THE MINDANAO POST MAY 25-26 2023

Zambo City emerges as Zambo City emerges as

destination in W. Mindanao destination in W. Mindanao

Vintas Coloridas "Vintas Coloridas: A momentous celebration where we gather together to appreciate and capture the aesthetic colors of diversity that binds us to be one regardless of the diversed culture, religion, and beliefs that one acknowledges in the present which reminds us to propel ourselves to the ideal destination of unity and harmony that awaits all of us."

By: Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The city is emerging as a tourism destination in Western Mindanao with the ease of the pandemic restrictions and the reopening of mountain resorts and island beaches.

This came as the City Tourism Office (CTO) noted a new influx of tourists coming to the city for leisure and business based on the data they gathered from

different hotels and other local accommodations.

Data gathered by the CTO showed that 160,884 tourists have visited Zamboanga City since January.

Of the 160,884 visitors, 160,419 are domestic tourists while the remaining 465 are foreigners.

“They find Zamboanga City as an ideal place for fun, leisure, and business,” said CTO chief Sarita Sebastian on Tuesday.

Sebastian is optimistic that the number of tourists will build up in the coming months with the easing of pandemic restrictions.

Currently, the CTO has lined up activities for the ongoing April 29-May 31 Zamboanga Verano Festival (Summer Festival) 2023 to attract more tourists.

On Sunday, dozens of athletes and visitors gathered for the first-ever fiesta “na Once Islas” (in 11 Islands) Aquath-

lon here in celebration of the festival.

Organized jointly by the CTO and the Zamboanga Runners Club, the event was a two-stage race for running and swimming and was participated by athletes of all ages.

On May 31, the festival will culminate with the Summer Wood Party at the Butterfly Garden in Pasonanca Park here. (PNA)

Davao Norte HPG best highway patrol in 2022

NATIONAL AWARD. Lt. Col. Surki Sereñas deputy regional chief of the Davao del Norte provincial highway patrol team, shows the plaque of recognition to the media on Monday (May 22, 2023) in Tagum City. The team was cited as the Best Provincial Highway Patrol Team for 2022 at the national level.

By Che Palicte

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte - Top officials of the Davao del Norte Provincial Highway Patrol Team (DNPHPT) vowed to further intensify their enforcement on traffic safety after being named the best in the country for 2022.

In an interview, Lt. Col. Surki Sereñas, the DNPHPT regional deputy chief, said they will also intensify general supervision of local police forces as regards to the enforcement of traffic laws.

“It has a big impact on our personnel to work hard. They have to keep up with the pressure since we are an awardee this year, and we hope to get the same award next year,” Sereñas said.

However, the police official admitted that they have a problem with the manpower since they only have six personnel.

“Despite our number, we are using

(PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)

HPG, from p1.. available resources for us to accomplish our tasks,” he said.

He credited the award to their accomplishment to arrest numerous regionallevel wanted individuals. Apart from that, he said they are also active in collaborating with the local government units in supporting their various programs.

“It is the first time that the province received this national award,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sereñas said their concern is more on the major offenses like carnapping or the “talon”, “rentangay”, and “benta approve” schemes.

“Talon is the same with benta approval, they will buy a car in a fictitious name and they will sell it.

Usually, victims of rentangay are people in the rental car business,” he said.

In the rentangay scheme alone, he said they filed more than 100 cases against fraudsters.

Sereñas urged the public to double-check on second-hand cars before buying one. (PNA)

Five dead in Oro fire

By URIEL QUILINGUING Contributing Editor

Cagayan de Oro - Firefighters found five bodies after a fire razed a two-floor residential building past noon today at Pres. Sergio Osmeña Street, Zone 1, Barangay 34, here.

Fire Inspector Samson Velarde, City Fire District spokesperson, said they got the call 12:31 pm and responded in dispatch, but the location is accessible, hence the need to chain their fire-hoses.

Velarde said the blaze, which reached secondalarm level, was under control at 2 p.m., thus preventing it from damaging nearby residential and commercial buildings.

It was then when charred bodies of two adults and three children were found at the second floor; the entrance door and stair leading to it gone.

Due to suffocating

smoke, firefighters used self-contained breathing apparatus.

Structural damage is estimated at P50 thousand, Velarde said.

There is only one narrow pathway, in between to concrete multi-level commercial buildings, to and from the house occupied by Cagampang family.

