Converge registered a resounding 116-87 victory over new-look Terrafirma to kick off their Philippine Basketball Association or PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup campaign on Wednesday, November 27, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.The FiberXers delivered 14 three-pointers in the game, including nine in the decisive second half that completely took the fight out of the Dyip. Converge established the tone by defeating the Dyip 34-16 in the first period. They also showed composure by overcoming Terrafirma's third quarter storm.Import Cheick Diallo, who played five seasons in the NBA, had an outstanding debut, dominating the paint with a monster double-double of 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting and 16 rebounds with two assists, a steal, and a block.“When we got Cheick, we know we are getting a high-motor guy, athletic, can jump out of the gym. What we saw now is what we expected him to play like,” Converge head coach Franco Atienza said.

Bulgaria delivered the shock of the tournament, pulling off a stunning reverse sweep of world No. 4 USA, 21-25, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, 15-13, to storm into the semifinals of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship before a roaring crowd of 10,474 at the Mall of Asia Arena.Ranked only No. 11 in the world, the Bulgarians looked doomed after dropping the first two sets but clawed back with grit and composure, capped by middle blocker Iliya Petkov’s clutch hit that sealed their first Final Four berth in nearly two decades.Rising star Aleksandar “Alex” Nikolov powered the comeback, erupting for 29 points on 26 attacks, two aces, and a block, including seven in the tense decider. He was ably supported by Asparuh Asparuhov (12 points) and Petkov (10 points), while 18-year-old playmaker Simeon “Moni” Nikolov orchestrated the offense with 48 sets.“First of all, we had a little bit of luck; nobody’s going to deny that. But I think the main thing was not giving up,” said Moni Nikolov. “This was looking like the absolute worst game of my career. Then, thanks to my incredible teammates, they pulled me out of the mud.”The Bulgarians forced a fifth set after Asparuhov capped a 3-0 rally to close the fourth, then leaned on balanced scoring to withstand a late American surge. Using Alex Nikolov as a decoy, Bulgaria set up Petkov for the match-winner that left the USA stunned.For the Americans, Ethan Champlin had 17 points, Jordan Ewert 15, and Merrick McHenry 12, while captain Micah Christenson tallied 55 excellent sets. But the Americans bowed out in the quarterfinals for the second straight World Championship after finishing sixth in 2022.Bulgaria, bronze medalists in 2006, will next face world No. 17 Czechia in the semifinals, while Poland and Italy contest the other Final Four pairing in what is now guaranteed to be an all-European finale.

A 14-strong Philippine delegation is set to compete at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Canfranc, Spain, from September 23 to 28.Led by veteran captain Arnie Macarenas, the team will see action in long trail, short trail, U23, and U20 events. The squad departs for Spain on September 10 for training and acclimatization.Philippine Trail Running Association (Philtra) Vice President and Secretary-General Tin Ferrera said expectations are measured, as nearly half the team will make their international debut. “Based on training, we expect Top 20 to Top 30 finishes,” Ferrera said. Macarenas, a silver medalist at the Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships, will lead the long trail team with Larry Apolinario, Joebert Elmaguin, Elizabeth Dangadang, and Angelie Cabalo. The short trail team features Randolf Gonzales, Romnick Tongkaling, John Ray Onifa, Joy Beltran, and Noime Fernandez.In the youth divisions, Ken Olver Libo-on and Evan Dian Sitoy will compete in the mountain classic-junior (U20), while Samuel Manuel and Charlotte Muyco represent the Philippines in the mountain classic-senior (U23).Joy Beltran and Charlotte Muyco, both set for their first international competition, shared their excitement and determination ahead of the event.“I’m excited to go there because after four months of training, we know we are ready to compete,” said Beltran.“I feel nervous, but I know I can do it,” added Muyco.Muyco also hopes to inspire young athletes to try trail running, a sport she believes offers a unique experience compared to others.“I will really do my best to reach the podium and become an inspiration, especially for our youth (U23). We should encourage kids to start young and explore the outdoors, especially the mountains. Trail running is amazing and truly different from other sports—that’s why we love it.”The delegation also includes officials and support staff, with the team set to test themselves against powerhouse squads from 75 countries— including the US, France, Italy, Germany, and host Spain. Top Asian rivals include China, Japan, South Korea, and Nepal.Following a 12th-place finish last year in Austria, the Philippine team is eager to build on that performance at this year’s global showcase.

