Ms sect c 20161023 sunday

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Business

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2016 Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@thestandard.com.ph

FILIPINO EXECUTIVE IN GLOBAL BEST LIST G

lobe Telecom’s Ernest Cu is one of most powerful telecom executives in the world, according to an international magazine.

Cu has been the president and CEO of Globe Telecom since April 2009. Before this, he was the chief executive of SPI Global Technologies, the business process outsourcing arm of the PLDT Group.

He graduated from De La Salle University with a BS degree in Industrial Management Engineering in 1982 and obtained a Master in Management (Finance) from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management in 1984.

Global Telecoms Business, an international magazine, included Cu the Global Telecoms Business Power 100 for 2016, a list of the most powerful telecommunication executives in the world.

Cu is the only Filipino executive to make it to the Power 100 and among the top 10 in Asia.

Similar to the new selection process it adopted last year, inclusion in this year’s list of Power 100 was divided into a number of different categories such as operators in various parts of the world, over-the-top and content providers, hardware companies, handsets and chips.

Cu was listed in the Top Ten Operators from Asia.

Cu has been passionately driving a sweeping transformation across the company, including modernizing its network and IT infrastructure, creating a collaborative and serviceoriented culture and product

innovations in its mobile business.

Under his visionary leadership, Globe has outperformed industry growth with the company breaking records across all key product groups, brands and market segments by making the Globe brand as the purveyor of Filipino digital lifestyle.

Cu is currently leading the company in elevating the state of internet in the Philippines by maximizing the newly assigned 700-Mhz spectrum to provide a faster mobile internet experience to customers and by investing heavily to improve the fixed-line internet to connect 2 million families nationwide by 2020.

With this, Globe managed to drive the mobile internet speed ranking of the Philippines in the top 6 in Asia Pacific with an average speed of 8.5 Mbps according to the 2nd quarter Akamai State of the Internet report.

The country has now a mobile internet connection speed faster than Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Aside from Cu, other telecom executives included in the Top Ten Operators from Asia are Mukesh Ambani, managing director of Reliance Jio; Alex Jinsung Choi, CTO of SK Telecom; Chua Sock Koong, CEO of Singtel; Li Ka-shing, chairman of CK Hutchison; Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman of Bharti Airtel; Andy Penn, CEO of Telstra; Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank; Hiroo Unoura, CEO of NTT; and Shang Bing, chairman of China Mobile.

Global Telecoms Business is the only magazine and website dedicated for senior executives of telecommunication companies worldwide.

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TOP CEO Globe telecom president and chief executive Ernest Cu

JAPAN GROUP BUILDS PH HUB MITSUBISHI Hitachi Power Systems Ltd. has launched its newest global service center in the Philippines at Insular Life Corporate Center, Filinvest, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

The GSC aims to service thermal power plant operators in Southeast Asia, in fulfillment of its goal to solve energy and environmental issues on a global scale.

“Our vision is [to provide] power for a brighter future,” MHPS president and chief executive Takato Nishizawa said. “As the population increases, energy consumption also increases, creating more environmental issues that need to be resolved. We want to do this through the most advanced environmental technologies.”

MHPS Asia Pacific chief technology officer Hiroshi Fujii affirmed this, explaining that the company aims to provide, through the GSC, optimal operation and maintenance of thermal power plants by harnessing the company’s extensive knowledge and expertise on thermal power systems, and utilizing the latest information and communication technologies.

Fujii said GSC would serve as a thermal power generation base in Southeast Asia, which would reduce maintenance costs and help prevent unplanned downtime and power plant outages. “MHPS hopes that through the center’s improvements in power plant availability and efficiency, its client’s asset value will increase,” Fujii said.

Trade Undersecretary Rowel Barba stressed the significance of the new center’s presence in the country. He said this new development “attests to Japan’s confidence in the Philippines and in the current President Duterte administration.”

Barba said “the DTI is counting on the global service center to make a massive contribution, not only in support of the energy and power sector but also in support of our trade and industry as well.”

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa echoed this sentiment, saying the GSC will strengthen the partnership between Japan and the Philippines by the former’s sharing of advanced knowledge on thermal power generation.

“The Philippines faces challenges on energy, security, reliability, and availability within the existing power infrastructure. I see many opportunities for the MHPS global service center to share its expertise and experience with the Philippines,” he said.

MHPS’ global service center, located on the 21st floor of Tower 1, Insular Life Corporate Center, is the company’s third remote monitoring center, following those in Takasago, Japan, built in 1999, and Orlando, Florida, in 2001.

