Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The economy should not be depicted as a machine, churning out goods and services inanimately. I think of the economy as a collection of living people, who individually aim to better their quality of life, but whose movements are independent and uncoordinated.

Economic progress in a given period is more meaningfully monitored by counting the numbers of Filipinos getting better off and getting worse off-(see ‘How many Filipinos progress?,’ 9/06/25)-than by counting the money value of what Filipino entities produce in that period, which is the definition of the gross national product (GNP).

Whenever Filipinos are asked to consider whether the past 12 months have been favorable or unfavorable to their well-being, some say they got better off; let’s call them Gainers. Then some say they got worse off; let’s call them Losers. And most-at least a plurality, if not the outright majority-say that their quality of life has stayed the same as a year ago.

Lurching forward has been relatively rare. The number of people in these three groups fluctuates constantly. In periods when Gainers clearly outnumber Losers, the people are advancing economically. I use the term ‘clearly’ if the Gainers are ahead by at least 10 percentage points, i.e., they have a double-digit lead over the Losers, in the period, to be sure it’s not a mere random error.

But, as a matter of fact, this happened only 18 times in 163 national surveys in the Social Weather Stations (SWS) archives, from 1983 to the present, even though the GNP per capita grew annually throughout. This means that the national economy lurched forward in only 11 percent of the recorded cases; and there are many more subnational cases in the archives. Fortunately, however, these forward lurches are much more common recently than four or three decades ago.

Lurching backward, on the other hand, has been very common. In periods when Losers clearly outnumber Gainers, the economic situation of the people is retreating. This has happened in 99 surveys so far, or in 61 percent of the cases; in short, the economy lurched backward three-fifths of the time.

Historically, therefore, the great majority of the lurches have been retreats. And the pandemic years of 2020 to 2021 were absolutely catastrophic. Thankfully, most of these retreats happened over two decades ago, and have been getting more seldom.

Staying in place has happened about one-fourth of the time. When neither Gainers nor Losers dominate by more than a single-digit percentage, the mass of people are simply maintaining their position; this happened in 46 national surveys, or 28 percent of the time. In particular, the economy held steady in the third quarter this year, after having advanced in the second quarter. (‘Gainers minus Losers at -2 in September 2025, down from +12 in June 2025,’ www.sws.org.ph, 11/24/25 has the charts and tables supporting all the numbers cited here).

Recent geographic changes. In the third quarter, the economy stayed in place in all four SWS study areas, with the newest percentages of Gainers minus Losers at single digits in the National Capital Region (-8), Balance Luzon (-4), Visayas (+1), and Mindanao (+3). All parts of the country experienced comedowns in September, compared to June- by 18 points in NCR, from +10; by 10 points in Balance Luzon, from +6; by 21 points in the Visayas, from +22 (the most disappointing!); and by 13 points in Mindanao (from +16). These relationships of these changes to events-particularly the stormy weather-in the said areas should be studied by local experts.

‘Catching up’ is hard to do. The SWS surveys show that those from self-rated poor families are much less able to become Gainers than those from self-rated not poor families. For instance, last September the Net Gainers score of the SRP was -13, whereas that of the SRNP was +9.

Schooling is another obvious enabler. Last September, the Net Gainers score was an unfavorable -12 among elementary school graduates, compared to a modestly favorable +5 among college graduates.

If the poor always get poorer, and the rich always get richer, social inequality will grow more and more intense, as time goes by.

Coach Jerry Yee savored ZUS Coffee’s rapid rise from being a pushover to a first-ever trip to the PVL Finals in the Reinforced Conference.

Yee took over the club last year and slowly rebuilt the program, adding Jovelyn Gonzaga, Chinnie Arroyo, and other veterans as well as drafting Thea Gagate first overall pick last year to bolster the core of College of Saint Benilde, led by Clo Mondoñedo. They made their maiden quarterfinals appearance in the previous All-Filipino Conference.

The veteran PVL tactician also signed star libero Alyssa Eroa, drafted AC Miner, Riza Nogales, and Mycah Go, and found a perfect import in Anna DeBeer.

Yee didn’t expect to go as far as the championship game, where his squad takes on his former team and powerhouse Petro Gazz on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

He even cited a marketing strategy called ‘sandbagging,’ which means understating their predictions so that they can later exceed expectations.

