NEWS
Gilas exits FIBA World Cup 2023 with a bang, blows out China by 21
September 3, 2023 11:30 p.m.
Two days short of nine years since the Philippines saved its best for last in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 in Seville, Spain, the present-day Nationals produced a similarly exhilarating final day moment Saturday, September 2, for jubilant Filipino fans to long remember.
After four straight losses in the Group Phase, Gilas Pilipinas delivered an exclamation point at the close of a World Cup campaign laden with questions, overwhelming traditional Asian powerhouse China, 96-75, at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The triumph was fashioned in the wake of heartbreaking losses to Dominican Republic, Angola, and Italy in group play, and to South Sudan in the first of two classification matches; lifting the crushing burden of a winless stint and averting a replication of the forgettable finish in the 2019 edition in China.
It may have also restored some faith in the national team, which became the object of public ridicule as a result of its struggles and failure to advance to the second round or secure a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes, who found himself in the middle of a blistering social media storm, took the microphone during the post-game press conference to indicate that he may be stepping down after the World Cup.
Reyes didn’t use the word “resign,” but he did say he was “stepping aside.”
“No, I haven’t heard anything from management. It is my decision. Like everybody knows, I didn’t apply for this job. I didn’t volunteer. I was given this mandate,” Reyes said.
“I already retired from coaching the national team and through all these times, I always said to judge us on our performance in the World Cup regardless of what happened between the time I was appointed and today.
“I said judge us by our performance. Obviously, we did not perform. We didn’t perform and like I said in the last game, I take full accountability, and because of that, I think it is time for me to step aside.
“I hate using the word ‘resign’ because I’m not a quitter. I would just like to emphasize that to everyone who is asking for that. But, at the same time, I signed up to do a job and I did not deliver the result, so I think it’s time to step aside, and allow the SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) to make a decision for the good of the team and the program.”
The 32nd Asian Games in Hangzhou, China is three weeks away and Reyes departing the national team at this juncture would leave the SBP scrambling in search of a new Gilas Pilipinas head coach.
For now, however, the Nationals have found themselves freed from anguish as they shared hugs inside the locker room, signed jerseys and balls, and doused themselves with celebratory champagne.
Both SBP president Al Panlilio and vice president Ricky Vargas glowingly spoke of their gratitude to the coaches and players, hailing their victory as a “gift to the Filipino people, whose support never wavered throughout the World Cup.”
SBP executive director Sonny Barrios bared that the two federation executives had urged the Nationals before the game “to give everything they’ve got and to dig deep for the sake of the fans in the Big Dome who braved the inclement weather to cheer for them.”
They were also advised “to have fun,” said Barrios.
Reyes confirmed that the pressure to perform and the accompanying expectation weighed heavily on the team from the start.
“Iba talaga, ang bigat e” he said. “Noong na-lift yung expectation, lumabas yung laro. Unfortunately, the results didn’t come out as we expected. But to end with a win, there’s no greater feeling.”
Reyes, along with June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, remnants of the Gilas Pilipinas team in Seville, savored the feeling on September 4 nine years ago after the Nationals defeated Senegal 81-79 in overtime in the last game of their participation. It was also the Philippines’ first World Cup win in 40 years.
Under the glow of that historic moment, Jordan Clarkson erupted for 34 points – 24 of which he unloaded in the third quarter, including a stretch where he drilled four straight triples, as the Nationals pulled away from a tight back-and-forth affair.
Down by two, 46-48, early in the third frame, Gilas Pilipinas unleashed a scorching 27-2 run to take full control of the contest and establish a 73-50 lead the Nationals never relinquished until the final buzzer.
“It feels good. It’s been a tough tournament, but we kept fighting, kept competing, kept playing,” said Clarkson. “I really wanted to end this on the right note. We might not see the same guys in the locker room after this, but at the same time, we just wanted to show heart, fight, and resilience.”
Unlike in the first four games, it was not Clarkson who China needed to stop as the 11,080 crowd came alive and erupted in a frenzy at every defensive stop AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, and fan favorite Rhenz Abando pulled off to fuel the run.
Abando went on to finish with 14 points, while Kai Sotto chipped in 12 points, and birthday boy Dwight Ramos added 11. Edu only finished with five points, but focused all of his energy on the defensive end, collecting 10 boards and a block.
More importantly, Gilas Pilipinas also kept its bid alive for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, as it finished as the third-best Asian team in the global showpiece.
Li Kaier (Kyle Anderson) paced China with 17 points, nine rebounds, and five assists while Zhang Zhenlin added 13, as the Chinese badly missed the services of 7-foot-1 center Zhou Qi who exited the ball game in the second frame.
Gilas Pilipinas exits FIBA World Cup 2023 with a bang, blows out China by 21
Two days short of nine years since the Philippines saved its best for last in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 in Seville, Spain, the present-day Nationals produced a similarly exhilarating final day moment Saturday, September 2, for jubilant Filipino fans to long remember.
After four straight losses in the Group Phase, Gilas Pilipinas delivered an exclamation point at the close of a World Cup campaign laden with questions, overwhelming traditional Asian powerhouse China, 96-75, at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The triumph was fashioned in the wake of heartbreaking losses to Dominican Republic, Angola, and Italy in group play, and to South Sudan in the first of two classification matches; lifting the crushing burden of a winless stint and averting a replication of the forgettable finish in the 2019 edition in China.
It may have also restored some faith in the national team, which became the object of public ridicule as a result of its struggles and failure to advance to the second round or secure a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes, who found himself in the middle of a blistering social media storm, took the microphone during the post-game press conference to indicate that he may be stepping down after the World Cup.
