FROM nearly getting eliminated, the NorthPort Batang Pier is suddenly in the quarterfinals round of the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup after winning its last three matches.
The No. 7 seed Batang Pier, however, faces another roadblock. It tangles with the No. 2 ranked Rain or Shine Elasto Painters which has a twice-to-beat quarterfinals incentive.
Batang Pier star Moala Tautuaa said that even if they have a disadvantage in the series, he believes they can turn things around after getting their groove just in time.
“The last time we faced them, we’re completely a different team and it went down to the wire,” Tautuaa said. “So, we’re not afraid. I mean, we know we can go through this if we play as a team.”
Tautuaa was pertaining to Batang Pier’s 100-107 defeat to the Painters in the elimination round where they nearly beat the Rain or Shine if not for James Yap endgame spurt.
“We just have to ask ourselves if we want it or not. I mean, we won the last three games so obviously we stepped up somewhere so it’s working,” said the former Gilas Pilipinas center.
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Ilongga taekwondo jin Cindy Joy Diasnes will have a shot of possibly becoming part of the Philippine taekwondo squad as she is scheduled for a training on April 10 in Manila.
Diasnes, a standout of A. Diasnes Taekwondo Gym stable, said she is more than excited for the rare opportunity to train with the taekwondo greats and will cherish all the learning that she will get for future competitions.
Diasnes, an incoming Grade 11 student at Central Philippine University, added that, even with her success, she always make sure to go hard in training to maintain her game shape.
“Whatever others say about me, I maintain my principles. ‘Yung iba sabi nila sa ‘kin na chill lang daw ako sa lahat ng ginagawa ko at walang problema na pinagdadaanan, which is kabaliktaran lahat,” Diasnes said in an interview with CPU website.
“I need to be [in] top shape every time, and get up early to exercise and practice even on school days; Yes, I admit that there are times when I am about to give up, but God gives me a reason [to] not to give up,” she added.
Diasnes was a consistent poomsae gold medalist and have recently earned the right to be one of Western Visayas representatives for the Palarong Pambansa 2019 in Davao City.
“Although I have experienced some losses, what I have so accomplished far I guess is enough for me to represent my school, my region, and even my country,” she said. “God is always on my side and that everything that has happened is according to God’s will and plan.”/PN
