A defining chapter in franchise history was written on Thursday night as ZUS Coffee secured its first-ever Finals appearance, sweeping the veteran PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-22, 28-26, 25-22, in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.What was once a team buried at the bottom of the standings has now transformed into one of the league’s most compelling contenders, fueled by a performance truly worthy of the postseason stage.Leading the charge was American import Anna DeBeer, who delivered a masterclass performance that defined the Thunderbelles’ rise. DeBeer exploded for 30 points built on 29 blistering attacks and an ace, while showcasing complete versatility on the floor with 9 excellent digs and 8 excellent receptions. From power to poise, the ZUS Coffee star controlled the match on both ends, refusing to let PLDT find rhythm in crucial moments.ZUS Coffee’s stunning sweep was not just a victory, it was a statement. A team once viewed as rebuilding has now announced itself as a force ready for the league’s biggest stage. Their ascent from cellar-dwellers to title contenders reflects a culture shift built on resilience, chemistry, and unwavering belief.With the win, the Thunderbelles march into a gold medal showdown against the Petro Gazz Angels, scheduled for Sunday, November 30, at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum. The clash promises to be a battle of momentum versus legacy, ZUS Coffee making its first leap to greatness, and Petro Gazz returning to reclaim the crown.Meanwhile, the PLDT High Speed Hitters, who fought through a grueling campaign only to fall short of the finals, will face the Akari Chargers in the bronze medal match, aiming to secure a podium finish and end their season on a high note.As the PVL Finals await, ZUS Coffee stands on the brink of completing one of the most remarkable turnarounds in league history, and they’re not done yet.

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. 

The Philippines is poised to make a striking impact at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, running from December 9 to 20, by assembling its largest delegation in history. With unwavering government support, a remarkable 1,600-strong contingent—predominantly athletes from a variety of team sports—will proudly represent the nation at this highly esteemed regional event.“This is our biggest SEA Games delegation yet,” declared Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino, signaling a bold new chapter in the country’s sporting legacy. This monumental team will compete in an astonishing 574 events across 50 sports, nearly doubling the 905 athletes who showcased their talents at the 2023 Phnom Penh Games. Prior to this, the largest Philippine contingent had consisted of 1,115 members during the home games in 2019.

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.

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 PBA Commissioner’s Cup will feature a one-import format with unlimited height.There will also be a guest team in Hong Kong Eastern which is close to finalizing their entry for the said conference.Each team will be allowed to field one import with unlimited height, including HKE as the 13th team of the tournament after they formalized their entry.

Because of their unparalleled experience and skill in Sambo sports, six-time world medalist Sydney Sy-Tancontian and 2024 Asian Championships double silver medalist Aislinn Yap among other Sambo athletes won gold medals in the recently concluded 2024 Korea Open Sambo Championships that was organized by the Korean Sambo Federation and the International Sambo Federation (FIAS) last week.Sy-Tancontian defended her crown under the women's +80kgs category to follow up with the first medal of the Philippines and the Southeast Asian region, while Yap won two gold medals for two different categories - Women's -80kgs (Combat Sambo ) and Women's -80kgs (Sports Sambo).The participation of the Pilipinas Sambo national team is also part of the preparation  for the World Championships which will be held on November 8-10 that will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan.Aside from Sy-Tancontian and Yap, Jeniva Consigna, also got a gold medal in women's under-65kgs, Jomary Torres won a gold medal for Women's -50kgs, Mariah Albert Lua also got a gold medal for women's under-72kgs category, Robin Catalan won a silver medal under Men's -64kgs category, Grace Gangan became a silver medalist under Women's -80kgs category, Aumaegel Princess Cortez got a bronze medal for Women's -59kgs category, and Edemel Catalan won a bronze medal for the Men's -58kgs category. According to Pilipinas SAMBO Federation Inc. (PSFI) President Paolo Tancontian, they really prepared for this competition to win a medal and there has been a big improvement in the performance of their athletes now compared to last year.“I consider this a good performance from our athletes compared to last year because we improved a lot in terms of medals we obtained. Our national team prepared well for this tournament. They improve greatly on this tourney and we hope to see them perform well in the next competitions,” said Tancontian.Tancontian added that it is not enough for them to determine the  improvement they have now and they also keep up learning and studying the processes of this kind of sport because Asia is on a different level when it comes to this type of sport.“However, we still have a lot of room for improvement. Every day is a learning process because Asia is considered a world-class level at malakas talaga ang laban dito. Definitely, mapapalaban tayo ng husto sa Worlds,” Tancontian added.

