If there's someone in a Barangay Ginebra’s uniform that's consistent in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup Finals, it will be the former MVP Scottie Thompson.Before the Finals started, Thompson shared his thoughts about the Governors’ Cup Last Dance with Scoreline.ph.He said that the team is happy that they are back in Finals but the job is not yet done.After their grueling series against San Miguel Beermen in the semi-final round, Thompson said that they will bring the same intensity to the championship round.The seven-time PBA champion also said that they expect a tougher series against TNT Tropang Giga especially since both teams know each other well.

James Buytrago and Ran Abadilla displayed great resilience after a first-set loss to overcome Japanese rivals Yoshi Hasegawa and Dylan Kurokawa, 22-24, 24-22, 15-9, in the ongoing Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championship at the Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa City, Laguna on Thursday, November 8.The Filipino duo rallied from a slow start before sustaining their momentum to seal the game in the decisive third set. “We will not simply break down and give up,” said Buytrago. “The first set was extremely challenging and frustrating, but we kept pushing forward. This win was crucial for us.”

The TNT Tropang Giga has dominated Game 5 of their best-of-seven series against Barangay Ginebra, 99-72, on Wednesday night, November 6, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.TNT moved closer in clinching the championship as they now lead the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals series, 3-2.Kelly Williams, who started for the first time in the Finals for the Tropang Giga was vital in providing the spark early as he produced the first seven points for the team and ended up with 13 markers and three rebounds.

Former two-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion Eduard "Landslide" Folayang has given his full support to Filipina Muay Thai rising star Islay Erika Bomogao in her upcoming debut fight on November 8 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.Bomogao will face Japanese striker Fuu in a 100-pound catchweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Friday Fights 86.In a conversation between Folayang and Bomogao on social media, the former two-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion said he has seen how Bomogao has grown and become a great fighter and martial artist.

The Philippines will host the ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship to be held on November 16 to 21 at the Philsports Arena. This tourney will serve as a kick off of the Pinay 5’s one-year buildup for their stint in the grandest stage — the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s Cup in November next year that the country is also hosting.Meanwhile, Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez hopes that the hosting of this tournament in the country and the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup will inspire young Filipinos to pick up the sport.

Ginebra guard Earl Scottie Thompson reached his career milestone in Game 4 of the PBA Finals against the TNT. Thompson grabbed a total of five rebounds including four on the defensive end that gave him a total of 1,999 by the end of Game 3 of the best-of-seven title series.PBA statistician Fidel Mangonon III, says that Thompson, a one-time PBA MVP, is just one defensive rebound shy of joining the PBA’s exclusive 2,000 defensive rebounds club, making him the 64th member.In Game 4 last Sunday, he finished with 12 points, 2 rebounds and four assists, where he finally reached the total number of 2,001 defensive rebounds in this conference at the Smart Araneta Colisuem. Now, Thompson achieved this milestone in 385 games, making him the second fastest to do so after Ginebra legend Robert “Sonny” Jaworski, who reached it in 381 games.Thompson, however, wasn’t aware of it as he was focused on their championship quest.In Sunday’s game, the former MVP was the first guard to achieve the feat since Ginebra’s legendary playing-coach Robert Jaworski made it to the 2,000-defensive rebound club on July 6, 1982 in Toyota’s game against San Miguel.“Siyempre naka-focus kami sa finals ngayon, eh no’ng sinabi aware na ako. Kung makuha man, truly blessed, throughout my career may ganong milestone, but for me right now talagang naka-focus na muna ako sa finals, we're still down. Sobrang blessed kasi ganun, si Jawo [dating] nasa Ginebra tapos makukuha ng taga-Ginebra parin,” he said. “Truly blessed and honor [na] makuha ‘yong ganung klaseng honor,” he added.Meanwhile,  the 31-year old Gin Kings guard was already received his trophy and being recognized for his achievement last Wednesday night during the halftime of Game 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Philippine National Para Games will formally return at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex from November 11 to 14. Over 900 aspiring para athletes from 72 cities and provinces, as well as from five stand-alone organizations will take centerstage to compete for the top spot.The Games were last held in Malolos, Bulacan, in 2019, before being postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) and PHILSPADA president Michael Barredo on Tuesday’s forum.The eighth stage, however, will soon unfold with the assistance of the Philippine Sports Commission.“This is also the biggest opportunity for us to select players for the national Para team,” PPC secretary-general Goody Custodio told the media during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Conference Hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Stephen Holt is already making a tremendous impact in his first ever conference wearing the Barangay Ginebra uniform.One of the best performances of the PBA’s Season 48 Rookie of the Year awardee happened on November 3, Sunday, when he was named as the Best Player of the Game with 18 points, three rebounds, two assists, and five steals to lead the Gin Kings to their second straight victory in the Finals after failing their first two battles.Last season, Holt led the Terrafirma Dyip to a playoff appearance in his rookie year. But before Season 49 started, he and Isaac Go were traded to Ginebra in exchange for Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle.In an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph, Holt shared about his experience of being part of the most popular team in the league. He also shared what he can contribute in the championship round.The Fil-Am guard said that it’s an amazing feeling that he’s back in the Finals after seven years of waiting. His last stint was in 2017 when he was still playing in the Czech League.Now that he is back in the championship competition, the sophomore said that it’s the reward of the hard work that they put into the season.

