Cash incentives await some student-athletes representing the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) in the 2024 Palarong Pambansa.Asia Paraase, a student-athlete from Pajo National High School, who bagged the first gold medal for the 64th Palarong Pambansa on Thursday, July 11, will receive a cash incentive from Lapu-Lapu Government after demonstrating an exceptional performance during the secondary girls 3,000-meter run category.Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan acknowledged Paraase’s achievement and assured athletes from the city that they would be granted an unspecified amount worth of cash incentives.“We are happy and proud that the first gold medal came from an athlete from Lapu-Lapu. This brings great pride to our city,” said Chan.Participating student-athletes who will clinch gold, silver, and bronze medals will be rewarded.The City Sports Commission will recommend the budget allocation that will be approved and passed by the City Council. 

UAAP Season 86 volleyball runner-up University of Santo Tomas avoided an early exit after triumphing over debuting Team SOCCSKSARGEN in Pool B of the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, July 11.Composed mostly of rookies looking to gain experience, the Golden Tigresses amassed a 25-17, 25-18, 28-30, 25-14 victory with the team banking on Marga Altea’s 17-point effort to finish the group stage of the tournament.UST avenged their stunning 16-25, 26-28, 25-17, 25-17, 16-18 defeat at the hands of University of Batangas Lady Brahmans last Wednesday, July 10.Abigail Sinson also contributed 13 points, including an ace that gave UST a commanding lead in the fourth set, while Kaizah Huyno added 11 markers.“We still have a lot to improve on, especially our communication. As a new team, it is super hard for all of us because coming from different schools and regions, we only have five core members of the UST girls volleyball team so it is super hard to pull us all together. But we were able to find a way and I hope this will continue,” said Altea after the match.Team SOCCSKSARGEN, a selection squad from Southern Mindanao, got 16 points from Janelle Maignos while Tresha Parong and Shendy Acebo scored seven and six markers, respectively.Meanwhile, University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) defeated Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-19, 17-25, 25-23, 25-19, in Pool C.Ressel Pedroza displayed her scoring prowess with 15 points to lead the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc (CESAFI) champion to an all-important win over the NCAA Season 99 third placers, boosting its chances of advancing into the next round.The Lady Panthers bounced back from an opening day 13-25, 15-25, 17-25 loss to Far Eastern University to close the group stage with a 1-1 slate.    USPF will secure a quarters seat if the Lady Tamaraws beat the Lady Pirates on Friday.

Things will be different when the PBA 49th Season Governor’s Cup opens on August 18 as it adopts a new format for the season-opening conference.The new format will divide the 12 teams in two groups; Group A is composed of reigning Governor’s Cup Champion TNT Tropang Giga together with Meralco Bolts, Converge FiberXers, Northport Batang Pier, Terrafirma Dyip and Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots while Group B is composed of crowd-favorite Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel, together with Blackwater Bossing, Phoenix Fuel Masters, Rain or Shine Elasto Painter, NLEX Road Warriors and San Miguel Beermen.Under the new setup that was announced by league Commissioner Willie Marcial, teams in each group will play each other twice in a double round robin.The top four teams from each group will advance to the crossover quarterfinals, with No. 1 taking on No. 4 and No. 2 battling No. 3 in a best-of-five series.The semifinals and finals will both be a best-of-seven affairs.Meanwhile, the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup and season-concluding Philippine Cup will have the same format as used in the previous seasons.

Alas Pilipinas Men displayed a gallant stand against Osaka Blueton, but ultimately came short in both games of the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals on Sunday, September 8, at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.Alas absorbed straight sets loss, 25-17, 25-10, 25-21, in a weekend volleyball spectacle that marked the start of the countdown to next year’s FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships that will be hosted by the Philippines.Olympian and star spiker Yuji Nishida, also a fan favorite among Filipino fans, led the Japan V.League squad with 12 points anchored from seven attacks, along with four aces and a block completing a sweep of the two exhibition matches against Alas.Six-foot-2 Cuban Miguel Angel Lopex Castro contributed 10, with nine from attacks and adding an ace for the Japanese club.Despite the dominant two-day sweep of the Nishida-led team, Alas Pilipinas team captain Kim Malabunga expressed the team members' proud effort due to the encounter that helped them identify the areas they need to work on. 

Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio bared that she is determined to end the Philippines’ century-long quest for an elusive Olympic boxing gold.It was a change of heart for the two-time Olympic medalist after insinuating at the 2024 Paris Games being her final curtain call of competing in the quadrennial showpiece.Despite once again missing out on the top prize, Petecio expressed her desire to give it a try again as the Olympic fire still ignites within her.

JuneMar Fajardo scored another highlight for his illustrious career as he sank a buzzer-beating jumper to lead San Miguel Beermen in giving Rain or Shine Elasto Painters their first loss of the season, 113-112 on Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.SMB was in trouble when Chris Ross fouled Felix Lemetti at the four-point area and the Rain or Shine rookie made all his free throws to give the Elasto Painters a one-point lead.Then, the heroics of the 8x MVP came when he sprinted down the court, received the forward pass from CJ Perez, and drained the game-winner.

Jerrold Mangliwan wrapped up his 2024 Paris Paralympics stint after finishing sixth and last in the heats of men’s 100 meter T52 at the Stade de France on Thursday, September 5.The veteran wheelchair racer registered a time of 19.44 seconds where he finished sixth and last among the 12 competitors. Only the top three from each of the two heats and the next two fastest advanced to the final.Tomoki Sato of Japan topped the heat with a time of 17.20 seconds, while Canada’s Anthony Bouchard clocked in 17.43 seconds and Mexico’s Salvador Hernandez Mondragon completed the top three with 17.45 seconds.Mangliwan is the fourth Filipino athlete to exit the Paralympics after para swimmer Ernie Gawilan, para archer Agustina Bantiloc, and para taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin.The Philippine delegation is now down to two with para swimmer Angel Otom and para javelin thrower Cendy Asusano still in the medal contention, hoping to tally the country’s third medal in Paralympic history. 

The TNT Tropang Giga claimed a share of leading the Group A after overpowering the still winless Terrafirma Dyip, 107-89 in their match last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Rondae Hollis-Jefferson just shook off a nagging ankle injury to lead TNT in their win as he registered 26 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are trying to paint a perfect slate in the first round of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ cup elimination round when they face the San Miguel Beermen in the main game of the Thursday double-header at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.In their previous game last Friday, the Elasto Painters got their 4-0 record when they dominated the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 116-99.Rain or Shine is the only team right now with an unblemished record in the conference and they are determined to remain perfect in the first round.

Filipina tennis player Alex Eala concluded her campaign after succumbing for the fourth time to German rival Tatjana Maria in the Round of 16 of the 2024 Women's Tennis Association or WTA Guadalajara 125 Open on Thursday, September 5 (Manila time).World No. 99 Maria was just too much for the 19-year-old Filipina as the German veteran punched in four aces in the two-set singles’ win. Maria also won 37 service points and 30 receiving points in a sheer display of expertise.The Rafael Nadal Academy graduate was just bewildered as Maria won the next four games, despite the former being able to go toe-to-toe early with the latter, with a 2-3 tally. The match was over after an hour and 35 minutes.Eala failed to overcome her German tormentor in their fourth encounter as Maria triumphed, 6-2, 6-2, in the WTA Thailand Open; then prevailed again in the WTA Madrid Open in Spain, 6-1, 6-1; and kept domineering over the Filipina in the WTA 250 Guangzhou Open in China, 6-3, 6-0.It was a double blow for Eala as she and Kimberly Birrelly of Australia also exited the doubles play after getting ousted by world doubles No. 83 Katarzyna Piter of Poland and world doubles No. 99 Fanny Stollar of Hungary, 6-4, 6-4, also on Thursday.

