat ang tao kapag kailangan talaga, 'yung walang choice talaga," she quipped.

5he is now back to doing Muay Thai.

Locsin explained, "Nag-start na ako (para 'di mabigla). Kasi may tama ako sa likod. I have cracked disc (pero) mild lang naman."

"Kasi kaysa operahan (ako), kailangang tibayan ko lang 'yung core ko so workout talaga," she added.

(Jecelyn V. Macahindog/mb.com. ph)

··• ·••

·• ~ •

10

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

‘Flipzoids’ comes to Manila AWARD-winning play “Flipzoids,” which focuses on the lives of Filipino immigrants in the United States, is set to conquer the Music Museum in Manila on July 17, 18 and 19.

Flipzoids revolves around the story of Aying, Redford, and Vangie who struggle to live in a foreign land while reminiscing their roots and culture from the Philippines.

The play was written by Ralph Peña, directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera, artistic director for Playwright’s Arena in Hollywood, and was brought to life by Fil-Am actors Becca Godinez, Ellen Williams and Maxwel Corpuz in 2012.

It was Godinez, a seasoned singer, songwriter, director, and actress who decided to bring to Manila this July the original actors and the director from the Los Angeles production.

Godinez plays the role of Aying in the play, a 72-year old woman deeply inclined to the Filipino culture even while living in America.

CAST of ‘Flipzoids’

She helps Redford (Maxwel Corpuz) and her daughter Vangie (Ellen Williams) understand their true Filipino identity which they had for some time forgotten.

She said that she is honored and delighted to have this as her first project in the Philippines after a long absence. (April Joy Dy)

Entertainment

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

11

TAYLOR Swift (AP Photo)

3 plead not guilty to disturbance at Swift’s house SOUTH KINGSTOWN, Rhode Island (AP) – Three people have pleaded not guilty to causing a disturbance at a house owned by Taylor Swift.

Police in Rhode Island say 29-year-old Michael Horrigan, 28-year-old Tristan Kading and 26-year-old Emily Kading of Connecticut hurled beer bottles and

shouted expletives at security officers patrolling the singer’s seaside property. Swift was not home at the time of the June 14 disturbance.

The Westerly Sun (http://bit. ly/1oVwWWs ) reports that they appeared in 4th Division District Court on Friday, where they entered their not guilty pleas be-

fore Judge Frank J. Cenerini.

They are each charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.

They have all been released.

12 THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014 AGOS

Comics RICHEL G. DOROTAN/LOUIE CELERIO

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

13

China moves oil rig after finding ‘signs of oil, gas’

SHANGHAI/HANOI – A Chinese oil rig has finished drilling near the disputed Paracel islands in the South China Sea after finding signs of oil and gas, a top Chinese energy firm said yesterday, more than two months after its deployment hurt ties with Vietnam.

Vietnam’s coastguard said the $1-billion deepwater rig was being moved towards China’s southernmost island province of Hainan. China’s official Xinhua news agency said it would be relocated to an area off Hainan but gave no details or a date.

The rig’s relocation could reduce tensions between the two neighbors and will also likely be welcomed by Washington, which has accused China of “provocative” actions in the disputed South China Sea in recent months.

Hanoi has said the rig was in its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone and on its continental shelf. Beijing has said it was operating completely within its waters around the Paracel islands, which China occupy.

China National Petroleum Corp.

(CNPC), the dominant oil and gas producer in China, said in a statement the rig “smoothly completed” its drilling on Tuesday and found signs of oil and gas. The next step would be to analyze the geological data and evaluate the layers of oil and gas, it said.

CNPC’s preliminary analysis showed “the area has the basic conditions and potential for oil exploration, but extraction testing cannot begin before a comprehensive assessment of the data,” Xinhua quoted Wang Zhen,

deputy director of the CNPC Policy Research Office, as saying.

China had previously said the rig was scheduled to explore the waters around the Paracels until mid-August. It was not clear why it had finished one month ahead of schedule, although Xinhua said July was the beginning of the typhoon season.

Admiral Ngo Ngoc Thu, chief of staff of the Vietnam coastguard, told Reuters by telephone the rig was about 30 nautical miles from Triton island in the Paracels and had been moving towards Hainan since late on Tuesday night. Thu said Vietnamese boats were still watching the area closely.

