Author: admin

Posted on

Migrant workers risk deportation for illegally importing meat products

Migrant workers who are caught illegally importing or not notifying authorities that they have received meat products from African swine fever (ASF) affected areas will be fined, will have their employment permits revoked and will be deported, according to the Ministry of Labor (MOL).

Taiwan has been on alert against ASF after international parcels and packages have been found to contain meat products that tested positive for the virus, the MOL’s Workforce Development Agency said in a statement on Friday.

A package from Thailand was first flagged by a post office in Tainan City on Dec. 15 after it was detected as containing sausages. A lab test conducted on the package on Dec. 17 revealed that the items had the ASF virus.

The Thai sausages once again tested positive for the virus at a Council of Agriculture lab on Dec. 22, confirming the initial result.

With Lunar New Year approaching, migrant workers are reminded not to import meat products illegally from abroad, buy such products from unknown origins online, or ask friends and family to send meat products from abroad, the MOL said.

If a person is found to have illegally imported meat products, he or she can be given a jail term of up to seven years and a fine of up to NT$3 million (US$108,505), the MOL said.

It added that any overseas parcels containing meat products sent by family and friends should be given to the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine or local animal protection offices to be destroyed, warning that violators will face a fine of up to NT$150,000.

If a migrant worker is fined, it means that they have violated the Employment Service Act. The government could then revoke their employment permit and ask them to leave the country and even bar them from further engaging in work in Taiwan.

The MOL has also reminded employers to fulfill their responsibilities of taking care of their workers by informing them of the ASF prevention laws and regulations.

Employers should also make sure that food waste from migrant workers’ dormitories do not flow into pig farms, to prevent the spread of ASF virus.

The virus does not harm humans but can be fatal to pigs and could devastate the country’s high-value pig farming industry.

By law, kitchen waste must be steam-heated at no less than 90 degrees Celsius for about an hour, which will kill off the ASF virus.

On Aug. 23 last year, Kaohsiung police seized 40 packets of shredded chicken and 20 packets of beef jerky weighing a combined 17 kilograms in the dorm room of a Vietnamese migrant worker and the shredded chicken was later tested positive for the ASF virus.

Just a week earlier in the same month, 71 kilograms of banned imported meat products from Vietnam were seized in New Taipei City and were later found to contain the ASF virus.

Migrant workers are welcome to call the 1955 counseling and protection hotline for foreign workers if they have any further questions about ASF, the MOL said.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel

Posted on

Cold front forecast to hit Taiwan next week

A cold front will arrive in Taiwan next Tuesday and linger until next Friday, the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) forecast Saturday.

While temperatures throughout Taiwan will rise slightly on Monday, the bureau warned that on Tuesday, a continental cold air mass will arrive, bringing rainfall to the northern and eastern parts of the country as well as the mountainous areas in the central region.

The rest of the country will see cloudy skies with chances of sunshine, according to the CWB.

The effect of the cold air mass would be most apparent early Wednesday morning, when the flatlands in northern Taiwan could see lows fall to between 9 and 10 degrees Celsius, with Taipei City’s temperature expected to drop to as low as 12 degrees, according to Wu Der-rong (???), a meteorologist and adjunct associate professor of atmospheric sciences at National Central University.

He predicted that the cold spell would weaken slightly between Wednesday and Friday.

The effects of radiative cooling, however, will dip the morning and evening temperatures in the western parts of Taiwan, with lows in areas between Hsinchu and Chiayi potentially falling to 9 degrees, he said.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel

Posted on

7 Taiwan start-ups win innovation awards at CES

Seven start-ups from Taiwan won awards for innovation at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, one of the largest electronics exhibitions in the world, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

The ministry said the start-ups, which won the 2022 CES Innovation Awards, are: RT Stream International, Yun yun AI Baby camera, Mindtronic AI, Mbran Filtra, GRAID Technology, ELECLEAN, and VMFi Inc.

They earned the awards in six major categories of innovation — Smart Cities, Wearable Technology, Health & Wellness, Sustainability, Eco-Design & Smart Energy, Fitness & Sports, Computer Peripherals & Accessories, the MOST said.

