Good morning. As the sun rises on this April 16th, we embark on our second day of Araw Araw, your daily source of news and insights.

Fuel prices rose again today, effective until April 22. Minimize refueling until the prices come back down!

Stocks

Local News

🛣 GROUND BREAKING News

By Titus Bautista

We literally had GROUND BREAKING news yesterday: a sinkhole appearing along Sales road near Villamor Airbase and NAIA Terminal 3. After investigations by the Department of Public Works and Highways, they discovered that the sinkhole was caused by a leak from the water pipeline of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. The water leak possibly drenched the soil beneath the road causing it to collapse.  However, Maynilad Communications Head Jennifer Rufo was surprised that their pipeline leaked since “The pipe is fairly new, and it sustained an external hit likely from third parties”.

Worry not though guys, superhero actor-turned Senator, comes to the rescue! Sen. Bong Revilla wants to hold Maynilad accountable for the mess of a hole they left on the road. He said, “Hindi pwedeng hayaan lang na ire-repair tapos wala na. Hindi ‘yon accountability,”. We couldn’t agree more with the Senator. Maynilad’s field personnel were able to complete the repairs at 1 a.m. of the morning of April 15. But, like Sen. Revilla we are waiting to complete this mystery because we really can’t afford anymore traffic near the airport… or can we? 😭

✈BBM Wraps Up US Trip

By Titus Bautista

Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden hosted President Bongbong Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the White House for a first-of-its kind three-way summit. Given the current situation with China, all 3 leaders raised concerns about China’s behavior in the South China Sea. 

Last year, Chinese President Xi said that Beijing was willing to resume talks about joint explorations in the area. According to President BBM, China keeps insisting that Chinese law must prevail in the area since it is Chinese territory. “We, of course, do not accept that. We say this is Philippine territory, and therefore, Philippine law should prevail.”, Marcos says. However, Marcos claims that the three-way summit was not “directed at anyone or against anyone”. Hmmm… our neighbors in South China Sea says, Thanks for the Invite!

Asian News

📱 Apple: Made in China Vietnam

By Titus Bautista

Review your selfies from your last Vietnamese trip because Tim Cook just posted his. The Apple CEO began his 2-day visit to our Southeast Asian neighbor yesterday, as they claim that they would boost their spending in Vietnam. In a statement, Cook said, “From cooperating with local suppliers, to supporting clean water projects and educational opportunities, we are committed to continuing to strengthen connections in Vietnam,”. Since 2019, the iPhone maker has spent almost 400 Trillion Dong (not Dantes) through supply chains in the country; that’s a whopping $16 Billion US Dollars! All this comes as the current US administration is looking to increase Vietnam’s position in the global tech supply chain and depend less on China. As Ariana would say, thank u, next! 

If Vietnam can serve as a valuable partner to the US’ need for trade in critical industries like semiconductors, this could definitely boost the Vietnamese economy. I guess for the Americans, they believe in Popoy and Basha’s One More Chance too. But I’d be lying if I said, Made in Divisoria sounds better than Made in Vietnam. So Uncle Sam, please give Vietnam’s neighbor (us!!) a chance?

Sports

🐶 NU Lady Bulldogs finally shoot down rival DLSU Lady Spikers

By Koby del Rosario

University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Volleyball Season 84 Champions National University (NU) Bulldogs took advantage of the absence of reigning Rookie MVP Angel Canino as they picked apart arch rival De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers, three sets to one, last Sunday, April 14th, in their Round 2 matchup.

Held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, it was a highly-anticipated affair that would be integral in determining the top two seeds for the season who will be possessing a twice-to-beat advantage come the Final Four.  Led by Vange Alinsug’s 20 attacks, one block, and 10 excellent digs, the Sampaloc-based squad got the win—25-22, 23-25, 16-25, 22-25. Season 84’s rookie MVP Mhicaela Belen was also impressive, as she poured in 14 points.