Deployment of the rig on May 2 set off deadly anti-Chinese riots in Vietnam, while scores of Vietnamese and Chinese ships have regularly squared off around the platform. There have been several collisions.

A Reuters reporter on a Vietnamese coastguard vessel on Tuesday witnessed a group of Chinese ships chase the Vietnamese boat away from the area in what has been a near daily catand-mouse routine.

The rig is owned by state-run China National Offshore Oil Co. Group (CNOOC Group), parent of flagship unit CNOOC Ltd. China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also claim parts of the waters, whose estimated energy potential varies widely.

Discoveries near the coasts of Southeast Asian countries in recent years have been mostly

natural gas, reinforcing the belief among geologists and explorers that there is more gas than oil in the South China Sea. Chinese industry experts have said the rig had a good chance of finding enough gas to put the area into production. That would give China its first viable energy field in the disputed South China Sea, as well as make it a source of friction with Hanoi for years to come.

The world’s largest energy user imports nearly 60 percent of its oil needs and more than 30 percent of its natural gas.

In a 2013 report, the US Energy Information Administration, a government agency, said geological evidence suggested the Paracel islands themselves did not have significant potential in terms of conventional hydrocarbons.

However, the chance of making a major gas discovery near the islands was high because there had been several gas finds already in the area, experts have said.

Vietnam has two fields to the left of where the rig had been stationed, much closer to its coast, where US giant Exxon Mobil Corp discovered oil and gas in 2011 and 2012.

Some energy production is taking place in the South China Sea but deepwater areas remain untapped, largely because tensions between rival claimants have made oil companies and private oil service companies reluctant to explore contentious acreage well away from sovereign coastlines.

(Reuters)

Over 200 now dead in air strikes GAZA CITY – New Israeli air strikes in Gaza early yesterday killed several people, medics said, bringing the death toll from Israel’s operation in the besieged Palestinian territory to 202.

A strike on a house in the southern city of Rafah killed two men, emergency services spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told AFP, and a separate raid killed a young man who witnesses said was an Islamic Jihad militant.

Another Rafah strike shortly afterwards left one man dead, Qudra said, while a raid on the home of Mohammed al-Arjani in the south-

ern city of Khan Yunis killed his son Abdullah, 19.

Some of the first raids yesterday morning targeted homes of senior Hamas officials, including Mahmud al-Zahar, but there were no reports of casualties in those strikes.

It was the ninth day of Israel’s Operation Protective Edge, which aims to stamp out rocket fire from Gaza militants.

Since July 8, militants have fired nearly 1,000 rockets and mortars into the Jewish state, and Israel has carried out around 1,500 strikes against targets inside the Gaza Strip, according to the army.

Tuesday saw Israel’s first fatality, when a man died from a rocket attack near the Erez border crossing.

Four Israelis have been seriously injured by rocket fire, and Israel’s air strikes have wounded more than 1,500 Palestinians.

The Gaza-based Palestinian Center for Human Rights said on Sunday, when the Gaza toll stood at over 150, that three quarters of the dead were civilians.

And on Monday, a senior United Nations (UN) official said more than a quarter were children.

(AFP)

IN this May 7, 2012 file photo released by China’s Xinhua News Agency, Haiyang Shiyou oil rig 981, the first deep-water drilling rig developed in China, is pictured at 320 kilometers southeast of Hong Kong in the South China Sea. China yesterday moved an oil rig that it had deployed in a section of the South China Sea, triggering a dispute with Vietnam. Beijing deployed the massive rig in early May close to the Paracel Islands, triggering a furious reaction in Hanoi and the most serious uptick in tensions in the waters in years. (Photo by AP/Xinhua, Jin Liangkuai, File)

Despite angry NoKor, SoKor-US drills start SEOUL – South Korea and the United States yesterday launched a five-day joint naval drill in the face of angry North Korean protests and warnings backed by missile tests.

Two separate drills began simultaneously in the East Sea (Sea of Japan) and off the southern port of Mokpo, South Korean military officials said.

The drill off Mokpo was led by the USS George Washington aircraft carrier, which will also participate in a search and rescue exercise next week with South Korean and Japanese maritime forces.

