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Sunday, October 21, 2012

MOA management to replace lost Meralco items Richard Dy



MOA management says the review of the CCTV tapes is still ongoing. Jerome Ascano
FIRST the bad news: There’s no official word yet from management of the Mall of Asia Arena regarding its own investigation on the burglary incident that took place during the PBA Philippine Cup game between Meralco and Globalport last Wednesday.
Now, for some piece of good news: MOA venue general manager Arnel Gonzales has assured Meralco management that they will be replacing all the items lost by Meralco personnel.
“Yes, we will be replacing all the items Meralco lost. That’s part of management’s show or act of good faith to the PBA,” Gonzales told Spin.ph in an exclusive interview.
Gonzales heads the team investigating the burglary incident that happened right inside the Meralco dugout while the Bolts were in the middle of their game against Batang Pier.
He said MOA management hopes to hand out the replacement items within this week.
PBA board vice-chairman Mon Seguismundo, Meralco’s representative to the Board, said the team appreciates the gesture of MOA, although he hopes the lost items will be delivered by Monday.
“I was told by Commissioner (Chito Salud) that they (MOA Arena management) will be replacing all the items we lost. We want the items delivered by tomorrow (Monday). It’s for their (coaching staff’s) own peace of mind,” Seguismundo said.
Still, the league vice-chairman is waiting for an official word from MOA Arena management as far as the result of the CCTV review of the venue is concerned.
Gonzales said review of the CCTV is still ongoing, though once the results are available, it will be forwarded to the PBA Commissioner’s Office, which will make the formal announcement of the investigation.
On Wednesday, Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio and his coaching staff lost their valuables after burglars managed to get inside the team dugout while the Bolts were playing the Batang Pier in the first half.
Gregorio’s Adidas shoulder bag was later recovered near the entrance to the hallway leading to the dugout. But his iPad, iPhone, and wallet were already gone.
Gregorio said while he has been informed of the MOA Arena’s plan to replace all the items lost, some of the priceless files of his family which he lost can no longer be replaced.
“Ang masakit lang talaga is the files my kids lost. But everything has a reason. It’s just a sad event. The world was not made for our convenience. Mga pictures ng anak ko, programs in school, lahat nandun (iPhone and iPad),” lamented Gregorio.
“Nung na-track ko yung iPhone, nasa Greenhills na eh, tapos nung na-try ko uli tawagan, wala na.”
He was just thankful that upon checking his Adidas shoulder bag, he found two his credit cards were not taken by the robbers.
“Thankful na rin ako at di kinuha yung two credit cards ko,” he added.
To avoid any similar incident in the future, Seguismundo said the team has added its own security inside the Bolts’ dugout to personally man their belongings.
The MOA Arena management  has also tightened security all over the venue, with security personnel stationed all over the press room entrance and hallway leading to the teams’ dugout.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

Recuperating Fajardo quick to accept apology after a call from Pingris By Richard Dy



“Tinawagan ako ni Pingris. Nag-sorry siya sa akin. Di daw kasi niya akalain na ganun ka-grabe ang nangyari sa akin,” says June Mar Fajardo while resting in his room at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center. Jerome Ascano
RECUPERATING in his hospital room three days after undergoing surgery, June Mar Fajardo is looking forward to being discharged and getting back in action.
The Petron rookie is starting to feel better, not only because the pain has gone down but also because he has received a surprise call from San Mig veteran Jean Marc Pingris who apologized for the accidental blow that left Fajardo with a swollen and bleeding scrotum.
“Tinawagan ako ni Pingris. Nag-sorry siya sa akin. Di daw kasi niya akalain na ganun ka-grabe ang nangyari sa akin,” Fajardo told Spin.ph while resting in his room at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
The 6’9” Fajardo still winced when he looked back on the incident, recalling how he got entangled with Pingris during a rebound skirmish in the fourth quarter where he eventually got hit by the San Mig Coffee forward’s wayward elbow in his most private part.
“Masakit, naramdaman ko agad nung tinamaan ako. Pero tiniis ko na lang nung last six minutes ng laro,” recounted the former University of Cebu star center.
Despite the intense pain, the freshman center almost turned the match around in the final stretch, hitting crucial baskets including a two-handed putback slam over Yancy de Ocampo. He finished what turned out be his finest game so far as a pro with 16 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and one block.
But come Monday after lunch, he had to be admitted in hospital to ease the pain and control the swelling on his scrotum.
The 22-year-old Petron center said his attending physician, Dr. Benjie Ramos, has advised him to stay several more days at Cardinal Santos Medical Center to ensure he gets enough rest after Wednesday's surgery.
Once he is cleared for discharge, he’s still expected to miss around three to four weeks. And that means he can’t join the team’s practice yet.
“Bawal actually ako mag-join kahit man lang weights, kasi pag pinagpawisan ako, baka ma-infect dahil nga sa opera. So pahinga lang saka nuod lang muna ng practice ng team kapag nakalabas na ako,” said the top pick overall in the rookie draft last August.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

Alex Cabagnot OK with Arwind Santos comments: ‘He trusts me like I trust him’



AKTV file photo/Paul Ryan Tan
Just two nights ago, Arwind Santos called out fellow Petron Blaze team captain Alex Cabagnot.
On Sunday night, the Boosters lead guard came through with a big game.
Cabagnot finished with 25 points and eight assists, leading the Boosters to an important 98-95 win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
“Dapat kapag gipitan na situation, guards should know when to take over. In our case, dapat kay Alex na responsibility ‘yun,” Santos told InterAKTV last Friday.
“Kulang kami sa puso. Mayroong mga maliliit na bagay pero importante na hindi namin nagagawa.”
After the game, Cabagnot said he didn’t feel bad about Santos’ remarks.
“Kilala ko na ugali ni Arwind. We’ve been playing together for quite some time now and we won championships playing together,” Cabagnot told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview.
Cabagnot said Santos’ comment indicates only one thing — trust.
“It means he trusts me to take over, especially during the crucial stretch. People got used to seeing me making those big shots, then all of a sudden, I even can’t make crucial free throws, shots which I can normally make,” said Cabagnot.
“Arwind just wants me to have the ball and take over during crucial stretch, knowing that I can make them. He trusts me the same way I trusted him. I don’t trust anybody else either to get the rebounds more than Arwind.”
Santos was happy to see Cabagnot having a solid game after a so-so performance last time around.
“Alam ko kasi ang kayang gawin ni Alex. Kaya nu’ng nakita ko yung ginagawa niya kanina, ginaganahan rin ako pati na rin yung ibang teammates namin. Gusto ko lang ilabas yung best na makikita ko sa kanya,” said Santos, who scored 22 points and grabbed 17 rebounds.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/alex-cabagnot-ok-with-arwind-santos-comments-he-trusts-me-like-i-trust-him