The Philippine Dragon Boat Team bagged the overall championship in the recently concluded 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan from October 27 to Sunday, November 3.In front of a lively hometown crowd, the Filipino paddlers added two gold, five silver and two bronze medals for an impressive 11-20-16 overall tally.The Southeast Asian powerhouse Thailand took runner-up honors with eight golds, while the I.N.A (Individual Neutral Athlete) squad was third with a haul of six golds, three silvers and three bronzes in the meet supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Tingog party-list.The hosts won a hotly-contested masters mixed 20-seater standard boat 500-meter race in two minutes and 6.34 seconds, nosing out Singapore (2:06.73) while Germany was not too far behind in third (2:07.98) in the competition organized by the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation.The Filipinos were also runaway winners in the 40+ 20-seater women’s 2,000-meter standard boat event (10:42.31) over runner-up Canada (10:48.64) and took silvers in the 20-seater mixed standard boat 500-meter  (1:58.13), 40+ 10-seater mixed 500-meter (2:19.45), 20-seater open (9:23.16) and 40+ 20-seater open 5,000-meter (9:34.47) races. But the 20-seater mixed standard 500-meters was the most thrilling as the hosts virtually led from start to finish until they were beaten in the last 10 meters by the late-charging Ukrainians, who snatched the gold in 1:57.51.   They also bagged the last bronze of the day in the 40+ 10-seater open 500-meter (2:15.93) event in the four-day tournament also supported by the Puerto Princesa City governmentAccording to Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation or PCKDF president Leonora "Lenlen" Escollante, they are happy with the country's achievement and they were not disappointed in their hope that it will lead the international competition.Escollante also appreciates the warm support of the local government of Puerto Princesa in holding this type of international sporting events, as well as the hospitality of Filipinos to foreign visitors participating in the competition.

The debuts of Alas Pilipinas standouts Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel, as well as the return of Rachel Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga, as likely to add to the excitement surrounding the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference, which kicks off on Saturday, November 9, at the Philsports Arena.After being selected first by ZUS Coffee in the league’s historic rookie draft earlier this year, Gagate will finally be able to play as a professional, while Coronel, the third overall pick, will also make her professional debut with Galeries Tower. Due to their national team obligations, Gagate and Coronel missed the league’s first two conferences this season.

The much-awaited Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference is scheduled to take place over six exciting months, with clubs competing for supremacy on the court in action-packed matches and intense competition.The Philsports Arena in Pasig will host the season opener on November 9, 2024, and fans are excited to see what promises to be one of the most surprising and evenly matched seasons yet.Entering the season as the squad to beat is Creamline, the current PVL powerhouse and recent Grand Slam holder. The Cool Smashers are anticipated to keep setting the bar high as their roster is mostly intact.Creamline is expected to make its first appearance on November 16 against long-time rival Petro Gazz at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.In an effort to contend with Creamline’s dominance and sustain a competitive advantage, a number of teams have made roster adjustments. 

June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beermen added another accolade in his collection when he received his unprecedented 11th Best of the Conference Plum, while TNT Tropang Giga's reinforcement Rondae-Hollis Jefferson was once again named Best import.The awards were given before Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup Finals between Barangay Ginebra and TNT Tropang Giga.Fajardo became the first player in PBA history to win the BIC award 11 times, making it the most in the league.The eight-time MVP surpassed his teammate CJay Perez, Ginebra stars Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson. He also topped Alvin Tolentino of Northport and Robert Bolick of NLEX to win the individual recognition. 'The Kraken' collected a total of 980 points (465 statistical points, 476 media votes, and 48 player votes), while Aguilar had 664 and Thompson 465.According to Fajardo, he didn't expect that he would win another recognition but he's thankful for the blessings that he received.

