Category: Philippine Star

The Philippine flag and the Bangsamoro banner are both raised half-mast in the Bangsamoro capitol in honor of the speaker of the 80-seat regional parliament who died from an illness early Thursday, October 2.

Members of the regional lawmaking body and the chief minister of the Bangsamoro region, Abdulrauf Macacua, told reporters on Thursday morning that the 85-year-old Pangalian Ali Balindong, a lawyer, died from an illness at St. Luke’s Hospital in Quezon City.

‘We are saddened by the demise of the speaker of our regional parliament,’ Bangsamoro Labor and Employment Minister Muslimin Sema, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, said.

Balindong was a scion of a large, politically influential clan whose members are scattered in Malabang and in nearby towns in the second district of Lanao del Sur, one of the five provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. His ancestors fought the Spaniards, the Americans and the Japanese during World War II.

Balindong, born on January 1, 1940, in what is now the municipality of Pualas, Lanao del Sur, earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from Manuel L. Quezon University and passed the Bar in 1967.

He was a legal counsel of the MNLF during the crafting of the Dec. 23, 1976 Tripoli Agreement between the front and the Philippine government.

The compact was supposed to be a key reference in peace negotiations between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and subsequently, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Both groups eventually signed separate peace agreements with the national government and are now jointly involved in governing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), with representatives in various regional agencies and in the Bangsamoro Parliament.

‘We ought to thank him (Balindong) a lot for his contributions to the Mindanao peace process,’ BARMM’s health minister, the physician-ophthalmologist Kadil Sinolinding, Jr., who is also a member of the BARMM parliament, said.

Balindong had served, during the early 1990s, as speaker of the Regional Assembly of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which was replaced in 2019 with a more empowered BARMM, a product of 22 years of peace talks between the national government and the MILF.

He was also thrice elected as congressional representative of the 2nd district of Lanao del Sur, before his appointment as a member of the interim Bangsamoro parliament in 2019.

‘His involvement in the Mindanao peace process is one for the books,’ Macacua, the figurehead of the BARMM parliament, said, referring to Balindong.

A member of the BARMM parliament, Naguib Sinarimbo, also a lawyer, said they are saddened by the death of Balindong.

‘Speaker Balindong was a staunch supporter of the Mindanao peace process, both in his private life and as a public servant,’ said Sinarimbo, who was Bangsamoro local government minister before he was appointed as a member of the regional parliament last March by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

Balindong was also popular for being close to BARMM’s Christian and non-Moro indigenous communities.

Like a virtual ‘sprint race’, the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference is set for a high-intensity, action-packed run, crammed into just eight weeks to accommodate Alas Pilipinas’ participation in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December.

Despite its short run, the import-laden tournament promises thrilling showdowns, unpredictable outcomes and fierce rivalries when it kicks off on Tuesday, October 7. A fresh wave of international reinforcements is set to electrify the local scene, as fans eagerly welcome a new chapter of top-notch volleyball action.

As with last year, the PVL will use its streamlined Reinforced Conference format: the 12 participating teams are divided into two pools, playing a single round-robin within their groups. The top three teams from each pool will advance to the second round and face off only against the bottom three squads from the opposite group.

Rankings will follow the FIVB classification system: total wins, match points, set ratio, and point ratio.

At the end of the second round, all 12 teams will be re-ranked from 1 to 12. The bottom four will be eliminated, and the top eight will advance to the quarterfinals, which will follow a 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, and 4 vs 5 knockout format. The semifinals, championship, and bronze medal matches will also be one-game, do-or-die encounters.

Fresh off a dominant preseason, PLDT is aiming to complete a rare triple crown after sweeping both the PVL on Tour and the Invitational Conference. Spearheaded by Russian ace Anastasiia Bavykina, the High Speed Hitters boast a stacked roster and are gunning to finish the year with a perfect record.

But with 11 hungry teams looking to knock them off their perch, the race to the crown is anything but certain.

PVL president Ricky Palou expressed optimism for another unforgettable conference during Thursday’s press conference of the import-laced conference, backed by Milcu, Fabriano Appliances, Mikasa and ICTSI, at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas.

‘We’re looking forward to a very exciting conference,’ said Palou. ‘It’s going to be more competitive than usual because it’s Reinforced – we still have to see the caliber and skills of the imports. Whoever wins the championship, it’s anybody’s game.’

