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Up-and-coming footballer Kieth Absalon passes away at 21

(UPDATED) The country lost one of its brightest football prospects when Far Eastern University's Kieth Absalon passed away on Sunday. 

Malaya FC confirmed the sad development. Absalon was only 21 years old.

"Our hearts are broken as we bid farewell to a brilliant football player of Malaya FC and FEU men's football team," Malaya FC said on Twitter.

"A born leader, follower of the highest order, a kind, gentle, and respectful soul. Thank you for everything, Kieth Absalon. Rest easy in that big football pitch in the sky."

Absalon was one of two people who perished when an improvised explosive device exploded in Masbate City on Sunday morning. Also dying in the incident was his cousin, Nolven Absalon. Nolven's son, 16-year-old Chrisbin Daniel, suffered injuries.

Initial investigations by Masbate police revealed that Absalon and his cousin were riding their bikes on the way to Barangay B. Titong when they were hit by shrapnel around 6:45 a.m.

Absalon was a standout for FEU's boys' football team, having been named Most Valuable Player of the juniors division in Season 78. He was also a part of the national team that competed in the 2018 AFF Under-19 Championship in Indonesia.

Absalon was a starter for the FEU men's football team in Season 82 before their campaign was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are all still very much in shock," FEU football program head Vince Santos said. "Kieth wasn't just a player to us. He's part of our FEU football family." 

In a statement, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) also expressed its grief at Absalon's passing.

"It is heartbreaking to see a promising player's future in Kieth Absalon be cut short due to a painful incident," said PFF president Mariano "Nonong" Araneta, Jr. "We pray for the eternal repose his soul." -- With a report from Jonathan Magistrado, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/06/21/feu-football-kieth-absalon-passes-away

NFL: Brady's signed rookie card sells for record-breaking $3 million

An autographed Tom Brady rookie card printed in 2000 sold for a record $3.107 million at the Lelands Mid-Spring Classic auction on Saturday, two months after a similar card was picked up for $2.25 million.

The signed card from the 43-year-old's rookie season with the New England Patriots was graded higher than the one which sold for 2.25 million, with the auction house terming it the "Most Important Football Card in the World."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Brady, who picked up his fifth Super Bowl MVP honours in February after defeating Kansas City Chiefs in the championship game, is one of two quarterbacks to have hoisted the Lombardi Trophy with two different teams.

The seven-times Super Bowl champion is widely considered one of the greatest ever to play the game.

"Tom Brady is the GOAT and continues to break records both on and off the playing field," Jordan Gilroy, the director of acquisitions at Lelands, was quoted as saying by U.S. media.

"It's only fitting that Brady has set another record for the most expensive football card ever sold in public auction."

An "ultra-rare" signed rookie card for four-times NBA star LeBron James sold for $5.2 million in April, breaking the record for the most expensive basketball card ever sold.

It also equalled the record for any sports trading card, matching the amount paid for a 1952 rookie card for baseball great Mickey Mantle. 

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Michael Perry)

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/06/21/nfl-bradys-signed-rookie-card-sells-for-record-breaking-3-million

Former Alaska, San Miguel import Galen Young dies at 45

 American basketball player Galen Young, who played as an import in the PBA for Alaska and San Miguel Beer, died in a vehicular accident in Memphis. He was 45 years old.

The Charlotte Observer reported on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) that Young was killed when a vehicle crashed into a house at 4589 Horn Lake Road in Memphis. 

Young "was located inside the residence and pronounced deceased," according to a tweet by the Memphis Police Department.

The news greatly saddened Alaska coach Jeff Cariaso, who played with Young when he was the Aces' import in the 2000s. Young had three stints in the PBA: with Alaska in 2004 and 2009, and with San Miguel Beer in 2007.

"This breaks my heart. Galen was one of my favorite imports to play with. Not only was he a warrior on the court, he was an even better friend off it," Cariaso wrote on Instagram.

"Prayers for his family during this tough time. Rest well in heaven my friend."

The Aces also offered their condolences on their official Instagram page.

An investigation is on-going regarding the incident. The driver of the vehicle was issued a citation, as per Memphis police.

Marlon Thomas, a friend of Young, described the accident as "a freaky, terrible thing."

Young starred for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in college, and was drafted in the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1999. He never played in the NBA but had several productive campaigns in overseas leagues, including the PBA. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/06/21/former-alaska-san-miguel-import-galen-young-dies-at-45

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Matt Nieto, Dave Ildefonso injured; to miss FIBA Asia qualifiers and OQT

Gilas Pilipinas will be without Matt Nieto and Dave Ildefonso in the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Both players have suffered injuries that will keep them from joining the national team in Clark, Pampanga and in Belgrade, Serbia.

