Davaoeno happy to retain salary as 3x3 player despite COVID-19 crisis

DAVAO CITY---Burly Davaoeno forward Alvin Pasaol has expressed joy that he is still receiving his salary as a 3x3 basketball player  of the Philippines despite ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
Pasaol is very happy that Chook to Go still decides to give him his salary as a member of the Philippine 3x3 basketball team despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sobrang laking pasasalamat namin kay Boss Ronald [Mascariñas] kasi kahit na postpone na ‘yung OQT (Olympic Qualifying Tournament) and ‘yung liga namin, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ‘yung suporta niya sa amin,”  Pasaol said.
The former scoring machine of the University of the East Red Warriors in the UAAP is happy to keep hi salary since he send a portion of it to his family in Dona Salud here.
Aside from keeping his salary, Pasaol is feeling good these days becaue he retained his standing as the second best 3x3 basketball player in the Philippines.
This developed after the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has decided to suspend the world rankings for players, teams and federation due to the global pandemic COVID-19.
In a statement, the FIBA said with the suspension of 3x3 games in both local and international competitions they decided to freeze the ranking  until the COVID-19 problem is solved.
With the latest development, Pasaol retains his ranking with 124,986 behind top ranked 3x3 player Joshua Munzon.
The retention of his ranking is great news for Pasaol, since it allows him a slot to compete in international 3x3 competitions once the holding of sports events is allowed again in the counry and
overseas.
As a member of the Red Warriors, Pasaol made a name for himself as a scoring threat who can penetrate, shoot from the outside and play inside.
With his scoring prowess he was selected as one of the scoring leaders in the UAAP, the top collegiate basketball league in the Philippines.
After graduating from the UAAP, Pasaol, a sought after player played for the Zamboanga Brand Family Sardines in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Pasaol carried the team to the MPBL Southern division semifinals where they fall to the defending champion Davao Occidental Tigers 2-0 in their best of three playoff series.
Before making it to big in Metro Manila, Pasaol played briefly in some local leagues in Davao City where he was scouted while playing in one of the commercial teams here.

Agdao cager brings act to NCAA

DAVAO CITY -- A promising 21-year-old college basketball player from Leon Garcia, Agdao is set to play in the next season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in Metro Manila.
Jhon Rodney Canete, a 6'6 center is set to play for the Arellano University Chiefs in the NCAA the second biggest collegiate sports league in the Philippines.
Canete, is the younger brother of former Chiefs forward Michael Mirafuentes Cañete who is now a member of the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Before signing the contract, Cañete was selected by the Bolts in the third round of the recent PBA Draft.
The incoming Bachelor of Physical Education major in sports wellness and management freshman played high school for Arellano University Chiefs  also in the NCAA.
After graduating from high school, Canete went home here and played briefly for St. John Paul College before he decided to return to Manila and play for the Chiefs.
Canete is set to begin his NCAA journey once the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
The young center is expected to provide defense and rebounding for the Chiefs in the NCAA.
The elder Canete is happy that his brother is playing in Metro Manila and he wished him all the best in his collegiate basketball journey.
"Good luck sa brother ko sa college basketball journey niya," Canete said.

Davaoeno lefty Gilas member sells Basilan Steel jersey to help frontliners, homeless in MM

DAVAO CITY -- Davaoeño lefty sharpshooter Allyn Bulanadi has decided to sell his number 5 Basilan Steel jersey to help the frontliners and homeless affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Metro Manila.
"For every amount spent on this jersey will be converted to food, drinks and personal protective equipments (gloves, masks, face shields, and suits) to our dear frontliners and homeless
kababayans.," Bulanadi said in his Facebook post.
The selling of his Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League jersey is the third charity work the  the  PBA draftee and Gilas Pilipinas member has done for those persons affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
After doing some charity work to celebrate his 23rd birthday, Bulanadi also use the P5,000 that the city government of Davao sent him to help the frontliners and homeless in Metro Manila.
In this time of COVID-I9 crisis, the city government of Davao is sending financial aid to its stranded residents around the country.
The former varsity player of Assumption College of Davao (ACD) said at the moment he had no intention to go back to Davao via a sweeper flight but will just wait for the time when the COVID-I9
situation normalizes.
"I won’t expect for a sweeper free flight back home, kahit miss ko na ang pamilya ko dahil mas marami pa ang stranded dito at hirap sa buhay, mas kailangan nila makauwi sa pamilya nila. I’m willing to wait until the situation clears up," he said.
It can be recalled that in celebration of his birthday this year, Bulanadi donated  food and water to frontliners manning quarantine checkpoints in different parts of Metro Manila on April 25, two days
before his birthday.
Bulanadi, who was drafted fourth by the Alaska Aces in the recent PBA draft, said it has always been his dream to be able to help people and he is happy to finally be able to do so.
He also took time to thank frontliners for continuing to offer services despite the conditions they have to put themselves in.
Aside from the frontliners, Bulanadi also shared some food and water to the less fortunate in Metro Manila.

