Viernes reunites with coach Tiu at Che’Lu, this time as the team’s veteran
Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.netJeff Viernes and coach Stevenson Tiu have come a long way.The player-coach tandem has always made waves wherever they took their act and has always positioned themselves among the contenders in the numerous leagues they joined under the banner of Jumbo Plastic.ADVERTISEMENT “Last time I played in the D-League, I was one of the young guys. Now, I’m one of those veterans who the team relies on. So I’m helping these young guys improve and hopefully, be drafted in the PBA which is the dream of these players,” said Viernes, who briefly played with Phoenix last season before joining Hi-Tech Bangkok City in Thailand.The 5-foot-7 guard bared that he’s not thinking of his plans yet after this D-League campaign, with his eyes set on helping the Revellers advance past top seed Akari-Adamson in the semifinals and hopefully, hoist the championship trophy at the end of this conference.“Coach Steve asked me after my stint in Thailand if I could help him here for the playoffs. That’s my commitment as of now. I don’t have any plans after that,” he said.“Again, I’m just so happy that I was able to return and play again here in the Philippines. My number one goal is to help Che’Lu, and if we’re lucky, continue this to the Finals and hopefully, win this conference.”ADVERTISEMENT P16.5-M worth of aid provided for Taal Volcano eruption victims — NDRRMC Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next MOST READ LATEST STORIES Amid San Miguel’s PH Cup success, RSA looks back at Beermen’s futile stretch Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Scientists seek rare species survivors amid Australia flames Green group flags ‘overkill’ use of plastic banderitas in Manila Sto. Niño feast Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Truck driver killed in Davao del Sur road accident Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Once again, they rekindled that old flame after Viernes joined Tiu in Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian.It wasn’t surprising that the shifty guard easily adjusted to the Revellers in his first game with the team and poured 22 points, five rebounds, and five assiststo lead them to 80-72 win over Gamboa-St. Clare to advance to the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup semifinals.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown“There’s not much difference as to how things were before,” related Viernes in Filipino. “Coach Steve has always wanted a running game, so it’s not going to be much of an adjustment to me.”However, the biggest difference for him will be embracing this new role as an elder statesman as, at 28, he is now revered as one of Che’Lu-San Sebastian’s old sages together with Jay-R Taganas. Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina Jo Koy draws ire for cutting through Cebu City traffic with ‘wang-wang’ View comments Judy Ann’s 1st project for 2020 is giving her a ‘stomachache’ Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil
FEU needs to win just one game in its semifinals matchup against Ateneo to advance to the finals and face the winner between defending champion De La Salle and National University in the other Final Four bracket.“Ateneo is a champion team and it won’t budge that easily,” said Pons who is on her final playing year. “That team will fight no matter what.”“All of us needs to play well until the end, we won’t stop until the game is finished.”Despite the close records of the two teams with only one game separating FEU and Ateneo after the eliminations, there is a wide distinction between the Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Eagles on how they closed out their respective elimination round campaigns.FEU had one of the stronger finishes in the league as it ended its campaign on a four-game winning streak—only La Salle had a better run of eight unbeaten games to close the eliminations—while Ateneo lost its last two games.ADVERTISEMENT Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding Green group flags ‘overkill’ use of plastic banderitas in Manila Sto. Niño feast MOST READ With new arena near, Bucks seek elusive playoff series win ‘Stop romanticizing Pinoy resilience’ LATEST STORIES P16.5-M worth of aid provided for Taal Volcano eruption victims — NDRRMC In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ Truck driver killed in Davao del Sur road accident Scientists seek rare species survivors amid Australia flames Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Far Eastern University’s narrative throughout the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament was to get to the top two seed en route to a potential 30th title.ADVERTISEMENT Jo Koy draws ire for cutting through Cebu City traffic with ‘wang-wang’ And when the Lady Tamaraws scored that sweet twice-to-beat advantage for their Final Four matchup against Ateneo, they knew that stopping at just that won’t be an option.Captain Bernadeth Pons said they could never be complacent against the Lady Eagles despite FEU’s perk of needing to win just one game in the Final Four to advance to the championship round.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown“Every night we keep reminding ourselves that we can never be complacent despite having that twice-to-beat advantage,” said Pons in Filipino Friday at FEU gym.The Lady Tamaraws finished the eliminations with a 10-4 record for the second seed while the Lady Eagles settled for a 9-5 card at the third spot of the standings. Pons, although aware of the disparity, isn’t too keen on dwelling on how they finished the tournament’s preliminaries and instead looked at the semifinals as a landscape for the team that will execute better come game time.“We still have to listen to the instructions coach [George Pascua] gives us,” said Pons. “We have to execute everything correctly because coach has the game plan and all we have to do is apply that so that we can maintain this momentum we have now.”Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next View comments