According to Gilas Pilipinas program director Tab Baldwin, Nieto will be out for most of June until July due to a broken hand.

"We hope to have him back by the FIBA Asia Cup," he said.

Nieto injured his hand in a freak accident, as it was caught on a teammate's jersey. The former Ateneo floor general initially thought he just needed rest, but it became apparent that the injury was more serious.

Ildefonso, meanwhile, is dealing with a deep bone bruise, according to Baldwin. It was initially suspected to be a stress fracture but they were able to get a second opinion on the injury.

"He (Ildefonso) is going to take June to rehab that and we expect him to come back to the pool in July," said Baldwin.

The Philippines will compete in two FIBA events this month: the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers from June 16 to 20 and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia from June 29 to July 4. 

Nieto has played all three games for the Gilas Pilipinas men's team in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. He had two points and six assists off the bench in a 100-70 win over Indonesia in February 2020. He then averaged eight points and four assists per game in two wins over Thailand last November.

Meanwhile, Ildefonso scored a total of seven points in the November 2020 window.

"We miss both of them. We miss their talent and experience. We miss the fact that they give us chemistry with all the other players," said Baldwin.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/06/21/gilas-pilipinas-matt-nieto-dave-ildefonso-injured

FIBA Asia will recommend, but not require vaccination

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

FIBA Asia cannot make vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory for those taking part in the upcoming qualifying window, though it will be highly recommended.

Hagop Khajirian, the FIBA Executive Director for Asia, said Saturday on "Power and Play" that they are recommending that all athletes be vaccinated against COVID-19.

"Before coming (to the qualifying windows), if it's possible," he said. 

The much-delayed third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers will be hosted in biosecure bubbles in Clark, Pampanga, Bahrain and Jordan.

But Khajirian made it clear that they cannot make vaccination a requirement for participation in the qualifiers.

"You know, we cannot coerce or oblige people to take the vaccination. It's up to them. But we cannot have that as a condition," he explained. "But as a recommendation, we'll recommend it to all our athletes, to get vaccinated."

Meanwhile, Khajirian said he is pleased with the preparations for the country's hosting in Clark. The Philippines will host three groups, with games scheduled from June 16 to 20.

Games will be played at the Angeles University Foundation Gym in Clark while the teams will be billeted at the Quest Hotel.

"We faced some difficulties, but the (leadership of the) national federation… I have to thank Mr. (Manny V.) Pangilinan for assisting the national federation to solve problems directly concerning COVID-19 and the restrictions in the Philippines," said Khajirian.

"We got so many exemptions, and were allowed not to pass through so many hurdles, to be in the Philippines. We are happy to be back," he added. "We are facing some problems but nothing to do with the locals."

The Philippines will play three games in Clark -- against rivals South Korea on June 16 and 20, and against Indonesia on June 18.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/06/21/fiba-asia-will-recommend-but-not-require-vaccination

Football player, cousin killed in IED blast in Masbate

CAFGU member dead, another hurt in firefight with NPA rebels in Quezon

A football player and his cousin were killed, while the latter's son was wounded after an improvised explosive device allegedly planted by New People's Army rebels went off Sunday morning in Masbate City, the military said.

The blast resulted in the death of Kieth Absalon, 21, who plays for the Malaya Football Club and the Far Eastern University football team, and his uncle Nolven Absalon, 40, according to Maj. Ma. Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Bicol Regional Police.

Nolven's 16-year-old son was injured after being hit by a shrapnel and was brought to the Masbate Provincial Hospital for treatment, the local police said.

The bomb exploded after the victims accidentally ran into it while biking in Purok 4, Barangay Anas at around 6:45 a.m., Calubaquib said.

"This might be a mere accident, they ran into the IED recklessly planted (by NPA rebels)...Their target are probably the uniformed personnel," she said.

"No other group would do this but the NPA," she added.

At around 11:30 a.m., policemen and soldiers caught up with the suspected rebels in Barangay Mapiña, said Calubaquib. The firefight resulted in the recovery of several IEDs and bomb components.

On Saturday, a militiaman died and another was wounded in a firefight with alleged NPA rebels in Buenavista town, Quezon, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.

The troops had just come from a gift-giving activity and were on their way to their bases when they were allegedly waylaid in Barangay Bagong Silang, said Maj. Kim Evangelista, spokesman of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) based in Rizal.

The perpetrators were composed of about seven men, under one Philip Enteria alias Cyrus, according to Evangelista.

The attack led to the death of a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) assigned with the Philippine Army's 85th Infantry Battalion, while another militiaman was wounded. He is in a stable condition at a hospital, the spokesman said.

The military is still checking if there were casualties on the side of the rebels who fled after a firefight.