A total of 100 Taiwanese start-ups attended the 2022 CES, which opened on Jan. 5 and ran through Jan. 8.

The Taiwanese companies’ aim was to demonstrate their efforts in advancing innovations. The number of companies made Taiwan the country that sent the second largest number of start-ups to the exhibition, trailing only France, the MOST said.

The 100 Taiwanese start-ups comprised 27 companies specializing in smart medical care; 25 in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity; 25 in semiconductor, space and communications; and 23 in digital technologies.

They participated in this year’s CES either physically or virtually amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to the ministry.

Those that attended the exhibition in person showcased their innovations under the pavilions “Eureka Park” and “Taiwan Tech Arena” (TTA) at the CES’s innovation exhibition area. The TTA initiative is a platform under the ministry aimed at cultivating tech startups by helping them raise funds to grow.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the TTA’s pavilion, Hsu Tseng-ju (???), head of the MOST’s Department of Academia Industry Collaboration and Science Park Affairs, who led the 100 Taiwanese start-ups to the 2022 CES, said it was the fourth time for the TTA to lead Taiwanese start-ups to the Las Vegas trade show.

The ministry set up the TTA initiatives in 2018 when the innovation platform led only 32 start-ups to the CES, and the number has grown to 100 this year.

Hsu said the winning of the awards at the CES showed that Taiwan’s innovation capability, helped by the TTA’s determination to lend full support for Taiwanese start-ups, was gaining international recognition.

He added that the COVID-19 pandemic not only posed risks but also created business opportunities for Taiwanese start-ups and that it was time for Taiwan to push for industrial transformation and to cultivate its talent pool.

To boost Taiwan’s visibility in innovations on the global market, the ministry has also worked with firms in the Silicon Valley of the United States, to integrate resources between Taiwan and the prominent American tech region.

In July, the TTA opened an office — TTA-SV — in the Silicon Valley, which is keen to provide necessary assistance to any Taiwanese start-up eyeing the U.S. market.

In addition, the ministry has also kicked off the “LEAP Program” to send Taiwan’s high-quality talents to various corporations, start-ups, or research institutes in the U.S. for six to 12 months of learning, so that they can return to Taiwan to make contributions.

This year, the ministry launched the X-Talent program which will send talent in digital transformation, precision healthcare, space and sports technology to the Silicon Valley for six to 12 months.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel

Posted on

CORONAVIRUS/Taiwan reports 44 new COVID-19 cases, including 2 domestic ones

Taiwan reported 44 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, including two domestic infections linked to Taoyuan International Airport, but there have not been any new deaths from the disease, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

The two new domestic cases involved a security guard who worked at Taoyuan airport, and a taxi driver responsible for transporting arriving travelers to quarantine locations, the CECC said.

They are both in their 50s, and have already received their COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, the epidemic center said, indicating that the two cases are breakthrough infections.

Also on Saturday, Taiwan reported 42 imported COVID-19 cases, involving 34 Taiwanese and eight foreign nationals, who arrived in Taiwan between Dec. 15 and Jan. 7. The CECC did not provide their vaccination status in its press statement.

With no deaths reported Saturday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the country remains at 850, with the most recent fatality linked to the disease recorded on Dec. 9.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel

Posted on

Philogen announces publication of PET clinical data with proprietary ultra-high affinity FAP-targeting small molecule ligand (OncoFAP)

Philogen announces publication of PET clinical data with proprietary ultra-high affinity FAP-targeting small molecule ligand (OncoFAP)

Translational studies performed at the European Institute for Molecular Imaging and the Department of Nuclear Medicine (University and University Hospital of Münster) show rapid and selective tumor uptake of OncoFAP with unprecedented selectivity against healthy organs in cancer patients

Philogen, in collaboration with Senn Chemicals, has already produced the equivalent of 1 million GMP doses of clinical-grade OncoFAP-DOTAGA

Siena, Italy, January 7th, 2022 – Philogen S.p.A., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on antibody and small molecule-based targeted therapeutics, announces that its wholly-owned Swiss subsidiary, Philochem AG, has co-authored a new translational study on 68Ga-OncoFAP, a best-in-class FAP-targeting small molecule for applications in cancer and inflammation.