Star-studded reinforcements from across the globe are set to bolster each squad.

Creamline will look to bounce back with American spiker Courtney Schwan, seeking to defend its title, while Petro Gazz returns with a proven weapon in Lindsey Vander Weide, a key figure in their 2022 championship run.

Galeries Tower has signed former Chery Tiggo import Jelena Cvijovic of Montenegro, Nxled will lean on Spanish standout Paola Martinez Vela, Akari welcomes American Annie Mitchem, while Capital1 brings in Ukrainian Oleksandra Bytsenko.

Chery Tiggo tapped Cuban veteran Yunieska Robles Batista, Choco Mucho will be reinforced by American Anyse Smith, Cignal will rely on Greek hitter Eva Chantava, Farm Fresh looks to make waves with Belgian Helene Rousseaux, and ZUS Coffee is banking on American spiker Anna DeBeer.

Sherwin Malonzo, chairman of the PVL Control Committee, underscored the league’s commitment to delivering an elite competition despite the time crunch.

‘We’re hoping this conference will be more competitive and exciting,’ said Malonzo. ‘All the preparations we’ve made are geared toward giving players and fans the best experience possible.’

With an explosive mix of international talent, fast-paced scheduling, and no room for error, the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference is shaping up to be a thrilling end to the volleyball season.

Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle sees the problem of corruption in the Philippines as part of a larger global trend of poor governance, warning that Filipinos risk insulting themselves and the country’s overseas workers by repeating the phrase ‘only in the Philippines’ when scandals erupt.

Delivering the keynote address at the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) national convention on Wednesday, October 1, the former Manila archbishop spoke bluntly about how corruption is often framed as if it is a problem unique to the Philippines.

‘I travel a lot. I visit refugee camps, forested areas, denuded places, polluted waterways. And I tell you, it is not only in the Philippines where we find this horrendous situation,” Tagle said.

“So please stop saying, only in the Philippines … I feel insulted,’ he added.

In saying this, Tagle drew from his experience as pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, particularly the sector for evangelization of young Churches, where he oversees mission territories across Asia, Africa, Oceania and parts of Latin America.

He added: “I think of our overseas Filipino workers. When we only show, what they say, are the ‘ugliness’ of the country, what will their employers think?… But not all Filipinos are like that,” Tagle said before an audience of some 3,500 Catholic educators and students.

Tagle also suggested Filipinos examine international connections to problems within the country, noting that corruption operates on a global scale.

‘So maybe you could also look at what the connection of other countries and other businesses might be to what is happening in the Philippines,’ Tagle said in mixed English and Filipino. ‘Because fraud and corruption are global, maybe there are other hands meddling here with us.’

‘Maybe the ones we are shouting at are small fry,’ he said.

This year’s gathering of CEAP members – the country’s biggest network of Catholic schools – comes as parallel investigations are held in the Senate and in the Independent Commission on Infrastructure on irregularities in public works projects. In one of the Senate hearings, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon raised the possibility that “trillions” of public funds may have already been misused, stolen or lost due to corruption in flood control projects alone.

Revelations of anomalies have pushed Catholic schools, church leaders, civil society groups, and progressive organizations to take to the streets to demand accountability, with the last massive protest held on September 21, though local rallies were also held in the days before that.

While CEAP’s national convention this year has an official theme related to synodality – a word the Catholic Church uses to refer to a process of collective discernment and dialogue – CEAP officials in their speeches have also zeroed in on the current corruption scandal, especially how Catholic school educators can prevent their graduates from becoming part of the problem.

Given the timing of their gathering, CEAP president Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ, yesterday said their convention this year is meant to send a “strong message” to Catholic school graduates that the values they learned in classrooms must be lived out in public life.

Bishop Charlie Inzon of Jolo, who chairs the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ education commission, said in a speech on Wednesday that Catholic schools must not stop at protest actions when scandals break, but also invest in the long-term work of forming honest and conscientious Catholic school alumni.

As the country reels from back-to-back disasters -several destructive cyclones and a deadly earthquake – the Senate chose this week to pass a resolution urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place former president Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest for ‘humanitarian’ reasons.

The measure was approved by a slim majority, with15 votes in favor, three against, and two abstentions.