In an impressive display of skill, taller Japanese southpaw Madoka Wada (4-0, 3 KOs) successfully defended her OPBF Female Minimumweight Title by stopping resilient Filipina challenger Carleans “Chay” Rivas (9-8-4, 1 KO) in Round 7 in Tokyo, Japan.From the very first round, Wada utilized her height advantage, sharp right jab, and accurate counters to dictate the pace, keeping the aggressive Rivas at bay. Renowned for her tenacity and relentless pressure, Rivas found it difficult to close the distance against the rangy champion.In Round 7, Wada unleashed a series of unanswered combinations that prompted the referee to intervene and halt the fight. Although Rivas protested the stoppage, demonstrating her indomitable spirit, Wada had clearly taken command, landing effective shots throughout the bout.A big salute to Rivas—the fearless fighter from Angono, Rizal—whose courage and heart earned her the respect of the crowd despite the loss. She poured everything into the fight and exited the ring with her head held high.Wada’s victory keeps her unbeaten and solidifies her position as the reigning OPBF champion, marking her continued ascent in the minimumweight division.

Fresh faces Joshua Retamar and JM Ronquillo made a superb debut as they steered Cignal HD Spikers to victory in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna on Tuesday, October 22.The reigning Open Conference champions launched their campaign by cruising past Chichi DHTSI in straight sets, 25-16, 25-16, 25-14. The HD Spikers bagged a swift one-hour, 11 minute win over the Titans with former National University standout Retamar, who only played in the first two sets, set the tone by tossing 10 excellent sets, while ex-De La Salle University ace Ronquillo tallied nine points on five attacks, two blocks, and two aces.  

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.

Defending champions Boston Celtics tied the most number of three-pointers made by a team in their victory over the New York Knicks, 132-109, in the opening night of the NBA’s 2024-2025 Season.Before the game started, the Celtics received their championship rings and the 18th banner of the franchise was raised in the rafters.Jayson Tatum grabbed the microphone before the ceremony to pump-up the crowd inside the TD Garden in Boston.

Criss Cross emerged as the top-seeded team after sweeping Savouge, 25-22, 25-21, 25-22, concluding the elimination round of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitation Conference on Sunday, December 1, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. The King Crunchers tied with their archrivals, the Cignal HD Spikers, atop the leaderboard with 8-1 win loss records, but wound up with the superior points ratio.Nico Almendras had his greatest game to date in a Criss Cross jersey, registering a game-high 19 points built on 15 attacks, three aces, and one block. The King Crushers ended the elimination round on a scorching six-game winning streak thanks to his outstanding performance."This win is important to us because we will be competing in the semis so maybe what we played today, we will be able to watch it and,  of course, learn from it as well," said Almendras.

Filipino Olympic boxer Hergie Bacyadan dominated the women’s K1 -70kg category in the Asian Kickboxing Championships in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Saturday, October 12.Bacyadan’s frustrated attempt to clinch a medal in the women’s boxing tournament of the 2024 Paris Olympics only strengthened her to pursue glory in other combat sports. The 29-year-old Kalinga fighter delivered one of the Philippines’ four gold medals in the event, overwhelming her opponent Chinese Jinwei Teng via abandonment. Bacyadan’s triumph in the continental kickboxing championships earned her a spot in the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China.“Everybody wants to be there in the World Games and I’m glad that I’ve qualified,’’ said Bacyadan.

Mapua swept College of St. Benilde in their best-of-three Finals series of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 100th Season.The Cardinals ended their 33-year title drought on Saturday, December 7, with a convincing 94-82 victory over the Benilde Blazers.It will also be a fitting gift for the university, which will mark its 100th year anniversary in January 2025.Mapua did not only sweep the Finals to establish their dominance of the collegiate league, they also went on a 12-0 blast, including a nine-game sweep in the second round of the eliminations.

Despite mounting expectations, De La Salle University’s Mike Phillips remains calm and confident as he leads the Green Archers' quest to reclaim the UAAP men’s basketball crown.Standing 6-foot-8, Phillips also finds himself linked to another challenge—potentially suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December.“But I'm really praying, whatever God has planned. If it's God's will for me to hopefully have an opportunity to try out and be a part of the national team, of course,” said Phillips, who previously won gold with Gilas at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.While excited by the prospect, Phillips remains focused on his current mission with La Salle, a team eager to bounce back after several runner-up finishes in the off-season and a finals loss last year.“I really love to, I'm gonna give everything I can. But of course, right now, it's really just about staying in the moment, staying in the present moment,” he said.Phillips fondly recalled his Gilas experience, calling it “an amazing feeling” that continues to inspire him.“Because playing for the national team is just something that, I don't know, I can't put into words. It's just such an amazing feeling and I'm still sort of on that high from that SEA Games,” he shared. “I still have my medal, it's right on my cabinet and I still talk to a lot of the guys that I was with in the SEA Games.”Phillips, along with Mason Amos and Jacob Cortez, is expected to anchor La Salle’s campaign in UAAP Season 88, which tips off this Saturday, September 20, against Adamson.

