Category: Philippine Star

It would have required at least a dozen large maletas, bodyguards to carry the suitcases and SUVs with armed escorts to transport the cash but this was not that kind of deal.

Instead, tycoons Eugenio ‘Gabby’ Lopez III and Ramon ‘RSA’ Ang sealed their historic deal last Friday as businessmen do – using checks as payment – in a transaction valued at roughly P11 billion to P12 billion, as I said, or to be exact, P11.56 billion, representing the 25.7 percent stake of Gabby’s family in Lopez Inc., which is valued at P45 billion.

The deal, in which RSA acquired the 25.7 percent stake, was finalized in a prized Forbes house not far from the Manila Polo Club and a famed embassy.

Prior to Friday’s transaction, RSA also issued checks last month as a downpayment or was it a lock-in payment? I hinted about this in my July 22 column, ‘White knight makes down payment on Lopez empire.’

The deal did not happen overnight but had been brewing for months now. Sources said RSA was willing to help the Lopez family, who he said are all his friends, but only if he would be asked to, which Gabby did.

Now the question on everyone’s mind is what will Gabby Lopez do with this manna from his good friend, RSA?

Back to ABS-CBN

The amount is not entirely Gabby’s money, of course, but it belongs to his branch of the Don Eugenio Lopez heirs.

Gabby, as I hinted in my column last Tuesday, would use part of the proceeds to save ABS-CBN, the family’s media crown jewel that has been beset with financial problems since losing its franchise in 2020.

Last I heard, ABS-CBN has a P5-billion loan with BPI whose maturity was extended on April 30, 2026. A P4.75-billion loan with Union Bank was likewise extended to June 30, 2026, according to a July 31 disclosure.

I am not sure if these loans have been settled. No other disclosures on that have been made yet.

In any case, Gabby can provide that P2-billion cash infusion for ABS-CBN, which his cousin Piki earlier refused to do, among the reasons cited for the family feud.

ABS-CBN can issue new shares and pave the way for Gabby’s reinvestment and eventual comeback.

He earlier hinted at this in his statement when he explained why he sold his shares:

‘The first is my family,’ he said.

‘This dispute has not been good for any of us, or for the people who work in our companies. This allows us to take a step toward the restoration of family peace.

‘The second is that it allows me to channel our family’s resources into businesses aligned with our personal mission. We will announce more on this in due time.’

True enough, the Gabby Lopez-led majority said late yesterday that they would invest P2.2 billion in ABS-CBN. The funds would come from their personal resources.

‘ABS-CBN has been part of this family for generations. The mission my father set out to pursue remains the heartbeat of this family – to be in the service of the Filipino. We are putting our own money behind this conviction,’ Gabby said on behalf of the Lopez majority.

‘RSA bought economics’

As for RSA, a 25.7 percent stake in Lopez Inc. is large enough to make him an important shareholder.

In practical terms, RSA has a seat at the table though he does not hold the steering wheel, says fund manager Eric Jurado.

In a research note, Jurado also points out:

That the most interesting part of the transaction is unarguably ABS-CBN.

Lopez Holdings has a substantial economic exposure to ABS-CBN, but that exposure is structured through Philippine Depositary Receipts, or PDRs. PDRs can provide the economic benefits associated with an underlying share without transferring the voting rights attached to that share.

That distinction is particularly important for a Philippine mass media company because the Constitution imposes strict Filipino ownership requirements.

Under the existing structure, the economic interest and voting rights are therefore separated. RSA’s investment at the Lopez Inc. level can give him an indirect economic interest in the ABS-CBN exposure without giving him voting control over ABS-CBN’s media operations.

Lopez Inc., together with ABS-CBN Holdings Corp., continues to control approximately 78.5 percent of ABS-CBN’s total voting power.

The important point for investors is simple: RSA’s arrival does not fundamentally change who controls ABS-CBN.

As for the listed value of RSA’s investment, Jurado said:

Using the Aug. 7, 2026, market capitalizations supplied for the listed companies, applying RSA’s indirect economic percentages produces approximately P12.02 billion of apparent indirect economic exposure:

Lopez Holdings Corp. (LPZ): P3.21 billion

First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPH): P3.26 billion

First Gen Corp. (FGEN): P4.02 billion

Rockwell Land Corp. (ROCK): P1.31 billion

ABS-CBN: P0.23 billion

Total: approximately P12.02 billion

But Jurado also noted that this is a corporate pyramid.