National University (NU) asserted its dominance in the UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament, securing victories in both the men’s and women’s division against the University of the Philippines (UP) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, March 9.After dominating the first two sets, the Bulldogs struggled in the third, allowing UP to build a commanding 12-5 lead and eventually force a fourth set. However, NU regained control in the final frame, breaking an 18-18 tie with a decisive 4-0 run to defeat the Fighting Maroons,  25-12, 25-15, 15-25, 25-22, improving to a 4-1 record in the men’s tournament.NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin admitted that unforced errors cost them the third set, saying, “We lost our momentum whenever we gained it.” He emphasized also the importance of confidence in the fourth set, ensuring the team played with certainty and avoided self-doubt.  Buds Buddin led the charge with 22 points, while Leo Aringo and Leo Ordiales added 16 and 14 markers, respectively. 

The Philippines managed to finish in a draw against host country and world No. 18 Uzbekistan, 3-3, in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers on Monday night, January 13, at the Yunusobod Sports Complex in Tashkent.Ranked 59th in the world, the Philippines, who had just defeated Kuwait 4-1 on Saturday, January 11, now have a 1-0-1 win-loss-draw record in Group C, while the hosts had a 0-0-1 start to the season.Judy Connolly delivered the game-tying goal with two minutes remaining in the game, much to the dismay of the Uzbeks.With little over two minutes left, Lyudmila Karachik handed Uzbekistan a 3-2 lead after a score, putting the hosts in a jubilant mood early.Connolly, however, forced the deadlock against the Asian powerhouse in the following phase by triggering a left boot off an assist from Filipinas player Katrina Guillou.

The Capital1 Solar Spikers won their first game of the 2024–25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference after prevailing over the Nxled Chameleons in four sets, 21-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-18, on Saturday, November 30, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.The Solar Spikers ended a three-game losing streak and improved their record to 1-3 after rallying from an eight-point deficit in the second set.With a 13–20 deficit, Capital1 was on the verge of losing the second set after losing the first frame. However, the arrival of May Macatuno, replacing Iris Tolenada off the bench sparked a change in momentum.

Many were surprised when Manny Pacquiao officially announced his return from retirement to challenge World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario Barrios.This bout will be Pacquiao's first in four years, and at 46 years old, he faces a significant challenge: Barrios, who is 16 years younger and stands six inches taller than the 5-foot-6 Filipino legend.However, "Sugar" Shane Mosley—a fellow boxing great and former opponent who recently joined Pacquiao's training camp in Los Angeles—believes Pacquiao can emerge victorious at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 19. Mosley, who lost to Pacquiao by unanimous decision in 2011 while defending his WBO welterweight title, noted that Pacquiao is in great shape both physically and mentally.

Amanda Anisimova delivered a stunning upset by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka, propelling herself into the Wimbledon final with a hard-fought victory of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. This milestone marks Anisimova's first appearance in a Wimbledon final and highlights her exceptional prowess as a power-hitter, particularly under the blazing sun on Centre Court.After two intense hours and 36 minutes of fierce competition, Anisimova expressed her disbelief and excitement regarding her remarkable achievement. “This doesn’t feel real right now. Aryna is such a tough competitor... to emerge victorious and secure a spot in the final of Wimbledon is nothing short of incredible,” she declared.Anisimova's journey to this final is historic; she became only the second player in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam final after experiencing a setback in the previous year's qualifying rounds. "If you had told me I would be in the final of Wimbledon, I wouldn’t have believed you," she admitted. This moment signifies a powerful redemption for Anisimova, once hailed as a teenage prodigy after her remarkable run to the 2019 French Open semi-finals at just 17. However, the weight of expectations proved overwhelming, prompting her to take an eight-month hiatus from tennis in 2023 to address her mental well-being. “I struggled with the lifestyle… it was impacting my performance on the court,” she shared. Upon her return, Anisimova's resurgence has been nothing short of inspiring, highlighted by her victory at the Qatar Open and a strong performance at Queen's Club. Now, following her journey to the Wimbledon semi-finals, she is poised to break into the top 10 of the WTA rankings for the first time—an achievement that underscores her incredible potential.Conversely, Sabalenka faced yet another painful disappointment in her relentless pursuit of a Grand Slam title. Despite being a formidable competitor, she has struggled to overcome Anisimova, having lost six of their nine encounters.In a match defined by tenacity and resilience, Anisimova saved crucial break points and seized critical moments, demonstrating remarkable composure under pressure. Even when she couldn't convert a match point while serving, she maintained her poise, ultimately sealing what she described as the “biggest win of her life.” This victory not only propels her into the final but also signifies the realization of her immense potential on the world stage.

