Category: Philippine Star

The Philippines has maintained its Tier 1 status in the US State Department’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) for the 10th consecutive year, according to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).

A country is granted Tier 1 status if it fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking based on the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2002.

The report cited the Philippines’ efforts to prosecute and convict traffickers, enact new legislation to regulate fishing recruitment agencies and protect fishers and the ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

The Philippines is one of only 33 countries to have achieved and maintained the top ranking out of the 188 countries assessed globally.

The Department of Justice has reaffirmed its commitment to combat trafficking, which it said is not just a legal mandate but a shared moral obligation to protect the most vulnerable from abuse and exploitation.

‘There is no place for complacency in our justice system. This Tier 1 ranking is a beacon of light, an impetus for our sustained efforts,’ Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who also chairs the IACAT, said.

‘This fight is not only for our fellow Filipino nationals whose vulnerabilities have been taken advantage of, abused and exploited, this fight is for all of humanity,’ he added.

However, despite the Tier 1 ranking, the report flagged some alleged lapses by the Philippine government.

‘Although the government meets the minimum standards, it did not identify the vast majority of potential trafficking victims among individuals exploited in online scam operations despite widespread reporting indicating these individuals faced conditions indicative of trafficking,’ it said.

It also noted that the government did not report any foreign victims. Furthermore, the report said the government did not adequately and consistently screen potential trafficking victims of online scam operations.

‘Due to insufficient screening for trafficking, especially among individuals exploited in online scam operations, authorities did not take effective measures to prevent the inappropriate penalization of potential victims solely for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked,’ it said.

‘The government identified fewer victims, and some officials did not use trauma-informed practices in victim identification,’ it said.

‘Corruption and official complicity in trafficking remained significant concerns, inhibiting law enforcement action during the year,’ it added.

The report cited the case of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, who is being prosecuted for violation of anti-trafficking law, particularly her alleged complicity in human trafficking through an online scam operation in her jurisdiction. Guo also faces money laundering charges.

The report said authorities arrested thousands of Filipino and foreign nationals involved in online scam operations under the guise of POGOs.

Authorities also initiated an administrative investigation of a mayor, vice mayor and seven municipal council members for alleged complicity in human trafficking within an online scam operation in Porac, Pampanga.

‘The mayor reportedly received an administrative sanction and the government did not report updates on any of the other cases,’ the report said.

A group of ship operators is demanding the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to look into possible violations of some vessels on gross tonnage that could be risky for passengers.

In a letter, the Bicol Roro Shipping Operators Association asked MARINA to investigate what it views as a proliferating practice among some shipowners to underreport their tonnage.

The letter, addressed to MARINA administrator Sonia Malaluan, detailed how some shipowners are misreporting their tonnage to place their vessels on lower regulation.

The association, represented by legal counsel Lyndon Ancajas Jr., said such a practice allows the shipowners to avoid stricter rules on manning and safety protocols. It also reduces statutory fees that they have to pay to regulators.

Based on the group’s monitoring, several cargo vessels were found to be underreporting tonnage compared to its actual weight on voyage.

Ancajas said MARINA could no longer dismiss this as a clerical error given how many times it has happened.

‘Accurate declaration of vessel size and engine power is fundamental to seaworthiness, correct manning, proper safety equipment and equitable fee assessment,’ Ancajas said.

‘If the allegations are proven, passengers and crew are being placed at unacceptable risks, while compliant operators and the state incur the unfair losses,’ he added.

For the government, Ancajas said tonnage misdeclaration leads to revenue losses, including for MARINA (coastwise charges) and the Philippine Ports Authority (port fees).

As such, the association wants MARINA to audit vessels to correctly identify their tonnage. The group said MARINA should conduct physical inspections to verify if a ship is complying or not.

The association is hoping that MARINA can suspend vessels that are guilty of misdeclaration until their documents are corrected. It also requested MARINA to properly classify these ships.

The group is also seeking to engage the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to relay concerns that some foreign regulators, particularly in China, are involved in the misdeclaration scheme.

The Bicol Roro Shipping Operators Association represents roll-on, roll-off and inter-island ferry operators in the Bicol Region, one of the most crucial regions for sea travel given its proximity to nautical highways.

