Makati FC captured the Girls 13 title at the Gothia World Youth Cup with a commanding 6-0 victory over the San Francisco Seals of the United States in Gothenburg, Sweden, last Saturday, July 19.Nafeeza Ayasha Nori starred for Makati FC, scoring four goals—including a second-half hat-trick—to lead her team to an unbeaten run in the tournament. This triumph marks back-to-back Gothia Cup crowns for much of the same squad that claimed last year’s Girls 12 championship.“We won because we worked as a team and played really well,” said Nori.Chayada Sawangarom, Ariana Gementiza, and Nori all found the net in the first half, giving Makati FC a 3-0 cushion at halftime. The team completed a perfect 8-0 record on their way to the title.“Winning the Gothia Cup for the second time is such an honor, especially since this tournament brings together some of the best teams from around the world. Defending our title was our biggest challenge. The pressure motivated us and gave us more reason to win.” said Gementiza. This year marks Makati FC’s 40th appearance in the prestigious youth football tournament.In the semifinals, Makati FC was equally dominant, defeating Sweden’s Boo FF 6-0. On the boys’ side, Makati FC’s Boys 14 team exited in the Round of 32 after a narrow 2-1 loss to Latvia’s JDFS Alberts 2, following an undefeated group stage campaign.

Strong Group Athletics-Philippines capped off a flawless 8-0 run at the William Jones Cup, clinching an emphatic 87-62 victory over the United Arab Emirates on Sunday at Xinzhuang Gymnasium.With the title already secured ahead of the final game, the Filipinos left no doubt, sealing back-to-back championships and the country’s eighth overall Jones Cup crown.“We’re happy to win another championship. We never take anything for granted, now a two-time Jones Cup champion with Strong Group. “Our bosses go all out to support us every time we represent the country.” said coach Charles Tiu.UAE kept things close in the first half, trailing by just one at the break, 37-36. But Strong Group broke the game open in the third quarter behind a surge from Tajuan Agee and Allen Liwag. Kiefer Ravena and Dave Ildefonso delivered big shots in the fourth to put the game away.Agee paced the team with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Ravena contributed 13 points and 9 assists, while DJ Fenner and Ian Miller scored 12 each. Ildefonso added 10 points. Andre Roberson, who starred throughout the tournament, sat out the finale.The Filipinos dominated the second half, outscoring UAE 50-26, and extended their unbeaten streak to 16 games over the last two Jones Cup editions. Their run included wins over top teams like Chinese-Taipei Blue, Japan Developmental, Qatar, Australia’s NBL1 Rising Stars, Malaysia, and Bahrain.Coach Tiu praised his squad’s chemistry and commitment: “It’s special because I don’t know if we’ll have this group again. But these guys were willing to sacrifice—something that’s very rare.”

PLDT High Speed Hitters had to be rescued from their training facility along G. Araneta Avenue in Quezon City after heavy rains from the southwest monsoon (habagat) left the flood-prone area submerged yesterday, Monday.The team was stranded inside their gym since the afternoon, passing the time with meals and an improvised karaoke session while waiting for help. At around 9 p.m., the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Army arrived, safely evacuating players and staff via rescue boats.“Maraming salamat po to our Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Army and our volley friends who assisted in rescuing our High Speed Hitters out of the Araneta Avenue area. We know your night is far from over and there are more people to help. We hope and pray you all return home safely. Again, thank you so much!”  the team expressed on social media. About an hour after the rescue, several players took to Instagram to share updates and further gratitude to their rescuers.PLDT is scheduled to fly out in a few days for the Cebu City leg of the 2025 PVL on Tour, where they’ll put their unbeaten record on the line against co-league leader Nxled (July 26) and Galeries Tower (July 27).

