Kinaadman in final

frame to match Olivarez’s straight-set romp in the Group A tournament presented by Dunlop.

Olivarez and Kinaadman dispute the crown and the top P50,000 purse at 4 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday) in a clash of doubles partners.

The pair likewise led the semifinal cast in the men’s doubles as they routed Jelic Amazona and Jude Ceniza, 6-1, 6-4, to seal a clash with Pague and John Sonsona, who held off Dave Mosqueda and Eric Tangub, 6-3, 6-3. Arcilla and Nilo Ledama foiled Acabo and Noel Salupado, 6-7(5), 6-3, 10-5, to arrange a face-off with Vicente Anasta and Fritz Bernaldes, who subdued Randy Delavin and Andre Santos, 6-4, 6-2.

Maria Pague, 6-2, 4-6,, 10-2, in the Last 16 phase, twice in the second

On their way to the finals of the event, sponsored by Rep. Edward Hagedorn and held under the PPS-PEPP program put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro, Olivarez eased past Yves Balingit, 6-1, 6-2, and Brent Cortes, 6-1, 6-1, then repulsed Mosqueda, 6-3, 6-4, before stopping Arclla’s run of Open romps.

PLDT, Smart promote camaraderie among FIBA World Cup nations

AS the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 opening day nears, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. gathered dignitaries and heads of embassies and consulates in the Philippines to promote camaraderie among nations in the most anticipated global sports event this year.

“We are grateful to be able to come together to celebrate the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we can host the world’s biggest stage in basketball alongside Japan and Indonesia,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT and Smart President and CEO and head of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 local organizing committee.

“The FIBA World Cup goes beyond basketball: it is about the heart and capabilities of all participating countries, and our ability to bring honor to our nations. We are eager to showcase our countrymen’s love for the sport and promote Filipino hospitality, while promoting the sportsmanship and culture of the countries that will play here in the Philippines,” he added.

Dignitaries and special guests representing 25 countries attended the event hosted by PLDT Enterprise in

Makati City. The event also served as an opportunity for the Philippine government, represented by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Foreign Affairs Senior Special Assistant Alex Lamadrid, to present the plans of the government to support this global event.

“The Filipinos’ love for basketball is well-known all over the world. That love is evident in all islands across the Philippines because basketball is strongly woven into our cultural fabric. The FIBA World Cup also gives opportunities for Filipinos themselves to show their love for country, because what we will see is a great sense of nationalism in cheering for the Philippine team. This nationalism which will be replicated throughout the citizens of the world whom we are very eager to welcome to the country as we host the World Cup,” said Secretary Frasco.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs, for its part, will continue to pursue and take advantage of the universal appeal of sports in bringing people together, to bridge cultural or social differences, and bring more cooperation in the spirit of mutual benefit and development,” said Senior Special Assistant Lamadrid.