The TNT Tropang 5G and the PLDT High Speed Hitters, who have recently won titles in the PBA and the PVL, are joining forces to treat fans to a day of celebration.

‘Champions Together’, a fan-focused event to be graced by both champion squads, is slated October 6 at the One Ayala Mall Activity Center in Makati City.

The whole-day event, which is open to everyone, will begin at 12 p.m. and will also feature activity booths, interactive challenges and exciting game zones

Those who complete all the stamps on their ‘Champions Together’ activity passport will also unlock a chance to snag exclusive merch, score autographs, and snap photos with their idol players and coaches from the two powerhouse teams when the program starts at 6 p.m.

For those who can’t attend in person, the event will also be livestreamed for free exclusively on PusoP.Com: Your Game, Your Community.

In a press statement, the PLDT Group said the activity underscores its broader mission to support Philippine sports and connect communities through meaningful and memorable on-ground and online experiences.

‘Sports have the unique power to connect and inspire communities. Through ‘Champions Together,’ we are not just celebrating the teams’ dedication and hard work but also honoring the unwavering support of the fans who fuel their success,’ said Jude Turcuato, first vice president and head of sports at PLDT and Smart.

‘We thank our management for this amazing opportunity to give back to our Ka-Tropas, who have always been our source of strength and inspiration in every game. We can’t wait to see them and thank them personally,’ said TNT team captain Roger Pogoy.

‘The fans are a huge part of our journey, and we can’t wait to share this special day with them. We hope to see everyone join the fun and cheer with us as we get ready for the new season,’ added High Speed Hitters skipper Kath Arado.

For updates, follow the official Puso Pilipinas and Smart Sports accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.

Newly-installed Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy has directed a structural assessment of all churches and rectories under his archdiocese following the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Cebu.

The newly-appointed prelate issued the instruction on Tuesday, September 30, after the earthquake, which damaged several churches in Cebu and left multiple deaths.

He also instructed parishes in the northern part of Cebu that were severely affected by the seismic activity to refrain from using their church buildings.

‘To the parishes in the North that have been gravely affected, you are asked to refrain from using your churches for the celebration of the Holy Mass until the proper experts have carried out the assessment and declared the structures safe for use,’ Uy’s statement read.

‘We continue to pray to our Loving Father for calmness and strength in the midst of these trials. We entrust ourselves, our families, and our communities into His merciful hands. May the Lord shelter us under His wings, protect us from every harm, and guide us to safety and peace,’ he added.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially recorded the earthquake at magnitude 6.7 but later revised it to 6.9.

The quake occurred at 9:59 p.m., with the epicenter located five kilometers deep, 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, Cebu.

Damaged churches. One of the damaged churches is the Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Bantayan Island, the oldest church in Visayas and Mindanao. Its top portion had collapsed.

The church was first built in 1580, while the construction of the current structure began in 1839 and was completed in 1863.

St. Martin de Porres Parish in Ilihan, Cebu, also suffered damage to its walls and roof, while San Juan Nepomuceno Parish in San Remigio, Cebu, sustained a ruined altar following the tremors.

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima also sustained substantial structural damage.

Casualties. According to a Facebook post by the Cebu People’s Action Center, 22 people have been confirmed dead after the earthquake.

However, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that at least 26 people were killed and 147 others injured.

The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-CEVRO) has begun inspecting billion-peso flood control projects in Cebu’s 7th District amid growing questions over their scope and implementation.

On September 30, NBI agents visited Malabuyoc, particularly Barangays Mindanao, Montañeza, and Sorsogon, to check projects handled by QM Builders, Q Con (Quirante Construction Corp.), and Legacy Construction Corp.

DPWH engineer Jimmy Jacaban, who accompanied the agents, said at least six sections in Malabuyoc were already ‘good as done’ and had helped prevent severe flooding in low-lying areas.

Despite the controversy that triggered the ongoing investigation, local officials strongly defended the flood control initiatives.

Dumanjug Mayor Gungun Gica said the projects were long overdue for small towns in the district.

‘Ako as Mayor sa Dumanjug and part of the 7th District, I’m very proud nga natagad gayud ang mga problema sa distrito labi na sa among lungsod,’ he said.

He recalled the devastation of Typhoon Odette, which washed out national roads in Alegria and Malabuyoc, as well as earlier disasters such as Typhoon Sinyal in Ronda and Dumanjug, as proof of the need for flood mitigation.