Leading up to the game, there was much chatter on whether or not Canino would suit up for the important game. The La Salle superstar has been the main topic of collegiate volleyball recently, as she has been nursing a still yet-to-be-disclosed right arm injury since April 4th.

Ultimately, her sitting out was the cause for DLSU’s demise—as they now sit at third place, 9-2, in the standings behind the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses and NU, who are first and second, respectively.

With three games left in the Elimination Round, the Lady Spikers would have to win all of their remaining matches to secure a twice-to-beat advantage. Fortunately for the La Salle faithful, their literal “angel”, whose injury is on a day-to-day status, has improved from wearing a sling to now just an arm cast. For sure, It’s going to be a dogfight for the Lady Bulldogs when she returns.

🍿 2024 NBA Play-Ins are in, Playoffs to be set

By Koby del Rosario

After all 30 National Basketball Association (NBA) teams squared off one final time for the 2023-2024 regular season yesterday, we now have our respective Play-In and Playoff matchups. 

On Wednesday morning Philippine time, the No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers will be rematching the No. 7 New Orleans Pelicans, who lost to the Lakers in their last game, for the seventh seed in the West. The loser of this matchup will have one more shot at postseason play against the winner of the No. 9 and 10 game between the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors.

Waiting for their first round matchups are No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder and No. 2 Denver Nuggets, who will go tooth and nail against the seventh and eighth seeds, respectively. Rounding out the wild west are the matchups between the No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers versus the No. 5 Dallas Mavericks and the No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves versus the No. 6 Phoenix Suns. 

In the East, come Thursday morning Philippine time, a highly-anticipated affair between the No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers and the No. 8 Miami Heat is set to take place along with the No. 9 and 10 meeting of the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks.

Facing the winners of the East Play-Ins are the No. 1 Boston Celtics and No. 2 New York Knicks—the latter of which just edged out the No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks for the higher seed as Giannis and company will now be put to the test against the No. 6 Indiana Pacers. Last but definitely not the least is the matchup of the No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers against the No. 5 Orlando Magic.

Bron & AD. Postseason Jimmy. The Splash bros with Draymond. Joel & Maxey. Zion (and hopefully, B.I.). Demar & Vuc. Fox plus Sabonis. Ice Trae & Dejounte. We are in for a treat and it’s just the Play-Ins.

🏀 UAAP x NCAA to be watched on this coming 2024 Filoil Preseason Tournament

by Koby del Rosario

Ever wonder what could happen when all of the schools from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) go against each other? Well, you can watch it unfold in the upcoming 2024 Filoil Preseason Tournament.

Beginning on May 11th, held annually at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, it will be the 17th iteration of the raved-on cup. Fans will be pleased to know that all UAAP and NCAA schools will be competing in the tournament, which rarely ever happens.

The best that college hoops has to offer will be put on display, as it will be a chance to see incoming rookies like Jared Bahay and Zain Mahmood make their mark on the seniors division as well as how transferees such as Forthsky Padrigao and Allen Liwag take on their new threads.

Last year, it was the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons who won the preseason title—as they beat the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in a nip-and-tuck affair, 87-76. Both of these teams met again in December of 2023, as DLSU went on to win the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Championship in a best-of-three Finals series against UP, 2-1.

With all schools confirmed to compete, it will definitely be a preview of what's to come in both the UAAP Season 87 and NCAA Season 100 later on this year.

For more updates, you can like the Filoil EcoOil Sports Facebook page to stay tuned on the upcoming schedules of games.

News Roundup

• Courtship rumors involving Kathryn Bernardo, Alden Richards, and Jericho Rosales have been flirting around

• President BBM will not hand over former President Duterte to the ICC despite the former President’s negative remarks against him

• Israel’s Military Chief mentioned that Israel will respond to Iran’s missile attacks

• Coral reefs suffer a global bleaching event for the fourth time in history, due to climate change

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