FILE – In this July 22, 2018, file photo, Tokyo 2020 Olympic mascot “Miraitowa”, left, and Paralympic mascot “Someity”, right, pose with children for photographers during the mascot debut event in Tokyo. The countdown is on for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Tuesday, July 24, marked two years to go until the opening ceremony will be held at the brand new National Stadium in central Tokyo.(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)TOKYO — The 2020 Olympics will open in two years, and the heat is on.Since being awarded the games, which will be the largest ever with 33 sports and 339 events, Tokyo organizers have had to deal with a series of setbacks ranging from stadium and construction delays, natural disasters and a mascot scandal.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ It was all brought sharply into focus this week with a deadly heatwave gripping Japan as the countdown clock ticked down to two years until the July 24-Aug. 9 Tokyo Olympics.Potential for scorching summer conditions has always concerned organizers, with temperatures in central Tokyo often exceeding 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) in July and August, made more difficult because of high humidity.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone still willing to coach Gilas but admits decision won’t be ‘simple yes or no’This summer heatwave has resulted in more than 65 deaths and sent tens of thousands to hospitals, and the temperature reached an historic high on Monday when local media reported the 41.1 Celsius (106F) was the highest recorded in Japan.Experts have warned the risk of heatstroke in Tokyo has escalated in recent years, while noting the Olympics are expected to take place in conditions when sports activities should normally be halted. Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Putin’s, Xi’s ruler-for-life moves pose challenges to West View comments NCAA: Perez drops career-high 31 as Lyceum rallies past Arellano LATEST STORIES Trump assembles a made-for-TV impeachment defense team
Report: Disney dropping the ‘Fox’ from movie studio names ‘High crimes and misdemeanors’: Trump impeachment trial begins Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ “We are mindful that we do have to prepare for extreme heat,” John Coates, head of the IOC’s coordination commission for the Tokyo Games, told a recent news conference.The 1964 Games in Tokyo were held in October to avoid the harshest of the heat, but that was before the Olympics schedule was influenced by rights-paying broadcasters and sponsors.Local organizers for 2020 are doing what they can to help athletes combat the conditions. The marathon and some other outside events will be held early in the morning to avoid extreme heat.The federal and the Tokyo metropolitan governments are also planning to lay pavements that emit less surface heat and plant taller roadside trees for shade.“The spectators as well as the athletes have to be taken care of,” Coates said. “The timing of the marathon and road walks will be as early as possible as they have been in previous games to beat the heat.”ADVERTISEMENT DepEd’s Taal challenge: 30K students displaced Lacson: Calamity fund cut; where did P4 billion go? Palace OKs total deployment ban on Kuwait OFWs Organizers want the games to help showcase Japan’s recovery from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that took more than 18,000 lives and triggered meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.While reconstruction from the disaster is making steady progress, and work on the new 68,000-seat main stadium in Tokyo is 40 percent complete, more than 70,000 people remain displaced from their communities.The construction of the main stadium was more than a year behind schedule when it started in December 2016, as earlier plans were scrapped because of spiraling costs and a contentious design.The Japanese government approved the new 150 billion yen ($1.5 billion) stadium, which is expected to be completed in November of 2019. The previous construction timeline would have allowed the main stadium to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup final on Nov. 2 as a test event, but that idea was scrapped.Meanwhile, organizers say the other newly-constructed venues are 20 to 40 percent complete.The torch relay will start March 26, 2020, in Fukushima, an area hit hard by the disaster.Coates said local organizers are on track with 24 months to go.“Tokyo 2020 comes a significant step closer to delivering an Olympic Games that will bring Japan and the world together,” he said. “The organizing committee has presented considerable progress … especially as it related to venue and operational readiness.”
A security guard, of the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), was on Saturday night held up and robbed at gunpoint of his motorcycle by two armed men.According to reports, the robbery occurred around 23:00h on the Good Hope Railway Embankment Road as the man was proceeding to his home.Guyana Times understands that the man was approached from behind by the bandits who were also travelling on a motorcycle.They demanded that he stop and he complied, assuming that the men might be Police Officers.However, when he dismounted his motorcycle with registration number CH 5712, one of the bandits pointed a gun at him before hopping on his cycle and riding away.The other perpetrator escaped on the motorcycle that they rode up on leaving, the 60-year-old victim standing on the roadway.The man made contact with the Police and reported the matter. An investigation has been launched.
