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Gasol named Global Ambassador for FIBA World Cup

February 6, 2023 4:46 p.m.

MIES (Switzerland) – International basketball icon Pau Gasol has been named a FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Global Ambassador.

With FIBA’s flagship event getting underway in 200 days in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, Gasol will be on hand at a championship he knows very well.

Gasol made a huge splash at his first World Cup in 2002 in Indianapolis, leading Spain to fifth place. He ended up as the tournament’s sixth leading scorer, averaging more than 19 points per game.

Gasol’s biggest moment with Spain came when he spearheaded his country’s run to glory at the 2006 World Cup in Japan. He was so prolific, averaging 21.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game while shooting a blistering 63.1 percent from the field, that he was named MVP of the event despite having to miss the Final because of injury.

In his last World Cup appearance on home soil in 2014, Gasol led Spain to six straight wins before the hosts were upset by France in the Quarter-Finals. He had been so good in the tournament that Gasol again made the All-Star Five.

In all, Gasol played at three World Cups, five Olympics and seven FIBA EuroBaskets.

He helped Spain win silver medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and then bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

In the history of the EuroBasket, Gasol is one of the most decorated players. At the EuroBaskets in 2009 and 2015, he was the MVP as Spain captured titles. In 2011, he was in the All-Star Five as his national team also reached the top of the podium.

Gasol was in the All-Star Five when Spain finished runners-up at EuroBaskets 2003 and 2007 and when Spain were third in 2001 and 2017. 

Even as a member of Spain’s youth teams, Gasol competed and had success. He helped his country beat the USA in the Final of the 1999 World Championship for Junior Men.

Looking ahead to the World Cup, Gasol, who has joined Argentina superstar Luis Scola as a World Cup Global Ambassador, knows a lot has to go right for the eventual winners.

“The World Cup is the toughest trophy in basketball to win”, Gasol said. “A winning team needs character and chemistry and teammates who will pick you up when you’re down”.

“This is a great honor for me to be a part of such a great team of basketball legends and to join Luis Scola, a true legend and one of my toughest rivals, in this role as Global Ambassador for the 2023 World Cup”.

Gasol was a wonderful representative for the game during his playing days and has been since his retirement after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Only several months ago, he served as FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Ambassador and was courtside in Sydney, supporting and promoting women’s basketball. He is also a member of the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission. Gasol is an advisor, investor and activist in projects related to sports and wellbeing.

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Atayde named Siklab’s Trailblazer of the Year awardee

3:49 p.m. December 4, 2024

FOR putting premium on grassroots sports development, Quezon City first district Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde will be honored with the Trailblazer of the Year award in the Nickel Asia Corporation Siklab Youth Sports Awards 2024 on Thursday at the Market! Market! Activity Center, Ayala Malls BGC in Taguig City. 

Atayde’s efforts as a prime mover of the Youth Football League (YFL) will be recognized as well as for establishing the D1 basketball and volleyball leagues for the youth in Quezon City’s first district, where tournaments are shown live on Facebook everyday to inspire more kids to get into sports.

The QC District 1 Warriors, the team formed and supported by Atayde, crowned themselves champions of the 2024 CLS Cup in Indonesia last June after beating ACBA Tigers Sydney in the final. 

The actor-lawmaker is also a staunch supporter of the QCSEP fencing team of City Councilor Joseph Juico that produced the likes of Paris Olympian Samantha Catantan, while giving life-changing opportunities through the YFL with his uncle YFL president Mike Atayde in discovering and developing 18-and-under talents through the years. 

Organized by the Philippine Sports Commission-Philippine Paralympic Committee-Philippine Olympic Committee Media Group, the Siklab Youth Sports Awards’ Trailblazer of the year plum is awarded to outstanding individuals who promote quality grassroots sports development that created massive impact to the sporting community. 

Three more special awards will be presented to Olympic boxing medalist Nesthy Petecio as this year’s Sports Idol, longtime sports manager Agapito “Terry” Capistrano as Godfather of the Year and noted youth sports supporter Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong’’ Go as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

A total of 80 youth and junior athletes from 37 sports will be recognized in the fourth edition of the awards night supported by Nickel Asia Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MVP Sports Foundation, CEL Logistics, Go For Gold, Barley + WHEATGRASS Entrepro, Pacquiao Coffee, Milo, San Miguel Corporation, PLDT and powered by Smart.

World junior champions Tachiana Mangin of taekwondo, weightlifters Angeline Colonia and Lovely Inan headline the Young Heroes Awards together with 2024 US Junior Girls champion Rianne Mikhaela Malixi of golf and wushu’s Alexander Gabriel Delos Reyes.