‘Daghan ang nabuhat nga kaayohan sa flood control diri sa among distrito,’ he said, adding that lives have already been saved because of these projects.

Gica dismissed allegations of ghost projects. ‘Wala juy ghost project dinhi unya gitarong jud og trabaho,’ he said, noting that works in Dumanjug are either completed or ongoing.

Malabuyoc Mayor Erlinda ‘Edang’ Piedad also defended the P3.1 billion allocation for her town, the highest in Cebu.

‘Ang Malabuyoc dili mahitsura tungod sa Bagyong Odette,’ she said, recalling fatalities and houses swept away in 2020.

She stressed that the projects were implemented solely by the DPWH, not the local government.

‘Dili ang LGU ang implementing body ana. Si kinsa man sad kong mobabag or dili modawat sa mga proyekto ibubo sa Malabuyoc,’ she said, adding that drainage, seawalls, and flood control systems were badly needed.

‘Gamay tuod ang Malabuyoc nga population pero dako man sad mig sapa,’ she said.

DPWH mum on issue

While local officials were vocal, DPWH 7th District Engineer Edelberto Francisco declined to comment, citing what he described as a ‘gag order’ from Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.

Reporters were instead given a ‘Media Registration Form’ requiring them to list questions or documents they wanted to access.

A DPWH personnel explained that under the new protocol, all media inquiries must first be endorsed by the district office to the regional office, which will then secure clearance from the central office.

Biggest allocation in Cebu

Government records show that Cebu’s 7th District cornered P12.06 billion worth of flood control works from 2022 to 2025-nearly half of the province’s total allocation.

Of 395 projects in Cebu, 162 were concentrated in the district. Malabuyoc received P3.1 billion for 38 projects, while Dumanjug got P2.18 billion for 29 projects.

The district covers Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, Malabuyoc, and Ginatilan.

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has solidified its position as the broadband provider with the fastest speeds in the Philippines, but PLDT Inc. remains to be the most preferred among subscribers.

In Opensignal’s latest monitor for broadband quality, Converge turned in the quickest download speed of 56 Mbps, beating again Globe Telecom’s 53.6 Mbps and PLDT’s 53 Mbps.

Opensignal also named Converge as the provider to beat for video and reliability experience, as subscribers reported the best quality when doing basic tasks online.

PLDT registered the fastest upload speed of 42.3 Mbps, with Converge recording 39.6 Mbps and Globe putting in 36.9 Mbps. Opensignal measures upload speed as the amount of data per second that can be transferred from device to the internet.

Globe landed as the most consistent broadband provider with a score of 68.1 percent. This metric examines how fast a device meets basic requirements once connected to the internet.

PLDT remains to be the market leader in Philippine broadband, as it cornered 42 percent of all subscribers through its largely fiber network.

Opensignal principal data analyst Robert Wyrzykowski said PLDT has managed to maintain its market dominance through its widest fiber footprint and introduction of new services.

‘PLDT is the incumbent operator and market leader with its 42-percent market share – primarily over fiber – but is also serving customers on DSL and fixed wireless, the latter services under the Smart brand,’ Wyrzykowski said.

Converge, for its part, holds around 30 percent of the broadband segment.

Wyrzykowski said the company has seen the peak of its customer expansion in the early 2020s, but it is still increasing market share thanks to its network upgrades.

‘Converge controls nearly 30 percent of the fixed broadband market, with most customers using fiber-to-the-home, but some still use cable broadband. Its rapid market share growth through the early 2020s has slowed a bit, but they continue to take share,’ Wyrzykowski said.

For Globe, Wyrzykowski said the target appears to be growing in the low-cost market, where its GFiber Prepaid has gained more than 400,000 subscribers to date.

Right now, Globe controls 20 percent of the broadband market, offering wired and fixed wireless access, and it is upgrading its last-mile assets to fiber to improve connectivity.

Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions and Araneta City on Wednesday celebrated the 50th anniversary of the epic ‘Thrilla in Manila’ – one of the greatest boxing fights ever recorded on Earth at the heart of the Philippines – to also kick off a month-long countdown to a loaded world championship fight card on October 29 to further immortalize the duel’s legend.