The paper, entitled “Translational imaging of the fibroblast activation protein (FAP) using the new ligand “[68Ga]Ga-OncoFAP-DOTAGA”, was published in the peer-reviewed journal European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and reports the novel pre-clinical and clinical findings obtained with 68Ga-OncoFAP.

The data confirmed the rapid and selective accumulation of 68Ga-OncoFAP in solid tumor lesions in disease models and in patient cases. Additionally, 68Ga-OncoFAP showed excellent selectivity against healthy organs, including kidneys, at early time points (i.e., already one hour after systemic administration) and an impressive tumor-targeting performance in mice and in patients with different stages of disease (i.e., from localized to disseminated disease).

Dario Neri, Chief Executive Officer of Philogen commented: “We are delighted with the translational results presented in our recent paper which showed OncoFAP’s strong selectivity against healthy organs in cancer patients. In order to pave the way towards a broader adoption of this technology, we have established a network of Nuclear Medicine centers across various continents to support our future clinical studies. The equivalent of 1,000,000 GMP-grade doses of OncoFAP-DOTAGA has already been produced in collaboration with Senn Chemicals.”

The results presented in this article stem from a collaboration between the European Institute for Molecular Imaging and the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University and University Hospital of Münster and the scientists at Philochem AG.

OncoFAP has been manufactured in GMP conditions at Senn Chemicals AG, a CDMO in peptide synthesis and small molecules with expertise in small scale GMP production.

Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) has recently emerged as a tumor-associated antigen with abundant and selective expression in the majority of human solid malignancies. The discovery of OncoFAP, together with its preclinical characterization, has been recently reported in Proc Natl Acad Sci USA in April 2021.

Philochem’s OncoFAP-derivates are the small organic ligands with the highest affinity to the FAP antigen reported to date.

OncoFAP is currently being studied as modular component for the generation of therapeutic products enabling the targeted delivery of a potent beta-emitter (lutetium-177), of fluorescein-specific CAR T-cells, and of highly cytotoxic auristatin derivatives.

The article can be accessed from the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging website under the following link.

About Philogen

Philogen is a Swiss-Italian clinical-stage biotechnology company listed on the Italian Stock Exchange. It is engaged in the discovery and development of novel pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products. Philogen’s strategy is to deliver bioactive agents, for example cytokines or drugs, to the site of disease using antibodies and other ligands that specifically and efficiently target stromal antigens. This technology has generated a strong proprietary pipeline of clinical-stage products and preclinical compounds in an array of disease indications. Philogen is headquartered in Siena, Italy, and has research activities at its subsidiary company Philochem near Zurich, Switzerland. Philogen has signed agreements with several major pharmaceutical companies. For more information, please visit www.philogen.com and www.philochem.com.

Philogen contacts

Dr. Christian Lizak (Business Development), christian.lizak@philogen.com

Dr. Emanuele Puca (Investor Relations), emanuele.puca@philogen.com

+41 (0) 43 544 88 00

Consilium Strategic Communications contacts

Mary-Jane Elliott, Davide Salvi

Philogen@consilium-comms.com

Posted on

Amlan International Continues APEC Region Expansion by Kim Huang Appointed Regional Technical Services Manager

Kim Huang

Kim Huang appointed regional technical services manager in Asia-Pacific for Amlan International.

CHICAGO, Jan. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amlan International, a global leader in natural, mineral-based feed additives for poultry and livestock, has broadened their technical capabilities in the Asia Pacific (APEC) region with the appointment of Dr. Kim Huang as regional technical services manager.

Kim will play an important role in expanding the APEC team that will serve the growing Southeast Asia market where poultry production is expected to account for one-third of global production by 2023. Kim will use his wide-ranging nutrition, poultry and feed-additive experience to help animal protein producers in the APEC region successfully incorporate Amlan’s novel mineral-based feed additives to maintain animal health, improve feed efficiency and achieve their production and business goals.