Security reformMonths after interim and final reports were submitted to the Government by a British security expert, the recommendations contained are still being studied by the President.During a post-Cabinet press conference on Friday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon revealed that it is before the President and experts, adding that there is necessity of caution when making changes to the security sector.“There are several recommendations that were made in it. And these are matters that require careful study. As you know you don’t drastically change your security framework overnight unless you put in place certain processes. The report is getting attention at the level of the President and a team of persons who are studying the report itself,” Harmon explained.The US$4.7 million security sector pact was initially launched in 2007. There were major disagreements between the then Administration and the UK Government over some of the conditions of the plan.The programme was subsequently re-established, and Government is of the view that, once implemented, Guyana’s security sector would be significantly strengthened.According to Harmon, the Government is optimistic that this would lend to reducing the crime rate. President Granger has previously said there is need for a stronger Police Force, one that is better equipped with all tools necessary to function adequately.An interim report was presented in 2017. UK expert Russell Combe, who was hired to assist with the Security Sector Reform Action Plan (SSRAP), presented the final report to Granger in January.While the report focused primarily on reforms within the Guyana Police Force, Combe explained there are measures also included to address issues plaguing the prison and the Fire Service, as well as the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard.The Colonel had also explained that the report does not only contain his views on issues facing the security services, in particular the Police Force, but it’s a compilation of previous reports.“The report is dynamic; it’s not to represent just the beginning. Activities supported by the United Kingdom have already commenced: the training of (Police’s) Strategic Planning Unit last year and then in November there was consultancy on the marine capability of the Police Force and indeed engaged with the coast guards as well… So this is not the beginning, nor is it the end,” he had noted.UK expert further stated that they do not want to see the report sitting on the shelf, gathering dust. In fact, he noted that the report was compiled in such a way that it can be broken up and separated into its parts to be dealt with by different groupings.As such, Colonel Combe is expected to return in April this year to oversee the implementation of his recommendations. His new tenure will see him in Guyana until March 2019.
Forty-seven-year-old Anand Bhola of South Section, Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara (WBD) is facing charges alleging that he committed at least two break-and-enter-and-larceny offences in his neighbourbood, involving the sum of $564,000.The carpenter, who is also a father of two, appeared at the Wales Magistrate’s Court last Thursday, where he denied the two allegations of stolen property.The first charge detailed that Bhola, between January 3 and 4, 2018, at South Section, Canal Number Two, broke and entered the premises of Lakeraji Ramdyall and stole items amounting to $185,000.Ramdyall’s property included a spray can, one bottle of poison and a weeding machine among a host of other items. Represented by attorney-at-law Paul Fung-A-Fat, Bhola entered a not-guilty plea.The defendant was further accused of breaking and entering the dwelling house of North Section, Canal Number Two resident Mohammed Rasheed, where he allegedly stole property amounting to $379,000. This included a laptop computer and two power drills. Bhola similarly entered a not-guilty plea.Bhola admitted to Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool that he faced a similar charge before, but claimed that the charge was dismissed. The Police prosecution stressed that the accused has matters pending, and highlighted that he was previously convicted. However, Bhola was given the benefit of the doubt, as the prosecution did not present evidence of the supposed conviction.The prosecution was disallowed from entering two separate charges which were determined to be out-of-date. Though the Magistrate granted the accused thief $160,000 bail pending trial for the substantive matters, she ordered that he report to the Officer-in-Charge of the Wales Police Station every Friday at 15:00h.Liverpool adjourned the matter to June 7, 2018 for statements and fixture.Police were also ordered to return the items recovered which were allegedly stolen.
Shay Given admits Aston Villa are desperate to keep Netherlands World Cup star Ron Vlaar at the club.The 29-year-old stopper has been linked with a move away from Villa Park, following a superb showing in Brazil, with Tottenham, Southampton and QPR reportedly interested in the defender.Villans boss Paul Lambert claimed on Monday that the club are set for talks with Vlaar and goalkeeper Given, who will now concentrate on the playing side following a spell as assistant manager towards the end of last season, claims he’s delighted with the news.“Ron Vlaar was fantastic at the World Cup,” he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. “Ron was one of the best players in the tournament. He was a real rock at the back.“As far as I’m aware the club are in discussions with him about extending his contract.“He’s our club captain and we would love to keep him.”
