UAAP Season 88 opens at UST with big weekend basketball action

A defining chapter in franchise history was written on Thursday night as ZUS Coffee secured its first-ever Finals appearance, sweeping the veteran PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-22, 28-26, 25-22, in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

What was once a team buried at the bottom of the standings has now transformed into one of the league’s most compelling contenders, fueled by a performance truly worthy of the postseason stage.

Leading the charge was American import Anna DeBeer, who delivered a masterclass performance that defined the Thunderbelles’ rise. DeBeer exploded for 30 points built on 29 blistering attacks and an ace, while showcasing complete versatility on the floor with 9 excellent digs and 8 excellent receptions. 

From power to poise, the ZUS Coffee star controlled the match on both ends, refusing to let PLDT find rhythm in crucial moments.

ZUS Coffee’s stunning sweep was not just a victory, it was a statement. A team once viewed as rebuilding has now announced itself as a force ready for the league’s biggest stage. Their ascent from cellar-dwellers to title contenders reflects a culture shift built on resilience, chemistry, and unwavering belief.

With the win, the Thunderbelles march into a gold medal showdown against the Petro Gazz Angels, scheduled for Sunday, November 30, at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum. The clash promises to be a battle of momentum versus legacy, ZUS Coffee making its first leap to greatness, and Petro Gazz returning to reclaim the crown.

Meanwhile, the PLDT High Speed Hitters, who fought through a grueling campaign only to fall short of the finals, will face the Akari Chargers in the bronze medal match, aiming to secure a podium finish and end their season on a high note.

As the PVL Finals await, ZUS Coffee stands on the brink of completing one of the most remarkable turnarounds in league history, and they’re not done yet.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and sponsor of the proposed budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), renewed his call for the regionalization of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) during budget deliberations on last Monday, November 24.

Go stressed that keeping the NAS concentrated solely in Luzon—specifically in its main campus in New Clark City, Pampanga—limits grassroots development and sidelines promising young athletes from the Visayas and Mindanao.

“Nag-file rin po ako ng bill para ma-regionalize ang NAS,” Go said, referring to his recently filed measure aimed at decentralizing the academy in line with the intent of the law that created it.

Go noted that while NAS operations are fully funded—citing an additional ₱294 million in the committee report, including budget for a new dormitory—geographical accessibility remains a major barrier for student-athletes outside Luzon.

He emphasized that expansion does not require constructing brand-new facilities, pointing out that many local governments already have sports infrastructures capable of hosting NAS satellite campuses.

“Sana ay ma-regionalize ito… at malagyan rin po sa Visayas at Mindanao,” he said, adding that several LGUs in Mindanao have already expressed willingness to host equivalent NAS setups.

During the hearing, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano underscored the need for continuity in national sports planning and aligning programs with international hosting opportunities. Go agreed, stressing the importance of proactive planning.

A long-time advocate for athlete welfare, Go authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, which established the NAS and introduced a dual-track system combining secondary education with specialized sports training. The academy provides full scholarships to student-athletes pursuing both academic and athletic excellence.

To widen access to this model, Go filed Senate Bill No. 171, or the National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act of 2025, which seeks to establish NAS campuses across the country—particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao. These regional campuses would uphold the academic and athletic standards of the main campus while ensuring equitable opportunities for rising sports talents nationwide.

Newly elected Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tonyboy Liao vowed to steer the organization toward greater progress after securing a sweeping victory in the federation elections held last Friday night in Taguig.

“Our hope is to continue making Philippine volleyball better,” said Liao, who, along with his 13-member board, won decisively in the polls participated in by 47 voting members, including outgoing president Ramon Suzara. Philippine Olympic Committee secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan served as observer.

Among those elected to key posts were Dr. Arnel Hajan as chairman, Yul Benosa as vice president, Ottie Camangian as secretary-general, Ricky Palou as treasurer, and Roger Banzuela as auditor. Completing the board are Michael Vargas, Sherwin Maganda, Danilo Cong-O, Edward Lee, Charo Soriano, Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, and Ma. Soccorro Calleja.

SEA Games Preparation Tops Early Agenda

Liao’s first order of business is preparing the national teams for next month’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, where Alas Pilipinas aims to contend for medals in men’s and women’s indoor volleyball as well as beach volleyball.