For example, FPH owns an interest in FGEN and ROCK. FPH’s own market capitalization therefore already incorporates the value of those underlying investments. Likewise, LPZ’s valuation reflects its interests further down the structure.

Adding LPZ, FPH, FGEN and ROCK together therefore creates double counting.

‘The P12.02-billion figure is therefore best understood as a look-through illustration of his economic exposure, not as the amount of listed equity he independently owns,’ Jurado said.

In any case, RSA, he said, brings financial strength and significant strategic relationships to a group with major interests in energy, infrastructure and property.

As for me, I find it really interesting that tycoon Enrique Razon and RSA now find themselves increasingly part of the story surrounding the Lopez Group.

Ballet Manila (BM) closes its Prima Season with Marius Petipa’s “La Bayadere,” a three-act ballet set in Royal India about a temple dancer (bayadere) who is embroiled in a deadly love triangle.

”La Bayadere’ is the epitome of classical ballet as it holds a special place in Ballet Manila. We last performed it 13 years ago, with me playing the lead character, Nikiya. This is a great classical piece and audiences would find what they seek in a ballet production,” said Ballet Manila’s CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.

‘This was also the last ballet I watched before leaving Russia. This is very sentimental to me. It makes me feel nostalgic seeing dancers from where i started,’ she added.

The Philippines’ prima ballerina describes “La Bayadere” as a production that has the most demanding roles in the entire ballet repertoire. It is the last ballet that she performed in the “Swan Song” series that included “Swan Lake,” “Carmen,” and “Romeo and Juliet.”

Meet the cast

Mariinsky Ballet’s principal dancers Renata Shakirova (playing Nikiya) and Kimin Kim (playing Solor) lead the principal cast.

‘La Bayadere is not an easy ballet as it requires technique. I’ve danced as Solor since I was 17 in Korea, and it is one of my favorite ballets. When the overture begins, I start crying. The music of Ludwig Minkus says everything. But you’ll see a different performance on opening night,’ said Kim, who confessed he went straight to the technical dress rehearsal from arriving on a 3 a.m. flight to Manila.

The Korean ballet dancer was on vacation when he got a call from Ballet Manila to play Solor. He admitted that though he is on vacation, he does not take a rest for more than two weeks. He conscientiously takes a class every day leading to the days to his return to ballet.

Kim gave his praises to the Manila company. He also talked about working with Renata.

‘Without love, we can’t dance! There’s positive energy with Ballet Manila that I like. I’ve danced with Renata for 15 years now since she did her premiere in Mariinsky. Dancing with her is easy. I just focus on her eyes and everything else follows. Love triangles are hurting. I know coz I’ve experienced it when I was younger,’ said the Korean principal dancer.

After Manila, Kimin will fly home to Korea where he will perform and direct a “Don Quixote” production in the university where he graduated from.

Renata, like Kim, was also on vacation when she was offered the lead role. The Russian dancer has been exposed to the world of ballet since she was a little girl. Like her Korean counterpart, she did not relax and still did gymnastic and Pilates to keep herself in shape.

As she takes the Manila stage, Renata is looking forward to playing her role.

‘You feel several emotions in just one moment in this production. Every year, Ballent Manila’s love for dancing just blossoms. ‘La Bayadere’ is a drama of two women fighting over a guy. Dancing with Kimin makes us move like one body!’ said the Russian prima ballerina.

After a short professional gig, Renata and Kimin will fly back to the Philippines for a scheduled trip to Boracay.

“La Bayadere” opens on August 14, 8 p.m. at the Aliw Theatre in Pasay City. Two more afternoon shows follow the evening gala on August 15 and 16.

Telco-to-tech giant Globe Telecom Inc. is expanding the reach of its satellite-to-device service by working with the world’s largest phone makers to equip handsets with upgraded capabilities.

Globe is teaming up with handset makers Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Huawei, Tecno, Realme, Infinix and Honor to support device-level readiness for satellite internet.

The telco is reaching out to these phone brands as their devices operate within the Android ecosystem, which make up the majority of handset connections to Globe.