It was framed by its backers as a gesture of fairness. Senate Minority Leader Allan Cayetano, Duterte’s former foreign affairs chief, refused to discuss Duterte’s deadly war on drugs, saying the resolution was not about vengeance on Duterte, but justice.

But lawyers say the resolution has no real effect on Duterte’s fate at The Hague.

No legal weight

‘The resolution carries no weight at all, as far as the ICC is concerned,’ ICC-accredited lawyer Joel Butuyan told Philstar.com. ‘I think it was just passed to deflect public attention from the flood control scandal.’

Human rights lawyer Kristina Conti, who serves as assistant counsel at the ICC, agreed that the court will consider only mattes of fact and law.

‘The Senate as an institution is not in any way involved in the ICC process, and it is unclear how the resolution will be communicated to the international court,’ Conti said.

‘Unless the Senate has direct knowledge of Rodrigo Duterte’s physical and mental health and their report is transmitted to the ICC through the proper channels, then the resolution will be mere political noise,’ she added.

A show of Duterte’s power

Instead of heeding the resolution, both lawyers said the ICC is more likely to see it as a reminder of Duterte’s continuing political clout.

‘It shows to the ICC that Duterte is still powerful in the Philippines, that he still has very powerful allies, he can even have an overwhelming majority of the Senate to advocate his personal interest. All of these show that if he is released, it will endanger victims and witnesses,’ Butuyan said.

Apart from Duterte’s family members still exercising influence in their bailiwick of Davao, having support in the Senate would show how this influence extends nationwide, Conti said.

Butuyan agrees. “It shows to the ICC that Duterte is still powerful in the Philippines, that he still has very powerful allies, he can even have an overwhelming majority of the Senate to advocate his personal interest. All of these show that if he is released, it will endanger victims and witnesses.”

She believes that the court may also be aware that among the senators who passed the resolution could have had a hand in the drug war.

Tony La Viña, the former dean of Ateneo de Manila University’s School of Government, told Philstar.com that the Senate’s resolution does not help in Duterte’s bid for interim release.

“This is bad for Duterte’s petition for interim release as this shows he has power and influence that can be used against victims,” La Viña said.

Noise, distraction

For Butuyan, the resolution also looked like an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing corruption probes into flood control projects. Several senators close to the Dutertes have been tagged in the schemes, including former Senate president Chiz Escudero.

‘If the Senate really cares for the people they serve, they should first pass a resolution commiserating with the families of victims of the war on drugs and set aside a fund to help the thousands of children orphaned by it,’ Butuyan said.

The ICC is prosecuting Duterte over his war on drugs, which is estimated to have killed as many as 30,000 people. Duterte was turned over to the court in March this year, but his allies continue to push for his release.

La Salle held on to a 74-72 triumph against listless Far Eastern U to avenge its deflating defeat to Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball yesterday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Green Archers banked on their defensive fangs in the clutch after going scoreless in the final minute and nearly losing a five-point lead as FEU’s Jorick Bautista muffed a game-tying lay-up in the last seven seconds for the Archers win.

La Salle, which beat Adamson, 60-58, but wasted a 12-point lead and bowed to host and dark horse Santo Tomas, 93-84, improved to 2-1 behind unbeaten Ateneo, Santo Tomas and National U.

Doy Dungo led the way with 17 points on three triples while Mason Amos, Jacob Cortez and EJ Gollena churned out 14 points each for La Salle, which only drew six points from team captain Mike Phillips on a 1-of-7 clip.

Phillips, however, collared 13 rebounds.

Okada Manila proudly celebrates its second consecutive win as the Best Meetings and Conventions Hotel – Philippines at the 2025 Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Travel Awards, organized annually by TTG Asia.

The award, decided by votes from readers across TTG Asia publications including TTG Asia, TTG China, TTG India, TTG MICE, TTG-BT MICE China, TTG Associations and TTG Asia Luxury, underscores the resort’s standing as the country’s premier destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE).

Widely regarded as one of the Asia-Pacific region’s most prestigious distinctions in travel and hospitality, the TTG Travel Awards continues to honor organizations that consistently raise the bar of excellence.

Okada Manila’s back-to-back recognition not only highlights its role as a leader in the industry but also showcases the Philippines’ growing prominence as a hub for world-class business events.