‘In marketing, they call that sandbagging. We’re a small team and we’re young. ZUS was only formed on May 27, 2024, and in such a short time, right? We got lucky in the draft, and management worked hard to get the right pieces. They were aggressive in getting what we needed, and here we are,’ said Yee.

‘So I have to do my job. You’ve got to give back when management gives you that kind of support. It’s give-and-take. They show up for us, so we have to show up for them.’

The Thunderbelles dominated the elimination round, winning seven of their eight elimination games. They knocked out Capital1 in the quarterfinals and shattered PLDT’s bid for a third title with a stunning 25-22, 28-26, 25-22 sweep in the semifinals. Yee’s biggest obstacle now is the team he previously built, the Petro Gazz Angels. He was the pioneering coach of the franchise when it joined the PVL in 2018 and then helped the team win its first two championships in the 2019 and 2022 Reinforced Conference as program head.

He believes the Thunderbelles are the underdogs in this winner-take-all final.

‘We’re the underdogs. Honestly, the bosses and management are already very happy that we reached the semis. Their messages to us were, ‘No pressure, just play. We’re already happy.’ And we’ve already come a long way. That’s what they kept telling us. But for us, wherever we can go, we’ll keep pushing,’ Yee said.

‘Anna has given us so much confidence. We really lean on her. The locals are improving, the whole team is improving, and this is our chance. Why not try, right? We’ve played them before the result was okay. I’m sure there will be adjustments. I’m sure it’ll be different when we meet in the finals.’

With a chance to make history, the Thunderbelles vow to give their all.

‘We’re here now. We can’t back out at this point,’ Yee added.

LANDBANK has earned seven major distinctions from leading global financial publications in 2025, recognizing its exceptional performance in inclusive finance, institutional banking, investment banking, and the visionary leadership of its President and CEO.

Affirming its leadership in financial inclusion and its stature in the banking industry, the state-run Bank earned a spot on the Forbes World’s Best Banks 2025 list, ranking 5th among nine Philippine banks recognized by the global media company, in partnership with Statista. LANDBANK was also included in the Forbes World’s Best Employers 2025 list, placing 4th in the Philippines and 187th out of 900 organizations worldwide, underscoring its strong workplace culture, employee engagement, and commitment to public service excellence.

LANDBANK was likewise named Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion and Best Investment Bank for Debt Capital Markets (DCM) at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, in recognition of its pivotal role in structuring and facilitating debt financing across various sectors, and its commitment to reaching and serving underserved sectors and communities.

The Asian Banking and Finance (ABF) Awards also cited the Bank for expanding customer access through innovative, customer-centered services, with the Domestic Retail Bank of the Year – Philippines award.

Beyond these institutional distinctions, LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz received two major leadership recognitions in 2025 – as Best New Banking CEO for 2025 by the Global Banking and Finance (GBF) Awards, citing her transformational leadership and measurable impact in strengthening the Bank’s financial performance and credibility.

Fortune Magazine also recognized PCEO Ortiz as one of Asia’s Most Powerful Women in 2025, ranking 3rd in the Philippines and 72nd on the worldwide list and highlighting her influential leadership in advancing inclusive finance, digital transformation, and public service innovation.

‘These recognitions reflect LANDBANK’s intensified focus on inclusive banking, digital transformation, and service excellence. They are a testament to the dedication of all Landbankers nationwide, whose collective efforts empower our clients and communities while advancing the nation’s broader development goals,’ said PCEO Ortiz.

Sustaining Support to Nation-Building

LANDBANK continues to deliver on its dual mandate as a development and universal bank by channeling its financial strength toward national growth. This year, LANDBANK declared ?33.53 billion in cash dividends to the National Government – the highest in its history and among all government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) – on the back of its strong financial performance.

Through its flagship AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program, the Bank strengthens access to affordable and responsive financing for small farmers, fishers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses. The Program features a lowered interest rate of 3% per annum and simplified application processes, allowing borrowers to secure the capital they need to adopt modern farm practices, scale production, and enhance their overall competitiveness.

Complementing its loan support is the ASCEND (Agri-Fishery Support thru Capability Enhancement for Nationwide Development) Program, which provides training in digital financial literacy, sustainable agriculture, and enterprise development, aimed at empowering borrowers to become full-fledged agripreneurs.