Cignal bounced back from a tough loss and clinched the first outright quarterfinal berth in Pool B, defeating ZUS Coffee, 25-22, 25-17, 21-25, 25-16, in the PVL On Tour at the City of Passi Arena on Sunday.After dropping the third set and missing out on a sweep, the HD Spikers responded with a dominant fourth set. Erika Santos led the way with a stellar 30-point performance, blending power and creativity to guide Cignal to a one-hour, 51-minute victory.Cignal seized control early in the fourth, racing to a 6-2 lead with key contributions from Ishie Lalongisip, Jackie Acuña, Heather Guino-o, and playmaker Gel Cayuna. The team also capitalized on ZUS Coffee’s errors and showcased superb floor defense, anchored by libero Buding Duremdes.Santos sealed the win with a blistering down-the-line hit for her 30th point, pushing Cignal to match point. After a brief delay by a Chinnie Arroyo hit, Cignal closed out the match by winning a floor touch challenge.The win lifted Cignal to a 4-1 record and secured their place at the top of group play, guaranteeing a spot in the quarterfinals. Despite her standout performance, Santos credited the team.“We prepared hard for this. Yesterday, we were a bit off, but this time we stayed composed and just enjoyed the game. Everyone sacrificed.” said Santos. Lalongisip and Acuña added 15 and 11 points, respectively, while Roselyn Doria-Aquino, Tin Tiamzon, and Cayuna all contributed on both ends. Cayuna also tallied 27 excellent sets, outplaying her counterpart Cloanne Mondonedo.For ZUS Coffee, Arroyo topscored with 20 points, while Chai Troncoso, Fiola Ceballos, and rookie AC Miner provided support.Cignal’s firepower was evident as they outgunned ZUS Coffee, 71-49, and controlled the net with a 9-5 edge in blocks, overcoming their 23 unforced errors. ZUS Coffee, meanwhile, committed 15 errors of their own.After falling behind 0-2, the Thunderbelles rallied in the third set, fueled by Arroyo’s attacks and a timely timeout by coach Jerry Yee. However, Cignal shut the door in the fourth, refusing to let the match extend to a fifth set.A five-day break now awaits before the action resumes in Cebu City on Saturday, July 26, with Nxled taking on PLDT and Galeries Tower facing Farm Fresh at the USJ-R Coliseum. 

The San Miguel Beermen are just one win away from reclaiming their throne atop the PBA, taking a commanding 3-1 lead over the TNT Tropang 5G in the Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals. San Miguel powered past TNT, 105-91, Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.Jericho Cruz was the catalyst for the Beermen, exploding for 23 points—15 of them in the pivotal fourth quarter—sinking five triples. Conference Best Player June Mar Fajardo added a double-double of 15 points, 16 rebounds, plus three steals and two blocks.“The biggest factor was Game 1. It fueled our grit—you could see in our players’ eyes that they want to win. We had a bad start, but the bench brought energy and aggression. This was also the first time we really shot well from deep, and that was key,” said head coach Leo Austria.Cruz also reflected on the controversial Game 1 loss, which continues to motivate the team. “We thought we had that first game, but that’s behind us now. Boss Alfrancis Chua told me to just play my game and ignore the outside noise.”CJ Perez chipped in 16 points, five assists, and three rebounds, Don Trollano contributed 11 points, six boards, and three assists, while Marcio Lassiter added 10 points for San Miguel.The Beermen will aim to clinch the Best-of-7 series and dash TNT’s Grand Slam hopes on Wednesday, July 23, at the Araneta Coliseum.The game remained tight at 73-72 with just over eight minutes left, but Cruz drilled a crucial three to extend San Miguel’s lead. Although RR Pogoy quickly answered, Cruz and Trollano took over, pushing the Beermen ahead 84-79. Fajardo and Perez then combined for back-to-back buckets, stretching the lead to nine. TNT’s Glenn Khobuntin managed an and-one to cut the deficit to six, but that was as close as TNT would get.Jordan Heading paced TNT with 23 points and five assists, while Kelly Williams and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser scored 14 apiece. RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana added 11 each. However, nothing could stop San Miguel, as TNT dropped its third straight game after narrowly winning Game 1.

Eumir Marcial made a triumphant return to the professional ranks, delivering a statement win on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao–Mario Barrios bout at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.Marcial, now 6-0 with four knockouts, remained undefeated after stopping American Bernard Joseph in the third round of their 163-pound catchweight contest.After a cautious start, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist found his rhythm, punishing Joseph with powerful body shots. Marcial floored his opponent with a hook in the second round, then sealed the win in the third by sending Joseph to the canvas once more with a thunderous left. The referee waved off the fight at 1:55 of the round when Joseph failed to beat the count.With this impressive victory, Marcial inches closer to a world title shot, further cementing his reputation as one of the Philippines’ most promising boxing talents.