The 2025 Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner was held last September 25 at the Centara Grand at CentralWorld in Bangkok, Thailand.

‘Winning this award for the second year in a row is a proud milestone for our entire team,’ said Cielo Reboredo, VP for sales and marketing at Okada Manila. ‘It shows the confidence our partners and guests have in us, and it drives us to keep delivering events that bring people, ideas and possibilities together here in the Philippines.’

A benchmark for world-class events

Since 2016, Okada Manila has built a strong reputation for hosting seamless events of every scale and a diversified portfolio of events venue. Its venues combine flexibility, tailored solutions and professional support for everything from international conventions to private celebrations.

The Grand Ballroom accommodates large gatherings of up to 1,200 pax, while the Golden and Glass Ballrooms are ideal for mid-sized occasions good for 100 to 300 pax. The Crystal Pavilion, with its striking glass architecture, is ideal for trade shows, exhibitions and entertainment events.

Cove Manila, Southeast Asia’s largest indoor beach club can be booked for major corporate events and conventions that can accommodate up 1,500 guests offers a dynamic setting, and the Chairman’s Lounge provides exclusivity with panoramic views of Manila Bay and The Fountain.

The resort also offers versatile meeting rooms and event venues, complete with multimedia technology, curated packages and award-winning culinary experiences designed to elevate every gathering. All venues are complemented by customizable packages and dedicated services to ensure flawless execution.

A complete resort experience

Okada Manila’s 30-hectare property offers more than event spaces. Guests can choose from 1,001 well-appointed accommodations, relax at the Forbes 5-star recognized The Retreat Spa or recharge through extensive wellness and recreation facilities.

Dining and shopping are equally diverse, with more than 40 restaurants serving global cuisines and The Promenade offering premium retail options. This balance of business and leisure makes Okada Manila not just a venue, but a destination where every aspect of the guest journey is thoughtfully curated.

Putting the country at the center of MICE excellence

Strategically located in Entertainment City, just minutes from international airports and Manila’s business districts, Okada Manila plays an essential role in strengthening the Philippines’ standing as a competitive MICE destination in Asia.

Its continued recognition by TTG Asia’s readership reflects not only the resort’s pursuit of excellence but also the country’s growing appeal to global event organizers.

Another man has passed away following the violent Mendiola-Recto riots on September 21, forensic authorities confirmed.

Eric Saber, 35, died of a ‘perforated gunshot wound to the neck,’ according to a death certificate issued by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun.

Fortun said Saber’s immediate cause of death was ‘probable pneumonia,’ while the antecedent cause was a ‘spinal cord injury C6.’ She told Philstar.com that no bullet was recovered from Saber’s body.

Saber was struck by a bullet during the clashes along Recto Avenue in Manila. It remains unclear where the shot came from, though human rights group Karapatan alleged he was hit during ‘violent dispersals’ by police.

But Rep. Arnie Fuentebella (Camarines Sur, 4th District), budget sponsor for the Department of the Interior and Local Government, denied that police fired their weapons, echoing the Philippine National Police’s account.

‘For the record, Madam Speaker, chineck po natin, wala pong nagpaputok sa aming mga SWAT during that incident,’ Fuentebella said in Thursday’s plenary debates. (For the record, Madam Speaker, we checked, and none of our SWAT personnel discharged a firearm during that incident.)

The Department of Health earlier confirmed one man was dead on arrival from stab wounds during the riots.

Manila Police District spokesperson Police Major Philip Ines said 216 people were arrested following the unrest, which broke out near Mendiola and Recto and coincided with larger anti-corruption protests in Luneta and EDSA.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has downgraded its growth forecasts for the Philippines, citing weaker-than-expected performance in the first half and external headwinds that could weigh on exports and investment.

In its latest Article IV Consultation, the IMF now expects the Philippine economy to expand by 5.4 percent in 2025, slightly lower than the 5.5 percent projection in its July World Economic Outlook.

Growth is projected to improve to 5.7 percent in 2026, but still weaker than the earlier estimate of 5.9 percent.

Both forecasts are below the government’s 5.5 percent target this year and six percent target next year.

‘The revision reflects factors related to the first half performance, which was weaker than expected,’ IMF mission chief Elif Arbatli Saxegaard, who led the consultation mission in Manila, told reporters yesterday.

