Tolentino still hoping for a PH Olympic medal

The message from the Philippine Sports Commission is clear: Team Philippines is not heading to Aichi-Nagoya just to compete—it is being challenged to aim higher.

With the 20th Asian Games and 5th Asian Para Games fast approaching, Filipino athletes and coaches received an added boost after PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio announced an additional ₱6,000 allowance for every member of the delegation.

It may not be the biggest number attached to the campaign, but for athletes who have spent months training, traveling and sacrificing, every bit of support matters.

And Gregorio isn't stopping there.

The PSC chief revealed that should the Philippines surpass its four-gold-medal haul from the Hangzhou Asian Games, he will push for an additional reward for the entire delegation.

The Para athletes have an even bigger benchmark to chase: 10 gold medals, the number they won in Hangzhou.

Suddenly, Nagoya isn't simply about defending a medal count.

It's about beating it.

MORE THAN A NUMBER

Medal targets can sometimes feel like pressure.

Gregorio, however, framed the challenge differently.

His message to the delegation was that every athlete being sent to the Asian Games has the ability to win a medal—and potentially gold.

That belief could be just as valuable as any incentive.

For Filipino athletes, the road to the podium is rarely easy. Behind every medal are early mornings, long training sessions, injuries, financial sacrifices and countless moments when quitting would have been easier.

Now, they have another reminder that their efforts are being recognized.

FOUR GOLD? GO FOR MORE.

The Philippines returned from Hangzhou with four Asian Games gold medals.

It's a respectable haul.

But Gregorio wants the next chapter to be bigger.

Four is no longer the finish line.

The challenge is to surpass it.

For the Para delegation, the benchmark is 10 gold medals.

Those numbers are more than statistics. They represent previous victories—and a new standard for the athletes heading to Japan.

THE REAL PRIZE

The additional ₱6,000 allowance and possible rewards are welcome boosts, but the ultimate prize remains the same.

The podium.

The flag raised.

The national anthem playing.

The moment when years of sacrifice suddenly become worth it.

And perhaps most importantly, the realization that Filipino athletes belong among Asia's best.

Nagoya will eventually produce winners and losers. Some will return with medals. Others will return with lessons, heartbreak and motivation for another day.

But every athlete stepping onto the field of play will carry something bigger than a medal target.

They will carry the Philippines. 🇵🇭

Four golds?

Go beyond.

Ten Para golds?

Go beyond.

Because this time, the goal isn't simply to match what Team Philippines did before.

It's to prove that the next generation can do even more.

A new Asiad. A bigger challenge. A stronger Team Philippines.

And when the competition begins in Aichi-Nagoya, the message will be simple:

Don't just chase history. Make more of it.

They may not have gotten the result they dreamed of, but Sisi Rondina and Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball gave the Philippines something far bigger—a reason to be proud.

For Rondina, simply stepping onto the international stage was already a dream fulfilled.

Representing the country at that level is an opportunity few athletes get to experience, and the Filipina star understands exactly what it means to carry the Philippine flag in competition against the best.

But dreams are rarely measured by one result.

Sometimes, they are measured by the courage to show up, the battles fought, and the lessons carried home.

And that is exactly what Alas Pilipinas now has.

A journey worth remembering

The campaign may not have ended the way the team hoped, but every match gave the Filipinas another opportunity to test themselves, learn and grow.

They leave the competition carrying more than memories.

They leave with experience.

They leave with lessons.

And most importantly, they leave with an even stronger hunger for what comes next.

For a team continuing to make its mark in international beach volleyball, every high-pressure match is another building block toward a bigger future.

The disappointment may sting now.

But it does not erase what they accomplished.

The dream continues

There will be another tournament. Another court. Another opportunity to wear the national colors.

And when that moment comes, Rondina and her teammates will bring everything they learned from this journey with them.

Because this was never simply about winning one match or one tournament.

It was about fighting for the flag.

It was about carrying the Philippines with pride.

And it was about proving that Alas Pilipinas belongs on the international stage.

So, kudos, mga Alas. 🇵🇭🔥

You fought.

You battled.

You represented.

And you gave Filipinos another reason to believe.

This may not be the ending you wanted.

But it is definitely NOT the end of the dream.

The dream continues. 🇵🇭🔥

The Philippines may not have advanced to the next stage of the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup, but the Filipinas left the global stage with something far more important—a historic first chapter.

Making their maiden appearance in the prestigious tournament, the Philippine women’s baseball team finished with a 2-3 record, highlighted by two statement victories that showed the country can compete among the world’s best.

