Collegiate, semi-pro leagues left in TV limbo as House denies ABS-CBN franchise renewal

For almost two decades, ABS-CBN S+A, formerly known as Studio 23, has been the platform for dreamers and aspirants to showcase their god-given athletic skills. 

On one rainy Friday afternoon, that medium was shut down.

With a 70-11-1-2 vote, the House of Representatives denied the renewal of ABS-CBN’s re-application for the right to go on the air.

The resolution was named “Denying the Franchise Application of ABS-CBN Corporation to Construct, Install, Establish, Operate, and Maintain Radio and Broadcasting Stations in the Philippines”.

This covers all of ABS-CBN’s properties, including UHF channel 23.

With this, collegiate leagues like the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines will have to have a new television partner.

The partnership between ABS-CBN and UAAP ended last May, while the NCAA still has five seasons left in its 10-year deal signed back in 2015.

In addition, the Premier Volleyball League was in its final year of partnership with the station, while the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League had just renewed its ties.

The eastern hemisphere’s largest martial arts promotion ONE Championship will also have to look for a new block time partner.

Besides the leagues, also affected by this are the sportswriters of leading Philippine sports news outlet ABS-CBN Sports, the crew covering the games, and the talents that bring life to the competitions.

https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/collegiate-semi-pro-leagues-left-tv-limbo-house-denies-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal/186529

Athletes slam Congress decision to shut ABS-CBN down

Some sports personalities reacted to the news of the House of Representatives' denial of franchise renewal of ABS-CBN on Friday.

Former volleyball star turned ABS-CBN host Gretchen Ho was among the first to express her opinion on the issue.

"Let us remember this day in history. Maraming salamat, Kapamilya," Ho wrote on Twitter.

Creamline Cool Smasher's Alyssa Valdez, whose league calls ABS-CBN home, summed up her feelings on the issue in a single world.

"Unbelievable," Valdez said.

Meanwhile, Valdez's teammate Jia Morado encouraged everyone in her platform to register and vote wisely in the next elections.

Former PBA player and coach Jason Webb also aired out his disappointment at the decision.

"What did we do wrong to deserve the leaders that we have right now? We are ruled by men driven by corruption and pure evil," he said.

National athletes Jamie Lim and Agatha Wong also didn't mince their words in reacting to the news on their Instagram stories.

"Anong nangyayari sa Pilipinas?," asked Karateka Lim.

For her part, Wushu darling Agatha Wong drew attention to the timing of the decision amid the ongoing crisis of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

https://www.philstar.com/sports/2020/07/10/2027048/athletes-slam-congress-decision-shut-abs-cbn-down

How Johan Aguilar and Enchong Dee are doing a swimming video

But in September 2009:

Dee anchors La Salle's win
In the men’s division, part-time TV actor and commercial model Enchong Dee anchored the La Salle Green Archers to their first title since 2002.
The Green Archers amassed a total of 240 points to run away with the title over Ateneo (196 points) and last year’s men’s titlist University of Santo Tomas (189 points).
Dee was named the men’s MVP for the third straight year after winning seven gold medals: the 800-meter freestyle (9:14.84), 200-meter Individual Medley (2:15.42), 100-meter butterfly (57.38), 50-meter butterfly (26.37), 400-meter Individual Medley (5:01.09), 1,500-meter freestyle (17:39.69) and 200-meter butterfly (2:13.74). It was the 10th men’s title overall for the DLSU tankers, who earlier achieved a three-peat from 2000 to 2002. 

Then, in March 2012, it quoted:

Aguilar clinched 7 individual gold medals, setting a then new Philippine record in the men’s 50 meters backstroke of 27.52 seconds and two UAAP records—100 and 200 backstroke—in Season 74 action last September.



The last UAAP swimmer to win 7 gold medals was Enchong Dee, also of De La Salle who is now a TV personality, in 2009.



Aguilar, a consistent Dean’s Lister, later shattered the national 50 meters backstroke in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Palembang with a time of 27.29 seconds last November. "3 athletes share honor as UAAP's best" (March 9, 2012)