Input costs for producers are increasing, making improved feed conversion rates and healthy animals even more important for profitability. As regional technical services manager, Kim will be a key technical resource and deliver superior service to ensure long-term customer value and productivity. Kim will work to expand the service experiences for Amlan customers by providing them with mineral-based solutions that can help improve production efficiencies and profitability.

“Kim’s extensive technical service experience in the APEC region will provide our customers with valuable knowledge and expertise on the benefits of incorporating our novel mineral-based feed additives into their poultry and livestock operations,” says Fred Kao, Vice President of Global Sales, Amlan International. “We are extremely excited to welcome Kim to the team and look forward to the opportunities he will bring to Amlan and our customers.”

Kim has been involved in the animal nutrition industry for more than 30 years, including most recently as a nutritional consultant for poultry businesses. Previously, he was a technical and commercial director for the Asia Pacific for a global feed and nutrition technology company subsidiary, and a nutritional services manager for the Asia Pacific for a global poultry breeding company.

“Consumer demands for natural, antibiotic-free animal protein are growing around the world,” says Dan Jaffee, President and CEO, Oil-Dri Corporation of America. Jaffee is also President and General Manager of Amlan. “Kim joining our team of knowledgeable industry professionals will help strengthen our APEC operations and help our customers meet the evolving consumer demands for high-quality, natural animal protein.”

Kim is a graduate of South China Agricultural University, with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural science. He earned a PhD from The University of Queensland specializing in the amino acid nutrition of broiler chickens.

Company Information

Amlan is the animal health business of Oil-Dri Corporation of America, leading global manufacturer and marketer of sorbent minerals. Oil-Dri leverages over 80 years of expertise in mineral science to selectively mine and process their unique mineral for consumer and business-to-business markets. Oil-Dri Corporation of America doing business as “Amlan International” is a publicly traded stock on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ODC). Amlan International sells feed additives across the world. Product availability may vary by country, associated claims do not constitute medical claims and may differ based on government requirements.

Reagan Culbertson
Media Contact
press@amlan.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b364b802-c976-4548-8537-63a222ec6507

Posted on

Zenas BioPharma แต่งตั้ง Dr. John Orloff ให้ดำรงตำแหน่งกรรมการบริษัท

บอสตันและเซี่ยงไฮ้ จีน, Jan. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — วันนี้ Zenas BioPharma บริษัทชีวเภสัชภัณฑ์ระดับโลกซึ่งมีความมุ่งมั่นที่จะเป็นผู้นำด้านการพัฒนาและการรักษาโดยใช้ภูมิคุ้มกันบำบัด ได้ประกาศแต่งตั้ง Dr. John Orloff ให้ดำรงตำแหน่งกรรมการบริษัท ทั้งนี้ Dr. Orloff ได้เข้าร่วมเป็นคณะกรรมการบริษัท Zenas ด้วยประสบการณ์ความสำเร็จกว่า 25 ปีในการเป็นผู้นำองค์กรด้านการวิจัยและการพัฒนาระดับโลกในด้านการรักษาโรคต่าง ๆ รวมถึงโรคแพ้ภูมิตัวเอง

“เรามีความยินดีเป็นอย่างยิ่งที่ได้ต้อนรับ Dr. Orloff ในฐานะกรรมการบริหารของ Zenas” Lonnie Moulder ผู้ก่อตั้งและประธานกรรมการบริหารของ Zenas กล่าว “ความเป็นผู้นำและความเชี่ยวชาญที่ครอบคลุมด้านการวิจัย การพัฒนา รวมถึงกิจการด้านการแพทย์และการกำกับดูแลของ Dr. Orloff เป็นสิ่งที่มีคุณค่าอย่างยิ่ง เนื่องจากเรากำลังพัฒนากลุ่มผลิตภัณฑ์ด้านการรักษาที่ทันสมัยโดยใช้ภูมิคุ้มกันบำบัด ตลอดจนขยายกลุ่มผลิตภัณฑ์ของเราอย่างต่อเนื่องในการพัฒนาธุรกิจ”