Saxegaard said external pressures, including higher tariffs slapped by the United States on Philippine exports, could dampen trade and investment prospects.

‘Some of the important factors will be the higher tariffs, which are imposed on the Philippine exports to the US and will weigh on exports and investment,’ she said.

The expected decline in government expenditure to meet the government’s fiscal deficit target is also ‘expected to more than offset an increase in private consumption.’

Still, the multilateral lender noted that the Philippine economy has remained resilient despite global uncertainties, with growth supported by monetary easing and recent legislative reforms to boost private investment.

Meanwhile, the IMF pointed out that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has room to further ease monetary policy given the favorable inflation outlook and downside risks to growth.

‘The inflation outlook is quite favorable. We also see downside risks to growth and the output gap. In line with this, there is more room for a more accommodative policy stance,’ Saxegaard said.

Inflation is expected to average 1.6 percent in 2025 before inching up to 2.6 percent in 2026, staying close to the BSP’s two to four percent target. Core inflation is projected to remain subdued at 2.5 percent in 2026.

On fiscal policy, the IMF said the government should pursue a gradual medium-term fiscal consolidation strategy anchored on durable revenue measures.

‘The authorities should consider implementing concrete and durable tax measures to limit the need for restraint in priority spending,’ the IMF noted, stressing that heavy cutbacks often hurt growth and disproportionately affect vulnerable groups.

Saxegaard highlighted several tax options under discussion, including excise levies on unhealthy food and sugary drinks, closer monitoring of tax incentives and improved efficiency of the value-added tax.

She also underscored the role of technology in strengthening tax administration.

‘Better or enhanced use of data analytics and compliance risk management would help support revenue mobilization,’ she said.

The IMF also flagged vulnerabilities in the financial sector, such as exposure to the real estate market, strong interconnections among banks and conglomerates, and the rapid expansion of consumer credit. Nonetheless, it said systemic financial risks remain moderate, with the banking sector backed by solid capital and liquidity buffers.

On governance, the IMF urged authorities to strengthen fiscal management and transparency, improve public investment planning and procurement, as well as deepen reforms to attract foreign direct investment.

‘Enhancing fiscal governance and the rule of law and reducing corruption vulnerabilities are critical for inclusive and sustainable growth,’ Saxegaard said.

The IMF team held meetings with government officials, the BSP and representatives of the private sector during its mission in Manila from Sept. 18 to Oct. 1.

Senate finance chair Sherwin Gatchalian flagged the involvement of flood control contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya in the anomalous construction of hospital facilities during the Department of Health (DOH)’s budget deliberation yesterday.

Gatchalian lamented the wasted public funds in uncompleted or idle hospital facilities, citing a 2024 Commission on Audit (COA) report about 123 DOH contracts worth P11.5 billion not completed on time due to poor coordination, approval delays and changes in site locations, among others.

He said the average P100-million budget for the graft-tainted flood control projects could have been used for the construction of a new building for the children’s hospital.

‘This is P11.5 billion that we cannot use and got stuck, because of poor planning, lack of coordination and poor execution. We really need to spend our budget wisely,’ Gatchalian said.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa mentioned the DOH’s ‘flood control version’ of the scandal, with 400 of their 600 health centers under its health facilities enhancement program left idle because of lack of health care personnel and delayed construction due to contractors’ lapses.

COA supervising auditor for DOH Ameer Gamama said Discaya’s firm St. Gerrard Construction was involved in a P133-million Zamboanga sanitarium project that was left idle despite being 98 percent complete and a P22.45-million DOH satellite project in Zamboanga del Norte that was completed but instead used as a classroom by the Mindanao State University.

Herbosa also lamented lawmakers’ practice of ‘budget insertions’ in the national outlay for DOH projects not part of its health facility development plan, resulting in poor planning and faulty or delayed construction.

Farm-to-market roads

The Department of Agriculture (DA) yesterday said its audit of farm-to-market roads has uncovered P115 million in ‘ghost’ projects from P75 million initially reported, adding to the roster of questionable government infrastructure flagged so far.

‘It’s not that big but it’s still alarming because why are there ghost projects,’ Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told reporters on the sidelines of the opening day of the 47th meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

He said his agency is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and that he plans to personally visit the sites.

The agriculture official said the previous day that the contractors behind the P115 million in ‘ghost’ projects were not among the 15 firms earlier identified by President Marcos.

