Two of the country's Filipina fighters secured victories in their fights this past weekend.Muay Thai fighter Islay Erika Bomogao clinched her second win after winning a unanimous decision against her opponent, Chinese fighter Ran Longshu, at ONE Friday Fights 93 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday night, January 10.In the opening round of their match, her Chinese opponent immediately showed aggression, but Bomogao showed her defense and immediately hit the Chinese fighter with a series of combo punches until she finally gained the advantage over her opponent.With the win, Bomogao now has a 2-0 win-loss record.Meanwhile, mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga made history by defeating Ukrainian grappler Alyona Rassohyna via second-round technical knockout on Saturday, January 11, in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 27 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.Zamboanga is now the first Filipina mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter to win the ONE Championship crown and an impressive win over the women’s MMA atomweight title.To secure the victory, the 27-year-old Filipina fighter used her striking skills with well-aimed punches and good grappling defense to overcome Rassohyna, who tried to use her for Zamboanga.The referee stopped the fight at 4:47 after Zamboanga landed elbows and ground and pound punches and was able to break through Rassohyna’s ankle lock attempt.Zamboanga couldn't believe her victory, which she had been hoping for for years, and now her efforts have paid off.“I’ve been aiming for this gold for years. I’m not here for short notice or something, I’ve made this from hard work, tears and everything. The delays and injuries, I’ve had a lot of injuries. Last two weeks ago I couldn’t move my left arm. But I didn’t want to cancel the fight because I know God will give me this belt. Thank you for giving me this opportunity,”  Zamboanga said. Because of her impressive win, she will now be able to fight for the unification bout against the regular champion of her division, Stamp Fairtex. “I really deserve to fight stamp because I proved it (in this fight) by finishing my opponent’,” Zamboanga added.

Three-time World Champion Pinay cue artist Rubilen Amit is set to be honored at the 2024 San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Annual Awards Night, to be held on January 27 at the Centennial Hall of Manila Hotel.The Philippines became even more recognized in the world of billiards in 2024 when 43-year-old Amit claimed the prestigious WPA Women’s World 9-Ball Championship held in New Zealand last September 2024.Amit was the first Filipina pool player to become a global 9-ball champion where in 2007, she finished as a runner-up and made it to the semifinals in 2018 and 2019. With her 3-1 win over Chen Siming of China, she took the elusive crown for herself. Amit displayed her strategic thinking best during the crucial seventh game. She also won the WPA Women’s 10-Ball Championships two times, way back in 2009 and 2013. She encourages other women to pursue billiards through the Amit Cup she started, where amateur women players can compete in a tournament. Amit hopes that future generations of Filipinas will take up the mantle and prove that women are just as capable of excelling in this sport.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters clinched their fifth win against Blackwater Bossing, 122-106, in their match last night, January 8, at the Philsports Arena in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.With the win, Elasto Painters now have a 5-1 win-loss record, while Black Water Bossing has a 1-6 win-loss in the team standings.The Elasto Painters immediately took off after posting a 23-point lead, 39-16 in the second quarter, where in the third quarter, Adrian Nocum and Caelan Tiongson scored points, and they were able to extend the lead against Bossing, 87-70 in the last three minutes of the third quarter, until the Elasto Painters did not give up their advantage in the fourth quarter after Thompson scored a goal in the last 1:37 minutes, causing the Elasto Painters to further extend their lead over the opponent, 118-101.Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao admitted that he was worried because his team had almost a three-week break from the holiday break last year, although they did not neglect their practice.“My primary concern at the beginning was how sharp are the guys going to be coming off almost a three-week break. We had good practices, but iba pa rin 'pag makikita mo sa laro,” Guiao said.Guiao also said that at the beginning of the match, they had a difficult time against their opponent, but the team did not allow the victory to slip away from them. He added that what is important for them right now is to advance to the next round of the game, and they need to secure seven wins to secure a spot in the playoffs.“This is our first game in the new year, medyo concerned ako kung paano nila lalaruin 'yung first game namin. Sa amin ang importante makarating ng next round, Ang tingin namin seven wins will assure you of a slot in the playoffs. So we have five wins now,”  Guiao added.Meanwhile, Rain or Shine was led by Deon Thompson, who scored 25 points, while Adrian Nocum, Leonard Santillan, Anton Asistio and Caelan Tiongson each scored 22, 20, 18, and 11 points.On Saturday, January 11, Rain or Shine will again try to win against the Phoenix Fuel Masters, while Black Water Bossing will try to get a win against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, January 12.