Likewise, Globe is collaborating with tech platforms to expand digital access for its subscribers. The telco said popular apps such as Google Maps, Messenger and WhatsApp are already optimized for space-based connectivity, allowing users to open them with satellite-to-device subscriptions.

Globe also enabled its own platforms like GlobeOne and Globe Benta on satellite-linked access. These efforts are aimed at raising the compatibility and reliability of the telco’s newest service.

Recently, Globe partnered with Elon Musk’s Starlink to become Southeast Asia’s first telco to offer satellite-to-device capability.

The service, launched in June, provides mobile connectivity to Globe subscribers wherever they go by linking them to a Starlink low earth orbit satellite flying in space. Globe’s satellite-to-device service can be purchased for as low as P99 for 30 days and just P299 for 90 days with 10 GB of data and 500 satellite texts.

Globe chief commercial officer Darius Delgado said the innovation allows the provider to reach communities where it is challenging to set up cellular sites. Globe wants to maximize the service in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

‘We are happy to be among the first in Asia to offer satellite-to-mobile connectivity because this suits our geography well. This service brings digital inclusion to many Filipinos and households in GIDAs and islands as well,’ Delgado said.

In July, Globe fired up mobile internet in 52 GIDAs as part of its commitment to the Department of Information and Communications Technology to connect 180 locations.

Globe turned to satellite-to-device connectivity to reach the remaining four percent of Filipinos it has yet to serve because of network difficulties.

PAGASA is monitoring a low-pressure area far east of Luzon that has a “high chance of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours.

The low pressure area was last seen some 1,740 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon as of 2 p.m. Thursday, August 13, PAGASA said in an update issued at 4 p.m.

It is currently outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

A low pressure area becomes a tropical depression once it forms a closed circulation with winds of up to 61 kilometers per hour.

It would only get a local name if it crossed into PAR.

Rains have been soaking Luzon the whole week due to the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat).

At least 21 people have died due to the combined effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis and Mamay, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s latest count, shared Thursday morning, August 13,

Like all once immutable age-old institutions, the 125-year-old Supreme Court of the Philippines is undergoing an unprecedented modernization and transformation, thanks to the five-year Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.

‘The SPJI was developed from a simple but important recognition that an institution entrusted with constitutional responsibilities must continually examine how it can better fulfill its constitutional mission,’ Chief Justice Gesmundo, 69, told the MOPC Judiciary Night, Aug. 7 at Fairmont, Makati.

The SPJI ‘provides direction for reforms designed to strengthen judicial integrity, enhance court efficiency, expand access to justice and modernize the delivery of judicial services.’ The idea: ‘Ensure that the justice system remains responsive to the needs and realities of the Filipino people.’

SPJI’s foundation is integrity. ‘Those who administer justice must do so according to the highest ethical standards,’ declares Chief Justice Gesmundo.

Accordingly, the SC has ‘adopted the Code of Judicial Conduct and Accountability and the Code of Conduct and Accountability for Court Officials and Employees, recognizing that the delivery of justice depends not only on the decisions issued by judges, but also on the dedication, professionalism and ethical conduct of every person who forms part of the judiciary.’

‘Every employee who assists a litigant, processes a document, manages a record or performs a court function contributes to the public’s experience of justice,’ explains Chief Gesmundo.

Integrity must be accompanied by competence. No justice delayed, asserts the Chief.

‘Every unresolved case represents individuals whose concerns remain pending and whose search for justice continues. For this reason, efficiency is not simply a matter of procedure. It is a responsibility of justice itself,’ he says. ‘The judiciary must continue to ensure that cases are resolved fairly, promptly and through processes that are transparent, reliable and worthy of public confidence. This commitment has guided the judiciary’s continuing efforts to strengthen both judicial independence and institutional capacity.’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed RA 12233 (the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act of 2025) which makes judiciary people among the highest paid so they can ‘fulfill (their) responsibilities effectively and sustainably’ (and ) ‘decide cases according to the Constitution and the law, free from external pressure or influence.’ The judiciary 2027 budget is P86.27 billion, up 27 percent from P67.9 billion in 2026.