The DA launched the audit earlier this year after the Senate began looking into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, prompting the agency to scrutinize its own road programs.

The country still lacks about 62,000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads, according to the agriculture official, stressing the need to safeguard funds so these can be used for actual construction and improvements rather than lost to anomalies.

Investigate EDCA

Apart from anomalies in flood control projects, militant fishers’ group Pambansang Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said the government should also investigate DPWH’s budget allocation for a military site covered by the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Pamalakaya chairman Fernando Hicap said the DPWH’s Tatag ng Imprastraktura Para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad appropriated P3 billion for various support of national security, including the expansion of an airstrip in the island town of Balabac in Palawan.

For Hicap, it is unacceptable that public funds are being used for an EDCA site that he said has no benefit for Filipinos and also puts the country’s security at risk.

Aside from the expansion of the Balabac airstrip, Hicap said the DPWH also provided funds to build a hangar at the Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu and the construction of hangars and various military infrastructure at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Instead of military bases, Hicap said government funds should be used to build infrastructure that will directly benefit people.

Removal of ethics

The Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines (CEAP) warned that corruption in the government would worsen amid the Department of Education (DepEd)’s proposal to remove the Ethics subject from the General Education (GE) curriculum of higher education institutions as the country is rocked by flood control scandal.

CEAP executive director Narcy Ador Dionisio said that ethics form the conscience of students.

‘Ethics is not optional. It is essential to look at what’s happening to our country today,’ Dionisio said.

‘Ethics forms the conscience of our students and without it, we risk producing graduates who may be competent but lack integrity. Academic knowledge without ethical grounding will never serve the common good,’ he added.

‘We’re talking about good people initially when they graduate from a Catholic school or other schools and eventually, they turn into thieves and this is the same reason why CEAP is firmly opposing the removal of Ethics in the general education curriculum,’ he noted. -Alden Monzon, Emmanuel Tupas, Bella Cariaso

With former Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis hounded by foul trouble, his teammates stepped up and towed the Mapua Cardinals over the Lyceum Pirates in their NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball matchup Wednesday evening.

Mapua escaped Lyceum, 90-89, in a double overtime thriller.

There, Escamis played just 21 minutes and 19 seconds before fouling out in the first overtime. He finished with eight points, four rebounds and two assets to go with two steals as he struggled from the floor on a 4-of-15 clip.

After the game, the guard said he is happy with the way the other Cardinals picked up the slack in the grind-it-out win.

‘Sobrang saya ko kasi syempre, hindi lang naman ako yung Mapua e. One to 15-man lineup kami, pwede maglaro, pwede mag-bench, pwede mag-start,’ he said.

‘Kahit sino sa amin, maaasahan yun. Yun lang yung gusto ko, gusto ko [i-emphasize] sa kanila. Yung just be ready all the time when your number’s called. No emotions, pag pinasok ka, ready ka,’ he added.

Escamis was called for three early fouls in the first quarter of the game.

He was able to keep himself from committing his fourth foul until the 5:17 mark of the fourth, and he was finally whistled for his final foul with 3:27 remaining in overtime.

Still, his teammates stepped up, led by JC Recto, who finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, five steals and three assists. EJ Sapasap also had 16 markers and four boards for the Cardinals.

But the hero of the night was Marc Cuenco, who tallied 14 points, including a split from the line with 6.8 seconds remaining in the second overtime to push Mapua ahead for good.

Escamis admitted that it was ‘very frustrating’ for him to watch from the sidelines and be unable to help his teammates when the game went into deep waters, but he emphasized that he trusts his fellow Cardinals.

‘I just cheered them on, kinausap ko sila, like veteran advice, and they pulled out the win.’

And with this, Escamis underscored that it is a ‘good experience’ for them to have such a game to start their title defense bid.

”Di na kami magsha-shy away sa mga ganito moments. Especially yung mga rookies, mga bagong pasok. Ano lang agad sila, mga honed na agad sila sa mga ganitong sitwasyon,’ he said.

‘Pero kailangan namin mag-improve para sa defense kasi we were grateful na panalo kami, pero dapat yung margin of panalo dapat di umabot sa ganiyan.’

Mapua will be back in action next Wednesday, taking on Perpetual Help at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.