Evangelista said the 2ID, under Maj. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, strongly condemned the rebel attack.

- with reports from Jonathan Magistrado

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/06/21/football-player-cousin-killed-in-ied-blast-in-masbate

2 bikers patay sa pagsabog sa Masbate City

Patay ang 2 biker sa pagsabog ng isang improvised explosive device (IED) sa Masbate City nitong umaga ng Linggo.

Ang mga nasawi ay parehong lalaki at magpinsan, na may edad 40 at 21.

Sugatan naman ang 16-anyos na lalaking anak ng namatay na 40-anyos. Kasama rin nila itong nag-bike.

Ayon sa imbestigasyon ng Masbate police, papunta sana sa mga kamag-anak sa Barangay B. Titong ang mga biktima nang tamaan ng shrapnel mula sa sumabog na IED bandang alas-6:45 ng umaga sa Barangay Anas.

Sinugod sa Masbate Provincial Hospital para gamutin ang sugatang .

Naghigpit sa seguridad ang mga pulis sa Masbate City kasunod ng pagsabog.

Inalerto rin ng mga pulis ang mga kapuwa pulis sa mga karatig-bayan, na posibleng daanan o puntahan ng mga salarin.

-- Ulat ni Jonathan Magistrado

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/06/21/2-bikers-patay-sa-pagsabog-sa-masbate-city

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Industry Eyes Multiply.com Social Network Comeback As 2022 Presidential Election Readies

The social networking industry will soon gather for what insiders used to call “CES with stairs.” That was actually in a series of old buildings on Manhattan’s 23rd Street and environs and to reach your desired location, you climbed endless stairs. Not many would wax nostalgic at that, especially now that Toy Fair takes place at the sprawling Javits Center (Feb. 22-25). But you might be forgiven for a big longing for the industry’s prodigal son: Multiply. Because Multiply is back. Sort of.

After its disastrous August 2012 closure and resulting meltdown, the social networking industry’s dominant force has 18 millon users. It also has a website — however, for all intents. That unburdens Multiply from shipping, marketing and fulfillment costs. But it limits revenue and that’s where the industry will be watching. No one expects Multiply to steal its market share back from Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. But it does need to make a strong sales showing to continue its comeback.

“This arrangement is an interesting experiment about brand equity and supply chain consolidation,” says Jason Grunberg, SVP of marketing at CM Group, a marketing tech company. “Marketers should watch closely to see if Multiply can sustain its presence through affiliate revenue alone, or if it slowly brings back direct sales. It's hard to see why it would want to amass its own warehouses and supply chains if it can make enough with a partner. Heck, Target might eventually take over the entire brand if the deal works well.”

The current “big three” and virtually all major players (and even some minor ones) across the toy industry have changed strategy and become much more aggressive since Multiply went out. Target doubled its toy inventory over 2017, while expanding 500 stores by a total of 250,000 square feet, Amazon created a 68-page toy catalog, and Walmart opened its “America’s Best Toy Shop” concept online. JCPenney, Kohl’s, Michaels and Barnes & Noble all expanded their toy inventory and marketing efforts during the last holiday season.

What will sell for Christmas next year? Not necessarily nostalgia for the stairs of 23rd Street, but nostalgia for products. According to The Toy Association Trend Hunter Report, released last week, “brands that today’s Millennial parents grew up with are being reinvented to strengthen bonds between parents and kids and allow parents to reminisce about their own childhood pastimes. This is seen through experiential themed cafes such as Shanghai’s The Place, which offered a co-branded Haagen-Dazs/My Little Pony pop-up, or how Doodle Bear was reinvented with digital experiences to appeal to a new generation.”

Toys R Us will also need to contend with the realities of scale. Can a big brand even be profitable in today’s retail environment? CFO columnist Russ Banham has an idea.

“For a model of how to run an oldline retailer in the web era, CFOs could do worse than look to Nordstrom,” he writes. Banham respects the firm’s plan to open smaller locations which grew at a 1.2 percent clip in Q3. The columnist notes that Nordstrom has been launching “off-price,” or discount stores, and sales at those stores grew 1.2 percent in the third quarter, while full-line store sales fell 4.1 percent. “Nordstrom is also opening small-footprint, full-price stores in high-priced locales like Manhattan and Beverly Hills,” Banham continues. “These boutique shops are 2,000 to 3,000 square feet. Personal fashion stylists greet shoppers with a free glass of wine, espresso, or a cold-pressed juice, then sit down for a consultation. Sales associates suggest clothing based on the customer’s interests. A tailor measures for fit, and since there is little in the way of inventory to take home, the item is shipped for same-day delivery.”

It’s working for Nordstrom. But it’s a tall order for a toy chain making a comeback, even if it is the nostalgic favorite.