OPPA SETS THE STAGE FOR FILIPINO TALENT

The Original Pilipino Performing Arts Foundation announces the first batch of young artists to receive educational grants to pursue careers in the performing arts. Shown are (from left) Emma Rose Almario, majoring in Vocal Performance at St. Scholastica’s College; Orion Flynn, a Music Production freshman at College of St. Benilde; and September Gempesaw, who will be taking up Theater Arts at Meridian International College.

THREE young, aspiring performance artists have been named as the pioneer batch of scholars of the Original Pilipino Performing Arts Foundation.

Receiving full scholarships for performance arts courses in OPPA partner schools are Emma Rose Almario, a second year Music Major in Vocal Performance at St. Scholastica’s College; September Gempesaw, who will be taking up Theater Arts at Meridian International College; and Orion Flynn, an incoming AB Music Production freshman at College of St. Benilde.

The selection committee is headed

by renowned theater director and OPPA Foundation vice president Michael Williams.

The selection panel for the pioneer batch was composed of leading luminaries in the local performance arts industry, such as Philippine Opera Company Artistic and managing director Karla Gutierrez, Manila Philharmonic Orchestra musical director, Maestro Rodel Colmenar, musical theater and opera director Jaime Del Mundo, theater icon and OPPA Foundation president Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, along with Resorts World Manila chief opera-

tions manager for entertainment Alou Almaden.

“We looked for individuals who have both the drive and the talent for performance arts,” Lauchengco-Yulo said.

“It wasn’t enough for somebody to just have the natural ability to sing, dance, or act, but we looked for that special spark that we feel could one day uplift the local theater industry.”

With help from Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., owner and operator of RWM, the foundation aims to cultivate Filipino talent by supporting Turn to C2

Business

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2016 business@thestandard.com.ph

STORM RESHAPES OFFICE MEMOS HUMAN resource technology innovator Storm (formerly Storm Flex Systems Inc.), developer of Storm Flexible Benefits and incentives platform Storm Kudos, launched its latest product, Squares.

Squares is a corporate communications tool built to engage today’s mobile workforce. This app enables employers to communicate quickly, effectively and directly with their employees through smartphones.

Squares is designed to be a much better bridge between employer and employee, leading to greater engagement and productivity.

With Squares, companies may relay important updates, announcements and memos to employees across different worksites in the most efficient way possible.

Squares is a corporate communication tool and mobile app developed by Storm to enable employers to communicate quickly with their employees through smartphones.

Instead of manually filling up and filing forms, employees may now request documents via Squares.

Employee surveys and other feedback data can also be sent out and answered very quickly via the app.

Useful information about company events, policies, HMO coverage, and government benefits will be made accessible on a single device.

A subsidiary of leading Filipino software and IT solutions developer Xurpas, Storm is best known for its unique flexible benefits platform.

This allows employees to convert benefits such as sick leaves, vacation leaves and food allowances into monetary points called FlexPoints.

Employees may then use their points to purchase gadgets, clothes, travel and dining packages, and other benefits in kind from Storm’s exclusive online marketplace.

Storm’s second product, Kudos is a total motivation platform that combines external rewards and intrinsic motivation.

Managers award top-performing employees with digital points which they can use to purchase their rewards of choice on the Storm online marketplace. Kudos’ wishlist feature enables employees to identify the rewards they want to receive and work harder to achieve them.

Employees can also exchange affirmation for good work done, which are displayed on their profile pages for an increased sense of achievement.

Weather Philippines Foundation Inc. general manager Dave Michael Valeriano

PH COMPANIES INVEST IN WEATHER FORECASTING

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private sector-led organization has deployed nearly 800 automated weather stations across the Philippines to provide “localized” weather forecasts and help people make “wiser” decision.

“We are here to complement the government’s effort in disaster reduction. Our advocacy is #WeatherWiser Nation. Our role is to provide people more lead time to prepare,” says Dave Michael Valeriano, general manager of Weather Philippines Foundation Inc. Valeriano says WPF complements the role of Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or Pag-Asa in weather forecasting.

“Our forecasts are localized. That is our difference from Pag-Asa. For example, here in Taguig City, we have two weather stations—one at SM Aura and one in Bicutan. If you have ideal topographical condition, the range of weather station is 15 kilometers.

But for an area with a lot of buildings, it could be as low as two km,” says Valeriano, who is based in Fort Bonifacio commercial business district in Taguig.

