Seasoned players Mike Phillips of De La Salle University Green Archers and Camille Clarin of National University Bulldogs both delivered outstanding performances for their teams in the final stretch of eliminations in the UAAP Season 87 basketball tournaments.As both teams continued to compete for their respective titles, Phillips and Clarin contributed crucial assistance for their respective teams, which resulted in them being awarded as the Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) UAAP Players of the Week award for the period of November 3–10.After a fiercely contested poll, Phillips defeated Mo Konateh of FEU, AJ Fransman of Adamson, and Nic Cabañero of UST to win the weekly prize.With an average of 15.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 3.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks during DLSU's 2-0 week, the 6-foot-8 forward was the most popular pick among reporters in the men's tournament.In a hard-fought 58-53 victory over FEU, Phillips filled the void left by reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao on a rare off night. He finished with 17 points, 15 rebounds, two assists, five steals, and two blocks.“I’m just so happy with my role that coach [Topex Robinson] gave me," said Phillips, who scored 11 of his 17 points in the final quarter against the Tamaraws."I just try to be one of the leaders on the defense and the energy, and a lot of times I still struggle with my offensive end, and sometimes too much energy, and it’s not channeled the right way, but that’s why I trust in my teammates,” he added.

The third and final leg of the Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 3, which took place in General Santos City last month, was warmly welcomed and garnered positive comments. The successful one-day bikeathon event served as more than just a way to discover new cycling talents, but also intended to revive the vibrant local bike culture in the country. Go for Gold founder Jeremy Go believes that there is a surprising amount of talent among Filipino riders, they just need more time for practice and experience. “The goal of the race really is to provide an avenue for cyclists, for Filipino cyclists, and at the same time, to scout talent for our cycling team,” Go told Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The Gilas Pilipinas has released its list of 15 players who will compete in the 2025 FIBA ​​Asia Cup Qualifiers on November 21 and 25 to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena.Among of those were: June Mar Fajardo, Ange Kouame, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Japeth Aguilar, Mason Amos, Justin Brownlee, Aj Edu, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo and Scottie Thompson.Ange Kouame has been included in Gilas Pilipinas after the Samahan ng Basketbol ng Pilipinas confirmed it.According to SBP executive director Erika Dy, Kouame will also participate in the Gilas camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba City Laguna starting November 15.Dy also said that having multiple naturalized players in the first pool submitted to FIBA is allowed, until the eve of the game where a technical meeting will be held to finalize the roster.“The night before [a game], there’s a technical meeting. You have to have only one naturalized [player],” Dy said.

Para swimmer Christian Benedict Paulino won the first gold medal in the ongoing 8th Philippine National Para Games being held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.Paulino, who represented Quezon City LGU, won the men's 400m freestyle S6-S7 in six minutes and 55.61 seconds, beating Zach Lucas Osioma of Cadiz City, who clocked 8:27.50.According to Paulino, this is his first win in the Para Games so he is happy to have won the gold medal and said that it is also his dream to participate in the Paralympics."This is my first time winning in the National Para Games. I am happy because I want to pursue my dream of participating in the Paralympics," Paulino said in Filipino.Paulino added that he also wants to achieve what his idol, Para swimmer Ernie Gawilan has accomplished."I also want to achieve what my brother Ernie accomplished. He is my idol," Paulino added. Meanwhile, other gold medalists on the first day of the Para Games were Justine Oliveros of Laguna for the men's 400m freestyle S8, S9, S10 and Tokyo Paralympian Gary Bejino for the men's 50m butterfly S6 and S7.

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. 

Petro Gazz soared past Choco Mucho, 25-20, 26-28, 25-21, 25-16, capping the first day of the Premier Volleyball League’s All-Filipino Conference on Saturday, November 9, at Philsports Arena in Pasig.Brooke Van Sickle powered the Angels, erupting 34 points anchored on 28 attacks, four aces, and two kill blocks, while also putting up 14 excellent digs. 

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.

The TNT Tropang Giga kept their title as the PBA Governors' Cup champion when they finally ended the series of the Season 49 edition, conquering Barangay Ginebra, 95-85, on Friday night, November 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.It was another sweet victory for TNT as they finished the series once again in six games just like what they did in 2023.Tropang Giga's hardworking reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the squad with 31 big points and defeated Ginebra's resident import Justin Brownlee for the second time around. In fact, Brownlee was 6-0 in the Finals until Hollis-Jefferson came into the picture last year.RHJ also grabbed 16 rebounds and dished off seven assists during the game.

Filipina Muay Thai fighter Islay Erika Bomogao's birthday wish has been granted as she won her debut in ONE Championship against her Japanese foe, Fuu.One of her dreams has been fulfilled when she entered the ONE Championship ring, and it became more special when she got the win during her natal day.The Muay Thai fighter from the Philippines earned a unanimous decision to win over her Japanese opponent on Friday night at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.Bomogao's opponent came out swinging which momentarily caught by Filipina fighter off guard. It did not take long for the Filipina to adjust, and she threw sneaky kicks up top while unleashing quick punches and elbows.The Japanese  fighter pressed the action in round two, but it was Bomogao who landed cleaner with her counterstriking.Fuu continued to move forward in the third and final round but was mostly on the receiving end of Bomogao's lengthy kicks that kept her at bay.

The Premier Volleyball League’s highly-anticipated 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference will begin today, November 9, at the Philsports Arena which will run for six-long months.The Akari Charges and Galeries Tower Highrisers will play for the opening game to kick off the new season at 4:00 pm. Both clubs are looking to improve after having contrasting performances in the previous Reinforced Conference.Akari surprised the league by making it to the Finals but losing the title to Creamline, while Galeries Tower finished winless at the bottom of the 12-team field.The Chargers, led by Ced Domingo, Fifi Sharma, Faith Nisperos, and Ivy Lacsina, will aim to maintain their positive attitude from that historic run in the championship round and establish themselves as serious contenders for the title.The Highrisers, on the other hand, will attempt to overcome a somber past and get into the spotlight, with setter Julia Coronel of Alas Pilipinas making her debut and spikers Roma Joy Doromal, Jewel Encarnacion, and Alyssa Eroa contributing firepower. Choco Mucho and Petro Gazz will face off in the main event at 6:30 pm with the goal of trying to get their quest for the first All-Filipino title off to a victorious start.It will be a different world now for the Flying Titans after the departure of Maddie Madayag, who brought her act to the Japan SV. League.However, Choco Mucho remains committed to its championship dreams, with Sisi Rondina, Dindin Manabat, Isa Molde, Cherry Nunag, and the returning Kat Tolentino leading the way.Meanwhile, the Angels have kept their roster intact, with players like Myla Pablo, Djanel Cheng, Remy Palma, MJ Phillips, and Brooke Van Sickle always ready to fight. 

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.

Following her sister’s footsteps, Samantha Catantan, fencer Janna Catantan, is targeting an Olympic fencing stint in 2028. Her sister Sam made history for the country by becoming the first Filipina fencer to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Janna Catantan is one of those 19 world-class athletes who will receive the opportunity for career development under the Ayala Foundation’s Atletang Ayala program. Catantan said, now that she’s part of the program, she’s happy it is a great help for her to move and look forward to it, especially in her upcoming competitions she will be joining. 

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.