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots survived the grit of the import-less NorthPort Batang Pier, 105-94 to register their third win in five outings of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.Sophomore Zavier Lucero played his best game so far in a Magnolia uniform against his former team that also drafted him. He was then traded to the Hotshots in the off-season in exchange for Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter.Lucero lodged 16 points and 12 rebounds to earn the player of the game honors.Hotshots import Glenn Robinson III registered a game-high 25 points and collected 11 rebounds, while Paul Lee added 20 markers, 11 assists and five boards, to enlist three Magnolia players with double-double performance.Calvin Abueva and Jerrick Ahanmisi also produced double digit numbers by scoring 10 apiece.On the opposite end, Cade Flores led NorthPort with his own double-double by producing 23 points and 10 rebounds to fill the void that import Venky Jois and William Navarro left as they sat out of the game due to ankle injuries.Batang Pier star Arvin Tolentino who just scored 51 games two games prior, was just limited to 11 points on 5-of-14 shooting from the field, though he grabbed 12 rebounds to become the fifth player to have a double-double in the contest.

The Philippine men’s football team opened its Merdeka Cup campaign with a loss, 1-2, against host country Malaysia on Wednesday night, September 4, at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.Jefferson Tabinas scored the nation’s first goal on its comeback appearance in the Merdeka meet since 1972. The goal gave the Philippines an early 1-0 lead but Harimau Malaya didn’t stay idle for too long as the Malaysians tied the score after a straight-away shot from Mohammad Syamer Bin Kutty Abba just outside the box in the 43rd minute.A yellow card sanctioned against new comer Matthew Baldisimo after tackling Aiman Hanapi inside the box resulted in a penalty kick in favor of Malaysia at the 73rd minute. With Safawi bin Rashid’s penalty kick landing a goal, the Malaysians successfully triumphed against the Filipino booters to achieve their first lead of the game, 2-1.The Philippines is now relegated for a third place match and will battle Tajikistan on Sunday, September 8. 

The Creamline Cool Smashers defied all odds after capturing their ninth Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference crown against first-time finalist Akari Chargers on Wednesday, September 5, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.Despite the setbacks of not having the team’s key players Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza, and Tots Carlos, the heavily-favored Cool Smashers overcame the previously unbeaten Akari in straight sets, 25-15, 25-23, 25-17. Creamline players rallied behind the efforts of Conference and Finals MVP Bernadeth Pons and reinforcement Erica Staunton to upset Akari with its first loss of the tournament. The stellar feat ensured the Rebisco-backed team its second Reinforced Conference crown and ninth overall title.Pons steered the team with a game-high 19 points anchored on 14 attacks, five aces, along with 12 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions, while Staunton added 13 markers with nine attacks and three blocks. Team captain Michelle Gumabao, who displayed consistent offensive force throughout the competition, chipped in 10.

The Meralco Bolts are now leading the pack in Group A of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup after dominating the Converge FiberXers, 116-88 yesterday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.Meralco, now with a 4-1 record, still played superb even though not yet in full force as key players like Cliff Hodge, Allein Maliksi, Raymond Almazan, and Aaron Black did not play due to injuries.Allen Durham led the Bolts with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, while Chris Banchero finished with 24 points, 12 of which came from the second quarter alone.They also received solid contributions from the likes of Anjo Caram and Alvin Pasaol in the blowout win. Caram had a total of 16 points (11 in the 3rd canto), while Pasaol had 12 markers, 10 of which came in the 2nd half where Meralco led by as much as 30 points.The FiberXers suffered their third defeat in five games while playing without starting center Justin Arana who sprained his ankle in their previous game. They also lost their back-up center Patrick Maagdenberg during the game when he sustained a knee injury during the game.Scotty Hopson, who’s been consistent since he reinforced Converge tallied 33 points, grabbed six rebounds and six assists to lead the FiberXers. Alec Stockton and JL delos Santos added 13 and 12 respectively but not enough to bring back the team to life.