“There are times that within a city, there are varied weather conditions. That is what we try to capture with our forecasts and what you would see in the readings. That’s the gap that technically we would like to fill up by having these weather stations,” he says in an interview.

Valeriano, a civil engineering graduate from University of the Philippines-Diliman and a former investor relations officer at Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and Manila Water, says WPF has a website and a mobile application that delivers accurate weather forecasts to the Filipino community, with the hope of improving nationwide disaster preparedness and timely response to variable weather conditions.

He says the Abotiz Group teamed up with other corporations to finance the operation of WPF as a credible weather information provider with a mid-term goal of operating 1,000 automated weather station/devices across the country.

Valeriano, who manages a team of 10 professionals at WPF, says 777 AWS and five lightning detection systems are currently operational, providing people localized readings in most provinces and cities. WPF has four meteorologists, three people on the operation side and three on the sustainability group.

He says data generated by WPF can help people make better decision, such as if travelers should bring an umbrella when going to a city, if local leaders should suspend classes in case of an extreme weather, where a cloud seeding team should conduct its operation, or what crops farmers should cultivate in an area.

Valeriano says companies decided to invest in weather forecasting after the onslaught of tropical storm Ondoy in September 2009. He says while the storm was not as strong as predicated in terms of wind intensity, it brought a lot of rain that submerged a wide swathe of Metro Manila.

“After Peping and Ondoy several years back, it kind of made people think within the Aboitiz group to put more resources in disaster prevention rather than recovery. As they say, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,” he says.

WPF was established in February 2012 by Aboitiz Foundation, UnionBank and MeteoGroup, a leading full-service weather business with operations in 15 countries.

Other companies eventually joined as platinum and gold sponsors, such as Ayala Corp., LBC Express, Vista Land, Nickel Asia Corp., ICTSI, SM Group, La Filipina Uy Gongco Corp., Sumitomo Metal Mining Corp., iAcademy, Hedcor Inc., Cebu Pacific, Visayan Electric Co., Davao Light & Power Co., Cemex Philippines, Aboitiz Power Corp., Syngenta, Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, Mountain Hardware, Marco Polo,

OPPA...

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From left: Storm Squares product head Dodge Ronquillo, Storm founder and chief executive Peter Cauton and Xurpas Inc. chief executive Nix Nolledo

the local industry with an initial funding of up to P100 million.

The resources will be channeled to grants and scholarships providing artists with avenues and opportunities for development and elevating standards and capabilities by providing global expertise and resources.

“Beyond thrilling the world, we at RWM are also committed to social responsibility and corporate citizenship.

One of the ways we achieve this is by nurturing the performing arts, especially for homegrown talent,” Owen Cammayo, RWM director for corporate

Globe Telecom, Sarangani Energy Corp., The Net Group, Pilipinas Shell, Anvaya Cove, SN Aboitiz Power Group, Ocean Adventure and Pisig Worldwide.

WPF also has partnerships with non-government organizations, local government units, government agencies, the police and the military.

Alvin Tobias, operations manager of WPF, says the first weather station was installed on the resort island of Amanpulo in Palawan. WPF’s network of weather stations now stretches from Batanes to Sulu, he says. Of the 777 AWS currently deployed, 124 are located in Mindanao.

Tobias says an AWS measures the amount of sunlight, a location’s rainfall, temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed and wind direction.

The data are processed through weather specialist MeteoGroup’s systems and uploaded as accurate five-day weather forecasts on WPF’s website www.weather.com.ph and WeatherPhilippines mobile app for both Apple and Android devices.

“According to Pag-Asa, 1 mm of water is equivalent to 1 liter of rain in a one square-meter area,” Tobias says, referring to the amount of rain captured by an AWS. An AWS has a 15-watt solar panel that enables the SIM device to transmit data every 15 minutes, he says.

Tobias says an AWS costs about P60,000.

Most AWS used by WPF were made in Germany and the United States, he says.

An AWS installed in Leyte province was able to capture the strength of Yolanda at 350 kph, before it was destroyed by the strongest typhoon that came out of the Pacific Ocean in November 2013.

Valeriano, a former varsity football player at La Salle Greenhills and now a father of two, says he decided to join WPF in 2015, because he missed working in the field. “There was a part of me that wanted to return to the operational side. When this opportunity opened and my predecessor [Celso Caballero] returned to Therma Mobile, I took the opportunity,” says Valeriano.

“One thing we really need to stress is the keyword ‘complementation.’ Truth of the matter is, there is no one with better mandate, resources and authorization to do certain things than the government [Pag-Asa]. We are here not to compete, but to complement. That’s basically our role,” he says. Roderick T. dela Cruz

communications said.

