NEWS
POC’s suspension of PATAFA paves way for Obiena to join SEA Games

March 17, 2022 3:53 p.m.
THE Philippine Olympic Committee Executive Board suspended the national sports associations of athletics and tennis during its special meeting on Thursday, a move that opened the door for world-ranked pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena to participate at least in the Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games in May.
POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the Philippine Tennis Association was suspended for its non-compliance with an order from the International Tennis Federation to amend its charter and hold fresh elections to select a truly representative set of board members.
The Philta has been serving a two-year suspension by the ITF since late 2020 and the sanction faces extension unless the NSA complies with the world tennis body’s instruction.
The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, Tolentino said, was also suspended for failing to serve its purpose as an NSA, which supposedly “has the dedication and commitment toward the development of the sport, promoting the ideals of the Olympic Movement and the spirit of sportsmanship.”
“Our constitution states that POC may suspend for any reason. However, it’s transparent that PATAFA has deliberately and intentionally disregarded our basic principles of promoting sports and development,” Tolentino said.
“Unfortunately, the non-endorsement of EJ has created a national issue,” Tolentino added. “EJ Obiena, under our International Olympic Committee Charter, has two reasons to be endorsed—sports merit and inspiration to the youth.”
Tolentino said that despite sincere efforts by Obiena to mediate, “PATAFA prioritized its pride, and it saddens [me] to look closely on a chance slowly gripping away. They have withheld an opportunity of the Filipino people to have another world record.”
PATAFA denied Obiena’s request that he be endorsed to the world indoor championships that start Friday in Belgrade as well as to the Vietnam SEA Games, Eugene (Oregon) world championships in July and Hangzhou (China) Asian Games in September.
“The time is clearly now for EJ who is mentally and physically prepared,” Tolentino said. “We are in a reachable milestone within our grasp.”
The suspension will be effective for 90 days and will be ratified by the POC General Assembly during its regular meeting on March 30. If ratified, PATAFA will not have any authority over the national athletics team to the SEA Games, giving Obiena a chance to defend his gold medal in Vietnam.
But Tolentino said both suspensions could be dismissed sooner than their terms.
“If PHILTA complies with the ITF order, and the ITF accepts PHILTA’s compliance, the suspension of the tennis association will be lifted immediately,” he said.
For the PATAFA, it looked simpler.
“If the PSC’s mediation effort over PATAFA and EJ [Obiena] is completed and ironed out, its suspension will also be lifted,” said Tolentino, adding a separate resolution on the automatic lifting of the suspensions were also forged by the board.
Nine members of the board voted for the suspension, while two—Charlie Ho (netball) and Cynthia Carrion-Norton (gymnastics) abstained. POC Chairman Steve Hontiveros and International Olympic Committee Representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski were absent from the special board meeting.
The suspensions will give the POC direct supervision over PHILTA and PATAFA’s national athletes—including Obiena—coaches and sporting officials, while financial matters will be under the control of the Philippine Sports Commission.
“These suspensions are actually not a landmark decision by the POC,” Tolentino said. “We have at least two precedents when similar athlete-NSA issues rocked Philippine sports in the past.”
Former Asian sprint queen De vega was endorsed by the POC, then under the late Gov. Jose Sering, for her participation in the Asean Cup.
The late Leopoldo Serantes, Tolentino said, could not have clinched a boxing bronze medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics if the POC didn’t endorse his participation. The boxing association at that time was experiencing leadership intramurals between Roilo Golez and Mel Lopez.
The suspensions were meted a day after Senator Pia Cayetano led the filing of a motion to cite the PATAFA in contempt for disobeying the Senate Committee on Sports’ order for PATAFA’s to amicably settle its differences with Obiena.
The contempt charges also stemmed from the PATAFA filing a case against Obiena and the POC with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. PATAFA filed the case with the CAS four days after it agreed to undergo mediation during a Senate hearing on February 7.
“PATAFA filed a case before the CAS in Switzerland. This is an act of bad faith, as PATAFA practically and effectively closed any possibility of amicable settlement with Obiena,” Cayetano said.
NEWS
PTT Philippines introduces high-performance fuels

2:45 p.m. April 11, 2025
Thai oil firm PTT Philippines has introduced its new line of high-performance fuels to provide the mobility market with more efficient and engine-friendly petrol, in a move that would redefine fuel quality.