“ผมมีความยินดีที่จะได้ร่วมงานกับทีมผู้บริหารของ Zenas และกรรมการบริษัทท่านอื่น ๆ ในขณะที่บริษัทกำลังเร่งพัฒนากลุ่มผลิตภัณฑ์ด้านภูมิคุ้มกันที่มีประสิทธิภาพ” Dr. Orloff กล่าว “ผมหวังว่าจะได้มีส่วนร่วมในการพัฒนาอย่างต่อเนื่องของบริษัท ในขณะที่บริษัทมุ่งมั่นที่จะดำเนินภารกิจในการจัดหายาที่ใช้นวัตกรรมใหม่ให้กับผู้ป่วยที่จำเป็นต้องใช้ยาดังกล่าว”

ปัจจุบัน Dr. Orloff ปฏิบัติงานในฐานะพันธมิตรผู้ร่วมทุนของ Agent Capital และตำแหน่งผู้บริหารล่าสุดของท่านได้แก่ ตำแหน่งรองประธานบริหารและหัวหน้าฝ่ายวิจัยและพัฒนาของ Alexion โดยท่านทำหน้าที่บริหารงานเพื่อขยายกลุ่มผลิตภัณฑ์ในขั้นตอนการพัฒนาสำหรับ 30 โครงการ ซึ่งช่วยสนับสนุนการเข้าซื้อกิจการของ Alexion โดย AstraZeneca มูลค่า 39 พันล้านดอลลาร์เมื่อเร็ว ๆ นี้

ก่อนที่จะร่วมงานกับ Alexion Dr. Orloff ดำรงตำแหน่งหัวหน้าฝ่ายวิจัยและพัฒนาระดับโลกและประธานเจ้าหน้าที่ฝ่ายวิทยาศาสตร์ของ Baxalta และยังดำรงตำแหน่งผู้บริหารระดับสูงของ Novelion, Baxter International, Merck Serono, Novartis และ Merck Research Laboratories ทั้งนี้ก่อนที่จะเข้าสู่อุตสาหกรรมชีวเภสัชภัณฑ์ ท่านเป็นอาจารย์ที่คณะแพทยศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยเยล Dr. Orloff สำเร็จการศึกษาระดับปริญญาตรีสาขาเคมีจากวิทยาลัยดาร์ทมัธ และสำเร็จการศึกษาระดับปริญญาตรีสาขาแพทยศาสตร์จากมหาวิทยาลัยเวอร์มอนต์ วิทยาลัยแพทยศาสตร์ จากนั้นจึงสำเร็จหลักสูตรด้านต่อมไร้ท่อและเมตาบอลิซึมที่คณะแพทยศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยเยล

ข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับ Zenas BioPharma

Zenas BioPharma เป็นบริษัทชีวเภสัชภัณฑ์ระดับโลกที่มีสำนักงานอยู่ในสหรัฐอเมริกาและจีน โดยมีความมุ่งมั่นที่จะเป็นผู้นำด้านการพัฒนาและการรักษาโดยใช้ภูมิคุ้มกันบำบัดสำหรับผู้ป่วยในสหรัฐอเมริกา จีน และประเทศต่าง ๆ ทั่วโลก Zenas ได้เร่งพัฒนากลุ่มผลิตภัณฑ์การรักษาโดยใช้นวัตกรรมที่ทันสมัยซึ่งเติบโตอย่างต่อเนื่องตามกลยุทธ์การพัฒนาธุรกิจที่ประสบความสำเร็จของเรา ทีมผู้บริหารที่มีประสบการณ์และเครือข่ายพันธมิตรทางธุรกิจของเราดำเนินงานด้วยความเป็นเลิศในด้านการรักษาที่สามารถปรับเปลี่ยนได้ เพื่อช่วยพัฒนาคุณภาพชีวิตของผู้ป่วยโรคภูมิต้านตนเองและโรคหายาก หากต้องการข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมเกี่ยวกับ Zenas BioPharma โปรดเข้าไปที่ www.zenasbio.com และติดตามเราทาง Twitter ได้ที่ @ZenasBioPharma และ LinkedIn