Compostela hooper is latest NU Bulldogs varsity player

DAVAO CITY---A promising 20-year-old player from Compostela, Davao de Oro was recently given a college basketball varsity scholarship contract by the National University Bulldogs.
Joshua Morado is set to play for the Bulldogs in the next University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season after he officially signed the scholarship contract last February 2,2020.
Morado, a 5'10 point-guard got the scholarship slot after he was picked by the Bulldogs in a tryout they conducted at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City.
The Bulldogs were impressed with the leaping and work ethic of Morado which drove them to sign him to a scholarship contract.
Morado is very happy with the chance to bring his act to Metro Manila since not everybody is given the chance to play in the biggest collegiate sports league in the Philippines.
"Masaya ako at napili ako ng Bulldogs dahil isa itong karangalan dahil bihira lang ang mabigyan ng pagkakataon na makapaglaro sa UAAP," Morado said.
He revealed he will go straight in Metro Manila once the COVID-19 pandemic.
He added that at the moment he is practicing his shooting and defense so that he can compete well in the UAAP.
Moreover, Morado who started playing at 14 years old said he will train even harder so that he can follow in the footstep of his late sports idol Kobe Bryant.

Veteran Davaoeno arbiter rule VisMin Arbiters Online Blitz Chess960

DAVAO CITY---Veteran Davaoeno chess arbiter Alfred Moulic ruled the VisMin Arbiters Online Blitz Chess960 Online Tournament last May 27.
Moulic,  father of De La Salle University bemedaled UAAP chess player Ella Grace scored 7.5 points to win the chessfest participated in by some of the top chess arbiters in Visayas and Mindanao.
Moulic pocketed P200 as prize for his victory.
The second place went to General Santos City's Mark John Centill who won P100 after scoring seven points.
The third place went to Jimmy Dano of Digos City, Davao del Sur who won P50 after scoring six points.
Before his recent win, Moulic also recently won the first leg of the  Mindanao Arbiters Online Chess Tournament.
Moulic scored 7. 5 points to win the tournaments participated in by some of the top chess arbiters in Mindanao.
The second place in the tournament went to Ramil Lomod Langamon of Panabo City, Davao del Norte.
The third place went to James Infiesto,National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) regional director.
The top three received P100, P50 and P25 GCash as prizes.

Panaboan tops 3rd Fr. Vic Arellano Chess Standard Blitz

DAVAO CITY---A veteran chess player from Panabo City won the 3rd Vic Arellano Chess Standard Blitz last May 27
Jayson Salubre scored 11.5 points to rule the online chessfest participated in by some of the top chess players in the country.
Salubre, a veteran chess campaigner in local, national and international chess tournaments won P150 as prize.
The second place in the chessfest went to Davaoeno National Master Jonathan Tan who won P100 after scoring 10.5 points.
The third place went to the organizer of the tournament  Fr. Vic Vic E. Arellano who won P50 after scoring 10 points.
Arellano, a parish priest in Cagayan de Oro City organized the chessfest earlier to provide a venue to professional and amateur chess players to play the sport online at the comfort of their own homes.
Prior to the tournaments, Arellano has also organized various chess tournaments since it is his advocacy to promote the sport of chess on the grassroots.
Unlike other sports, chess has been very alive despite the COVID-19 pandemic since it can be played online.

