When it comes to grace under pressure, sharp court vision, and consistency in execution, Maria Deanna Izabella Alvizo Wong—known to fans simply as Deanna Wong—stands tall as one of the Philippines’ most recognized volleyball setters.Born on July 18, 1998, Wong hails from Cebu, where her volleyball journey began not on a grand court but in a humble sixth-grade intramural game, all thanks to a best friend’s invitation. That small moment would eventually lead to a stellar collegiate and professional volleyball career.She first studied at Saint Theresa’s College of Cebu and later attended the University of San Jose–Recoletos for high school. Her early promise in volleyball soon caught the attention of university scouts, leading to training invitations from San Sebastian College–Recoletos and eventually Ateneo de Manila University, where her collegiate career truly blossomed.

Another PBA Most Valuable Player takes the spotlight in our Player Profile Series. This time, we go back to 1985 and feature “The Quick Brown Fox” himself—Ricardo Brown.Born on May 22, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York, Brown holds the distinction of being the first-ever Fil-American to play in the PBA as a ‘local.’ His career in the league ran from 1983 to 1990, but his impact remains legendary.Standing at 6’1”, Brown was selected 59th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1979 NBA Draft, but he was never signed. That didn’t stop him from chasing the game he loved. While playing in the United States, he was discovered by Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., which opened the door for him to come to the Philippines.

As we kick off our Player Profile series highlighting the pioneers and icons of Philippine basketball, we begin with a name synonymous with scoring brilliance and resilience—William “Bogs” Adornado.

The Santa Rosa Wrestling Team of Santa Rosa, Laguna collected a total of 12 medals in the recently concluded 2024 Batang Pinoy held at the Mendoza Park in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.They bagged seven golds, three silvers, and two bronzes to wrap up their stint in the Palawan edition.El John Ponting led the list of those who captured gold medals as he topped the Greco Roman (32kg) and FreeStyle Wrestling (32kg) in the 12-13 years old categories.Ponting was named back-to-back Best Player in his age category in the 2023 and 2024 Batang Pinoy.

The exciting and physically demanding sport of trail running will take center stage during the Philippine Trail Running Association (Philtra) National Championships, set to be held in Danao, Cebu from March 21 to 23. This event marks the conclusion of a series of qualifying competitions across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao last year, and will play a key role in selecting the new Philippine trail running team for international events.Philtra vice president and secretary-general Tin Ferrera, along with manager Gerard Tipones, are anticipating nearly 700 participants, including the country's top runners and some international competitors. Leading the local runners are Larry Apolinario from Antique on the men’s side, and Elizabeth Dangadang from Baguio City on the women’s side.

For nearly three decades, Ricky Ricafuente has had the privilege of participating in international basketball competitions. With extensive expertise on the international stage, he shares his insights into what it takes to succeed in global basketball and how his experience can contribute to his team’s performance.One of the key lessons he has learned over the years is that success in international basketball requires more than just raw talent. While speed, sharp shooting, and agility are essential, discipline and execution are equally important. According to Ricafuente, international basketball requires sharp decision-making, seamless passing, and precise shooting—skills he is eager to share with his teammates."Perhaps the most valuable contribution I can offer is helping the team execute the plays when Coach Arlene [Rodriguez] teaches something new," he shared in an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph.

The final 10 players added to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50 Greatest list were officially announced on Wednesday, April 2.Nelson Asaytono, long expected to be part of earlier announcements for the Top 25 and Top 40 lists, has finally secured his place among the PBA’s greatest. He leads the latest batch of players included in this prestigious group.Joining Asaytono in the final 10 are: Jeffrey Cariaso, Rene “Bong” Hawkins Jr., June Mar Fajardo, Abraham Columbus “Abe” King Jr., Daniel Charles “Danny” Seigle, Earl Scottie Thompson, Arnulfo “Arnie” Tuadles, Manuel “Manny” Victorino, and Elpidio “Yoyoy” Villamin.

Defending champion San Miguel Beermen ended a two-game skid to get the crucial win against last year’s runner-up Magnolia Hotshots, 85-78, to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot in their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup match-up last night, January 12, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.CJ Perez put up 11 points in the pay-off period to have a total of 23 to help the Beermen get the important victory. He also had 10 assists, six rebounds, and four steals to get the Player of the Game honors.SMB import Jabari Narcis tallied 18 markers and grabbed 23 boards, while June Mar Fajardo produced 13 points on top of 14 rebounds, and six assists to back-up Perez.Juami Tiongson and Jericho Cruz also put up double-digit numbers with 13 and 10, respectively.

 The De La Salle Green Archers have tapped the services of Fil-Am big man Dominic Sarmiento as its newest center.The ex-Irvine Valley College freshman was announced to be heading to Taft after a US-based Filipino basketball org, Tumakbo United, posted about Sarmiento’s next big move.A report from Tiebreaker Times showed that the 6-foot-8 center played in the States as part of the Orange Empire Conference of the California Community College Athletic Association. Sarmiento played 15 games for the Irvine Valley Lasers in the league’s 2023-2024 season, averaging 1 point and 1 rebound in five minutes of playing time. However, it will take some time before the Archers will tap its newest big man, as Sarmiento will need to fulfill a one-year residency period before he becomes eligible to play starting UAAP Season 88.Sarmiento joins a star-studded transfer class to DLSU, which also includes Mason Amos, Luis Pablo, and Kean Baclaan. (PB)

Kamille Angelica Cal decided to end her collegiate journey and transition to the professional stage, beginning with the Nxled Chameleons before moving to the Akari Chargers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).The 170 cm-tall setter was once a key piece of the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs’ historic UAAP Season 84 championship run, where the team completed a dominant sweep to capture the title. Despite the success, Cal made a surprising move and transferred to the University of the Philippines (UP), where she was expected to suit up for the Fighting Maroons in Season 86.However, the 24-year-old never took the floor for UP. Amid reported internal concerns within the program, she opted to forgo her remaining UAAP eligibility and focus fully on a professional career.

A few days ago, Jelena Todorovic made history by becoming the first female head coach in Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB)—Brazil’s top-tier men’s professional basketball league.At just 31 years old, the Serbian-Australian tactician becomes the first woman to lead a men’s pro team in Brazil and the second youngest head coach in NBB history. She was officially appointed by Fortaleza Basquete Cearense, who proudly announced:“HISTORIC! Jelena Todorovic is the new Head Coach of Fortaleza Basquete Cearense!”

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and Volleyball icon legend Senator Leila Barros have officially announced that the Philippines has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2029 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship. “Hello everybody! The World Championship 2029 will be in the Philippines! Mahal ko kayo!” Barros declared.This will mark the very first time the prestigious tournament takes place in the country.Currently hosting the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025, the Philippines has impressed the international volleyball community with its organizational excellence, world-class venues, and the electric energy of Filipino fans.By 2027 Women’s World Championship – To be co-hosted by the United States and Canada, marking the first-ever women’s world championship in North America.And, by 2029 Men’s World Championship has been awarded to Qatar, bringing the men’s tournament to the Middle East for the very first time.Two groundbreaking milestones that reflect volleyball’s growing global reach and expanding legacy.The event, which concludes today, has showcased the nation’s passion for the sport and its ability to host competitions at the highest level.Looking ahead to 2029, the Women’s World Championship is seen as a historic opportunity to further strengthen volleyball’s legacy in the Philippines and across Asia. Beyond the competition itself, the event is expected to inspire future generations of athletes and cement the country’s status as one of the sport’s global hubs.

As the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) celebrates its landmark 50th season starting on October 5, 2025, the league is preparing to take its brand of basketball to a wider audience. One of its key initiatives is to stage more games outside the country, giving overseas fans the chance to experience the excitement of the PBA firsthand.In a board meeting held yesterday, July 30, the PBA board of governors approved the staging of official games in Dubai on October 25 and in Bahrain on December 15 and 17. These matches are expected to draw a large crowd of Filipino fans in the Middle East and showcase the league’s competitive action abroad.The league isn’t stopping there. According to PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, the PBA is already in the process of finalizing deals to bring games to Abu Dhabi, Doha (Qatar), Saudi Arabia, and even as far as New York. “We want to share the PBA experience with Filipinos and basketball fans around the world,” said Marcial.

Baguio City surged to the top of the Batang Pinoy 2025 medal standings after dominating the archery events on Tuesday, bagging 10 gold medals to boost its overall haul.As of posting time, Baguio has collected 23 gold medals, with most coming from its stellar archers Jianna Rae Delos Reyes and Jephtha Caleb Fernandez, who swept all three titles in their respective divisions — Delos Reyes in the girls compound (12 years old) and Fernandez in the boys compound (14-under).Additional golds came from Kester RJ Delos Reyes (boys compound 17-under, first distance), Jan Precious Laking (boys compound 14-under, second distance), Ryzen Keith Viduya, and Jalorrae Cxethreen Lictao (male recurve division 14-under, second distance).Aside from the 23 golds, Baguio also holds 11 silver and 15 bronze medals, underscoring its dominance in the national youth sports competition.Manila, which led the tally in the first two days, slipped to second with 15 golds, 15 silvers, and 13 bronzes, while defending overall champion Quezon City — listed as 14 golds, 10 silvers, and 22 bronzes — currently sits in third place.With several events still underway, the race for overall supremacy in Batang Pinoy 2025 remains tight — but for now, Baguio City stands tall atop the leaderboard.

Johann Gonzales Chua was born and raised in Bacolod, in the central Philippines, on May 31, 1992. He began playing pool at the age of nine, often accompanied to the local pool hall by his father, who gave him the nickname “Bubwit” or “little mouse,” because he was too small to be seen behind the pool table.At 13, Chua quit school to pursue his passion for billiards and turned professional at 19. He is also known by the nickname “Bad Koi.” A 2023 World Cup of Pool champion alongside James Aranas, Chua is a two-time All Japan Championship winner, having claimed the title in 2015 and 2017.Chua placed ninth overall in the 2011 BSCP National Open Pool Championships. That same year, he finished 17th at the Manny Pacquiao International Ten-ball Championship held in General Santos. In November 2012, he achieved his first major international breakthrough, placing third at the Japan Open.In 2013, he placed 17th at the China Open and returned to third place at the Japan Open. The following year, he reached the top 16 in the China Open before falling to Taiwan’s Chang Jung-Lin. At the 2014 WPA World Nine-ball Championship days later, he made it to the quarterfinals for the first time but lost to fellow Filipino Elmer Haya. In September 2014, he placed seventh in the Manny Pacquiao Cup.Chua made his Southeast Asian (SEA) Games debut in 2017, capturing a bronze medal in Malaysia after losing to Vietnam’s Duong Quoc Hoang in the semifinals.He remained active in international competition. In September 2017, he and partner Warren Kiamco brought home a bronze medal at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Before the year ended, Chua clinched his second All Japan Championship title, dominating Jundel Mazon, 11–2, in the final. He is currently ranked 13th in the world by the World Pool-Billiard Association.

Long before she took the helm as captain of ZUS Coffee and earned the prestigious titles of NCAA Season 99 Best Setter and Most Valuable Player, Cloanne Mondoñedo never imagined her path would unfold the way it did. Her story wasn’t shaped by certainty, but by detours, doubt, and the quiet power of unexpected opportunities. Growing up in Oriental Mindoro, Mondoñedo explored almost every sport she could find. She initially dabbled in athletics, then shifted to table tennis—her father’s sport—and even gave football a try, but it wasn’t until a school intramural event that her curiosity for sports transformed into a true passion.She recalled stepping onto the volleyball court for the first time, completely unsure of herself, until a teacher recognized a spark in her and told her she had potential—worlds that would quietly shape her future.Encouraged by her mother, a former volleyball player, Mondoñedo began competing in local leagues, though her progress remained gradual.As she advanced to larger meets and provincial competitions, the harsh reality of high-level play set in. There were moments she didn’t even get the chance to step on the court—a humbling experience that left her on the bench, reflecting in silence and building quiet determination.Rather than giving up, she trained harder, secured better gear, and poured herself into a sport that had yet to fully welcome her. Her perseverance finally bore fruit when she earned a spot in the prestigious Palarong Pambansa—where her evolving talent caught the eye of a coach who would soon redefine her path.

PBA legend Roger Yap was known as “The Predator” during his time in the pro league, a moniker he carried with pride every time he stepped on the court.But this time, Yap will take on a new role as “The Director” of the Pinoy Masters Pilipinas Basketball team, which is set to compete in the World Masters tournament from May 17-30 in Taiwan.In an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph, the four-time PBA champion shared his contributions to the team as they represent the country on the hardcourt. 

As we continue our Player Profile Series, we shine the spotlight on one of the most quietly dominant figures in Philippine basketball history — Alberto “Abet” Guidaben.Standing at 6-foot-5 and hailing from Mambajao, Camiguin, Guidaben carved out a legendary career that spanned two decades. Born on September 14, 1952, he would go on to become a 16-time PBA champion, two-time MVP (1983 and 1987), and one of the league’s most consistent frontcourt forces during its golden era.A product of the Agoho Pirates and the University of San Jose–Recoletos, Guidaben’s rise began with the Crispa squad in the MICAA in 1973. A year later, he represented the Philippines at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran, playing alongside legends like Robert Jaworski.

Filipino-American guard Wilfrid Nado is officially joining the pool of hopefuls in the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft, bringing with him a mix of experience, leadership, and a high basketball IQ.Born on June 26, 2002, in Vallejo, California, the 6-foot guard made his mark in the U.S. collegiate ranks. He first starred for Santa Barbara City College (JUCO), where he led the team in minutes and assists, earning First Team All-Conference honors. His ability to run an offense and make his teammates better stood out, establishing him as a reliable floor general.