Mark "Magnifico" Magsayo showed why he remains one of the Philippines’ brightest boxing hopes, as he earned a convincing unanimous decision win over Mexico’s Jorge Mata Cuellar in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Barrios showdown at the MGM Grand Arena.It wasn’t easy. Cuellar proved to be a rugged, resilient opponent, forcing Magsayo into a gritty 10-round battle filled with powerful exchanges. But in the end, it was the former world champion from Tagbilaran City, Bohol who came out on top.Two judges saw the fight as a 100-90 shutout, while the third scored it 98-92 — all in favor of Magsayo, who improved to 28 wins (18 by KO) against 2 losses. The win also earned him the WBC Continental Americas super featherweight title, adding momentum to his march back to world title contention.“He was tough. He took a lot of shots but kept firing back. I had to stay sharp all the way,” Magsayo said after the bout.While the scorecards suggest a dominant performance, the reality inside the ring told a tougher story. Cuellar absorbed Magsayo’s best shots — especially in the fourth round where the Filipino let loose a flurry of clean power punches — and still managed to respond with sharp counterattacks.The victory marks a successful U.S. return for Magsayo, whose last title reign came after dethroning Gary Russell Jr. in 2022 to become the WBC featherweight world champion.Now competing in the super featherweight division, Magsayo is once again on the brink of a world title shot, and Saturday’s win solidified his position in the queue.“We’re staying focused. I can’t be complacent. The goal is to be world champion again,” he said.With the win, Magsayo made it 2-0 for Filipino fighters on the Pacquiao-Barrios undercard, following Eumir Marcial’s earlier victory — a strong showing for Philippine boxing on one of its grandest nights.“Hats off to Jorge Mata, he is a tough fighter. Thank you for giving a great show to the boxing fans tonight. Big thank you to my team for all the improvements you made to me — I owe it to all of you,” Magsayo concluded.

Mario Barrios narrowly retained his WBC welterweight title after a dramatic battle with People's Champ and former eight division titlist Manny Pacquiao which ended in a majority draw at the MGM Grand. Throughout the fight, Pacquiao’s trademark grit and ring savvy kept Barrios guessing, fueling hopes of yet another fairy-tale chapter in the Filipino legend’s storied career.But Barrios surged in the final three rounds—sweeping them on all three judges’ scorecards—to do just enough to hold on to his belt. One judge scored the bout 115-113 for Barrios, while the other two saw it even at 114-114.“I thought I won the fight. It was close. My opponent was very tough, but it was a wonderful fight.” said Pacquiao.For Barrios, sharing the ring with Pacquiao was an honor: “I thought I pulled it out, but I tip my hat to Manny. His stamina, power, and rhythm are still incredible. He’s a tough puzzle to solve.” Barrios said. The result elicited a muted response from the MGM Grand crowd, who had cheered Pacquiao’s attempt at a storybook comeback. Ultimately, Barrios keeps his crown, while Pacquiao once again proves he can compete with the best—even at 46.

The NCAA is heading back to where it all began.In a landmark decision, the league is set to return to the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum for its Season 101, marking a symbolic homecoming to one of Philippine sports' most iconic venues.The move was made official after the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) gave the green light, clearing all logistical hurdles to host NCAA events at the restored coliseum.The Rizal Memorial Coliseum has been an enduring symbol of Filipino athletic history. First opened in 1934, it has hosted countless memorable moments—from collegiate rivalries to international competitions. Its return as the NCAA’s battleground underscores the league’s commitment to honoring its deep roots while pushing forward into a new era, serving as the league’s iconic home and witnessing countless memorable games until 2005.“This is truly where the NCAA’s identity was forged. Back in the day, the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and the NCAA were one and the same,” told by the acting Management Committee chairman Atty. Jonas Cabochan of San Beda University. The NCAA’s return has been warmly received by newly appointed PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio.“We welcome back the NCAA with open arms. This is their home,” Gregorio affirmed.The coliseum’s central location stands to benefit most member schools, many of which are based in Manila or the southern parts of Metro Manila—such as San Sebastian, San Beda, St. Benilde, Arellano, EAC, Letran, Mapúa, Lyceum, JRU, and Perpetual Help.“Having the NCAA back here will draw bigger crowds for every game and reinforce the vibrant spirit that has always defined the league,” Gregorio added.The NCAA is planning a soft launch at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in September, followed by a grand opening in October.Additionally, gymnastics, boxing, and weightlifting are being considered as demonstration sports for Season 101, highlighting disciplines that have brought honor to the Philippines in the Olympics, even though they will not yet be part of the official medal tally.