Davao’s Miciano wins National Juniors Boys Rapid Online Chess Championships Grand Finals

DAVAO CITY --Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the year 2020 continue to be great year for  Davaoeño International Master (IM) John Marvin Miciano.
After making it to the  2020 eight-man Philippine men's chess team that will compete in international tournaments for the Philippines this year, Miciano has won the championship of the tough National Juniors Boys Rapid Online Chess Championships Grand Finals last May 12 to 14.
Miciano, the highest ranked chess player in Davao City and current seventh overall in the country scored 12.5 points to emerged as championship in the chessfest participated in by the top junior chess players in the country.
The win is huge for Miciano, a  Far Eastern University (FEU) chess varsity player since it further enhances his chances of earning the title of Grandmaster.
Earlier, the 19-year old Miciano made it to the national chess team after finishing the qualifying tournament fourth among the eight players chosen for the national team.
The promising Davaoeno chess player scored a total of 11 points in the qualifying tournament to make it to the Philippine men's chess team.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) conducted both parts of the qualifying tournament held on February 1-2, and February 26-March 3 in Quezon City.
The national team’s head coach and Asia’s first chess Grandmaster, Eugene Torre, said in an interview that those who have qualified for the team will represent the country for a duration of six months.
Torre said the PSC and NCFP will be conducting another qualifying tournament in six months to determine the next batch of national team members.
Miciano, was also named most valuable player in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 81 chess tournament.
His strong performance in the UAAP led Far Eastern University (FEU) to a three-peat in the chess tournament.

Magnolia set to retire Peter June Simon's PBA jersey

DAVAO CITY --The Magnolia Hotshots is set to retire the PBA jersey of one of most popular player of the University of Mindanao Wildcats collegiate basketball history who is set to retire this year.
The Hotshots, one of the top teams in PBA today is supposed to retire the jersey of Peter June Simon  also known as the ‘Scoring Apostle’ last May IO but unfortunately the ongoing  Philippine Cup was suspended due to the COVID-I9 pandemic.
According to reports, the Hotshots would still retire the jersey of Simon, native of Makilala, North Cotabato  once the stalled Philippine Cup of the 45th PBA season resumes.
The Hotshots decided to retire the jersey of Simon since the latter is one of its great players despite getting undrafted in the PBA.
Simon’s jersey will be the fourth to be retired in Purefoods franchise history after those of four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codinera, and Rey Evangelista.
Having your jersey retired is one of the greatest honor a player could have since it means you are valued as a player and person since no one is allowed to use your uniform after your retired from the game.
The 39-year-old Simon will playing in his I7th and final PBA season this year.
Before making it big in the PBA, Simon had a solid collegiate career as a member of the Wildcats from 1996 to 2000.
Simon led the Wildcats to many local championships as well as decent finishes in national collegiate basketball tournaments.
Local hoop fans who watch him play have described him as a high flyer who made life difficult for everyone unfortunate enough to have been given the responsibility of guarding him.
After his colorful stint as a member of the Wildcats, he applied for the PBA Draft in 2001 where he was drafted 43rd by the Sta. Lucia Realtors.
He was however left unsigned by Sta. Lucia, leading him to bring his talents to the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) before once again becoming an amateur in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL).
Simon tried his luck in the PBA after playing in the PBL, this time getting fortunate enough to be offered a contract by the Purefoods franchise where he spent his entire career.
In his 17 years in the PBA, Simon won eight league championships, earned eight all-star appearances, won two Mr. Quality Minutes awards, and won one three-point shootout crown.

COVID-19 forces some teams to skip next MPBL season

DAVAO CITY---The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) revealed some teams will not be back in the next season of the widely popular regional basketball league due to the COVID-19 crisis.
In a one page statement posted on its official Facebook page, MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said due to financial difficulties due to COVID-19 some MPBL teams have decided to skip the next MPBL season.
Duremdes on the same statement however refused to name those teams.
Earlier, Duremdes and the rest of the MPBL executives have decided to postpone the opening of its new season  also due to COVID-19.
Duremdes said they decided to postpone the opening of the MPBL 2020-2021 season until further notice due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Duremdes however reiterated that the suspended  division and national finals will proceed once the COVID-19 pandemic normalizes in the Philippines.
Duremdes said they will focus first on the resumption of the suspended season and will think of the new season once the current season playoff games are over.
"Lakan Season shall have its conclusion prior to the next season opening and the MPBL management is doing its best to serve the interest of the league given the situation" the MPBL said in a statement.
Earlier, Duremdes told the media that the playoffs will resume once the national government gives the go signal for the staging of public gatherings, including sports events.
"We're just waiting for the clearance of the national government," he said.
At the point of postponement, the Davao Occidental Tigers and Basilan Steel were scheduled for a deciding game three of their division finals series. Meanwhile, the San Juan Knights and Makati Super Crunch found themselves in the same situation in the Northern Division as both teams were also tied at one game apiece.