That was the story of Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals when Barangay Ginebra defeated TNT Tropang Giga, 106-92, last night, November 3, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.From the beginning, the Gin Kings showed their grit steered by Justin Brownlee who finally found his groove in the series and finished with 34 points — 15 from the first quarter.Brownlee also finally fired his first-ever triple in the series, delivering three. He even added two four-pointers.“Justin is usually a very good starter, especially in big games. He knows how important he is to set the tempo and to give confidence to his teammates," said Cone of Brownlee.Stephen Holt also found his touches and was named Best Player of the Game, contributing 18 points, three rebounds, and two assists. He also stole the ball five times and tightly guarded TNT’s import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

The Indiana Pacers put a blemish on the NBA defending champions’ record this season when they defeated the Boston Celtics in overtime, 135-132.It seems like the Pacers will go all the way in regulation when they have erected a 24-point lead in the third quarter, but the Celtics made a surge in the fourth period and forced the game into OT.The breakdown of the Pacers in the fourth quarter just mirrored Indiana's campaign in the new season, starting with 2-3 records. But it looked like they found their groove once again in the extra minutes of play to defeat their Eastern Conference rival.Pascal Siakam hit a fadeaway to tie the game late in overtime and followed it up with a three-pointer that eventually sealed the game.Siakam finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, while Bennedict Mathurin scored a team-high 30 markers, along with 11 boards, and four dimes.Obi Toppin also helped the Pacers’ campaign with 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Tyrese Haliburton added 17 markers, six boards, and 12 dimes.Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum top scored the game with 37 points with eight rebounds, four assists and four steals. Jalen Brown and Derrick White added 25 and 23, respectively.

Nikola Jokic's triple-double was a monster, but the Denver Nuggets needed an extra 5 minutes to beat the Brooklyn Nets 144-139 at the Barclays Center last Wednesday night (PHT).Jokic finished with 29 points, 18 rebounds, 16 assists to become the second player in NBA history to list such big numbers in a game. The first one was recorded 62 years ago by Oscar Robertson, and having it done twice in 1962.Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon also scored 24 points each, while Russell Westbrook scored 22 markers and 5 assists off the bench for Denver.The Nuggets erased a 17-point deficit in the second quarter, leaving it 124-121 in the final 33 seconds of regulation before Jokic’s tip-in and Dorian Finney-Smith's split free throws to tie the game at 125-125.Cam Thomas sank the first basket of overtime for the Nets to have a 127-125 lead, but Denver scored the next eight points of the game and never let up to earn the victory.Three Brooklyn players scored 20 points or more but fell short. Dennis Schroder put up 28 markers, while Thomas had 26 and Cam Johnson 20. Nic Claxton also scored 16 points and grabbed 12 boards.Meanwhile, Ben Simmons, who’s suffering from lower back injury, was absent again for the Nets, which recorded a season-highs of 40 points in the first quarter and 72 in the first half.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) held an uplifting ceremony today at the PSC Conference Room, housed within the iconic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, marking a spectacular celebration of female sports success. The occasion brought together more than 70 well-known female athletes to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions.The athletes were presented with commemorative rings during the ceremony, which was facilitated by Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo, who is in charge of the PSC’s Women-in-Sports programs. This event came after the first-ever Women in Sports Awards Night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum earlier this year.The ceremony featured prominent athletes such as Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, who was awarded the coveted Flame Award last March, Adeline Dumapong, the country’s first Paralympic medalist, Long Jump Queen Elma Muros-Posadas, and Janelle Mae Frayna, the only woman grandmaster in the Philippines.

Meralco Bolts import Allen Durham has decided to retire from playing basketball to spend more time with his family.This was confirmed by Bolts head coach Luigi Trillo, during the send off party given by his team. “AD has decided to retire and he just feels it’s the right time. He wants to spend time with his children,” said Trillo.The Meralco Bolts head coach believes that the participation of Durham in the team was  considered a big part in turning the Meralco Bolts into what it is today. The Bolts coach also believes that their losses in this conference laid the foundations for their team to become stable and strong in their next journey.

Haydee Ong has accepted a new role as commissioner of the newly-formed Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL).The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses’ seasoned mentor who ended the National University Lady Bulldogs’ reign as UAAP Women’s Basketball champions will take part in orchestrating plans to take the women’s basketball to the next level.The inaugural WMPBL will kick off on January 19, 2025, with the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan serving as its home. Among the foremost plans of the newly-appointed commissioner for the first season of the league is to feature eight to ten teams consisting of four UAAP squads and the remaining teams will be coming from LGU-based groups.

The Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA) will host the Southeast Asian Shooting Association Championships from November 24 to December 14, 2024.This is the 46th edition of the event in which it will feature competitions in practical shooting, sporting clays, bench rest, and Olympic shotgun which includes both trap and skeet shooting. About eight to nine neighboring countries are expected to participate in the three-week meet comprising around 300-350 shooters.According  to  PNSA secretary-general Iryne Garcia even though this is not their  first time in the Philippines to hold such a big event, all of them including the organizers are filled with joy and happiness in the upcoming event.