House-owner Jenafer Cagampang named the fatalities as daughter Charice Cagampang, 25; son-in-law

Melvin Subteniente, 26; and her grandchildren Charade Subteniente, 9; Jed Cagampang, 10; and Sims Cagampang Balaba, 2.

Clyde Sas Cagampang, mother of Jed and Sims, was not in their house at that time. She was somewhere else with her two other kids.

Velarde said investigation is underway while the corpses would be autopsied.

[With a report from GMA One Mindanao]

SECURING THE FIRE SCENE. Bureau of Fire Protection Cagayan de Oro District personnel securing an area in Barangay 34, Cagayan de Oro while recovering the bodies of those killed by fire past noon of Wednesday, May 24, 2023 – amid a downpour after the blaze was declared under control. [Menzie Montes/iFM CDO Photo]

THE streets of Gingoog come to life as the city commemorates the 14th Lubi-Lubi Festival. "Sayaw Lubi-Lubi" (Coconut Dance) is the country's most original and indigenous street dance, utilizing the city's abundance of coconut plants as their main agricultural product. It is a celebration of unity among the Gingoognons, held every May 22nd to honor their local patroness, Sta. Rita de Cascia, on her annual feast. The city's rural and urban barangays gathered to showcase their talents. (Department of Tourism - Northern Mindanao Office

MGB-10: Whole of society approach key to Iponan river recovery

(MGB)-10 have called for the whole of society approach as a key solution for the rehabilitation and recovery of the damaged area of the Iponan River

caused by illegal mining, May 16.

DENR-10 and MGB-10, together with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-10 and the 4th Infan-

try Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, held a joint operation, May 13, against the reported illegal mining operation in the borders of barangays in

Cauyonan and Nangcaon, Opol, Misamis Oriental, which led to the arrest of five Chinese nationals and thirteen Filipinos and the seizure of six excavators, one fuel tanker, one boom truck, one mini dump truck, industrial pumps, and other mining equipment and materials with an estimated amount of thirty million pesos.

DENR-10 and MGB-10 filed eight cases to the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the illegal miners for violation of Sec. 103 of RA 7942, Sec. 27 of RA 7076, Article 91 (B) sub-paragraphs 3 and 5 of PD 1067, Sec. 8 of PD 984, Sec. 27 of RA 9275, PD 705, Sec. 27 (a) of RA 9149, and Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines.

The MGB-10 discovered approximately 10.3 hect-

ares of damage from the illegal miners, which will take five to ten years to naturally recover. Instituting measures to allow the river to regenerate is also necessary.

“There should be an extensive rehabilitation of the Iponan River; we cannot do this alone; it should be a shared responsibility of all stakeholders,” MGB10 Regional Director Felizardo Gacad Jr. said.

To further protect the Iponan River, constant monitoring and partnership with various government agencies and local government units are necessary to attain the goal. They also urge the public to help them monitor all illegal activities for the protection of our environment and natural resources.

(JAKA/PIA-10)

Pregnant NPA member, 2 others yield to Army in Agusan Norte

By Alexander Lopez

BUTUAN CITY – A ranking communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebel and two others have surrendered to military authorities in Agusan del Norte, the Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade (402nd IBde) said Wednesday.

The 402nd IBde identified the surrenderers as Nelson Odayao, the team leader of Sagay Sub-Regional Committee 3 (SRC-3) of the NPA's North Central Mindanao Regional Committee; Ruel Montillano and Lea Carilla, both members of Platoon 1 of SRC-3.

The three turned themselves in to the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB) in Buenavista town, Agusan del Norte, on Tuesday. They handed over two M16 rifles, a shotgun and ammunition.

Odayao was quoted by the 402nd IBde as saying that they could no longer survive inside the NPA due to food scarcity and fatigue.

“Our leaders told us nothing will happen if we surrender and that we will only be killed by government troops. On the contrary, we were treated well by the soldiers of the 23IB,” Odayao said.

He added that their companion, Carilla, was given by the soldiers a comfortable place to rest after finding out that she is pregnant.

Brig. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, the 402nd IBde commander, said the three surrenderers are now under the custody and care of the 23IB and that they will undergo processing to avail of the benefits under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

“We welcome their surrender and we also call on the remaining terrorists in the area to accept the offer of the government and return to your families to live in peace,” he said. (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-10 and Mines and Geosciences Bureau

Editorial&Opinion

Denver Nuggets, media influencers, neurodivergence and innovation

“You want to be ahead of that curve. You don’t want to be the team reacting to it or fighting that. It’s fun. You just got to make sure you’re constantly challenging yourself.”

