DT_20190713

D24 SPORTS
Saturday, 13 July 2019
Daily Tribune
GOV’T TO ORGANIZE SEAG
Rody nixes Phisgoc Foundation
I have to be responsible for this. Give (the SEA
Games) to government
By Aldrin Cardona
Citing government accountability, President Rodrigo Duterte on
Thursday night shot down efforts by the privately-formed Philippine
Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Foundation to
snatch the hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games from the Philippine
Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
Speaking for the first time about the government’s sports program
during an exclusive interview by Daily Tribune, Mr. Duterte explicitly
said that he would not allow the Phisgoc
Foundation to organize the hosting of the
SEA Games.
The Games are set from 30 November
to 10 December at different venues, with the New Clark City
serving as the main hub for centerpiece events athletics and
swimming.
“I have to be responsible for this. Give (the SEA Games) to
government,” the Chief Executive said in reply to Daily Tribune’s query
about the leadership deadlock permeating the hosting chores.
The Philippines attracted the SEA Games hosting following
Brunei’s withdrawal from the chore in 2015 before the turnover right
after Singapore’s turn at the hosting.
Yes, it should be (the POC).
But it was not until 2017 after the end of the Marawi terror siege
that the Philippines could assure the SEA Games Federation that
it can host the event as government prioritized the reconstruction
of what used to be Mindanao’s most prosperous city that was
wrecked by the war initiated by the local affiliates of the ISIS
terror group.
The first organizing body for the SEA Games led by Miguel Zubiri
had also quit chasing the prospect of bringing the SEA Games to the
Philippines for the fourth time. The country hosted the Games in
1981, 1991 (when it placed second overall) and in 2005 (when it won
the overall championship).
But the government’s resolution of the Marawi armed conflict also
changed the complex of the country’s readiness to show its best side to its
neighbor countries.
POC President Jose “Peping” Cojuangco seized the opportunity to secure the
hosting and appointed then Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano to lead what
was formed as the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee or Phisgoc.
The original Phisgoc had Cayetano as chairman with PSC Chief William
“Butch” Ramirez and Cojuangco as co-chairmen.
But a court order to proceed to a re-vote of the POC presidency resulted
in the ouster of Cojuangco.
Replacing Cojuangco as POC president, Ricky Vargas immediately forged
a partnership with Cayetano. Together, they incorporated the Phisgoc
Foundation (not the original Phisgoc in which government was included)
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. They also booted out Ramirez
from the original leadership composition.
Cayetano’s staff together with Vargas and his men founded Phisgoc
Foundation to be able to independently raise funds from the private sector. It
took longer than usual for the government to assure the SEA Games hosting
Lions sink
Bombers
We’re glad that we pulled off
this one despite having so many
mistakes in execution
By John Eric Mendoza
San Beda University had a bad game, but
still found a way to cream Jose Rizal University,
74-52, to grab an early lead in Season 95 of
the National Collegiate Athletic Association
men’s basketball tournament yesterday at
the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
James Kwekuteye and Calvin Oftana
carried the fight for the Red Lions, who had
some scary moments before cruising to their
second straight win in the country’s oldest
collegiate league.
We did a good job in the first
quarter, but during the second and
third quarters, we lost it. We need
to emphasize on our execution in
practices.
San Beda’s solo lead, however, may not
last long as its bitter nemesis in Lyceum of
the Philippines University is still clashing
with Emilio Aguinaldo College at press time.
Kwekuteye and Oftana had 17 markers
apiece on top of a combined 18 rebounds
while Evan Nelle made a stellar job in the
playmaking department with 14 assists,
11 of which coming from that torrid first
half rally.
“We’re glad that we pulled off this one
despite having so many mistakes in execution.
We missed so many shots and our defense was
messed up,” said San Beda head coach Boyet
Fernandez, whose wards unleashed a 21-10
bomb early in the game.
“We did a good job in the first quarter,
but during the second and third quarters,
we lost it. We need to emphasize on our
execution in practices.”
Even Nelle admitted that he failed to live
up to expectations.
“It was a bad game for me. I struggled
with my shots,” he said. “So I made a lot of
passes to James and Calvin to let them do
the job. After all, my job is to pass.”
Marq Dioniso had 13 points, six rebounds
and three assists while Ry Dela Rosa had 11
markers for JRU, which was obviously groping
for form under the new system of former
La Salle coach Louie Gonzales.
EXCLUSIVE
SPORTS
By Nap Gutierrez
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte (right) wants the government to spearhead the organization of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
with fund as the national budget was delayed.
Cayetano had also resigned from his Department of Foreign Affairs post
to seek a congressional seat.
That Phisgoc Foundation only muddles up the issue.
Cayetano sought P7.5 billion from government to fund the SEA Games. But
the national budget approved allocated just P5 billion, which was made part
of the PSC budget as it is the rightful agency to disburse funding for sports.
Cayetano contested the awarding of the budget to the PSC but to no avail.
Then, he sought a supplementary P1 billion fund from President Duterte.
The Chief Executive gave it his approval but still lodged the money under
the PSC’s care.
Cayetano’s Phisgoc Foundation, however, was questioned by the POC
executive board, which did not give its imprimatur to the new, private
body.
The Council’s leadership also questioned the Phisgoc Foundation’s
deal for the supply of uniform and training gears, which seemed
overpriced by several hundredfold, including pairs of socks costing nearly
P3,000 each. The deal was voided soon after as only the POC can enter
into contracts related to the hosting.
