SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

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aittimes.net

02 03Sing Galing Duo: 12 pairs

to go for semis

Philippine leader affirms US alliance

but wants troops out

TOKYO: Philippines’ bet Kylie Verzosa was crownedMiss International 2016 on Thursday in Tokyo,Japan. In her speech before the awarding ceremo-ny, Verzosa said if she wins the crown she willdevote herself to promoting cultural and interna-tional understanding. The 24-year-old beautyqueen added she believes she is prepared to takeon the responsibility of being Miss International2016. Verzosa thanked her family and her fellowFilipinos for the support. “I deeply appreciate this.This only happened in my dreams,” she said.—CNN

MANILA: Chinese vessels have left the contest-ed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, aPhilippine official said Saturday, less than aweek after President Rodrigo Duterte visitedBeijing pledging closer ties.

The firebrand leader used the trip to vaunthis move away from traditional ally the UnitedStates in favour of Beijing — which was previ-ously at loggerheads with Manila over the mar-itime dispute.

China took control of the ScarboroughShoal, 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the mainPhilippine island of Luzon, in 2012, drivingFilipino fishermen away from the rich fishingground, sometimes using water cannons.

In a case brought by former presidentBenigno Aquino, the Philippines won a

resounding victory at an international tribu-nal earlier this year over Beijing’s extensivemaritime claims in the area, infuriating theAsian giant.

But Duterte has made a point of not flaunt-ing the ruling and President Xi Jinping told thePhilippine leader on his recent visit that therewas no reason for hostility and difficult topics ofdiscussion “could be shelved temporarily”.

“There is no sign of Chinese coastguard ves-sels in the area. While we do not have any offi-cial explanation for this, it sends a positive sig-nal regarding relations,” Duterte’s spokesmanErnesto Abella told AFP Saturday, referring tothe shoal.

“This is a welcome development especiallyfor Filipino fisherfolk.”

Duterte had hinted at the possibility of aChinese withdrawal directly upon his returnfrom Beijing last week, saying: “We’ll just waitfor a few more days. We might be able to returnto Scarborough Shoal.”

On Friday, Defence Minister DelfinLorenzana said: “If the Chinese ships have leftthen it means our fishermen can resume fishingin the area.”

However the foreign affairs department saidthey had yet to verify that Chinese vessels hadleft the shoal.

A report by television network GMA7 saidfishermen from the northern province ofPangasinan had returned to shore Saturdaywith “a huge load of big species of fish” caughtat Scarborough Shoal. —AFP

PH mayor, nine bodyguardskilled in police shoot-out

KIDAPAWAN: A Philippine mayor accused of drug traf-ficking was killed along with nine bodyguards in ashoot-out with police Friday, authorities said, hours afterPresident Rodrigo Duterte threatened to intensify hiscrackdown on crime. Samsudin Dimaukom, the mayorof the southern town of Saudi Ampatuan, was one ofmore than 150 local government officials, judges andpolice identified by Duterte earlier this year as beinginvolved in the illegal drug trade.

The deadly crime war has claimed more than 3,800lives and drawn criticism from the United States, theUnited Nations and international rights groups whohave accused police of summarily executing suspects.

Police spokesman Superintendent Romeo Galgosaid that Dimaukom and his security personnel openedfire after anti-narcotics police stopped their vehicles at acheckpoint on suspicion they were transporting illegaldrugs. Officers returned fire, killing the men in the townof Makilala, about 950 kilometres (600 miles) south ofthe capital Manila. “Suspects (were) heavily armed andfired upon the law enforcers, which prompted them tofire back,” Galgo said. Dimaukom made a name for him-self by funding the construction of a pink mosque inSaudi Ampatuan in a plea for peace in the town whichhas been wracked by violence.

