Akari clinched a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour after defeating short-handed Petro Gazz, 32-30, 25-22, 25-19, on Tuesday, August 5, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.The Chargers regrouped from a chaotic first set, where they wasted six points, before finding their rhythm and pulling away behind a well-balanced attack and improved composure. The win not only sealed their place in the knockout round but also marked a turning point for the young team, who are steadily adapting to the system of their head coach, Tina Salak.

Dr. Anya Saini, a 62-year-old pediatrician from Mysuru, has added another remarkable chapter to her life story by winning two gold medals at the ongoing World Masters Games 2025 in Taipei, Taiwan.Dr. Saini also earned a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke and a bronze in the 100m breaststroke, showcasing her endurance and skill on the international stage of this prestigious quadrennial competition.“It feels great to compete at the World Masters and connect with athletes from across the globe,” said Dr. Saini. “It’s truly an honor to be part of this championship.” Dr. Saini said.Her recent triumphs in Taipei follow her impressive performance at the 20th Masters National Swimming Championship in Bhopal in 2022, where she clinched four gold medals in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, and the 200m and 400m freestyle events.Dr. Saini began swimming at the age of eight and has maintained her love for the sport for over five decades. During her MBBS studies at Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute in 1984, she secured a bronze medal at the All India Inter-University Championship.Since the inception of Masters swimming competitions in 2022, Dr. Saini has won over 100 medals, a testament to her consistency and passion.“Returning to the pool is nostalgic,” she shared, reflecting on her journey.Despite her demanding career as a pediatrician, Dr. Saini remains committed to her training, practicing six days a week. Her discipline, resilience, and lifelong dedication to swimming continue to inspire both the medical and sporting communities.

The East Asia Super League (EASL) has officially confirmed its 12th team for the 2025–26 season—Japan’s 2025 Emperor’s Cup champion. This move marks a historic moment for Japanese basketball, as it will be the first time three B.LEAGUE clubs participate in a single EASL campaign.This special inclusion also honors the 100th anniversary of the Emperor’s Cup, adding both prestige and competitive depth to the EASL lineup.Since the league's inaugural 2023–24 season, B.LEAGUE teams have proven dominant, boasting a combined 23–7 record and clinching back-to-back championships. This expansion not only highlights Japan’s growing influence in Asian basketball but also strengthens the EASL’s commitment to showcasing the region’s top talent.Henry Kerins, CEO of East Asia Super League, said the growth of Japanese basketball is truly remarkable, and the EASL will continue to elevate its standing in order to deliver even more competitive and thrilling action for fans.

A hard-fought 2025 MPBL Season matchup at Batangas City Coliseum turned troubling after a violent incident on Monday night, August 11.Gensan’s Michole Sorela threw a punch at Mindoro’s Jonas Tibayan at the 7:34 mark, knocking him unconscious. Tibayan suffered a broken jaw, a busted lip, and a fractured shoulder after hitting the floor hard, and had to be stretchered out.According to Mindoro Tamaraws team owner Pola Mayor Ina Raymundo, Tibayan will be transferred to a Manila hospital for further evaluation.Meanwhile, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) also handed Michole Solera of the Gensan Warriors a lifetime ban and a ₱200,000 fine following a disqualifying foul that left Jonas Tibayan of the Mindoro Tamaraws hospitalized.This strong sanction comes as the league reaffirms its stance on player safety and sportsmanship on the court."We condemn the incident, and the MPBL won't tolerate such actions. It compromises the player's safety and taints the league's image."I've seen the worst (in basketball) and this is one of them. The league has the full authority to impose sanctions on this deplorable behavior," said MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.Despite the incident, Bam Gamalinda paced Mindoro with 21 points and Wendell Comboy added 16, helping the Tamaraws secure the win.We wish Jonas Tibayan a full and speedy recovery.

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.