The presence of the flagship carrier has been especially galling for Pyongyang, which denounced

it as a ‘’reckless’’ act of provocation and a modern-day example of ‘’gunboat diplomacy.”

The joint exercises follow an unusually extended series of rocket and missile tests by North Korea, which fired 100 artillery shells into the East Sea on Monday.

South Korean and the United States hold a series of army and navy drills every year that are habitually condemned by Pyongyang as rehearsals for invasion.

Seoul and Washington insist they are defensive in nature.

The recent North Korean missile tests have coincided with various peace overtures to Seoul, including a proposal to halt all provocative military activity. (AFP)

Female ‘Thor’ revealed LOS ANGELES – He is famed as the God of Thunder, but Thor is to change sex, launching an “allnew era” for the comic book icon, its publishers said Tuesday.

Marvel Comics will introduce the female Thor in its latest comic series in October, it announced, stressing that the new Thor is not “She-Thor” or “Thorita.”

It was not immediately clear if the sex change will be taken over in the movie version of “Thor,” a huge box office hit in recent years.

“The inscription on Thor’s hammer reads ‘Whosoever holds this hammer, if HE be worthy, shall

possess the power of Thor’,” said Marvel editor Wil Moss. “Well it’s time to update that inscription.”

He added: “The new Thor continues Marvel’s proud tradition of strong female characters like Captain Marvel, Storm, Black Widow, and more. And this new Thor isn’t a temporary female substitute – she’s now the one and only Thor, and she is worthy!”

“This is not She-Thor. This is not Lady Thor. This is not Thorita.

This is THOR. This is the THOR of the Marvel Universe. But it’s unlike any Thor we’ve ever seen before,” added series writer Jason Aaron. (AFP)

14

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

Sports

PLDT faces Army

Games tomorrow 2 p.m. – Army vs PLDT Home Telpad 4 p.m. – Cagayan Valley vs Air Force PLDT Home Telpad finally gets the chance to prove its worth as it faces fancied Army today in what could be a preview of the championship in the Shakey’s V-League Season II Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan.

The Turbo Boosters swept their first four games in straight-set fashions, putting them ahead of the Lady Troopers in their spirited battle for the top spot heading to the quarters. Army also hurdled its first three matches but needed four sets to topple Air Force, But the Season 8 champions remain the slight favorite over the league newcomers in their much-awaited 2 p.m. clash, owing to their powerhouse roster that includes Rachel Ann Daquis, Jovelyn Gonzaga, MJ Balse and Nene Bautista.

Add skipper and setter Tina Salak, Ginie Sabas, Sarah Jane Gonzales and libero Christine Agno and coach Rico de Guzman indeed has an arsenal of weapons against the Turbo Boosters.

Still, PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb remains hopeful of their chances, banking on his wards’ solid start against UP, Ateneo, Cagayan and PNP that quickly installed them as the top contenders for the crown in the mid-season conference of the league where it all started.

“We just wanted to win as many games as we could for the girls to gain more confidence,” said Gorayeb. “But Army is strong and we hope to play our best against them.”

The best should mean former MVP and top hitter Suzanne Roces and ace setter Rubie de Leon must raise the level of their game along with Laurence Ann Latigay, Charo Soriano, Gretchel Soltones, Angela Benting, Ryzabelle Devanadera, Des Patilano and liberos

Liz Pantone and Alyssa Eroa.

The 4 p.m. clash between Air Force and Cagayan Valley also promises to be a fierce encounter with the Raiders gunning for their fourth victory in five games and the defending champion Rising Suns shooting for their third win in four starts in the league backed by Mikasa and Accel.

The two key matches can be viewed live via streaming on www. v-league.ph and both games will be shown on a delayed basis starting at 1 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) on GMA News TV Channel., according to the organizing Sports Vision.

After a tough loss to Army, Air Force won two straight, including a thrilling five-setter over Ateneo last July 10, to get back into the thick of things while Cagayan, which posted a record 16-game sweep in ruling this conference last year, bounced back from a 03 setback to PLDT with a tough three-set win over National U last Tuesday.