Muslim rebels have been waging a separatist insur-gency in the southern Philippines for decades. Duterte,who swept to power in May elections on a pledge toeradicate drugs, has described his critics as “fools” andsaid he is not breaking any domestic laws by threaten-ing to kill criminals. After returning from a trip to Japanlate Thursday, he threatened to step up police killings ofdrug suspects. “If my wish to get rid (of illegal drugs) inmy country is not granted, you can expect about 20,000or 30,000 more. There is a war going on,” he said. —AFP

Miss Philippines crowned Miss International 2016

Chinese vessels leave disputedshoal: Philippine official

PBLK’s ‘7th season 5’8 division’ continues Page 4

TOKYO : Newly crowned 2016 Miss International Kylie Verzosa from Philippines (C) poses with 1st runner-up Miss AustraliaAlexandra Britton (L) and 2nd runner-up Miss Indonesia Felicia Hwang (R) during the Miss International beauty pageant final inTokyo last Thursday. —AFP

KUWAIT: Twelve pairs so far hasbeen qualified to join the semi-final rounds in the on-going PinoyArabia FM ‘Sing Galing Duo’ com-petition. Auditioners will competeon 11th November for the semis.

Grand Finals will be held onNov 18, 2016 at the Discovery Mallin Kuwait City. The last day ofaudition will be on Nov 10. Thecontest is co-sponsored byPhilippine Airlines, LBC, ADMInternational Manpower ServicesCo, Al Alamia International

Manpower Services, YazeemirInternational Manpower Agencyand Asia’s Grill Restaurant.

Here’s the list of qualifiers: SEPT 28

1. Astro Gabriel R. Jimenez Prisian Mae Caranza 2. Nelson JarataJoann Nazareno———————

OCT 71. Ezael Mar JandusayMarisol J. Untal

2. John Warren HillaMary Ann OriendoJeffy CambelReichelle Ancheta———————

OCT 81. Oscar DelfinadoJoanna Slayton———————

OCT 131. Richard SuicoBjhane Del Mundo———————

OCT 171. Charles Vincent MolacoBeljore Jude Camello———————

OCT 211. Nomer CervantesAriane Linda

2. Emma Lou LanuriaMark Marquez———————

OCT 281. Ruth AguiloJerome Hantoc

OCT 291. Aeronon Ore PilolaDonna Caryl MelendezIn-house judge Jennifer Uy

released individual grades/scoresof the contestants but it will bekept out of the public eye untilthe grand finals. The audition isopen to all Filipinos/even forsome half blooded Filipinos.Champions and First prize win-ners are discourage to participateas they will not be allowed tocompete for the newbies.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 2

Sing Galing Duo: 12 pairs to go for semisAeronon Ore Pilola Donna Caryl Melendez Astro Gabriel R. Jimenez Prisian Mae Caranza Charles Vincent Molaco Beljore Jude Camello

Oscar Delfinado Joanna Slayton Emma Lou Lanuria Mark Marquez

Ezael Mar Jandusay Marisol J. Untal Jeffy Cambel Reichelle Ancheta Nelson Jarata Joann Nazareno

Nomer Cervantes Ariane Linda Richard Suico Bjhane Del Mundo Ruth Aguilo Jerome Hantoc

John Warren Hilla Mary Ann Oriendo

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 3TOKYO: The leaders of Japan and thePhilippines agreed to cooperate in promotingregional peace and stability and acknowl-edged the importance of their alliances withthe U.S., after the tough-talking RodrigoDuterte said he wants his country to be free ofvisiting American troops possibly within twoyears.

In a news conference, Duterte, after his firstround of talks with Japan’s Prime MinisterShinzo Abe on Wednesday, said he expectedJapan to continue being an important part ofmaritime security in the region, including theSouth China Sea, where Manila and Beijinghave overlapping claims.

In a statement, the two sides acknowl-edged the importance of “their network offriendship and alliances,” particularly onebetween them. Deputy Chief CabinetSecretary Koichi Hagiuda told reporters thattheir alliances with the U.S. were recognized,though not in writing.

Duterete, in his second round of talks onlyamong close aides, reassured Abe that he hasno intention to sever diplomatic ties with theU.S., Hagiuda said.

Since Duterte took office in June, Manila’srelationship with Washington has quicklybecome strained.

Japan is a staunch U.S. ally and hosts50,000 American troops, while Duterte hasrepeatedly spoken of distancing his countryfrom Washington, often in crude terms.