Don’t miss the chance to witness history in the making as Filipino Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial returns to the ring on the undercard of the blockbuster Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios bout this Sunday, July 20, 2025 (Manila time) in Las Vegas.Marcial, one of the Philippines’ brightest boxing stars, was originally set to face Mexico’s Alexis Gaytan in an eight-round middleweight showdown. But with Gaytan sidelined by an injury, Marcial will now take on the formidable American, Bernard Joseph—a fresh challenge that promises even more excitement.This isn’t just another bout for Marcial. It’s a pivotal moment in his journey from Olympic hero to professional contender, and all eyes will be on him as he steps into the global spotlight once again. With his relentless drive and world-class skills, Marcial is determined to prove he’s a force in the pro ranks.As the world tunes in to celebrate Manny Pacquiao’s legendary comeback, make sure you’re there to cheer for the next generation of Filipino boxing greatness. Eumir Marcial’s fight is a must-watch—don’t miss this electrifying night of action. Team Pacquiao and Marcial are already heading to Las Vegas in great condition following intense strength and conditioning programs and heavy sparring sessions, along with the heavy pain and trials they endured after a disappointing result in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Philippines made a strong statement in their opening match at the U23 ASEAN Championship Mandiri Cup, defeating Malaysia 2-0 on Wednesday, July 16, at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.Otu Banatao starred for the U23 squad, netting both goals and securing the team's first win over Malaysia since the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, as well as their first tournament victory since a 2-1 triumph over Brunei in 2022.Banatao opened the scoring in the ninth minute, finishing off a well-placed pass from Javier Mariona, before doubling the lead in the 40th minute to complete his brace.Solid defensive work from goalkeeper Nic Guimaraes and defenders Joshua Merino, Noah Leddel, Ziggy Taningco, and Kamil Amirul helped the Philippines preserve the clean sheet.Next, the Philippines will take on defending champions Vietnam on Friday, July 18.Head coach Garrath McPherson credited his staff for the team's preparation, saying: “I would like to thank our assistant coach Popoy Clarino and our goalkeeper coach Joan Lleida, who held a training camp a week prior. Every little thing helps. With a short journey, you need to prioritize what you want to know and understand. We focused on key areas, kept things simple, and let the players take it from there.”

Bella Belen has officially taken her talents to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), inking a multi-year deal with the Capital1 Solar Spikers following her selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 PVL Rookie draft, confirming the much-anticipated move.Co-owner Milka Romero made the official announcement of the Premier Volleyball League top rookie pick’s signing on social media.“Welcome to the Capital1 family,” Romero posted, sealing Belen’s jump to the pros.While Belen has been seen supporting the team courtside in recent weeks. Her fans will have to wait a bit before seeing the young phenom in action. Belen will only debut for Capital1 in October, as she is still committed to her national team duties with Alas Pilipinas.It’s important to note that this amount is only a starting baseline under the PVL’s salary scale system—teams are free to negotiate and offer higher pay based on player value and contract terms.With her official entry into the pro ranks, Belen brings her championship pedigree and MVP credentials from National University to a Capital1 squad eager to build a competitive foundation for the future. Her debut may still be a few months away, but the anticipation surrounding one of Philippine volleyball’s brightest stars continues to grow.

For the first time in history, the Gilas Pilipinas Women are poised to chase a spot in the FIBA Women’s World Cup.The Filipinas clinched a berth in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament after narrowly defeating Lebanon, 73-70, during the group stage of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup on Wednesday, July 16, at the Shenzhen Sports Center in Shenzhen, China.This crucial win propelled the Philippines into the quarterfinals of the Women’s Asia Cup and guaranteed them an automatic place in the World Cup qualifiers, courtesy of a secured top-six finish in the tournament.“This win represents everything that we’ve been working hard for in the last 10 years or so. We’re glad to be competing and not just staying in Division A, but we still have to improve and we hope we level up again soon,” said Gilas Women’s head coach Pat Aquino.Five Gilas players scored in double figures in the hard-fought victory, led by Naomi Panganiban’s 15 points, highlighted by two clutch free throws with just 8.3 seconds left.Sumayah Sugapong iced two crucial free throws at the 2:18 mark in the fourth quarter to give the Philippines a 71-66 lead, but Lebanon clawed back, trimming the deficit to just 71-69 with 1:15 to play. After Sugapong missed a potential game-sealing three, Lebanon’s Jillian Archer split her free throws, making it 71-70 with under a minute remaining.Panganiban then calmly knocked down her pressure-packed free throws to stretch the lead to 73-70, and Lebanon failed to attempt a game-tying three as time expired.Sugapong and Jack Animam each added 14 points for Gilas, with Animam also hauling down a game-high 16 rebounds. Vanessa de Jesus chipped in 13 points, while Kacey dela Rosa contributed 10, helping the team withstand blowing a 17-point first-quarter lead.The Philippines overcame a stellar performance from Archer, who tallied a game-high 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting and 10 rebounds for Lebanon.Gilas Women finished third in Group B with a 1-2 record. They will take a one-day break on Thursday, July 17, before facing the No. 2 seed from Group A in the quarterfinals on Friday, July 18, at 4:30 pm.The Scores:PHILIPPINES 73 – Panganiban 15, Sugapong 14, Animam 14, De Jesus 13, Dela Rosa 10, Pastrana 7, Castillo 0, Fajardo 0, Surada 0, Ozar 0, Pagdulagan 0.LEBANON 70 – Archer 23, Akl 13, Elias 10, Mansour 7, Naassan 6, Ghaleb 6, Fayad 3, Labban 2, Raffoul 0.Quarters: 29-12, 41-37, 55-57, 73-70.

