Gilas women's Animam signs with a Romanian club

Alas Pilipinas is setting its sights on the top prize in beach volleyball at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand.

“Gold is what we’re aiming for in Thailand,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara during the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge at Nuvali Sands Court in Santa Rosa, Laguna. “We’ve had plenty of SEA Games bronze medals, and while we know it won’t be easy, we believe it’s possible. I’m hopeful our athletes can turn their Nuvali experience into a gold-medal run in Thailand.”

Thailand and Indonesia have historically dominated SEA Games beach volleyball, while the Philippines has earned six bronze medals—three each in the men’s and women’s divisions—since 2003.

PNVF head coach Joao “Kioday” Luciano Simao Barbosa confirmed the SEA Games lineups: Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons, and Dij Rodriguez and Sunny Villapando for the women; James Buytrago and Ran Abdilla, and Ronniel Rosales and Rancel Vergara for the men.

Each country can field two pairs per division. The 33rd SEA Games opens December 9, with beach volleyball running from December 12 to 19 at Bangkok’s Huamark Sports Complex.

“We’re working very hard to fight for the gold,” said Kioday. “All teams are strong, but with a few more months of preparation, we’ll take it step by step—and reach for that gold.”

Spain’s Alejandro Huerta and Adrian Gavira, and Finland’s Anniina Parkkinen and Valma Prihti, claimed top honors at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge, wrapping up an electrifying weekend at Nuvali Sands Court in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Huerta and Gavira clinched their first Challenge title as partners after outlasting England’s Javier and Joaquin Bello in a thrilling three-set men’s final, 21–17, 19–21, 17–15. Huerta led the charge with 29 of Spain’s 40 attacks, crediting Gavira’s clutch defense for the win.

In the women’s final, Parkkinen and Prihti rallied for a 17–21, 21–14, 15–11 comeback over Lithuania’s Ieva Dumbauskaite and Gerda Grudzinskaite, securing Finland’s first-ever Beach Pro Tour Challenge gold. Prihti delivered a dominant all-around performance with 25 points, including 16 attacks, five blocks, and four aces.

Italy’s Manuel Alfieri and Alex Ranghieri secured men’s bronze after a comeback win over Austria’s Christoph Dressler and Philip Waller, while Australia’s Stefanie Fejes and Jasmine Fleming took women’s bronze by edging Czechia’s Kylie Neuschaeferova and Martina Maixnerova.

The FIVB-sanctioned event, hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation under President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, drew 111 pairs from 25 countries—highlighting the Philippines as a premier destination for world-class beach volleyball.

Italy’s Manuel Alfieri and Alex Ranghieri, along with Australia’s Stefanie Fejes and Jasmine Fleming, grabbed bronze medals at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge, held Sunday at Nuvali Sands Court in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

World No. 48 Alfieri and Ranghieri rallied to beat Austria’s No. 28 tandem Christoph Dressler and Philip Waller, 17–21, 21–18, 15–12, to secure third place in the men’s division. The Italian duo tallied 41 points, with Alfieri firing 19 kills.

On the women’s side, Fejes and Fleming (No. 58) came from behind to edge Czechia’s No. 45 pair Kylie Neuschaeferova and Martina Maixnerova, 13–21, 21–15, 15–13. Fejes led the Aussies with 19 kills in their 40-point effort.

Earlier, British crowd favorites Joaquin and Javier Bello advanced to the men’s final after outlasting the Italians, 11–21, 21–19, 15–11, while Spain’s Alejandro Huerta and Adrian Gavira edged Austria’s Dressler and Waller, 22–20, 18–21, 16–14, in the semifinals.

In the women’s semis, Finland’s Anniina Parkkinen and Valma Prihti relied on strong blocking to defeat the Czech duo, 21–19, 18–21, 15–10, setting up a title clash with Lithuania’s Ieva Dumbauskaite and Gerda Grudzinskaite, who swept Fejes and Fleming, 21–18, 21–18.

In a dramatic and unforgettable finish, Carlo Baltonado delivered a golden moment for the Philippines at the 47th Southeast Asian Shooting Association (SEASA) Championship held in Photharam, Thailand.

Baltonado showcased nerves of steel in a tense 25-target shoot-off, narrowly edging his opponent by just one clay to secure the individual gold medal. His victory not only highlighted his remarkable precision and composure under pressure but also marked a proud milestone for Philippine shooting sports on the regional stage.

Teaming up with Cong. Richard Gomez, Jakey Ancheta, and Jed Rivilla, Baltonado also helped steer the Philippine Sporting Clays Team to a silver medal finish in the team category — a testament to the squad’s growing presence and consistency in international competition.

Guiding the team throughout the tournament was Olympic Skeet Bronze Medalist Anthony Terras, whose leadership and technical expertise played a key role in refining the group’s performance. Under his mentorship, the national team continues to build on its momentum and reaffirm its standing among Southeast Asia’s best.

The triumph in Thailand stands as another shining chapter in the Philippines’ shooting history — a victory defined by precision, discipline, and heart.