WATCH: Metro Manila Festival (MMFF) 2017 eight official entries’ trailers

MANILA, Philippines - It’s almost that time of the year when everyone is treated to homegrown movies. The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2017 already announced their eight (8) official entries. It had the perfect mix of comedy, drama, indie, romcom and even horror.

THE EIGHT OFFICIAL ENTRIES TO THIS YEAR'S METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL.

Here are the trailers of the eight competing films:

1. Ang Panday

Ang Panday directed by Coco Martin. Photo Courtesy: Instagram/Ang Panday the movie

A spin-off from the iconic movie of the original Panday, Fernando Poe Jr. It is an epic Philippine legend that centers around a superhero named Panday.

This one is directed by Rodel Nacianceno aka Coco Martin himself by CCM Creative Productions. Aside from the lead star Martin, it also stars beauty queens Mariel De Leon and Kylie Verzosa and McLisse loveteam of McCoy De Leon and Elisse Joson.

2. The Revengers Squad

The Revengers Squad stars Vice Ganda, Daniel Padilla and Pia Wurtzbach. Photo Courtesy: Facebook/The Revengers Squad

A superhero comedy that top bills big Kapamilya names such Vice Ganda, Daniel Padilla and Pia Wurtzbach. It is directed by Joyce A. Bernal and produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films. Direk Joyce also directed Vice Ganda’s blockbuster hit last year, The Super Parental Guardians.

3. All of You

Jennylyn Mercado and Derek Ramsay returns. Photo Courtesy: Instagram/Jennylyn Mercado

“All of You” is a reunion movie for Jennylyn Mercado, Derek Ramsey and director Dan Villegas. Direk Dan was also responsible for the team-up on their previous movie “English Only Please” back in 2014. Direk Dan also won Best Director Award during 2014 MMFF with Jennylyn and Jericho Rosales’ tearjerker, Walang Forever. It is produced by Quantum Films and MJM Productions.

4. Meant to Beh

Vic and Dawn play a couple trying to make their marriage work. Photo Courtesy: Instagram/Meant to Beh movie

A comedy movie about marriage, it stars Vic Sotto and Dawn Zulueta as a couple trying to make their marriage work. It also stars several Kapuso stars such as Gabbi Garcia and Baby Baste but also has Kapamilyas Sue Ramirez and JC Santos. Directed by Chris Martinez, who is responsible for films like “Extra Service” and “Babae sa Septik Tank 2.”

5. Ang Larawan

A film adaptation of a stage play by the national artist Nick Joaquin. Photo Courtesy: Instagram/Ang Larawan movie

It is a film adaptation of “Larawan, The Musical”, a stage translation of “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino,” by the national artist Nick Joaquin. It premiered in Tokyo International Filmfest where it received praises. Set during the World War II, it presents Joanna Ampil and Rachel Alejandro as sisters who are struggling after their father, painter Don Lorenzo Marasigan becomes ill and fails to produce art in years. It also features music by Ryan Cayabyab and directed by Loy Arcenas.

6. Deadma Walking

A dark gay comedy. Photo Courtesy: Instagram/Joross Gamboa

It is a Palanca-winning dark gay comedy. It tells the story of two gays best friends Mark and John. When one of them discovers that he is dying, he asks his best friend to help stage him a fake death.

Directed by Julius Alfonso, it stars Joross Gamboa and Edgar Allan Guzman.

7. Haunted Forest

A horror movie about a group of friends who go on a road trip. They find themselves being haunted by dark spirits. Directed by Ian Loreños, this stars Kapamilya teens Jon Lucas, Jameson Blake, Maris Racal and Jane Oineza.

8. Siargao

Three people in search of love and happiness. Photo Courtesy: Instagram/Siargao movie

Set in the scenic beaches of Siargao, it tells the story of three people searching for love and happiness. It is directed by Paul Soriano, who also directed Enrique Gil’s Dukot. It also stars Jericho Rosales, Erich Gonzales, and Jasmine Curtis- Smith.