Inclusive Banking for Every Filipino

LANDBANK continues to expand its reach through its ‘phygital’ strategy, seamlessly integrating its physical presence with advanced digital channels. This approach ensures a secure and convenient banking experience while serving the underserved and unbanked. The Bank also recently piloted its Person-to-Merchant (P2M) QR payment facility in Negros Occidental, enabling farmers and MSMEs to conduct safe, cashless transactions.

The Bank maintains a nationwide network of 10,582 customer touchpoints, including 609 branches, 60 lending centers, 3,244 automated teller machines (ATMs), 236 cash deposit machines (CDMs), and 1,091 LANDBANKasama partners, ensuring financial access even in the most remote communities. Customers can also transact free of charge at over 3,800 7-Eleven ATMs nationwide through the Bank’s partnership with Pito Axm Platform, Inc. (PAPI).

Construction crews were busy refining the massive stage and electrical setup beside the San Isidro Cathedral earlier this week, preparing the site for the November 30 nationwide ‘Trillion Peso March’ prayer rally and protest.

The event seeks to denounce corruption and bolster the national call for accountability amid the multibillion-peso flood control controversy gripping the government.

Malaybalay Bishop Noel Pedregosa issued a pastoral letter addressed to all priests, parishioners, lay faithful, consecrated persons, and religious organizations in the Diocese of Malaybalay, urging participation in the local counterpart of the protest.

‘As our response to the call of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to support the movement led by the Church Leaders Council for National Transformation (CLCNT), I strongly encourage you to take part in the November 30, 2025, Prayer Protest Rally, the Trillion Peso March,’ Pedregosa said.

The local rally will begin with a Holy Mass at the San Isidro Cathedral to be celebrated by Msgr. Cirilo Sajelan at 11:45 a.m. before proceeding to Plaza Rizal in downtown Malaybalay.

The bishop emphasized that the gathering is rooted in the principles of democracy and Christian faith. ‘Let us raise our collective call for authorities to impose appropriate punishment on those who plundered public funds, so justice may be served for the trillions stolen from the people,’ he said. Parishes and religious groups were asked to send delegations of five to ten participants, though the bishop clarified that all residents are invited to show solidarity by praying, voicing support, or displaying white ribbons or flaglets in homes and establishments.

Organizers have prepared a two-hour program at Plaza Rizal featuring speakers who will call on the public to ‘refuse neutrality’ amid widespread allegations of corruption and injustice.

The bishop also urged participants to reflect on personal accountability. ‘We cannot credibly demand transparency from the corrupt if we do not strive to live by the same principles,’ he said. Meanwhile, PCpt. Sheila Joy Jangad, spokesperson of the Bukidnon Police Provincial Office, said police units across the province’s towns and cities will be placed on full alert to secure the Sunday protest.

She said patrol teams would be deployed, and standby units would maintain visibility until the conclusion of the activity to ensure public safety.

Fuel prices are expected to move in mixed directions next week, with diesel poised for a significant rollback, while gasoline rates may stay largely unchanged, according to an advisory from Jetti Petroleum President Leo Bellas.

Preliminary computations

Bellas said preliminary computations from the first four trading days of the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) and foreign exchange averages indicate a possible P3.00 to P3.20 per liter reduction in diesel.

Gasoline is projected to register either no movement or a slight uptick of around P0.10 per liter for the week beginning Dec. 1.

He traced the sharp diesel decline to a market correction, as global crude prices eased on renewed optimism over a US-backed push for a ceasefire in Ukraine-an outlook that helped temper earlier concerns over tighter supply.

Although Asian gasoline benchmarks also posted slight declines, Bellas noted that premium and freight charges remain elevated, signaling a ‘tight supply-demand balance’ that continues to limit any substantial price cuts for gasoline.

Oil companies are expected to announce official pump price adjustments early next week.

Capital One Philippines, a three-time Great Place to Work®-certi?ed organization and one of Asia’s 2025 Best Workplaces, rede?nes growth at work as an opportunity to thrive on and o? the ?eld. By prioritizing ?exibility, well-being, and acknowledging its employees’ need to thrive in multiple areas of their lives, the company has created a supportive and progressive workplace culture often cited as a model for what a modern company should be.