Gesmundo has reformed court administration. The Office of the Regional Court Manager (ORCM) ‘strengthens administrative support for trial courts, improves operational coordination and helps ensure that judges and court personnel are better supported in the performance of their responsibilities.’

A newly created Office of the Judicial Marshals seeks to protect judiciary personnel from ‘threat, intimidation or fear’ and to safeguard the rule of law itself.

The judiciary now has the Judicial Burnout Scale app which helps identify stress and burnout at an early stage.

Integrity and competence must ultimately find meaning in whether justice is truly accessible, says Chief Gesmundo. ‘Justice cannot remain distant from the people who need it most. It must be available, understandable and meaningful to every Filipino, regardless of status, location or circumstance.’

Thus, the SC has initiatives such as:

eCourt PH 2.0, electronic filing and service, digital records management and other technological innovations;

‘Artificial Intelligence through Scriptix, an AI-assisted transcription software that significantly reduces the time needed to prepare court transcripts from weeks to days, allowing court personnel to focus on more essential judicial work;’

A new Rules on Electronic Notarization;

The Philippine Reports E-Books that enable lawyers, judges, law students, researchers and the public to access the Court’s official decisions anytime and anywhere;

The Judicial and Bar Council’s Online Registration and Application Form, or ORAS. Previously, applicants had to prepare and submit the same set of paper documents every time they applied for a judicial vacancy.

At the Aug. 7 Judiciary Night, the MOPC gave Chief Justice Gesmundo a two-foot solid hardwood trophy, designed by Tony Lopez and sculpted in Pampanga. The Chief Justice was honored for:

‘Over 40 years of service to the people and country in pursuit of good governance and speedy, inclusive and transformative justice, especially for those who have less in law, less in life and less in dignity, a quality and value to which every man is entitled, with his pioneering reforms to modernize and democratize the judiciary through digitalization and technology upgrade that streamlined processes, facilitated judicial proceedings and improved people’s access to justice.

‘As the 27th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, he launched the trailblazing Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI) anchored on justice that is timely and fair, transparent and accountable, equal and inclusive and administered with technologically adaptive management. This is his legacy and the gold standard.’

The trophy was handed by MOPC chair Tony Lopez assisted by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos, retired Chief Justice Art Panganiban, MOPC vice chair Ambassador to the US Babe Romualdez, MOPC president Jimmy Policarpio, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida and the MOPC governors. Present were nine Supreme Court justices.

‘Justice is at its best when it is fair, compassionate and close to the people,’ said Liza Marcos, the first First Lady lawyer. ‘Grateful to spend the evening at the MOPC Judiciary Night and listen to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo’s inspiring message. Here’s to a justice system that continues to serve every Filipino with integrity and heart,’ she toasted in her Instagram post.

In a separate Facebook entry, First Lady Liza said: ‘It was a meaningful reminder that justice is a responsibility we share. As our justice system continues to evolve, may it always remain close to the people it serves – accessible and guided by fairness.’

‘The justices were unusually mirthful and enjoyed descending from their lofty perches in Mt. Olympus and loved the company of the inhabitants of the plains,’ noted Art Panganiban.

As SC chief, Panganiban engineered the ouster of Joseph Estrada as president following a botched impeachment trial.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has increased the loan for a program aimed at expanding universal health care in the country by $250 million, bringing the total financing to $750 million.

In a statement, the multilateral lender said that it increased the loan amount for the Build Universal Health Care Program Subprogram 3 as oil price and supply shocks triggered by the Middle East conflict have widened the government’s financing needs.

The loan increase will be sourced from the $1.75 billion in additional support offered by ADB president Masato Kanda to President Marcos in May.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency is also providing about $188 million in parallel co-financing, higher than the original amount of $130 million.

Under the program, the aim is to improve Filipinos’ access to quality health services.

This includes services for women’s health needs and health impacts due to extreme weather.

Subprogram 3 will continue to support the universal enrollment in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), alongside the decline in household out-of-pocket spending on health to 42.7 percent in 2024 from 48.8 percent in 2019.

The program has expanded PhilHealth benefit packages to cover primary care, emergency services and additional medicines.

In addition, it has helped increase no-copayment beds in public and private facilities.

Mobile health units, emergency medical assistance teams and community health teams have also been deployed under PuroKalusugan in underserved areas through the program.