Assured by the foundation’s support, the OPPA scholars can focus on reaching their full potential and use their talents and passion to contribute to Philippine arts and culture. The OPPA Foundation is now accepting applications for scholarship for the 2nd term of the current academic year.

RWM is the first one-stop, non-stop entertainment and leisure destination in the Philippines that features recreational thrills, world-class performances, unique events, and exciting lifestyle options.

Conveniently located across Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, RWM is an instant gate-

way to world-class Philippine hospitality and is home to four lodging brands: Maxims Hotel, Marriott Hotel Manila, Remington Hotel and Belmont Hotel. A three-story convention center houses the country’s largest hotel ballroom (Marriott Grand Ballroom), while two more hotels (Sheraton Hotel Manila and Hilton Manila Hotel) are currently under construction.

Also home to RWM is Newport Mall which features international luxury brands, state-of-the-art movie theaters at Newport Cinemas, an awardwinning, ultra-modern Newport Performing Arts Theater and a cozy, 24/7 entertainment hub at Bar 360.

Sports

FOLAYANG WANTS TO TEACH OTHERS

By Reuel Vidal

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duard Folayang is one of the most successful homegrown Filipino martial artists. Fighting for ONE Championship, he is easily the face of Mixed Martial Arts in the Philippines.

But more than just fighting and making a living as a combat athlete his life’s goals include teaching the youth proper values such as hard work and discipline.

“I learned many lessons through my study of martial arts. I want to share these lessons especially with the youth. I want to be a positive influence among them.

I want them to develop a sense of discipline through their training in the martial arts. I believe the youth can learn many helpful life lessons when they train to become fighters,” Folayang said.

Folayang, a mainstay of Team Lakay Wushu in Baguio City, is actually a former high school teacher in the Mountain Province and it’s not surprising that his life’s ambition includes teaching and helping the youth.

Before turning to MMA Folayang won international Wushu tournaments, including a gold medal at the 2011 South East Asian Games. Before that he won a silver medal in the 2006 Doha Asian Games and bronze medals in both the 2005 World Wushu Championship as well as the 2002 Busan Asian Games.

In his latest bouts Folayang scored impressive backto-back victories, over Adrian Pang and Tetsuya Yamada, earning him a title shot for the ONE Championship Lightweight title.

“I feel good. Finally all the preparations and even the setbacks that I encountered have become lessons for me to become better. I am happy with my performance.

I’ve been working hard. I know I will be ready for my coming fight,” he said.

Folayang expressed his gratitude to the Lord for all the blessings in life. He is also thankful for the support of his family, friends and especially his teammates.

“I want to thank God for everything that he has given me. Of course my coach and my family have been very helpful. My teammates. They are the biggest reasons for the way my career has grown,” said Folayang.

He is also grateful for ONE Championship, the biggest fight promotion in Asia, for all the opportunities he received from the company.

Eduard Folayang (left) trade punches with Vincent Latoel during their battle at ONE Fighting Championship: Moment of Truth. Folayang beat Latoel by unanimous decision. ONE Championship

“It’s a great thing to have the promotion One FC. There are regular MMA fights. They have so many regular events. The arrival of ONE Championship has been opportune especially for the fighters. So many aspiring fighters are given the opportunity to showcase their skills,” Folayang said.

Folayang fights ONE Championship Lightweight World Champion Shinya Aoki for his championship belt at the ONE Championship: Defending Honor on Nov. 11 in Singapore.

Folayang is ready to face the daunting challenge. He’s worked hard while preparing for the title bout.

“My next opponent Ayoki will pose a tough challenge. He is one of the better fighters competing in the Asian Martial Arts scene. This will be an exciting fight.

It is a great opportunity for me,” said Folayang.

Eduard Folayang (left) and Brandon Vera demonstrate the proper execution of combat moves during an open workout. Folayang wants to teach others proper values including hard work and discipline through training in the martial arts. Kent Clever Cruz

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

2016 KNOW YOUR STATUS FUN RUN HELD IN MARIKINA THE ‘’Know your status now’’ fun run was successfully held last weekend in Markina attracting 670 participants and hundreds of observers and watchers.

Lel Kipatirchir from Kenya won the men’s 5k category while Joneza Mie Sustituedo took the women’s category. Rustom Nava ruled the men’s 3k category while Mirasol Amarga took won the women’s category in the same distance.

