ROS finally solves SMB puzzle

The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses remained unstoppable in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament after a resounding 104–54 victory over the University of the Philippines on Wednesday, November 5, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

With the win, UST improved to 10-0, solidifying its hold atop the eight-team standings while maintaining a remarkable 32.8-point average winning margin.

“Our mentality remains the same — take it one game at a time, stay consistent, and improve every game,” said head coach Haydee Ong. “Of course, our last two games are tough ones against Ateneo and NU, but on Sunday we’ll prepare for FEU.”

The Tigresses dominated from start to finish, opening with a 31-9 first quarter before taking a 55-27 halftime lead. Their advantage ballooned to as much as 53 points, 98-45, midway through the fourth quarter after a Breanna Pineda basket.

Kent Pastrana led the charge with 25 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block, finishing with a game-high plus-48 efficiency rating in just 20 minutes and 19 seconds on the court.

“I think this is Kent’s best game. A 48 efficiency rating in 20 minutes with 25 points — I hope she can keep up those magical numbers,” Ong added.

Rachelle Ambos chipped in 19 markers and nine boards, while Oma Onianwa tallied 11 points and 10 rebounds, recording a team-best plus-51 in just over 20 minutes of play.

The loss was UP’s eighth straight, dropping them to 2-8 after a 2-0 start. Despite their slump, the Fighting Maroons still have a slim shot at the Final Four with Adamson, De La Salle, and FEU all tied at 4-6.

Camille Nolasco paced UP with 17 markers and four boards, while Achrissa Maw added 10 points, five rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.

Last season’s Mythical Team member Louna Ozar struggled once again, shooting 2-of-13 for six points, alongside five rebounds, four assists, and two steals, but also committing five turnovers.

UST will look to extend its perfect run when it faces Far Eastern University on Sunday, November 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, while UP aims to snap its skid against University of the East on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Even as the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters continue to pile up victories in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, injuries remain an unwelcome part of their journey.

Already missing key players Caelan Tiongson and Stanley Pringle, the Elasto Painters suffered another setback after big man Keith Datu went down with an apparent knee injury during their 91-80 win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Datu, who had been dealing with knee issues prior to the game, slipped and fell hard midway through the third quarter. He was helped to the bench and did not return, finishing with nine points, four rebounds, and three assists in what was his most active showing of the conference so far.

Coach Yeng Guiao expressed concern over Datu’s condition, saying that the team will still wait for results from medical tests to determine the severity of the injury.

“I don’t know exactly what his status is or how serious the injury might be,” Guiao said. “He’s already been having issues with his knees before, which is why we’ve been focusing on strengthening his lower body. And now this happened.”

The absence of Datu leaves Rain or Shine thin in the middle, with Caelan Tiongson still nursing an injury and veteran Beau Belga playing limited minutes as he recovers from vertigo earlier this year.

Despite the setbacks, the Elasto Painters extended their winning run to four games, improving to a 5-1 record to seize solo first place in the standings. Guiao acknowledged that managing player health while maintaining competitiveness will be a tough balancing act heading into the next stretch of the eliminations.

“It’s tough because we’re managing Beau’s minutes, and now Keith’s dealing with an injury. Then there’s Caelan who’s also hurt. We might end up playing all guards at this rate,” Guiao joked, though his concern was evident.

Rain or Shine now shifts focus to its next assignment against the NLEX Road Warriors on Saturday, hoping for a positive update on Datu’s condition before they face tougher opponents in the coming weeks.

Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized star Justin Brownlee will be sidelined from the team’s upcoming basketball games as he recovers from pneumonia, team officials confirmed.

Brownlee, a key contributor in recent international campaigns, is currently undergoing medical treatment and observation. According to the Gilas medical team, his health remains the top priority, and he will return to action only once fully cleared by doctors.

Meralco Bolts head coach Luigi Trillo noted, “We’re waiting for Justin, he is our naturalized (player) so he’s an option to play. He would be a big help if he was here.”

The development comes as Gilas prepares for the next phase of training and competitions, with head coach Tim Cone emphasizing that Brownlee’s recovery takes precedence over the schedule.

“Justin’s health is our main concern. We want him to get back to 100% before stepping on the court again,” said Cone.

Unbeaten Filipino middleweight contender Weljon Mindoro is keeping the door open to representing the Philippines in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games — a move he and his team consider a great honor.

Mindoro, alongside handlers Gerry Balmes and Orly Barcelango, are awaiting official communication from the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) or the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to formalize his inclusion.

During Monday’s presentation of the 3rd Asian Youth Games medalists, POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino mentioned Mindoro’s possible addition to the national boxing lineup.

“Wala naman kaming ihi-hindi. Sa tingin ko mas maganda kung maging pormal na lang yung pagmi-meeting diyan,” said Barcelango during the PSA Forum. “Hindi namin ipagdadamot si Weljon dahil isang karangalan yun makapagsilbi para sa bayan.”

A native of Zamboanga del Sur, Mindoro previously competed in Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa, but never made it to the national team. Competing in the SEA Games, he said, would be a dream come true.

“Excited ako diyan na makalaban sa SEA Games. Kung manalo ako sa SEA Games, mas maganda kung makalaban ako sa Olympics,” he added.

Mindoro and his team are set to train in Japan for stronger sparring partners. Trainer Joven Jimenez and former champion Jerwin Ancajas have also expressed support for his SEA Games prospects.

Mindoro recently served as a sparring partner for Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial in the Thrilla in Manila 50th Anniversary event. His team hopes he’ll soon officially join the national squad, eager to chase gold and represent the country on a bigger stage.

Vietnamese volleyball star Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen has been ruled out of the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand following a recurrence of an abdominal muscle injury.

Her absence was confirmed after her name was left off the official Vietnam women’s national team roster for both the training camp and the tournament.

Bich Tuyen, known for her explosive scoring and power, had also skipped the 2025 FIVB Women’s World Championship earlier this year, initially citing personal and family reasons as well as issues related to new FIVB eligibility rules. However, reports now reveal that her lingering injury has once again flared up, sidelining her from international competition.

The setback is a major blow for Vietnam, which will look to adjust its lineup as it aims to stay competitive in the regional volleyball scene.

Meanwhile, team captain Tran Thi Thanh Thuy (4T) and middle blocker Tran Thi Bich Thuy are set to join the national team’s training camp in early December, once they conclude their ongoing stints in Japan’s V.League.

Both players are expected to bring veteran leadership and international experience to bolster Vietnam’s campaign in the upcoming 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.