This culture of care and development comes alive through the stories of its people whose experiences give us a peek at what it’s like to grow in a company that lets them live their best lives.

From Javi’s lens: leadership through genuine connections

Javi Rey, an Operations leader at Capital One Philippines, describes the company’s ethos of care as the foundation of everything they do. ‘Malasakit to me is the kindness and thoughtfulness we put at the core of everything we do. I see it everywhere at work, from every associate experience we create to every policy and procedure we have in place.’

Even personal moments re?ect the genuine culture of care. In a di?cult moment in Javi’s life, a senior leader reached out immediately to check on him and o?er support he needed at that time. For Javi, this demonstrated the company’s commitment to support beyond the workplace. ‘It’s a simple gesture but a great example of how it carries over outside the o?ce.’

Apart from his role as an operations lead, Javi also oversees several employee-focused events designed to strengthen connections. ‘We’re big on ?nding ways to help shape a culture where associates can live their best lives both in and out of work. I’ve seen that when people feel genuinely valued and empowered, they bring incredible energy and creativity to their jobs,’ he said.

Iris’ perspective: thriving both in and out of work

Iris Aranda, an HR professional, echoes Javi’s sentiment. ‘I’m passionate about my work and feel ful?lled in my role, yet I never feel that I have to sacri?ce being present for the moments that matter outside the o?ce,’ she shared.

She appreciates the holistic support the company provides. ‘The bene?ts extend to our families. The ?exibility I enjoy at work and in my role allows me to take care of personal things when I need to. Here, I can make time for work and personal life without feeling guilty about it. In fact, whenever I need time for myself or my family, there’s understanding and support. We also have great medical bene?ts and wellness programs that help us stay healthy and balanced-mentally and physically.’

Iris also highlights that this care isn’t limited to policies, it’s woven into the culture. ‘I think it’s how Capital One makes me feel that I belong. I feel I have the con?dence to speak up, try new things, and learn without fear of making mistakes. When people feel safe and supported like that, it’s easier to grow and thrive together.’

Robyne’s point of view: joining for the perks, staying for something deeper

For Robyne Somoza, a frontline customer service representative, the initial draw was simple: ‘At ?rst, I joined for the pay, perks and other really cool bene?ts. As someone helping support my family, that mattered a lot.’

But what convinced her to stay was something else she didn’t expect. ‘I stayed because there’s so much more here than just good compensation. People genuinely look out for each other. And the ?exibility we enjoy helps me manage my responsibilities at home without much stress. This is de?nitely one of the best workplaces.’

Robyne also explains that even as a frontline associate, she sees clear paths for growth. ‘This really is one of the best workplaces out there. The company really walks the talk when it comes to excellence and doing the right thing. You can see it from the leaders all the way down. The vibe here is inclusive, and it really makes you feel comfortable being yourself, no matter your background or beliefs. I came for stability, but I stayed because this is where I can actually build a future.’

Want to discover how your work and personal life can thrive without sacri?cing one over the other? Capital One Philippines is hiring! Applicants for the customer service representative role can enjoy a P30,000 new-hire bonus by accepting a job o?er in November, and commencing work between December 2025 and February 2026! See the updated list of job openings at https://capitalonecareers.com.ph/. Your next chapter could start here, right now.

The Department of Tourism in Eastern Visayas (DOT-8) is eyeing northern Samar and eastern Samar as emerging diving destinations following a regional assessment that documented promising underwater attractions in both provinces.

The DOT, together with Applied Technical Diving and Marine Solutions, recently completed a 12-day expedition across Eastern Visayas to evaluate sites suitable for the development of dive tourism.

The activity formed part of the DOT’s campaign to expand the region’s tourism products beyond traditional attractions and to position Eastern Visayas within the national diving map.

The team conducted a detailed study on Nov. 18 of the dive sites surrounding Ando and Divinubo Islands in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, where assessors reported highly favorable initial findings.

According to the DOT-8, Borongan’s underwater terrain-characterized by coral formations, reef walls and diverse marine habitats-places the city among the most promising locations for both recreational and technical diving in the region.

Unique landmarks

‘This is a city with the potential to be a major dive destination,’ the assessment team noted, citing the need for sustainable development to support future tourism activities.