- Michael Malone, Denver Nuggets Coach

In this basketball crazy country, where Filipinos follow the NBA as much as local basketball, many were still recently surprised when the Denver Nuggets swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Western Conference Finals. Normally, our countrymen measure the perceived chances of a basketball team based on the number of stars in the said team. The Denver Nuggets basically has one legitimate star who, despite having won two conference MVP’s, is still underrated. Denver’s center, Nikola Jokic, moves differently from previous star centers. He doesn’t have the raw brute strength, the elegant post up moves or quick slashing abilities of the more popular centers. As such, both he and his team are not as popular here as the LeBron James led Lakers.

The success of the previously lesser known Nuggets is said to be based on a combination of innovation and the long view style of team building. The team slowly experimented on new techniques which were not as exciting to view as the plays of other teams. They also took time to recruit, develop and nurture their players. The team eschewed the superstar team building style of the other teams.

Innovation and long-term building are tried and tested methods of getting ahead of competition. Unfortunately, these methods are more difficult, tedious and boring to many. Innovation alone takes

both skill and planning. Usually, many in our country use the shorter “lechon manok” style.

“Lechon manok” or roasted chicken became popular a few decades ago. Rather than creating new food styles, thousands of new businessmen just made several stalls copying the successful food phenomenon.

The previous years have seen the rise of the social media influencers. One such new and innovative social media influencer is Mr. Motivational rice himself. This influencer rather than find ways to make people like him as many other social media influencers do has gone the opposite direction. He has made it a point to get more people angry and irritated at him. These horde of enraged netizens then make it a point to follow his page and express their anger and disgust. Today, he has already 1.8 Million followers.

Even long- time social media influencers have followed suit and experimented with more innovative approaches in their content and style. Long time influencer, Doc Willie Ong, has added more spice to his normal medical content with topics on mental health and even sex. He has also gone on location to communities to promote his advocacies.

In local government and politics, we have also seen the successful rise of innovative and deliberate local government executives.

In the town of Gumaca, Quezon Province, the local government is being known for implementing a novel project where its citizens can exchange their trash for rice. In their program called, “Bigas Palit Basura”, the town folks are urged to gather discarded materials such as plastic wrappers, shampoo sachets, and other packaging materials, cut them into pieces

and stuff the shredded trash inside a 1.5 liter plastic bottle. The said bottle is then weighed and correspondingly exchanged with rice with the same weight.

Rather than the normal style of giving away rice, the local government has used this innovative program to engage its citizens and involve them in its environmental program. This program has garnered several positive responses.

In advocacies across the country, organizations are turning to innovative ways to drive their messages. On May 28, Boundless Possibilities Foundation Inc., an organization dedicated to promote the welfare of adults with neurodivergence, will conduct the first of their

collaborative efforts with other organizations entitled, “PWD Fun Run”. Rather than conduct talks on inclusivity, the organization has opted to do an activity with other organizations to show that neurodivergent adults can participate in activities with other sectors of the community and thus illustrate more pointedly the possibilities for inclusion.

Someone once said “it’s much easier to copy other people and stay within what everybody else is doing. I think it’s been really cool to do something different that people haven’t seen before.”

Perhaps more of our countrymen should focus on innovation as a key to success.

This is my oblique observation.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Presidential Communications Office.

(ATTY. GILBERTO LAUENGCO, J.D. is a lawyer, educator, political strategist, government consultant, Lego enthusiast, and the director of CAER Think Tank. He is a Former Vice Chairman of MECO, Special Assistant of NFA and City Administrator among others. His broad experience has molded his unique approach to issues analysis which he calls the oblique observation.)

Oppornunity

PH, China to deepen cooperation on agriculture

By Anna Leah Gonzales

MANILA – The Philippines and China are set to open discussion son how to further enhance agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

“In terms of agricultural cooperation, there are highlevel officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) who will visit the Philippines to talk about how to jump start the agriculture cooperation between the two countries,” said Ana Abejuela, Agriculture counselor to the Embassy of the Philippines in Beijing, in a May 10 interview with the Serbisyo Filipino-China Media Group (SF-CMG).