Which movie would you like to watch this Christmas? Sound off in the comments.

— Sally, The Summit Express

Prestone now accepts applications for "Anak ng Mekaniko Scholarship Program" 2018

MANILA, Philippines — In line with its 90th year anniversary, PRESTONE, a leading innovator of cutting-edge coolants, brake fluid, and motor oils, pays tribute to the unsung heroes of the automotive industry, our local auto mechanics, through a nationwide search for the ANAK NG MEKANIKO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

The scholarship program, which accepts applications until February 15, 2018, aims to support the automotive repair and maintenance services sector in the Philippines by providing free college education, specifically for deserving children of local auto mechanics.

“PRESTONE values the contribution made by auto mechanics to the brand’s success. After nearly a century of milestones, we hope that this program will add to PRESTONE’s many firsts,” said Paulo Lao, Sales & Marketing Director of PRESTONE. “All of these will not be possible without the support of the loyal PRESTONE users, especially the local auto mechanics, who journeyed with us in our feat to ensuring and maintaining safety and security for drivers and their vehicles.”

Since 1927, PRESTONE has been innovating and improving its products for the safety and protection of the Filipino motorists. But more importantly, PRESTONE also believes in giving back and advocating to improve the lives of the children of mechanics through education.

“Filipinos consider education as a symbol of wealth that they can bequeath to their children. As such, we want to inspire and give hope to nine deserving ANAK NG MEKANIKO scholars, who will be chosen from across the country,” added Monique Gonzales, Brand Manager of PRESTONE.

L-R: Paulo Lao, Sales and Marketing Director of Prestone, MaritesDagdag, President, Clorox International, Philippines, Inc., and Monique Gonzales, Brand Manager of Prestone.

The ANAK NG MEKANIKO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM is open to all high school graduates, graduating senior high school students, passers of Alternative Learning System (ALS) or Philippine Education Placement Test, as well as for those individuals who want to go back to complete their college education.

All the nine ANAK NG MEKANIKO Scholars will be granted a full scholarship to a four-year course of their choice in any STI Colleges branch, nationwide. Aside from the tuition fees, the grant also includes stipends, as well as books and uniform allowances.

PRESTONE is now accepting entries for the grant until the deadline on February 15, 2018, at exactly 5 pm. Entries submitted after the cut-off time will be considered null and void.

Presentation of the nine (9) scholars will be in April 2018.

To learn more about the ANAK NG MEKANIKO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, visit prestone.com.ph or the Prestone PH Facebook page for the complete copy of the mechanics. Applicants may also contact Dhen Veo through (6) (32) 725 0237/ 09228599213/ dhanieleveo.themeactive@gmail.com.

— The Summit Express

FULL LIST: PRC board exam schedule 2018, deadline of filing

MANILA, Philippines - The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) officially released on Tuesday, November 28, the schedule of board examinations for 2018, which includes the opening of online processing, deadline for filing applications, practical examinations, professional upgrading examinations, Special Professional Licensure Examinations (SPLE) and target dates of release of examination results.

The 'Schedule of Licensure Examinations for 2018' is pursuant to Section 7 (d) of R.A. 8981, authorizing the Commission to determine and fix the places and dates of examinations.

PRC board exam schedule below covers examinations for dentist, architect, mechanical engineers (ME), physician, medical technologist (medtech), professional teacher (LET), electronics engineers (ECE), midwives, electrical engineer (REE), certified public accountants (CPA), civil engineer (CE), nurse (NLE), criminologist, among others.