Jaja Santiago, now known as Sachi Minowa, embarks on a new chapter in her volleyball career after officially signing with the Denso Airybees in Japan’s SV.League.The Airybees confirmed her arrival on Wedsnesday, August 27, marking the Filipina middle blocker’s seventh season in Japan’s premier league and her third stint with a Japanese club.The 6-foot-5 standout recently concludied a successful two-year run with Osaka, where she played a key role in delivering the championship in the previous SV.League season. Before that, she spent four productive years with the Saitama Ageo Medics.

National fencers continued to assert their dominance by sweeping the gold medals in their respective events at the 2025 Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) 2nd Leg Senior Ranking held at Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City.A total of 219 fencers competed in the tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the Philippine team set to compete in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December. 

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.

Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena won his second gold medal in the athletics season of the 2025 Orlen Copernicus Cup held in Torun, Poland.Obiena cleared the 5.80 meters jump to secure the gold medal in the event.On his first jump attempt, Obiena quickly cleared the 5.50m mark. He also cleared rhe 5.60m, which took him to 5.70m, although Obiena missed twice on his 5.80 jump until he got the tactic and was able to clear the mark on his third attempt.Meanwhile, Piotr Lisek of Poland took the silver medal with a 5.70 mark, while Sondre Guttormsen of Norway came in third with the same mark, with Lisek beating Guttormsen via countback.Last month of January, Obiena previously won the gold medal at the recently concluded Metz Moselle Athletics Championships in France, and had a silver medal at the International Springer-Meeting Cottbus.The two-time Filipino Olympian also previously failed to defend his title at the ISTAF Indoor in Germany after finishing seventh with a 5.55-meter jump last week.

Paris Olympics bronze medal winner Aira Villegas says she is grateful for achieving a stunning feat in her maiden appearance at the quadrennial event but says she still wants to get a gold medal of her own in the future.Villegas expressed that she had not grasped the reality that she had seized a significant triumph, as her initial goal of claiming a gold was not fulfilled.

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. 

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.

Leo Ordiales’ night of redemption came just when Alas Pilipinas needed it most.After a rocky FIVB Men’s World Championship debut where he managed only two points against Tunisia, the 22-year-old opposite spiker faced his share of criticism. He admitted the frustration was difficult to shake off, but he vowed to bounce back stronger.On Tuesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Ordiales fulfilled that promise in the biggest way possible, by helping the Philippine carve out a historic first-ever Worlds victory.Ordiales erupted for 21 points built on 19 attacks and three aces as Alas Pilipinas stunned World No. 21 Egypt in four sets, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21.He provided the firepower alongside Bryan Bagunas, who topscored with 25 points, and proved he could be a reliable weapon on the international stage.

Kai Sotto has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) following an awkward landing during the Koshigaya Alphas’ game against Seahorses Mikawa on Sunday, January 5.Sotto has been relegated to the B.League Injury List, confirming that he will miss the B.League Asia Rising Star Game on January 18.On a social media post, the 7-foot-3 center shared that he considers it the most trying time in his career, but he remains steadfast in his resolve and faith despite the setback.

The TNT Tropang Giga escaped the fiery Meralco Bolts for a third win in a nail-biting 101-99 victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Philsports Arena on Tuesday, January 7.Despite their valiant attempt to rally from a deficit of up to 23 points, the Bolts were unable to answer on the final possession, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made the game-winning free throws with 10 seconds remaining on the clock.RHJ’s timely heroics allowed TNT to maintain its third consecutive victory. He finished with an all-around performance of 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Calvin Oftana spearheaded the locals with 24 markers, as well as four boards.

Filipina tennis player Alex Eala concluded her bid for the 2025 Australian Open after bowing to Croatia’s Jane Fett in the first round, 5-7, 2-6, on Tuesday, January 7, at Melbourne Park, Australia. Eala fell short of advancing, especially in the second set when the 27th seed Fett further exacerbated the Filipina's problems, even though she was riding high after her first-ever WTA semifinal in Canberra prior to the Aussie Open.The 19-year-old Filipina forced a 5-5 tie after rallying from a 2-5 disadvantage in the first set, but Fett broke her serve to take the lead again.

Karl Eldrew Yulo did not stop on the medal hunt after winning eight gold medals in the recently concluded 2024 Chiu Wai Chung Cup in Hong Kong.Yulo dominated the eight individual and team events. He first won the individual all-around before successively winning all six apparatuses: floor exercise, vault, parallel bars, horizontal bar, pommel horse, and still rings, which the junior men’s artistic gymnastics team relied on to lead the team event.Yulo's victory was part of the 14 gold, six silver, and five bronze medals that the Philippines will bring home from tournaments hosted by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines in 2024.Yulo is currently being trained by Japanese gymnast coach Munehiro Kugemiya, who was the former coach of his older brother, Carlos Edriel "Caloy" Yulo, who won two gold medals in the Paris Olympics last August.Aside from Eldrew Yulo, the senior men's artistic gymnastics team also won the gold medal in the team event.Miguel Besana won three gold medals in the seniors individual all-around, floor exercise, and pommel horse, while Justine Ace De Leon led the way in the still rings and parallel bars mints.Besana also won three silver medals in the rings, parallel bars, and vault, and a bronze in the horizontal bar. De Leon also came home with a bronze in the vault.Among the other medalists are Hilarion Palles III for pommel horse bronze and parallel bars bronze, John Matthew Vergara for horizontal bar silver and parallel bars bronze, Jhon Romeo Santillan for floor exercise silver, and Jan Gwynn Timbang for pommel horse silver.

Noelito Jose defended his men's epee title, while Charmaine Andres led the women's saber podium in the Southeast Asian Fencing Federation (SEAFF) Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Jose, who swept all his pool matches, beat top seed Phuoc Den Nguyen of Vietnam, 15-14, in the finals. He earlier downed Malaysians Mohd Maideen, 15-1, and Yam Ethan, 15-6, and Nguyen Minh Hieu of Vietnam,15-7 in the semis. Meanwhile, the US-based Andres defeated former SEA Games champion Jylyn Nicanor, 15-8, in the gold medal match, while Janna Catantan won the silver medal.Allaine Nicole Cortey bowed to Sharmaine Andres, 14-15, in the semis, and got the bronze.Wilhelmina Lozada, on the other hand, became the back-to-back champion in the Women’s Foil Individual event at the Southeast Asian Fencing Championships.Other Filipino fencers also garnered their medals as follows: Gold medal for Men’s Foil Individual: Nathaniel Perez, Silver medal for Women’s Épée Individual: Ashley May Michelle Harrison, and Bronze medal for Men’s Foil Individual: Shawn Nicollei Felipe. 

Gymnasts and siblings Karl and Elaiza Yulo were among those who were recognized in the recently concluded 4th Siklab Youth Sports Awards held last Thursday, December 5 in Taguig City.Gymnast Karl Eldrew was among the Youth Heroes awardees, while Elaiza received the Super Kids award.Eldrew recently won four gold medals in the 3rd JRC Artistic Gymnastics Stars Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, while Elaiza has also been making her own name in gymnastics and now a recipient of the Milo Emerging Athlete Award and Most Bemedalled Women's Artistic Gymnastics Athlete in Palarong Pambansa. Eldrew and Elaiza will also be mentored by their brother Carlos Yulo's former coach, Munehiro Kugimiya.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala continues her steady climb in the professional ranks, reaching a new career-high of World No. 54 in the latest WTA rankings released on Monday. This achievement surpasses her previous best of No. 56 set in June, marking another milestone in what has been her most impressive season yet.Eala’s rise from No. 58 comes on the heels of a productive Asian swing, where she competed in a trio of WTA events in China. The 20-year-old advanced to the semifinals of the WTA 125 Jingshan Open and the quarterfinals of the WTA 125 Suzhou Open, before bowing out in the Wuhan Open qualifiers, a WTA 1000 tournament.