Player Profile Series: The Rise of Volleyball Star Marck Espejo

GILAS PILIPINAS FALLS SHORT AGAINST NEW ZEALAND IN DOUBLE-OVERTIME THRILLER

Gilas Pilipinas fell to host New Zealand Tall Blacks, 102-106, on their home court to open Window 3 of the FIBA Asia World Cup Qualifiers on Friday, July 3, in Auckland.

New Zealand emerged victorious after a hard-fought battle, with both teams locked in a tightly contested first half.

Team Philippines trailed, 39-44, at halftime, but the Gilas shooters kept the game close, with Carl Tamayo leading the offense with double-digit scoring.

The second half remained intense as New Zealand forced several turnovers, while Gilas answered with its outside shooting.

Gilas eventually took the lead at the end of the third quarter after putting together a 10-1 run.

The momentum carried into the fourth quarter, where Gilas built a seven-point lead, but the Tall Blacks refused to back down.

New Zealand battled back and regained the lead in the final minute, leaving Gilas on the verge of defeat.

Then came a miracle. With his team needing a bucket, Juan Gomez de Liano knocked down a clutch three-pointer to tie the game and force overtime.

The first overtime featured back-and-forth action, with both teams trading baskets as defense became the deciding factor.

When New Zealand looked ready to pull away, Gomez de Liano delivered once again, sinking another crucial three-pointer to give Gilas a two-point lead.

However, New Zealand veteran Shea Ili tied the game by making two free throws, sending the game into double overtime.

2026 PBA Commissioner's Cup Best Import Justin Brownlee later buried a three-pointer to give Gilas the lead once again.

Still, New Zealand answered, tying the game with under a minute remaining.

The Tall Blacks eventually sealed the victory by converting their free throws in the closing moments of double overtime. 

Meanwhile, the Philippines' missed crucial free throws and costly turnovers proved decisive in the loss.

Gomez de Liano finished with an efficient 23 points, while Kevin Quiambao also scored a scorching 23 points. Dwight Ramos added 18 points, and Carl Tamayo contributed 17.

Gilas Pilipinas will look to bounce back against Australia on Monday, July 6.

Alex Eala made history for Philippine tennis by becoming the first Filipina player to advance to the 3rd round of Wimbledon with her victory over Maya Joint, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the 2nd round of the tournament.

The filipina tennis ace bounced back against a struggling first set, and won the next two to secure the victory.  

The win also served as payback for Eala, who fell short to Joint in the Lexus Eastbourne Open final, 4-6, 6-1, 6-7, in June 2025.

Up next, the 21-year old's 3rd round opponent will be World. No.3 and defending champion Iga Swiatek.

The two are tied at 1-1 in their meetings. Eala defeated Swiatek in the 2025 Miami Open quarterfinals, while Swiatek evened the series with a victory in the 2025 Madrid Open round of 64. This upcoming match-up will be their tiebreaker. 

The filipina acknowledged that it will be a difficult challenge to overcome against Swiatek.

"I think it's going to be tough for me," she said. 

Eala will face Swiatek tomorrow, July 4. 

Alas Pilipinas Girls U18 defeated Iran in its first match of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship, 29-19, 19-25, 25-23, 25-18, today in Thailand, July 1.

In the match, which lasted more than two hours, Xyz Ellen Rayco led the team's offense with 19 points, including 14 attack points.

Joining the 15-year-old Rayco was Ma. Ellanie Lorraine Gonzalvo, who also contributed 15 points, highlighted by 12 attack points and two aces.

Philippines head coach Rey Karl Dimaculangan emphasized the importance of maintaining the right mindset.

"We need to be more focused on the game and be more aggressive, especially on the floor," he said.

Alas Pilipinas will next face Japan on Thursday before taking on India on Friday.

Alas Pilipinas secured the bronze medal after beating Indonesia, 27-25, 27-29, 18-25, 25-22, 15-11, in the 2026 Southeast Asian Girls' U18 Volleyball Championship. 

This marks their second consecutive Bronze Medal after they clinching the first in last year's tournament.

Ella Gonzalvo also won the Best Outside Hitter Award in the tournament. 

Meanwhile, Thailand successfully defended their title against Vietnam, 25-23, 29-27, 25-22, and was crowned champion once again in the Princess Cup. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed Isaiah Hartenstein to a 3-year contract extension, retaining him to be a key part of the team until the 2028-2029 NBA season. 

The extension will pay him $75 million in new money for the next three years, with a total of $134 million guaranteed over the next five years with OKC.

The German center's impact on this young OKC team has extended beyond the stat sheet, as he played a significant role in helping the franchise win the 2025 NBA championship. 

During his two years in Oklahoma, he averaged 10.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game as their starting center.