Two days later, the survey continued in northern Samar, where dive site assessments were carried out from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22 in the islands of Capul, San Antonio, and Sila in San Vicente. The evaluation documented reef health, biodiversity, dive access points and unique underwater landmarks, indicating strong market viability if conservation-based tourism practices are implemented.

The DOT said the sites in northern Samar are distinguished by largely untouched reefs and high biodiversity, conditions seen as advantageous for community-based ecotourism and for attracting both local and international divers.

In Borongan City, the dive assessment was conducted with the support of the City Tourism Office, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Divinubo Community Resource Management Association (DCRMA), and the barangay councils of Ando and Divinubo.

The DOT-8 is currently finalizing a Dive Tourism Development Agenda, which will outline next steps for promoting high-value dive sites while ensuring environmental protection and local community participation.

With global interest in marine tourism on the rise, tourism officials believe northern and eastern Samar could soon join the country’s roster of diving destinations if current findings translate into development plans and investments.

In this country, apathy is rewarded. The less you complain, the more ‘mature’ you are. The quieter you stay, the more ‘respectful.’ But what is maturity without conscience? What is respect when it means betraying the oppressed?

We’ve all been called names for caring too much.

‘Woke.’

‘Snowflake.’

‘Pa-activist.’

‘Performative.’

Some laugh at us for marching under the sun, for writing long posts no one seems to read, for asking too many ‘whys’ in classrooms, for refusing to laugh at cruel jokes. Some even dismiss us as ‘OA’ for crying when a forest burns, when a jeepney driver loses his livelihood, or when a student takes her life because the world was too heavy.

To all of us who have been ridiculed for feeling too much, I want to say: your tenderness is not a weakness.

I used to shrink whenever I spoke up in high school. Whenever I called out bullying, classmates would mock me: ‘bida-bida,’ ‘woke,’ or ‘eh di ikaw na magaling.’ Some would roll their eyes and whisper that I was just ‘matalino sa Internet,’ as if noticing injustice online made me naïve or performative. Their laughter made me want to disappear. At family gatherings, I faced similar judgment when I challenged homophobic comments, only to be told I was ‘too sensitive.’ I would sit in the corner, cheeks burning, questioning myself: Why couldn’t I just laugh it off? Why couldn’t I stay quiet like everyone else?

But silence is easy when the world doesn’t hurt you.

The truth is, caring in a country like ours is an act of resistance. We live in a culture that tells us not to make a fuss, to mind our own business, to keep things ‘magaan lang.’ But how can we stay lighthearted when prices of basic goods keep climbing while wages barely move? How can we stay silent when disinformation spreads faster than truth, when forests vanish in exchange for malls, when jeepney drivers are left behind by modernization, when farmers till land they don’t own, when rampant corruption diverts resources meant for the people, and when young people lose hope in the very future they deserve? Caring makes us inconvenient. And inconvenient people get labeled ‘woke’ or ‘performative.’

I think about how ‘woke’ started as awareness of injustice, of inequality, of voices long silenced. But in recent years, it has been twisted into an insult, as if being awake to suffering is something shameful. They laugh at us for being ‘too idealistic,’ as if cynicism is the smarter choice.

And yet, history proves the opposite. Change always came from those who cared too much: from youth who risked their lives in martial law protests, from workers who organized despite threats, from women who demanded space in politics and society, from journalists who insisted on telling the truth when it was most dangerous. The world does not move forward because of indifference. It moves forward because people dared to feel.

I’ve also realized that caring is messy. It’s asking uncomfortable questions, feeling anger and sorrow, and sometimes standing alone in rooms that expect you to be silent. It’s feeling grief over a burning forest while trying to console someone who just lost a job. It’s writing a post that no one reads, yet knowing it matters to the one person who needed it.

Of course, I won’t pretend it’s easy. Being ‘progressive’ often means being exhausted. It means losing friends who think you’re too intense, losing arguments to trolls who thrive on cruelty, losing faith in institutions that keep betraying us. It means holding on to hope even when every headline tells you not to. Sometimes, caring feels like screaming into a void, waiting for an echo that may never come.

But if we don’t care, who will?

