PBA’s 3-year ban: Protecting teams or limiting players?

As the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee continues its investigation into alleged multi-billion-peso “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry Alcantara has emerged as a central figure in the controversy. 

Alcantara, known for his regular presence in the VIP section at PBA games—especially when Ginebra or Gilas Pilipinas play—reportedly bought VIP tickets in bulk, often reserving prime seats beside the Ginebra bench for family and friends.

Alcantara’s connection to high-profile sporting events has drawn further public attention as the Senate probe unfolds.

“Si Sir Henry, regular ‘yan sa PBA games lalo na kapag playoffs ng Ginebra. Gusto pa niya mismo sa tabi ng Ginebra bench. Kadalasan nga napagkakamalang team official ng Ginebra yan,” said one insider.

FRIEND TO PLAYERS

Being a courtside regular allowed Alcantara to develop close ties with some league officials and players.

“Mabait ‘yan. Alam ko nga maraming tinutulungang players sa liga. Alam ko siya rin ang ninong ng mga players lalo na kapag may guesting at appearances sa Bulacan,” another source revealed.

“Nilalapitan at inaakap ng mga player sa courtside ‘yan tuwing may games. Madalas pa nga kinukuhang ninong ng mga players sa anak nila,” the source added.

A PRICEY HABIT

Another observer noted how Alcantara spared no expense for big games. 

During Game 7 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals between Ginebra and TNT last March 28, he reportedly purchased six VIP tickets for his family. Each ticket cost around ₱5,000.

“Hindi biro ang ticket sa VIP ha. Ang mahal nun saka usually pag ganun, ubos agad. Tapos Game 7 pa. Yan yung mga seats na usually bakante lang sa eliminations — pero katabi ng coaching staff at management ng team,” the source pointed out.

Even at Gilas Pilipinas’ send-off game against the Macau Black Bears last July 28, Alcantara was spotted courtside with his family and friends, watching as the national team rallied from a 21-point deficit to win, 103-98.

FAMILY OFF-LIMITS

As Alcantara’s name continues to circulate in connection with the flood control scandal, one PBA official appealed to the public to keep his children out of the online backlash.

Several political blogs and pages have circulated photos of Alcantara and his kids — including one son who plays varsity basketball.

“Wala namang kinalalaman yung mga bata kaya sana, yung mga sports fans na kasama sa nagagalit sa nangyari, sana hindi idamay,” the PBA official urged.

The Filipino people have witnessed the remarkable journey of tennis star Alex Eala, whose resilience and determination have shone through despite facing numerous challenges on the tennis court.

While her previous matches, particularly in the past year, were difficult, one thing became abundantly clear: Eala is not one to give up. Her unwavering spirit and passion for the sport, especially her dream of securing a championship, continue to fuel her pursuit of greatness.

At the young age of 13, Eala set off for Mallorca, Spain to join a training camp at the famous Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy.

This is where Eala's talent was shaped, where she won several junior division titles, including Grand Slam victories, with her most notable achievement being her triumph in the girls' singles at the US Open in 2022. She also captured the girls' doubles title at the Australian Open in 2020 and the French Open in 2021, further establishing her as a force to be reckoned with in the tennis world.

Eala proved to herself and the Filipino people that one day she will also get the championship she had always dreamed of.

And she was not wrong, Eala made a statement at the prestigious Miami Open held in Miami, Florida. She knocked out world-class tennis players, including a memorable victory over reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys of the United States and World No. 2 Iga Świątek.

These wins solidified her status as a rising star on the global tennis stage and demonstrated her ability to compete with the very best.

Amidst her growing success, Eala hopes that it will greatly help tennis expand further in the Philippines and the entire Southeast Asian and Asian regions. Her victories have opened doors for tennis in regions that are traditionally less represented in the sport, and she hopes to continue paving the way for aspiring athletes in the region.

As of April 7, 2025, Eala has risen to 73rd place in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings, a significant achievement for the 19-year-old athlete.

Because of this, Eala’s chances of having a direct entry into the four major tennis tournaments around the world that are mainly attended by tennis legends have increased.

This includes the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

The young Filipina’s breakthrough in Miami and her continued success on the international stage have made her one of the most promising young talents in the sport today.

Her hard work, discipline, and passion for tennis have earned her the respect of the global tennis community and many young people in the Philippines want to emulate her and follow in her footsteps, especially in achieving dreams and ambitions in life.

A first-round exit in singles may not have been the result Alex Eala hoped for at the Bad Homburg Open, but focusing solely on the loss would miss the bigger picture of her continued growth on the professional circuit.

Eala bowed out in the Round of 32 after falling to World No. 26 Elise Mertens, 3-6, 3-6. While the scoreline reflected the experience gap between the two players, the match also served as another valuable lesson for the young Filipina as she continues her transition into the highest levels of women's tennis.

Even with the early singles exit, Eala still walked away with €11,309 (approximately ₱700,000) in prize money for her main-draw appearance. More importantly, she gained another opportunity to test herself against one of the sport's established stars on a prestigious WTA stage.

What makes this tournament particularly encouraging is that Eala's story in Bad Homburg did not end with that singles defeat.

Instead, she found new momentum in doubles alongside tennis legend Venus Williams. Their partnership has drawn global attention and given Eala a unique opportunity to learn from one of the greatest players in tennis history. Beyond the victories and results, sharing the court with Williams offers invaluable experience that cannot be measured by rankings or prize money alone.

For Eala, every tournament at this stage of her career is about building confidence, sharpening her game, and proving that she belongs among the world's best. Losses are inevitable in professional tennis, especially for a young player facing elite competition. What matters is how those experiences are transformed into future success.

The encouraging sign is that Eala continues to show resilience. Rather than allowing a singles setback to define her tournament, she has remained focused and competitive in doubles, demonstrating the maturity and mindset required to thrive on the professional tour.

The job is not yet finished in Bad Homburg. With her doubles campaign still alive and bigger tournaments ahead, Eala's focus should remain on trusting her abilities and embracing the opportunities in front of her. Every match, whether a win or a loss, is another step toward the player she is becoming.

For Philippine tennis fans, there is every reason to remain excited. The results may vary from week to week, but the trajectory remains clear: Alex Eala is gaining experience, earning respect, and steadily building the confidence needed to compete with the very best in the world. Her journey is still unfolding, and some of its most memorable chapters may still be ahead.

Athlete Ronniel expressed his sincere gratitude on social media following his wedding to Cherry, thanking everyone who helped make their special day a success.

In a heartfelt message, the newlyweds thanked God, their parents, family members, godparents, friends, teammates, and suppliers for their support and contributions to the celebration.

Ronniel and Cherry said their wedding was made even more meaningful by the love, prayers, and encouragement they received from those who shared in their milestone.

The couple also extended their appreciation to all guests and supporters who helped create lasting memories as they begin a new chapter together as husband and wife.

The Memphis Grizzlies have added a cornerstone piece to their future after selecting standout forward Cameron Boozer with the third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the draft class, Boozer arrives in Memphis following a stellar season with the Duke Blue Devils. The versatile forward averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while shooting an efficient 51 percent from the field.

Boozer's combination of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking made him one of college basketball's most dominant players. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor is expected to complement the Grizzlies' young core as the franchise looks to remain competitive in the Western Conference.

With his proven production and high ceiling, Memphis hopes Boozer can develop into a franchise star and play a key role in the team's pursuit of future success.