Player Profile Series: The Rise of Volleyball Star Marck Espejo

Michael Martinez may no longer be competing on the ice, but his impact on Philippine figure skating is far from over.

After being offered a coaching role by the Philippine Skating Union, Martinez has embraced a new chapter as a figure skating coach, mentoring young Filipino skaters and sharing the knowledge he gained from years of competition.

And honestly, there’s something inspiring about that transition.

Michael admitted that he still wants to skate, especially when he watches his students and other athletes compete. But coaching has given him a different kind of fulfillment — helping young skaters improve and preparing them for the future.

“As a skater, I get to represent and show what I can really do. But when you’re a coach, you get to share your knowledge.”

That may be Michael Martinez’s next legacy.

He once carried the Philippine flag on the world’s biggest skating stages. Now, he’s helping prepare the next generation of Filipinos who might one day do the same. 🇵🇭❤️

The champion may have stepped off the competitive ice, but he never really left the sport. He’s simply helping others find their own way to shine. ⛸️✨

Leila Cruz is beginning a new chapter with the PLDT High Speed Hitters, but the 26-year-old opposite hitter admitted that leaving Capital1 Solar Spikers remains an emotional experience.

Cruz spent her first two professional seasons with Capital1 after being selected No. 2 overall in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft. Her move to PLDT marks the first transfer of her professional career.

The former La Salle standout said she thought she had already processed the decision before PLDT officially unveiled her. However, the reality of saying goodbye to the team that welcomed her into professional volleyball brought the emotions back.

“Super hirap talaga, as in. Sobrang tagal ko talagang grineve… After yesterday, parang bumalik ulit ‘yung emotions and sobrang sad pa rin,” Cruz said.

While the separation was difficult, Cruz sees her move to PLDT as an opportunity to revive her career and develop her game in a new environment.

“Napili ko ‘yung PLDT because I feel like super mahe-help nila ako talaga mag-improve,” she said.

Joining a championship-caliber organization was also a major factor in her decision. PLDT provides Cruz with a deeper and more experienced environment as she looks to earn a bigger role moving forward.

Her playing time with Capital1 had been limited, with injuries and competition for positions affecting her opportunities. The move therefore gives the former second overall pick a chance to reset and showcase her potential.

Cruz will not be entering an entirely unfamiliar environment. She is set to reunite with several former La Salle teammates and fellow Lady Spikers, including Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, Kim Fajardo, Mika Reyes and Jessa Ordiales. She will also join former La Salle teammate Alleiah Malaluan.

Cruz said the warm reception from her new teammates has helped make the transition easier.

“Very welcoming ‘yung pagtanggap nila sa akin and super thankful ako na talagang gina-guide ako ng mga ates and mga teammates ko,” she said.

Despite the sadness surrounding her departure, Cruz is choosing to embrace the change rather than dwell on the past.

“I trust na lang na everything happens for a reason,” she said, adding that she will still have opportunities to see her former Capital1 teammates during training.

For PLDT, the addition of Cruz adds another option to an already experienced roster as the High Speed Hitters prepare for the new PVL season. For Cruz, it represents an opportunity to rebuild momentum and establish herself in a new system.

After two seasons with Capital1, the former No. 2 pick now hopes that a fresh environment with PLDT can bring out the best in her game.

A difficult goodbye has given way to a new beginning—and Cruz is ready to make the most of it. 🏐💙

Alas Pilipinas Women head coach Taka Minowa believes Asian volleyball must improve the transition of young talents from grassroots programs to the senior level to sustain the region’s success internationally.

Minowa raised the concern during the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship in Chile, where several Asian teams, including the Philippines, reached the Round of 16.

“The challenge for Asian volleyball… is that although many Asian countries are among the strongest in the world at the grassroots level, they tend to be overtaken by other countries as players move up through the age categories,” Minowa said.

The Alas Girls reached the knockout stage after wins over Mexico and Tunisia but fell to China, Peru and Venezuela in the group phase. They were later defeated by South Korea in the Round of 16 and are set to face Japan in the classification round.

Minowa noted that Asia’s youth strength is evident from the previous U17 World Championship, where three of the four semifinalists were Asian teams. He urged countries to openly examine gaps in player development after the grassroots stage and work together to build a stronger pathway to the senior ranks.

Japan currently leads Asian women’s volleyball at No. 6 in the world, followed by China at No. 7, Thailand at No. 17 and South Korea at No. 28.

The development of young Filipino players has long been a priority for Minowa. In 2024, he helped guide the country’s youth teams in regional and Asian competitions, where the Philippines won bronze at the Princess Cup and finished 10th at the Asian U18 championship.

Now leading the senior national team, Minowa has already overseen a breakthrough as Alas Pilipinas Women captured a historic silver medal in the second leg of the 2026 SEA V Cup.

Filipino tennis star Alex Eala continued her impressive run on the WTA Tour after defeating American Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, to reach the third round of the 2026 Canadian Open.

Backed by a passionate Filipino crowd at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, Eala showed composure and determination after losing the second set, breaking through Parks’ challenge in the deciding frame to secure the victory in one hour and 51 minutes.

The 25th-seeded Eala entered the tournament with strong momentum after capturing her first-ever WTA Tour singles title at the DC Open in Washington. She received a first-round bye before facing Parks in the second round.

Eala dominated the opening set after breaking Parks in the fourth game and taking control of the match. However, world No. 71 Parks responded in the second set, holding serve before breaking Eala in the final game to force a deciding set.

In the third set, Eala regained control by breaking Parks to love in the fifth game. The Filipina star then maintained her composure, closing out the match with a love hold to complete another major victory.

After the match, Eala expressed her gratitude to the Filipino fans who showed their support by waving Philippine flags and cheering throughout the match.

“I am eternally grateful,” Eala said, adding that the support from Filipinos around the world has been a source of pride and motivation.

The victory also avenged Eala’s earlier loss to Parks at the Australian Open earlier this year.

Eala will next face Caty McNally, who pulled off an upset against reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Nosková, in the third round of the WTA 1000 tournament.

Meanwhile, other top players advancing to the third round include second seed Elena Rybakina, third seed Jessica Pegula, fourth seed Coco Gauff, and world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva.

With her continued success, Eala is further establishing herself as one of the brightest young stars in international tennis and a source of pride for the Philippines.

Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena added another gold medal to his growing list of achievements after ruling the Stabhochsprung Meeting in Jockgrim, Germany.

Obiena cleared 5.83 meters to capture the championship on Thursday morning (Philippine time), continuing his impressive run in the 2026 season. The world No. 14 athlete attempted to clear 5.93 meters to surpass his season-best mark of 5.85 meters, but failed to complete the height in three attempts.

Despite the challenge, Obiena finished ahead of Qatar’s Seifeldin Abdelsalam, who also cleared 5.83 meters but needed three attempts to do so. Turkey’s Ersu Sasma secured the bronze medal after clearing 5.77 meters in two attempts.

In a social media post, Obiena shared his satisfaction with the victory despite facing difficulties during the competition, saying the performance was far from perfect but he was happy to secure the win.

The victory marked Obiena’s fourth gold medal in Germany this 2026 season. He previously topped the International Springer-Meeting in Cottbus, won at the ISTAF Indoor Berlin, and recently claimed gold at the Halberstädter Höhenflug – International Pole Vault Meeting in Halberstadt.

With his continued dominance in international competitions, Obiena remains one of the Philippines’ biggest hopes for global athletics success and continues to inspire Filipino athletes around the world.