Vargas expects PHL boxers to have podium finish in Paris

NLEX Road Warriors survived a hard-fought battle against Terrafirma Dyip, 101-100, in the PBA Governor's Cup last night, at the Ynares Center.

NLEX controlled the game in the first three quarters, not until Terrafirma attempted a comeback in the final frame. 

Terrafirma managed to trim their deficit by outscoring the Road Warriors 33-11, including Justin Strings' mid-range jumper to cut the lead in just one point in the 4th quarter.

NLEX held their composure on defense in the final seconds, and Geo Chiu's successful offensive rebound already ran out of time to put a quality bucket, which secured the Road Warriors' victory. 

DeQuan Jones led his team with 30 points, while Schonny Winston and Robert Bolick added 13 and 12 points, respectively. 

Under new head coach Jimmy Alapag, the Road Warriors improved to 2-0 in the conference. They are scheduled to face Titan Ultra Giant Risers on July 14. 

The Alas Pilipinas Boys found Iran a tough nut to crack, falling 17-25, 20-25, 13-25 on the opening day of the 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Boys’ U18 Volleyball Championship at the Wuyuan River Gymnasium in Haikou, China.

Iran asserted its dominance early in the opening set with 21 attack points, while the Alas Boys managed only eight.

The nationals came alive in the second set, tying the score at 19-19 behind the efforts of Djomari Gamotea, Raphael Galapin, and Elijah Marticion.

However, Iran responded with a 6-1 run sparked by middle blockers Heydari Sefat Pedram and Chodorarkhoei Aydin and never looked back, securing the straight-set victory in one hour and five minutes.

“We just fell short despite tying the score at 19-19 in the second set,” head coach Oliver Balse said. “We need to work on our defense.”

Marticion led Alas Pilipinas with eight points on seven attacks and one block, while Galapin and Ar-Raquib Dais added five points each.

Nima Piri and Abolfazl Pashaamiri chipped in 16 and 15 points, respectively, for Iran.

“We’ll keep working and fighting to get better,” Balse said. “The skills are there; it’s a matter of bringing them out.,” he added.

The Philippine team—organized under the supervision of the Philippine Olympic Committee and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission—faces Bahrain at 1 p.m. on Monday, while Iran aims to improve to 2-0 against India at 10 a.m.

The Philippine youth volleyball team begins its campaign in the AVC Boys’ U18 Volleyball Championship this Sunday in Haikou, China, aiming to secure a spot in the 2027 FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship.

The top four teams in the 16-nation tournament will qualify for the world meet.

The Philippines, which has wing spikers Al-Raquib Dais, Gary Ivan Dayrit, Terrence Marticion, Raphael Galapin, Elijah Yeuzef Guzman, John Daniel Dela Cruz, and Luigi Molina in its roster, battles Iran in its Pool B opener on Sunday.

Led by head coach Oliver Balse, the Filipinos open Pool B play against Iran on Sunday, face Bahrain on Monday, and take on India on Tuesday.

Pool A features China, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong, while Thailand headlines Pool C alongside Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Pool D consists of Japan, Korea, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.

In John Amores' return to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), he posted on his Facebook account following his comeback game against the Terrafirma Dyip.

“Psalms 62:1-8,” he wrote.

Amores scored five points in nine minutes of action, but his team fell short, 113-100.

Amores was involved in a shooting incident in 2024, which led to the league banning him for two years and revoking his professional basketball license.

He later regained his license and is now cleared to play in the country's premier professional basketball league.

Gilas Pilipinas Women's 3x3 player Beth Pettinggil shared her thoughts on Instagram after representing the country at the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Xiantao Stop in China.

The Gilas Women's team (Manila Gilas) made history by finishing fourth, the highest placement ever by the Philippine national team in the tournament.

They defeated Paraguay, 20-17, to advance to the semifinals before falling to China, 21-11, in the semifinals.

Pettinggil also made history as the first naturalized player in the Gilas Pilipinas Women's basketball program.

"Craziest side quest ever but I officially have Filipino citizenship and get to represent the Philippines in 3x3!!! Feeling so blessed to get to play the sport I love and compete within such a supportive and passionate community. Just the beginning with the Gilas family ," she wrote.

To more side quests, Beth!