Filipina mixed martial artist Islay Erika Bomogao will fight for the second time in ONE Friday Fights 93  on January 10, to be held at the Lumpinee Stadium in Thailand.The Igorota Muay Thai fighter will face Chinese fighter Ran Longshu under the 101-pound catchweight Muay Thai.The fight between Bomogao and Longshu is one of 12 fights lined up this Friday, and she is the first Philippine fighter to see action at ONE Championship in 2025.Last year, Bombogao became world number 1 in the 45kg female elite division of the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA). She also defeated Fuu in her dazzling debut fight last November 2024, where she got a clear-cut unanimous decision win.Her first experience on the stage of Muay Thai gave her the thirst and she wanted to get back in the saddle.  

The Phoenix Fuel Masters crashed Terrafirma Dyip in their matchup last night, January 7, 2025, at the Philsports Arena in the continuation of the PBA Season Commissioner's Cup, 122-108.Donovan Smith led the team where he recorded 37 points, seven rebounds, three assists and five blocks.Smith says that they come into work every day with the same attitude regardless of whether they have won five straight or lost. What matters is that they just keep that positive mindset within the guys to make sure that they have the same goal, and they all worked together to win this game.

Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, the two bronze medalists in the 2024 Paris Olympics, will be the recipients of special recognition at the 2024 San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night, to be held on January 27 in the grand ballroom at the Manila Hotel.Petecio and Villegas, who accounted for a pair of bronze medals during the Summer Games, will be recognized with the President’s Award by the Philippine Sportswriters Association.Petecio emerged bronze winner in the women’s 57kg division, while Villegas secured the same medal in the 50 kg division.The bronze was the second Olympic medal won by the 32-year-old Petecio, adding to the silver that she bagged in the 2020 edition of the Games in Tokyo. In doing so, she also became the first ever Filipino boxer to clinch back-to-back podium finishes in the quadrennial meet.For the 29-year-old Villegas, it was a proud moment right in her Olympic debut as an underdog out of the compact five-man Philippine boxing team that competed.Aside from the two fearless lady boxers, gymnast Carlos Yulo is going to be feted with the highest honor as 2024 Athlete of the Year, wherein he added to the two glittering gold medals that he won in securing the best ever showing for Team Philippines in a century of participation in the quadrennial Games.According to PSA president Nelson Beltran, these Filipino athletes deserve high accolades for their own bright moments in the Paris Games, providing an extra push to the glorious Philippine performance. 

The Philippine National Weightlifting Team, is aiming to win a medal in the 2024 Asian Youth & Junior Weightlifting Championships to be held in Doha, Qatar, which started last Sunday, December 15 and will end on Christmas Day, Wednesday, on the 25th of December.The team is set to compete in the women’s youth division with Althea Bacaro in the -40kgs category where she submitted a total lift of 122 kgs.Joining Bacaro are Princess Jay Ann Diaz (40kgs and total-125kgs), Alexsandra Ann Diaz (45kgs), Jeaneth Hipolito (45kgs), Kim April Inan (-49kgs), Jhodie Peralta and Rosalinda Faustino in the -55kgs.Meanwhile, the men’s youth division is composed of Aldrin Colonia (-49kgs), Eron Borres (-49kgs), Prince Keil Delos Santos (-55kgs) and Jose Masangkay Dayao III (-67kgs). Lifting in the women’s junior category are Angeline Colonia (-45kgs) Rosejean Ramos (-45kgs) and Lovely Inan (-49kgs).Also participating in the men’s junior division are Eron Borres (-55kgs), Prince Keil Delos Santos (-55kgs), Eleaphraime Limmong (-55kgs) and Jose Masangkay Dayao III (-67kgs).Also, PH young Weightlifters will be led by Head of Delegation Monico Puentevella and coaches Patrick Lee, Edmundo S. Cardano, Allen Diaz, Kelly Kae Rojas and Joe Patrick Diaz.The delegation builds on the momentum of the Philippine senior weightlifting team, which recently achieved significant success at the IWF World Championships. Cebuano Fernando Agad clinched a bronze medal in the men’s 55-kilogram Group A division, while Rosegie Ramos earned a bronze in the women’s 49-kilogram category.

Filipino cue artist Jefrey Roda secured the championship in the 3rd Universal Chinese Taipei Open and the World Nineball Tour (WNT) ranking event title against Ko Pin Yi of Taipei in the finals.In the finals, Roda was down 8-11 to Ko Pin Yi but won the next five racks to seal the win 13-11.It was Roda's first WNT ranking title. He first defeated Johann Chua in the quarterfinal round, 11-3,and dominated Spain's Francis Sanchez Ruiz in the semis, 11-2.In his social media post, Roda expressed his gratitude to those who supported and believed in his skills and ability to win the competition and to become champion. 