“Our objective is to raise awareness regarding the HIV-AIDS epidemic.

We succeeded by making the youth aware of the dangers of HIV infection through the fun run. The Marikina Health Office helped with the distribution of educational materials and with messages from doctors, guests and persons living with HIV. We believe that education and proper information dissemination will help curb the HIV menace,” said Delos Reyes.

Other male winners in the 5k distance are Kurt Jomar Lamparas and Joe Marie Javelo. Other female winners in the same distance are Catherine Bristol and Janette Lumidao.

Other male winners in the 3k distance are Philip John Gongob and Nick Cortes. Female winners in the same distance are Mae Ann Gongob and Marlyn Godoy.

Race organizer Adi Delos Reyes said they accomplished their objective of educating the public about the dangers of HIV and AIDS. “Student and professional representation was at its height. Neighboring cities and municipalities of Marikina were well-represented. Even the Kenyans participated in the event,” said Delos Reyes.

Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro was represented by Assistant Health Officer Dr. Honielyn Fernando. Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College’s Dr. Mida Salvador Samaniego delivered a short message in regards to the HIVAIDS Advocacy Program.

“The education sector is a powerful arm in supporting advocacies of the government like the anti HIV-AIDS campaign. Our role is to generate awareness, knowledge and understanding of this issue,” said Samaniego.

There was also a free rapid testing for interested parties.

After the successful run organizer Delos Reyes says there will be a follow up bike ride and pride march on Dec. 4 also in Marikina.

Participants line the start arch of the Know your status now fun run which was successfully held in Marikina.

UNTV CUP: A BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT WITH A HEART

1Pacman Party-list Representative Mikee Romero of the HOR Solons evades the block of BOC’s Gherome Ejercito. The Solons will try to bounce back from their heartbreaking loss at the hands of the Transformers.

A BASKETBALL tournament with a heart.

The UNTV Cup, now on its fifth season, continues its noble campaign of donating to the chosen charities of all 13 participating government teams. It is giving away more than P12 million in total prizes this season.

Slam-bang action also continues today, with the Senate Defenders and NHA Builders needing to win at the Pasig City Sports Center to keep their hopes alive in order to advance in the next round of the UNTV Cup. Senate (0-3) battles it out at 2 p.m. with

an inspired MMDA (1-2), which is coming off a come-from-behind win over the Ombudsman team last Sunday.

Group A is composed of six teams and only four squads will advance to the second round of eliminations. MMDA, currently stands at fourth place, while Senate is at the sixth and last spot, the only winless team in the group.

Meanwhile, the NHA Builders also need to win its game against the HOR Solons at 5 p.m. to stay alive going to the next round.

The battle for Group A leadership be-

tween unbeaten teams Malacanang (2-0) and BFP (2-0) is set at 3:30 p.m.

The games will be aired live on UNTV News and Rescue channel as the Liga ng Public Servants.

Games Sunday (Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. MMDA vs Senate 3:30 p.m. Malacañang vs BFP 5 p.m. NHA vs HOR

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Sports

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2016 Riera U. Mallari, Editor / Reuel Vidal, Issue Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

SKY’S THE LIMIT F R SCOTTIE

By Jeric Lopez

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fter eight long and agonizing years, Barangay Ginebra just recently got back on top and ended its dry spell in the Philippine Basketball Association.

One major reason why the Gin Kings were able to reach the Promised Land again was the quick emergence of rising star Scottie Thompson.

The former NCAA Most Valuable Player and the fifth pick from last year’s draft was a vital cog in Ginebra’s journey towards reclaiming glory as he was consistently effective as a starter in Ginebra coach Tim Cone’s new and dynamic attack.

He was entrusted with a big responsibility right away and though he is shy as a person, he didn’t shy away from taking the challenge and helping the Gin Kings end their championship drought by winning the recently concluded 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup crown.

In just his first season, the do-it-all guard from Davao had already showed what he’s capable ofand there’s no wonder why Ginebra coaches, teammates and fans are very high on him.

The product of University of Perpetual Help not only made the All-Star team, but he was also named as a starter in the annual affair, where he also became the first rookie since Johnny Abarrientos to register a triple-double. He did it again in the big stage, in Game 3 of Ginebra’s semifinal clash against San Miguel.

All of that was only topped by Ginebra’s championship win several days ago, making Thompson a champion in just his first year as a pro.

Just recently, Cone, the one responsible for picking Thompson for the Gin Kings in the draft, commended the young Thompson and stated that he indeed is a star in the league even this early.

