After flourishing at the Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA) East Asia Men’s Baseball Cup last year, higher stakes are on the table as the Philippine men’s baseball team hopes for a repeat act when they commence their campaign when the country hosts the 14th East Asia Baseball Cup slated October 28 to November 3 at Clark, Pampanga.According to Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) president Chito Loyzaga, the nation is rarely given the chance to organize an event of this nature; the previous one was held in 1995, or about thirty years ago. For this reason, the Philippines is making sure that everything is ready for the occasion.

Converge Alec Stockton made the final say in the Game 3 of their quarter finals against San Miguel when he hit a two-point jumper at the end of the buzzer to lead the FiberXers victory against the Beermen, 114-112, on Monday night, September 30, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.The victory was the first franchise win of Converge in a post-elims play and the team did it in a fashionable way as they pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback from 21 deficit.San Miguel’s lead even reached as high as 27 points when they erected an 83-56 advantage before entering the final canto with an 83-66 edge.Then, the FiberXers resilience prevailed in the end as Stockton buried the game-winning shot over the outstretched arms of CJ Perez.Stockton's buzzer-beater became possible after the Converge guard stayed in the game when a flagrant foul penalty two called on him in the first quarter was downgraded to a penalty one after a review.He was initially called for a F2 after elbowing Kris Rosales in the closing seconds of the first period, but after the referees changed the call, allowing Stockton to stay in the game.Stockton finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists for the FiberXers, while Justin Arana produced 23 markers and 11 boards, and import Jalen Jones added 17.

Barangay Ginebra swept rival Meralco Bolts, 113-106, in their best-of-five quarter finals series last night, September 30, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to get the first ticket to the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semi final round.Justin Brownlee led the Gin Kings in scoring by producing 23 points including two booming four-pointers that started their ‘never-say-die’ comeback after being down as much as 12 points.Stephen Holt, who was named Best Player of the Game, together with RJ Abarrientos and Maverick Ahanmsi helped Brownlee in their fightback as they also delivered from the two rainbow countries.Holt had a total of 19 markers which include a triple that gave the Gin Kings their largest lead at 105-98 with 2:36 left in the game.Abarrientos produced 17 points, while Ahanmisi contributed the same numbers including three 3-pointers.

PBA Season 48 Most Improved Player Jhonard Clarito has shared his basketball journey in an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph when the team visited one of the practices of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.The first thing he shared with Scoreline.ph was the transition of his game play from his college days to commercial league to how he does it now.“More on running and defense. Defense first. That’s my mindset since I played in college. My school and I were not famous,” Clarito, who was an alumnus of De Ocampo Memorial College, said in Filipino.Then, he brought his talent to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) where he played with San Juan Knights under coach Randy Alcantara and even won a championship with them in 2019.“In San Juan Knights, under coach Randy, the playing style is the same – transition and defense,” added Clarito.

Rain or Shine takes Game 3 in a thrilling overtime game against Magnolia, 111-106, on Sunday night, September 29, at the Ynares Center, Antipolo City.Jhonard Clarito was named the Best Player of the Game after scoring 18 points and grabbing eight rebounds. He was supported by Gian Mamuyac and Andrei Caracut who scored 15 apiece for the Elasto Painters.

Glenn Khobuntin fired a perfect 5-of-5 from the three point territory and finished with 17 points to lead TNT Tropang Giga to their 109-91 victory against NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday night, September 29, in the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals at the Ynares Center, Antipolo.The Tropang Giga's dominant win made them closer to entering the Final Four if they take another victory on Tuesday, October 1, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.The defending champions also showed their suffocating defense by limiting the production of DeQuan Jones, who scored his lowest output with the Road Warriors.TNT's import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson played his usual game by producing another double-double. He scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, together with eight assists to pace the team.Calvin Oftana contributed 18 markers on 3-of-7 from downtown, while Rey Nambatac added 17 points, six boards, and four dimes. Kelly Williams also added 11 for the Tropang Giga.Meanwhile, Robbie Herndon took over for NLEX with 17 points and five assists to cover up for the struggling Jones, who only scored 16 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field.Road Warriors top gunner Robert Bolick was also limited to 12 points on 3-of-8 shooting, though he dished off 10 assists.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters staged a late fourth quarter rampage, delivering the first blow against the Magnolia Hotshots on their opening duel of the best-of-five quarterfinal series on Wednesday, September 25, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Head coach Yeng Guiao is donning a daunting task of empowering the Elasto Painters, helmed by the young guns and veterans working harmoniously to establish themselves as formidable contenders ready to challenge prominent teams of the league. For coach Guiao, the players’ playoff experiences are what situates themselves in a inauspicious position as the team is paced by hot-blooded youths, however, their hard work is something one should not question about. 

NLEX Road Warriors will try to tie the series of their best-of-five quarter final series of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup against the TNT Tropang Giga this Friday night, September 27, at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.Coach Jong Uichico said that adjustments will be the key on who’s going to win the game and even in the series.

San Miguel took Game 1 of their best-of-five quarter finals series against Converge FiberXers, 102-95 on Thursday night, September 26, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Beermen new import EJ Asonike, in lieu of the injured Jordan Adams, showed a decent debut performance by producing 28 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.