‘Conflict does not have to cross a border to enter a family’s home. It arrives in the price of medicine and in whether the lights stay on,’ Kanda said.

‘ADB is acting so Filipinos can get the health care they need,’ he added.

Property developer Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) is replenishing its inventory with more than 11 projects worth around P25 billion scheduled for launch within the second half.

The planned launches, comprising over 5,600 units, span established and emerging growth markets, including Cebu, Mactan, Ormoc, Butuan, Davao and Panglao.

‘We will come out swinging in the second half. We are very bullish on the second half with the goal of helping the industry,’ CLI president and CEO Jose Franco Soberano said.

CLI maintained broadly stable revenues and healthy margins in the first half as the timing of new project launches shifted to the second half.

The company reported consolidated net income of P2 billion during the period, lower than the previous year’s P2.49 billion, reflecting shifting project launch schedules and revenue recognition, as well as a higher comparative base.

Revenues slipped by one percent year-on-year to P10.2 billion, while real estate sales inched down by two percent to P9.7 billion, largely reflecting the timing of licenses to sell approvals that shifted planned project launches and the release of fresh inventory in the second half.

Leasing revenues, however, jumped by 49 percent year-on-year to P162 million, driven by newly operational commercial assets, an expanding tenant base and the opening of The Paragon Davao Lifestyle Mall.

Hotel revenues also grew by 15 percent year-on-year to P231 million, supported by higher occupancy and additional room inventory following the opening of Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue in the first quarter.

Soberano said CLI’s first half results demonstrated the resilience of its core business.

‘Despite the timing shift in new launches, revenues remained broadly stable, margins stayed healthy and recurring income continued to grow,’ Soberano said.

‘With limited fresh inventory, our teams sustained sales across our existing portfolio, reflecting continued demand for our residential projects. This gives us confidence as we bring more projects to market in the second half,’ he said.

Beyond replenishing the company’s residential pipeline, Soberano said CLI is preparing to launch two new estates, deepen its presence across its core Visayas and Mindanao markets, and take its first steps into Luzon.

‘Together with our expanding recurring income businesses, these give us multiple platforms to sustain CLI’s growth over the longer term,’ he said.

A student who was reportedly a victim of bullying was found dead with gunshot wounds in a river in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on Tuesday.

The remains of Abubakar Hasim, 21, was found in Barangay Matengen a day after he was reported missing by his friends and schoolmates.

Hasim, a third-year business administration student at the Cotabato State University, had reportedly told relatives that he was bullied by some schoolmates.

He reportedly filed a complaint and identified the bullies to school authorities.

Hasim was reported missing on Monday by his classmates and friends, who told probers that he had been worried about his safety as some men were bullying him.

He had reportedly revealed the identities of the bullies to his friends and classmates as well as his teachers.

Probers and barangay officials said Hasim bore two gunshot wounds in the body.

Police said the victim could have been seized and killed in Cotabato City, and his body was disposed of in Sultan Kudarat.

Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson for the Bangsamoro police, said the Cotabato City police and the Sultan Kudarat municipal police are working together to solve what they described as premeditated murder of Hasim.

Meanwhile, 21 students collapsed while participating in activities marking the anniversary of their school in Cotabato City on Tuesday night.

Responding police officers and emergency workers rushed the students of Sunshine College Inc. in Barangay Tamontaka 2 to a nearby health facility.

The students were immediately sent home after receiving treatment.

Authorities expressed belief that exhaustion, hunger and dehydration could have caused the students to fall ill.

Several local government units have announced class suspensions for Thursday, August 13, due to the continuing effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat.

State weather bureau PAGASA said the southwest monsoon continues to affect the western sections of Luzon, bringing cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rains over parts of the country.