Reyes didn’t use the word “resign,” but he did say he was “stepping aside.”
“No, I haven’t heard anything from management. It is my decision. Like everybody knows, I didn’t apply for this job. I didn’t volunteer. I was given this mandate,” Reyes said.
NEWS
DITO delivers superior network performance, turning digital aspirations into possibilities
8:11 p.m. August 28, 2025
DITO Telecommunity showcased how superior connectivity transforms Filipino digital aspirations into achievable realities during the successful media launch of the telco’s latest campaign, Kaya DITO, held at Manila House, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Built on True 5G standalone technology and as validated by a global leader in mobile analytics and insights, Opensignal, as the Philippines’ Fastest Mobile Network, DITO’s ecosystem proves that the Filipino telecommunity’s demand for seamless network connectivity, value-driven services and unified digital experience aren’t distant possibilities, but today’s basic expectations—this challenges what the telco industry has long normalized.
“For too long, outages, dropped calls, and overpriced data have been treated as normal. Let us say it bluntly: It is not normal. Every Filipino has limitless potential when equipped with the right tools, and the game is now changing since DITO has joined the fray and taken up the cause to disrupt the status quo—to deliver inclusive, next-gen technology to the Filipino people. “Kaya DITO!” is our battle cry to symbolically break that cycle, because we truly believe that Filipinos deserve better,” shared by DITO Telecommunity President Eric Alberto in the event.
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NEWS
Pay with GCash and turn daily payments into big wins
11:39 a.m. August 27, 2025
GCash, the country’s leading finance super app, is making everyday payments more rewarding with “Pay It, Win It”, where every ₱50 spent on GCash builds your chances to win over ₱20 million worth of exciting rewards.
With “Pay It, Win It”, everyday payments turn into extraordinary wins with prizes designed to match the passion and lifestyle of all GCash users. Every two weeks, new and bigger rewards drop, bringing you closer to the life upgrade you’ve been dreaming of.
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Upgrade Your Everyday
Every peso spent gives users a chance to win must-have prizes that can upgrade their everyday lives– from driving home a brand-new BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic or zipping through the city on a Yamaha NMAX, to bringing homea Samsung Smart TV.
A Trip to the K-Land
For all dedicated and passionate K-pop fans, you can turn your bills and shopping receipts into plane tickets, taking you a step closer to your bias. Win a trip for two to Seoul or Busan and make your ultimate K-dream a reality.
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For PC and console gamers, leveling up has never been this thrilling. Win the latest gaming console (PlayStation™ 5), a high-performance gaming laptop (ASUS ROG Strix G16), and the ultimate gaming phone (ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro), because every gamer knows that better gear leads to better performance.
Joining is simple; just head over to the “Pay It, Win It” page by clicking the “Tap for Promos” banner on your GCash app and choosing a prize to register. Every ₱50 spent instantly counts as a raffle entry.
Pay any way you like, whether it’s scanning or generating a QR code, paying with your GCash Card, paying online, buying load or paying bills inside the GCash app, paying with GCash Tap to Pay, or generating a QR with your Huawei Watch. No extra forms, no fuss, just keep using GCash everyday.
Winners are drawn weekly and announced every Friday through the official social media channels of GCash and in-app promo page. All winners will be notified via email, and in-app alerts.
With “Pay It, Win It,” GCash proves that every payment isn’t just a flow of funds from users’ wallets; it’s a step toward progress, a connection to your passion, and a chance to unlock rewards that truly matter. For more information about GCash, visit www.new.gcash.com.
NEWS
‘Gender dimension’ will make urban spaces more inclusive, useful — expert
11:12 a.m. August 26, 2025
Urban planners must consider the “gender dimension” to make public spaces more inclusive and allow better use of infrastructures designed to make users move comfortably, according to a US-based expert supporting movements for greater public mobility.
Benjie de la Peña, CEO of the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) and chair of the Global Network for Popular Transportation, said buildings, walkways or sidewalks, and transport terminals should not be mere infrastructures as they must be public spaces where people should be able to move comfortably.
Engineers tend to think of efficiency and movement alone and they don’t think about the waiting part, right? … It’s always about the moving and not about the waiting. But in a good system, you think about how it is to wait and dwell,” De la Peña told participants of the Philippine Mobility Series 2025’s “Mobility Chat” recently.
For instance, De la Peña said, women and caregivers have different trip patterns from men and regular office workers, hence, the significance to create mobility hubs for women, as well as caregivers.
In their analysis, De la Peña noted that in most cities, available public transport services go to the employment areas and serves particular times, but that’s not how women and caregivers move.
“They sometimes have to stop over at school to drop off the kids, or on the way home, stop over and pick up a grocery, or if they’re caring for someone older, they have to take them to the doctor or to the pharmacy. And so, none of the public transportation systems are particularly friendly to that,” said the Filipino urban transport expert.
“This is precisely why Grab in the Philippines is supporting the Philippine Mobility Series 2025. We need to hear more civilian voices. We need a platform to allow exchanges of ideas to flow in order to improve mobility in the country,” according to Booey Bonifacio of Grab.
After interviewing 100 women aged 11 to 95 on their transportation needs and challenges, De la Peña noted how the framework they designed had radically changed when gender dimension was added.
If we design for the people with the most challenges, it works better for everyone else,” De la Peña told the “Mobility Chat” organized by AltMobility PH and co-presented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and in partnership with Grab and the Move As One Coalition.
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DITO delivers superior network performance, turning digital aspirations into possibilities
Pay with GCash and turn daily payments into big wins
