National University added another diadem in their growing treasure chest by escaping Far Eastern University to capture a finals sweep in the Game 2 of the best-of-three series of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals on Tuesday, July 16, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Alas Pilipinas stars Bella Belen and Arah Panique carried the Lady Bulldogs’ 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-10 conquest before flying to Japan for their national team duties.
Panique topscored for the reigning UAAP Season 86 champions with a game-high 27 points on 17 attacks, while Belen sustained her fine form after hammering 23 markers of 25 attacks, while Kaye Bombita added 11 points for the Lady Bulldogs.
Gerzel Petallo registered 20 points as FEU’s leading scorer, while Chennie Tagaod produced 18 points in the team’s first runner-up placing.
Meanwhile, College of Saint Benilde captured the bronze medal over Colegio de San Juan de Letran in a nerve-wracking five-set victory, 23-25, 25-14, 19-25, 25-20, 17-15.
Rhea Densing led the charge for the Lady Blazers with 24 markers, 20 coming off attacks, while Wielyn Estoque chipped in 18 points.
Gia Maquilang paced Letran with 22 points highlighted by 19 kills, Nizelle Martin scored 15, while Judiel Nitura and Royce dela Cruz chipped in 10 each.
The event concluded with the awarding of attendees.
Belen, the reigning UAAP Season 86 Most Valuable Player, also bagged the tournament MVP and 1st Best Outside Spiker honor.
The 2nd Best Outside Spiker was awarded to Wielyn Estoque from St. Benilde. The 1st and 2nd Best Middle Blocker were given to Zamantha Nolasco (St. Benilde) and Jean Asis (FEU), respectively.
Marie Nitura from Colegio de San Juan de Letran took home the Best Opposite Spiker, while Shaira Jardio was given the Best Libero title and Camilla Lamina got the Best Setter award, both players hailing from National University.
Alas Pilipinas stars Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons booked a breakthough win on Friday, October 17, in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour 2025 Nuvali Challenge in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
The Filipina duo swept the Slovenian pair, 21-19, 21-9, whom they also defeated in the Futures in Budapest only last month.
AC Miner led the charge as the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles extended their winning streak with a commanding sweep of the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday, October 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Miner earned Player of the Game honors after posting 10 points built on 7 attacks, 2 aces, and 1 block, showcasing her all-around efficiency and composure at the net. Her presence on both offense and defense set the tone early, helping ZUS Coffee establish control and maintain momentum throughout the match.
With the victory, ZUS Coffee improved to 2-0 in Pool B, solidifying its early position as one of the top contenders in the conference. Miner’s steady leadership and consistent play continue to be key factors in the Thunderbelles’ unbeaten start.
ZUS Coffee will next face the Creamline Cool Smashers on Thursday, October 23, at the FilOil EcoOil Arena.
Justine Jazareno stood tall as the defensive anchor for the Akari Chargers, steering her team to a five-set victory over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-11, 22-25, 29-27, 17-25, 15-7, in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jazareno, known for her steady hands and exceptional court coverage, was named Player of the Game after registering 27 excellent digs and 9 excellent receptions, setting the tone for Akari’s strong defensive stand. Her consistent presence at the backline allowed the Chargers to maintain control in crucial moments, especially during the tight third and fifth sets.
The Chargers displayed resilience after dropping the fourth frame, tightening their floor defense and minimizing errors to dominate the decider. Jazareno’s leadership and composure played a crucial role in keeping her teammates calm and focused amid the pressure.
With this win, Akari not only opened its 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference campaign on a high note but also showcased the importance of solid defense, a department masterfully led by Jazareno, who continues to prove why she’s among the league’s premier liberos.
A 141-strong Philippine delegation is set to make waves at the Third Asian Youth Games (AYG) in Manama, Bahrain, from October 22 to 31. Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expressed confidence in the team’s potential, aiming to match or surpass the country’s two-gold, three-silver haul from the 2013 Nanjing edition.
“Yes, this team has a strong fighting chance,” said Tolentino.
Flag bearers Leo Mhar Lobrido (boxing) and Harlene Serneche (volleyball) lead the charge. Lobrido, 16, from Bago City, is a top medal hopeful after his gold-winning stint at the Greater Area Bay Youth Boxing Challenge in Shenzhen, China. “We’ll train and do our best to get a medal,” he said.
Serneche, a National University recruit and high school volleyball standout, echoed the team’s determination: “We have potential and hopefully we’ll be competitive there.”
The delegation, headed by Chef de Mission and PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, will compete in 18 of the 26 sports in Manama. During the send-off, athletes wore uniforms by Avel Bacudio, including tracksters Pi Durden Wangkay and Lorainne Batalla, Muay Thai’s Jan Brix Ramiscal, MMA’s Charlie and Travis Ratcliff, and volleyball’s Rhose Almendralejo.
Almendralejo, an 11th grader from Bacolod’s Tay Tung High School, shared her excitement and nerves: “It’s a big pressure for me, but I’ll do my best to help the team.”
With youthful energy, talent, and unity, Team Philippines is ready to showcase the next generation of Filipino athletes on the Asian stage.
Three Filipino women’s pairs and two men’s tandems are set to compete for main draw berths in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge 2025 qualifiers on Wednesday at the Nuvali Sands Court in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Ronniel Rosales and Rancel Varga, along with Edwin Tolentino and Larry John Francisco, open the men’s campaign at 9 a.m. against international opponents. Meanwhile, top Filipino duo James Buytrago and Ran Abdilla earned an automatic slot in the main draw as seeded entries.