No amount of preparedness can muster the lionhearted when competing in an arena where the best and the most formidable in the world have gathered to display their exemplary skills and brilliance while aiming to seize the glorious prize in the world’s biggest sporting stage.That is what the two Filipina fencers endured when they were unable to deflect the puncture of reality when they both bowed out in the Table of 32, ending their dream run in the Olympics.Samantha Catantan and Maxine Esteban made history when they both qualified for the Summer Games as the Philippines’ first fencing representative since 1992 and the first homegrown Filipina to qualify for the Olympics, respectively.With a rivalry to be settled in the Fencing events and an Olympic medal at stake, the odds of Catantan and Esteban facing off in the Olympic fencing stage is if they both reach the semifinals.But the encounter was foiled at the Grand Palais where both fencers were ousted from the Paris Games in the early stages of the women’s individual foil competition.

The Philippine Men’s National Football Team dominated Maldives, 4-1, in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers during their rainy Tuesday evening clash.Jefferson Tabinas scored the first goal in the 15th minute of the match, held at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.A few minutes later, Bjorn Kristensen doubled the Philippines’ lead, making it 2-0 by the end of the first half.Entering the second half, Ali Fasir of Maldives found the net in the 62nd minute, narrowing the score to 2-1.In the following minutes, Randy Schneider made a spectacular debut, scoring in the 77th minute to extend the lead to 3-1. Later, in the 92nd minute, he assisted in setting up another goal. His first international goal provided the Philippines with a crucial cushion, securing the maximum three points in the final phase of the continental qualifiers."You can see it in the game—I felt good. The Philippines has welcomed me since day one, so I hope I can continue like this," Schneider said.Meanwhile, Sandro Reyes sealed the game at 4-1, scoring the final goal and carrying the hopes of Filipino football fans. His crucial contribution came when it mattered most.Coach Albert Capellas expressed his delight and satisfaction with the team's performance against Maldives.He emphasized the importance of winning to qualify, noting that starting strong in the tournament was essential."Job done. These are the types of games we need to win if we want to qualify. It's always important to start with a win. With the point advantage, we are on top, and we can't wait to face Tajikistan next," Capellas said.The PMNFT now holds a 1-0 record and will face Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, and Maldives again in the double-round robin format, which will conclude in March 2026.

Farm Fresh stormed into the win column of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference after pulling off a major upset against Akari, 25-23, 25-21, 25-14, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Saturday, November 30.Louie Romero and Trisha Tubu spearheaded the Foxies’s offense, ending a two-game losing streak against heavily fancied Akari Chargers. 

International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) President Morinari Watanabe led the Press Conference and Media Welcome Reception on Tuesday, formally ushering in the country’s hosting of the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships at Newport World Resorts in Pasay City.The event gathered local and international media as Watanabe highlighted the Philippines’ growing presence in the global gymnastics community and expressed confidence in the successful staging of the prestigious competition.Set to officially open on Thursday, November 20, the Junior World Championships will feature the world’s top young gymnasts, all eager to showcase their skill, talent, and potential on the international stage.With more than 75 countries participating, the Philippines is poised to play a central role as the tournament unfolds in Manila for the very first time.

The Petro Gazz has further cemented its position as one of the powerhouses in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) after taking down the ZUS Thunderbelles in four sets, 25-20, 24-26, 28-26, 25-22, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, February 4.Petro Gazz, who were tied at 16-all in the fourth round, took advantage of ZUS Coffee's costly mistakes to pull away by as much as four points.Jovelyn Gonzaga and Kate Santiago made an effort to keep the Thunderbelles afloat, but Myla Pablo and Brooke Van Sickle's combined effort proved to be too strong, as the Angels scored their final four points to win.Reigning conference MVP Van Sickle erupted 27 points built on 25 attacks and two aces, on top of 15 excellent digs and five receptions to fuel Petro Gazz’s sixth consecutive win for 7-1, taking the top spot in the team standings.