Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala powered into the quarterfinals of the 2025 São Paulo Open with a dominant 6-1, 6-4 win over Argentina’s Julia Riera. Eala broke early to take the first set and weathered a tougher challenge in the second before sealing victory in one hour and 25 minutes.The match marked their third career meeting, with Eala and Riera now tied in head-to-head encounters on hard courts. With this win, Eala sets up a quarterfinal clash against Indonesia’s Janice Tjen, who has enjoyed a strong season with a 59–11 record and a career-high WTA ranking of No. 130.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters finally snatched a win in Game 3 of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semi-finals series against the TNT Tropang 5G, 107-86, on Sunday, June 29, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Anton Asistio scored a personal playoff-high 24 points to lead Rain or Shine in their first win of the best-of-seven affair. He also added six assists and a rebound to his stat line, shooting 7-of-9 from the field, including 4-of-5 from three-point range and 2-of-3 from the four-point arc, in just 28 minutes and 11 seconds off the bench.Caelan Tiongson followed with 16 markers, four boards, one assist, and a rejection, while Keith Datu tallied a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, along with two assists and one block.Two more Elasto Painters scored in double figures—Leonard Santillan finished with 12 markers on top of eight boards, one assist, and one deflection, while Andrei Caracut added 10 points, four assists, and four steals.

The Philippines is set to become the epicenter of world volleyball as the FIVB Men’s World Championship unfolds from September 12 to 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.“Elite at its highest level,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon Suzara, as he welcomed the arrival of powerhouse teams.Headlining the tournament are World No. 1 Poland, reigning world champion Italy, Olympic gold medalist France, and perennial powerhouse Brazil.Poland, led by VNL MVP middle blocker Jakub Kochanowski and star spiker Wilfredo Leon, reclaimed the FIVB’s top ranking after sweeping Italy in last month’s VNL Finals. France, two-time Olympic gold medalists, are favored with Paris Games MVP Earvin Ngapeth at the helm, aiming for redemption after a quarterfinal exit in 2022.Defending world champion Italy will count on Simone Giannelli (VNL Best Setter) and rising star Alessandro Michieletto (Best Outside Spiker), while Brazil’s stacked lineup—featuring Alan Souza, Ricardo Lucarelli, Mathias Bispo dos Santos, and veteran setter Bruno Fernando—looks to improve on their previous bronze finish.With 32 nations vying for glory, Manila is primed for world-class action and historic volleyball showdowns as the sport’s elite chase the ultimate crown.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala bowed out of the Canadian Open after a hard-fought three-set defeat to Czechia’s Marketa Vondrousova, 6-3, 1-6, 2-6, in Montreal early Monday morning (Manila time).Eala, ranked World No. 69, looked sharp early, taking the opening set after breaking a 3-all deadlock and winning three straight games. However, playing with her left shoulder taped, she couldn’t sustain her momentum against the former Wimbledon champion.Vondrousova, currently World No. 65, seized control in the second set. After splitting the first two games, she swept the next five to level the match, 6-1.The Czech star carried her dominance into the decider, racing to a 2-0 lead. Eala managed to hold serve to cut the gap to 2-1, but Vondrousova’s steadiness and experience proved too much as she clinched four of the last five games to close out the match.While Eala produced more winners (30 to Vondrousova’s 27), her 29 unforced errors proved costly compared to the Czech’s 16. Vondrousova also fired seven aces, while Eala had none.“I expected [Eala] to play a great match and she had some good results before, so I expected that. It was a tough one and I’m very happy to beat her,” said Vondrousova, an Olympic silver medalist. “She’s very aggressive. My serve was better in the second and third sets, so I’m happy to fight back in this match.”Vondrousova advances to face Marta Kostyuk in the second round. Eala, meanwhile, will shift her focus to the Cincinnati Open next month.

Karl Jahrel Eldrew Yulo has qualified for four final events after a standout performance in the men’s artistic gymnastics team and qualification round of the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championship on Thursday night at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.The 17-year-old Yulo advanced to three apparatus finals and made the cut for the men’s individual all-around final.Yulo finished sixth overall in the horizontal bar, scoring 13.700 points. He followed up with an impressive 14.233 points in the floor exercise, placing second overall. The 2024 Junior Asian MAG Vault Champion also qualified for the vault finals after finishing fifth with 14.200 points in the qualifications.Eldrew likewise advanced to the men’s individual all-around final, tallying a total score of 78.332 for 15th place overall, with the top 24 gymnasts qualifying.The men’s individual all-around finals are set for Saturday, Nov. 22, while the men’s apparatus finals are slated for Nov. 23 and 24.