The winningest coach in the history of the Philippine Basketball Association has entered the Finals once again and will try to win his 26th title while leading Ginebra to the Promised Land.In an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph, Coach Tim Cone shared how he established a winning culture to every team that he handled.

The College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers capped their V-League campaign with a statement win, pulling off a dramatic reverse sweep over the Arellano University Lady Chiefs, 21-25, 16-25, 25-22, 25-15, 15-4, to secure the bronze medal in the 2025 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.After a semifinal loss to the FEU Lady Tamaraws ended their title hopes, the Lady Blazers showed remarkable grit and composure, clawing back from a two-set deficit to reclaim a spot on the podium—improving from their fourth-place finish last year.Leading the comeback was Zam Nolasco, who dominated at the net with 18 points built on 12 attacks and six blocks, while Fiona Inocentes powered through with 15 markers (11 attacks, three blocks, and one ace).

The PLDT High Speed Hitters hiked its win streak to six, breaking into the top three of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference with a masterful 25-20, 25-17, 25-19 victory over Farm Fresh at the Philsports Arena on Tuesday, February 4.Savi Davison was relentless, posting a match-high 26 points loaded with 23 kills to carry the High Speed Hitters past the Foxies to a 6-3 record.The Filipino-Canadian spiker also registered three blocks along with six excellent receptions. While Davison spearheaded PLDT’s offense, young setter Angge Alcantara orchestrated the plays and served as the catalyst with 12 excellent sets and four markers to earn Player of the Game honors.Despite the impressive outing, the High Speed Hitters should not lower their guards as head coach Rald Ricafort stressed the value of maintaining consistency as they move into the tournament's pivotal stage.

Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), will lead the nation's biggest-ever delegation to the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China. As it prepares for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, the Philippines hopes to obtain vital international exposure with 20 athletes competing in a variety of disciplines.Tolentino expressed confidence in the 19-member group, which is primarily made up of Filipino-foreigners from the Philippines who have acclimated well to winter circumstances and sports that aren't typically offered in the country.

Every team, every sport, and every coaching staff shares one objective: to attain victory and claim the championship. For the Petro Gazz Angels, this dream became a reality.After a thrilling 2024–25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Finals, the Angels proved to themselves that the win was theirs. They dethroned the Creamline Cool Smashers with a commanding 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, 25-19 victory in Game 3 on Saturday, April 12.For Petro Gazz Coach Koji Tsuzurabara, the championship was the culmination of a long-held dream.Tsuzurabara never doubted his team. He believed in the players he had—players capable of going all the way.Tsuzurabara was fortunate and thrilled to have a talented team, including standout players like Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Philips, who not only secured the championship but also earned the Conference MVP and Finals MVP awards, respectively.“I trust the player we could win. I’m lucky to have a great team with great players,”  Tsuzurabara said.For now, the Angels are preparing for the upcoming AVC Women's Champions League to be held on April 20 to 27, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig wherein they will face the teams of Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong. For Brooke Van Sickle, the PVL Conference MVP, the upcoming international tournament is especially exciting, as it marks her debut in international competition. She is eager to see how other countries play volleyball and learn from the experience.“This is my first time with international play. So I'm just excited to see good volleyball and just be able to see how other countries play the sport and to learn from them and grow and just to see the intensity. So I'm super stoked,” said Van Sickle.The Petro Gazz Angels, alongside PLDT High Speed Hitters and Creamline Cool Smashers, will represent the Philippines at the AVC Women’s Champions League, fighting not just for victory, but for national pride and honor.

The two best words in sports—Game 7—will happen in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Friday, March 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.It was made possible when the TNT Tropang Giga forced it after defeating Barangay Ginebra in Game 6, 87-83, on Wednesday night, March 26, in front of 17,654 fans.In Game 5, the rare minutes given to Gin Kings veteran LA Tenorio inspired Ginebra to take a 3-2 series lead. But last night, it was TNT’s injured leader, Jayson Castro, who motivated his team.Read: https://scoreline.ph/news/tenorio-inspires-ginebra-tnt-misses-castro-pba-finals

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.