JANUARY 2018
Name of Examination	Date/s of Exam	Day/s	Place	Opening of Online Processing	Deadline in Filing
Dentists (Practical)	3, 4, 5 & 6	W, Th, F, Sa	Manila	September 11, 2017	November 10, 2017
Real Estate Consultants (Revalida)	9, 10, 11 & 12	T, W, Th, F	Manila	-	-
Sanitary Engineers	16, 17 & 18	T, W, Th	Manila	October 18, 2017	December 18, 2017
Architects	26 & 28	F, Su	Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Davao and Legaspi	October 16, 2017	December 14, 2017
FEBRUARY 2018
Name of Examination	Date/s of Exam	Day/s	Place	Opening of Online Processing	Deadline in Filing
Physical Therapists	4 & 5	Su, M	Manila and Cebu	November 6, 2017	January 5, 2018
Occupational Therapists	4 & 5	Su, M	Manila and Cebu	November 6, 2017	January 5, 2018
Master Plumbers	13 & 14	T, W	Manila, Baguio and Iloilo	November 13, 2017	January 12, 2018
Mechanical Engineers	26 & 27	M, T	Manila, Baguio and Cebu	November 27, 2017	January 26, 2018
Certified Plant Mechanics	26 & 27	M, T	Manila, Baguio and Cebu	November 27, 2018	January 26, 2018
MARCH 2018
Name of Examination	Date/s of Exam	Day/s	Place	Opening of Online Processing	Deadline in Filing
Physicians	4, 5, 11 & 12	Su, M, Su, M	Manila, Baguio, Cebu and  Zamboanga	December 1, 2017	February 1, 2018
Pharmacists	7 & 8	W, Th	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Zamboanga	December 8, 2017	February 12, 2018
Medical Technologists	14 & 15	W, Th	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga	December 12, 2017	February 12, 2018
Professional Teachers	25	Su	Manila, All Regional Offices; Zamboanga, Bacolod, Rosales, Pangasinan and General Santos City	November 20, 2017	January 19, 2018
APRIL 2018
Name of Examination	Date/s of Exam	Day/s	Place	Opening of Online Processing	Deadline in Filing
Electronics Engineers	4 & 5	W, Th	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu and Davao	January 2, 2018	March 2, 2018
Electronics Technicians	6	F	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu and Davao	December 20, 2017	February 20, 2018
Midwives	11 & 12	W, Th	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Pagadian, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga	January 8, 2018	March 9, 2018
Registered Electrical Engineers	17 & 18	T, W	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena and Tacloban	January 12, 2018	March 12, 2018
Registered Master Electricians	19	Th	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena and Tacloban	January 5, 2018	March 5, 2018
MAY 2018
Name of Examination	Date/s of Exam	Day/s	Place	Opening of Online Processing	Deadline in Filing
Dentists (Written)	2, 3 & 4	W, Th , F	Manila	January 19, 2018	March 19, 2018
Civil Engineers	6 & 7	Su, M	Mania, All Regional Offices; Zamboanga	January 26, 2018	March 26, 2018
Certified Public Accountants	13, 14 & 20	Su, M, Su	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi and Tacloban	January 29, 2018	March 28, 2018
Chemical Engineers	23, 24 & 25	W, Th , F	Manila and Cebu	February 23, 2018	April 23, 2018
Dentists (Practical)	29, 30, 31 & June 1	T, W, Th, F	Manila	January 19, 2018	March 19, 2018
JUNE 2018
Name of Examination	Date/s of Exam	Day/s	Place	Opening of Online Processing	Deadline in Filing
Nurses	3 & 4	Su, M	Manila, All Regional Offices; Zamboanga	February 23, 2018	April 24, 2018
Environmental Planners	6 & 7	W, Th	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Pagadian and Tacloban	February 20, 2018	April 20, 2018
