NEWS

Diaz, Obiena swap words of encouragement

January 18, 2022 5:36 p.m.

OLYMPIC gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz offered words of encouragement to fellow Olympian and pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, saying he must continue jumping for Philippines despite the everyday challenges they encounter.

“Don’t give up whatever they say to you, you can do it. You have to keep going to overcome the challenges,” the weightlifter Diaz told the 26-year-old Obiena during their online appearance at Level Up’s Radyo Katipunan show last week.

“There are times that you want to give up, especially that you’re injured. But you have to think of the people around you, those who believe in you and don’t give up on you. I really understand you, the trials you’ve been with. It’s very difficult to be a national athlete, but always remember you’re doing it for our country – the Philippines.”

The 30-year-old Diaz encouraged Obiena to work hard and train smart after his recovery to defend his title in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam on May 12 to 23, as well as the Asian Games in September in Hangzhou, China.

“Always believe that you can do it because you know and I know with no doubt that you can do it,” Diaz added, noting that Obiena, an Asian record holder, must defend the pole vault gold he won two years ago in New Clark City during the country’s hosting of SEA Games.

For his part, Obiena reciprocated the support. “I want to see Ate Hidi defend and win her SEA Games, Asian Games and World Championships and then win a second gold in Paris 2024,” Obiena said.

“She’s a beacon for us athletes, a role model to all of us Filipinos and her achievements and journey make everyone do better and push for greater heights.”

Obiena is still in Uhingen, Baden Wurttemberg, Germany for his continuous rehabilitation after a minor surgery last week to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee.

He is set to compete in the Init Indoor Meeting in Karlsruhe, Germany on January 28 after a six-day rest.

“Ate Hidi is our best example of what a Filipino athlete should be. Her journey defines what being a Filipino athlete needs to go through, yet still shines in the world stage. She showed the world that we Filipinos are one of the best if not the best. She inspires the nation to be better and to keep striving for greatness. She inspires the whole country,” Obiena said.

Diaz is recovering from a Covid-19 infection last week.

Obiena and his mother federation the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association are currently not seeing eye to eye due to liquidation issues.

The Philippine Sports Commission under Chairman William Ramirez has already offered to help mediate between the two parties.

NEWS

Satisfy your cravings with these best-selling Nanyang drinks

September 15, 2023 3:30 p.m.

Nanyang isn’t only known for its Laksa Prawn, Cheesy Chicken Chop Noodles and Singapore’s best selling Hainanese Chicken Rice and Kopi.

It also has several best-selling drinks to whet your appetite and satisfy your sweet tooth, such as Iced Teh Melaka, Kopi Jelly Milk Tea, Milo Dinosaur and Kopi O.

Head over to your nearest Nanyang branches nationwide.

NEWS

USA back on top; Germany takes Top 3 spot in FIBA World Ranking

September 15, 2023 1:28 p.m.

MIES (Switzerland) – The recent completion of the prestigious FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 has produced some eye-catching positive climbs in the latest FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike.

USA reclaim pole position with 786.6 points after benefiting from their consistency at major tournaments over the last three summers. Finishing in fourth place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup where they outperformed former number one nation Spain, their run to the Semi-Finals came off the back of winning an Olympic title at Tokyo in 2021 and also taking bronze at the FIBA AmeriCup 2022.

Recently crowned FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 champions Germany have another slice of history to enjoy as they step into the top three of the rankings for the very first time after moving up a massive eight places and onto 759.7 points. Their stunning success made all the more incredible because of the fact they made the journey to the top step of the podium without tasting defeat.

Canada also have another reason to celebrate too, with their maiden FIBA Basketball World Cup medal fueling an even bigger rise of nine spots. They now occupy sixth position with 745.5 points.

Serbia performed in outstanding fashion to make the title game and their second-placed finish gave their fans something to be proud of. Those supporters can also now enjoy and reflect on their country being a top five nation again as they move up a place and into fifth position on 755.6 points.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the scale and impact of climbing the rankings in the upper echelon, nobody can match Latvia. They have rocketed up a staggering 22 places and into the top 10 after their heroic underdog displays which ensured they took fifth place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. They now sit in 8th position on 743.7 points.

There were many other teams who impressed at the flagship event, including Brazil who recorded three wins in five games and moves up a place into 12th in the rankings on 660.5 points. The Americas region can also boast a nice move upwards of five places into 16th for Puerto Rico on 611.1 points, while Dominican Republic rise six spots into 18th place on 561.9 points.

There were also notable improvements for Georgia who move up 10 positions and into 23rd on 465.9 points, Japan jump 11 spots to 26th on 432.2 points and Lebanon claim an uplift of 16 places into 28th on 423.3.

One nation that truly made everyone sit up and take notice at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 were first-timers South Sudan. They made history by beating China to claim a first win at the event, then pushing on to beat the Philippines and Angola. This has resulted in a sensational climb of 32 spots in the rankings. They now find themselves in 31st place with 375.5 points.

For more information about the method used in the calculation of the FIBA World Ranking Men, please refer to the “How It Works” section.

Click here to view the full FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike.