Meralco Bolts secured their second home win in the East Asia Super League (EASL) Season 2 on Wednesday night, November 13, when they narrowly defeated the Busan KCC Egis, 81-80, at the Philsports Arena.Akil Mitchell, who replaced the recently retired Allen Durham as one of Meralco's reinforcements in the tournament, led the Bolts to victory with his 33 points punctuated by his split free throws in the final 6.4 seconds that eventually sealed the game. He also grabbed 22 rebounds in their come from behind victory.Mitchell, who will also play for Meralco as their Commissioner's Cup import, boosted the team to a 2-1 win-loss record.The other reinforcement of the Bolts, DJ Kennedy added 14, to go along eight boards, five assists, and two steals for the squad, while team captain Chris Newsome scored eight before fouling out in the crucial minutes of the fourth quarter.

Five years ago, Mario Barrios would have been the perfect matchup for eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. At 6’0 tall and not the most agile, Barrios embodies the type of fighter that Pacquiao excelled against in his prime—tall, flat-footed, and susceptible to quick movements and speed.Pacquiao is also the first boxer in history to win major world titles in four of the original eight weight classes of boxing: flyweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight.Throughout his storied career, the 5-foot-5 Filipino superstar consistently took down larger opponents like Oscar De La Hoya and Antonio Margarito, utilizing his signature speed and footwork to deliver quick combinations before slipping away from their reach.However, that was a different time.Now, at 46 years old, Pacquiao hasn’t been in the ring professionally for four years. His last fight—a unanimous decision defeat against Yordenis Ugas in 2021—revealed signs of wear and tear, even against an opponent who seemed like a good fit stylistically.This reality is what casts Pacquiao as an underdog ahead of his much-anticipated comeback against Barrios on July 19 (July 20 in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Nevertheless, he shouldn't be underestimated.Justine Fortune, Pacquiao's long-time strength and conditioning coach, believes Pacquiao still has a spark. Fortune expressed high praise for Pacquiao’s recent training sessions in Los Angeles. “Look, on the mitts and bags, they don’t hit back, but he’s looking as sharp as he did six or seven years ago. He hasn’t lost a step,” said Fortune.He also noted that Barrios, while talented, isn’t the hardest target to hit. “Barrios takes a lot of punches, and Pacquiao is definitely the last person you want hitting you like that. Once you take those shots, you can start swelling up, and if he clips you, it could lead to cuts.”And when asked for his prediction? Fortune was straightforward: “I see a stoppage. This fight won’t go the distance.”

Ateneo de Manila University regained momentum in its semifinal push, sweeping winless Arellano University, 26-24, 25-18, 25-22, in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday afternoon, September 7, at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.Shaking off the sting of a narrow loss to archrival La Salle the day before, the Blue Eagles leaned on the leadership of team captain Jian Salarzon and the consistency of Amil Pacinio to keep their campaign alive.

The Philippine National Weightlifting Team, is aiming to win a medal in the 2024 Asian Youth & Junior Weightlifting Championships to be held in Doha, Qatar, which started last Sunday, December 15 and will end on Christmas Day, Wednesday, on the 25th of December.The team is set to compete in the women’s youth division with Althea Bacaro in the -40kgs category where she submitted a total lift of 122 kgs.Joining Bacaro are Princess Jay Ann Diaz (40kgs and total-125kgs), Alexsandra Ann Diaz (45kgs), Jeaneth Hipolito (45kgs), Kim April Inan (-49kgs), Jhodie Peralta and Rosalinda Faustino in the -55kgs.Meanwhile, the men’s youth division is composed of Aldrin Colonia (-49kgs), Eron Borres (-49kgs), Prince Keil Delos Santos (-55kgs) and Jose Masangkay Dayao III (-67kgs). Lifting in the women’s junior category are Angeline Colonia (-45kgs) Rosejean Ramos (-45kgs) and Lovely Inan (-49kgs).Also participating in the men’s junior division are Eron Borres (-55kgs), Prince Keil Delos Santos (-55kgs), Eleaphraime Limmong (-55kgs) and Jose Masangkay Dayao III (-67kgs).Also, PH young Weightlifters will be led by Head of Delegation Monico Puentevella and coaches Patrick Lee, Edmundo S. Cardano, Allen Diaz, Kelly Kae Rojas and Joe Patrick Diaz.The delegation builds on the momentum of the Philippine senior weightlifting team, which recently achieved significant success at the IWF World Championships. Cebuano Fernando Agad clinched a bronze medal in the men’s 55-kilogram Group A division, while Rosegie Ramos earned a bronze in the women’s 49-kilogram category.

Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized star Justin Brownlee will be sidelined from the team’s upcoming basketball games as he recovers from pneumonia, team officials confirmed.Brownlee, a key contributor in recent international campaigns, is currently undergoing medical treatment and observation. According to the Gilas medical team, his health remains the top priority, and he will return to action only once fully cleared by doctors.Meralco Bolts head coach Luigi Trillo noted, “We’re waiting for Justin, he is our naturalized (player) so he’s an option to play. He would be a big help if he was here.”The development comes as Gilas prepares for the next phase of training and competitions, with head coach Tim Cone emphasizing that Brownlee’s recovery takes precedence over the schedule.“Justin’s health is our main concern. We want him to get back to 100% before stepping on the court again,” said Cone.

Filipino tennis star Alex Eala continued her impressive run on the WTA Tour after defeating American Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, to reach the third round of the 2026 Canadian Open.Backed by a passionate Filipino crowd at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, Eala showed composure and determination after losing the second set, breaking through Parks’ challenge in the deciding frame to secure the victory in one hour and 51 minutes.The 25th-seeded Eala entered the tournament with strong momentum after capturing her first-ever WTA Tour singles title at the DC Open in Washington. She received a first-round bye before facing Parks in the second round.Eala dominated the opening set after breaking Parks in the fourth game and taking control of the match. However, world No. 71 Parks responded in the second set, holding serve before breaking Eala in the final game to force a deciding set.In the third set, Eala regained control by breaking Parks to love in the fifth game. The Filipina star then maintained her composure, closing out the match with a love hold to complete another major victory.After the match, Eala expressed her gratitude to the Filipino fans who showed their support by waving Philippine flags and cheering throughout the match.“I am eternally grateful,” Eala said, adding that the support from Filipinos around the world has been a source of pride and motivation.The victory also avenged Eala’s earlier loss to Parks at the Australian Open earlier this year.Eala will next face Caty McNally, who pulled off an upset against reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Nosková, in the third round of the WTA 1000 tournament.Meanwhile, other top players advancing to the third round include second seed Elena Rybakina, third seed Jessica Pegula, fourth seed Coco Gauff, and world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva.With her continued success, Eala is further establishing herself as one of the brightest young stars in international tennis and a source of pride for the Philippines.

Despite missing out on the Paris Olympics in 2024, Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo remains undeterred. The country’s first Olympic gold medalist is now focused on the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand, where she will compete in the women’s 58-kilogram division.“I’m preparing for the SEA Games. Maglalaro po ako ngayong December. Again, depende sa Philippine delegation, pero maglalaro po ako,” Diaz-Naranjo shared, her determination unwavering.For the Filipina weightlifting icon, representing the nation remains central to her career. “Bumabalik ako parati sa why. It’s always to represent my country and doing my best for the Philippines in weightlifting and also to inspire young Filipinos,” she said.Diaz-Naranjo already boasts two SEA Games gold medals in the 55kg category and two silvers in the 58kg class, but she knows each competition demands renewed commitment.Balancing Acts: Training, Coaching, and Inspiring the YouthWhile preparing for the SEA Games, Diaz-Naranjo juggles multiple roles: mentoring young lifters for Batang Pinoy, giving motivational talks, and pushing grassroots development in weightlifting.“Yes, [I’m] very busy. Pero ayun nga, kung may tinatarget ka, you prioritize training kahit saan ka man. Kaya tinatanong ko talaga sa hotel kung may gym ba sila. Baka pwede akong mag-training doon,” she explained.She often trains before or after coaching sessions to maintain her own focus. “Hindi ko sinasabayan na training and coaching… minsan nag-training ako before or after nila para makapag-focus ako,” she added.Building Back Discipline and FocusWith less than three months before the SEA Games, Diaz-Naranjo admitted she’s still finding her rhythm. “How prepared? Sorry to say, nasa 70 pa lang. So, restart ako. Nag-training ako, pero iba yung talagang from mag-start ako sa anong ginawa ko nung sa Olympics,” she shared.Her preparation is both physical and mental, with renewed emphasis on mindset and weekly mental training. She’s also prioritizing injury prevention and diet as she balances her demanding schedule with consistent workouts.

Creamline maintained their perfect record, securing its fifth win at the expense of Capital1, 25-19, 25-19, 25-18, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, January 21, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.The Cool Smashers sustained their title as the lone undefeated team in the conference, improving their record to 5-0 in the standings.The team was dominant from beginning to end, with Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, and Alyssa Valdez leading the defending Grand Slam champions in the third set with a 7-1 run, giving them a 16-10 advantage. Creamline kept up their momentum as Lorie Bernardo and Galanza completed the match, before Patty Orendain's error sealed the victory.

Many may be surprised to learn that Lewis Alfred Tenorio has been placed on Barangay Ginebra's unrestricted free agent list, with rights to salary. In his place, Jayson David has been reactivated to the Gin Kings' active roster.This decision came just a day before Ginebra’s matchup with the NorthPort Batang Pier on Wednesday, April 30, at the Philsports Arena, following a tough 93-104 defeat to the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen.Tenorio's playing time has been limited this season, particularly after Ginebra secured the services of RJ Abarrientos during the draft.The four-time Finals MVP saw limited action during Ginebra’s recent Commissioner's Cup Finals series, where the team fell to TNT in a hard-fought best-of-seven series that even stretched into overtime.

The Philippine handball squads are all gearing up to reach new heights as they compete in the beach and indoor events of the upcoming regional and continental tournaments this year.After their fruitful campaign in the recently concluded Southeast Asian Beach Handball Championships in Suphanburi, Thailand, where they copped the gold and bronze medals last week after beating Vietnam in the men’s final, 2-1, highlighted by a thrilling 9-8 win via a shootout, while the women’s side, bagged the bronze medal.Philippine men’s national beach handball team member Rafael Agtarap is more confident at the country’s delegates to the sport in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games later this year.“Magandang experience sa amin ito, magandang fuel para ma-boost yung preparations namin sa SEA Games,” Agtarap said in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.Before that, the Philippine handball squad are also eyed for another task as they vie in the 10th Asian Men’s and Women’s Beach Championship which will be held in Muscat, Oman, slated from May 1 to 10.The tournament, according to national team head coach Gab De Guzman, plays a key role in the preparation of the Filipino handballers as they aim to make an impact in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December.“Siguro we need to practice more and have a training camp, kasi if you really want a shot at a gold medal in the SEA Games, these coming few months talaga is critical. And like what we did on the beach, we believe we can perform at a high level in this coming Southeast Asian Games,” said the handball team coach.Tough tests await the men’s team as Qatar, Iran, Pakistan, and host Oman are taking part in the week-long tilt. The women's crew, meanwhile, braces for powerhouse Vietnam, India, and Hong Kong.The country hasn’t won a gold medal yet in handball in the SEA Games, with the men’s beach team copping the silver in the 2021 edition in Hanoi, Vietnam.The Asian meet also serves as a qualifier for the World Handball Championships slated in Germany in January 2027.

Mario Barrios narrowly retained his WBC welterweight title after a dramatic battle with People's Champ and former eight division titlist Manny Pacquiao which ended in a majority draw at the MGM Grand. Throughout the fight, Pacquiao’s trademark grit and ring savvy kept Barrios guessing, fueling hopes of yet another fairy-tale chapter in the Filipino legend’s storied career.But Barrios surged in the final three rounds—sweeping them on all three judges’ scorecards—to do just enough to hold on to his belt. One judge scored the bout 115-113 for Barrios, while the other two saw it even at 114-114.“I thought I won the fight. It was close. My opponent was very tough, but it was a wonderful fight.” said Pacquiao.For Barrios, sharing the ring with Pacquiao was an honor: “I thought I pulled it out, but I tip my hat to Manny. His stamina, power, and rhythm are still incredible. He’s a tough puzzle to solve.” Barrios said. The result elicited a muted response from the MGM Grand crowd, who had cheered Pacquiao’s attempt at a storybook comeback. Ultimately, Barrios keeps his crown, while Pacquiao once again proves he can compete with the best—even at 46.

Fresh from their medal-winning performances in the 3rd Asian Youth Games, the Philippines’ young athletes are setting their sights even higher — aiming to turn their victories into future gold medals in the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games.Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino lauded the athletes’ performance and reaffirmed his commitment to expanding the country’s participation in the next edition of the Asian Youth Games in 2029, which will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.“Our young athletes have shown that the future of Philippine sports is bright. We’ll continue to support their growth and push for a bigger delegation in 2029,” said Tolentino.The Asian Youth Games serve as a vital platform for the country’s next generation of elite athletes—a launching pad for those who will soon compete on the regional and global stage.With the lessons learned and confidence gained from this year’s campaign, the young Pinoy medalists are more motivated than ever to keep their winning momentum—and carry the flag with pride in future international competitions.Meanwhile, a Php500,000 incentive will be given to all gold medalists from the last 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain; silver winners will receive Php300,000, while bronze finishers will get Php100,000 care of the PSC. In addition to this, units of iPhone 17 Pro Max will be given to gold medalists, and iPhone 17 will be issued to silver and bronze medalists by Sportsplus, the official gaming partner of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The stage is set for a wide-open race as the maiden Pilipinas United 3x3 League (PUL) tips off this weekend at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.Twelve men’s teams and eight women’s squads will battle for supremacy in this new halfcourt basketball showcase.“Passion fuels every drive, every shot, every hustle, while purpose brings us together to push Philippine basketball to greater heights,” said PUL commissioner Eric Altamirano.Local men’s teams include David Licauco’s Taho Story A, powerhouse Half Court Group (Hoopjeep), Sidney Onwubere’s YouGuard, and David Carlos’ Activate Sports, along with AMG Physical Therapy Clinic, Smile 360 Dental Clinic, Solaris, and Taho Story B. They will take on an international field featuring Ninja Airs and SBB from Japan, Dame Dolla from Vietnam, and Kuala Lumpur from Malaysia.The men’s champion will earn a USD 5,000 prize and a ticket to the FIBA 3x3 Kaohsiung Challenger in October, while the top local team secures a spot in the FIBA 3x3 Manila Challenger in September.In the women’s division, two-time UAAP MVP Kacey dela Rosa leads Gilas Pilipinas Women U23, joined by Uratex Dream and Pilipinas Aguilas.International contenders include Japan’s Maurice Lacroix, Malaysia’s Harimau Black and Yellow, Vietnam’s Hanoi 3x3 By Amigos, and Singapore’s Jumpshot—all vying for the USD 3,000 cash prize.Fans can catch the action live on PusoP.com and on Solar Sports via Digital Free TV Channel 21 in Mega Manila, Cablelink Channel 58, Sky Cable Channel 70 in NCR, and over 200 Pay TV operators nationwide.

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.

Alas Pilipinas Men are expected to be at full strength with the anticipated return of star spikers Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas just in time for the country's hosting of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship this September.Bagunas, who has been sidelined for nearly a year due to a left knee injury suffered during the 2024 SEA V.League against Indonesia, is steadily progressing in his recovery. Meanwhile, Espejo sustained a left ankle injury during the 2025 AVC Nations Cup loss to Pakistan in June.Both captains are optimistic about their recovery timelines and are aiming to be match-ready by the time the world championship kicks off.“Okay naman po. Every day rehab at naka-recover naman na po,” said Espejo. “Target ko po talaga is maging 100 percent sa darating na World Championship.”Bagunas shared similar confidence. “On track naman yung therapy ko. This week, may hop test na ko so malalaman na kung makakapag-full training na ako with Alas.”Despite their individual recoveries, Espejo acknowledged that the team still has a long way to go before contending with the world’s best.“Honestly speaking po, super layo pa talaga. Pero yun nga, one day at a time, one tournament at a time. Ibibigay namin yung pinaka-maximum potential ng team na hopefully, mailabas namin,” he added.The return of Espejo and Bagunas brings a massive boost to the national team’s morale and competitiveness as the Philippines hosts the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship for the first time, with hopes of making a strong impression on the global stage.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has officially approved the establishment of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC) through Administrative Order No. 38, marking a major step toward strengthening the Philippines’ position as a regional hub for sports tourism.The NST-IAC is tasked to harmonize, coordinate, and promote government efforts that integrate sports and tourism—transforming athletic excellence into a driver of youth empowerment, tourism growth, and regional development.Under the directive, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Pato Gregorio will head the committee, with the Department of Tourism (DOT) serving as vice-chair. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) are designated as members.“Sports can enable the youth, enable regional development, enable tourism, and enable new industries,” said Gregorio, underscoring the committee’s vision.President Marcos, a known sports advocate, recognizes that hosting international sporting events and developing local talent not only elevates Filipino athletes but also boosts tourism and global recognition for the country.With the creation of the NST-IAC, the Philippines is poised to merge sports and tourism into a powerful engine for national progress—showcasing Filipino talent, passion, and hospitality to the world.

Fresh off her historic WTA victory in Guadalajara, Alex Eala is set to headline the São Paulo Open in Brazil. The No. 3 seed, now ranked 61st in the world, opens against French qualifier Yasmine Mansouri. A win will pit her against either Argentina’s Julia Riera or Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko in the next round.Eala made history last week by becoming the first Filipina to win a WTA title, defeating Hungary’s Panna Udvardy in a thrilling final. Her recent success follows a strong US Open run and has boosted her prize money earnings to over P15 million this season.With momentum on her side, Eala is eyeing back-to-back titles as she continues her impressive rise on the tour.Meanwhile, the retired former No. 1 Spanish player Rafael Nadal, lauded Eala’s achievement for clinching her first-ever WTA title.“Congrats @AlexEala05 for your first WTA (trophy). I am happy and proud of what you are achieving for yourself and for the Philippines,” wrote Nadal on X (formerly Twitter).It can be recalled that the Filipina ace started her journey at the Rafa Nadal Academy, where she is an alumnae. She has also been continuously training at the academy in her pro career.

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.

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. 

Shorthanded Akari regained its winning ways to breeze past sister team Nxled, 21-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-18, in the ongoing 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Thursday, January 23, at the Philsports Arena.Ivy Lacsina powered the Chargers by posting 17 points built on 14 attacks, two aces, and a block, while Faith Nisperos and Eli Soyud both contributed 15 apiece in the winning cause.The win propelled Akari to a 4-4 win-loss record despite team captain Michelle Cobb exiting the court after suffering a neck injury during the second set.