MP Promotions, led by former senator, eight-division world champion and world boxing Hall of Famer Pacquiao and Irene Jose, COO of Uniprom as the entertainment arm of Araneta City, unveiled an exhibit featuring memorabilia from the classic heavyweight duel between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier at the Araneta Coliseum, now known as the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With Ali and Frazier on the canvas, the Big Dome – at that time was one of the world’s largest indoor arenas – made the world stand still on Oct. 1, 1975, watched by more than 20,000 fans live and over a billion on TV and pay-per-view from all parts of the world.

Fifty years later, on October 29, the Philippines will commemorate that one-of-a-kind battle with a stacked card that includes Ali’s grand son Nico Ali Walsh.

Ali Walsh will clash with Thailand’s Patumpong Saengarun in a middleweight undercard bout, as WBC mininumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem stakes his belt against No. 2 contender Siyakholwa Kuse of South Africa in the main event. Other Filipino standouts like Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, former unified world champion Marlon Tapales and rising star Carl Jammes Martin are also in the fray of a super card featuring 11 fights so far.

VIPs, including the families of Ali and Frazier and current world champions, have also been invited to grace the event.

“We honor the moment that forever changed the Philippine sporting landscape and global culture. The world stood still in what became one of the most iconic battles in boxing history. It was more than just a fight. It was a poetry in motion. Two giants of the sport stepped into the ring not as opponents but as symbols of pride, determination and will to win,” said Jose.

“Under the blazing heat of Manila, Ali and Frazier gave everything they had for 14 unforgettable rounds and as we make the golden anniversary of this bout, we remember the night and we honor a generation who rewrote history. Let this milestone remind us that great moments in history never fade. They echo and stood through time.”

Pacquiao, born in 1978, wasn’t alive just yet back then but is taking pride and honor of organizing and leading the commemoration of Thrilla in Manila for its golden anniversary with a full backing from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) led by Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio.

Malacañang has released a memorandum circular order for all agencies to highlight a sporting and cultural milestone that ‘placed the Philippines on the global stage’ for this month.

“Kinuwento lang sa akin at napaood ko lang sa replay ang Thrilla in Manila but now I’m blessed and happy na ako naman ngayon ang nagdala ng celebration of the 50th anniversaty nito. Honored and thankful to God for this blessing kasi alam naman natin na sa ang ating bansa ay nakilala sa sports, especially boxing. Nagkaroon tayo ng respeto mula sa buong mundo because of this sport,’ beamed Pacquiao, unarguably the greatest Filipino boxer in history.

“Dati, ako lang ang lumalaban dito sa Araneta pero ngayon, nagpo-promote na rin tayo ng big fights. I’m happy na kahit hindi pa tayo ipinapanganak noong time na ‘yun at kumbaga, tayo ang nagdala dito ngayon ng laban.”

Pacquiao, now 46 but has just unretired with a majority draw against Mario Barrios last July, once fought and won at the Big Dome in 2006 against Oscar Larios for the WBC title. Now coming back to the iconic venue as also a promoter, he’s hoping to produce the next world champions like him, Ali and Frazier.

The ICTSI Elite Junior Finals blasts off today at The Country Club in Laguna, featuring the best junior golfers from Luzon (North) and Visayas-Mindanao (South) in a Ryder Cup-style showdown.

The finals mirror the recently concluded Team Europe vs Team USA duel. The format includes Four-Ball (Best Ball) on Day 1, Foursomes (Alternate Shot) on Day 2, and Singles matches on the final day.

With 48 of the country’s top juniors competing, this promises to be a pressure-packed battleground of skill and willpower, with the three-day event open to the public.

Metro Manila’s urban landscape is often dominated by concrete, but Mapúa University is helping to change that by providing a research-based blueprint for revitalizing green spaces. The university’s commitment to urban greening is a core part of its mission to improve the quality of life, environmental health and biodiversity in densely populated areas.

As the Philippines’ leading engineering and technological institution, Mapúa equips its students with the skills and mindset to create sustainable urban solutions.

By introducing important insights such as Place Theory and placemaking principles-a design approach that prioritizes people over infrastructure, imparting latest global best practices and skills, emphasizing sustainability and motivating learners to spearhead research and initiatives that address environmental challenges, Mapúa has been at the forefront of balancing aesthetics with functionality.