The biggest breakthrough came against Cuba, where the Filipinas stunned the highly ranked side with a commanding 6-0 victory—the Philippines’ first-ever World Cup win over Cuba.

They followed it up with another impressive performance, defeating Great Britain, 6-2, to further announce their arrival on the international stage.

For team captain Veronica Velasco, the significance of their campaign goes beyond the results.

“Yung unang panalo ng Pilipinas sa World Cup ay ginawa ng kababaihan.”

It was a historic moment for Philippine baseball, and one the team hopes will inspire a new generation of female players.

A tough introduction to the world stage

The Filipinas opened their World Cup campaign against defending champion Japan, suffering a defeat but gaining valuable confidence from their performance against one of the tournament’s strongest teams.

That experience proved crucial.

The Philippines bounced back with victories over Cuba and Great Britain, displaying the talent, resilience and competitiveness needed to challenge established baseball nations.

However, the road to the 2027 World Cup Finals in Rockford, Illinois, ultimately ended after losses to host Chinese-Taipei, 8-2, and Venezuela, 10-0.

Head coach Isaac “Saki” Bacarisas believes those setbacks provided an important lesson.

The team now has a clearer understanding of the level required to compete at the highest stage—and, perhaps more importantly, a better idea of the areas that need improvement.

More than a debut

Bacarisas remains confident that the Filipinas can return to the World Cup and perform even better.

The team’s historic campaign was made possible after the Philippines received a wildcard entry into this year’s tournament. Rather than simply being grateful for the opportunity, however, the Filipinas used it to make their presence felt.

A 2-3 record may not tell the entire story.

A first World Cup win over Cuba does.

Two victories on the sport’s biggest stage do.

And the confidence gained from facing some of the best teams in the world could prove even more valuable in the years ahead.

For Velasco and her teammates, this was a chance to make history.

They did.

Now comes the harder part: building on it.

The Filipinas have seen what the world stage looks like. They have experienced the pressure, measured themselves against elite opposition and discovered exactly what separates them from the teams they aspire to beat.

The next time they return, they will not be first-timers anymore.

They will be a team with experience, belief and unfinished business.

The Filipinas didn’t simply make their World Cup debut. They announced that Philippine women’s baseball belongs on the world stage—and their story may only be beginning. 🇵🇭⚾🔥

The Philippine flag has reached the podium on the global pickleball stage.

Vole player Vien Reyes-Bejosano delivered a breakthrough performance at the Pickleball World Cup, capturing the bronze medal in the Women’s Singles category and finishing third in a tournament that brought together players and delegates from 64 countries.

In a field filled with international talent, Bejosano held her ground against fierce competition and emerged as one of the tournament’s Top 3 women’s singles players — a result that stands as a significant milestone for both the player and Philippine pickleball.

The bronze may not have been the top step of the podium, but its significance goes far beyond the color of the medal.

It represents the growing presence of Filipino talent in a sport that continues to expand rapidly across the globe.

A statement on the world stage

Making a deep run at a major international tournament is never an easy task.

With representatives from 64 countries converging for the World Cup, the Women’s Singles competition provided Bejosano with a stern test against a diverse and highly competitive international field.

She answered that challenge with a strong campaign, battling her way into the medal places and securing third place.

The result placed Bejosano alongside the best performers of the tournament while giving Philippine pickleball a moment to celebrate on the international stage.

For Vole, the achievement is a major milestone.

For the Philippines, it is another reminder that Filipino athletes are capable of competing beyond domestic competition and making their presence felt against international opposition.

Bronze with a bigger meaning

Bejosano's podium finish is not simply about one player earning a medal.

It reflects the continued development and growing profile of pickleball in the Philippines.

The sport has attracted an increasingly broad following locally, with players of different ages and backgrounds taking to the courts. As the Philippine pickleball community continues to grow, international achievements such as Bejosano's provide both recognition and inspiration.

Her World Cup performance gives aspiring Filipino players something tangible to look toward — proof that the road from Philippine courts to international competition is becoming increasingly possible.

And when that journey ends with a place on the podium, the impact becomes even greater.

A proud moment for Vole

For Vole, Vien’s bronze is a result worthy of celebration.

The achievement puts the organization and its player in the spotlight while highlighting the level of talent emerging from the Philippine pickleball scene.

Reaching the Top 3 at a World Cup featuring competitors from 64 countries is no small accomplishment.

It is a result built on the ability to compete under pressure, maintain consistency and perform when the stakes are at their highest.

