Sacho Ilustre makes early case for MVP as La Salle ends Day 1 on top

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA — La Salle leaned on the masterful performance of Southeast Asian Games-bound Sacho Ilustre and the rest of its swimmers, grabbing the top spot after Day 1 of the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Swimming Championships, Thursday at the Trace Aquatic Center.

The previous season’s top rookie made case for this year’s Most Valuable Player plum after bagging the golds in both the 100 and 800-meter freestyle events, to put the title favorites up at 77 points.

Ilustre topped Miguel Barlisan of Ateneo and Christian Anor of University of Santo Tomas in the 100 meters with 52.07, just 0.01 seconds ahead of Barlisan. Anor touched in third at 53.40. The second-year Green Tanker then took the 800 meters title at 8:53.09, ahead of Ateneo’s Ianiko Limfilipino and University of the Philippines’ Keane Ting, who finished at 9:01.51 and 9:02.97, respectively.

The Green Tankers opened the night with the gold as well, with Gummy Torres, Jexter Chua, McTracy Alindogan, and Alfonso Bautista coming in at 1:49.12. Ateneo came in second at 1:50.14 with Akiva Carino, Joshua Taleon, Drew Magbag, and Dominic Buhain at 1:50.14; while UST bagged the bronze at 1:51.75 with Kevin Dagum, Jay Cabulit, Joshua Alvaran, and Renz Gawidan.

The UST Tigersharks with Juan Abad, Russel Latorre, Angelo Dela Cruz, and Christian Anor snared the other relay gold with 8:10.93 in the 800-meter freestyle relay. UP finished with the silver as Joshua Vitangcol, Kyle Bagusto, Sebastian Arcilla, and Patrick Galvez ended at 8:17.96. La Salle then capped their great night with the bronze with 8:23.13 off Kelles Que, Alnair Guevarra, Antoine Mendoza, and Richmond Santos.

Defending five-time champion Ateneo was not far behind at second with 73 points, paced by the gold of Limfilipino in the 200-meter individual medley. The second-year Atenean finished at 2:13.54, even as Fighting Maroons Sebastian Arcilla and Andrae Pogiongko took the silver and bronze at 2:15.69 and 2:15.84, respectively.

UP rounds out the top three after the night’s events with 60 points.

https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/sacho-ilustre-makes-early-case-for-mvp-as-la-salle-ends-day-1-on-top/166131

DLSU off to a flying start at Season 82 UAAP swimming championships opening

De La Salle University green tankers kicked off their Season 82 campaign to a flying start after leading the men’s and boys divisions points tally on day one of the 82nd UAAP Swimming Championships in Trace Aquatic Center in Laguna Thursday evening.

SEA Games bound Maurice Sacho Ilustre contributed two gold medals for DLSU at the opening day, where he reigned supreme in the Men’s 800m Free and 100m Free events with times of 8:53.09 and 52.07 respectively.

The quartet of Gummy Torres, Jexter Janzen Chua, McTracy Alindogan and Alfonso Bautista added another gold for DLSU Men’s Team in the Men’s 50m Medley Relay.

In the Boys Division, DLSU’s David Franco Dela Rosa and Inaki Emil Lorbes delivered a 1-2 finish in the Boys’ 100m Free event, and then Lorbes added another silver in the 200m IM and 800m Free events.

DLSU’s Men’s Team tops the day one of action with 77 points, closely followed by Ateneo De Manila University with 73 points, and then UP and UST with 60 and 54 points respectively.

With 85 points, the DLSU boys team tops the day one points tally, followed by UST with 79 points, Ateneo with 55 points, UE with 35 points and UP with 16 points.

Ateneo de Manila University’s Kirsten Chloe Daos, the Season 81 MVP, is poised to retaining her MVP trophy as she topped both the 800m and 100m Free events.

Ateneo Women’s team tops the day one points tally with 101 points, followed by UP with 74 points, DLSU with 61 points and UST with 28 points.

The University of Santo Tomas relay teams swept the gold medals in the 4x50m Medley Relay and 4x200m Free relay; while Camille Lauren Buico was the lone individual gold medalist from UST, winning the Girls 100m Free title.