Filipino cue artist Rodlin John “RJ” Bautista is in full swing as he prepares to participate in the Derby City Classic Open Tournament scheduled to be held from January 17 to 26, 2025 at the Caesars Southern Indiana Casino and Hotel in Elizabeth, Indiana, USA.According to Bautista, he will try his luck in the said tournament where he will face the best billiard players from around the world.

After the Green Archers failed to clinch the coveted championship in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball, Kevin Quiambao is about to leave his team for good.The De La Salle power forward confirmed this after signing a contract with the Goyang Sono Sky Gunners to play in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).In his post on social media, he said that he will continue his plan to play in the NBA someday.

Karl Eldrew Yulo did not stop on the medal hunt after winning eight gold medals in the recently concluded 2024 Chiu Wai Chung Cup in Hong Kong.Yulo dominated the eight individual and team events. He first won the individual all-around before successively winning all six apparatuses: floor exercise, vault, parallel bars, horizontal bar, pommel horse, and still rings, which the junior men’s artistic gymnastics team relied on to lead the team event.Yulo's victory was part of the 14 gold, six silver, and five bronze medals that the Philippines will bring home from tournaments hosted by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines in 2024.Yulo is currently being trained by Japanese gymnast coach Munehiro Kugemiya, who was the former coach of his older brother, Carlos Edriel "Caloy" Yulo, who won two gold medals in the Paris Olympics last August.Aside from Eldrew Yulo, the senior men's artistic gymnastics team also won the gold medal in the team event.Miguel Besana won three gold medals in the seniors individual all-around, floor exercise, and pommel horse, while Justine Ace De Leon led the way in the still rings and parallel bars mints.Besana also won three silver medals in the rings, parallel bars, and vault, and a bronze in the horizontal bar. De Leon also came home with a bronze in the vault.Among the other medalists are Hilarion Palles III for pommel horse bronze and parallel bars bronze, John Matthew Vergara for horizontal bar silver and parallel bars bronze, Jhon Romeo Santillan for floor exercise silver, and Jan Gwynn Timbang for pommel horse silver.

Congratulations poured in for Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo as he closed out 2024 with an impressive fight.Magsayo remained on track for a title shot after he demolished Ecuador’s Bryan Mercado inside two rounds in their lightweight bout last Sunday (Manila time) in Long Beach, California.Magsayo dropped Mercado four times with left hooks to the body.Currently ranked third in the WBC super featherweight division, Magsayo is targeting a world title eliminator against Eduardo Hernandez of Mexico, where his promoter Sean Gibbons is working hard to seal the fight.The pride of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, has garnered admiration from fans and fellow Filipino boxers, but he has a lot of work to do to prepare for bigger fights in 2025.He once held the WBC featherweight strap after edging Gary Russell Jr. by majority decision in January 2022 before losing to Vargas on points six months later.The 29-year-old is rated in the top five by the four major sanctioning bodies, including No. 3 by the WBC and WBO. He is highly likely to contend for a belt next year.Magsayo was aggressive from the get-go and was just simply too good for Mercado (11-7-1, 6KOs). He knocked down Mercado for the first time late in the first round with a vicious left hook to the body.Magsayo has been on a resurgence since suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of two-division champions Rey Vargas and Brandon Figueroa.

Filipino boxers secured their winning medals in the recently concluded ASBC Asian Elite Men and Women Championships 2024 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.The Philippines concluded its campaign with a silver and 4 bronze medals.Marrvin Tabamo led the pack and settled for a silver medal on Wednesday's finals of the men's 51-kilogram category after losing via unanimous decision to Uzbekistan's Asilbek Jalilov.In the tournament, he defeated Siiovush Mukhammadiiev of Ukraine in the first round via unanimous decision, Wang Xiangkun of China in the quarterfinals via split decision, and Hsu Po Hau of Taiwan via referee stoppage in the semifinals.With Tabamo's finish, the Philippine delegation still left Thailand with 5 medals; one silver from Tabamo and four bronze medals from others: Jay Bryan Baricuatro (men's 48kg), Mark Ashley Fajardo (men's 63.5kg), Ian Clark Bautista (men's 57kg), and Riza Pasuit (women's 57kg).

Few months before the start of the 87th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women's volleyball tournament, Dr. Obet Vital filed his resignation as the head coach of UE women's volleyball team last Tuesday, December 10. Although for Dr. Vital, it was a tough decision he made, but there are things beyond their  control. According to the chief tactician of the Recto-based volleyball squad, there were differences in vision, particularly regarding the program of development, especially in grassroots initiatives, and the long-term direction of the team. Also, the approach is not maintained and no longer aligned. 