Following an extensive study and research, PTT Philippines has reformulated its line of fuels to bring them into the next level and brought into life Power+ Gasoline, Eco+ Gasoline, Ultra+ Diesel, and Save+ Diesel.
“This is going to redefine high-performance fuels as they are intended to improve driving experience not only in terms of mileage but also the cleaning and protection formula for the engine to last longer,” PTT Philippines Corporation President & Chief Executive Officer Athiwat Rattanakorn said during the formal launch Tuesday at PTT Park ‘n Fly Station in Pasay City.
“Combining latest technologies and high-quality components, our transition from Blue Innovation formula to this new product lines were part of our continuing drive on fuel innovation,” he added.
Power+ Gasoline is a premium grade fuel with 95 octane and contains more cleaning molecules that removes performances reducing deposits in the engine. Its friction modifier also improves power and torque for smoother driving experience.
Eco+ Gasoline has 93 octane and contains cleaning molecules that keep engine clean for improved fuel economy and emission.
Ultra+ Diesel is a premium grade diesel that contains twice the cleaning molecules from its previous regular formula that would help restore up to 100% of loss engine performance due to dirt and sludge. It will also help improve the combustion for better performance.
Save+ Diesel, on the other hand, has cleaning molecules that keep engine clean for better mileage and cleaner emission.
Initially, these new line of fuel products are available in at least five PTT stations in Luzon – the PTT Park ‘n Fly; PTT SCTEX and Concepcion, both in Tarlac; PTT Belfast in Fairview, Quezon City; and PTT Daet in Camarines Sur. They will soon be made available in all of PTT’s 170 stations all over the country, except for the Ultra+ Diesel which will be exclusively offered in the said five stations.
Apart from offering premium grade fuels, the adoption of new names from its previous Blue Innovation brand was also aimed at simplifying the product identification while clearly highlighting the unique advantages of each fuel grade offers.
“By adopting modern and dynamic names, we want to resonate better with our customers,” said Retail Marketing Director Sakon Masagee. “The new product names also align with our mission of staying competitive in the Philippine fuel industry while differentiating itself as a brand focused on superior value and customer satisfaction.”
Currently, PTT has a total of 170 stations in the country offering petroleum products of international standards, complementing the brand’s presence in other countries in Southeast Asia. PTT Philippines is a subsidiary of Thailand’s PTT Oil & Retail Business Public Company Limited.
NEWS
Smart scores big with NBTC, shapes future of PH basketball

5:36 p.m. April 10, 2025
Mobile services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) successfully concluded the 2025 Smart-National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) National Finals. This year’s event brought together the best Filipino high school basketball teams, both local and international, to compete for the championship title, showcasing the exceptional talent and dedication of young athletes from across the country.
The Smart-NBTC National Finals, supported by Smart Sports and Puso Pilipinas, featured thrilling matches that captivated basketball fans nationwide. All games were livestreamed on PusoP.Com, allowing fans to watch their favorite teams and players in action.
Jude Turcuato, PLDT and Smart Head of Sports, expressed his pride in the continued partnership with NBTC. “Smart is committed to empowering young athletes from the grassroots level. Through our support for the NBTC, we aim to provide these talented individuals with the resources and opportunities they need to excel in their sport and achieve their dreams. The success of the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals is a testament to our dedication to nurturing the next generation of Filipino basketball stars.”
In an interview with Puso Pilipinas, former Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard and NBA coach Byron Scott spoke about his experience coaching young athletes in this year’s NBTC. “The passion here in the Philippines about basketball is unmatched. It really is something special to watch, they play it with such a passion, and they play so hard, and they have very high basketball IQs, too. It’s really good to see the revolution of basketball here from when I was here eight to ten years ago till now has really developed.”
The NBTC has a rich history of producing prominent names in basketball, including Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto, Kamaka Hepa, Kihei Clark, Jeron Artest, Kai Ballungay, Jared Bahay, and Kieffer Alas. Their participation in previous NBTC tournaments highlights the event’s significance in developing future basketball talents. Also present at the finals is Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy, who sponsored Fil-Nation Jo Koy, an under-19 girls squad in the finals.