Barangay Ginebra drew first blood in its best-of-five quarterfinals series after shutting down rival Meralco, 99-92, in the PBA Season 49 Governor’s Cup on Thursday, September 26, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Justin Brownlee led the win for the Gin Kings as they survived the late rally orchestrated by the Bolts, finishing with 29 points, along with 13 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, while Scottie Thompson delivered 19 markers with five boards, and fives dimes.

In a remarkable upset, University of the East stunned the defending champions De La Salle University Green Archers by narrowly defeating them, 75-71, in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena Sunday evening, September 22.The Red Warriors gave La Salle their first loss of the season as they delivered a scorching hot shooting of 12-of-30 from downtown witnessed by 6,946 spectators inside the arena. In an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph, UE head coach Jack Santiago shared the contributing factors that led to their team's victory.

Joe Devance is coming out of retirement to mark his PBA comeback for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel ahead of their 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals opening game against Meralco on Thursday, September 26.The 42-year-old Devance announced the development on his Instagram account after posting a copy of the PBA memo on Tuesday, September 23.

Defending champions De La Salle University are looking to get back on its winning ways after suffering its first scar at the hands of the University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.After tasting the first beating of the tournament, the Green Archers seek a turnaround when they face winless Far Eastern University on Wednesday afternoon, September 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Philippines will host the 2024 Southeast Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy slated September 28 to 29 that will take place at the SM Skating Mall of Asia in Pasay City.About 90 skaters from 10 countries are expected to take part in the two-day skatefest, which will open for Junior F category, that range from 8 years old and below, and Senior class 19 and above or range from 6 to 24 years old.This is the country’s second time hosting the SEA event, with the primary goal of enhancing competition accessibility and promoting sport’s growth not only in the Philippines but also within Southeast Asia.The countries that will be participating include Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Mongolia, Singapore, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and the host Philippines.

University of the East pulled off a shocker when they defeated the defending champion, De La Salle Green Archers, 75-71, in the UAAP’s 87th Season at the Mall of Asia Arena.The Red Warriors also gave La Salle its first loss of the season in front of the 6,946 spectators inside the arena who also witnessed them shoot an astonishing 12-of-30 from downtown.John Abate led the Recto side with a career game of 20 points while firing a perfect 3-of-3 from the arc, also grabbing four boards, and sinking two-pressure packed free throws with 3.4 seconds left to complete the upset.Wello Lingolingo had 18 points built on six triples, Gjerard Wilson contributed 10 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists, and Precious Momowei produced only five markers but hauled 12 boards.

The PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup quarter final round begins on Wednesday, September 28, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with interesting pairings of the best-of-five series.

Rubilen Amit concluded her campaign after finishing third in the 2024 World Pool Association (WPA) 9-Ball China Open in Shanghai over the weekend.Amit, who recently reigned supreme in the WPA World Women’s 9-Ball Championship, managed to reach the semifinals, seeking to add another crown in her collection, but eventually bowed out to China’s Han Yu, 9-3.The hometown bet was just too tough as the Chinese went on to win their bout and eventually claimed the win against compatriot Wang Xiaotong for a $36,000 win.Prior to her semifinals defeat, Amit prevailed over Bojana Sarac of Serbia (7-5), Silviana Lu of Indonesia (72), veteran Jasmin Ouschan of Austria (9-3), and Chihiro Kawahara of Japan (9-5) in the earlier rounds. Chezka Centeno, on the other hand, absorbed a 9-8 loss against Chieh-Yu Chou in the Round of 16. Carlos Biado and Jeffrey de Luna also withdrew from the men’s competition. 

The Filipina woodpushers made a historic mark for the Philippines after winning the gold medal in Group B and finishing 24th overall in the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad women’s division in Budapest, Hungary. The Philippine women’s team wrapped up their campaign with Shania Mae Mendoza, Janelle Mae Frayna, Jan Jodilyn Fronda, and Ruelle Canino succeeding across all boards to grasp a 4-0 victory against the Brazilians in their final assignment.The Filipinas tied for 22nd place with 14 match points along with 14 other countries and 24th overall after tiebreaks were applied, clinching the first gold for the country in an Olympiad since 2006 Turin edition when the Philippine women’s squad of Sheerie Joey Lomibao, Catherine Pereña, Sherily Cua, and Beverly Mendoza ruled Group C. It was also the best finish since the team of Girme Fontanilla, Mila Emperado, and Ma. Cristina Santos-Fidaer placed 22nd overall in the 1988 edition in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The Blackwater Bossing exits the PBA Season 49 Governors Cup with their heads held high as they defeated the top team in their group, Rain or Shine, 113-118, on Monday, September 23, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.George King led Blackwater with his 64 points — the franchise record for most points. He was 18-of-35 from the field — 3-of-8 from four point area, 2-of-5 from the rainbow arc, and 13-of-22 from twos.King also set another franchise record by shooting 20-of-20 from the free throw line, which also tied the second all-time most foul shots made without a miss in a single game that Wes Matthews first recorded in 1991.

University of the Philippines reclaimed its winning ways after fending off Far Eastern University, 82-77, in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday, September 22, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.The win improved the Fighting Maroons’ record to a 2-2 slate, putting them tied with Ateneo de Manila University for the fourth spot in the standings.