The presence of U.S. troops in fivePhilippine military camps was establishedunder a security deal signed under Duterte’spredecessor as a counter to China’s growingmilitary assertiveness in the region.

Earlier Wednesday, Duterte said that hewants his country to be free of foreign troops,possibly within two years. “I want them out,”he said.

“I want to be friends to China,” he told anaudience of businesspeople in Tokyo. “I do notneed the arms. I do not want missiles estab-lished in my country. I do not need to have theairports to host the bombers.”

As president, Duterte has reached out toBeijing while criticizing U.S. foreign policy. Hisapproach has caused consternation in boththe U.S. and Japan.

Sti l l , Abe welcomed Duter te’s recentefforts to improve ties with China.

“The South China Sea issue is directlylinked to the region’s peace and stability anda matter of interest for the entire internation-al society,” he said. “In that regard, Japan wel-comes the effort of President Duterte visitingChina and endeavoring to improve thePhilippine-China relations.”

Duter te has announced cancelingplanned joint military exercises with theUnited States, and preparatory meetings fornext year’s joint combat exercises betweenAmerican and Fil ipino forces in thePhilippines have been shrouded in uncer-tainty.

Explaining his policy, Philippine ForeignMinister Perfecto Yasay, also in Tokyo, saidDuterte respects all bilateral security agree-ments with the U.S. and that he has no inten-tion to renege or breach them, but the exer-cises are not helpful in fostering Manila’sfriendly relations with Beijing.

“It is in this context that we will not beunder taking (them) during (Duter te’s)administration especially so that we are try-ing to resolve this disputes with China in apeaceful manner,” Yasay told a separate newsconference.

Officials declined to provide details oftheir second round of talks, in which Abe wasexpected to ask Duterte specifically about hisforeign policy. Their joint statement focused

Philippine leader affirms US alliance but wants troops outlargely on Japan’s contribution to Philippinemaritime security and other projects totalinga 21 billion yen ($210 million) loan.

Duterte is on a three-day visit to Japan.

After two rounds of talks with Abe, he isattending a banquet hosted by the Japaneseleader. On Thursday, he is set to meetEmperor Akihito.—AP

MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, second from left, review a guard ofhonor with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a welcome ceremony at thelatter’s official residence in Tokyo Wednesday. —AP

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 4

KUWAIT: The Philippine Basketball League in Kuwait (PBLK) continues its basketball tournament every Friday at Kuwait Disabled Club in Hawally. This season’s game‘7th SEASON 5’8 DIVISION’ is being sponsored by Al-Mulla Exchange. A total of 28 teams are currently battling for the elimination rounds. The season will last aboutthree months.

PBLK’s ‘7th season 5’8 division’ continues

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 5

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 6

By Dave Torres

KUWAIT: Consistent, persistent with greatstamina, Ali Ashkanani, number eleven of theTop 20 qualifiers and also number 11 in thefirst two games of the semi final rounds of theQ8 Bowling First Single Challenge-Group 2held at COZMO Recreation Center of Kheifanclinched the championship trophy. Ashkananisubsequently scored 235, 178, 213, 218, 251and 178 in the last six games with 1666 totalpoints in the semi final round and snatchedthe top position for the finals. The other fourfinalists were Fawaz Al Bousairi (1636), DanielChristian (1627), Bader Khubaizi (1560) and AjiVarghese (1546).

The twenty semi-finalists were Faisal AlSaleem (2330), Yousef Ghandanfar (2238),Abdullah Al Majeed (2231), Daniel Christian(2201), Bader Mallalah (2146), MohammadTalal Karam (2113), Sonia Mathews (2112),Bader Khubaizi (2100), Naji Houli (2095), FawazBousairi (2086), Ali Ashkanani (2079), AjiVarghese (2076), Ali Al Saffar (2076), JowieConcepcion (2073), Omar Al Sagran (2072),Jheng Liwayway (2070), Yousef Al Houti (2062),Bader Burbayea (2060) and Abdullah Dashti(2059).

