The Hiroshima Dragonflies, reigning B. LEAGUE champions (2023-24), edged the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, P. LEAGUE+ champions (2023-24), with a 72-68 victory on Sunday night, March 9, to claim the EASL 2024-25 championship in Macau.This marks the second consecutive season that a B. LEAGUE team has won the EASL title, following the Chiba Jets' triumph in 2023-24. 

Ateneo de Manila University and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) split victories in the UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament on Sunday, March 9, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with the Blue Eagles stunning the Golden Spikers in the men’s division, while the Golden Tigresses swept Ateneo’s women’s volleyball team.In the men’s match, Ateneo ended UST’s four-game winning streak with a 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21 victory, spoiling the return of two-time MVP Josh Ybañez.The Blue Eagles pulled away late in the fourth set to secure the win, improving to a 3-2 record and tying De La Salle University in fourth place."Every team we face moving forward is a top team. All the teams in the UAAP are strong and capable of being champions," said Ateneo head coach Vince Mangulabnan."We have to prepare for them the same way every game—regardless of who they are or what their ranking is, even if they were to play at the world level. Our mindset should always be that we're facing a top-caliber opponent so that we don’t become complacent,” he added, emphasizing the importance of preparation moving forward.Ken Batas led Ateneo with game-high 21 points while Amil Pacinio and Jian Salarzon provided support by putting up 17 and 12 markers, respectively.

National University (NU) asserted its dominance in the UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament, securing victories in both the men’s and women’s division against the University of the Philippines (UP) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, March 9.After dominating the first two sets, the Bulldogs struggled in the third, allowing UP to build a commanding 12-5 lead and eventually force a fourth set. However, NU regained control in the final frame, breaking an 18-18 tie with a decisive 4-0 run to defeat the Fighting Maroons,  25-12, 25-15, 15-25, 25-22, improving to a 4-1 record in the men’s tournament.NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin admitted that unforced errors cost them the third set, saying, “We lost our momentum whenever we gained it.” He emphasized also the importance of confidence in the fourth set, ensuring the team played with certainty and avoided self-doubt.  Buds Buddin led the charge with 22 points, while Leo Aringo and Leo Ordiales added 16 and 14 markers, respectively. 

NorthPort extended its campaign in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup by securing a 108-103 victory over Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 on Wednesday, March 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.After suffering blowout losses in the first three games—losing by an average of 20.6 points—the Batang Pier finally found a way to stay alive and force a Game 5 on Friday, March 7.

The TNT Tropang Giga took a step closer to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals after outlasting the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 93-85, on Wednesday night, March 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Calvin Oftana spearheaded TNT’s attack, delivering a stellar 26-point performance along with three rebounds and four assists. RR Pogoy complemented his effort with an all-around showing, posting 22 markers, four boards, three dimes, a steal, and a block.In the post-game interview, Oftana dedicated the win to veteran guard Jayson Castro, who has been ruled out for the season due to a knee injury.“Malaking bagay na wala si Kuya Jayson. Itong remaining games namin, inoffer namin sa kanya,” said Oftana.“Big factor si Kuya Jayson sa amin, pero hindi lang isang tao ang makakapuno sa kawalan niya. Kailangan namin magtulungan bilang isang team,” he added.

Masters Pinoy Pilipinas Basketball 45-Up team is gearing up for the World Masters Tournament this coming May. Strengthening their lineup is two-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) All-Star Gherome Ejercito.In an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph, Ejercito shared how he plans to contribute to the team’s success on game day.“I spoke with Coach Arlene (Rodriguez) and Boss Rey (Punongbayan) about what I and my fellow ex-pro players can bring to the team. Our experience playing in the PBA—alongside Roger Yap, Estong Ballesteros, and Gilbert Malabanan—will be a huge advantage,” Ejercito told us in Filipino.“And as long as we continue our regular practices, we will be ready to compete,” he added.

Akari staged a thrilling comeback from a two-set deficit to clinch a hard-fought victory over Farm Fresh in five sets, 25-11, 23-25, 18-25, 25-15, 15-9, on Tuesday, March 4, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig. With the win, the Chargers advanced to the quarterfinals of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.Ivy Lacsina delivered a stellar performance, earning Best Player of the Game honors after leading Akari with 22 points, built on 21 attacks and one block. She also contributed four excellent digs and four excellent receptions, showcasing her all-around game.Making her much-anticipated return after missing most of the preliminaries due to a hand strain, Grethcel Soltones provided an immediate boost, finishing with 11 points, including three consecutive clutch hits in the final set.