“Scottie is being Scottie,” described Cone, pertaining to Thompson just playing up to his potential and abilities. “His basketball IQ along with his skills are really special. He’s playing like a veteran for a rookie.”

The work ethic of Thompson is one thing that gets his game consistently going, according to Cone. “Everything that Scottie is enjoying now, he’s definitely earned it. I can tell you that.”

Moving forward, Cone said that he wants Thompson to even be more aggressive as he knows that he has a lot more to flaunt.

“We all really want Scottie (Thompson) to be aggressive even more. Sometimes, we beg him to take more shots and be more assertive. We all know he can show more than what he is already showing at this point.”

Now, it seems that Thompson had just cemented himself as the heir apparent to the Ginebra throne once legends Mark Caguioa, Jayajay Helterbrand and LA Tenorio are all done with their careers.

It is now clear that sky is the limit for Thompson. And thousands of Ginebra fans are counting on him to help continue the team’s rich legacy moving forward.

EVEN ON BAD DAY, PACMAN LOOKS GOOD

By Ronnie Nathanielsz FILIPINO senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao was scheduled to fly out to Los Angeles Saturday evening to conclude the second phase of his training camp at the Wild Card Boxing Club of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.

“I am excited to climb and fight atop the ring once again. I really miss boxing,” Philboxing.com quoted Pacquiao.

The eight-division world champion and his team, headed wife Jinkee Pacquiao and the Pacman’s trainer Roach. will take the 9 p.m.

PAL flight to Los Angeles.

Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser Michael Koncz said the Filipino was scheduled to jog early morning Saturday, eat his breakfast afterward then take a nap to obtain reserve energy.

Koncz who has been Pacquiao’s adviser for some nine years said: “He will go to the gym early, say around 1 p.m. to have ample time to prepare for his flight around 9 p.m.”

This will be the last sparring session of Pacquiao in the Philippines.

“There were a lot of new challenges. However, I am very happy and pleased with Manny’s training,” Koncz told the Manila Standard early Saturday.

During his thrice-a-week sparring sessions with unbeaten 5’10” Jose Ramirez, Pacquiao at times looked flat, according to Roach and strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune, because of working long hours in the Senate and doing his job diligently.

But on other days, he was “devastating,” prompting Roach to express the hope that “Manny will catch Vargas on a good day.”

Before he left for LA last Monday, Fortune told Manila Standard, he had watched some sparring footage and “Manny was ridiculously fast and even on a bad day, looks good.”

One major reason why the Gin Kings were able to reach the Promised Land again was the quick emergence of rising star Scottie Thompson. The Gin Kings ended an eight-year title drought.

Manny Pacquiao Photo by Wendell Rupert Alinea

UP COMPLETES THREE-PEAT

The University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons had to scramble but persevered and eventually completed a rare three-peat, winning their third consecutive University Athletic Association of the Philippines Women’s Badminton championship last Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

The Lady Fighting Maroons fought an uphill battle against the Ateneo Lady Shuttlers in the best-of-three championship. UP lost the first game of the best-of-three and had to scramble to salvage a victory in the second game to set up a sudden-death third game.

Ateneo team captain Bianca Carlos then took the first singles match with a straight-set

conquest of UP’s Bea Bernardo. That was as close as Ateneo would get to the title with UP sweeping the rest of the matches.

UP’s Gelita Castilo swept past Samantha Ramos in the second singles match. Eventual MVP Poca Alcala and UAAP Season 77 MVP Jessie Francisco of UP then blanked Ateneo’s Trixie Malibiran and Ramos.

In the second doubles match, Ateneo’s Carlos and Geva De Vera won the first set against Castilo and Lea Inlayo. But the UP tandem came roaring back to take the next two sets and the game.

Inlayo, who won all her matches during the tournament, said she and the rest of the squad

were overwhelmed with their victory.

“We were so happy. We achieved our goal which was the three-peat. And all our sacrifices... it was all worth it. The one thing I learned this season: until the final point, as long as the score has not yet reached 21 points, regardless of a big lead, there is always hope to win. Just keep on fighting,” Inlayo said.

Inlayo recalled the second game of their best-of-three playoff against Ateneo. Ateneo won the first one and led in the second 2-1. Inlayo and Castilo trailed their match 0-1 and UP probably would have lost the title to Ateneo if the pair lost. Reuel Vidal

Players of the University of the Philippines Women’s badminton team celebrate after winning their match against the Ateneo Lady Shuttlers to capture the UAAP badminton title.

Timothy Jansen Nolasco