Smart remains steadfast in its mission to promote sports development and inspire young athletes to reach their full potential. All these initiatives highlight PLDT and Smart’s continuing contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being. [END]
NEWS
HD Spikers’ experience, poise drown King Crunchers’ hype

2:10 p.m. April 7, 2025
Three-point thrillers defined the first two games of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals, with Cignal and Criss Cross trading blows to split the series. But when it mattered most, experience and composure rose above firepower and promise.
Cignal swept a shell-shocked Criss Cross side, 25-22, 25-16, 28-26, in a decisive Game 3, keeping its throne with authority and securing its ninth Spikers’ Turf title – a testament to the franchise’s dynastic reign.
And the HD Spikers’ near-improbable Set 3 comeback perfectly captured the HD Spikers’ championship DNA – while exposing the vulnerabilities in the King Crunchers’ once-imposing armor.
Backed by a core that has weathered countless championship wars, Cignal leaned on the big-game savvy of Louie Ramirez, Steven Rotter, Lloyd Josafat, JP Bugaoan and later on Jau Umandal, outclassing a Criss Cross squad that once again failed to deliver when the pressure peaked.
Despite bolstering their roster with heavy hitters like Jude Garcia, Marck Espejo, and Jaron Requinton, the King Crunchers faltered at the net and mentally unraveled down the stretch. Cignal’s 13 kill blocks and impenetrable defense neutralized Criss Cross’ vaunted frontline and left them playing catch-up in the first two sets.
Game 2 had seemed like a turning point for Criss Cross, which clawed back from a late deficit in the fifth set to level the series and briefly seized momentum. But their Game 3 performance told a different story – tentative, inconsistent, and ultimately overwhelmed in the first two sets.
That 2-0 set lead marked the first time Cignal had been ahead of Criss Cross in any of their six meetings this conference, putting the HD Spikers just a set away from extending their dominance over the King Crunchers.
But the King Crunchers seemed poised to extend the match after controlling most of Set 3, but when the pressure mounted down the stretch, cracks began to show in the team that had swept 13 straight matches en route to the finals.
With the title on the line, Cignal’s pedigree shone, while Criss Cross once again buckled under the weight of expectations, losing its third straight Finals series to the HD Spikers.
Coach Dexter Clamor deserved credit for keeping his squad mentally locked in. After a bitter Game 2 defeat and being down by three in the third set of the sudden death, he inspired a ruthless response in the clutch, driving home a reminder of why Cignal remains the league’s gold standard.
It was a masterclass from Clamor, who kept his team locked in with sharp, strategic guidance, exploiting even the smallest cracks in the opposition’s game.
In contrast, King Crunchers coach Tai Bundit struggled to find the right answers. Despite experimenting with combinations and calling timely timeouts in an effort to disrupt Cignal’s rhythm, his squad fell short when it mattered most.
Down 20–23, Clamor turned to Umandal – who, true to his form, answered the call with poise and intensity. Coming off the bench fresh and fiery, he immediately delivered with an off-the-block hit and a kill, then followed up with a defensive stop, denying Chumason Njigha’s quick attack.
In a flash, the score was tied at 23. In moments as tight and intense as this, only a team with a champion’s heart and nerves of steel could pull through.
Cignal did. But not without drama – surviving three set points and showcasing the resilience that defines their character.
Then came Rotter. Known for his thunderous attacks and powerful serves, he made his mark in an unexpected way – on defense – thwarting Espejo’s kill attempt to push the HD Spikers to match point.
After a tense rally, Rotter finally unleashed his trademark backrow attack, fed perfectly by Owa Retamar. The ball ricocheted off libero Manuel Sumanguid’s arms and flew out of bounds.
Espejo, in a desperate attempt to save the point, chased the ball but crashed into the railings. The sequence sealed the win and sparked a euphoric celebration for the HD Spikers, who claimed their ninth championship in just one hour and 33 minutes.
As white confetti rained down, the underdog HD Spikers basked in what could be considered their sweetest victory yet – achieved against the powerhouse Criss Cross squad.
One man stood tall in this milestone triumph: Ramirez, who matched Rotter’s 15-point output to once again earn Best Player of the Game honors.
For Ramirez, a standout from Perpetual Help, the performance was personal – a redemption after struggling for most of the conference.
“My mindset was to make it up to my teammates. I didn’t perform well all season, so I told myself that if I got a chance in the finals, I’d give everything I had,” said Ramirez in Filipino, who also bagged top honors in last year’s title run.