Chino Sy Tancontian rises to World No. 74 after Oceania Silver

The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles preserved their unblemished record after staging a spectacular reverse sweep victory, 25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 25-12, 15-7, over the Akari Chargers in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Tuesday, November 4, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Living up to their growing reputation as comeback specialists, the Thunderbelles dug deep after trailing two sets to one, flipping the momentum with a dominant fourth frame before sealing the deal in the fifth. The win pushed ZUS Coffee to a perfect 5–0 record, solidifying their grip on the top spot in Pool B.

American import Anna DeBeer once again led the Thunderbelles’ fiery charge, erupting for 33 points built from 32 attacks and a block, while also anchoring the floor defense with 8 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions, earning her Player of the Game honors.

Veteran opposite spiker Jovelyn Gonzaga showcased her trademark versatility, turning in an all-around outing of 11 points, 13 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions to lead the charge for the Thunderbelles. Rookie middle blocker Riza Nogales made an immediate impact off the bench, tallying 11 markers highlighted by four emphatic kill blocks that helped shift the momentum.

Chinnie Arroyo continued to shine in her reserve role with 10 points, while AC Miner chipped in seven markers, delivering timely hits during ZUS Coffee’s fiery start in the decisive fifth set.

Running the offense with poise, setter Cloanne Mondoñedo dished out 27 excellent sets and added four points of her own, while libero Alyssa Eroa anchored the defense with 20 excellent digs, ensuring stability in the backline.

Akari, meanwhile, dropped to a 3-2 record but still secured a spot in Pool C alongside the unbeaten Thunderbelles and defending champions Creamline Cool Smashers.

Despite a fiery start that saw them take control in the opening two sets, Akari faltered down the stretch, undone by 32 costly errors that proved too much to overcome.

Annie Michem spearheaded the Chargers’ offense with a stellar 27-point output built on 25 attacks and two kill blocks, while also contributing 17 excellent receptions on defense. Eli Soyud followed with 15 markers, while Grethcel Soltones and Ced Domingo added 11 apiece. Soltones also anchored the floor defense with 19 excellent receptions and nine digs, providing her usual steady presence at the back.

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone is set to begin team practice on November 18 as preparation for the first window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The national team will undergo a 10-day training camp before kicking off their qualifying campaign on November 28 against Guam in Mangilao, Guam. The second leg will take place on December 1 at the Blue Eagle Gym inside Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

This marks the first reunion of the Gilas squad since the FIBA Asia Cup held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Gilas is expected to hold practices either at the Blue Eagle Gym—to familiarize with the game venue—or at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, a regular training hub for the team in previous camps.

The lineup is expected to be complete by the start of training as overseas-based players are allowed to return home to represent the Philippines in FIBA-sanctioned tournaments

Boxing legend Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire is set to make another run at history as he faces Seiya Tsutsumi for the World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight championship on December 17 in Tokyo — a bout that could make him the oldest bantamweight world champion in history.

The Donaire-Tsutsumi clash will headline a tripleheader event promoted by Teiken Promotions, according to multiple reports.

Tsutsumi (12-0-3, 8 KOs), the reigning “champion in recess,” previously captured the WBA title after defeating Takuma Inoue but was sidelined due to injury following a draw with Daigo Higa. Meanwhile, Antonio Vargas — who was elevated to full champion — withdrew from a planned consolidation bout due to personal reasons, opening the door for Donaire’s shot at glory.

Donaire (43-8, 28 KOs), now 43 years old, earned his interim champion status after a ninth-round technical decision victory earlier this year, marking a triumphant return following a two-year layoff.

A victory in Tokyo would not only unify the title but also cement Donaire’s place in the record books — and in the hearts of Filipino boxing fans worldwide.

“Age is just a number when you have the heart for greatness,” said Donaire, who remains one of the most respected names in the sport.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio has been appointed to head the newly created National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC) established by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. under Administrative Order No. 38, signed on October 29, 2025.

Gregorio will serve as chairman of the committee, with the Department of Tourism (DOT) as vice-chair, and representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) as members.

The NST-IAC aims to promote and develop sports tourism across the Philippines — integrating sports and tourism as twin engines for economic growth, youth development, and national pride.

“This initiative recognizes how sports can inspire communities, drive regional progress, and showcase Filipino excellence on the global stage,” said Gregorio.

Filipina jiujitsu stars Kimberly Anne Custodio and Annie Ramirez showcased their dominance on the global stage after ruling their respective divisions at the 2025 IJJF World Jiujitsu Championships held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Custodio captured her third world title with a flawless performance in the adult female -45kg division. She outclassed Jou-an Chen of Chinese Taipei, 4–0, in the quarterfinals, edged Thi Hue Phung of Vietnam, 2–0, in the semifinals, and capped her campaign by submitting Aysha Alshamsi of the UAE via armbar in the gold medal bout.

Phung and the UAE’s Balqees Abdulkareem Abdoh Abdulla shared the bronze, while Custodio’s teammate Daniella Palanca finished fifth in the same weight class.

Meanwhile, veteran standout Annie Ramirez finally achieved a long-awaited milestone. Her first-ever World Championships gold medal after topping the adult female -57kg division.

Ramirez submitted Rachel Glover of Canada in the Round of 16, edged Jeong Hyeon Seon of South Korea in the quarterfinals, and outlasted Lina Grosset of France in the semifinals before sealing the title with a 2–0 win over Astrid Scholin of Sweden in the final.

The triumph marked a strong comeback for Ramirez, who rebounded from a non-podium finish at the World Games in Chengdu, China, last August. Grosset and Jeong both claimed bronze medals in her division, while fellow Filipino Estancia Jan Mendoza placed 17th overall.

Custodio and Ramirez’s golden performances reaffirm the Philippines’ growing prominence in international jiujitsu competition.