Australia claimed the gold for the third straight time in the FIBA Asia Cup after surviving a nail-biting finish against China, 90-89, on Monday morning, August 18 (PH time), at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.The Boomers, who have been undefeated in the tournament since joining the Asia Cup in 2017, once again proved their resilience on the biggest stage. But before clinching their third consecutive crown, the Australians had to claw back from a double-digit deficit as they trailed by as many as 15 points through the first three quarters.

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) named Justine Baltazar as the 2024 Most Valuable Player, making him the first-ever back-to-back MVP of the league.Baltazar averaged 15.56 points, 16.0 rebounds, 5.91 assists, and 1.19 steals while playing for 30.44 minutes each game this season. The mobile big man also led the Mythical Five selection, together with San Juan Knights' Orlan Wamar, Zamboanga Master Sardines' Jaycee Marcelino, Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards' Will McAloney, and Batangas City Tanduay Rhum Masters' Cedric Abalaza.

A year to remember in Philippine sports annals will be celebrated by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) in grand fashion as it holds its annual Awards Night on January 27, 2025 at the historic Manila Hotel. The country’s oldest media organization headed by its president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine Star, is set to honor the best and brightest personalities and entities who made the country proud in the year that’s about to end. In a memorable 2024 campaign, the Philippines elevated its standards by gaining a first ever double gold medal in the Olympics courtesy of dynamic gymnast Carlos Yulo during the 33rd edition of the Games in Paris, France. The feat came four years after lady weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz gave the country a breakthrough Olympic gold in Tokyo, and transpired during the same period when the Filipinos commemorate their 100 years of participation in the quadrennial showcase. The Paris stint also saw Philippine boxing rising to the occasion again by winning a pair of bronze medals through the robust fists of Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas. Yulo and the rest of the Filipino Olympians including the country’s representatives to the Paralympic Games, will be at the forefront of the traditional festivities where the awarding of the Athlete of the Year serves as its highlight. Another special part of the program is the induction of another Filipino great to the PSA Hall of Fame. The late track and field legend Lydia De Vega was the last celebrated athlete to be recognized with the honor. In celebration of the country’s centennial participation in the Summer Games, past Filipino Olympians will likewise have their own moments during the awards ceremony. The customary awards like the Executive of the Year, National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year, President’s Award, and top performers such as Mr. Basketball, Ms. Volleyball, among others, are also going to be handed out. To be recognized too, are major awardees in different sports, the usual citations to different sports figures and individuals, and the regular Tony Siddayao Awards and MILO Awards for junior athletes. Not to be forgotten with a prayer and minute of silence are the personalities who passed away in the year 2024.

The NLEX Road Warriors capped their preseason with a championship run, capturing the 40th Kadayawan Invitational crown after defeating the Blackwater Bossing, 101-84, on Sunday night, August 26, at the University of Southern Philippines in Davao City.After trailing by as much as 11 early in the game, NLEX turned things around with a blistering 34-12 surge in the second quarter, sparked by Robert Bolick, Dominic Fajardo, Tony Semerad, and Xyrus Torres, to grab a 52-36 lead at halftime.

Cignal ended what could have been a potentially lengthy game into a 25-16, 25-23, 26-24 victory over D’Navigators Iloilo in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference preliminaries at the Ynares Sports Arena on Sunday, November 10.After falling behind 22-24 in the third set, the HD Spikers showed grace under pressure as they delivered four consecutive points to secure a straight-set win, improving their record to 4-1.Cignal coach Dexter Clamor decided to use his second six as the D’Navigators pushed Cignal into tight battles, going ahead 22-19 in the third frame. An off-the-block hit courtesy of Steven St. Maria steered the team to a set point, 24-22, paving the way for a possible fourth set. However, the HD Spikers’ second unit took advantage of the D’Navigators’ mistakes and indecisiveness during the crucial moment. c came through to end the game, sealing the HD Spikers’ victory in the tournament. 