Criminologists	10, 11 & 12	Su, M, T	Manila, All Regional Offices; Zamboanga	February 20, 2018	April 20, 2018
Dental Hygienists (Written)	14	Th	Manila	March 14, 2018	May 14, 2018
Dental Hygienists (Practical)	15	F	Manila	-	-
Real Estate Brokers	17	Su	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Pagadian and Tuguegarao	March 9, 2018	May 11, 2018
Agriculturists	24, 25 & 26	Su, M, T	Manila, All Regional Office; Zamboanga	March 24, 2018	May 24, 2018
Architects	28 & 30	Th, Sa	Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Davao and Legaspi	March 9, 2018	May 9, 2018
JULY 2018
Name of Examination	Date/s of Exam	Day/s	Place	Opening of Online Processing	Deadline in Filing
Landscape Architects	4 & 5	W, Th	Manila	April 4, 2018	June 4, 2018
Master Plumbers	7 & 8	Sa, Su	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi and Tacloban	March 21, 2018	May 21, 2018
Optometrists (Written)	16, 17 & 18	M, T, W	Manila	April 16, 2018	June 15, 2018
Ocular Pharmacologists	16	M	Manila	April 16, 2018	June 15, 2016
Optometrists (Practical)	19, 20 & 21	Th, F, Sa	Manila	-	-
Social Workers	25 & 26	W, Th	Manila, All Regional Offices; Zamboanga	April 25, 2018	June 25, 2018
Radiologic Technologists	29 & 30	Su, M	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi and Tuguegarao	April 13, 2018	June 13, 2018
X-Ray Technologists	29 & 30	Su, M	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi and Tuguegarao	April 13, 2018	June 13, 2018
AUGUST 2018
Name of Examination	Date/s of Exam	Day/s	Place	Opening of Online Processing	Deadline in Filing
Real Estate Appraisers	2	Th	Manila, All Regional Offices; Zamboanga	May 3, 2018	July 3, 2018
Pharmacists	4 & 5	Sa, Su	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Zamboanga	April 20, 2018	June 20, 2018
Sanitary Engineers	7, 8 & 9	T, W, Th	Manila	May 7, 2018	July 6, 2018
Mining Engineers	7, 8 & 9	T, W, Th	Manila, Baguio and Davao	May 7, 2018	July 6, 2018
Physical Therapists	11 & 12	Sa, Su	Manila, Baguio and Cebu	May 11, 2018	July 11, 2018
Occupational Therapists	11 & 12	Sa, Su	Manila, baguio and Cebu	May 11, 2018	July 11, 2018
Vetenirarians	15, 16 & 17	W, Th, F	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao &  Tuguegarao	May 14, 2018	July 13, 2018
Nutritionists-Dietitians	19 & 20	Su, M	Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Davao and Zamboanga	May 18, 2018	July 18, 2018
Agricultural Engineers	22 & 23	W, Th	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Legaspi & Tuguegarao	May 21, 2018	July 20, 2018
Mechanical Engineers	25 & 26	Sa, Su	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao and Lucena	May 25, 2018	July 25, 2018
Certified Plant Mechanic	25 & 26	Sa, Su	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao and Lucena	May 25, 2018	July 25, 2018
Guidance Counselors	29 & 30	W, Th	Manila, Cagayan De Oro and Cebu	May 28, 2018	July 27, 2018
SEPTEMBER 2018
Name of Examination	Date/s of Exam	Day/s	Place	Opening of Online Processing	Deadline in Filing
Registered Electrical Engineers	1 & 2	Sa, Su	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Tacloban and Zamboanga	June 1, 2018	August 1, 2018
Registered Master Electricians	3	M	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Tacloban and Zamboanga	May 21, 2018	July 20, 2018
Respiratory Therapists	5 & 6	W, Th	Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Davao and Zamboanga	June 4, 2018	August 3, 2018