The three gold-medal haul on day one was more than enough for them to top the Girls tally with 95 points, followed by UP with 67 points, DLSU with 51 points, Ateneo with 34 points and UE with 23 points.

Here’s the Complete Results of Day 1 of the 82nd UAAP Swimming Championships :

Men’s 4x50m Medley Relay :
1:49.12 – Gold : De La Salle University (G. Torres, J. Chua, M. Alindogan & A. Bautista)
1:50.14 – Silver : Ateneo De Manila University (A. Carino, J. Taleon, D. Magbag & D. Buhain)
1:50.68 – Bronze : University of Santo Tomas (K. Dagum, J. Cabulit, J. Alvaran & R. Gawidan)

Women’s 4x50m Medley Relay
2:08.15 – Gold : Ateneo De Manila University (C. Gray, D. Carreon, K. Santos & M. Manguiat)
2:08.44 – Silver : University of the Philippines (F. Joves, A. Pogiongko, J. Taguibao & A. Canaya)
2:13.24 – Bronze : De La Salle University (E. Jaurigue, M. Mendoza, C. Jaurigue & B. Ting)

Boys 4x50m Medley Relay *New Record by UST*
1:49.97 – Gold : University of Santo Tomas (J. Paderes, J. Hutchings, J. Sales & L. Cruz)
1:55.76 – Silver : University of the East (E. Laureta, J. Arca, J. Tanchongko & J. Molina)
1:58.39 – Bronze : Ateneo de Manila University (G. Dela Rosa, R. Isip, D. Ballestar & M. Pile)

Girls 4x50m Medley Relay *New Record by UST*
2:07.82 – Gold : University of Santo Tomas (S. Lugay, A. Hansson, J. Guevarra & K. Managuelod)
2:11.80 – Silver : De La Salle University (M. Cabreza, A. Calvario, K. Keh & M. Mina)
2:11.82 – Bronze : University of the Philippines (F. Joves, M. Neri, A. Natividad & M. Rogers)

Men’s 100m Freestyle
52.07 – Gold : Maurice Sacho Ilustre (DLSU)
52.08 – Silver : Miguel Karlo Barlisan (ADMU)
53.40 – Bronze : Christian Paul Anor (UST)

Women’s 100m Freestyle
59.54 – Gold : Kirsten Chloe Daos (ADMU)
1:00.35 – Silver : Regina Maria Paz Castrillo (UP)
1:00.35 – Silver : Nicole Meah Pamintuan (DLSU)
1:00.35 – Silver : Andrea Tiffany Ngui (ADMU)

Boys 100m Freestyle
55.10 – Gold : David Franco Dela Rosa (DLSU)
55.22 – Silver : Inaki Emil Lorbes (DLSU)
56.13 – Bronze : Regan Joseph Garbanzos (UST)

Girls 100m Freestyle
1:00.37 – Gold : Camille Lauren Buico (UST)
1:01.20 – Silver : Alexandra Nikolai Bonite (UST)
1:01.31 – Bronze : Zoe Marie Hilario (UP)

Men’s 200m Individual Medley
2:13.54 – Gold : Ianiko Grieco Limfilipino (ADMU)
2:15.69 – Silver : Jose Mari Sebastian Arcilla (UP)
2:15.84 – Bronze : Andrae Miguel Pogiongko (UP)

Women’s 200m Individual Medley
2:26.75 – Gold : Nicole Meah Pamintuan (DLSU)
2:30.26 – Silver : Regina Maria Paz Castrillo (UP)
2:31.30 – Bronze : Winonah Nadine Tee Ten (UP)

Boys 200m Individual Medley
2:11.16 – Gold : Phillip Joaquin Santos (ADMU)
2:15.56 – Silver : John Neil Paderes (UST)
2:16.14 – Bronze : Jose Antonio Dela Rosa (DLSU)

Girls 200m Individual Medley
2:27.91 – Gold : Zoe Marie Hilario (UP)
2:31.62 – Silver : Aubrey Tom (UP)
2:33.27 – Bronze : Sam Andrei Doragos (ADMU)