PLDT secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference after overcoming ZUS Coffee in a hard-fought match, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 26-24, on Tuesday night, March 4, at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. Head coach Rald Ricafort acknowledged the challenge posed by ZUS Coffee, led by coach Jerry Yee, stating that their opponents surprised them in the opening set. However, he was pleased with his team’s ability to recover and execute well, especially in the crucial moments of the fourth set.  

PBA legend Roger Yap was known as “The Predator” during his time in the pro league, a moniker he carried with pride every time he stepped on the court.But this time, Yap will take on a new role as “The Director” of the Pinoy Masters Pilipinas Basketball team, which is set to compete in the World Masters tournament from May 17-30 in Taiwan.In an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph, the four-time PBA champion shared his contributions to the team as they represent the country on the hardcourt. 

The country’s golf scene is set to take center stage as the Philippine Golf Convention (GOLFCON) 2025 tees off on March 8-9 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.  Organized in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), this highly anticipated event aims to showcase the country as a premier golf destination, both for local and international players.“Obviously it's in partnership and collaboration with the DOT, because we really want to promote, not just the brands or the sport, but the Philippines as a very viable destination for golf,” said event organizer Jesse Guerrero in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.GOLFCON 2025 will feature masterclasses led by top coaches, including PGA Tour coach Nathan Cam, as well as panel discussions with professional golfers and industry leaders. Attendees can also experience golf simulators, free beginner clinics, and exhibits highlighting the country’s top golf courses—from Metro Manila’s elite clubs to hidden provincial gems.With the theme "Let’s Golf in the Philippines," the event aligns with the DOT’s initiative to promote golf tourism. 

That’s what former PBA player and current Lyceum Pirates head coach Gilbert Malabanan emphasized in an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph. Malabanan is set to join the Masters Pinoy Pilipinas Basketball team, competing in the World Masters 45+ category from May 17-30, 2025 in Taiwan.Malabanan shared that commitment is the biggest challenge he and his teammates face as they juggle work, basketball, and other responsibilities. However, as a professional, he has learned to manage his time effectively, driven by his dedication to the game—especially when representing the country.“First of all, the most challenging part is commitment. Of course, all of us have jobs. But when it comes to commitment, how do you manage it? Especially with our practices,” Coach Gilbert said.“We want to be complete during training because this is our preparation for the Masters tournament in May,” he added.

Barangay Ginebra moved one step closer to another Finals appearance in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup semi-finals after dominating the NorthPort Batang Pier, 127-100, on Sunday night, March 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Jamie Malonzo, named Best Player of the Game, led the Gin Kings with 27 points, including an impressive 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, while grabbing eight rebounds. It was a breakout performance for Malonzo, who returned to action last January after missing several months due to a left calf injury.Ginebra’s resident import, Justin Brownlee, provided solid support with 22 points, shooting 5-of-7 from three-point range.Veterans Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, and Troy Rosario also contributed significantly, scoring 17, 15, and 10 points, respectively.Off the bench, RJ Abarrientos made an impact with a double-double of 10 points and 10 assists, posting a plus-24 rating whenever he was on the floor.

De La Salle University (DLSU) got back on track with a four-set victory over the University of the Philippines (UP), winning 25-22, 24-26, 25-18, 25-17 in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, March 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena.“There’s no weak team in the UAAP today. Every game you play is a challenge,” said La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo in Filipino. “Every team plays a high level so you cannot say that the opponent is weak, that's why you need to overcome whatever it is that your opponent is going to throw at you.”Angel Canino led the way for the Lady Spikers with 24 points, scoring 20 off attacks and adding four blocks. Shevana Laput provided strong support with 21 points from 15 kills, three blocks, and three aces. Lilay del Castillo also contributed with 11 points, including four blocks and two aces.

Far Eastern University (FEU) snapped its losing streak by outlasting Ateneo de Manila University, 25-15, 20-25, 25-17, 24-26, 15-11, in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, March 2, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.Coach Tina Salak expressed satisfaction with her team’s performance but emphasized the need for consistent readiness. “It was a convincing win, but we want to push them further so that by the second round, we’re fully prepared to fight back against all the struggles we’re facing now,” she said.  FEU’s strong net defense played a crucial role in the win, dominating Ateneo in blocks with a 20-2 advantage. The victory improved their record to 2-2 after back-to-back defeats.  Gerzel Petallo led the Lady Tamaraws with 18 points, including 14 attacks and four blocks, while also contributing 14 excellent receptions. Ateneo extended the match to a fifth set after Petallo leveled the fourth frame at 24 with a precise drop ball. However, Lyann de Guzman answered with a strong attack that deflected off an FEU defender’s hand, securing the point after a successful block touch challenge.Yvana Sulit then stepped up with a crucial service ace, forcing a deciding set.  