The Phisgoc Foundation also made itself the organizing body for
JAMES Kwekuteye and San Beda College brush off a lethargic
performance to pull off a 74-52 win over Jose Rizal University.
BUZZ
Will Arwind stay?
Aerieal Patnongon was spotted watching his boyfriend June
Mar Fajardo and San Miguel Beer during their recent game at
the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Does it mean that they’re back in each other’s arms?
q q q
The mother of a popular cager is stressed.
The reason? Their electricity has been cut off and her son
has yet to send her money for the past two months.
Oh well.
q q q
A PBA import has two children from different women.
Both kids are below five years old.
Yet, he still remains single.
q q q
DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG
A Filipino-American dribbler is dating a beauty queen.
Little did he know that his girlfriend isn’t loyal; she’s seeing
other guys on the side.
The funny thing is that one of her side boys is another
basketball player.
q q q
A team wants Arwind Santos very badly.
But the question is: Will the Beermen release him?
I doubt.
DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG
all international sports events to be hosted by the Philippines in the
future. The POC also countered this as the Foundation does not have
the recognition of the SEA Games Federation, the Olympic Council of
Asia and the International Olympic Committee.
It, however, resulted to the resignation of Vargas. The POC is expected
to hold another round of elections on 28 July.
Asked by Daily Tribune if he is taking immediate action in settling the
SEA Games hosting issue, Duterte said he is giving the POC a freehand
in organizing the biennial multi-sports event.
“Yes, it should be (the POC),” the President said.
“First, it should be the government,” Duterte reiterated as he referred
to the PSC, which has control over the release of the budget for sports.
It also determines if purchases related to the event are within bounds
of government control and limitations.
“Government is the most interested in winning the medals. That
Phisgoc Foundation only muddles up the issue. So many fingers are
dipping into the hosting. It should only be government. I want just
one, just the government,” the President said.
“This is how it should be. I will execute whoever will be responsible if
we do not win medals. That chandelier should be strong enough to hold
the bodies of the (PSC chairman and his commissioners) if they don’t
deliver,” the President said in jest.
Right event, wrong group?
As a Games expert, we’re
on track
By Joel Orellana
Unaware of President Rodrigo
Duterte’s stumping of the
controversial Phisgoc Foundation,
one of its officials on Thursday
night tried to ease the fear of some
chiefs of mission (CDM) over the
number of sports that would be
played in the 30th SEA Games
that the country will host from 30
November to 11 December.
Phisgoc Foundation chief
operating officer Ramon Suzara
said the 56 sports that the SEA
Games Federation Council
approved in a meeting last year will
still be held but the final number of
events remains pending.
Suzara presented the
Phisgoc Foundation’s report not
knowing that President Duterte
had denied recognition of the
private group.
Duterte said he would let the
Philippine Sports Commission
and the Philippine Olympic
Committee to manage the
hosting of the biennial event.
The President’s statement
effectively nullified all of the Phisgoc
Foundation’s misrepresentation of
itself as the official organizer of the
SEA Games.
Taguig Rep. Alan Peter
Cayetano serves as chairman
of the Foundation.
“We will try very hard all
the events are in place. We’ll
try very hard not to remove the
sports and change another event
After I led by four after 10 holes,
I knew I was in control already
CARMONA, Cavite — Angelo Que marked
his return to local turf in big fashion,
outclassing a stellar international
field with a six-under 65 that netted
him a five-stroke triumph over
Tim Stewart in the ICTSI Manila
Southwoods Championship here
Friday.
Two up over American
Christopher Hickman and
Justin Quiban after 54
holes, Que made it a bit
more interesting with
a bogey on the first
hole that sparked hopes
even from the other
pursuers, wanting to get
a crack at the coveted
crown in the $100,000
championship.
But the long-hitting
shotmaker cut short all
his expectations with a
rash of birdies, hitting
five to close out the
frontside with a 31.
Back up by three
already approved. Anyway, all
the changes have to be approved
by the council,” said Suzara
during the second CDM meeting
at the Hilton Manila.
Chris Chan, Singapore’s
national Olympic committee
secretary general, expressed
concern over the number of
sports after Phisgoc declared
that it is out to host the biggest,
the grandest biennial meet ever.
The last time the country
hosted the SEA Games was
in 2005 with only 443 events
in 40 sports. The government
shelled out only P350 million
while First Gentleman Miguel
Arroyo and Philippine Olympic
Committee president Jose
“Peping” Cojuangco managed
to solicit P150 million more from
the private sector.
Que posts 5-shot victory
ANGELO Que savors the
sweetness of his victory after ruling
the ICTSI Manila Southwoods
Championship
with nine holes left, Que birdied the first two
holes at the back, including a 25-footer on No.
10, to all but wrap up the chase for honors.
“After I led by four after 10 holes, I
knew I was in control already,” said Que,
whose third six-under card on a course he
calls home netted him a 72-hole total
of 22-under 262.
Stewart, who led in the first
round with a 63, rallied in a flight
ahead with back-to-back closing
birdies, shooting a second straight
67 and snatching runner-up honors
with a 267 worth $11,500 that kept
the big-hitting campaigner from
Sydney winless.
Quiban lost in a
power duel with Que
and Hickman, but
matched Stewart’s
birdie-birdie
windup to card a
69 for solo third at 268
worth $7,000.
“I hit the ball great but
missed my putts,” said Hickman,
who rued his birdie chances
on Nos. 13, 14, 15 and 15. He
actually tied Que at 15-under
with a birdie on the second
hole coupled with Que’s bogey
on No. 1.