Joining them are Asian junior gymnastics gold medalist Karl Eldrew Yulo, world youth champion Isabella Butler of ju-jitsu, Asian age-group swimming gold medalist Jamesray Mishael Ajido and table tennis youth champion Kheith Rhynne Cruz.

Muay thai world champions Janbrix Ramiscal and Lyre Anie Ngina, chess Olympiad gold medalist Ruelle Canino will likewise be honored in the Super Kids Award category.

Three-time jiu-jitsu world champion Aleia Aielle Aguilar, Palarong Pambansa multiple gold medalists Albert Jose Amaro II (seven golds) of swimming, Mitchloni Dinauanao and Francis Dave Sombal (five golds each) of dancesports will banner the Rising Stars Award category.

Also leading the list are world youth muay champion Royeth Rosa, fencers Yuna Canlas, Willa Galvez, Hagia Del Castillo and Nicol Amethyst Canlas along with golfers Francesca Nicole Gaisano Gan, Geoffrey Drew Ong Tan, swimmer Behrouz Mohammad Mojdeh and figure skater Dawn Jasmine Gothong.

Thirty awardees have been lined up in the Youth Heroes Award including Ana Bhianca Espenilla (athletics), John Andre Aguja (cycling), JR Pandi (badminton), Brandon Sanchez (baseball), Kieffer Alas (basketball), Marc Dylan Custodio (bowling), Nick Anjelo Payla (boxing) and Naina Dominique Tagle (archery), Gavin Moses Bangayan Ti (obstacle course racing), Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh (swimming), Jonathan Reyes (squash), Jeniva Consigna (sambo) and Joseph Godbout (modern pentathlon).

Meanwhile, Ella Olaso (wrestling), Danielle Escolano (bowling), Xian Baguhin (boxing) Elaiza Yulo (gymnastics), Sebastien Mañalac (karate), Julia Claret Bintulan (karate), Zyche Mae Cruz Jizmundo (pencak silat), Shai Nitura (volleyball), Mariam Grace Balisme (wrestling), Paul Sondrei Capinig (wrestling), Andreas Lucho Aguilar (wrestling), Johanna Jeiel Barbero (wushu), Mark John Lazo (wushu), Carlstein Jade Dulay (sailing), Josa Gonzales (sailing), Marvin Mandac (cycling) and Thirdy Mana-ay (cycling) complete the roster for the Super Kids accolade.

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Shop local at DTI’s Christmas Village Fair in SM Megamall’s Megatrade Hall

3:36 p.m. December 4, 2024

Celebrate the holidays at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Bagong Pilipinas Christmas Village Fair at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Halls 2 and 3, happening from November 30 to December 4.

Discover unique gifts, festive treats, and handcrafted treasures created by talented local entrepreneurs. Shop local and make this Christmas truly special!

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9 Dynasty Cares helps typhoon victims in Kawit, Cavite

3:15 p.m. December 4, 2024

A GROUP of businessmen  from Asia that provides entertainment across the continent including the Philippines donated a total of P3 million worth of relief goods last week to the recent typhoon victims in the province of Kawit, Cavite.

The 9 Dynasty Group, headed by its representative Derris Wong, together with his crew, met at least 1,000 affected families at the Barangay Santa Isabel in Kawit and provided them each with canned goods, bed sheets, noodles, rice, and other relief goods. 

“At 9 Dynasty, we believe that in times like these, being there for one another is what matters most,” Derris said. 

“Typhoons are merciless. So, we, here at the 9 Dynasty Group through our 9 Dynasty Cares program has spearheaded the donation drive for the typhoon victims.”

The residents of Cavite recently experienced the devastating impact of Typhoon Carina, and Tropical Storm Kristine last October, affecting their livelihood, while many people especially in Kawit were displaced due to heavy flooding in most areas. 

Derris said in his speech during the donation activity at the barangay complex that they want the people to realize that there is still hope after every storm. 

“We are here together to rebuild lives and transform this adversity into a story of hope,” he said. 

“To help, we are providing ₱3 million in aid to support families with essential supplies and to rebuild homes, ensuring everyone has a safe place to stay before the holidays. We are here to let you know that you are not alone,” Derris added. 

Derris Wong of 9 Dynasty Group conducted a donation drive last month in Barangay Santa Isabel, Kawit, Cavite as part of its social activities to help recent typhoon victims.

Aside from the 9 Dynasty Group, the donation drive was attended and coordinated by Santa Isabel Barangay Captain Avelino “Tamby” Fallago, his secretary Josephine Memije and VAWC personnel Remie Santonil. 

“We are incredibly grateful and happy to 9 Dynasty Group’s generous act,” Fallago said on behalf of his constituents.

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