Physicians	8, 9, 15 & 16	Sa, Su, Sa, Su	Manila, Baguio, Cebu and Davao	June 4, 2018	August 3, 2018
Foresters	11 & 12	T, W	Manila, All Regional Offices; Zamboanga	June 11, 2018	August 10, 2018
Librarians	18 & 19	T, W	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Tacloban and Tuguegarao	June 18, 2018	August 17, 2018
Medical Technologists	22 & 23	Sa, Su	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena and Tuguegarao	June 18, 2018	August 17, 2018
Professional Teachers	30	Su	Manila, All Regional Offices; Zamboanga, Bacolod, Rosales, Pangasinan, Laoag and General Santos City	May 20, 2018	July 20, 2018
OCTOBER 2018
Name of Examination	Date/s of Exam	Day/s	Place	Opening of Online Processing	Deadline in Filing
Naval Architects & Marine Engineers	2, 3 & 4	T, W, Th	Manila	June 29, 2018	August 31, 2018
Certified Public Accountants	6, 7 & 13	Sa, Su, Sa	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Tacloban and Tuguegarao	June 29, 2018	August 28, 2018
Chemists	11	Th	Manila, Cagayan De Oro and Cebu	July 6, 2018	September 7, 2018
Chemical Technician	11	Th	Manila, Cagayan De Oro and Cebu	July 6, 2018	September 7, 2018
Metallurgical Engineers	16, 17 & 18	T, W, Th	Manila and Cagayan De Oro	July 13, 2018	September 14, 2018
Electronics Engineers	20 & 21	Sa, Su	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro,Cebu, Davao, Lucena and Tuguegarao	July 13, 2018	September 14, 2018
Electronics Technicians	22	M	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao and Lucena	July 4, 2018	September 4, 2018
Geodetic Engineers	24 & 25	W, Th	Manila, Cebu and Tuguegarao	July 24, 2018	September 24, 2018
Fisheries Technologists	24 & 25	W, Th	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga	July 24, 2018	September 24, 2018
Psychometricians	29 & 30	M, T	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga	July 25, 2018	September 25, 2018
Psychologists	29 & 30	M, T	Manila	July 25, 2018	September 25, 2018
NOVEMBER 2018
Name of Examination	Date/s of Exam	Day/s	Place	Opening of Online Processing	Deadline in Filing
Midwives	3 & 4	Sa, Su	Manila, All RegManila, All Regional Offices; Zamboanga	August 1, 2018	October 1, 2018
Interior Designers	6, 7 & 8	T, W, Th	Manila	August 6, 2018	October 5, 2018
Civil Engineers	10 & 11	Sa, Su	Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga	August 8, 2018	October 8, 2018
Aeronautical Engineers	13, 14 & 15	T, W, Th	Manila	August 13, 2018	October 12, 2018
Geologists	13, 14 & 15	T, W, Th	Manila	August 13, 2018	October 12, 2018
Nurses	17 & 18	Sa, Su	Manila, All Regional Offices; Zamboanga	August 13, 2018	October 12, 2018
Customs Brokers	21 & 22	W, Th	Manila, Cebu and Davao	August 17, 2018	October 19, 2018
Chemical Engineers	24, 25 & 26	Sa, Su, M	Manila and Cebu	August 20, 2018	October 22, 2018
Dentists (Written)	28, 29 & 30	W, Th, F	Manila	August 24, 2018	October 22, 2018
DECEMBER 2018
Name of Examination	Date/s of Exam	Day/s	Place	Opening of Online Processing	Deadline of Filing
Real Estate Consultants (Written)	2	Su	Manila	August 31, 2018	October 31, 2018
Dental Technologists (Written)	4	T	Manila	August 31, 2018	October 31, 2018
Dental Technologists (Practical)	5 & 6	W, Th	Manila	-
Criminologists	14, 15 & 16	F, Sa, Su	Manila, All Regional Offices; Zamboanga, General Santos and Rosales, Pangasinan	August 13, 2018	October 13, 2018
Dentists (Practical)	18, 19, 20 & 21	T, W, Th, F	Manila	August 24, 2018	October 22, 2018