Arellano University displayed resilience after a shaky second set to edge Colegio de San Juan, 25-14, 23-25, 25-22, 26-24, and seize solo fourth place in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday, September 7, at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.Both squads entered the court carrying the fatigue of their five-set battles the day before, but the Lady Chiefs proved steadier. Led by the scoring trio of Laika Tudlasan, Sam Tiratira, and Crisanta Servidad, they notched their second straight win in the eight-team field.Tudlasan spearheaded the charge with 19 points off 18 kills, while Tiratira chipped in 16 markers built on 12 attacks and four blocks. With the victory, Arellano climbed to 3-3, staying in the hunt for a semifinal berth.“We’re happy to beat Letran because they’re a strong NCAA contender. I told my players that it’s in their hands — if they want to extend our season, it depends on how they respond. This win is all because of their effort,” said Lady Chiefs head coach Obet Javier.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio underscored the importance of sports development in the country, stressing that sports should be viewed as a long-term investment—not a waste of funds.In a media interview by Scoreline.ph, Gregorio highlighted the PSC’s ongoing push to improve sports facilities nationwide, starting with the renovation of the Rizal Memorial Tennis Courts, which is expected to begin in the coming days.“Sports is an investment,” said Gregorio. “It’s never a waste of money. When a child succeeds because of sports, when a community unites because of sports, that is something invaluable.”Preparations for WTA Event in ManilaThe PSC is gearing up to host a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tournament in January 2026, marking a major milestone for Philippine tennis. Gregorio said bleacher expansion is underway to increase spectator capacity.“We hope to accommodate at least 2,000 people in January,” he shared. “If we want to bid for bigger WTA events in the future, we may need to move to a larger venue like New Clark City. The BCDA has given us ample land there for future sports development.”Alex Eala Expected to JoinFilipina tennis star Alex Eala is set to headline the event, barring any scheduling conflict with the Australian Open.“The only chance she won’t be able to play is if there’s a conflict with the Australian Open semifinals or finals,” Gregorio said. “But if she succeeds in Australia, we’ll all be very happy. And if she becomes available after the early rounds, then she will join us.”Gregorio emphasized that hosting a WTA event is not only a showcase of world-class tennis but also an opportunity to highlight Filipino talent.“One day, we hope to see more Alex Ealas. I’m sure she also wants to be the reason tennis will grow bigger in the Philippines. And that is very exciting.”WTA in PH for the Next Three YearsThe PSC aims to host a WTA tournament annually for the next three years, making international tennis a recurring highlight in the Philippine sports calendar.“We’re committed,” Gregorio said. “This is just the beginning.”

Ateneo de Manila University finally entered the win column in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge after dispatching Arellano University in four sets, 25-13, 9-25, 25-21, 25-20, on Wednesday, September 3, at Paco Arena in Manila.The Blue Eagles stumbled against NCAA teams College of Saint Benilde, Mapua, and Pepetual before finding their rhythm against the Lady Chiefs to avoid slipping further down the standings.Zey Pacia powered Ateneo’s bounce-back with a standout performance of 23 points built on 22 kills and an ace, while also steadying the defense with five excellent digs and five excellent receptions.

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 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.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has filed Senate Resolution No. 117, commending Filipina tennis star Alex Eala for her maiden Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) title at the Guadalajara 125 Open. Senator Go highlighted Eala’s victory as a testament to discipline, resilience, and excellence—qualities that uplift national pride and inspire young Filipino athletes.Go’s resolution emphasized that Eala’s triumph goes beyond personal achievement, reflecting the capacity of Filipinos to excel globally when given support and opportunity. He anchored the resolution on the Philippine Constitution’s mandate to promote sports, citing Article XIV, Section 19.In his remarks, Go praised Eala’s come-from-behind win over Hungary’s Panna Udvardy, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, and her consistent display of the “indomitable Filipino competitive spirit.” He said Eala’s feat is both a career milestone and a rallying point for national pride.Go further underscored the need for sustained investment in sports. He spotlighted the National Academy of Sports (NAS), established under Republic Act No. 11470, which he authored and co-sponsored, and pushed for its regional expansion through Senate Bill No. 171. He also filed bills to enhance incentives for para-athletes, institutionalize grassroots and collegiate sports competitions, and improve sports facilities nationwide.Since becoming Senate Committee on Sports chair in 2019, Go has championed Philippine sports, supporting facility improvements and athlete development. He noted this era has seen historic achievements, including the country’s first Olympic gold and twin golds at the 2024 Paris Olympics.By filing the resolution, Go seeks to honor Eala and reaffirm the vital role of sports in national development, situating her triumph within the broader context of Philippine athletic progress.