The university’s work is exemplified by a recent thesis from architect Sharmaine Baes, who explored the potential of transforming underutilized urban spaces into green areas.

Her research, titled ‘Improving Quality of Urban Residual Spaces Through a Place Theory Approach: A Case Study of District 1, Pasay City,’ proposed converting “residual spaces”-such as vacant lots and plots under elevated infrastructure-into safe, vibrant public areas. This work has been presented as completion of her Master of Science in Architecture – Major in Urban Design program.

Baes’ study addressed the challenges of densely populated cities like Pasay by recommending underutilized residual areas as alternatives for parks and gardens. She proposed converting residual spaces, such as easements, vacant lots and plots under elevated infrastructures into safe, open areas with vegetation to reduce urban heat and provide areas for rest and recreation.

Her research, which included spatial analysis, site observations, stakeholder interviews and surveys, revealed that residents frequented residual areas for walking, resting, selling and socializing even if they were not safe, picturesque or accessible.

She, however, stated that by applying the Place Theory, an assessment framework, and participatory design from concerned communities, residual areas can be transformed into sustainable, vibrant public spaces that have site-specific facilities like pocket parks, open green spaces, modular libraries, mist-cooled waiting sheds, gender-inclusive comfort rooms and PWD-friendly amenities.

Architect Baes also integrated environmental sustainability into her work by introducing concepts like reverse vending machines and modular green infrastructure to promote recycling and climate resilience. Her proposal is not only practical but also highly replicable due to a newly developed Assessment Framework, which could serve as a catalyst for future urban policy reform if adopted by local government units (LGUs).

Mapúa University’s School of Architecture and Planning, Industrial Design and the Built Environment dean Dr. Junar P. Tablan affirmed Baes’ findings by saying that scaling up green spaces in Metro Manila is possible if done incrementally.

‘This can be included in the 25-year development plan for each LGU in Metro Manila. The realistic timeline for this to see significant results would be at least 10 to 20 years of strong enforcement and a strong campaign of environmental policies, as well as a cultural shift in how the spaces are being valued and utilized,’ said Tablan.

He also stated that the success of green space projects depends on local urban development policies, such as zoning reforms, public realm contributions and designated community gardens for food access and greenery, as well as the formal recognition of residual spaces as vital public infrastructure.

Urban greening initiatives would also prosper if they had the collaborative support of industry partners to provide technical expertise, local communities that will share lived insights which will inspire context-sensitive, inclusive designs and the academia to lead research, guide execution and evaluate impact.

Through research like Baes’s and the intentional efforts of institutions like Mapúa, urban greening is becoming a key priority on the national agenda.

Team North flexed its muscle across multiple divisions, seizing control of the competition with eight wins out of 12 matches in the opening Four-ball format of the ICTSI North vs South Elite Junior Championship at The Country Club here on Wednesday.

What began as a tightly contested showdown between Luzon’s finest junior golfers and the top talents from the Visayas-Mindanao region quickly evolved into a dominant performance by the North squad, which handled the pressure and pace of the day with poise despite the punishing heat.

As the dust settled at high noon, Team North established a commanding 8-4 lead – an emphatic opening statement in the season-ending showdown of a year-long junior golf tour that featured seven tournaments in each region. Played at some of the country’s premier championship courses, the tour culminates in this Ryder Cup-style North-versus-South battle.

Team North captain Francis Talion attributed their strong Day 1 performance to careful planning, preparation and a deep understanding of both their own players and the opposing team’s potential lineup.

‘Basically, we started by making critical projections on how the other team might compose their roster for Day 1 – that’s what we based our own lineup on,’ said Talion, who also took the time to study each of their players’ personalities and how well their playing styles would complement one another.

‘Of course, we didn’t just consider their skills, but also their personalities, to ensure strong on-court chemistry and effective partnerships,’ he added.

The girls’ 7-10 pairings struck first blood for Team North. Athena Serapio and Ronee Dungca delivered a strong 3 and 2 win over Soleil Molde and Claren Quiño, while Mavis Espedido and Tyra Garingalao overwhelmed Denise Mendoza and Francesca Geroy with a 4 and 3 victory. These early wins set the tone for the North’s momentum.

