Day: March 25, 2023

TNT imposed its will against Meralco in Game 1 of their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series at the Ynares Center on Friday night and prevailed, 110-80. The Tropang Giga banked on their solid offensive game and quickly opened a double-digit lead at the end of the first quarter, 31-19. While the Bolts stayed in step in the second quarter, the Tropang Giga erupted anew for 35 points in the third quarter to pull away for good. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists with two steals and two blocks to lead TNT to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series, becoming the first player to complete a triple-double in consecutive games since Justin Brownlee went three straight games with a triple-double in 2019. RR Pogoy added 21 points, two rebounds, and one steal. KJ McDaniels was held to only 12 points but had 14 rebounds and two assists to lead Meralco.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has proposed that the Orang Asli land in the state be made Sultanate Land.

His Majesty said this would ensure better protection of the land.

“The Orang Asli area and its boundaries have been determined by the state government since the time of the late Sultan Abu Bakar.

“Apart from the Sultanate Land Enactment, existing enforcement should also be intensified against any misconduct,” said Sultan Ibrahim in a post on His Majesty’s Facebook last night.

The Sultan of Johor said measures must be taken to prevent the Orang Asli from being exploited by irresponsible parties.

According to His Majesty, some of the Orang Asli are being exploited by irresponsible quarters to encroach into their land to carry out illegal activities.

“The Orang Asli in Johor are well looked after by the government. They are provided various facilities such as roads, housing, schools and suraus. Some Orang Asli settlements also have internet facilities.

“However, there are irresponsible parties who take advantage of this group, exploiting them to carry out illegal activities,” added His Majesty.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Parts of the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Quezon will go waterless as Maynilad Water Services, Inc. on Saturday announced a water interruption due to its network maintenance from March 27 to April 3. In its advisory, Maynilad said the maintenance activities are part of its continuous effort to improve water services in the West Zone. In Caloocan City, the affected areas from 11 p.m. of March 27 to 4 a.m. of March 28 are in Barangays 8 and 12, specifically in Lapu-Lapu (northeast) corner Dagat-Dagatan. Likewise, Barangays 14 and 20, particularly in Tanigue (west) corner Dagat-Dagatan, and Barangay 28, specifically in Pamasawata; and Barangays 99 to 102, particularly in 8th Avenue corner Bogalino, will be affected from 11 p.m. of March 28 to 4 a.m. of March 29. Barangays 99 to 102, specifically in 9th Avenue corner Bogalino, will be affected from 10 p.m. of March 28 to 6 a.m. of March 29. Barangay 20, particularly in Tahong Alley A corner Tamban; and Barangays 56, 59, 60, and 63, specifically in 9th Avenue corner D. Aquino; will be affected from 11 p.m. of March 29 to 4 a.m. of March 30. Likewise, Barangays 99 to 102, particularly in Adalia corner Sampaguita and Azucena corner Sampaguita, will be affected from 11 p.m. of March 30 to 4 a.m. of March 31. Barangays 49, 52, 53, 56, 57, 59, and 60, specifically in 8th Avenue corner D. Aquino, will be affected from 11 p.m. of March 31 to 4 a.m. of April 1. In Malabon City, from 10 p.m. of March 27 to 6 a.m. of March 28, the areas that will be affected are parts of Barangays Dampalit and Hulong Duhat, particularly in Don Basilio Bautista Street. In Navotas City, Barangay Northbay Boulevard (South), specifically in Dalagang Bukid (west) corner C-3, will be affected from 11 p.m. of March 27 to 4 a.m. of March 28. Barangay Tanza, particularly in Dahlia corner Capt. Cruz (right), will be affected from 11 p.m. of March 30 to 4 a.m. of March 31. In Quezon City, Barangay Payatas, specifically in Paseo del Carmen corner Payatas Road; Barangay Batasan Hills, particularly in Ilang-ilang corner DMMA; Barangays NS Amoranto, Maharlika, and Paang Bundok, specifically in Del Monte corner Speaker Perez and Angelo corner Scout Alcaraz; will be affected from 10 p.m. of March 28 to 6 a.m. of March 29. Likewise, Barangay Balingasa, particularly in 8th Avenue and 9th Avenue corner Bogalino, will be affected from 11 p.m. of March 28 to 4 a.m. of March 29. From 10 p.m. of March 29 to 6 a.m. of March 30, the affected areas are in Barangay Santo Domingo, specifically in Simoun corner Biak na Bato (W). Barangays Sauyo and Talipapa, particularly in Mindanao (BP), will be affected from 10 p.m. of March 30 to 6 a.m. of March 31. Barangay Balingasa, specifically in Adalia corner Sampaguita and Azucena corner Sampaguita, will be affected from 11 p.m. of March 30 to 4 a.m. of March 31. Barangays NS Amoranto, Maharlika, and Paang Bundok, specifically in Simoun corner Biak na Bato; and Barangay Balingasa, particularly in A. Bonifacio corner Magnas will be affected from 10 p.m. of March 31 to 6 a.m. of April 1. Barangay San Antonio, specifically in Batangas corner Roosevelt, will be affected from 10 p.m. of April 1 to 6 a.m. of April 2. Barangay Baesa, particularly in Manotok Subdivision, will be affected from 10 p.m. of April 2 to 6 a.m. of April 3. The affected customers were advised to store enough water for the duration of the water interruption. Water tankers will be on standby and ready to deliver water to affected areas when necessary.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The additional 12 radio frequency identification (RFID) lanes on the North-South (PLUS) Expressway have been fully completed and began operations on March 11, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

He said that the additional RFID lanes were originally scheduled to be completed in mid-April, however, the work was completed ahead of schedule.