Two of De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Tankers members turned national age-group, Palarong Pambansa and Southeast Asian Games swimming veterans turned UAAP Swimming Championships Men's Division MVPs are 2013 MVP Johan Aguilar is wearing 2012 Nike De La Salle (DLSU) game jacket and pant (green), 2011 Nike exclusive De La Salle Dri-Fit tee (green) and Speedo Fastskin FS-PRO Men's Legskin - Black (8-008083218), while 2009 MVP Enchong Dee is wearing 2009 Adidas DLSU hoodie (green), 2011 Nike exclusive De La Salle Dri-Fit tee (white) and Arena ARN-6015 DGRN RIMIC nux-F, and 2018 rookie of the year Maurice Sacho Ilustre, team captain Mike Advincula, 2007 rookie of the year Ixxi Quilala and 2008 rookie of the year Timothy Vincent Yap is wearing 2009 Adidas DLSU hoodie (green), 2011 Nike exclusive De La Salle Dri-Fit tee (white) and Arena ARN-6014 DGRN Half Spats nux-F, together with Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Tankers' 2005 Men's Division MVP Michaelmars Danila, 2018 Men's Division MVP Jessie Lacuna, 2019 Men's Division MVP Wacky Santos and 2010 Men's Division MVP Evan Uy are wearing Arena ARN-6013 ABLU Long Spats nux-F, University of the Philippines (UP) Maroon Tankers' Ken Uy and 2013 Rookie of the Year Tenten Mercado are wearing Arena ARN-6015 DRED RIMIC nux-F and 2009 Juniors MVP Gian Berino, 2011 Juniors MVP Gabe Castelo, and 2009 Juniors Rookie of the Year Duncan Vinulan are wearing Speedo Fastskin LZR Racer Male Legskin - Black (8-018040001), team captain Miggy Carandang wearing Speedo Endurance+ Neuron Men’s 8cm Brief – Dark Blue and Sky Blue (8-009333322), 2006 MVP Louie Francis Marquez, Jairus Diel Agoncillo, Januario Nazareno, Billy Jene Lacuna, Christian O, and Kristian Libat of University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigersharks wearing Arena ARN-6013 BLK Long Spats nux-F shot on location at Trace Aquatic Center in Batong Malake, Los Banos, Laguna.

2011 Nike exclusive De La Salle Dri-Fit tee (green)

2012 Nike De La Salle (DLSU) game jacket and pant (green)

speedo Aquasocket Mirror Goggle - Black/Blue (8-023050284)

speedo FASTSKIN FS-PRO Men’s Legskin (8-008083218)

2011 Nike exclusive De La Salle Dri-Fit tee (white/green)

arena AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type)

arena ARN-6015 DGRN RIMIC nux-F

Arena AGL-1400_ EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type)

Arena ARN-6014 DGRN Half Spats nux-F

Again, Enchong and Timothy are wearing Arena ARN-6014 DGRN Half Spats nux-F and they doing men's 1,500-meter freestyle event.

Third, Johan wears Speedo Aqua V Silicone Swimming Cap - Black (8-087750001), Speedsocket Unisex Goggle - Black (8-705895555) and Fastskin FS-Pro Male Bodysuit - Black (8-008053218), Enchong wears Arena ARN-4091 WHT Silicone Swimming Cap, AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type) and Aile-Bleue ARN-6005M GRN One-Piece Long Spats nux-K Power Strush, Jessie and Axel wears Arena ARN-4091 WHT Silicone Swimming Cap, AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type) and Aile-Bleue ARN-6005M BLU One-Piece Long Spats nux-K Power Strush and they competing in men's 400-meter individual medley heats and finals, Enchong and Timothy wears Arena ARN-4091 WHT Silicone Swimming Cap, AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type) and Aile-Bleue ARN-6005M GRN One-Piece Long Spats nux-K Power Strush, Evan and Axel is wearing ARN-4091 WHT Silicone Swimming Cap, AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type) and Shin-Rev ARN-8505M BLU One-Piece Long Spats Lascle nux-W, Miggy wears Arena ARN-4091 BLK Silicone Swimming Cap, AGL-1400 EMBL Swimming Glass (Mirror Swedish type) and ARN-8505M BLK Long Spats LASCLE nux-W, Gian wears Speedo Aqua V Silicone Swimming Cap - Black (8-087750001) and Fastskin LZR Racer Male Bodyskin - Black (8-018030001) and they compete in men's 1,500-meter freestyle heats and finals, Enchong's sister Anj wears arena ARN-4091 WHT Silicone Swimming Cap, AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type) and Aile-Bleue ARN-6004W GRN New RIMIC nux-K Power Strush, Miggy's sister Mariel wears Arena ARN-4091 WHT silicone swimming cap, AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type) and ARN-8504W GRN New RIMIC LASCLE nux-W and she compete in women's 800-meter freestyle heats and finals.

But when Johan is doing 50, 100 and 200-meter butterfly, 50, 100 and 200-meter backstroke, 100 and 200-meter freestyle, 200 and 400-meter individual medley races, Enchong in 50, 100 and 200-meter butterfly, 200 and 400-meter individual medley and 1,500-meter freestyle races and Timothy in 200-meter backstroke and 200, 400 and 1,500-meter freestyle races.