Push for Transparency, Organizational Overhaul

Running on a platform of transparency and good governance, Liao’s new leadership has requested the courtesy resignations of all holdover staff from Suzara’s administration. The move, he explained, is meant to address significant redundancies that have affected efficiency and strained the federation’s limited resources.

“We noticed a lot of redundant work—one task being done by two people,” Liao said. “If a job is redundant, I’m sorry, but we have to take you off. We need to keep only what the organization truly needs.”

He added that overstaffing leads to unnecessary expenses, especially for a federation that relies heavily on commercial sponsorships. “PNVF is not rich. If we keep spending on redundant positions, that’s money we could use for operations and tournaments.”

Audit of P2-Billion World Championship Hosting Funds Looms

A major task ahead for Liao’s administration, particularly for treasurer Ricky Palou, is opening the federation’s financial books to trace how the P2 billion allocated for hosting the recent FIVB Men’s World Championship was used. The inquiry forms part of the new board’s pledge to ensure transparency and accountability in the federation’s operations.

For now, Liao said his immediate focus is to “put the association in good order” by reviewing and reorganizing the structure that has been in place for the past five years.

With a renewed mandate, a strong leadership lineup, and a clear call for reform, Liao’s administration signals a fresh chapter for Philippine volleyball—one driven by accountability, efficiency, and a commitment to elevating the sport on the international stage.

Host Philippines looks to close its FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup campaign on a strong note as it faces powerhouse Argentina tonight at the PhilSports Arena.

Already out of quarterfinal contention after losses to Poland (0–6) and Morocco (2–3), the determined Filipina5 aim to deliver a spirited performance in their final Group A assignment against the unbeaten South Americans.

“It’s the World Cup. They’re playing in their home country, so that’s more than enough motivation for the players,” said Philippine coach Rafa Merino.

The Philippines nearly pulled off a breakthrough win on Monday when Inday Tolentin and Cathrine Graversen scored early against Morocco. But the African champions rallied with three unanswered goals to steal the match and force a tie with Poland at three points apiece—setting up a do-or-die clash between the two for the group’s last knockout berth.

World No. 6 Argentina has already secured its place in the quarterfinals with wins over Morocco (6–0) and Poland (3–2).

Ranked 63rd in the world, the Filipina5 enter as clear underdogs, but Merino believes his squad is far from done. “We have to give the best of ourselves, keep our identity, and keep who we are. There’s nothing extraordinary that we can do—just play the best way we can.”

Backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Football Federation, the home side hopes to reward its supporters with a gutsy, memorable performance as it wraps up its historic World Cup debut.

South Korean Olympic champion coach Ryu Su Jeng, renowned for steering Korea to multiple Olympic gold medals, is being hailed as “a gift to Philippine archery” as she begins her second week working with the national team.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio endorsed Ryu during her early days training Filipino archers, calling her arrival a major turning point for the country’s archery program.

Ryu’s résumé includes leading South Korea to two gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and three more at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Now, she is helping Team Philippines prepare for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, with long-term plans for the 2026 Asian Games, 2027 World Youth Archery Championships, and potentially the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Despite offers from China and Mexico, Ryu chose the Philippines, believing the country has world-class talent. “In the SEA Games, we can win medals. Also in the Asian Games, even the gold. And in the Olympics, we can get to the quarterfinals and then, in the future, a medal,” Ryu said.

Her arrival stems from close coordination between the PSC and World Archery Philippines (WAP) president Bing Reaport, who praised Ryu for building a firm foundation for long-term development.

“We are very upbeat. The vision is to uplift archery in the country—new learnings, coaching skills, technical skills. What coach Ryu is doing right now is building the framework,” Reaport said. “The morale is really high. She already has a game plan for the SEA Games. Very strategic ang plans and she is happy with the progress.”

Discussions are underway for a 24-month contract that may also bring in another Korean coach. Gregorio stressed that investing in excellence is necessary: “If we want to be the best, get the best. Coach Ryu is a gift to archery in the Philippines.”

Filipino archers have been training seven days a week under Ryu’s demanding regimen. “In the first week of training, pinahirapan niya ang mga archers natin,” Reaport joked. “But they’re learning. Even the simple things help—the logic, discipline, focus, desire.”

Gregorio described this as the start of a new era: “This is the start of rebuilding archery in the Philippines—from grassroots to the elite level. A new beginning has begun, and exciting times are ahead.”