Rivera, Velez lead winners Shaira Rivera came away with twin victories while John David Velez dominated the younger classes as they led the winners in Series 57 of the Palawan Pawnshop President’s ELO Cup regional age-group tennis circuit in Sultan Kudarat recently.

The No. 2 Rivera overpowered top seed Nicole Bautista, 6-2, 6-2, to capture the girls’ 18-and-under crown then the 14-year-old find from Monkayo Compostela Valley repulsed Sharyl delos Santos, 64, 3-6, 6-2, to annex the 16-andU plum at the Isulan Capitol Tennis Club.

Velez matched that two-title

romp later, holding off Eric Comendador, 6-4, 6-4, to bag the boys’ 12-and-U diadem and turning back April Bentillo, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, for the 10-unisex crown in the weeklong event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop through COO Bobby Castro and sanctioned by Philta under president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

“Rivera and Velez are two of our rising stars from the junior ranks.

By providing top-notch tournaments for the youth nationwide, we hope to produce more of them,” said Olivarez, who also cited Palawan Pawnshop’s longterm commitment to support the

sport.

Top seed Patricia Velez whisked off Carlyn Guarde in the decider to carve out a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 victory for the girls’ 14-and-U title while Bentillo made up for her failed bid in the 10-unisex with a 6-2, 7-6(2) win over Ma. Angelica Novis in the 12-and-U finals of the tournament hosted by Gov. Teng Mangudadatu.

Unranked Jeric delos Santos scored a 7-5, 0-6(ret.) win over Mikko Ringia to snatch the boys’ 18-and-U plum; No. 4 Abson Alejandre also hacked out a 1-0(ret.) victory over Janus Ringia to clinch the boys’ 16-and-U title.

Answer yesterday

JAJA Santiago of National University scores against Cagayan Valley’s Rosemarie Vargas and Wenneth Eulalio during Shakey’s V-League action at the San Juan Arena. (Photo by Tony Pionilla)

Tiger returns to site of ‘06 win HOYLAKE, United Kingdom (AFP) – Tiger Woods returns to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs at Hoylake this week, as he attempts, in the 143rd British Open, to resurrect a career blighted by injury.

It was at the Royal Liverpool links course in 2006 that Woods won the 12th of his 14 major titles just weeks after the death of his father Earl.

It was a superbly crafted performance as the American tamed a course made fiery and fast by hot, sunny conditions.

He won by two strokes at 18under par as he continued relentlessly on his lifelong quest to match the record 18 majors won

by Jack Nicklaus.

Woods seemed unstoppable, but then, three years later, it all went pear-shaped as years of swing strain on his leg, arm and back muscles made him pay a painful cost for his success and

then his marriage broke up after a shameful, public exposure of his marital infidelities.

Coming back to Hoylake for the first time since 2006, the question marks that surround Woods are as pertinent as ever before.

He has not won a major in six years and he has played only one tournament since having back surgery at the end of March, missing the cut at Congressional outside Washington last month.

But such is his allure and talent that no-one - players or fans - are writing off his chances. ‘’Well it’s eight years on. My life has certainly changed since then,’’ said Woods, who arrived at Hoylake earlier than usual on Saturday to begin his preparations for the year’s third major tournament. ‘’My life is very different than it was then. And then on top of that, this is a different golf course than what we played in ‘06.

Sports

Wade signs 2-year deal with Miami Dwyane Wade is staying with the Miami Heat, and his latest deal is designed to give both the player and the only franchise he’s ever known some flexibility in the coming years.

Wade signed a new contract with the Heat on Tuesday. It’s a two-year deal, the second of those seasons a player option, said a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side announced terms.

“I am proud to have spent every single day of my career as a member of the Miami Heat and to have brought three championship titles to this great city,’’ Wade said in a statement. “I’ve been here through the good times and the hard times. I have confidence in the Miami Heat organization and the team they are building.’’

Earlier Tuesday, Wade tweeted “Home Is Where The Heart Is...

My Home, My City, My House’’ and attached a photo of himself standing below the three NBA championship banners that hang at Miami’s home arena.

Financial terms were not announced, though it’s expected Wade’s salary for next season will not reach the $20.2 million he would have made under his previous contract.

Heat President Pat Riley confirmed that Wade again bought into the Heat mantra of sacrifice.