Vien managed to do exactly that.

Inspiring the next generation

Every breakthrough performance has the potential to inspire the athletes who come next.

For young Filipino pickleball players watching Vien stand on the World Cup podium, the message is clear: the Philippines belongs in the conversation.

The journey does not end with one bronze medal.

Instead, it could mark the beginning of an even bigger chapter for Vien Reyes-Bejosano — and perhaps another step forward for Philippine pickleball as it continues to establish itself on the international scene.

The Philippines may still be developing its identity in the global pickleball community, but achievements like this are helping change that narrative.

From Philippine courts to the world

Gold and silver may have occupied the top two spots, but her bronze carries a significance that cannot be measured simply by its place on the podium.

She has earned a place among the World Cup’s best women’s singles players and, in doing so, helped raise the profile of Philippine pickleball before an international audience.

For Vole, it is a proud achievement.

For her, it is a major career milestone.

And for the Philippines, it is another reason to believe that Filipino talent can compete — and win — on the world stage.

One rally. One point. One podium finish.

And this time, the Philippine flag is flying beside her.

The UAAP is making an important statement even before Season 89 officially gets underway: when the country calls, the league is willing to make room.

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines has scaled down its September men’s basketball schedule to just five game days, allowing several of its student-athletes to represent the Philippines in major international competitions.

With players set to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas squads in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan and the FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup in Wuhan, China, the UAAP adjusted its calendar rather than force its young stars to choose between school and country.

It is a decision that puts a familiar school rivalry on pause—but places national pride front and center.

UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tips off on September 13, with the defending champion De La Salle Green Archers facing the National University Bulldogs in the opening-day main event at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

But unlike a typical September packed with collegiate basketball, the league will hold games on only five dates.

A schedule built around the flag

The UAAP will stage September games on:

September 13 — Smart Araneta Coliseum
September 16 — Mall of Asia Arena
September 19 — Smart Araneta Coliseum
September 26 — Mall of Asia Arena
September 30 — Mall of Asia Arena

The unusual scheduling reflects the number of UAAP student-athletes expected to be involved in national-team duties during the month.

For UAAP president Mark Molina of Far Eastern University, the decision reflects what collegiate sports should ultimately be about: developing athletes not only for their schools, but also for the country.

“We have always believed that the UAAP’s mission goes beyond the competition,” Molina said.

The league president stressed that the UAAP takes pride whenever its student-athletes receive the opportunity to represent the Philippines, adding that the organization is willing to adjust its calendar whenever necessary to allow them to serve the national team.

From school colors to Philippine colors

Several familiar UAAP names will temporarily trade their school jerseys for the national colors.

La Salle’s Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo, together with UST’s Koji Buenaflor, have been called up for the Philippine men’s 3x3 basketball team for the Asian Games, scheduled for September 21 to 25.

Meanwhile, Kacey Dela Rosa and other UAAP standouts are set to bolster the Philippine women’s 5-on-5 basketball team.

Their involvement underscores the growing role of the UAAP as a pipeline for Philippine basketball.

For these young players, the opportunity represents more than simply another tournament.

Playing for their respective schools means competing for championships, pride and campus bragging rights.

Playing for the Philippines means carrying the expectations of an entire nation.

La Salle begins its title defense

Before some of its players head off to national duty, however, the defending champions will first begin their UAAP title defense.

La Salle faces NU on September 13, immediately setting the tone for another highly anticipated season of collegiate basketball.

The Green Archers enter the season carrying the pressure that comes with being champions, while the rest of the league looks to knock them off their perch.

But the early portion of the season will unfold under an unusual circumstance.

Some of the league's biggest young talents will soon be pulled away from the UAAP hardwood to compete internationally.

And rather than viewing that as an inconvenience, the UAAP has chosen to embrace it.

A bigger stage for UAAP stars

The scheduling adjustment is also a reminder of the increasingly important relationship between collegiate basketball and the national team program.

UAAP players are no longer simply future prospects waiting for their chance.

Many are already being trusted with national-team responsibilities while still in college.

The experience of competing against international opponents can only add another layer to their development—and potentially make them better players when they eventually return to the UAAP floor.

For the league, that makes the temporary disruption worthwhile.

The UAAP can wait. The national team cannot.

The rivalries will still be there.

The championships will still be there.

But opportunities to represent the Philippines on the international stage do not come around every day.

And for the UAAP, the message is clear:

School pride matters. But when the Philippine flag is on the line, the flag comes first.