Converge registered a resounding 116-87 victory over new-look Terrafirma to kick off their Philippine Basketball Association or PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup campaign on Wednesday, November 27, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.The FiberXers delivered 14 three-pointers in the game, including nine in the decisive second half that completely took the fight out of the Dyip. Converge established the tone by defeating the Dyip 34-16 in the first period. They also showed composure by overcoming Terrafirma's third quarter storm.Import Cheick Diallo, who played five seasons in the NBA, had an outstanding debut, dominating the paint with a monster double-double of 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting and 16 rebounds with two assists, a steal, and a block.“When we got Cheick, we know we are getting a high-motor guy, athletic, can jump out of the gym. What we saw now is what we expected him to play like,” Converge head coach Franco Atienza said.

Shaina Nitura made a rousing V-League debut for Adamson University, while College of Saint Benilde held firm against a late rally by Colegio de San Juan de Letran as both squads preserved their spotless records in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, Tuesday, August 12, at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.Fresh from her stint with Alas Pilipinas in the SEA V.League, the Adamson sophomore outside hitter unleashed a 28-point explosion off 27 from attacks and one from a block to cruise the Lady Falcons past Far Eastern University in a five-set thriller, 25-22, 25-21, 17-25, 22-25, 15-11.Nitura came up big in the decider, firing five crucial points to give Adamson a 23-20 cushion before closing out the match and notching the team’s second straight win.Head coach JP Yude admitted that passing woes in the middle frames nearly derailed their momentum but lauded the grit his players showed down the stretch.“We started as a new group, and this is where we’re gaining our confidence. This is also where their character is really tested,” Yude said.Frances Mordi backed Nitura with 15 points, while Lhouriz Tuddao and MG Del Moral chipped in eight each for Adamson, which now shares the tournament lead with Benilde. FEU’s Gerzel Petallo finished with 18 points, while Jaz Ellarina added 16, including seven blocks.

Filipina MMA champion Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga has withdrawn from her scheduled ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship defense at ONE 173 on November 16 due to “medical reasons.”Zamboanga was set to defend her title against Japan’s Ayaka Miura at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. "With a heavy heart, I need to share some difficult news… I was truly excited to defend my belt at ONE 173 against Ayaka. I know how strong and talented she is, and I was looking forward to testing myself against such a worthy challenger. This was a fight I have been preparing for and one I deeply wanted to give to the fans," she said.Her withdrawal leaves former strawweight champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio as the sole Filipino representative on the card.Zamboanga apologized to Ayaka and her sponsors in the same post, but vowed to return stronger, underscoring her love for the sport."This sport means everything to me, and I promise I am fully committed to coming back stronger. My passion for fighting has not changed, and I will continue to work hard so that I can once again represent ONE at the highest level when I return."Pacio, 28, will move up in weight for a high-stakes challenge against local favorite Yuya Wakamatsu for the ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship.Zamboanga’s absence marks a temporary setback after her recent title win and shifts the spotlight to Pacio’s quest to reclaim world title glory in Tokyo.

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.

Justine Jazareno stood tall as the defensive anchor for the Akari Chargers, steering her team to a five-set victory over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-11, 22-25, 29-27, 17-25, 15-7, in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Jazareno, known for her steady hands and exceptional court coverage, was named Player of the Game after registering 27 excellent digs and 9 excellent receptions, setting the tone for Akari’s strong defensive stand. Her consistent presence at the backline allowed the Chargers to maintain control in crucial moments, especially during the tight third and fifth sets.The Chargers displayed resilience after dropping the fourth frame, tightening their floor defense and minimizing errors to dominate the decider. Jazareno’s leadership and composure played a crucial role in keeping her teammates calm and focused amid the pressure.With this win, Akari not only opened its 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference campaign on a high note but also showcased the importance of solid defense, a department masterfully led by Jazareno, who continues to prove why she’s among the league’s premier liberos.

Kaila Napolis made history for the Philippines at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, seizing a hard-earned silver in the Jiu Jitsu Newaza -52kg division. Napolis thrilled fans with an electrifying run, defeating Israel’s Pnina Aronov in the semifinals. She showcased exceptional skill and heart throughout the tournament, ultimately finishing second after a hard-fought gripping final against South Korea’s Eon Ju Im.“I am a little disappointed I did not get the crucial point. But I am still grateful I was able to represent the country here,” Napolis said.Despite the defeat, Napolis gave the country reason to celebrate by clinching the Philippine team’s first medal in Chengdu after three days of competition.With this achievement, Kaila joins an elite group of Filipino athletes — Marlon Manalo, Arriane Cerdena, Jorge Fernandez, Arnold Baradi, and Mike Ventossa — who have earned silver medals on the prestigious global stage of the World Games.Her achievement raises hopes for more medals from the Philippine contingent, which is led by chef-de-mission Stephen Arapoc, and sets a positive tone for upcoming competitions. With Napolis’ silver, the team is motivated to push harder for further success in the competition.