The contract he signed four years ago left millions on the bargaining-room table, in part to make the deals with LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem happen.

“Dwyane has been the franchise cornerstone for this team since the day he arrived 11 years ago,’’ Riley said. “He has shown his commitment to the Heat many times over the course of his career and has always been willing to sacrifice in order to help build this team into a champion.

This time is no different.’’

Wade’s return was expected, yet still represents a huge win for Miami during free agency – especially since it comes less than a week after James left the Heat after four seasons and returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

So now, what was the “Big 3’’ is a “Big 2.’’ Bosh is in the process of finishing a $118 million, five-year contract with Miami.

Also Tuesday, the Heat signed Luol Deng to a two-year, $20 million deal, which was agreed to over the weekend.

“Luol Deng is one of the most important free agent signings that we have ever had in the history of the franchise,’’ Riley said. “He is a proven All-Star and quintessential team player, both as a scorer, as well as an All-NBA defender. He brings the attitude of a warrior and competes every single night against the very, very best.’’

DWYANE Wade Miami also announced the signing of small forward James Ennis, who has been one of the team’s summer-league standouts this year. Ennis was the 50th pick in the 2013 draft and spent last season playing in Australia.

Wade is entering his 12th Heat season and is the franchise’s alltime leader in games, points, assists, and steals.

He and Haslem, who is also expected to complete a new two-year contract with Miami in the coming days, are the only players to appear on all three of the Heat teams that won NBA championships in 2006, 2012, and 2013.

AirAsia welcomes new sked For newcomer AirAsia, the cancellation of its semis game with top seed Generika-Army in the 2014 Philippine Superliga All Filipino conference yesterday could be a blessing in disguise.

While the AirAsia management expressed grief over the destruction spawned by tropical storm “Glenda”, the cancellation will give Coach Ramil de Jesus more time to plot their strategy against a team loaded with veteran players.

“This is our maiden stint in the league and we want to leave an impression that despite having a young team, we can make an impact to the league,” said AirAsia’s Erick Arejola.

“We know how formidable Ge-

nerika is but coach Ramil is doing his level best to mold the team into a championship caliber,” added Arejola. “Hopefully, we can pull the rug from under.”

Bannered by former La Salle aces like Abi Marano, Stephanie Mercado and the charming Michelle Gumabao, the Flying Spikers downed V-League champion Cagayan Valley in a five-set thriller last Sunday,16-25, 16-25, 25-16, 25-17, 15-13, to complete the semis cast.

De Jesus said their win over Cagayan Valley is likely to give them an extra motivation when they clash with the top-seeded team.

“Given additional days to prepare, I hope can give my players

extra pointers,” said de Jesus.

The league’s semis matches, that include the RC Cola-PLDT tussle, have been rescheduled on a later date.

But de Jesus knows beating Generika won’t be easy because of its vast experience.

De Jesus, however, believes his former La Salle players, along with Micmic Laborte and Cha Cruz have what it takes to pull off a surprise win.

“The way they recovered from a 0-2 hole against Cagayan was a testament of their desire to go all the way,” said Arejola.

“Na-challenged kami doon sa first two sets na natalo kami.

Naging eye opener sa amin yun,” Maraño said.

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

15

Cruz, Dy stalk leaders SAN DIEGO, California – Carl Jano Cruz and Jed Dy gained a share of second in their respective divisions as the best-placed performers for Team Philippines on a day Japan asserted its might by taking or sharing the lead in seven out of the 12 division battles at the start of the 47th Callaway Junior World golf championships in various venues here on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

Cruz turned in a birdie-riddled four-under-par 67 at Sycuan Resort-Oak Glen to stay just three strokes behind the American leader in the boys 11-12 years age-group while Dy, gunning for a second crown in three years after ruling the boys 7-8 in 2012, opened with a one-under 61 at Wek Resort-Fountains course and found himself in a seven-way logam six shots behind Japanese Ken Shibata in the boys 9-10 years play.

Shibata was one of the day’s seven frontrunners emerging from a powerhouse Japan contingent which appeared bent on another dominating show with a host of others also contending for the crown.

