After years of steady growth and clutch performances, LJay Gonzales has officially declared for the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft, marking the next step in a career built on leadership, consistency, and grit.A product of Far Eastern University, Gonzales rose to prominence as the Tamaraws’ reliable floor general, guiding the team through pressure-packed UAAP battles with his composure and playmaking. His collegiate career peaked with a Mythical Five selection in UAAP Season 86, solidifying his status as one of the league’s top guards.Standing out for more than just his passing, Gonzales displayed a well-rounded game in his final year with FEU, averaging 14.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.0 steals per contest—numbers that highlight his ability to impact both ends of the floor. Known for his quickness, defensive instincts, and timely shot-making, he built a reputation as a closer capable of delivering in crunch time.

Don’t miss the chance to witness history in the making as Filipino Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial returns to the ring on the undercard of the blockbuster Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios bout this Sunday, July 20, 2025 (Manila time) in Las Vegas.Marcial, one of the Philippines’ brightest boxing stars, was originally set to face Mexico’s Alexis Gaytan in an eight-round middleweight showdown. But with Gaytan sidelined by an injury, Marcial will now take on the formidable American, Bernard Joseph—a fresh challenge that promises even more excitement.This isn’t just another bout for Marcial. It’s a pivotal moment in his journey from Olympic hero to professional contender, and all eyes will be on him as he steps into the global spotlight once again. With his relentless drive and world-class skills, Marcial is determined to prove he’s a force in the pro ranks.As the world tunes in to celebrate Manny Pacquiao’s legendary comeback, make sure you’re there to cheer for the next generation of Filipino boxing greatness. Eumir Marcial’s fight is a must-watch—don’t miss this electrifying night of action. Team Pacquiao and Marcial are already heading to Las Vegas in great condition following intense strength and conditioning programs and heavy sparring sessions, along with the heavy pain and trials they endured after a disappointing result in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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.

Team Philippines celebrated a golden double in Muay at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain, as young standouts Lyre Anie Ngina and Zeth Gabriel Bueno captured top honors in their respective Wai Kru divisions on Sunday, October 26.Ngina opened the country’s campaign with a commanding performance in the Girls’ Wai Kru 14–15 division, delivering a near-flawless routine that showcased grace, precision, and discipline. The 14-year-old Filipina impressed the judges with a 9.00 score, edging Malaysia’s Auryelle Xzandra Bobby (8.80) and Thailand’s Kittima Yotsombat (8.60) to secure the gold at the Exhibition World Grand Hall.Following her lead, Bueno extended the nation’s success by ruling the Boys’ Wai Kru 14–15 category, producing an outstanding performance that earned a remarkable 9.17 points—surpassing Thailand’s Daonuea Phuangmali (9.00) to clinch the top spot.Their victories highlighted the Philippines’ growing strength in Muay, a traditional martial art rooted in culture and discipline. Both Ngina and Bueno’s golden finishes not only brought pride to the nation but also underscored the promise of the country’s next generation of martial artists on the Asian stage.Their golden triumph further boosted the Philippines’ medal haul, bringing the nation’s tally to six golds, five silvers, and six bronze, solidifying its position among the top contenders in the overall standings.

Akari began their title hunt after defeating Galeries Tower in four sets, 28-30, 25-15, 25-16, 25-23, making a victorious start in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Saturday, November 9, at the Philsports Arena.Among the fueled Chargers, veteran hitter Eli Soyud tallied a game-high 21 points built on six blocks, including the game-winning hits in the fourth set that sealed the victory for the Akari team.Returning player Faith Nisperos, Reinforced Conference Best Outside Spiker Grethcel Soltones, and Ivy Lacsina all scored 16 markers apiece.

Rain or Shine came back strong from a tough Game 1 loss to win the next two and book a ticket to the semifinals for the third straight conference after dismantling Converge in Game 3 of their quarterfinals match-up of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, 112-103, on Sunday night, February 9, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.The Elasto Painters reinforcement Deon Thompson made up for his early exit in their first QF encounter when he fouled out of the game just as early as the third quarter.Last night, Thompson showed his might finishing with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. He was supported by Adrian Nocum who fired 25 markers. These two were also the reason why they won Game 2, when they combined for a total of 55.RoS head coach Yeng Guiao said they were happy with the victory and their hard work paid off."We're very happy. The past two conferences we made the semifinals so it would be a pity if we did not make the semifinals this conference," Guiao shared."It's also a validation of all the hard work the guys put in, the togetherness and the camaraderie that they have," he added.

A mini volleyball tournament featuring four local teams will highlight the “Set Na Natin ‘To” Trophy and Mascot Tour this Saturday, August 24, at the newly-opened SM City Laoag.Competing at Dap Ayan Park are Block Builders, Laoag MVT, PSQ, and NWU, in what organizers say will be both a celebration of the sort and a showcase of Ilocos Norte’s grassroots talent.