Veteran Matina chesser continue winning streak in online chess

DAVAO CITY----The winning streak in online chess of a  veteran chesser from Barangay Matina here is not about to stop yet.
Harrison Maamo is now P700 richer after winning the 3rd Atty. Allan Q Vis-Min Cup last March 16.
Maamo scored 9.5 points in the chessest to win the championship against some of the top chessers in Visayas and Mindanao.
The win is sweet for Maamo since he also won the  championship in the  3rd Fr. Vic Arellano 960 online  chess tourney last May 11.
Maamo also scored  9.5 points to win the online chess tournament participated in by some of the top chessers in the Philippines.
He won P100 as prize for the chessfest.
Despite the lock down caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine chess community remains very active with the sport by playing it online.
Some of the top online chess tournaments are recently dominated by Mindanao based chessers most of whom came from Davao City.
Despite enjoying their games online, most chessers still hoped the COVID-19 pandemic will be over soon so that they can play chess offline already since the prizes are much bigger compared online.

Davao City to allow provincial buses on May 25

DAVAO CITY---The city government yesterday revealed provincial buses ferrying workers outside of the city will be allowed to enter the city on May 25.
In her regular interview with Davao City Disaster Radio,  Mayor  Sara Duterte said part of the discussions she had with the regional Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) is to allow some provincial buses to enter the city.
Duterte said they discuss the matter in view of the workers who are returning to work to the city after it shifted to General Community Quarantine from Enhanced Community Quarantine.
Under GCQ more industries are allowed to open and workers permitted to work.
"We use this week to prepare sa pagsulod nila,"  Duterte said.
Duterte said the city is set to talk to the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to discuss the entry of buses in the city.
"Ang LTFFRB ug buses dapat sad mag talk para ma discuss ang pagsulod sa mga buses" the mayor said.
To ensure that buses will not caused traffic and affect our quarantine status, Duterte said they will set a cap or ceiling on the number of buses than enter the city.
"Dili tanan buses makasulod sa city kay malisdan ato checkpoints kay dili na siya 24/7 alas otso sa buntag hangtud alas kuwatro sa hapon lang na," she added.
She clarified that those who will ride the bus to enter the city should only do it due to their work and not liesure", Duterte said.
"GCQ pata travel for leisure is not yet allowed", she said.
On the same interview, Duterte reiterated that despite public clamor motorcycle backrides is not yet allowed under GCQ.
Duterte explained that clamor that only family members be allowed to backride as long as they can present an identification card has loopholes.
"Dili man siguro tanan puede makapresent ug ID nga relatives sila sa nagdrive sa motor," she said.
Moreover, the mayor added that some erring people might use the reason of being a family member when they do some backriding on motorcycles.

Davao's top football clubs does online workout to beat COVID-19

DAVAO CITY---Local football tournaments might suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic but it does not mean some top local teams are also resting.
To cope up with the COVIDE-19 situation Crocs Football Club (FC) and Southshield FC have decided to use online workout to train their players even at the comfort of their own homes.
Crocs FC who has won several local, national and international tournaments are still training despite the COVID-19 pandemic using the internet as their primary medium of training.
Crocs FC coach Christian EA is facilitating the online work-out using the now popular zoom online meeting application.
Southshield FC who has also won many  local, national and international tournaments are also using the internet to continue their training routine despite the COVID-19 situation.
Southshield FC coach Roland Manabit is also using zoom to train his boys in what is now known as the new normal form of training in sports.
Manabit is happy that despite their COVID-19 they can still train using the internet.
Although he is happy that they can still train despite the COVID-19 he is still hopeful that the situation normalizes soon so that they can begin their face to face physical training.