Miya Legaspi, Bernice Ilas, Wei Wei Gao, Yuka Saso and Harmie Constantino provided the other bright points to an otherwise slow start by the Philippine delegation which saw its main guy, Rupert Zaragosa, falling with a loud thud at the tough Torrey Pines south course where he shot a six-over-

Beach volley Friday Two collegiate standouts are coming back to seek out the top honors in the third leg of the 2014 Petron Ladies Beach Volleyball tournament, which kicks off Friday with a one-day event at the sand courts of the De La Salle-Health Sciences Institute in Dasmarinas, Cavite.

San Beda’s Debbie Dultra will make her presence felt with new partner Carmina Rebolledo, and so will Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas’ Alyanna Marie Gorospe, who will see action with another teammate in Alicia Adolfo.

Dultra, who reached the semifinals of the recent National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament with Mona Diolazo, said

par 78.

Ilas, who completed a title double with Dy with her victory in the 9-10 age-group three years ago, fired a three-under 70 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn course despite nagging pain on her right knee for solo fifth in girls 9-10 years; Legaspi shot a two-under 70 at Torrey Pines North and was in sixth place in the girls 15-17 and Wei Wei Gao was also in a tie for sixth in boys 13-14 with his four-under 67 which he assembled with four birdies and an eagle on his last 11 holes at Morgan Run Resort.

Saso and Constantino played the Country Club of Rancho Bernardino with 71s and were also in a six-way bunch at sixth.

Ilas started birdie-birdie and could have done better if not for a lot of missed birdie opportunities that she set up with her awesome power off the tee and superb iron play. She starts the second round Wednesday only four off California native Yealimi Noh who fired a 66.

National team standout Legaspi, followed by a number of university scouts during her round, made six birdies against four bogeys to trail the joint leaders by two in what is shaping up to be a wild chase for the top plum. Two other PH bets were within four strokes or less off the pace with Daniella Uy carding a 71 for joint 12th and Princess Superal matching par 72 after bungling her own birdie chances coming home to be in the group at 18th place. the spikefest will provide her and Rebolledo an opportunity to use the new techniques she learned this year.

Gorospe, who played in the first leg at the Anguib beach in Cagayan, said her exposure to stronger players has made her game quite better.

“Nung una kong laro, hindi ko gamay ang laro sa buhangin.

Now, I’m in fourth year. Marami na akong natutunan, sa movement at sa footwork,” remarked Dultra during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

For Gorospe, she hopes to get a feel of the game while taking on younger participants in this spikefest supported by Mikasa Balls and DLS-Health Sciences Institute.

“I did not expect to face professional and strong players in Cagayan. I hope to win games this time,” said Gorospe.

SPORTS THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

Wade stays in Miami Gilas 15

Editor: REY C. BANCOD • Assistant Editor: TITO S. TALAO

Salvador leads at 3-under 67

ILOILO – Elmer Salvador bucked the rain, wind and soggy fairways with a superb short game and steady putting as he shot a threeunder 67 to grab a one-stroke lead over Jun Bernis and Richard Abaring at the start of the P1 million ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge in Sta. Barbara here yesterday.

Salvador came through with a near-impeccable iron play that produced five birdies inside five feet then closed out with five straight pars in demanding condition to preserve a 34-33 card at the quaint Iloilo Golf and Country Club that barely escaped the wrath of Typhoon Glenda.

“It’s tough to play in driving rains and wind and it’s hard to build a stance because there were patches of water all around,” said Salvador, who nevertheless produced the best round marred by two missed green bogeys on Nos. 3 and 11.

Bernis also saved a good start of 34 with a scrambling 36 as the former national champion still in search of a breakthrough win on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour tied the unheralded Abaring at second with Davaoenos Jay Bayron, Cassius Casas and Ferdie Aunzo and local bet Paul Vesinica lurking a stroke farther back at 69.

“We had to rush our shots since it was raining hard and missed some birdie opportunities,” said Aunzo, also seeking to end a long title spell in the circuit sponsored

by International Container Terminals Services, Inc. Michael Bibat, chasing a second crown in two years, and long-hitting Orlan Sumcad turned in identical even par 70s while fancied Tony Lascuna hardly recovered from a shaky backside start and hobbled with a 71 in a tie with six others.