The San Miguel Beermen have tied the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals at 1-1 after defeating the TNT Tropang 5G, 98-92, in Game 2 on Wednesday, July 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Don Trollano delivered a breakout performance off the bench, tallying 22 points on an efficient 10-of-16 shooting from the floor. He also grabbed six rebounds and handed out an assist, leading San Miguel's charge to equalize the series.June Mar Fajardo provided solid support with 17 markers, nine boards, three dimes, and one steal. Mo Tautuaa also stepped up, sealing the win with a wide-open layup to close the game without any controversy. He ended with 16 points and four rebounds.Jeron Teng made his presence felt with 10 markers—all in the first half—while assistant playing coach Chris Ross showcased his trademark leadership and defensive intensity, wrapping up the game with seven points, four rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.

After a close Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals — marred by the “basket interference” controversy — protagonists San Miguel Beermen and TNT Tropang 5G now focus on winning Game 2.San Miguel, the winningest franchise in PBA history, will try to tie the series at 1-1 while moving past their opening game loss, which was clouded by the PBA technical committee’s review of Mo Tautuaa’s dunk.They will once again bank on the dominance of eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, along with CJ Perez and the rest of the squad, to get the equalizer.

Despite acknowledging the pressure, rising Filipino gymnast Karl Eldrew Yulo is confident he can deliver a strong performance in front of a hometown crowd when the 3rd Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships unfold from November 20 to 24 at the Manila Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.“I hope I can make a good performance because I want to be one of the best junior gymnasts in the world,” said the 17-year-old Yulo. “This is my major international competition this year, and, with the help of God, I want to show the world my best,” he added.Yulo recently trained in Nagoya, Japan under the guidance of esteemed coach Munehiro Kugimiya, as part of his final preparations for the prestigious tournament. Alongside him during his media appearance was Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) President Cynthia Carrion, who emphasized support over pressure.“I won’t be putting any pressure on Eldrew, so I would be happy if he wins a silver at the world juniors,” said Carrion.The Philippines earned the hosting rights for the Junior World Championships after a successful bid during the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Congress last year in Doha, Qatar. Carrion credited FIG President Morinari Watanabe for championing the country’s bid, especially following Carlos Yulo’s Olympic triumph in Paris.Nearly 80 countries and 600 athletes are expected to compete in the five-day event, which marks a milestone for Philippine gymnastics.  Joining Yulo as the country’s female representative is US-based Elisabeth Antone, who earned a bronze medal at the Asian Junior Championships last June in South Korea. Due to the Philippines not participating in the previous edition in Antalya, Turkey, only one male and one female gymnast can compete under the FIG rules for this edition.Carrion remains hopeful that both gymnasts will rise to the occasion, bolstered by the energy of the Filipino crowd.“You know how inspiring our Filipino fans are, so we expect them to root for both Yulo and Antone during the world juniors,” she added.For Karl Eldrew, this competition carries extra meaning, as it will be his final outing in the junior division before moving up to the senior ranks next year.“This is going to be my first and last time competing in the world juniors and in the Philippines. Next year I will be competing as a senior, so may konting pressure,” said Yulo.Carrion emphasized the long-term goal of preparing Yulo for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, with plans for continued training under coach Kugimiya in Japan.“I believe that he can be our best now at the world juniors, although other countries will also be putting their best foot forward,” she added.Carrion summed it up best: “It would be fantastic for us Filipinos if Karl can pull this off. It would be nice for the Philippines to see a world champion crowned on our home soil.”