สำหรับนักลงทุนและสื่อมวลชน โปรดติดต่อ:
Joe Farmer
Zenas BioPharma
IR@zenasbio.com

Posted on

Taiwan probes China claims of groupers containing illegal drug residue

Officials from the Council of Agriculture (COA) said Thursday they were looking into two fish farms in Pingtung County after Chinese authorities announced they had found residue of illegal veterinary drugs in imported Taiwanese live groupers.

China’s General Administration of Customs issued a notice on Dec. 30, 2021, saying it had found malachite green and crystal violet, both of which are banned for use in aquaculture in China, in live groupers imported from two fish farms owned by Taiwanese farmers Wang Chih-yi (???) and Tai Chao-chung (???).

The Chinese authorities said they had suspended fish imports from the two farms until further notice and would step up inspections of other Taiwanese fish at the border.

The suspension was confirmed by COA Deputy Minister Huang Chin-cheng (???), who told CNA on Thursday that the ministry had also temporarily suspended permits allowing the two farms to export live groupers to China as the Taiwanese authorities look into the matter.

According to the Mainland Affairs Council, the top government agency handling cross-strait affairs, Chinese customs notified Taiwan’s animal quarantine authorities of the issue on Dec. 27 and asked them to stop allowing fish products from the two farms to be exported to China before an investigation is conducted.

Meanwhile, trade in live groupers supplied by other Taiwanese farmers with China remains normal, Huang said.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan used to export approximately 12,000 metric tons of live groupers to China annually, according to the Fisheries Agency (FA). However, due to logistic disruptions caused by the pandemic, only 6,021 metric tons were exported to China from January to November 2021, FA data showed.

Following the notification from the Chinese customs, officials from Pingtung County government on Thursday took samples from the two fish farms for further examination, said Hsu Jung-ping (???), deputy director-general of the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ), which falls under the COA.

Hsu added the bureau would consider further action after the test results come back.

According to Hsu, malachite green is a synthetic dye that used to be widely used in the aquaculture as an anti-fungal agent. It was later banned in Taiwan after studies indicated that residue of the drug in the human body can cause cancer.

On the other hand, the Taiwanese authorities do not regulate the use of crystal violet because it is not commonly used in the fish farming industry, Hsu added.

At the same time, FA Deputy Director-General Lin Kuo-ping (???) said the agency conducts sampling inspections on fish products before they are loaded on transport vessels for export.

Currently, there are six licensed vessels in Taiwan that carry Taiwanese live fish to China, Lin noted.

Speaking to CNA Thursday, Wang Chung-yi, one of the farmers named by the Chinese authorities, said he did not know how his fish could have been contaminated with the residue as he took samples for examination before shipping them to China in early November.

Wang, whose family has worked in the industry for over six decades, said he hopes a third-party inspector re-examines the fish.

The other fish farmer, Tai Chao-chung, said he was told that a shipment of fish belonging to him was stopped at the Chinese border in October, but he had not shipped any groupers at that time.

Tai said he suspected someone might have exported the problematic products using his name, adding that he had reported the matter to the local authorities and did not rule out the possibility of legal action.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel

Posted on

Uni-Lions enlist Wilin Rosario for Taiwan’s CPBL 2022 season

Dominican slugger Wilin Rosario has been enlisted by Tainan-based Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions for the 2022 season of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), the club announced Thursday.

The signing of the 32-year-old infielder comes one day after the Uni-Lions agreed on a deal to re-sign ace pitcher Brock Dykxhoorn.

Rosario played 447 games at first base and catcher for the Colorado Rockies in Major League Baseball (MLB), knocking out 413 hits, 71 home runs, and posting a .273 batting average from 2011-2015.

Rosario is expected to arrive in Taiwan mid-February in time for spring training.