Men’s 800m Freestyle
8:53.09 – Gold : Maurice Sacho Ilustre (DLSU)
9:01.51 – Silver : Ianiko Grieco Limfilipino (ADMU)
9:02.97 – Bronze : Keane Cedric Ting (UP)

Women’s 800m Freestyle
9:28.89 – Gold : Kirsten Chloe Daos (ADMU)
9:53.11 – Silver : Nichole Evangelista (DLSU)
9:54.31 – Bronze : Romina Rafaelle Gavino (ADMU)

Boys 800m Freestyle
8:55.88 – Gold : Phillip Joaquin Santos (ADMU)
9:07.83 – Silver : Inaki Emil Lorbes (DLSU)
9:10.60 – Bronze : Reagan Joseph Garbanzos (UST)

Girls 800m Freestyle
9:57.47 – Gold : Bela Louise Magtibay (DLSU)
10:02.27 – Silver : Sam Andrei Doragos (ADMU)
10:04.13 – Bronze : Franchesca Baccay (UST)

http://www.pinoyswimming.com/2019/10/18/dlsu-off-flying-start-season-82-uaap-swimming-championships-opening/

Minutes of meeting (October 15, 2019)

Exactly two days after the 33rd PMPC STAR Awards for Television, Enchong Dee is flanked by Johansen Aguilar, former team captain Mike Advincula, Tessa Eusebio and Kim Cornelio on proposing the photo exhibit.

"First of all, I would like to say to Enchong Dee, Johansen Aguilar, Mariel and Miggy Carandang, Tessa Alcantara, Kim Cornelio, Mike Advincula and coach Guy Concepcion to call for their assisting on preparing for a photo exhibit," in an statement.

PH athletes Alyssa Valdez, Pauline Lopez attest support in SEA Games buildup

ENERGY drink Milo has partnered with the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) for the 30th staging of the biennial meet from November 30 to December 10.

Milo shares the common goal with the PHISGOC of rallying the nation to support the athletes representing the country.

On Thursday at Conrad Hotel Manila, brand ambassadors Kiefer Ravena, Alyssa Valdez and Pauline Lopez, along with Milo executives Veronica Cruz, vice president Nestle Philippines-Milo, Lester Castillo, assistant vice president of Nestle Philippines-Milo, and PHISGOC officials, they vowed their all-out support for the national athletes.

“Kapag pinakita natin sa mga atleta natin na susuportahan natin sila, sobrang namomotivate ‘yan eh,” said Castillo. “Kung nasa ganoon kataas na level ng competition sila mas lalo silang mamo-motivate [kung susuportahan natin sila].”

Hoping to ignite the Filipinos’ fighting spirit, Milo launched a series of inspiring inspiring videos featuring Valdez and Lopez, who are part of the national women’s volleyball team and taekwondo team, respectively.

Valdez will fly to Japan along with Rhea Dimaculangan, Jia Morado, Ces Molina, Eya Laure, Kalei Mau, Mylene Paat, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Aby Maraño, Majoy Baron, Maddie Madayag, Mika Reyes, Dawn Macandili, and Kath Arado for a training camp next month.

Lopez, on the other hand, will see action in the Taekwondo Grand Prix in Sofia, Bulgaria from October 18 to 20 as part of her preparation for the SEA Games.

“We win as one, hindi lang mga atleta natin ang maglalaro, pati ang mga kapwa natin Pilipino,” said Valdez, who recalled the Filipinos’ support during the second leg of the ASEAN Grand Prix held in Sta. Rosa, Laguna last week.

“We were up against Indonesia, we lost the first and second sets, then we won the third and fourth, but the Filipino community cheered the same intensity all throughout the game,” she added. “Iba ang pakiramdam na may mga tao na sumusuporta, ‘yun pa lang panalo na.”

https://www.spin.ph/multisport/sea-games/milo-partners-with-phisgoc-for-sea-games-a796-20191010

MILO becomes gold sponsor for SEA Games

SEAG PARTNER. Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) chairman Alan Peter Cayetano (3rd from left) poses with fellow sports officials and athletes after the MILO Philippines formalized a partnership with Phisgoc for the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City on Thursday (Oct. 10, 2019). Also in photo are (from left) former national basketball player Kiefer Ravena, Nestle Philippines Assistant Vice President Lester Castillo, volleyball player Alyssa Valdez, taekwondo jin Pauline Lopez, Nestle Philippines Vice President Veronica Cruz, and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Ramon Fernandez. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)

Milo Philippines has formalized a partnership with Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) to become a gold sponsor for the upcoming SEA Games from Nov. 30-Dec. 11.