The Philippines’ RP Blu Girls ended their World Baseball Softball (WBSC) Under-18 Women’s Softball World Cup campaign with a strong finish.The Nationals’ victory against Ireland, 4-0, secured them a fifth-place finish in Group C, while their rival ended the tournament winless in sixth place.Philippines’ starting pitcher Callie Christian paced the team by pitching a complete game shutout. She allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out six batters, imposing her will on the mound.Mylia Perez also contributed to the team’s strong offensive presence as she added two hits in three at-bats and crossing the plate twice.

The Philippines launched its campaign in the 2024 Baseball Federation of Asia or BFA XIII Under-18 Asian Baseball Championship with back-to-back wins at the Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium in Chinese Taipei on Tuesday, September 3.The U18 men’s baseball squad got off to a strong start with a 10-0 record win over Sri Lanka on Monday, September 2, then followed it up with a 4-2 victory over Hong Kong to stay unscathed so far in Group B. Laurence Valeros banked on his winning pitch to frustrate Sri Lanka as he struck out seven batters and yielded two hits in three and one-third innings. Meanwhile, Rinaldo Kyle and Brandom Sanchez notched the necessary runs to take charge and break the 2-2 score in the sixth inning against Hong Kong. Aron Jesse Manguiat then pounded out four in a five-inning, effectively giving the game to the Philippines.The Filipino batters will battle Japan in its remaining group assignment on Wednesday, September 4, with identical 2-0 win-loss records.The outcome of the match will decide the Philippines’ opponent in the Super Round slated September 6 and 7 with the medal matches set September 8.

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots and NorthPort Batang Pier will try to finish the first round of the double-round eliminations of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup with a 3-2 slate when they face each other on Wednesday, September 4, 7:30 p.m. at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.The winner of the game will be over the 0.500 mark while the defeated team will have a record of 2-3 in Group A. The Hotshots and Batang Pier were grouped with TNT Tropang Giga, Meralco Bolts, Converge FiberXers and Terrafirma Dyip.After the game, the two teams will be on their way to the 2nd round robin which will start on Saturday, when the Hotshots face the Bolts in Panabo City.

Barangay Ginebra walloped NLEX, 119-91, on Tuesday to get back on winning track in the 49th Season Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.Coming from a 95-88 upset by Blackwater, Ginebra fired on all cylinders in the first half with a 60-percent clip from the field and ended it with a 63-41 lead.Stephen Holt played his best game as a Gin King, leading the team in scoring with 26 points while grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing off six assists.Maverick Ahanmisi added 20 markers for the team while Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarrientos also played their best game for the conference by producing 19 points each in helping the Gin Kings evened their record at 2-2 in Group B.Resident import Justine Brownlee put up only 13 markers in 38 minutes of play but still grabbed seven boards and dished nine dimes.

George King led a regal performance of 44 points, while Sedrick Barefield added 32 more markers to give Blackwater the dub Tuesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.After delivering a 33-point, 19-rebound performance in his PBA debut against Barangay Ginebra last Frida, King made another impactful game as he exploded for his second double-double scoring 44 and grabbing 13 boards for the Bossing, which lead as much as 19.The local unit of Blackwater was led again by their top rookie Sedrick Barefield who hit a three-pointer at the final 1:10 mark of the game to seal the win for the Bossing, and marked the victory with another ‘night night’ gesture.RK Ilagan and Troy Rosario helped out also in the offensive end, scoring 14 and 12 respectively. Ilagan also added five boards and the same number of dimes to his name.

Filipina para swimmer Angel Mae Otom displayed an exceptional performance in her debut stint at the 2024 Paralympic Games after finishing 6th overall in the women’s 50-meter backstroke S5 final at the Paris La Defense Arena Wednesday midnight, September 4 (Philippine time).Otom registered a time of 44 seconds, 0.3 faster than her qualifying time in the heats, to place sixth among eight finalists as China swept the podium places.