In addition to the MLB, Rosario has also played in the Dominican Winter League, Korean Baseball Organization, Nippon Professional Baseball.

Rosario last played with Mexican League outfit Pericos de Puebla. After failing to make an appearance for the side in the season immediately following his signing in 2020 — which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic — Rosario hit five home runs over 31 games before his release on July 13, 2021.

During his two seasons with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO, Rosario thrived at the plate, becoming one of the most prolific hitters in the league with 309 hits, 70 home runs, and a .330 batting average over 246 games.

The Uni-Lions announced signing Rosario one day after they re-signed Canadian pitcher Brock Dykxhoorn. The right-hander dominated from the mound last season as he went 17-4 over 27 appearances, including 26 starts, posting a 1.83 ERA and 0.89 WHIP.

The Uni-Lions reached the 2021 Taiwan Series but went on to get swept 4-0 by the CTBC Brothers.

Meanwhile, the New Taipei-based Fubon Guardians, who play out of Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium, have signed former MLB pitcher Luis Escobar for the upcoming season, according to a club statement Thursday.

The 25-year-old right-hander Escobar made the show with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019 after five years in the minor leagues. He has also played in the Venezuelan Winter League, Caribbean Series, Mexican League, and Mexican Pacific Winter League.

Escobar is expected to arrive in Taiwan in February.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel

Posted on

Aquas point guard Jason Brickman named T1 LEAGUE import player of the month

Basketball’s T1 LEAGUE has named Kaohsiung Aquas Filipino-American playmaker Jason Brickman import player of the month for December.

Brickman’s offensive excellence and command of the game powered the Aquas to the top of the league standings, going 6-1 since the opening round of the league’s inaugural season on Nov. 27 and posting 13.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 2.7 steals for his first six games, T1 LEAGUE said in a statement Thursday.

“It’s a great honor and I just want to keep on playing well, and hopefully our team can keep on playing well. I’m having a lot of fun in the T1 LEAGUE with the Aquas organization,” Brickman said. “Just a great honor, I’m very thankful and grateful to get the award.”

Brickman also thanked the T1 LEAGUE, Taiwan’s newest professional basketball league, for the opportunity to play basketball again after a two-year break.

The 30-year-old point guard, whose resume includes stints playing professional basketball for clubs around the world, last played for the San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in the 2019-2020 season of the regional ASEAN Basketball League, which was cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to playing with the Alab Pilipinas, he was on the roster of the Mighty Sports — Go for Gold team that clinched the 2019 William Jones Cup in Taiwan after an 8-0 sweep at Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei.

He has also won over Taiwanese fans by putting on a skills clinic during the inaugural T1 LEAGUE season, which earned him kudos from the Aquas’ coaching staff.

“I thank the coach for believing in me and making me feel confident on the court. And also, to my teammates for playing really well and allowing me to play my game on the court,” Brickman said.

According to Aquas head coach Brendan Joyce, Brickman has all the qualities needed to play the point guard role.

The former assistant coach of the Australian Boomers and head coach of the Australian Opals said Brickman had been playing great basketball.

As a player, Joyce also played point guard in Oceania’s National Basketball League (NBL), beginning in the league’s inaugural season in 1979.

The current Aquas honcho racked up 289 appearances in the NBL, finishing second for Most Assists from 1985-87 and winning Most Assists in 1988.

“That playing experience, I think helps me coaching, because I not only understand the position, I know how that player feels,” Joyce told CNA. “All the things that Jason feels or all the emotions, I have that because I played that position, I think I have an advantage coaching him.”

Thanks to intimate knowledge of the positions where Brickman flourishes, Joyce has pushed Brickman to be more aggressive and find the right balance between making assists and scoring.

As a player who is known to make assists, there have been times when opponents do not think Brickman is going to try and score, Joyce said.

“I’ve tried to get him to identify that more often on the court and when those opportunities arise, take advantage of it. And that is what he is doing, but he’s playing great basketball,” Joyce said.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel

Proudly powered by WordPress