UAAP
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Paolo Barcelon

UE Zenith Warriors take inaugural UAAP MLBB title

The University of the East joins DLSU and Ateneo as the first three schools which will bag home a UAAP esports title.

This, after the UE Zenith Warriors defeated University of Santo Tomas (UST)’s Teletigers Esports Club in a sweeping 2-0 victory on Wednesday at Hyundai Hall, Arete Ateneo in Quezon City. 

That wrapped up the league's inaugural Esports tournament, where Ateneo earlier ruled the NBA2K24 while De La Salle topped VALORANT.

Despite a rocky start in the group stages, UE’s playing coach, Arohn Jen Cabigting, expressed confidence, especially during the championship match.

"Very confident kami na kaya namin ang UST, specially nung group stages. Marami lang talaga kaming mga miscommunication na kinailangan namin ayusin. Hindi rin overconfident kasi alam namin kung gaano sila kagaling, alam namin yung capabilities nila. Nagfocus lang kami sa alam naming way kung pano manalo," said Cabigting, a 21-year-old civil engineering student.

Head coach Jon Benedict Sampang, a freshman BS IT student at UE, was overcome with emotion following the tournament’s dramatic ups and downs.

"Sobrang sarap sa feeling kasi nareunite kami pong players saka coach sa team. Di ko na talaga maexplain yung nararamdaman ko. Naiyak na lang talaga ako," he shared.

In Game 1, Ariel Dolar (Lancelot) turned the match in UE’s favor by outplaying UST’s Wayne Valentino (Roger). 

Dolar shut down Valentino’s maniac killing streak and secured the 15th-minute lord. John Lawrence Chavez (Faramis) then contributed two kills in the subsequent team fight, leading to a game-winning 4-1 trade and a 1-0 lead for UE.

UE maintained their precision in Game 2, capitalizing on UST’s risky 12th-minute turret siege. The resulting 3-0 wipe, with kills from Dolar, Chavez, and Ryan-Ver Federizo, proved decisive. 

The Zenith Warriors then executed a base turret siege in the bottom lane during the next sequence, securing the championship.

Chavez, who was named MVP of Game 1, was also honored as the Chowking Kakaibang Player of the Tournament.

"Very proud po yung teammates ko sa pagka-MVP ko. Nagkakaron kami actually ng joke within the team kung sino yung makakakuha ng MVP. Pero nagulat ako. Di ko talaga siya inaasahan na magiging MVP ako," said Chavez, a third-year tourism student at UE.

UE’s journey to victory was marked by resilience. 

UAAp2
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Season 87 Media Team

After an opening 2-0 loss to the Teletigers, the Zenith Warriors were on the brink of elimination in the group stage. They rebounded by defeating the Adamson University Falcons and delivering a crucial performance to secure a 1-1 split with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, earning the last playoff spot.

In the semifinals, UE, also represented by John Zel Bartolo and Elijah Vilaray, overcame a tough series against top-seeded Far Eastern University. By employing clever pocket picks, they achieved a 2-1 reverse sweep to reach the finals.

UST, consisting of Arjohn Roxas, Benjamin Lukban, Rammuell Belga, Angel Saliuan, and Jose Odfina, had an impressive run, finishing the group stage with a perfect 6-0 record. The Teletigers continued their dominance with a 2-0 sweep of National University in the semifinals.

In the other events, Ateneo de Manila University's Paolo Medina clinched the NBA2K crown last week, followed by De La Salle University’s undefeated run to the title in the VALORANT tournament, which concluded on Friday. 

The Teletigers qualified for the playoffs in all three tournaments, finishing with two silver medals and one bronze.

The Tamaraws Esports, represented by Benedict Ablanida, Jordan Eder, Dashmielle Farin, Kevin Reyes, Micole Wage, and Paolo Sanchez, also earned bronze medals in the UAAP Esports ML:BB tournament, alongside National University. 

The Bulldogs were led by Rendell Bangsal, Harold Blas, John Ver Gerez, Angel Christian Ico, Robby Miguel Martin, and John Prince Paculan.

News

John Amores (Credits Titan Ultra Giant Risers Facebook)

John Amores Signs One-Conference Contract with Titan Ultra

John Amores is returning to professional basketball after signing a one-conference contract with the Titan Ultra Giant Risers. 

Titan welcomed him through a Facebook post, announcing his comeback representing the team.

"A NEW CHAPTER STARTS NOW. Welcome back to the PBA, John Amores. Welcome to the Titan Ultra Giant Risers family. Let’s get to work," they wrote. 

Before his professional basketball license was revoked, Amores averaged 5.1 points and 1.6 rebounds per game for the NorthPort Batang Pier during the 2024-2025 PBA season. 

John and his brother were involved in a shooting incident in Laguna in September 2024, which led the suspension from the PBA, along with revoking his license by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

Earlier this week, he posted a video of himself at GAB, where he officially retrieved his license, and is now cleared to resume playing in professional leagues. 

Ahead of his PBA comeback, Titan is set to face Terrafirma this Friday.

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Alas Pilipinas Women's team (Credits alaspilipinasvolley Instagram)

Alas Pilipinas Women's Training Already Underway

Alas Pilipinas Women's team shared photos on its Instagram account during training for the upcoming SEA V.League and the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games. 

Taka Minowa, a former head coach in the Premier Volleyball League with the Akari Chargers, will take over as the new head coach of the nat'l team after being recruited by the POC for his service.

The roster is composed of setters with captain Jia De Guzman, Marionne Angelique Alba, Maria Angelica Cayuna; liberos Justine Ylizeth Jazareno, Jennifer Nierva, Dawn Nicole Catindig, Shaira Jardio.

They will also be joined by outside hitters Mhicaela Belen, Vanessa Gandler, Ejiya Laure, Alleiah Jan Malaluan, Angel Anne Canino, Shaina Marie Nitura; as well as middle blockers Janette Panaga, Dell Palomata, Thea Gagate, Mereophe Sharma, Amie Provido, Nina Ytang. 

Completing the line-up are opposite hitters Alyssa Solomon, Erika Santos, and Arah Panique. 

Alas secured bronze in the 2025 SEA V.League after sweeping Indonesia 25-17, 25-17, 28-26. The team also qualified for the Asian Games due to its current FIVB rankings among asian teams, standing at No. 10.  

SEA V.League will take place in Vietnam on July 31 to August 2, while the Asian Games will be held in Japan beginning September 19.

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Evan Nelle (Credits NLEX Road Warriors Facebook)

Evan Nelle Traded To NLEX Road Warriors

Evan Nelle has been traded from the Phoenix Fuelmasters to the NLEX Road Warriors. 

TNLEX welcomed the guard on their official Facebook Page, highlighting the contributions he is expected to bring to the team for the upcoming season. 

"A floor general who thrives under pressure, sees every play before it unfolds, and keeps the offense rolling, you’re built for the road ahead," they wrote. 

NLEX receive:

- Evan Nelle

Phoenix receive:

- Sidney Onwubere

Nelle averaged 8.08 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 4.5 per game in the PBA Commissioner's Cup. The Fuel Masters reached the quarterfinals but were eliminated by the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, which eventually won the conference title. 

Jimmy Alapag, the current head coach of NLEX, had already made key moves to strengthen the core as the Road Warriors aim to contend for a title. 

He and Nelle are already familiar with each other, as he personally trained Nelle in California before the PBA Season 49 Draft, where Evan was selected as the No. 14 pick. Alapag was still the developmental coach of the Sacramento Kings at that time. 

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Gilas Pilipinas Players (Credits FIBA)

Gilas pilipinas falls short against new zealand in 2 ot thriller

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.

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Alex Eala (Credits WTA Instagram)

Eala keeps making history

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. 

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