Undefeated Filipino lightweight MMA fighter Ian Paul “Choco” Lora (3-0) will make his international debut at BRAVE CF 98 in Zhengzhou, China, on September 19. The 20-year-old from Daraga, Albay, faces India’s Owais Yaqoob (3-1) in a three-round undercard bout.Lora, representing Lion’s Den MMA Academy, has impressed on the local MMA scene with one knockout and one submission win. He drew attention with a nine-second KO in May and now aims to make an impact on the global stage. Yaqoob enters with a three-fight win streak, also making his BRAVE CF debut.Lora is the second Filipino signed to BRAVE CF this year, following Drex Zamboanga. The event is headlined by a featherweight interim title bout between Ukraine’s Omar Solomanov and Kazakhstan’s Rauan Bekbolat.

Vietnamese volleyball star Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen has been ruled out of the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand following a recurrence of an abdominal muscle injury.Her absence was confirmed after her name was left off the official Vietnam women’s national team roster for both the training camp and the tournament.Bich Tuyen, known for her explosive scoring and power, had also skipped the 2025 FIVB Women’s World Championship earlier this year, initially citing personal and family reasons as well as issues related to new FIVB eligibility rules. However, reports now reveal that her lingering injury has once again flared up, sidelining her from international competition.The setback is a major blow for Vietnam, which will look to adjust its lineup as it aims to stay competitive in the regional volleyball scene.Meanwhile, team captain Tran Thi Thanh Thuy (4T) and middle blocker Tran Thi Bich Thuy are set to join the national team’s training camp in early December, once they conclude their ongoing stints in Japan’s V.League.Both players are expected to bring veteran leadership and international experience to bolster Vietnam’s campaign in the upcoming 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.

The Galeries Tower Highrisers finally enter the win column in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference by beating the Capital1 Solar Spikers in a 26-24, 25-14, 25-23 sweep on Saturday, December 7, at the Minglanilla Sports Complex in Cebu.Julia Coronel, the No. 3 overall pick in the inaugural draft, had her best game so far in the pro league as she produced nine points, highlighted by five service aces, including four straight at the start of Set 2. She also had 10 excellent sets.Jewel Encarnacion, another Galeries rookie, put up a solid outing with 10 attack points to go with back-to-back 10-point showings from mainstay spikers Ysa Jimenez and Andrea Marzan.Meanwhile, Leila Cruz, Coronel's former La Salle teammate, put up 14 markers and five digs that went for naught as Capital1 absorbed its fourth loss in five games.The former DLSU captain finally won a game after failing to do so in their first four games. The win also broke the 10-game slump of the Solar Spikers since April.In their Saturday match, Coronel brought out her effort in the young career that she has.

It’s only fitting that on Wednesday, April 16, two of the most storied franchises in Philippine basketball will collide in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, as the league continues to celebrate its golden anniversary.The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots and the San Miguel Beermen will square off at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in a battle for early supremacy. Both unbeaten, both hungry, both aiming to seize their third win—and with it, the solo lead in the standings.These two titans began their campaigns with convincing victories last April 5 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. San Miguel dispatched the NLEX Road Warriors, 98–89, while Magnolia cruised past the Blackwater Bossing, 106–84.On April 9, during the league’s anniversary celebration, both squads stayed perfect. The Hotshots used their signature defense to defeat the Converge FiberXers, 83–71, while the Beermen triumphed over the Meralco Bolts in a retro-themed showdown at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum, 110–98.

Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala is back in action and making headlines once again — this time not just for her powerful play, but also for achieving a new career milestone. Fresh off her historic run at the Miami Open, the 19-year-old continues to climb the WTA rankings and now enters the clay court season with momentum on her side.As of April 14, Eala has officially reached a career-high world ranking of No. 72, gaining three spots since her sensational semi final-finish in Miami. Starting that tournament as World No. 140, she shocked the tennis world by taking down some of the biggest names in the game — including Madison Keys, Jelena Ostapenko, and top seed Iga Swiatek — before narrowly falling to Jessica Pegula in a gritty three-set match.Now, after a short break from competition, Eala returns to the court at the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal, her first appearance on clay this season. Notably, she enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed — a first for the young star in any WTA-level event.