In the first and second games of the semi-finals Daniel Christian scored 235 and 202(445) pinfalls and instantaneously lead thepack followed by Majeed (418), Saleem (408),Ghadanfar (401) and Sagran (392) for the top 5and the six to ten placers were Varghese (389),Khubaizi (387), Mallalah (383), Concepcion(367) and De Lima (366). In third and fourthgames, Ali Ashkanani from number 11snatched the fourth position with his 235, 178( 413), also from number 13, Fawaz Al Bousairiplucked 207, 209 (416), Bader Mallalah (813)from eight to third position while Faisal AlSaleem (816) goes up from third to second

post and Daniel Christian (876) keep histoprank. Newcomer Sonia Mathews (735) from16 to 9th place and other’s that comprised thetop 10 were Varghese (761), Khubaizi (756),Ghadanfar (745) and Sagran (721).

Front runner Daniel Christian’s (1269)advantage to the second placer Al Bousairi(1254) shorten the gap, when he scored 160,225 (385) in Game 5 and 6 against Fawaz’ 234,235 (469) who came from fifth place. AliAshkanani (1227) and Bader Mallalah (1201)change standing from third and fourth andfrom No.7, Bader Khubaizi (1174) climbed to

fifth place. A drastic drop from No. 2 to 9 hap-pened to Faisal Al Saleem when he just scored145 and 136 in Games 5 and 6 while Rudy deLima who scored 181, 233 from No. 14 to 10and Jowie Concepcion from No. 11 to 8 withhis 231 and 191. Ghadanfar still hold the sixthposition and Varghese the seventh placer. Inthe penultimate semi-final game an exaltedchange ensued when Daniel Christian, the toprank from Game 1 to 7 tumbled to third posi-tion when he scored 164 with total score of1437. Ali Ahkanani who delivered 251 (highestscore in the semifinal) snatched the pinnacle

with the total score of 1483. AL Bousairi keepthe second highest post with his 1463, BaderKhubaisi (1383) nd and Bader Mallalah (1358).Sixth place to tenth place were Al Saleem(1341), Aji Varghese (1340), Concepcion (1334),Ghadanfar (1312) nd Sonia Mathews (1306).

In the last game of the semi-finals, the topthree contenders with 20 and 46 pins differ-ence showed restlessness, same with thecrowd feeling simulated intense heat in theair-conditioned bowling center due to spon-taneity. For every throw that resulted to split,missing easy spares and strikes in succession,

everybody shouted for joy and others utteredwhimsy notions. After the final summation ofpoints earned, Mallalah (1534) was droppedto No. 6 from No.5 due to his 168 score fol-lowed by Al Salem (1525), Concepcion (1522),Ghadanfar (1507) and Sonia Mathews (1496).Finally the top 5 were Aji Varghese grabbedthe No. 5 post when he scored 197 with totalscore of (1546), the No. 4 was Khubaizi (1560)and the top 3 remain the same with AliAshkanani (1666) front runner, secondstringer was Fawaz Al Bousairi (1636) andDaniel Christian (1627) despite his higher

score of 186 eclipsing Ashkanani (178) andFawaz (168) settled in the third position.

In the championship round, the top 5advance to step ladder finals and the combi-nation was: Match 1 - Aji Varghese (No.5),Bader Khubaizi (No.4) and Daniel Christian(No.3). Daniel Christian who averages’ 199 inhis semi final games returned to his deadlyform scored 212 and easily surpassed thescores of Khubaizi (182) and Varghese (176). InMatch - 2, Christian challenge the No. 2 FawasAl Bousairi with almost the same his gameaverage but unlucky to sustain his consisten-cy when he plucked 178 pinfalls whileBousairi keep his exertion for the crown andscored 202. Finally, in Match 3, Bousairi chal-lenges the top rank Ali Ashkanani for a twiceto beat game. In their confrontation, highlyenergized Bousairi continued its struggle andsurprised the dumfound Ashkanani with thescore of 186-171. The conflict between thetwo antagonists extended for another gamebut the killer’s instinct of Ali transpired in thefinal game and eventually demolished thechallenger 213-153.