Below is a running list of class suspensions:

National Capital Region

Caloocan City – No face-to-face classes in all levels starting in the afternoon, public and private

City of Manila – No face-to-face classes in all levels starting in the afternoon, public and private, shift to alternative delivery mode

Makati City – No face-to-face classes for day care to senior high school starting in the afternoon, public and private, shift to asynchronous

Malabon City – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Mandaluyong City – No face-to-face classes for preschool to Grade 12 starting in the afternoon, public and private, shift to alternative delivery mode

Marikina City – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Parañaque City – No face-to-face classes in all levels starting in the afternoon, public and private

Pasig City – No face-to-face classes for kindergarten to senior high school starting in the afternoon, public and private, shift to alternative delivery mode

Quezon City – No face-to-face classes for kindergarten to Grade 12 starting in the afternoon, public and private, shift to alternative delivery mode

Taguig City – No face-to-face classes in all levels starting in the afternoon, public and private, shift to alternative delivery mode

Valenzuela City – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Cordillera Administrative Region

Benguet

Atok – No face-to-face classes for preschool to senior high school, public and private, until Friday, August 14

Bakun – Preschool to elementary, public and private, until Friday, August 14

Bokod – No face-to-face classes for preschool to elementary, public and private

Buguias – No face-to-face classes for preschool to elementary, public and private

Kabayan – No face-to-face classes for preschool to senior high school, public and private

Kapangan – No face-to-face classes for preschool to elementary, public and private

Kibungan – No face-to-face classes for preschool to senior high school, public and private

La Trinidad – No face-to-face classes for preschool to elementary, public and private

Sablan – No face-to-face classes for preschool to elementary, public and private

Tuba – No face-to-face classes for preschool to elementary, public and private

Tublay – No face-to-face classes for preschool to elementary, public and private

Region III (Central Luzon)

Bataan

Abucay – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Bagac – No face-to-face classes for preschool to senior high school, public and private

Balanga City – No face-to-face classes for preschool to senior high school, public and private

Dinalupihan – Preschool to senior high school, public and private

Hermosa – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Limay – No face-to-face classes for preschool to senior high school, public and private

Mariveles – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Morong – All levels, public and private

Orani – No face-to-face classes for preschool to senior high school, public and private

Pilar – All levels, public and private

Bulacan

Balagtas – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Baliwag City – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Calumpit – All levels, public and private

Hagonoy – All levels, public and private

Malolos City – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Meycauayan City – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Obando – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Pandi – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Paombong – All levels, public and private

Pulilan – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Santa Maria – No face-to-face classes for preschool to elementary, public and private

Pampanga

Candaba – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private, until Friday, August 14

Guagua – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private, until Friday, August 14

Macabebe – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Masantol – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private, until Friday, August 14

Minalin – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

San Simon – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private, until Friday, August 14

Santo Tomas – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private, until Friday, August 14

Region IV-A (Calabarzon)

Cavite

Cavite City – All levels, public and private

Kawit – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Noveleta – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Tanza – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Rizal

Antipolo City – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Cainta – All levels, public and private

Cardona – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Morong – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Taytay – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

Teresa – No face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private

By the skin of their teeth.

Gilas Pilipinas had to grind out and did just enough to escape Chinese Taipei, 89-88, in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup Thursday at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.

The Philippines lost a 27-point lead late, but a floater by Ethan Aguas with 2.6 seconds left saved the day for the squad.

Gilas had a strong start in the game, turning a 15-10 lead to a 31-12 edge at the end of the first quarter.

The Nationals continued to press on, leading by as much as 27 points, 60-33, in the third quarter after a 3-pointer by Andrew Chio.

Chinese Taipei, though, slowly nipped the lead away.

The squad sliced the deficit to single digit, 66-74, with 8:37 left after a Shao-en Huang deuce.

An Aguas triple connected with 6:22 left that gave Gilas an 83-68 lead.

A 15-1 run by Chinese Taipei then made it an 83-84 deficit with 3:31 remaining after an and-one play by Ting-Kuan Liu.

Jan Cagurungan and Li-an Chuang traded triples to make it a one-point affair

After a pair of stops from both ends, Carter Coleman got a transition floater with 6.6 seconds to go to push Chinese Taipei, 88-87, with 6.6 seconds to go.

Aguas then received the ball and floated one in for the win.

On the other end, Liu tried to go for the victory but he missed as time expired.

Cagurungan powered Gilas with 21 points and five rebounds. Aguas added 16 markers and 10 boards, to go with two dimes and a steal. Lino Tubongbanua Jr. and Prince Carino had 10 points apiece.

Liu powered Chinese Taipei with 23 points and six rebounds. Coleman added 22 points, while Jia-han Huang had 15 markers and nine boards.