Libero Josh Ybañez refuses to guarantee results but promises heart as Alas Pilipinas prepares to battle Egypt at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship this afternoon at MOA Arena.  The 22-year-old defensive stalwart admires Egypt’s composure and discipline, calling their recent win over Iran a standard to aspire to.“They played really well, very organized and disciplined,” Ybañez said in Filipino, describing Egypt’s win. “What really stood out to me was their composure under pressure and how consistent they were with their execution. It was a big learning experience for us, because that’s the kind of standard we want to reach, too.”Last Friday, the Philippines, coming off a spirited late rally against Tunisia in its World Championship debut, looks to build on lessons learned as it faces the world No. 18 squad. “We learned a lot from our first game, especially on the defensive side. It gave us more confidence that we can keep up. For the second game, we’ll bring that same energy and hopefully, we can apply the coaches’ adjustments even better.” Ybanez said. Ybañez, a two-time UAAP MVP now anchoring the national team’s defense, believes composure and grit will be key. Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni will again rely on Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, and Owa Retamar to lead the charge.“Our mindset is simple: fight with all our heart and give everything we’ve got. What we can promise is that we’ll do everything to prove we’re worthy to carry the Philippine flag and represent the country on this stage.” Ybañez added,

Serbia punched their ticket to the Round of 16 after a stunning straight-sets victory over powerhouse Brazil, 25-22, 25-20, 25-22, in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.Drazen Luburic was unstoppable, leading Serbia with 17 kills and two aces for a game-high 19 points as the team capped Pool H with back-to-back wins after a shaky opening loss to Czechia.Pavle Peric added 15 points on 13 attacks, one block, and an ace, while Miran Kujundzic chipped in 10 points, highlighted by four blocks.“It’s a huge win for us. I’m not sure we would have performed this well if we had beaten Czechia. Probably we would have been a little relaxed, so in a way, it’s a good thing. We chose the hard way, but luckily, we made it through,” said Luburic.“It was a great performance, definitely, as we saw on the court. We also knew how hard we worked this summer,” he added.The loss jeopardized Brazil’s hopes of advancing despite their 2-1 record. Czechia still had a chance to claim the remaining Round of 16 ticket in Pool H with a straight-sets win over China in the late match.Brazil, meanwhile, struggled offensively, with Alan Souza the lone bright spot with 10 points, while Judson Nunes contributed nine.

Reigning national figure skating champion Maxine Bautista delivered a solid performance at the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy 2025, finishing 11th overall in the senior women’s division as the five-day tournament wrapped up Tuesday night, August 5, at the Mall of Asia Skating Rink.Skating to “Now We Are Free” from Gladiator, the 24-year-old Chicago-based skater earned a total of 105.69 points, improving from her earlier short program.“This is definitely better than (what I did in) the short program,” said Bautista, who now places herself in strong consideration for a spot on Team Philippines for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.“I’m happy about this. This is definitely an improvement,” she added, visibly pleased with her rebound performance.

With determination and the Philippine flag on his back, Carlos Baylon Jr. delivered an outstanding performance at the 2025 World Games, defeating Kazakhstan’s Islam Karimov, 2-0, to claim the bronze medal in wushu sanda on Tuesday at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium.Baylon set the tone early with aggressive takedowns and sharp striking, dominating the bout and securing a much-needed win for Team Philippines. “I am just happy to win this bronze medal,”  who earlier this year also captured gold at the IWUF 10th Sanda World Cup in China. “I hope I can win more tournaments and give pride to our country.” said Baylon.His podium finish closes out the wushu team’s campaign in Chengdu on a high note, following Krizan Faith Collado’s narrow bronze-medal loss against Vietnam’s Thi Phuong Nga Ngo.With Baylon’s bronze and an earlier silver secured, Team Philippines now holds two medals at the World Games, with five days of competition remaining. Baylon’s victory adds to the nation’s momentum and stands as a testament to Filipino resilience and passion on the world stage.As the 2025 World Games continue, Filipino athletes remain focused on bringing honor to the flag and inspiring the nation.