Right after the final tally, awarding of cashprizes, trophy and reactive balls ensued: ForAli Ashkanani - Champion (cash prize and tro-phy); Fawaz Al Bousairi - First runner up (cashand trophy); for Daniel Christian - second run-ner up (cash), Bader Khubaizi - third runner up(cash) and Aji Varghese - fourth runner up(cash). Top qualifier and High Series wasawarded to Faisal Al Saleem (2330) receivingreactive ball and cash price while High Gamewas awarded to Yousef Ghadanfar.

Meanwhile, Ferdie Saliba extended hisacknowledgement to the following sponsorsand presented Plaque of Appreciation toSultan Telecom, Safat Home, Asian SPA &Massage and COZMO Bowling Center-Kheifan.

Ashkanani clinch Q8 Bowling 1st Single Challenge -Group 2 title

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 7

SHANGHAI: Instead of ending his year inthe Bahamas, U.S. Open champion DustinJohnson is headed to the Philippines for an18-hole match against Rory McIlroy gearedtoward raising money for charity.

McIlroy was supposed to play Jason Dayin an exhibition called “Battle for a Cause”until Day cited a need for rest to heal his ail-ing back. Johnson gladly stepped in.

“It should be a lot of fun,” Johnson saidWednesday at the HSBC Champions. “I likeplaying against Rory, and I’ve never been tothe Philippines.”

This is the second attempt at a head-to-head exhibition for McIlroy this year. He wasplanning to play Rickie Fowler in Detroit thissummer unti l a deal with sponsors fel lthrough. This one was set up on Nov. 29with Day, the No. 1 player in the worldwhose mother is from the Philippines andwho had family members perish in the 2013typhoon.

Sean O’Flaherty, who manages McIlroy,said the event would include a gala dinnerand an auction on Nov. 28, which featuresbidding to be caddies for Johnson andMcIlroy over nine holes, along with othermemorabilia. He said proceeds would go

mainly toward relief efforts from typhoons.The match takes place at Pradera Verde

Golf and Country Club in Pampanga.McIlroy and Johnson have played togeth-

er in at least one round in three of the fourmajors that McIlroy won - the 2011 U.S.Open, 2012 PGA Championship and 2014British Open. Most recently, McIlroy narrow-ly beat out Johnson for the FedEx Cup whenhe won the Tour Championship in a playoff.

“It will be a cool match,” McIlroy said. “I’mhappy that Dustin wanted to come and takepart. Obviously, it was going to be Jason,and it would have been special for him withhis ties to the Philippines. It’s a place I’venever been. I’ve met a lot of Filipino peoplealong the way that are always nice andcourteous and welcoming, and I’m lookingforward to that hospitality in Manila.”

Johnson is coming off his biggest year,capturing the U.S. Open at Oakmont andwinning PGA Tour player of the year, themoney title and the Vardon Trophy for thelowest adjusted scoring average.

Johnson said he would be giving up hisspot in the Hero World Challenge in theBahamas, an 18-man field hosted by TigerWoods.—AP

McIlroy, Johnson to face off in Philippines

OAKMONT: In this June 19, 2016, file photo, Dustin Johnson holds the trophy as JackNicklaus looks on after winning the U.S. Open golf championship at OakmontCountry Club, in Oakmont, Pa. Johnson made it a clean sweep of the tour’s biggesthonors that are named after its most prominent players. He won the Jack NicklausAward as player of the year, the Arnold Palmer Award for leading the money list andthe Byron Nelson Award for having the lowest adjusted scoring average. —AP

SHANGHAI: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits a tee shot during the WGC-HSBCChampions golf tournament at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai,China on Thursday. —AP

Happy Birthday to dear CIKinian Cristy Tellain and other CIKinians celebranting this October.. Greetings from CIK President Oliver Diong and from your Club Ilonggo Family.

Greetings

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

Page 6

Ashkanani clinch Q8 Bowling 1st

Single Challenge -Group 2 title

PBAK 30th Anniversary Cup Team Tournament-2016 ‘Magic 8’ - Original Pin Killers, LEAF in Thunder Dragons, Scavengers out

By Maximo Zeus Euqor

KUWAIT: Still too early to make foretell but with the showingand performances of favorite teams for sure ‘Magic 8’ mem-bers until the final day of the elimination round will all be rat-ed teams not depending on fate. In the second week of theelimination round of the Philippine Bowling Association inKuwait 30th Anniversary Cup Team Tournament-2016 held atCOZMO Bowling Center in Kheifan . Original Pin Killers andLEAF joined the elite group at the expense of ThunderDragons and Scavengers. Other teams that posted victorieswere NUSANTARA, Asian Air Safari, All Star Strikers and MDStrikers.