A special citation has been awarded to Creamline during the annual Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night on Monday, January 27, at the Manila Hotel.Jema Galanza, Bea De Leon, Bernadeth Pons, and Alyssa Valdez dazzled the event in different shades of pink, together with head coach Sherwin Meneses and team manager Alan Cero.

The Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) has named Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo as the 2024 Athlete of the Year in recognition of his gold medal achievement at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.Yulo’s achievement of becoming the first Filipino athlete to win two gold medals at the Olympics was a fitting tribute to the nation’s 100 years of Summer Games participation.The 24-year-old Yulo led the Philippines by ruling the floor exercise and vault apparatus events in gymnastics, setting a record the country has never previously achieved in the history of the quadrennial showcase. He became the second athlete to win the Olympic gold medal, following in the footsteps of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who ended the country’s search for the elusive gold during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.Yulo’s noteworthy achievement for the country made him the obvious pick for Athlete of the Year honors when the PSA hosts its Awards Night on January 27 at the Manila Hotel.

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots survived the grit of the Terrafirma Dyip to carve out an 89-84 victory in their battle last night, January 10, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Magnolia improved their record to 3-5 and still held on to their chance of making it to the playoffs of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.The win also gave the Hotshots their 20th straight triumph against the Terrafirma, which fell down to 0-9 in the conference and officially put them out of contention in the next round.

Rachel Anne Daquis overcame cramps and played a vintage performance, scoring 19 points, including the final one of the game to lead Farm Fresh to 18-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-19, 15-12, victory against Capital1 in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, February 18, at the Philsports Arena.Daquis, who came out of retirement last year to bolster the Foxies tournament campaign, provided the spark that the Foxies needed to turn the two-set deficit to a sweep of the next three.“I just wanted to help the team and do my job,” said Daquis in Filipino, reflecting on her performance. “I struggled in the first two sets, but we adjusted as a team, and that’s how we were able to recover.”The Foxies also missed the services of Trisha Tubu due to a back injury, making way for Daquis to take over and showed leadership by steering the team to the comeback victory.

The Converge FiberXers defeated the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 103-96, in their match-up last night, January 14, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Converge victory gave the squad the solo second spot with a 7-3 card in the team standings, just a half-game behind the lead-leading NorthPort Batang Pier (7-2), who just lost their game earlier against the Meralco Bolts, 94-111.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has renewed his call for the creation of a Department of Sports, calling it long overdue during the Senate Committee on Sports’ first public hearing of the 20th Congress. Go emphasized the need for a dedicated department to address the limited budget and resources currently allotted to sports, noting that the PSC only received significant funding increases through congressional intervention.“Kung titingnan mo sa budget, napakaliit ng (budget) share ng sports talaga. Kaya nga sana, kung kakayanin maging departamento ito,” Go said. Go added that given the meager sports budget, it is high time this was done: “Napapanahon na po talaga, at sobrang liit ng natatanggap ninyo.”Go argued that enhanced government investment is essential to support Filipino athletes’ international success and strengthen grassroots sports development. He cited the country’s first Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020 and the double gold haul in Paris 2024 as proof that sustained support yields results.“Kaya naman nagdagdag tayo ng budget para maging PhP 1.2 billion ang budget ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) noong 2024,” Go pointed out.Go also highlighted the wider societal impact of investing in sports, saying it helps protect the youth from drugs and vices while fostering national pride and inspiration. “We expect our athletes to perform in international competitions. Kapag nanalo sila damay po ang buong bansa sa honor na dala nila,” Go underscored.“Makikita naman natin na sulit ang pagsuporta sa ating mga atleta.” “Dati po, since 2019, kulelat tayo sa gold. Sa Olympics, wala tayong gold, naalala ko. Huli tayong silver noong 2016, I think, and before that, 1996 iyung silver na pinakamataas na nakamit natin sa Olympics,” Go added.“Napapanahon na po talaga,” Go said, underscoring the urgency of establishing a Department of Sports.“I firmly believe that investing in sports does more than building champions. It protects our youth from drugs and harmful vices while also nurturing world-class athletes who bring pride, honor, and inspiration to our nation,” Go concluded.

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.