Alas Pilipinas Men are expected to be at full strength with the anticipated return of star spikers Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas just in time for the country's hosting of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship this September.Bagunas, who has been sidelined for nearly a year due to a left knee injury suffered during the 2024 SEA V.League against Indonesia, is steadily progressing in his recovery. Meanwhile, Espejo sustained a left ankle injury during the 2025 AVC Nations Cup loss to Pakistan in June.Both captains are optimistic about their recovery timelines and are aiming to be match-ready by the time the world championship kicks off.“Okay naman po. Every day rehab at naka-recover naman na po,” said Espejo. “Target ko po talaga is maging 100 percent sa darating na World Championship.”Bagunas shared similar confidence. “On track naman yung therapy ko. This week, may hop test na ko so malalaman na kung makakapag-full training na ako with Alas.”Despite their individual recoveries, Espejo acknowledged that the team still has a long way to go before contending with the world’s best.“Honestly speaking po, super layo pa talaga. Pero yun nga, one day at a time, one tournament at a time. Ibibigay namin yung pinaka-maximum potential ng team na hopefully, mailabas namin,” he added.The return of Espejo and Bagunas brings a massive boost to the national team’s morale and competitiveness as the Philippines hosts the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship for the first time, with hopes of making a strong impression on the global stage.

Amanda Anisimova delivered a stunning upset by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka, propelling herself into the Wimbledon final with a hard-fought victory of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. This milestone marks Anisimova's first appearance in a Wimbledon final and highlights her exceptional prowess as a power-hitter, particularly under the blazing sun on Centre Court.After two intense hours and 36 minutes of fierce competition, Anisimova expressed her disbelief and excitement regarding her remarkable achievement. “This doesn’t feel real right now. Aryna is such a tough competitor... to emerge victorious and secure a spot in the final of Wimbledon is nothing short of incredible,” she declared.Anisimova's journey to this final is historic; she became only the second player in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam final after experiencing a setback in the previous year's qualifying rounds. "If you had told me I would be in the final of Wimbledon, I wouldn’t have believed you," she admitted. This moment signifies a powerful redemption for Anisimova, once hailed as a teenage prodigy after her remarkable run to the 2019 French Open semi-finals at just 17. However, the weight of expectations proved overwhelming, prompting her to take an eight-month hiatus from tennis in 2023 to address her mental well-being. “I struggled with the lifestyle… it was impacting my performance on the court,” she shared. Upon her return, Anisimova's resurgence has been nothing short of inspiring, highlighted by her victory at the Qatar Open and a strong performance at Queen's Club. Now, following her journey to the Wimbledon semi-finals, she is poised to break into the top 10 of the WTA rankings for the first time—an achievement that underscores her incredible potential.Conversely, Sabalenka faced yet another painful disappointment in her relentless pursuit of a Grand Slam title. Despite being a formidable competitor, she has struggled to overcome Anisimova, having lost six of their nine encounters.In a match defined by tenacity and resilience, Anisimova saved crucial break points and seized critical moments, demonstrating remarkable composure under pressure. Even when she couldn't convert a match point while serving, she maintained her poise, ultimately sealing what she described as the “biggest win of her life.” This victory not only propels her into the final but also signifies the realization of her immense potential on the world stage.

Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios will be entering their fight next week, each armed with key weapons. It will be a matter of which one neutralizes the other."Remember, in boxing, speed is the key," Pacquiao stated recently in an interview.Although he's already 46 years old, the Filipino boxing icon insists he hasn’t skipped a beat, with his trainers and onlookers in Los Angeles affirming his solid workouts over the past few weeks.Pacquiao is ending a four-year retirement to try and dethrone Barrios, the reigning World Boxing Council welterweight champion, on July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Philippines is poised to make a striking impact at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, running from December 9 to 20, by assembling its largest delegation in history. With unwavering government support, a remarkable 1,600-strong contingent—predominantly athletes from a variety of team sports—will proudly represent the nation at this highly esteemed regional event.“This is our biggest SEA Games delegation yet,” declared Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino, signaling a bold new chapter in the country’s sporting legacy. This monumental team will compete in an astonishing 574 events across 50 sports, nearly doubling the 905 athletes who showcased their talents at the 2023 Phnom Penh Games. Prior to this, the largest Philippine contingent had consisted of 1,115 members during the home games in 2019.