There are days when I wish I could stop noticing, stop feeling so much. Life would be easier. But then I remember the jeepney driver I once spoke to, who told me he had no idea how he would send his kids to school once the new rules kicked in. I remember the classmate who confided how hard it was to study on an empty stomach. I remember the stories of students who gave up because the world demanded more than they could give. I remember the forests cut down in my province to make space for subdivisions, the rivers poisoned, the families evicted. It is their faces that keep me from looking away.

So if you’ve ever been mocked for crying over injustice, for marching in streets while others stayed home, for writing essays no one claps for, for speaking in classrooms that fall silent-you are not alone. You are part of a long line of people who refused to look away.

And remember: the world will not remember the ones who laughed at us for caring. But it will remember those who chose, even when it hurt, to keep caring anyway.

Kristel Alillo, 20, is an industrial engineering student at the First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities in Batangas. She serves as the feature editor and executive literary folio editor of the school publication.

It looks like Mark Herras and Jojo Mendrez have patched up their friendship after Herras was spotted in the shooting of the singer’s upcoming music video.

Herras was reportedly spotted at a luxury resort in Batangas which is said to be the location of Mendrez’s music video for ‘Ngayong Pasko Ikaw Pa Rin,’ seven months after the singer accused the ‘Starstruck’ alum of grave threats.

The actor-dancer is said to be involved in the production of the music video, however, he has yet to confirm nor deny the rumors, as of this writing.

Herras and Mendrez were previously known to be good friends and were even hit with dating rumors at one point, which they firmly denied. Their good bond turned sour after the latter accused Herras of grave threats last April.

Last September, Herras accused Mendrez of being the reason why he lost a lot of projects. The singer firmly stated that he doesn’t want to comment on the former’s remarks.

‘Ayoko na sana mag-komento pero kapag lumaki [ang sinabi ng taong bahagi ng buhay ko], tsaka na lang ako magsasalita kasi ayokong tigilan. Napanood ko ‘yung interview kay Mark Herras, ayoko nang magsalita. Huwag niyo kong pilitin magsalita, please lang,’ he was quoted as saying.

(I don’t want to comment about this, but once this issue involving someone who was part of my life gets bigger, I will respond. He doesn’t want to leave me alone. I watched the interview with Mark Herras. I don’t want to talk about it. Don’t force me to talk about it. Please.)

Mendrez is set to release ‘Ngayong Pasko Ikaw Pa Rin’ to celebrate the Christmas season in December.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return to the court was not enough for the Milwaukee Bucks to stop their longest losing streak since his rookie season.

Restricted to 28 minutes after missing four games with a groin strain, Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists Friday night, but the Bucks were eliminated from the NBA Cup with their 118-109 loss to the Knicks.

‘I felt good,’ Antetkounmpo said. ‘I felt powerful. A little bit out of shape. Obviously I haven’t played with the team at all.’

It was Milwaukee’s seventh straight loss. It is the Bucks’ longest skid since dropping eight in a row March 11-24, 2014, when Milwaukee won 15 games after selecting Antetkounmpo in the 2013 draft.

‘It’s business man,’ he said. ‘We just got to have that business mentality. At the end of the day, we can talk all we want, make speeches. At the end of the day, we got to show up on the court 48 minutes. We got to do what it takes to win. We got to do the little things.’

Antetkounmpo had several strong drives to the rim and made 10 of 14 shots, but also committed a critical foul after the Bucks cut an 11-point deficit to two in the fourth quarter. After his dunk got the Bucks within 104-102 with 5:19 left, Antetkounmpo fouled Jalen Brunson on a 3-point try.

Brunson made all three free throws and the Bucks never threatened again.

Antetokounmpo strained his left groin during Milwaukee’s 118-106 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 17. Although he was diagnosed with a mild strain, Antetokounmpo said it felt like a pop in his groin when the injury initially occurred.

Antetokounmpo is averaging 31 points, 11.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists. He scored 14 points in 13 minutes before getting injured.

The Bucks are 0-5 this season when Antetokounmpo does not play. He traveled with the team to Miami on Wednesday, when the Bucks were handed a 106-103 loss.

Antetokounmpo was named the MVP of the in-season tournament last year, when the Bucks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder to claim the title after losing to the Indiana Pacers in the semifinals in 2023-24.