CEBU, Philippines — In a previous column, I wrote the country’s loss of GM Wesley So who migrated to the United States and became an American citizen. Just recently, the Philippines also lost another jewel, Fil-Japanese Yuka Saso who made us proud when she won this year’s US Womens Open. Saso was born to a Japanese father and Filipino mother. Saso announced that she will become a Japanese citizen and will no longer play for the Philippines. Dual citizens can choose his or her nationality before the age of 22. Saso won two gold medals in the Asian Games. Saso 20, has more than a year to keep representing the country, as she returns to the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) in the $2million Toto Classic. Business in golf, could also be one reason, Saso was looking into multitude of corporations giving away lucrative sponsorships. Saso could become the third Japanese player in history to win another LPGA title after Hinako Shibuno in the 2019 Women’s British Open and Hisako Higuchi in the 1977 LPGA Championship. As of October 15, Saso is the fifth best female in the world. With this development , Bianca Pagdaganan will carry the cudgels for the Philippines in the Paris Olympics in 2024. Pagdaganan was a dual medalist in the 2018 Asian Games, winning a bronze in the women’s individual event and a gold in the team event with Saso. Sayonara, Yuka!
HIGHEST-PAID NBA PLAYERS 2020-2021
Here’s a list of the NBA highest-paid players for season 2020-21.
1.Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) - $45,780.966
2.James Harden (Brooklyn Nets)- $44,310,840
3.John Wall(Houston Rockets)- $44,310,840
4.Russel Westbrook (Los Angeles Lakers)- $44,211,146
5.Damian Lillard(Portland Trailblazers) $ 43,750,000
6.Lebron James (Los Angeles Lakers) $ 41,180,544
7.Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets) $ 40,918,900
8.Paul George (Los Angeles Cippers) $39,340,000
9.Giannis Antetokounmpo(Milwaukee Bucks) $39,340,000
10.Klay Thompson( Golden State Warriors) $37,980,720
NOTE: Quinn Cook of the Los Angeles Lakers is the lowest paid in the league with $1M.
Lebron James-highest learning player
While Lebron James ranked only 6th in the highest paid players, he is again the highest earning player for the eight consecutve year. James made a total $110,000m with $70m coming from various ventures. His deal with Nike is worth $32m while making more money with his movie “Space Jam”, which made a whooping $161m in the box office . Stephen Curry is next with $92.8m, Kevin Durant $87.9m and Giannis Antetokounmpo $ 80.3m.