The additional RFID lanes are at toll plazas in Setia Alam, Subang, Jalan Duta, Putra Mahkota, Kajang, Kubang Semang, Sungai Besi, Shah Alam, Sungai Buloh, Rawang Selatan and Penang Bridge.

“I was also given an assurance that this RFID system will always be in the best condition. However, I also expect cooperation from RFID users on the PLUS expressway to always use the same RFID lane or payment mode when entering and exiting the toll plaza.

“At the same time, motorists should ensure that the eWallet balance is sufficient before starting the journey for a smoother travel experience,” he said in a statement on his official Facebook today.

He also congratulated PLUS Malaysia Berhad for successfully completing the work ahead of schedule.

In January, Nanta announced the additional 12 RFID lanes in several toll plazas on PLUS Expressway following complaints by motorists that a lack of such lanes was causing congestion.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Pole vaulter Natalie Uy returned to competition after four months and easily won at the ICTSI – Philippine Athletics Championships at the City of Ilagan Sports Complex here on Saturday. The 28-year-old snagged the gold with a 3.85-meter effort to beat fellow Filipino-American Alyana Nicolas (3.70m) and Ateneo de Manila University’s Jiamari Yzabelle Kawachi (3.30). Still cautious after recovering from a posterior cruciate ligament injury on her left knee sustained in December, Uy’s performance was way below her personal best of 4.30m, achieved at the 2018 Castellon Spanish Club Championships in Spain. “It was of tough conditions, being so hot and so early. I’m coming off injuries, so just skidding in the mental game. It was the most mentally tough that’s been in awhile. I am proud of fighting through but it’s really difficult,” Uy said in an interview when asked to assess her overall performance. Uy competed in her first Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in the Philippines in December 2019, capturing the gold medal with a SEAG record of 4.25m, but missed 2021 Vietnam (held in 2022) because of ‘unfortunate circumstances,’ which she did not divulge. She assured in previous interviews that she is raring to better her mark at the Cambodia SEAG in May on her way to try to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Uy, whose father is Cebuano, grew up in Ohio. Nicolas, also 28, was born in Quezon City and grew up in Pagsanjan, Laguna, before the family relocated to California. The women’s Open 100m gold medal went to yet another Filipino-American in Kristina Marie Knott, who clocked 11.87 seconds. Malaysian Zaidatul Husniash Zulkifli was second (12.02) followed by Lianne Diana Pama of the University of Santo Tomas (UST; 12.08). Knott ran a personal-best and a Philippine record of 11.27 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa in August 2020. Meanwhile, Jocelle Lesti heaved 23.68m for the javelin throw gold, relegating another local pride, Jhennah Mae Guillermo (22.75m), to second place. The crowd also cheered for their other province mate, national team mainstay Jaida Gagnao, who ruled the 5000m steeplechase in 17 minutes and 28.06 seconds, beating Cebu’s Art Joy Torregosa (18:34.10) for silver and Bohol’s April Joy Alampayan (18:35.47). The men’s gold went to Philippine Air Force’s Sonny Wagdos (14:56.98), while Richard Salaño took the silver (14:57.11) and Prince Joey Lee settled for bronze (15:18.07). In women’s hammer throw, Aira Teodosio posted 45.45m for the gold to defeat Kenneth Grace Ferrera (35.01m) and UST’s Jamela de Asis (34.74m). She also ruled the discus throw on March 22. Lyceum-Cavite’s Nicko Atas heaved 11.97m in men’s shot put for the gold, while Zoilo Reyes Jr. (11.81m) and Justine Kurt Galvez (11.76) were silver and bronze medalists, respectively. Marjun Sulleza (University of the Philippines), the 400m champion, also won in the 4x100m relay with Gene Allan Dairon Ordinario, Clint Nino Neri and John Carlo Yuzon. Other winners in the Open category of the tournament organized by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association were Malaysian Yap Sean Yee (women’s high jump), Arniel Ferrera of the Philippine Air Force (men’s hammer throw), Jie Anne Calis of UST (women’s 800m), and Malaysian Wan Muhammed Fazri Wan Zahari (men’s 800m).

Source: Philippines News Agency

The rail and bus services operated by Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) recorded one million passengers last March 21 (Tuesday), the highest daily number since the country entered the endemic phase.

Prasarana, in a statement today, said it was a leap from the average of 846,000 passengers daily from Jan 1 to March 15, with the rail service recording 767,000 passengers, while the bus service recorded 235,000 passengers.

“The figure of one million passengers (on March 21), includes an average of 100,000 passengers who use the Putrajaya Line MRT service that was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on March 16.

“Prasarana thanks all the passengers who use the services and will continue with efforts to ensure the safety, smoothness and stability of the services are maintained for the benefit of the public,” read the statement.

It said before COVID-19 hit the country in early 2020, about 1.2 million people used the Prasarana services daily.

Currently, the public gets to enjoy free rides on the Putrajaya Line Mass Transit Transit (MRT) services, including on the feeder bus service for Putrajaya Line MRT from Damansara to Putrajaya Sentral, it said, adding that the free rides are provided until March 31.

The public can get the latest information on the services through Rapid KL’s social media channels or through the PULSE application which can be downloaded for free.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency