The San Miguel Beermen held off a furious comeback by Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to escape with a thrilling 83–81 victory in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai early Monday (Manila time).Leading by as much as 14 points, San Miguel weathered Ginebra’s late rally behind the leadership of June Mar Fajardo, who turned in another MVP-caliber performance with 17 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks.Veteran guard Kris Rosales delivered in the clutch, knocking down two crucial three-pointers in the final minutes to help the Beermen secure their second win in four games.“Our schedule is quite packed, but we still managed to execute our game plan and get the win,” said Fajardo, who also took time to thank the Filipino fans in Dubai for their unwavering support.Ginebra had a final chance to snatch the win after forcing a turnover in the last 3.7 seconds, but Scottie Thompson’s desperation three-pointer missed at the buzzer.Japeth Aguilar led the Gin Kings with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists, while RJ Abarrientos added 17 points, and Thompson nearly posted a triple-double with 15 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.Despite Ginebra’s valiant effort, San Miguel’s composure and experience proved decisive, giving them a momentum boost as they continue their title campaign in the midseason conference.

For the first time in history, the Gilas Pilipinas Women are poised to chase a spot in the FIBA Women’s World Cup.The Filipinas clinched a berth in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament after narrowly defeating Lebanon, 73-70, during the group stage of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup on Wednesday, July 16, at the Shenzhen Sports Center in Shenzhen, China.This crucial win propelled the Philippines into the quarterfinals of the Women’s Asia Cup and guaranteed them an automatic place in the World Cup qualifiers, courtesy of a secured top-six finish in the tournament.“This win represents everything that we’ve been working hard for in the last 10 years or so. We’re glad to be competing and not just staying in Division A, but we still have to improve and we hope we level up again soon,” said Gilas Women’s head coach Pat Aquino.Five Gilas players scored in double figures in the hard-fought victory, led by Naomi Panganiban’s 15 points, highlighted by two clutch free throws with just 8.3 seconds left.Sumayah Sugapong iced two crucial free throws at the 2:18 mark in the fourth quarter to give the Philippines a 71-66 lead, but Lebanon clawed back, trimming the deficit to just 71-69 with 1:15 to play. After Sugapong missed a potential game-sealing three, Lebanon’s Jillian Archer split her free throws, making it 71-70 with under a minute remaining.Panganiban then calmly knocked down her pressure-packed free throws to stretch the lead to 73-70, and Lebanon failed to attempt a game-tying three as time expired.Sugapong and Jack Animam each added 14 points for Gilas, with Animam also hauling down a game-high 16 rebounds. Vanessa de Jesus chipped in 13 points, while Kacey dela Rosa contributed 10, helping the team withstand blowing a 17-point first-quarter lead.The Philippines overcame a stellar performance from Archer, who tallied a game-high 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting and 10 rebounds for Lebanon.Gilas Women finished third in Group B with a 1-2 record. They will take a one-day break on Thursday, July 17, before facing the No. 2 seed from Group A in the quarterfinals on Friday, July 18, at 4:30 pm.The Scores:PHILIPPINES 73 – Panganiban 15, Sugapong 14, Animam 14, De Jesus 13, Dela Rosa 10, Pastrana 7, Castillo 0, Fajardo 0, Surada 0, Ozar 0, Pagdulagan 0.LEBANON 70 – Archer 23, Akl 13, Elias 10, Mansour 7, Naassan 6, Ghaleb 6, Fayad 3, Labban 2, Raffoul 0.Quarters: 29-12, 41-37, 55-57, 73-70.

A young Japanese boxing prospect, Jin Sasaki, is now facing a serious recovery battle after suffering a devastating fifth-round knockout in his WBO welterweight title bout against American Brian Norman Jr. last Thursday, June 19, in Tokyo.Sasaki was caught by a powerful left hook from Norman Jr. The punch knocked the young Japanese fighter unconscious instantly, with the back of his head slamming into the canvas.Medical staff responded immediately, and although Sasaki showed no visible physical injuries, neurological concerns took center stage.On Sunday, June 22, new details emerged regarding the extent of Sasaki’s injuries, including confirmed reports of memory loss surrounding the fight and the weeks leading up to it.According to Issei Nakaya, president of Sasaki’s training gym, the young fighter is suffering from apparent retrograde amnesia. Nakaya revealed that Sasaki may have lost memory not only of the bout itself but also of the crucial period leading up to the event.Nakaya emphasized that Sasaki’s condition is being closely monitored, highlighting the team’s cautious and responsible approach to the situation.“We will be monitoring him, and he will return to the hospital tomorrow for another check-up,” Nakaya said in an interview.This troubling development comes just weeks after another serious incident involving a Japanese boxer, where Ginjiro Shigeoka was forced to retire from his bout against the Philippines’ Pedro Taduran in Osaka due to a brain injury—underscoring a difficult month for Japanese boxing and the dangers inherent in the sport.As Sasaki continues his recovery, the focus has shifted from his title aspirations to his long-term health and well-being. The boxing world now watches with concern, hoping for a full recovery for the talented young fighter.

Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, the first and only eight-division world champion in the sport’s illustrious history, is set to make a historic return to the ring. At 46 years old, the Filipino legend will face off against current WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 at the prestigious MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.This comeback is nothing short of monumental—should Pacquiao claim victory over Barrios, he will shatter records by becoming the oldest welterweight world champion, surpassing the milestone he previously set at age 40. Yet standing in his path is a formidable opponent: Barrios, nearly two decades Pacquiao’s junior, brings youthful energy, relentless activity, and significant momentum—a combination that could redefine both fighters’ legacies.As the fight approaches, Pacquiao appears to be in peak condition. In a rare and powerful move, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman recently announced early results from Pacquiao’s anti-doping test, confirming that the former champion tested negative for banned substances under the rigorous WBC Clean Boxing Program.This early release of test results is significant—it underscores Pacquiao’s commitment to integrity in a sport often marred by controversy. Typically, results from the Clean Boxing Program—coordinated by the WBC and the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA)—remain confidential until after the fight. Such disclosures usually follow final testing, which VADA releases post-bout.Sulaiman also highlighted a notable surge in testing activity, with intensified scrutiny worldwide. Fighters enrolled in the Clean Boxing Program undergo random drug testing year-round, face increased monitoring in the 6–12 weeks leading up to a fight, and may be tested in the final 30 days and even on fight day.At this time, there are no public updates regarding Barrios’ test results. It’s worth noting that due to his retirement, Pacquiao had not been included in the program’s ongoing testing pool—making his clean return all the more remarkable.With this proactive announcement of test results, the WBC sends a powerful message: Manny Pacquiao is not only clean, but also primed and prepared to silence doubts about his age, hiatus, or ability to compete at the elite level once again. Boxing fans can anticipate an electrifying showdown that could stand as a testament to enduring greatness.

AC Miner led the charge as the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles extended their winning streak with a commanding sweep of the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday, October 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Miner earned Player of the Game honors after posting 10 points built on 7 attacks, 2 aces, and 1 block, showcasing her all-around efficiency and composure at the net. Her presence on both offense and defense set the tone early, helping ZUS Coffee establish control and maintain momentum throughout the match.With the victory, ZUS Coffee improved to 2-0 in Pool B, solidifying its early position as one of the top contenders in the conference. Miner’s steady leadership and consistent play continue to be key factors in the Thunderbelles’ unbeaten start.ZUS Coffee will next face the Creamline Cool Smashers on Thursday, October 23, at the FilOil EcoOil Arena.

The Philippine Muay Wai Kru team continues to build momentum at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain, capturing another gold medal through the impressive tandem of Tyron Jamborillo and Jan Brix Ramiscal in the Mixed Mai Muay competition held at the Exhibition World Grand Hall.Following the earlier triumphs of Lyre Anie Ngina and Zeth Gabriel Bueno in the 14–15 Wai Kru divisions, Jamborillo and Ramiscal delivered a near-flawless performance, showcasing synchronization, power, and grace that earned them 9.20 points from the judges.Their routine outshined the host nation’s team from the United Arab Emirates, Rakan Yousef, Aziz Alhammadi, and Aya Chaari, who took silver, while Malaysia’s Jaethan Jonathan Quan and Bethany Yun Yunn settled for bronze with 8.27 points.The duo’s golden finish marked the third gold medal for the Philippine Muay squad, further strengthening the country’s campaign with an updated tally of 6 golds, 5 silvers, and 6 bronzes.Ramiscal also added to the medal count earlier with a silver medal in the Boys’ Wai Kru 16–17 division, finishing behind Thailand’s Pimpichien Chaiwan.With each win, the Filipino Muay contingent continues to assert its growing dominance in the regional scene, carrying the nation’s pride high in Bahrain.

EJ Laure has signed with Nxled for the ongoing 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference. The Chameleons on Monday afternoon, November 25, welcomed the decorated outside spiker.“We’re so thrilled to have you on board and can’t wait to see you light up this fresh start! We’re rooting for you on your return to the PVL court, EJ!” Nxled shared in a Facebook post.

Jose Parica is a legendary Filipino professional pool player from Manila, widely known by his nicknames “Amang” (meaning Father) and “The Giant Killer.” He is a Hall of Famer in the Philippines and internationally.Parica is best known for spearheading the “Filipino invasion” of the American pool scene in the late 1970s, particularly in Nine-ball.In his quest to secure better opportunities and recognition for Filipino billiard players, Jose Parica took a pioneering step by founding the Philippine Pocket Billiards Association in 1976, where he also served as its first president. This marked a crucial moment in the formal organization of the sport in the Philippines.That same year, Parica began making waves internationally. He was invited to compete in the prestigious All Japan Championship, where he impressively finished second in the Rotation division, falling just short to Japanese cue artist Tetsuro Kakuto.In 1978, Parica broke new ground as the first professional Filipino billiards player to compete in the United States, participating in the World Straight Pool Championship and finishing 11th — a strong showing for a debut on the world stage.By 1979, Parica returned to the Philippines and asserted his dominance at home, capturing national titles in 3-Cushion, Rotation, and Snooker — a rare and remarkable triple crown that showcased his versatility and skill across multiple billiards disciplines.In 1985, Jose Parica was joined by fellow Filipino legend Efren “Bata” Reyes in the United States, marking the beginning of what would later be known as the iconic "Filipino Invasion" — a period that reshaped the global pool scene through the dominance of Filipino cue artists.But even before that, Parica had already etched his name into history. In 1982, he won the Playboy All-Around Classic, becoming the first male Asian player to win a professional pool event in the United States — a groundbreaking achievement for Asian representation in the sport. His success continued to build.In 1986, Parica claimed titles at both the Clyde Childress Memorial 9-Ball Open and the Classic Cup V, further proving his consistency and elite level of play.With a career tally of over 100 international tournament victories — spanning the United States, the Philippines, and Japan — Parica’s résumé stands as one of the most decorated in billiards history.

TNT Tropang Giga was unable to hold on to the tight defense of Northport Batang Pier, which won its fourth straight game, 100-95, on Sunday night at the Ynares Center, Antipolo City.However, TNT managed to cut the lead to 97-95 with 1:43 left on the game clock when Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made a free throw, but Joshua Munzon successfully converted his three-point shot to keep the Batang Pier from losing the lead.“I just take that shcot with confidence. The play wasn't even for me but [my teammates] found me. I was open and I was happy that I made that shot. I was confident in myself. Every time I shoot the ball, I think it's going in," said Munzon.Northport Batang Pier assistant coach Renzy Bajar said the key to their win was their strong defense against TNT.The Batang Pier also took advantage of the suspension of big man Poy Erram, who was penalized for hitting Glenn Yang in TNT’s conference-opening loss to Hong Kong Eastern this weekend. 

When you talk about pioneers and pure scorers in Philippine basketball, one name always comes up—Fortunato "Atoy" Co, also known as "The Fortune Cookie."The nickname, a play on his first name “Fortunato,” was popularized by PBA commentators and fans not just because it sounded catchy—but because he delivered results, night in and night out, like a sweet fortune waiting to happen. When Crispa needed a bucket, Co was the guy who cracked the code.Born on October 15, 1951, in Pasig City, Atoy Co was already making noise before the PBA even existed. But it was in 1975, during the PBA’s inaugural season, that he formally entered the pro scene as part of the Crispa Redmanizers. And he didn’t disappoint. On April 22, in his first-ever pro game, Co dropped 34 points, leading Crispa to its first franchise win after starting 0-3.He would go on to become a vital part of Crispa’s dynasty, playing from 1975 to 1984 and helping steer the team to two Grand Slams. In 1976, he was honored with the All-Filipino Sports Award for Basketball, further cementing his place among the league’s elite.When Crispa disbanded, Co played briefly for Manila Beer (1985) and later joined Great Taste/Presto Ice Cream in 1987 and 1988, before calling it a career.Across 13 PBA seasons, Atoy Co racked up 15 championships, one MVP award (1979), and a scoring title in the same year. He was a 9-time Mythical First Team member, known for his smooth jumpers, crowd-pleasing style, and unshakable confidence on the floor.

Another Filipino boxing star is set to shine on the global stage, as former world champion Mark "Magnifico" Magsayo returns to action on the Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios fight card next month at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.Magsayo will take on Mexican fighter Jorge Mata Cuellar in a 10-round bout for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Featherweight Title, under the banner of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).It was earlier announced that former Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial will also fight on the Pacquiao-Barrios undercard, squaring off against American Alexis Gaytan in an eight-round non-title middleweight bout. The inclusion of Magsayo was later confirmed by MP Promotions, further strengthening the Filipino presence at this high-profile event."It’s a great opportunity to fight for the second time as part of the undercard for my childhood hero, Manny Pacquiao—who is the main reason I started boxing. Just like the first time I fought on his card when I was in the featherweight division, this is another stepping stone toward my second-division world title bid at super featherweight. I'm grateful for the opportunity from big brother Manny," Magsayo said.This won’t be the first time Magsayo shares the stage with Pacquiao. He previously appeared as an undercard fighter during Pacquiao’s final U.S. bout against Yordenis Ugas in 2021, where he delivered a dramatic 10th-round knockout of Mexican Julio Ceja.That performance catapulted Magsayo into a world title opportunity, which he seized by defeating Gary Russell Jr. on January 22, 2022, in Atlantic City to become the WBC Featherweight World Champion.Now riding a three-fight win streak, Magsayo looks to continue his resurgence. His most recent victory came on December 14, 2024, when he scored a dominant second-round knockout over Ecuadorian Bryan Mercado in Long Beach, California. Magsayo currently holds an impressive record of 27 wins, 2 losses, with 18 knockouts.Standing in his way is the hungry and talented 24-year-old Cuellar, who brings a solid 21-2-2 record with 13 KOs. With both fighters eyeing a shot at greater glory, fans can expect fireworks when they step into the ring.Meanwhile, MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons thanked Manny Pacquiao for putting Magsayo on this historic card, where the boxing icon attempts to become the oldest welterweight champion in history. Gibbons expressed confidence in Magsayo's chances against Cuellar and hopes he will emerge as the next contender for a WBC world title."I want to thank Manny [Pacquiao] and Al Haymon for putting Mark on this historic night of boxing, when Pacquiao attempts to become the oldest welterweight champion. A win over Jorge Mata will put Mark next in line for a WBC world title shot," Gibbons said.

Barangay Ginebra blasts off Rain or Shine, 120-92, registering their biggest winning margin in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Wednesday, January 22.Head coach Tim Cone called it the Gin Kings' "best game" of the conference as they got back on track after dropping their last two games, improving to 7-4 and moving up to sixth place with one game left in the elimination stage.“We hadn’t put a good game together this conference and tonight was one of those games where everything came together. We played well defensively, we executed really well offensively, and we shot the ball well,” said Cone.“It was really our best game of the conference and it couldn’t come at a better time right now when we’re struggling to get into that top six position and getting ready for the playoffs,” he added.

Another bronze medal was delivered by Rosegie Ramos for the six-man Philippines team in the IWF World Championships in Bahrain. The 20-year-old weightlifter achieved a total lift of 88kgs in the snatch and 105kgs in the clean-and-jerk for a total lift of 193kgs in the 49-kg category.Ri Song Gum of North Korea dominated the women’s 49-kg event after lifting a total of 213kgs behind a snatch of 91kgs and a clean-and-jerk of 122kgs.Meanwhile, Linxiang Xiang setteled for a silver after lifting a snatch of 92kgs and a clean-and-jerk of 120kgs for a total lift of 212kgs.Her success was followed by another bronze medal for the Philippines when Fernando Agad Jr. excelled in the men’s 55-kg category.After receiving the medal, the weightlifter from Zamboanga City expressed her gratitude in a long post on her official social media page.

Far Eastern University (FEU) ended a six-year drought against National University (NU) with a 27-25, 25-14, 25-23 victory on Sunday, February 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena.This marked the Tamaraws’ first win over the Bulldogs since February 16, 2019, breaking a seven-game losing streak that began with a loss in the second round of Season 81 on April 28, 2019.“Our work never stops. If you saw our training sessions, from the last game until now, we haven’t stopped practicing, and we haven’t rested. The dedication, hard work, and the strong family bond within the team, you can really see the results in the end,” said FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo.FEU made a comeback from a 22-24 deficit in the first set, eventually taking the lead at 26-25 following a miscue by Leo Ordialaes and a game-clinching block by Doula Ndongala.The Tamaraws dominated the second set and managed to hold off NU’s late rally in the third, where the Bulldogs trimmed the lead to 24-23. Dryx Saavedra sealed the win with the final point.

Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit began playing billiards during her teens, but her first sport was basketball until she turned 12. At that age, her classmates started to focus on other activities, so her father took the opportunity to introduce her to billiards.At first, she enjoyed playing with her cousins. But her father, Bobby, saw her potential and would incentivize her with prizes, such as shirts and pants, for winning each competition, until she often tagged along with her father at the Super Bowl in Makati.She stopped competing for a while to obtain a college degree in accountancy at the University of Santo Tomas. Eventually, she returned to 9-ball and won 10 gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games.With her family’s encouragement, she was able to hone her keen eye and sensibilities. At the same time, she maintained composure under pressure, allowing her strategies to dismantle those of her opponents.

The Philippines takes its second crack at giving the home crowd a winning result in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup tonight when it battles Morocco at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. The Filipina5 and the Atlas Lionesses are in the same boat, coming off identical 0-6 losses in their opening assignments against Poland and Argentina, respectively. And the protagonists both view their 8:30 p.m. matchup as a good opportunity to get on the board in Group A. The hosts brace for a tough duel against Morocco, the reigning Women’s Futsal Africa Cup of Nations titlist that’s sitting 42 places higher in the world rankings at 31st. “Bilog po ang bola,” said co-skipper Inday Tolentin ahead of the Filipina 5’s mission against the Moroccans in the inaugural global meet backed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Football Federation (PFF).“Gagawin po namin ang lahat para maipanalo ‘yung laban at lalaban kami para sa team, para sa bayan, and para sa mga taong naniniwala sa amin,” she added. Coach Rafa Merino expressed confidence his charges would come out of the debut game against No. 14 Poland wiser and more inspired, especially with Filipino supporters rallying them on. “We’re in the World Cup, so every team will be difficult. Probably the other team has more experience than we do, but what makes us different is the energy that we have. We bring a lot of good vibes to the table and energy,” the Spaniard said through an interpreter.World No. 6 Argentina and Poland tangle in the first fixture at 6 p.m. with a solo lead at six points. In other results, reigning Asian champion and fifth-ranked Japan clobbered No. 21 New Zealand, 6-0, in Group C, while No. 2 Spain and No. 8 Colombia outclassed No. 4 Thailand, 5-2, and No. 74 Canada, 2-0, respectively, in Group B.

Alex Eala’s US Open campaign ended in the second round with a 4-6, 4-6 defeat to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa on Thursday morning (Manila time) at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.Despite strong support from Filipino fans on Court 7, the 20-year-old Filipina couldn’t build on her dramatic first-round win over world No. 14 Clara Tauson. Eala, ranked No. 75, led 4-3 in the opening set but lost momentum after a crucial forehand error, allowing the 95th-ranked Bucsa to take control and save three break points to secure the set.The second set slipped away after a 2-2 tie, as Eala’s unforced errors and a double fault proved costly. The result evened their head-to-head at 1-1, with Eala’s lone win over Bucsa coming in 2021.Despite the loss, Eala’s round-of-64 finish marks her best Grand Slam result to date, improving on earlier exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.Her breakthrough run to the US Open main draw came after a strong showing at the Miami Open, which propelled her into the WTA Top 100.Next up, Eala is slated to compete as the third seed at the WTA 250 São Paulo Open in Brazil, starting on September 8.

The controversial result of the super-featherweight title clash between Filipino boxing star Charly Suarez and Mexican champion Emanuel Navarrete on May 11, 2025, is set to be overturned following a thorough review by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).The CSAC is expected to change the official outcome of the fight to a no-contest — a decision that could pave the way for a high-stakes rematch.Navarrete originally retained his WBO super-featherweight title via an eighth-round technical decision. The bout was halted due to a cut above Navarrete’s left eyebrow, which referee Edward Collantes ruled was caused by an unintentional headbutt. This led to the judges' scorecards being used, resulting in a win for Navarrete.However, after conducting an extensive post-fight review, the CSAC determined that the cut was actually caused by a legal punch from Suarez in Round 6 — not a clash of heads, as initially ruled. Video replays supported this finding, contradicting the original call.Had this been correctly identified during the bout, Suarez would have won the title by technical knockout (TKO), as the injury would have forced a stoppage.While replay official Jack Reiss maintained there was "no conclusive evidence" to reverse the referee’s decision at the time, the CSAC’s subsequent investigation provided clarity. As a result, the fight’s outcome is now poised to be amended to a no-contest.The WBO is expected to mandate a rematch — a move welcomed by both camps. In fact, Top Rank Vice President of Operations Carl Moretti voiced his support for a rematch immediately following the fight.If the ruling is officially changed to a no-contest, it would not only revive Charly Suarez’s shot at the world title but also set the stage for what could become one of the most compelling rivalries in boxing this year.

Lee Vann Corteza is a Filipino professional pool player. Nicknamed "The Slayer," he began playing pool in 1993. He is the oldest of five brothers, and his parents named him after American actor Lee Van Cleef.Corteza first took up pool at the age of thirteen, after a friend brought him to a pool parlor. He was subsequently blacklisted from the establishment after accidentally damaging a table.He has won four gold medals and one silver medal at the Southeast Asian Games and was the winner of the 2004 WPA Asian Nine-ball Tour tournament in the Philippines, defeating fellow countryman Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 13–11, in the final.On March 31, 2007, Corteza won the Philippine National Championship by defeating Marlon Manalo with a score of 13–11.In 2009, Corteza finished as runner-up in the WPA World Ten-ball Championship, losing to Mika Immonen of Finland, 11–6, in Quezon City, Philippines.In 2010, Corteza beat Taiwanese player Lo Li-Wen, 13–12, in the final to win the U.S. Open Ten-ball Championship in Las Vegas. He avenged an earlier loss to Lo, who had sent him to the one-loss side with a 9–6 victory. Corteza then defeated Shane Van Boening, 9–8, to earn another shot at Lo and ultimately captured the title along with $20,000 in prize money.

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshot won their past four games to survive elimination and entered the playoffs for the 19th straight conference already.Magnolia was on the brink of being ousted in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup when their record went down to 3-6, but they peaked at the right time and clinched a quarterfinals berth after dismantling the NLEX Road Warriors in their do-or-die game.Now, the Hotshots are facing another tough challenge as they have a twice-to-win disadvantage against the league-leading NorthPort Batang Pier, who defeated them, 103-107, during their lone game in the preliminaries.But Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero likes their chances against NP as they are now parading a healthy line-up."We're the underdog in this series. We're down in this series 0-1. So it's another do-or-die situation for us," said Victolero. "But I like our chances.""We're playing well on both ends of the floor. And pinaka-gusto ko lang is we're all healthy. I think this is the only second or third game (against NLEX) where we are fully healthy, lahat ng mga players," the Hotshots coach added."Hopefully we can battle with the No. 1 team and give them a good fight," he ended.