'Black Adam' tops box office again on quiet weekend
"Black Adam," Dwayne Johnson's bid to launch a new DC Films superpower, has surpassed $300 million globally in three weeks of release, including a domestic tally of $137.4 million. That puts the $195 million-budgeted film — the third film this year to lead the box office three consecutive weeks — on a trajectory to likely surpass the $366 million that "Shazam!" grossed in 2019, but less certain to notch a profit in its theatrical run.
When Walt Disney Co.'s "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" lands in theaters on Thursday, it's expected to score one of the biggest opening weekends of the year. Ryan Coogler's original debuted with more than $200 million in United States and Canadian theaters in 2018, and forecasts suggest it could open with around $175 million.
- The Manila Times
Inflation accelerated to 14-year high of 7.7% in October 2022 —PSA
Inflation continued its uptrend in October, hitting a 14-year high amid the consistent rise in food, utilities and transport costs, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday.
Inflation — the rate of increase in the prices of consumer goods and services — accelerated to 7.7% from 6.9% in September, PSA chief and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said at a press conference.
The October 2022 inflation was also faster than the 4% rate recorded in October 2021.
- GMA News Online
Rivera sets scoring record as Akari stays alive
Akari muddled up the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference semis race by upending Choco Mucho in a thriller of a five-setter, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 15-12, Thursday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
Heavy-hitting Prisilla Rivera banged away a league-record 44 points and drew solid backup from Erika Raagas, Janine Marciano, Krich Macaslang and Geneveve Casugod as the Chargers snapped a three-game skid, including a five-set defeat to the first semifinalist Chery Tiggo Crossovers, to keep their hopes alive at 2-4 (win-loss) with two elims games left against the PLDT High Speed Hitters (1-3) and the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers (2-2).
The loss dropped the Flying Titans to 2-3.
-PVL.PH
GAME 2 NOVEMBER 3, 2022
CHOCO MUCHO FLYING TITANS vs AKARI CHARGERS
2022 PVL REINFORCED CONFERENCE
5:30PM
Choco Mucho, Cignal seek to enhance semis drive
Choco Mucho and Cignal set out to bolster their respective semifinal bids against teams trying to stave off virtual elimination as action in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference resumes at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Thursday.
The Flying Titans dropped to 2-2 after yielding a four-setter to the first semifinalist Chery Tiggo Crossovers last week before the league took a break but are expected to bounce back strong when they play the struggling Akari Chargers at 5:30 p.m.
The league’s newcomers are reeling from three straight losses to slip to 1-4 and will need to raise their level of play to surprise the equally hard-pressed Flying Titans.
The HD Spikers likewise go all out for a win after losing their last two games following a four-set escape over the Chargers in the opening day but are facing an UAI-Army side due for a win after losing its first four games.
Gametime is at 2:30 p.m.
Choco Mucho coach Oliver Almadro is expected to bank on import Odina Aliyeva and Kat Tolentino for the firepower with support likely to come from Bea de Leon, Des Cheng, Maddie Madayag, Cherry Nunag, and Deanna Wong as they go for the win that would net them hold of solo third heading to the final stretch of the single round robin elims of the season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
But the Chargers, who put up a gutsy stand before bowing to the powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers in four last Oct. 27, remain hopeful of bouncing back strong behind reinforcement Prisilla Rivera and locals raring to prove their worth against their seasoned rivals, including Michelle Cobb, Lycha Ebon, Janine Marciano, Jhoana Maraguinot, Krich Macaslang and Princess Madrigal.
Cignal, meanwhile, has so much work to do in a bid to catch up with the leaders with coach Shaq delos Santos hoping the break has helped his wards get re-energized for the grueling elims stretch.
The HD Spikers, led by American Tai Bierra and locals Rachel Anne Daquis, Ces Molina, Angeli Araneta, Chay Troncoso, Roselyn Doria and Gel Cayuna, will play five matches in the last nine playdates, including their postponed game against Choco Mucho last weekend.
But focus will also be on the Lady Troopers, who nearly did the unthinkable the last time out when they stunned the unbeaten Crossovers to seize a 2-1 set lead, only to drop the last two that paved the way for the latter’s securing the first Final Four berth.
The loss put Army in a must-win situation with coach Kungfu Reyes expecting to draw the best from Canadian Laura Condotta and locals Jovelyn Gonzaga, Honey Royse Tubino, Jeanette Villareal, Joanne Bunag, Ivy Perez and MJ Pabayo.
- PVL.PH
Madayag back after ACL injury
It's been a long 14 months for Maddie Madayag.
But all the hardwork, patience, and perseverance finally paid off when she made her return to her home - the volleyball taraflex.
The 5-foot-11 middle blocker out of Ateneo de Manila University was forced to stay away from the sport for that long after tearing her left ACL on August 11, 2021 during Choco Mucho's Premier Volleyball League Open Conference battle for third clash with Petro Gazz in the Bacarra "bubble".
On Saturday evening, Flying Titans head coach Oliver Almadro inserted "Madzilla" to serve in their 25-27, 25-22, 18-25, 25-22, 17-15 triumph over PLDT in the 2022 Reinforced Conference.
“Syempre I’m happy and at the same time excited na I get to play inside with the team again. Grateful din ako na all that hard work nung one year akong out naging worth it naman,” shared Madayag, who trooped to the service line during the third and fifth sets.
“Even though serve lang yung ginawa ko malaking bagay na rin yun. Lahat naguumpisa sa serve at least I get to help the team in any way I can,” added the 2018 PVL Open Conference 1st Best Middle Blocker.
Madayag, though, tempers the expectations this early, citing that she is yet to reach 100 percent and fans will still have to wait before they see her monster blocks.
But as a leader, she will do whatever the team needs to get wins in the season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
“I actually accepted my role na for this conference na it’s not to play but to support the team in any way I can like sa service if kailangan ng serve and defense sa likod, ‘yun ‘yung gagawin ko,” said Madayag, who tore her right ACL back in 2016.
“I’m always ready naman to play kung kailan ako tatawagin ni coach magiging ready lang talaga ako palagi.”
-pvl.ph
@kerrigan
