FIBA: Thirdy hails Kiefer, PBA vets for guidance

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

Thirdy Ravena was the breakout star of Gilas Pilipinas' win against Indonesia in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers. FIBA Media

A grateful Thirdy Ravena deflected credit after his explosive performance for Gilas Pilipinas in their first game of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers against Indonesia on Sunday night.

Ravena was the breakout star for the Philippines, tallying a team-best 23 points in their 100-70 rout of Indonesia. He also had 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks in an all-around performance at the BritAma Arena in Jakarta.

Yet the former King Eagle stressed that credit must also go to his older brother, Kiefer, and the PBA veterans in the squad for how they guided the team to victory. Thirdy was one of five amateurs in the squad, while Kiefer skippered the team in the first qualifying window.

"I'd like to give a shout out to the veterans, the PBA guys, kasi they let us play our game," said Thirdy in an interview with SBP-Cignal TV after the contest.

"They just let us play, and they were guiding us all throughout the game," he explained. "So malaking tulong 'yun, especially for young guys like us na maraming first time maka-experience ng game for Gilas."

Thirdy was the one amateur in the group who had experience playing for Gilas Pilipinas, having made his senior team debut last year during the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers. But for Matt Nieto, Isaac Go, Juan Gomez de Liano, and Dwight Ramos, it was their first time donning national team colors in the senior level.

Gomez de Liano put up 10 points, while Nieto had 6 assists in 15 minutes. Ramos had 5 points and 5 rebounds, and Go pulled down 7 boards to compensate for going scoreless.

The game was also special for Thirdy as it marked the first time he played together with Kiefer since the Ravena brothers suited up for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in 2014.

"It made me feel comfortable being in the team, especially with my brother as the captain. He just prepped me pretty good," Thirdy said.

"He was basically doing his part as a captain and making everyone else, not just me, feel comfortable around the team and to just do our jobs. Definitely feels good to play with him again after years of waiting," he added.

With Gilas now 1-0 in Group A of the qualifiers, Thirdy is looking forward to their upcoming games where he hopes to once again play with his older brother.

"I can't wait to learn from him and learn from Coach Mark (Dickel) and everyone else in the coaching staff," said Thirdy. "It's a great feeling to have him again as a teammate."

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/02/24/20/fiba-thirdy-hails-kiefer-pba-vets-for-guidance

Pacquiao: ABS-CBN potential shutdown a 'big loss' for Filipinos

Filipinos will suffer a "big loss" if the government shuts down ABS-CBN Corp., Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao said Monday.

The country's largest media network keeps the public updated on calamities and national issues, Pacquiao told a Senate committee hearing on alleged violations of ABS-CBN's franchise.

"Kung ano man ang problema nila, kung may violation sila, then kasuhan sila. Pero hindi naman siguro doon mapupunta sa closure," said the lawmaker.

(If they have a problem, if they have a violation, then they should face a case. But perhaps it shouldn't lead to closure.)

"Parang malaking kawalan ng buong sambayanang Pilipino ang mawala ang ABS-CBN dahil napakalaking tulong ito para sa ating bansa na magkaroon ng impormasyon ang bawat isa," he added.

(It will perhaps be a big loss for he Filipino public if ABS-CBN closes because it is a big help to our country in giving information to everyone.)

The House of Representatives has yet to act on several bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, which expires in March. Earlier this month, the government's top lawyer asked the Supreme Court to nullify the network's franchise due to supposed abuses.

ABS-CBN had said it did not violate any law in its 65-year service.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/24/20/pacquiao-abs-cbn-potential-shutdown-a-big-loss-for-filipinos

Enchong Dee to fellow artists: Speak up not only because our job is in peril

As Enchong Dee backed ABS-CBN in its franchise ordeal, the actor called on his fellow artists to speak up and be alert not only because their job is on the line but because it’s their duty as Filipinos to fight for democracy.

#AkoLangTo pic.twitter.com/8zSbWdHoOJ

— Enchong Dee (@enchongdee777) February 12, 2020

Dee, in a tweet Wednesday, lamented how only a few artists speak up on their stance because of possibly getting reprimanded for being “political” or to protect their “reputation.”

“I always tell people that ‘Artists should be the first line of defense of our democracy’, people tend to agree, but most do nothing about it or get reprimanded for saying something political,” Dee said.

“Very few listen and even fewer are brave enough to stand their ground because of their ‘reputation’. Now that ABS-CBN is being wrongly accused of so many things… I am angry. I am sad. I am bothered,” he added.

The actor pointed out the need for vigilance as a Filipino fighting for democracy, and not simply due to the possibility of their jobs being jeopardized.

“I am a Filipino first and my job comes second. Let’s be vigilant not only because our jobs are in peril but mainly because we are Filipinos fighting for the democracy and Constitution of our country,” Dee said.

“I know after this post, paid trolls would attack me but I stand firm with my beliefs and I am not afraid to lose my little popularity,” he further said.

On February 10, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court to void the media network giant ABS-CBN’s franchise over alleged “abusive practices.”

But ABS-CBN denied accusations that it violated provisions of its legislative franchise and said the quo warranto petition was only an effort to shut down the network.

ABS-CBN also denied that it failed to pay taxes to the government, pointing out that it in fact paid P70.5 billion in taxes for the past 17 years.

The country’s largest broadcasting company’s franchise is set to lapse on March 30.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/364219/enchong-dee-to-fellow-artists-speak-up-not-only-because-our-job-is-in-peril