Troy Rosario made no mistake in choosing Barangay Ginebra to be his second home. For him, the fulfillment of his childhood dream came into being. His first game with the Gin Kings last Wednesday night was the culmination of his ambition in the league ever since he was a child. “Finally, it's been a childhood dream nga eh to wear that jersey. Talagang masarap sa pakiramdam. Pagdating ko pa lang dito sa venue, talagang ‘yun ‘yung tinignan ko eh, kung nasaan ‘yung jersey ko. Finally, masusuot ka na rin,” said Rosario.Rosario played his first game in a Ginebra uniform against the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup action last night, which they won, 109-100.The 6-foot-7 big man started and played 30 minutes. He contributed with nine points, seven rebounds and three assists on 4-of-11 shooting.Rosario also admitted that the Gin Kings was the last team that spoke to him through the intercession of Scottie Thompson, his former teammate way back then in the PBA D-League.

The De La Salle Green Archers forced a 1-1 tie with the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament series on Wednesday night, December 11, at the MOA Arena, 76-75.The match between the Green Archers and the Fighting Maroons was heated from the start. De La Salle's win forced them to proceed to Game 3. The Green Archers also showed their solid offense and defense, which were the reasons why they held the advantage at the end of the half.Kevin Quiambao led La Salle with his 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Mike Philips contributed 18 markers, 12 boards, two deflections, and one dime.According to Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson, one of the keys to their victory was their trust in each other's abilities, especially their trust in God, who’s said to be able to give them victory or defeat, and they expressed their gratitude to Him.

Another bronze medal was delivered by Rosegie Ramos for the six-man Philippines team in the IWF World Championships in Bahrain. The 20-year-old weightlifter achieved a total lift of 88kgs in the snatch and 105kgs in the clean-and-jerk for a total lift of 193kgs in the 49-kg category.Ri Song Gum of North Korea dominated the women’s 49-kg event after lifting a total of 213kgs behind a snatch of 91kgs and a clean-and-jerk of 122kgs.Meanwhile, Linxiang Xiang setteled for a silver after lifting a snatch of 92kgs and a clean-and-jerk of 120kgs for a total lift of 212kgs.Her success was followed by another bronze medal for the Philippines when Fernando Agad Jr. excelled in the men’s 55-kg category.After receiving the medal, the weightlifter from Zamboanga City expressed her gratitude in a long post on her official social media page.

The long wait is over. After receiving a green light from his doctor, Joshua “The Passion” is now cleared and ready for some training and action to face him for the third time and close the book against Jarred Brooks in ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship unification at ONE 171 on February 20, 2025.This third showdown between the two talented rivals is set to take place at the Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar where they once met and fought last March of this year.

Noelito Jose defended his men's epee title, while Charmaine Andres led the women's saber podium in the Southeast Asian Fencing Federation (SEAFF) Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Jose, who swept all his pool matches, beat top seed Phuoc Den Nguyen of Vietnam, 15-14, in the finals. He earlier downed Malaysians Mohd Maideen, 15-1, and Yam Ethan, 15-6, and Nguyen Minh Hieu of Vietnam,15-7 in the semis. Meanwhile, the US-based Andres defeated former SEA Games champion Jylyn Nicanor, 15-8, in the gold medal match, while Janna Catantan won the silver medal.Allaine Nicole Cortey bowed to Sharmaine Andres, 14-15, in the semis, and got the bronze.Wilhelmina Lozada, on the other hand, became the back-to-back champion in the Women’s Foil Individual event at the Southeast Asian Fencing Championships.Other Filipino fencers also garnered their medals as follows: Gold medal for Men’s Foil Individual: Nathaniel Perez, Silver medal for Women’s Épée Individual: Ashley May Michelle Harrison, and Bronze medal for Men’s Foil Individual: Shawn Nicollei Felipe. 

Carl Jammes "Wonder Boy" Martin posted a fifth-round knockout against his Mexican opponent Juan Tostado in their super-bantamweight contest on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) in Tijuana, Mexico.The referee called a mercy halt to the bout after Martin dropped Tostado with a barrage of head shots.The native from Ifugao made sure his lofty world rating was going to stay, and the impressive victory could elevate him to top contender from No. 2 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and in the top five from No. 7 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF).Tostado managed to get up, but the third man on the ring was wise enough to stop the carnage, allowing the Filipino southpaw to raise his record to 24-0 with 19 knockouts.The victory of “Wonder “Boy” over Tostado was Martin’s second fight outside the Philippines after relocating from his homebase in Lagawe, Ifugao.Meanwhile, Tostado already has a boxing record of 27-15-1 win-loss-draw with 10 of his wins being knockouts.Last September, Martin also knocked out Mexican boxer Anthony Jimenez Salas in Sinaloa.