Reinforced Original Pin Killers subdued COZMO one of thetitans of the current league 3002-2949, encouraged OPK’sstrong determination for a place after the elimination. InGame 1 (1017- 981) and Game 2 (1041-1001) resulted to a bigjump from No. 9 to third position. OPK’s top scorer was FaridGabriel (611) followed by Christopher Bush (566), JackyGuitang (508), Ahmad Fadil Karam (407), Ishaaq Al Waahid andJun Husmillo while COZMO’s 5-man team were Bader Malalah(564), Faisal Al Saleem (547), Mohammad Karam (512), AlexCervantes (462), Ferdie Saliba and Neng Cervantes. DespiteCOZMO’s loss still they moved one step forward.

The match-up between LEAF and come-backer IndianBowling League was so interesting when both teams recorded

win-lose each in the first and second games. In game 1 LEAFoutscored come-backing team 1055-977 and in the secondgame, IBL’s Siddarth Nair scored 237, the highest individualgame so far with team’s total score 1015 against LEAF’s 950.Before starting the third game the difference was only 13 pinsin favor of LEAF. Indian bowlers lost momentum in the thirdmatch when all the players exhausted that affected their scor-ing capability and just scored 755 against 844 of LEAF and thefinal score was 3043-2880 in favor of the Filipino team. LEAF’s5-man team were Joe Presenta (563), Blanca Sambajon (498),Rocky Castil (496), Cris Carungay (494) and Lito Mercado (485)while IBL’s bowlers were Siddarth Nair (619), AnastasiusMnezez (511), Ali Jawli (430) Fatima Sequera, Nadine Diaz andJoe Simmons. With the win results, LEAF jumped to No. 11 tosixth place while IBL from twelfth to eleventh place.

Another lane confrontation supposedly worth watchingwas between All Star Strikers and Scavengers but the laterplayed with a depleted lineup, still both teams registered win-lose record in their first two games. At the end the more expe-rienced All Stars with rated bowlers prevailed with the score of2926- 2749. The victorious team newest recruit Ibrahim Al Jadi(610) piloted the team supported by Fahad Al Ragheeb (585),Abdulaziz Al Aslawi (541), Fadel Qassem (468) and LarasNitikusumo (449) while Scavengers have Nasha King (526), AjiVarghese (460), Anthony King (458), Mohammad Oatman(447) and late comer Ali Arquob (288) who had played two

games only. NUSANTARA and Fiery Dragons who were bothmembers in the Top 8 teams delivered depressing scores2813-2771 that brought them down, NUSANTARA from No. 4to No.8 and Fiery Dragons out of the elite group. Asian AirSafari kept its supreme leadership when they shot down theSwooping Eagles 2840-2668 and finally both striking teams,the MD posted more strikes and prevailed over Mangaf 2908 -2812 and still members of the ‘magic 8’.

For Individual High scores:Category Name Individual High Name Individual High

Game AverageMen’s A Abdulaziz Al Aslawi 236 Mousa Abdullah 200.33Men’s B Siddath Nair 237 Joel Tizon 180.33 Men’s C Jason Gamba 221 Faizal Al Saleem 180.05Ladies A Nasha King 204 Myra Manalo 172.66Ladies B Abel Nitikusumo 169 Abel Nitikusumo 144.05

Weekly High Series:1. Asian Air Safari - 2931 2. LEAF - 2968Second round results: 1. Asian Air Safari (5846); 2. COZMO

(5832); 3. Original Pin Killers (5774); 4. All Star Strikers (5771); 5.Mangaf Strikers (5738); 6. LEAF (5725); 7. MD Strikers (5705); 8.NUSANTARA (5702); 9. Fiery Dragons (5595); 10. Scavengers(5568); 11. Indian Bowling League (5426) and 12. SwoopingEagles (5389).