Abejuela said the officials are expected to arrive next month.

“During the meeting with these high level officials from MARA, we will talk about projects that could be done from this year up to 2025. That is the coverage of the current action plan with MARA,” she said.

Earlier this year, the Philippines and China signed a joint action plan for 2023-2025 on agricultural and fisheries cooperation between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

A business delegation from China will also arrive and look at possible investments in the agriculture sector, she said.

Abejuela said a forum on agricultural cooperation between China and the Philippines will also be conducted during the visit of MARA officials.

“The cooperation on agriculture between China and Philippines is good. The future is also good. There is a good future to look on,” she said.

Latest data from the People’s Republic of China showed that China greatly contributed to the country’s total export value.

As of March this year, exports to China amounted to $1.42 billion or 21.8 percent of the country’s total exports during the month.

Abejuela said that as of end-April, the Philippines was able to ship more than 200 metric tons of agricultural products to China.

These include a trial shipment of durian.

“There’s good feedback in terms of the exported durian. That’s the initial feedback that we got. Hopefully we will be able to add frozen durian [exports] this year,” said Abejuela.

“They will also inspect our mangosteen this October. So, hopefully next year, mangosteen from the Philippines will also enter China,” she added. (PNA)

SUMMER COOLER. A vendor pours chocolate syrup over an ice scramble in his stall along Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. The popular thirst quencher is sold from PHP30 to PHP55. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)

Travel&Tourism

A sweet, relaxing escape via Bintana sa Paraiso

Nestled in the valley of Mt. Hibok-Hibok, specifically in Binunsaran, Mambajao, Camiguin, Bintana sa Paraiso offers an exquisite natural setting, luxurious accommodations, unparalleled hospitality, an exemplary dining experience, extensive recreational facilities, and an eco-conscious approach. (PIA-10/ Camiguin)

By: Recthie Paculba

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin

- Nurturing one's physical as well as mental health can be manifested in many ways, one of which is through indulging in scenic, quiet, and relaxing places such as Bintana sa Paraiso.

Nestled in the valley of Mt. Hibok-Hibok, specifically in Binunsaran, Mambajao, Camiguin, Bintana sa Paraiso offers "an exquisite natural setting, luxurious accommodations, unparalleled hospitality, an exemplary dining experience, extensive recreational facilities, and an

eco-conscious approach."

It is also just a 10-15 minute drive away from Katibawasan Falls and Tuasan Falls.

Jay-ar Louis Labial II, resort manager, said the place is ideal for travelers who prioritize relaxation, tranquility, connection with nature, and those who often seek a retreat from their busy lives.

"These individuals value privacy and exclusivity. They are seeking a peaceful getaway away from the crowds," he added.

Aside from their sumptuous Filipino dishes, guests can also enjoy the resort's mini gym for exer-

cise and yoga and the spa for facials and massages.

To ensure customer satisfaction, the resort prioritizes well-trained staff, personalized service, prompt assistance, anticipation of guests' needs, and continuous feedback and improvement.

Extending aid to the LGU

Aside from strictly following the travel and accommodation protocols of the Provincial Government of Camiguin, the resort also supports the initiatives of the local government units, such as providing assistance to sports tourism activities or beauty pageants.

"Bintana sa Paraiso is committed to making a positive impact on the local community and engaging in corporate social responsibility initiatives. It strives to contribute in ways like employment opportunities, local sourcing support, and also community engagement, conservation efforts, and cultural preservation," Labial said.

With these involvements and high-quality service, the resort has earned several awards in

the country as well as in the global market.

They were nominated for the 11th Elite Business and Leadership Awards 2023 and the World Class Brand 2023. The resort was also recommended by Restaurant Guru, aside from winning the traveler service award and traveler review awards from Booking.com and the Agoda customer review award.

"We are also chosen as one of the recipients of the grandest and most prestigious social media awards

in the Philippines, the Social Media Star Brand Awards, and one of the recipients of the Golden Globe Award for Business Excellence and Outstanding Filipino Achievers 2022," Labial said.

As of May 2023, the deluxe room with free breakfast, which is good for two persons, is priced at P3,850, while the rates for family rooms, which are good for four persons, range from P6,600–7,700, still with free breakfast.

(RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)

NNC cites 3 priority actions to eliminate hunger

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos

MANILA — The government must focus on ensuring food security, taming inflation and strengthening multisectoral collaboration to achieve the goal of attaining zero hunger by 2030, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) said on Wednesday.

The three priority actions were cited by NNC Nutrition Surveillance Division officer-in-charge Ellen Ruth Abella during a Laging Handa program.

The recommendation was made after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order (EO) 27 on May 18, reorganizing the Task Force on Zero Hunger, the body tasked to ensure the implementation of “coordinated, responsive, and effective” government policies, initiatives and projects to eliminate hunger.

Abella said the government must address challenges on food security to avoid the risk of malnutrition among Filipinos.

“May tatlo po kaming mungkahi na puwedeng maging priority action or focus para matupad po ang zero hunger policy ni President Marcos (We have three suggestions which could be considered as priority actions to achieve President Marcos’ zero hunger policy),” she said.

“Una po ‘yung patuloy na pagtugon po natin sa hamon ng food security, na siya din po iyong banner program ng ating Pangulo at kaakibat nito ay pagtugon sa malnutrition (First is addressing the challenges on food security, which is also the banner program of our President and can be linked to malnutrition),” Abella said.

Abella also stressed the need to take necessary steps to lower the price of basic commodities, especially of several food items such as rice, eggs and onions.

“Ibig sabihin po, kailangan po nating ayusin ‘yung ating food systems, ‘yung network po natin para siguraduhin na iyong supply po ng pagkain at presyo ay makakarating sa ating mga tahanan at makakain po ito ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino (It means we have to fix our food systems, network to ensure that there is sufficient food supply for every Filipino family),” she added.

Abella said eradicating hunger also requires multisectoral coordination and collaboration.

She said the government and its partners in the private sector must

unite in implementing key action plans to achieve zero hunger.

“Kung hindi po tayo magtutulungan, hindi po tayo makikipagtulungan sa gobyerno, hindi po tayo magtutulungan sa bawat sektor, wala po tayong mararating eh (If we do not help each other, the government and key sectors, we will not achieve

our goal),” Abella said.

The Task Force on Zero Hunger, created by virtue of EO 101 signed in 2020, is mandated to formulate a National Food Policy (NFP), which will outline national priorities based on a comprehensive understanding of the problem of hunger and related issues.

The NFP will also provide a roadmap for achiev-

ing zero hunger taking into consideration existing laws and issuances, as well as international law and treaty obligations.

Under the NFP, initiatives for ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture will be identified.

Marcos’ EO 27 reorganized the task force,

headed by the now-defunct Office of the Cabinet Secretary, to transfer chairmanship to the secretary of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the executive director of the NNC.

In line with the issuance of EO 27, the DSWD is set to launch its “Walang Gutom 2027” food stamp program by the first quar-

ter of 2024, benefitting at least 1 million poor households.

The program will be pilot tested from July to December this year.

The NNC, on the other hand, would come up with a Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition consisting of strategies to address food insecurity and malnutrition. (PNA)

PFF Presidential wannabes line-up for coming elections

FA president Henry Sabate, and M’lang Cotabato Vice Mayor and PFF vice president Joselito Piñol plan to run for president, although nothing is confirmed yet.

I met just very recently two football fanatics who want to become president. Stallions FC part owner Filbert Alquiros announced during the National 45 and Above championship held in Iligan City that he is running and just waiting from an endorsement from PFF president Nonong Araneta.

man FC, John Anthony Gutierrez. The 46 year-old former University of the Philippines varsity footballer was also present during that National 45 and Above Championship in Iligan but I missed him. He came very early and I was late.

John has already been going around to various FA’s all over the country to announce his intentions to run for president.

his program for Philippine football. I promise to write about his plans and programs next.

Base on the PFF website there are 36 current members of the PFF and each one of them are entitled to vote.

CAGAYAN de Oro City

— The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) will hold its next elections late this year, hopefully in October or November.

The country’s governing body of the beautiful game will hold elections to replace current President Nonong Araneta whose second term ends this year. Araneta was re-elected in 2019 in one of the most heated election in PFF history. PFF allows only

two four-year terms for its president.

He bested Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) president Ricky Yanson Jr., 23-12, during the PFF 16th Congress set at Century Park Hotel in Manila in late November 2019.