Angelo Que, still winless halfway through the 16-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. rallied with two birdies to save a two-over 72 but

ELMER Salvador watches his teeshot on the sixth hole of the Iloilo Golf Club. He fired a 67 to lead the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge by one shot. fell to joint 16th with six others, five strokes off Salvador.

“I woke up with a bum stomach and could not really get myself going with an uneasy feeling,” rued Que, who actually fought back from a 40 start with two birdies at the back. “It’s a good thing that I was able to save a two-over card. But I will try to rebound tomorrow (today).”

Salvador also hopes to sustain his fine start with the weather expected to improve as the ICTSI Riviera Classic winner steps up his bid for a second leg win this year and gain the momentum for next month’s Aboitiz Invitational where he is the back-to-back defending champion.

“It’s too close (lead) and I need

to score another low round to firm up my lead,” said Salvador, who birdied Nos. 1, 4 and 9 from close range to negate a bogey on the third. He dropped a shot on the 11th but birdied the next from five feet then rolled in an eight-footer for another birdie on the 13th.

Bernis hit an errant drive on the opening hole and made a bogey but struck back with three birdies in a four-hole stretch from No. 5 to put himself in early contention in the event backed by Nike Golf, Pacsports, Srixon, FootJoy, It’s More Fun in the Philippines, Callaway, Mizuno, Custom Clubmakers, Titleist, Sharp and KZG, Abaring, meanwhile, charged back at the front with three birdies in the last six holes to tie

Bernis at 68 while Aunzo nearly blew a solid three-under start after seven holes with three bogeys against a birdie at the back for a 69, the same output put in by Vesinica, who rebounded with four birdies in the last 11 holes on a course he calls home.

Bayron actually bettered flightmate Salvador’s 34 start with a 33 but the ICTSI Splendido leg winner wavered at the back with three bogeys against a lone birdie for a 69 while Casas, looking for his first win since ruling the last leg at Wack Wack last year and clinching a second The Country Club Invitational crown last February, fought back with two birdies in the last five holes to force a four-way tie for fourth.

battles India

Games Today (Wuhan Gymnasium) 12:30 p.m. – Taiwan vs Japan 2:45 p.m. – Iran vs Jordan 5:15 p.m. – Gilas PH vs India 7:30 p.m. – China vs Singapore Unbeaten Gilas Pilipinas aims for a spot in the semifinal round as the Nationals battle India in today’s quarterfinal knockout playoffs of the FIBA Asia Cup at the Wuhan Gymnasium in Wuhan, China.

The Nationals are ranked No. 1 in Group B after a perfect 3-0 record and are favored against the tall but still developing Indians.

Game time is 5:15 p.m.

Gilas Pilipinas capped its preliminaries campaign with a thrilling 71-70 triumph against Jordan last Tuesday that kept the team’s record clean going to the playoff stage.

The national team also won against Taiwan (78-64) last Saturday and against Singapore (7457) last Monday.

The Indians, on the other hand, finished the elimination round with a 2-2 card, highlighted by a stunning 65-58 win against China last Sunday, a first for a nation known more for cricket than basketball.

India is coming off a 62-49 loss to Iran in the final day of eliminations, and was relegated to fourth seed despite tying Japan in the win-loss mark since the Japanese inflicted a 75-52 beating to the Indians last Saturday.

Leading the charge for the national team is guard Paul Lee, a first-time internationalist but has made an impact with a team-high average of nearly 15 points and three assists. He is also shooting almost 40 percent from 3-point territory.

Aside from Lee, the team will also rely on naturalized center Marcus Douthit, Gary David, and Ranidel de Ocampo.

India has tall players to man the frontline, including 6-foot-10 center Anritpal Singh, and three forwards who stand 6-foot-9, Palpreet Singh Brar, Rikin Shantilal Phthani and Amjyot Singh, who averages 12.75 points.

But the national team is expected to control the shaded lane with the 6-foot-11 Douthit, 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo, 6-foot-9 Japeth Aguilar, 6-foot-6 Beau Belga and 6-foot-5 de Ocampo.

Meanwhile, another interesting game will feature defending champion Iran against Jordan at 2:45 p.m. (Waylon Galvez)