Karl Eldrew Yulo did not stop on the medal hunt after winning eight gold medals in the recently concluded 2024 Chiu Wai Chung Cup in Hong Kong.Yulo dominated the eight individual and team events. He first won the individual all-around before successively winning all six apparatuses: floor exercise, vault, parallel bars, horizontal bar, pommel horse, and still rings, which the junior men’s artistic gymnastics team relied on to lead the team event.Yulo's victory was part of the 14 gold, six silver, and five bronze medals that the Philippines will bring home from tournaments hosted by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines in 2024.Yulo is currently being trained by Japanese gymnast coach Munehiro Kugemiya, who was the former coach of his older brother, Carlos Edriel "Caloy" Yulo, who won two gold medals in the Paris Olympics last August.Aside from Eldrew Yulo, the senior men's artistic gymnastics team also won the gold medal in the team event.Miguel Besana won three gold medals in the seniors individual all-around, floor exercise, and pommel horse, while Justine Ace De Leon led the way in the still rings and parallel bars mints.Besana also won three silver medals in the rings, parallel bars, and vault, and a bronze in the horizontal bar. De Leon also came home with a bronze in the vault.Among the other medalists are Hilarion Palles III for pommel horse bronze and parallel bars bronze, John Matthew Vergara for horizontal bar silver and parallel bars bronze, Jhon Romeo Santillan for floor exercise silver, and Jan Gwynn Timbang for pommel horse silver.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters finally broke their two-game skid, securing a crucial 103-98 victory in Game 3 of their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Semi-Finals series against the TNT Tropang Giga on Sunday night, March 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Import Deon Thompson led the charge for Rain or Shine, delivering a double-double performance with 19 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in over 44 minutes of action. His dominance in the paint and relentless effort on both ends of the floor helped RoS stay competitive throughout the game.Caelan Tiongson also played a vital role in the win, contributing 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Adrian Nocum, who started once again, showcased another impressive outing with 16 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.Supporting the trio was Anton Asistio, who chipped in 12 points, including two clutch three-pointers, while Gian Mamuyac added nine points and was perfect from the free-throw line, sinking all four of his attempts.

Creamline bounced back from a failed third-set rally against sibling rival Choco Mucho, 25-22, 25-20, 30-32, 25-20, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, December 3.The Cool Smashers, who were on the verge of winning the tournament with their third consecutive sweep, faltered in a thrilling third set before rallying in the fourth to force a tie with Cignal at the top of the rankings, both with identical 3-0 records."But of course, the Choco [Mucho] really, really won't lose easily. We know they will come back to the game so I just told the players that we should just enjoy ourselves, perform well so we can get the win," said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses."Let's not be pressured. It's just that, the [players] responded, because there are many [game] rallies, so it's really not just a battle, it's really endurance. So, it's good that we got the win," he added.

Cignal star Erika Santos has been named the Premier Volleyball League Press Corps Player of the Week for November 10–16. This is her second time earning the honor at this conference.The 5-foot-9 opposite hitter delivered a commanding performance in Cignal’s stunning sweep of the previously unbeaten ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 25-12, 26-24, 25-23, last November 13 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Santos fired a game-high 19 points built on 13 attacks, three blocks, and three aces, powering Cignal to a crucial second-round win while handing the Thunderbelles their first loss of the Reinforced Conference. Her explosive outing also solidified Cignal’s momentum, improving their record to 4-3 and creating a three-way tie for fifth to seventh—enough to seal a spot in the quarterfinals.Cignal now turns its focus to a marquee showdown against the Creamline Cool Smashers on Tuesday, November 18, at 6:30 PM at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

The Philippine women’s national football team saw a promising lead slip away as Uzbekistan rallied late to force a 2-2 draw in their international friendly on Wednesday night at Rizal Memorial Stadium.After a ten-day training camp in Manila, the Filipinas looked sharp early, with Chandler McDaniel scoring just two minutes into the match off a brilliant setup by Meryll Serrano. Serrano later doubled the advantage in the 56th minute to give the hosts a 2-0 cushion.However, Uzbekistan’s Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva stole the spotlight, pulling one back with a long-range free kick in the 67th minute before capitalizing on a defensive miscue to equalize in the 81st.The result was a tough pill to swallow for the world No. 39 Filipinas, who are using the friendly as part of their preparations for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in December.

For San Beda University and its storied basketball history, the return of Yukien Andrada marks more than just another season, it’s a chance to recapture the crown before their veteran goes out on top. Andrada, who may have professional ambitions on his horizon, has made it clear that his immediate mission is guiding the Red Lions back to the throne in NCAA Season 101.The journey last year ended in heartbreak. San Beda’s title defense was cut short in the Final Four by a formidable Benilde squad, extinguishing hopes of consecutive banners. That loss has become fuel rather than setback, and this time around the Lions intend to roar louder.Andrada isn’t alone. Returning holdovers Jomel Puno, Bismarck Lina, and Penny Estacio, along with Nygel Gonzales, form the experienced core that will support him. The roster also brings back Bryan Sajonia, RC Calimag, Joe Celzo, JC Bonzalida, and Menard Songcuya, ensuring depth and continuity even as the team moves on from James Payosing, who transferred to the UAAP’s UP program.To supplement its veteran firepower, San Beda has added Agjanti Miller and MJ Vailoces to the fold. Rounding out the squad are Ismael Culdora, Zedljay Etulle, Kyle Jamora, Jimuel Reyes, and Ron Tolentino—young talent and role players primed to rise under pressure.