Out of 18 Filipino cue artists who began their campaigns at the 2025 World Pool Championship, only seven remain in the hunt for the title as the tournament heads into the Round of 16.Veterans Roland Garcia and AJ Manas made early exits, falling in the Round of 64.Advancing further were Marvin Asis, Michael Feliciano, and Johann Chua, but all three were stopped in the Round of 32—each falling to a red-hot Anton Raga, who has quietly emerged as one of the most dangerous players in the draw.The Round of 16, scheduled for tonight, July 25, will showcase two all-Filipino showdowns:Bernie Regalario vs. Patric GonzalesCarlo Biado vs. Jeffrey IgnacioThese matchups ensure that at least two Filipino players will move on to the quarterfinals, continuing the Philippines’ proud tradition of excellence in world-class pool competition.With Anton Raga, Regalario, Gonzales, Biado, and Ignacio still in the mix, Filipino fans have every reason to be hopeful for another deep run—and possibly another world title.

Fresh off their historic Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Championship win, the Petro Gazz Angels were brought back down to earth in their first match on the continental stage, falling in four sets to Chinese Taipei’s Kaohsiung Taipower, 15-25, 16-25, 25-19, 20-25, at the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League on Monday afternoon, April 21, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.Despite the momentum of a landmark local title just over a week ago, the Angels couldn’t find their rhythm against the well-drilled and youthful Taipower squad. The nine-time Top Volleyball League champions leaned on the consistency of 21-year-old outside hitter Hsu Wan-Yun and 23-year-old wing spiker Tsai Yu-Chun to maintain their unbeaten record (2-0) and clinch the top spot in Pool B.

Filipino combat sports standout Chino Sy Tancontian continues to make waves on the international stage after clinching the silver medal in the men’s -100kg division of the Oceania Judo Open held last weekend in Gold Coast, Australia.The Davaoeño International Olympic Committee (IOC) Solidarity scholar also achieved a new career milestone, leaping to No. 74 in the world judo rankings following his stellar performance.Tancontian powered through a tough field, defeating Indonesia’s Gene Kalbu Soethama via ippon, American Tokuzo Takahashi with two yuko, and Australian Jack Rigby in the semifinals to earn a spot in the title match. In the final, he opened strong with a quick waza-ari, but Great Britain’s Oliver Barratt mounted a rally midway through the bout and secured the gold with an ippon finish.Despite falling short of the top podium, the multi-medaled Sambo and judo athlete once again proved his consistency and competitive edge, adding another accolade to his growing list of international honors.With the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand fast approaching, Tancontian will undergo a month-long intensive training camp in Japan, honing his skills under elite coaches to prepare for the regional battle.“This silver medal is another step forward. The goal remains the same—to keep improving and bring pride to the country,” Tancontian said.

The Creamline Cool Smashers will be without veteran Risa Sato in the upcoming 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.The Cool Smashers announced the development on Friday, November 8, specifying the Filipino-Japanese middle blocker asked for an early release from her contract which was set to expire at the end of the year.“Creamline would like to inform our fans that Risa Sato has requested to be released from her contract, which is set to expire at the end of December 2024. This request for early termination though will still be subject to the conditions outlined in her existing contract,” the Cool Smashers’ statement read.

The PLDT High Speed Hitters kicked off their 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League campaign after overcoming a shaky start against the Australia’s Queensland Pirates, 25-19, 25-12, 25-12, on Sunday, April 20, at the PhilSports Arena.Savi Davison powered the High Speed Hitters with 14 attack points while also registering eight excellent digs and three excellent receptions, earning the Player of the Match honors.The Pirates dictated the early tempo, going on a 6-1 run in the opening frame. But the tide turned when Wilma Salas’s service ace shifted the momentum and handed PLDT their first lead of the match. Despite the Pirates’ efforts to regain control, the High Speed Hitters responded with urgency. Fiola Ceballos stepped up in the clutch, giving PLDT a 20-16 cushion. Although an out-of-bounds attack momentarily disrupted PLDT’s flow, Kim Kianna Dy’s relentless offense pushed the lead to 23-17. Dy eventually sealed the set with a powerful attack, completing the comeback.