Asean

Creamline Cool Smashers. PVL PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Six of the nine Premier Volleyball League club teams opted to hire new coaches during the offseason as they seek a fresh start in the 2023 All-Filipino Conference starting on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Unlike the past seasons when teams went through multiple signings, the PVL clubs focused on changing their respective systems and cultures by bringing in new coaches than overhauling their roster. Most of the squads kept their core except for Chery Tiggo, which lost sought-after spiker Dindin Santiago-Manabat, who signed with the young Akari team and star hitter Myla Pablo transferring to F2 Logistics after winning a championship with Petro Gazz in the Reinforced Conference last December. The preseason free agency was all about coaches finding their new home, except for Creamline, Akari, and Cignal, who retained their respective coaching staff. Here’s a look at the nine participating teams before the 2023 season … [Read more...] about 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference Preview

Groups gather on Thursday, February 2, 2023 to oppose the move to expand the United States’ access to military bases in the Philippines through additional Edca sites in the country. (Photo from Gabriela Women’s Party) MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives has slammed the agreement to add four new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) sites in the country as it argued that the move further pushes the Philippines into the middle of the tension between the United States and China. Rep. Arlene Brosas of the Gabriela Women’s Party said Friday that the expansion of US access to Philippine military bases, which brings the total Edca bases from five to nine, “practically [allows] increased US military rotational presence across the country.” READ: US gets access to more PH bases “This is an alarming flashpoint in America’s military expansionism in Southeast Asia, which brings the country and whole Association of Southeast Asian Nations … [Read more...] about Makabayan bloc blasts bid to expand US access to more military bases in PH