Nestle Philippines' vice president Veronica Cruz, assistant vice president Lester Castillo, Phisgoc chairman Alan Cayetano, chief operating officer Tats Suzara, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino, and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Mon Fernandez were in attendance during the gathering that sealed the sponsorship on Thursday at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

Current national athletes Alyssa Valdez, Pauline Lopez, and former national athlete Kiefer Ravena also graced the event.

"As a long-time supporter of Philippine sports, it is with great honor and privilege that MILO comes in as a gold partner for the historic 30th SEA Games," said Cruz.

"We want to help energize the country to cheer them on and let them know that we are all with them in defending our homecourt, win or lose,” she added.

Castillo, for his part, said, "It is this very reason why MILO remains committed to grassroots sports development together with the PSC, the POC, and other partners."

The PSC thanked MILO for its valuable contributions to promote sports development and values formation at the grassroots level nationwide.

“MILO has long made valuable contributions to the Filipino sporting community. We are happy to declare our partnership with MILO to strengthen our international foothold in sports,” PSC chairman William Ramirez said in a statement.

Ramirez, also Chef De Mission of the Philippine Team to the biennial meet, assured that the athletes will bring out their best in the competitions.

“Heart and dedication will be front and center from our Team Pilipinas delegation,” he said.

MILO will be present in various SEA Games fan zones to give out free drinks to the fans during the sports activities.

An estimated 9,840 athletes and team officials will compete in 529 events from 56 sports to be held in different venues in Metro Manila, Subic in Pampanga, and New Clark City Sports Complex in Tarlac.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1082790

UAAP: Revitalized Green, Lady Tankers set sights on higher glory

With All for More as the theme for UAAP Season 82, the Green and Lady Tankers aim to double their efforts to achieve better finishes this time around. Last season, the Green Tankers ended with 382 points to place second overall, while the Lady Tankers garnered a total of 143 points, landing them in third place during the four-day meet. The LaSallian meets with Green Tankers co-captain Elijah Lizares, Lady Tankers co-captain Maggie Mendoza, and head coach Evan Grabador who each express their desire to carry the momentum from last season into this year’s competition.

Out with the old, in with the new

After improving from fourth place in Season 80 to third place last season, Mendoza hopes that the team will maintain their standing—or even improve it. This year, the team will be without Lady Tankers Glycel So, Dara Evangelista, and Angelie Jalauig, who have already graduated, and Xiandi Chua, who will be representing the country in the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Moreover, another formidable player, Andy Canlas, will be unavailable due to her transfer to UST.

Despite this, Mendoza is excited to see the squad thrive with the help of fresh recruits Audrey Chua, Nika Chua, and Anezhka Lim. Nikki Pamintuan, a three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award recipient in the UAAP Juniors division from De La Salle Zobel, will also join the fold. With the high level of competition in the UAAP, Mendoza believes they can be among the best if they take things step by step as a collective unit.

On the other hand, the Green Tankers have undergone a massive overhaul, as six of their swimmers—Red Silvestre, Miggy Narciso, JM Ereñeta, Robby Agustin, Fahad Alkhaldi, and Jomai Santos—have already graduated from the University. To replenish the players they lost, the Green Tankers recruited 10 new swimmers, Antoine Mendoza, Kelles Que, Cole Co, Bernard Cruz, Isaac Santos, Marc Libarnes, Mctracey Alindogan, Ej Jayme, Marzel Llorente, and Hamed Afshin Azar.

With a sea of fresh faces in their lineup, Lizares believes that the athletes must form stronger bonds with one another in order to be united in pursuit of the team’s goals, “As a team, one of our goals is to get closer to each other and to form more bonds, and [to] try to become a family.”