In the United States, agents seized 56 labs that manufactured anabolic steroids and human growth hormone, the DEA said. Agents seized 11.4 million doses of drugs in all. As part of the operation, agents raided Luxtech Lab in Torrance, breaking up a steroid lab and an indoor marijuana farm. Agents seized automatic rifles, shotguns, several thousand rounds of ammunition, 2 kilograms of liquid steroids, 60 vials of manufactured steroids and hundreds of empty vials, authorities said. Two people were arrested and charged with possession of steroids and narcotics for sale, illegal possession of firearms in furtherance of narcotic sales and child endangerment, because an 11-year-old child was found living at the location. Federal prosecutors in California launched their 18-month probe into Chinese sources of raw steroid powder after successfully disrupting Mexican steroid manufacturing networks in 2005, when eight Mexican companies and 11 executives were indicted for allegedly selling $56 million worth of the drug in the United States. “Now we’re learning that the source of those drugs was China,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Coughlin. “So now we’re aiming at the head of the dragon in terms of where the production is coming from.” ARRESTS: Two people were arrested when agents raided the South Bay site. From news services More than 120 people were arrested and dozens of steroid labs – including one in Torrance – were shut down in a global investigation into steroid trafficking over the Internet that began in San Diego, federal officials said Monday. The Drug Enforcement Administration said the investigation, dubbed Operation Raw Deal, was assisted by governments of nine other countries, including China. Among those charged, federal authorities say, is a Chinese manufacturer accused of smuggling human growth hormone into the country. At least 18 people were charged last week by federal grand juries in California in connection with the investigation. A couple charged in San Jose with distributing steroids for an Internet company called Stallion Labs were arrested Sept. 16 at the Otay Mesa border crossing near San Diego. Seven indictments were also filed last week in San Diego against 14 people running networks in other states, including Illinois, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. City News Service in Los Angeles contributed to this report. Associated Press Writers Don Thompson in Sacramento and Eric Tucker in Providence, R.I., contributed to this report. 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
West Ham striker Diafra Sakho 1 West Ham striker Diafra Sakho has been ruled out of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Everton through injury.Manager Slaven Bilic revealed the Senegal international has suffered a muscle tear, which also forced him to miss last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Watford.The problem means he will not be fit to face the Toffees at Upton Park, however, Bilic expects Sakho, who has scored five goals this season, to be back in time to face Tottenham in a fortnight.“Sakho is out,” said Bilic. “It is not a major thing.“He did not get injured in training but after training, before the Watford game, he felt something.“Unfortunately it is a small tear, a rupture in his thigh. The prognosis is he will be back for the game after the international break.“It’s a setback as he is a very important player to us. He dictates the rhythm of the game a lot, with his pace, quality and determination and the way he harasses defenders.“It’s a blow, for sure. But it’s not a major setback.”
Arsene Wenger 1 Arsene Wenger says he will look to strengthen his Arsenal squad in January IF he can find the right quality.The Gunners are still missing a host of first-team players heading into the Premier League clash at Norwich and were hit with the news that midfielder Francis Coquelin faces three months on the sidelines after injuring his knee in the defeat at West Brom last weekend.Wenger’s side kept their Champions League last 16 hopes alive with victory over Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night and also welcomed back Aaron Ramsey from a hamstring problem as a late substitute.Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return at Carrow Road while fellow England international Theo Walcott is back in training and is close to a comeback.But the likes of Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta all in the treatment room alongside Coquelin, with a lack of central midfielders the main issue Wenger is likely to address if he buys in the transfer window.Despite always suggesting there is no good business to be done in the New Year, the Arsenal boss admits he could be tempted for the second year in a row having signed defender Gabriel last January.“We are in a position where we want to do something,” he said.“If I find the right quality I will do something. (The injury to) Arteta is short term but Coquelin as I told you is much longer but the scans are positive because he does not need any surgery, but it will be 12 weeks.“Walcott goes through a few tests and steps but the first one was successful. He started running again on Tuesday morning and had no reaction. He has no big hurdle to get across today and hopefully he will be successful.”The injury list means Wenger will continue to play Alexis Sanchez despite his recent exertions for both club and country.The Chile forward played 90 minutes against Dinamo and scored his first goals since mid-October and sustained a minor hamstring problem.Asked if the likely returns of Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain would give him the opportunity to rest Sanchez at Norwich, Wenger said: “I will have to assess that a bit later.“Spontaneously it might not be the best moment to rest Alexis but I don’t know. He had a little hamstring alarm but we will see how he recovers from that. Joel Campbell had a little calf problem so I will assess all that Friday, latest Saturday.”On the face of it, a trip to newly-promoted Norwich will be seen by many as a good place to collect three points in Arsenal’s quest to maintain a title challenge.But Wenger knows it will not always be as straightforward as that after he saw his side humbled at the Hawthorns by Tony Pulis’ West Brom.“For us, it was a bad result,” he said.“But on the day everything went against us, they had one shot on target and scored two goals. That will not always happen.“On top of that we missed a penalty and scored an own goal, so we had a nightmare. It was an unlucky day, that can happen in a season but after it is how you respond to that and we did that well on Tuesday.”