Note: The pdf copy reflecting the PRC Resolution and target release of results per examination will be posted here once available online.

The SPLE to Overseas Filipino Workers this year, shall be scheduled in accordance to PRC Resolution No. 2011-627 pursuant to R.A. No. 8981 and Executive Order No. 835.

In the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LET), PRC advised that requests for additional testing centers outside the PRC Regional Offices shall be in accordance with PRC Resolution No. 2012-675 series of 2012 dated August 24, 2012, "Designation of other cities outside PRC Regional Offices as additional testing center for LET."

"The filing of application, together with the supporting documents, at the Central and Regional offices shall be in the period indicated in the schedule. Note that if the deadline of filing application falls on legal or regular holiday and non-working holidays, the deadline shall be on the immediately succeeding working day," PRC said.

— The Summit Express

ABL: Singapore Slingers hand Alab Pilipinas its 2nd straight loss

MANILA, Philippines - Nothing will be more painful than losing a game in front of the home crowd. Tanduay Alab Pilipinas hit the rock bottom of the standings in the 2017 ASEAN Basketball League after losing anew, this time, against visiting Singapore Slingers, 97-83 on Wednesday, November 29 in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna.

Super import Xavier Alexander showed no mercy to Alab Pilipinas and the home crowd. Photo Credit: tnp.sg

If there’s one thing in every Alab Pilipinas player’s mind, that would be: not to lose a back-to-back games in the home turf. But sadly, lightning struck the Philippine ABL team twice tonight.

Both teams started the game slow. But it was Singapore Slingers who went ahead of the game with a 7-2 lead with over 6 minutes left in the opening period. World imports Ivan Johnson and Reggie Okosa teamed-up to level the score with 9-apiece at the 3:12 mark of the opener.

Ex-TNT reinforcement, Ivan Johnson, fell hard on the floor as he fought for a rebound against counterpart Xavier Alexander. Johnson stood-up but was obviously in pain. He was sent to the bench for further examination and was replaced by heritage import Lawrence Domingo.

Aside from Xavier Alexander, local Slingers star Delvin Goh lifted up the team to secure the lead after the first 10 minutes of the game. 23-15 in favor of Singapore.

Philippines was held scoreless for the first 2 minutes of the 2nd period. Lawrence Domingo broke the scoring drought with a driving layup. On the other hand, second Slingers world import, Ryan Wright, did significant damage to Alab and escalated the lead to 15.

Oping Sumalinog and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. both sank triples as soon as they stepped on the floor to cut Singapore’s lead to a single-digit. But Slinger heritage import and Filipino-Canadian, AJ Mandani, answered back with his own version of back-to-back three pointers to place his team’s advantage back to 14.

Just like its previous game against Hong Kong, Tanduay Alab Pilipinas still can’t find its rhythm after the 1st half. Singapore Slingers led by a dozen, 50-38.

Alab had a terrific run in the early phase of the third. But the problem was, Slingers did a spectacular 3rd quarter as well. Xavier Alexander and Ryan Wright continued to punish Alab in the shaded lane that prolonged the Slingers’ lead.

It was a three point shootout between Alab’s Josh Urbiztondo and Slingers’ Ng Hanbin come midway of the 3rd period. Philippines managed to lower the lead to just 8, 68-60.

Philippines leaned on its transition offense to finally break the barriers and started to show what it’s capable of. Ivan Johnson who had 7 points in the 1st half came back aggressively in the third and led Alab’s onslaught until the quarter buzzer sounded. Philippines slashed Singapore’s lead to just 3, 74-71.

Singapore welcomed Philippines at the start of the final period with a 12-0 run and ballooned its lead to 15 once again.

Slingers posted its biggest lead of 18 points, 91-73 with 5:31 left in the ballgame. Nothing was going right for Alab. Even the close-range shot were not going in. In contrary, Singapore got too lucky in all angles of the floor.

Slingers imports: Alexander, Wright and Mandani tormented Alab Pilipinas until the end of the game while locals Goh and Hanbin chipped in valuable numbers to give Philippines its back-to-back losses.

— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express

La Salle dodges the bullet, extends UAAP finals series to Game 3

MANILA, Philippines - Top-seeded Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles blew a 21-point lead but unfortunately handed down Game 2 to De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 92-83 in the Season 80 UAAP men's basketball finals on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

True to his words, Ben Mbala after the Game 1 debacle, vowed to be more explosive in Game 2. The 2-time MVP fulfilled his promise and led La Salle’s comeback win against Ateneo. Photo Credit: Inquirer.net

Gunning for their 9th title since joining the prestigious collegiate league in the country, the Blue Eagles with a 1-0 series advantage tried to finish off their greatest rivals, the Green Archers today. But the men in green aimed to repulse their arch-nemesis to force a rubber match on Sunday.

Both teams traded baskets as early as the first few seconds of the game. Both had quick triples but it was Ateneo who had the slight edge as the 5-minute mark of the opening period approached, 13-5 and all starters had made a bucket at least.

La Salle’s agile wing-man, Ricci Rivero hit the foul trouble too early and prompted Coach Aldin Ayo to send him back to bench to preserve his remaining personal fouls for the rest of the game.

Anton Asistio lighted it up from the outside to widen the Ateneo-gap to a dozen that panicked Coach Ayo and called a mandatory timeout.

Ayo’s timeout didn’t do his team any good. It was a double black-eye for the sophomore coach as his ace player and MVP Ben Mbala got into foul trouble as well after the ceasefire.

ADMU was in total control after the first 10 minutes of the opener, 32-15.

La Salle slowly getting back on track at the start of the 2nd period. Kib Montalbo and Ricci Rivero led the way while Ben Mbala wasn’t able to keep it up in terms of scoring.

Despite La Salle’s early 5-0 run, Ateneo fired back with their own scoring blast and posted the biggest lead of the game of 21 points, 45-24 with 5:30 remaining in the half.

With 3:21 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, La Salle’s Ricci Rivero committed his 4th personal foul and once again relegated to the sidelines.

Green Archers made another excellent run led by Aljun Melecio and Ben Mbala who rocked the rim with a monster alley-oop jam. The once 21-point lead was abruptly cut to just 9 in less than 3 minutes. The Blue Eagles however were still in favor after the first half, 51-42 spearheaded by Thirdy Ravena who led all scorers with 13.

After La Salle’s 12-0 blitz, Ateneo finally made a most-needed basket courtesy of Chibueze Ikeh at the beginning of the third.

DLSU intensified its defense that resulted to a superb comeback. The Archers were able to trim Ateneo’s lead to just 6 from as high as 21 and they did it without the aid of Ricci Rivero who was nursing his 4th personal fouls.

All of a sudden, Ateneo’s hot shooting hands gone ice cold as the Eagles allowed a 24-5 scoring surge by La Salle. The Archers were totally back in the game as they snatched the lead from the Eagles with over 2 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter.

La Salle turned the momentum to its side and ended the penultimate period with a 68-59 lead.

Ateneo tried to regain the lead in the final quarter. But every time the Eagles scored, the Archers retaliated to stop Coach Tab Baldwin’s boys in re-taking the advantage that could cost them this game.

Aaron Black was the only Eagle who thrived to level the score with 5 more minutes remaining in the game. Black single-handedly poured 10 points to get closer to La Salle. His three pointer cut the lead to just 4, 74-70.

Ateneo’s Assistant Coach Gene Afable was whistled for a technical foul for continuous complaining. Some of the fans didn’t like the call and they started yelling “luto! luto!” and bottles and coins were thrown at the court.

In spite of the efforts exerted by Aaron Black who had 11 points in 4th quarter alone, De La Salle still managed to take care of its lead and closed out game number 2 with an unbelievable comeback win, 92-83 for the series equalizer.

Do-or-die game will be on Sunday, December 3 at 4 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express