As the rookies are looked upon as the future of the team, Lizares shares that the diversity of each individual makes the new batch of Tankers a special group. “Our new recruits are an interesting bunch. Most of them came from other La Salle schools, while others had other backgrounds and one even coming from another country to study here,” he states.

Formidable qualities as student-athletes

Being a senior, Mendoza wants to leave an impression of responsibility and hard work on the team, while upholding motivation and consistency during trainings and games. “As a student-athlete, of course, student muna so we put our academics first. We know that it is important to maintain our studies,” Mendoza asserts. “As an athlete naman, kailangan healthy kami and disciplined sa tulog, sa rest. Hindi kami pwedeng nag-papagod.”

(As an athlete, we need to stay healthy and disciplined with sleep and rest. We cannot overwork ourselves [as much as possible].)

Individually, Mendoza believes that recording personal best times can contribute to the betterment of the whole team. She reiterates the notion of sticking  together, “As a team, at the end of the day, we want to have the same goal, the same heart. We focus on being
as a team.”

For the Green Tankers to compete at the level of other teams in the UAAP, Lizares and his team captain, Alnair Guevarra, must be prime examples for the team.


Taking on leadership roles

“Expect us to give our best until the last event—through discipline and sacrifice,” head coach Evan Gabrador emphasizes for both teams, as he is looking for yet another podium finish for the two Taft-based squads.

Leadership though goes way beyond the pool for the Green-and-White, as Lizares shares that he makes it a point to lead his team through the events—and he also wants them to succeed outside of it. “We are the ones [who] remind people that they have to submit their requirements to the office. We also have to remind them, to study and focus on their [academics], and remind each other to train and go to the gym,” he states.

Being a co-captain of a team entails being able to help improve one’s teammates in any way, and help instill a winning culture that will go beyond the season. Lady Tankers co-captain Mendoza shares the different attributes she taught to her team, “We could impose on them our determination, the motivation we have sa training. Yung consistency namin, yung responsibility and discipline that we have. It’s important na hard work talaga sa training.” Both the Green and Lady Tankers will begin their respective UAAP Season 82 campaigns on Thursday, October 17, at the Trace Aquatic Center in Laguna.

https://thelasallian.com/2019/10/08/uaap-revitalized-green-lady-tankers-set-sights-on-higher-glory/

TV5 up for another reboot

TV5 Network Inc. is up for another makeover next year in hopes of putting an end to its streak of losing money.

Jane Basas, who was appointed TV5 president and chief executive officer last July 1 to replace Vincent “Chot” Reyes, said she had proposed to the network’s board plans and strategies which would include another set of rebranding efforts that should bring the company to profitability in the next couple of years. 

“I’ve actually presented to the board some of the things that I like to do and because of the current struggles of the business when it comes to ratings, and correspondingly revenues. So an important pivot that we will do is, of course, we will still continue to offer sports, but we want to maximize the assets that we have, the airtime that we have by putting in more shows that more and more people will watch,” Basas told The STAR in an interview.

“So we’re actually going to transform it back to include entertainment as well. We have no choice. The majority of the Filipino viewing public still prefer to watch entertainment over sports. So we will do that overtime because there’s a lot of investments when it comes to entertainment content,” she said.

In 2017, TV5 partnered with multimedia sports entertainment giant ESPN to reposition itself as a sports and news channel. Prior to that, the network was producing its own entertainment programs and tapping big name celebrities with high talent fees.

Basas said even TV5 sister channel 5 Plus, formerly AksyonTV, which was rebranded early this year to provide non-mainstream sport and sport-related content, is also undergoing review.

“If you remember, what the previous management did was to transform TV5 and 5 Plus into a complementary sports channel and I’m still assessing whether strategically that makes sense because in my mind, in the absence of any solid research, it’s better from a monetization standpoint to have two separate genres if you have two separate channels because then you are able to address the needs of varied customers and, therefore, address the needs of varied advertisers as opposed to putting your bet in one basket, just solely on sports,” she said.

Basas said lot of the plans that she is seeking approval for would be happening next year, including a “big change.”

