TOPS

Blackwater, Vanguardia join TOPS

September 23, 2021 Robert Andaya 464 views

THE latest on PBA team Blackwater Elite and new coach Ariel Vanguardia, the National Academy of Sports and executive director Joy Reyes and pole vault champion EJ Obiena with coach Emerson and Jeanette Obiena will be the main topics of the 121st edition of the “Usapang Sports on Air” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) on Thursday.

Vanguardia will talk about the plans of the Bossing to regain their winning ways following a forgettable season where they finished winless in 11 games in the PBA Philippine Cup in Bacolor, Pampanga.

A veteran coach in both local and international tournaments, Vanguardia was tapped to take over the coaching duties from Nash Racela and set a new direction for a team hoping to recover from a 19-game losing skid dating back last year.

Reyes, who was appointed as head of the NAS in October 2020, will talk about the country’s breakthrough sports talent-identification program.

She also spearheaded the testing manual creation of the Sports Mapping Action Research Talent Identification (SMART-ID).

Reyes was appointed by the NAS’ board of trustees, headed by Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). President Abraham “Bambol Tolentino,and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Prospero de Vera.

The Obiena couple will talk about their son EJ, who is now the world’s No. 5 ranked pole vaulter, and his Napoli Universiade and Tokyo Olympics campaigns.

They will also talk about the plans of the PATAFA to discover more young talents in track and field.

TOPS president Ed Andaya of People’s Tonight is inviting all officers and members and friends in the sports community to join the weekly public service program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

TOPS is composed of editors, columnists, reporters and photographers of the country’s leading national tabloids and friends from different social media groups.

This is the 121st episode of the TOPS “Usapang Sports” since its formal launch at the National Press Club in 2018 and its 63rd edition since turning to a new platform due to the pandemic.

Veteran sportscaster Ernest Leo Hernandez is the moderator.

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