PRESIDENTIAL WANNABES

As of the moment I have heard from the ‘Mariteses’ down here down South, that Davao-South Regional

Celtics avoid sweep via 116-99 win over Heat

ANKARA – The Boston Celtics showed a lifeline as they beat the Miami Heat 116-99 in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 on Wednesday.

"We were just trying to save our season," Jayson Tatum said, who led the Celtics with 33 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown contributed with 17 points as they staved off elimination at Kaseya Center, Miami.

"Tonight we played with pace, purpose," Tatum added, "We were getting stops. We were getting out in transition. You see layups and free throws go in, the jump shots start to feel a lot easier."

Jimmy Butler dropped 29 points for the Heat, while Gabe Vincent added 17 for his team.

The 18-0 run in the 3rd quarter made all the difference for Boston to turn the tide.

Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals clash between two sides will be held on Thursday.

The New York Knicks is the only team in NBA history to achieve a Finals berth as an 8-seed, the Heat is trying to make history by doing so. (Anadolu)

I did not have a chance of talking to Alquiros of his plans for Philippine football. I was busy taking photos during the entire tournament. He invited me for dinner but I had to hurry up in going back to Cagayan de Oro as it was getting dark and getting late. I also forgot to get his contact number and FB account.

But who I was fascinated most is the former owner of Pachanga Dili -

However, last Saturday for the first time I met John in Camp Philips, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon during the 17th Del Monte Football Cup. We had a lengthy talk. John is currently the General Secretary of the Bukidnon Football Association (BUFA) under president Jon Josef Manlunas.

He brought with him hundreds of footballs and gave them out to the winners.

His plans for Philippine football are impressive and lengthy. It will take an entire column to write about

Kaya FC-Iloilo, Stallions FC and United City FC are club members which have voting powers. However, UCFC has disbanded and which current Philippine Football League (PFL) members will take its place is not yet known.

Now, there are 33 local FA’s which can vote and decide the future of the game we love in this country.

Here are the current local FA’s which have voting powers to put a brand new president in the PFF.

They are Agusan del Sur-Surigao del Sur RFA, Cordillera RFA, Bukidnon FA, Butuan-Agusan Del Norte FA, RFA of Camarines Norte, Camiguin-Misamis Oriental RFA, Cen -

tral Visayas RFA, Golden Davao RFA, North Davao RFA, Davao-South RFA, Iligan Lanao del NorteLanao del Sur RFA, Iloilo FA, Laguna-Cavite RFA, Legaspi City-Albay Federated RFA, Eastern Visayas RFA, Federated FA of Masbate, Central Bicol RFA, and National Capital RFA. Completing the FA’s are Negros Occidental FA, Negros Oriental-Siquijor RFA, Maguindanao-Cotabato City FA, Misamis Occidental Ozamis FA, Mount Apo RFA, Oriental Mindoro FA, Quezon-Batangas RFA, FA of Rizal, South CotabatoSarangani-General Santos City RFA (SOCSARGEN RFA), Sultan Kudarat RFA, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands RFA, Central Luzon RFA, Zamboanga del Norte-Dipolog RFA, Pagadian-Zamboanga del Sur-Sibugay RFA, and Zamboanga-Basilan-SuluTawi-Tawi FA (ZAMBASULTA FA). (jackbiantantambok@gmail.com)

Denver Nuggets reach NBA Finals for first time

MANILA – The Denver Nuggets sealed its place in the NBA Finals after sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals through a 113-111 Game 4 win on Tuesday (Philippine Time) at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Nikola Jokic scored the winning basket with 51.2 seconds left as LeBron James misfired in the end and the Nuggets put

an end to the Lakers' inspiring playoff run.

Jokic drove past the Lakers double team and swished in the go-ahead layup to put the Nuggets ahead.

James had two attempts to force overtime, but he totally misfired a tough jumper before shot clock expired and had his last gasp layup blocked by Aaron Gordon as time ran out on the Lakers.

Jokic finished with 30 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, three blocks and one steal for the Nuggets, who will be entering the championship round for the first time in their franchise history.

Jamal Murray added 25 points, three rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block, while Gordon chipped in 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocks.

James finished with 40 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and two steals, while Anthony Davis added 21 points, 14 rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal for the Lakers, whose Cinderella run where they went all the way to the conference finals despite being the seventh seed and even needing to go through the play-in tournament came to an end. (PNA)

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with teammates after receiving the Most Valuable Player Trophy following game four of the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. —

Picture by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images via AFP