With all the strategies she intends to implement on the network, Basas said TV5 should become profitable by 2024.

“I believe that at least with the plans that I have put forward to my board, and with the efficiencies that I am trying to achieve, that by around 2022 we should at least generate a positive EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) and then two years down the road, hopefully by 2024, positive net income as a standalone business,” she said.

At present, however, Basas said TV5 continues to lose money.

“It will be difficult to turn around TV5 because of its history. It’s tough,” she said.

“So it continues to lose money and the strategy that we’re putting together, hopefully, will allow it a growth path towards profitability,” Basas said.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/10/07/1957930/tv5-another-reboot

Berino, Uy and Carandang (BUC)

Nowadays that Gerard Berino, Kim Uy and Mariel Carandang escorted by brother Gian, Ken and Miggy and Lacuna brothers Jessie and Dexter.

Angelique Lazo recalls Y2K, EDSA 2, Glorietta bombing and Estrada verdict and pardon

It seems for actress, journalist and singer Angelique Lazo remembering the 2000 worldwide millennium celebration, second EDSA revolution and inauguration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the verdict and pardon of former president Joseph Estrada, bombings in Glorietta and Batasang Pambansa and Manila Peninsula siege, ahead of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand when the country has a delegation of 620 athletes, who participated in 41 different events.

39 on 39

WHAT can I say?

People’s Tonight, the country’s leading and most respected tabloid since 1980, is now 39 years old.

I was privileged to be a part of your favorite afternoon paper in the last 34 years.

I first joined the Journal Group as the greenest of greenhorns trying to find a place in the noble sportswriting profession under Times Journal editor Eking Gonzales and later as sports editor of this trail-blazing afternoon paper.

And in honor of People’s Tonight’s 39th anniversary, allow me to list the 39 leading sports personalities I’ve covered in the past four decades.

1. Manny Pacquiao — Nobody but nobody can surpass, if not equal, the achievements of this Filipino boxing champion from General Santos City in the wonderful world of sports. Now a Senator, he is also the first boxer in history to win nine world titles in seven different weight divisions.

2. Robert Jaworski — Known as the “Big J”, and “Living Legend”, he will always be remembered by basketball fans on and off the court long after his playing days. His name, in fact, remains synonymous to the game even with the entry of young and new players.

3. Ramon Fernandez — “El Presidente” to his legion of fans, he is still considered as the greatest basketball player produced by this basketball-crazy nation. He is also a four-time MVP and winner of 19 PBA championships.

4.Eugene Torre — At age 22, he became Asia’s first grandmaster in 1974 during the World Chess Olympiad in Nice, France.

5.Paeng Nepomuceno — His four World Cup of Bowling titles (1976, 1980, 1992, 1996) makes him one of the world’s greatest bowlers of all time. He was the first international male athlete to be enshrined in the international Bowling Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Missouri in 1993.

6. Lydia de Vega-Mercado — Considered as Asia’s fastest woman in the 1980s, she ran away with the gold medal in the 100-meter dash in the 1982 New Delhi Asiad and duplicated the feat in the 1986 Seoul Asiad.

7. Efren “Bata” Reyes — Known as the “Magician”, he is a two-time world champion and considered as one of the all-time greats in the sport.

8. Alvin Patrimonio — A four-time winner of the PBA MVP award, the “Captain” is still regarded as one of the most prolific players in the league.

9. Wesley So — He made history as the world’s seventh youngest player to achieve a GM title at age 14 years, one month and 28 days.

10. Eric Buhain – Regarded as one of the greatest Filipino swimmers of all time, he was mainly responsible for the ‘Miracle of ‘91 in the 1991 Southeast Asian Games in Manila.

11. Allan Caidic – Known as the “Triggerman”’, he is still considered as the finest pure shooter in basketball in the country. And his single-game record of 79 points which he established on Nov. 21, 1991, will always remain in the record books.

12. Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco — The pride of Bago City brought home the silver medal during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

13. Pocholo Ramirez –The “Grand Old Man” of circuit racing, he was hailed as the only racing legend in the country with a career that spanned 45 years. He began his racing career at age 30 and continued to race competitively until around 2008, when he was 75 and already battling cancer.