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters finally broke their two-game skid, securing a crucial 103-98 victory in Game 3 of their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Semi-Finals series against the TNT Tropang Giga on Sunday night, March 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Import Deon Thompson led the charge for Rain or Shine, delivering a double-double performance with 19 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in over 44 minutes of action. His dominance in the paint and relentless effort on both ends of the floor helped RoS stay competitive throughout the game.Caelan Tiongson also played a vital role in the win, contributing 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Adrian Nocum, who started once again, showcased another impressive outing with 16 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.Supporting the trio was Anton Asistio, who chipped in 12 points, including two clutch three-pointers, while Gian Mamuyac added nine points and was perfect from the free-throw line, sinking all four of his attempts.

Barangay Ginebra relied on their balanced scoring to capture the win in Game 1 of their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series against NorthPort, 115-93, last night, February 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Justin Brownlee led the charge for the Gin Kings, pouring in 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists in just 32 minutes of play.Brownlee was supported by his local teammates, led by Troy Rosario, who scored 15 points, followed by RJ Abarrientos with 14, while Japeth Aguilar added 11.The first half of the match was a close battle, with Ginebra holding only a five-point lead over the Batang Pier, 56-51.However, in the third quarter, the Gin Kings unleashed a barrage of points while locking down NorthPort defensively, outscoring them 32-14.Heading into the fourth period, Ginebra never looked back, maintaining their commanding lead and still outscoring the Batang Pier 28-27 to secure the victory.Despite the dominant win, Ginebra coach Tim Cone remained cautious, saying it was just one win in a long series.Still, the victory is a big boost for a Ginebra team that struggled to get ideal training during the long break, with Cone, Brownlee, Rosario, Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar, and LA Tenorio all serving duties with Gilas Pilipinas.

The TNT Tropang Giga showcased their strong defense with crucial stops in the final moments to secure an 88-84 win over Rain or Shine in Game 1 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven semifinal series on Wednesday night, February 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Despite being ahead by just three points with 1:59 left in the game, TNT shut down Rain or Shine's offense. The Tropang Giga capitalized on the Elasto Painters’ mistakes, forcing four turnovers, including a crucial steal by RR Pogoy off an inbound pass from Andrei Caracut with just three seconds remaining after a timeout.Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao designed a play for a potential game-tying four-point shot, but the attempt was spoiled by a bad pass.While RoS struggled in the final moments, TNT’s shooting, especially from beyond the arc, was on point. They hit 14-of-34 three-pointers, with Jayson Castro and Calvin Oftana leading the charge. Castro scored six three-pointers, missing only one, while Oftana also nailed six.

The exciting and physically demanding sport of trail running will take center stage during the Philippine Trail Running Association (Philtra) National Championships, set to be held in Danao, Cebu from March 21 to 23. This event marks the conclusion of a series of qualifying competitions across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao last year, and will play a key role in selecting the new Philippine trail running team for international events.Philtra vice president and secretary-general Tin Ferrera, along with manager Gerard Tipones, are anticipating nearly 700 participants, including the country's top runners and some international competitors. Leading the local runners are Larry Apolinario from Antique on the men’s side, and Elizabeth Dangadang from Baguio City on the women’s side.

Defending champion National University (NU) held off a resilient Far Eastern University (FEU) in a thrilling-five set match, winning 25-15, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-8, to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, February 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena.After dropping the second and third sets to the Lady Tamaraws, Alyssa Solomon took charge, leading the Lady Bulldogs in the fourth set to a 24-21 advantage.FEU's Faida Bakanke and Jaz Ellarina narrowed the gap, but Bakanke's final attack went out of bounds, and a video challenge failed to overturn the call.Solomon carried her momentum into the fifth set, while Bella Belen contributed with a crucial ace and a net touch violation by FEU, giving NU an 8-3 lead. Erin Pangilinan extended the lead to 12-7, sealing the win with her signature finger-wag celebration.Solomon finished with 23 points, including 19 kills and four blocks, while Belen added 21 markers, including 13 attacks and seven aces. Vange Alinsug also contributed 19 points and 15 excellent receptions, while setter Lams Lamina dished out 23 excellent sets.