While the Four-ball format – where each player plays their own ball and the best score per hole counts – often introduces a layer of unpredictability, it was Team North that adapted best. The format rewards aggressive shot-making and strong chemistry between partners, creating opportunities for dramatic swings in momentum. But it was North’s consistency and composure under pressure that stood out, limiting the South squad’s chances to rally.

With Team North holding a commanding lead after Day 1, Talion hinted at minimal changes for Day 2, when action shifts to Foursomes, emphasizing the importance of team familiarity.

‘It’s all about chemistry. One of the key factors for Day 2 will be the lessons from today – what worked, what didn’t, and how the team handled different moments,’ said Talion.

‘We do have a few players who aren’t feeling 100%, so there will be some minor adjustments. But overall, we’ll aim to stay consistent based on their strong performance,’ he said.

Even in divisions where South showed flashes of resistance, North’s pairings remained in control. Zach Guico and Halo Pangilinan cruised to a 5 and 4 romp in the boys’ 7-10 division, toppling Lucas Revilleza and James Rolida.

South’s Ethan Lago and Kvan Alburo, however, foiled Zoji Edoc and Asher Abad, 3 and 2, in the other match.

In the boys’ 11-14 category, Zianbeau Edoc and Jacob Casuga outplayed South’s top gun Ralph Batican and Marcus Dueñas, 5 and 4, while Vito Sarines and Ryuji Suzuki smothered South’s Jared Saban and Ken Guillermo, 3 and 2.

The Sarines twins – Mona and Lisa – extended their winning streaks with impressive victories alongside different partners. Mona teamed up with Kendra Garingalao to edge out Brittany Tamayo and Kimberly Baroquillo, 2 and 1, while Lisa, paired with Alexie Gabi, matched the feat with a 2 and 1 win over Rafella Batican and Zuri Bagaloyos. Their performances secured yet another sweep for the North in the girls’ 11-14 category.

Team South staged a stunning comeback in the final match of the day, as Eric Jeon drained a clutch pitch-in birdie on the challenging No. 18. The dramatic finish lifted his pairing with Mhark Fernando III to a thrilling 1-up victory over North’s Zach Villaroman and Jakob Taruc.

Trailing by two with just five holes to play, Jeon and Fernando mounted a spirited rally in the closing holes to square the match after 17 holes before Jeon’s brilliant birdie sealed the deal on the final green, earning loud cheers from South supporters.

‘I hit a good drive, but my approach came up a bit short. Still, I read the line perfectly from 23 yards and pitched it in for birdie,’ said Jeon. His clutch finish and the dramatic turnaround could prove pivotal, giving South a surge of confidence and much-needed momentum heading into Day 2, especially after trailing by as many as six matches earlier in the day.

Patrick Tambalque and Kristoffer Nadales delivered the eighth win for North with an emphatic 5 and 3 romp over Alexis Nailga and Armand Copok in the other boys’ 15-18 match.

Meanwhile, the South’s girls’ 15-18 squad lived up to their promise of dominance, delivering a commanding shutout against the North. Crista Miñoza and Precious Zaragosa led the charge with a 6 and 4 rout of Rafa Anciano and Chloe Rada. Their momentum was mirrored by Tashanah Balangayan and Mikela Guillermo, who also posted a decisive 6 and 4 win over Levonne Talion and Tiffany Bernardino – completing the South’s emphatic sweep in the premier division.

Despite trailing by four points, Team South skipper Alfred Gaccion remained optimistic, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back in tomorrow’s alternate shot format.

‘We’ll be reviewing today’s pairings and likely making a few adjustments – minor changes that we believe will better suit our strategy for tomorrow,’ said Gaccion. ‘It’s definitely going to be a different setup with the alternate shot format.’

Although Team South was outshone in several areas, Gaccion acknowledged both the challenges and bright spots from the day’s performance.

‘We expected our 15-to-18 teams to step up, and they did – we’re pleased with how they performed,’ he said. ‘Unfortunately, a few of our key players just didn’t have their best day, and that certainly impacted our overall standing. But with some fine-tuning, we’re hopeful for a better outcome tomorrow.’

Despite the deficit, Gaccion emphasized that the team is far from finished.

‘We’re still in contention. We’ll try to bounce back tomorrow and hopefully do good,’ added Gaccion.