14. Butch Chase — Billed as “Mr. Motocross”, he made the sport popular with his pioneering efforts first as a multi-awarded rider and later as a tireless organizer.

15. Nathaniel “Tac” Padilla — A sharpshooter, he bagged the gold medals in numerous international competitions, including five SEA Games golds from 1979 to 2009.

16. Benjie Paras –The first and only MVP-Rookie of the Year awardee in 1989, he is one of the few and the proud homegrown Filipino centers before the arrival Fil-Ams.

17. Frankie Miñoza –The pride of Bukidnon, he remains as the most successful golfer in the country even if he spent his prime in the lucrative Japanese tour.

18. Jovie Saulog — One of the country’s greatest motocross riders, he bagged seven national titles during the 1980s and 90s.

19. Jennifer Rosales — Winner of the Philippine Ladies Amateur golf championships from 194-1998, she teamed-up with Dorothy Joy Delasin to win the World Cup in 2008.

20. Bong Coo –– A four-time world champion, she was the first Filipino athlete listed in the Guinness Book of World records.

21. Samboy Lim – Dubbed as the “Skywalker”, he distinguished himself with his acrobatic layups and gravity-defying drives that earned him a ticket to the PBA Hall of Fame.

22. Elma Muros – A two-time Olympian, she is arguably the country’s finest athlete in long jump.

23. Rogelio Antonio, Jr.– He made history by becoming the country’s third GM in 1993 after Torre and the late Rosendo Balinas.

24. Bea Lucero –She won the bronze medal for taekwondo during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

25. Akiko Thomson –Represented the country in the 1987 and 1991 SEA Games where she won several gold medals, and the 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympics.

26. Paul Alvarez — Nicknamed “Mr. Excitement’, he established the second highest-individual score of 71 points during Alaska’s game against Shell in April 26, 1990.

27. Jolet Jao — One of few riders who excelled in both motocross and road racing, Jao can easily fill a room with his collection of trophies and medals.

28. Luisito Espinosa – Winner of two world titles in two different divisions, WBA bantamweight (1989) and WBC featherweight (1995).

29. Vergel Meneses –The ‘Aerial Voyager’, he earned MVP honors in 1985.

30. Pido Jarencio — A dependable scorer during his UAAP and PBA days, he became a winning coach for the University of Santo Tomas.

31. Jerry Codiñera — Known as the “Defense Minister, he was also a member of the PBA “25 Greatest Players.” With Patrimonio, he formed the most dominant All-Filipino duo for Purefoods for 12 seasons.

32. Renato Agustin — Better known as the ‘Atom Bomb’, he was voted as MVP in 1992 while playing for San Miguel Beer and Comeback Player for 2000.

33. Dodie Boy Peñalosa – A polio-stricken champion from San Carlos City, he became the IBF champion in light flyweight and flyweight divisions.

34. Marlou Aquino – Popularly known by his monicker ‘Skyscraper’, he made an impact as a towering center, first in the PBL where he won a record-setting four MVP awards, and later in the PBA.

35. Kenneth San Andres – known as the ‘Wonder Boy’ of motocross, he became the youngest winner of the national motocross title at age 19 during the 2008 season. Eleven years later, he is still a champion.

36. Hidilyn Diaz — Her weightlifting resume tells it all: a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics, three bronze medals in the World Championships in 2019 Pattaya, 2017 Anaheim and 2015 Houston and golds in the 2018 Asian Games and 2015 Asian Championship. Next: 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

37. Janelle Mae Frayna — At 20, she made history by becoming the country’s first woman grandmaster in 2017. To this day, the pride of Legazpi, Albay remains as the highest-rated Filipina player.

38. Mary Joy Tabal — The 30-year-old Cebu-born champion s the first Filipina marathon runner to qualify for the Olympics, which she has done by running a time of 2:43:29 in the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon in 2016. She placed 124th at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

39. Antonella Berthe Racasa — Her meteoric rise in the international chess world at age 12 makes her clearly the next most important star. Sportswriters now even call her a WGM-in-waiting.

For comments and suggestions, email to edandaya2003@yahoo.com