EJ Obiena advances to Paris medal round

Despite a stellar debut from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, the Meralco Bolts faltered late and suffered an 81–72 road loss to the Ryukyu Golden Kings in their East Asia Super League opener on Wednesday, October 22, in Okinawa, Japan.

The former NBA standout and three-time PBA Best Import powered the Bolts with 25 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks, showing flashes of brilliance even without key teammates Justin Brownlee and Sina Vahedi.

Hollis-Jefferson found solid support from Ismael Romero, who posted a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Chris Newsome and CJ Cansino added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Meralco mounted a late rally, cutting the deficit to two, 72–74, on a Newsome three-pointer, but Ryukyu answered with a decisive 7-0 closing run behind Ryo Sadohara and Ryuichi Kishimoto. Sadohara drilled a clutch triple to seal the win, while Kishimoto led the Golden Kings with 22 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals.

The Bolts missed the dynamic presence of Brownlee, who starred for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2023 Asian Games, and Vahedi, an All-Tournament Team member from the FIBA Asia Cup.

Now 0–1 in Group B, Meralco aims to regroup as it heads to Taiwan to face Taoyuan on November 2, determined to translate Hollis-Jefferson’s strong performance into their first EASL victory.

Loren Brill, the Filipino-American guard and son of former Olongapo sports star Louie Brill, is set on reigniting his professional basketball journey in the Philippines. Standing at 6’0” and weighing 190 pounds, Loren brings a mix of international experience, athleticism, and heritage pride to the court.

His father, Louie Brill, was a back-to-back NCAA champion (1977–1978) with the San Beda Red Lions and team captain of the 1982 RP Youth team that won the ABC Juniors Championship, cementing his place among the country’s standout basketball figures of his era.

Following in those footsteps, Loren carved his own path abroad. A former Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots draftee, he was selected 28th overall in the 2021 PBA Draft, contributing to Magnolia’s deep playoff runs in the Philippine Cup and Governor’s Cup. 

Before turning pro, he played Division I basketball in the U.S. — first with California State University Fullerton, and later with Old Dominion University, where he competed in the 2019 NCAA March Madness Tournament.

After a solid stint with the Dasmariñas Monarchs in the 2023 AsiaBasket League, Loren now looks to return to the PBA with renewed focus and hunger. 

Carrying the competitive fire of his father Louie, a champion and youth team legend, Loren Brill is determined to write the next chapter of the Brill basketball legacy — one built on history, pride, and perseverance.

Filipino gymnastics star Carlos Yulo has opted to skip the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December to focus on the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta, where he is competing only in floor exercise and vault due to a left wrist injury.

“I still want the taste of competition,” Yulo said “That is the most important for me right now.”

Yulo, a double gold medalist in vault and floor at the Paris 2024 Olympics, officially announced his SEA Games withdrawal through Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) president Cynthia Carrion-Norton. According to Carrion-Norton, Yulo’s decision was motivated by two factors: SEA Games rules now restrict elite gymnasts to only one event, and Yulo’s desire to give other Filipino gymnasts a chance to shine.

“It’s a selfless decision because he likes to give others a chance. He’s now focused on winning in the world championships,” Carrion-Norton said. She added that the SEA Games organizers also scrapped the all-around competition, limiting medal opportunities for top gymnasts.

Yulo revealed his wrist injury occurred two months ago while working on a difficult new dismount on the parallel bars. “I kind of did it too much,” he admitted.

Despite his limited participation in Jakarta, Yulo remains committed to showcasing beautiful, graceful gymnastics. “My goal is to perform beautiful gymnastics, to be really graceful,” he shared.

Yulo is joined at the world championships by fellow Filipino gymnasts Miguel Besana and Ivan Cruz, the latter fresh off a gold medal at the Cambodia SEA Games.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman John Patrick "Pato" Gregorio made a special stop in Indonesia to personally rally the Philippine team at the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, fresh off attending the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports in Hanoi.

Gregorio, known for his hands-on approach, met separately with the men’s and women’s squads at Hotel Mulia, just ahead of their competitions at the Indonesia Arena. “I believe in going where our athletes compete overseas, hoping this will encourage and inspire them to do better,” said Gregorio, who previously led the Philippine Rowing Association and is a long-time supporter of national athletes.

He shared with Paris Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Yulo, as well as Juancho Miguel Besana, Justine Ace de Leon, and John Ivan Cruz, that he even drove two hours from Hanoi to Haiphong to meet Pinoy rowers before flying to Jakarta. “It’s different when you see an official supporting you. It boosts your morale,” he noted.

Gregorio, who witnessed Yulo’s historic Olympic double in Paris, emphasized his emotional connection to gymnastics. “You can’t sing the national anthem when you’re crying,” he recalled of Yulo’s golden moments.

He also encouraged the women’s team, led by Paris Olympians Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo, plus debutants Elayza Yulo and Haylee Garcia, to use PSC’s Elite Link app to showcase their achievements and connect with potential patrons.

Besides cheering on the team, Gregorio met with Indonesia’s new Sports Minister Eric Thohir to discuss a potential joint Olympic bid by Southeast Asian nations. “If the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia could co-host the FIBA World Cup, there’s no reason Southeast Asia can’t bid for the Olympics together,” he said.

Gregorio returned to the Philippines Sunday night to oversee upcoming priorities, including the Batang Pinoy National Championships, which will gather 21,000 young athletes in General Santos City.