The PLDT High Speed Hitters etched their name in Premier Volleyball League (PVL) history after outlasting Chery Tiggo in a thrilling five-set, 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8, to capture the 2025 PVL On Tour title on Sunday, August 17, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.Guided by head coach Rald Ricafort, PLDT completed a flawless run throughout the tournament—sweeping the group stage with a 5-0 slate before dispatching ZUS Coffee and Creamline in the knockout rounds. The breakthrough marked the High Speed Hitters’ first-ever appearance and victory in a PVL championship stage.

University of Santo Tomas–Gameville standout Josh Ybañez continues to prove why he’s one of the brightest young stars in Philippine volleyball. The versatile open spiker was named the Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week for the period of November 5 to 7, after leading the Golden Spikers to a gutsy five-set victory over Alpha Insurance Protectors.Ybañez delivered a brilliant all-around performance in UST-Gameville’s thrilling 26-24, 25-22, 35-37, 19-25, 22-20 win last Friday, November 7, tallying 20 points on 18 attacks, one block, and one ace, along with an impressive 30 excellent receptions. His composure and consistency were key in helping the collegiate squad hold its ground against veteran opposition in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.The Alas Pilipinas standout has been a driving force behind UST-Gameville’s strong campaign, guiding the Golden Spikers to a 3-1 win-loss record despite joining the tournament as a late replacement. His leadership and relentless energy on both offense and defense have made him the heart of the young team’s surprising success.Ybañez was a unanimous choice for the weekly citation, edging out his UST-Gameville teammates Al-Bukharie Sali and Edriel Alabar, along with other top performers such as Cignal’s Jay Rack Dela Noche, Criss Cross’ Jude Garcia and Noel Kampton, and Savouge’s Sherwin Caritativo.The award marks another milestone for the 21-year-old rising star, who continues to impress fans and analysts alike with his maturity, work ethic, and all-around play. As UST-Gameville gears up to face defending champion Cignal HD Spikers in their next match, Ybañez remains focused on leading by example.From collegiate standout to national team mainstay, Josh Ybañez’s latest recognition reaffirms his growing status as one of the future pillars of Philippine men’s volleyball.

Amanda Anisimova delivered a stunning upset by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka, propelling herself into the Wimbledon final with a hard-fought victory of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. This milestone marks Anisimova's first appearance in a Wimbledon final and highlights her exceptional prowess as a power-hitter, particularly under the blazing sun on Centre Court.After two intense hours and 36 minutes of fierce competition, Anisimova expressed her disbelief and excitement regarding her remarkable achievement. “This doesn’t feel real right now. Aryna is such a tough competitor... to emerge victorious and secure a spot in the final of Wimbledon is nothing short of incredible,” she declared.Anisimova's journey to this final is historic; she became only the second player in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam final after experiencing a setback in the previous year's qualifying rounds. "If you had told me I would be in the final of Wimbledon, I wouldn’t have believed you," she admitted. This moment signifies a powerful redemption for Anisimova, once hailed as a teenage prodigy after her remarkable run to the 2019 French Open semi-finals at just 17. However, the weight of expectations proved overwhelming, prompting her to take an eight-month hiatus from tennis in 2023 to address her mental well-being. “I struggled with the lifestyle… it was impacting my performance on the court,” she shared. Upon her return, Anisimova's resurgence has been nothing short of inspiring, highlighted by her victory at the Qatar Open and a strong performance at Queen's Club. Now, following her journey to the Wimbledon semi-finals, she is poised to break into the top 10 of the WTA rankings for the first time—an achievement that underscores her incredible potential.Conversely, Sabalenka faced yet another painful disappointment in her relentless pursuit of a Grand Slam title. Despite being a formidable competitor, she has struggled to overcome Anisimova, having lost six of their nine encounters.In a match defined by tenacity and resilience, Anisimova saved crucial break points and seized critical moments, demonstrating remarkable composure under pressure. Even when she couldn't convert a match point while serving, she maintained her poise, ultimately sealing what she described as the “biggest win of her life.” This victory not only propels her into the final but also signifies the realization of her immense potential on the world stage.

The highly anticipated six-stage Larga Pilipinas Cycling Marathon has been officially postponed due to persistent inclement weather in recent weeks.“It’s quite unfortunate because the teams prepared hard for this. But as we speak, there are areas in Northern Luzon, especially in the Cordilleras, that are currently isolated because of the heavy rains,” said Larga Pilipinas operations chief Snow Badua yesterday, July 30, during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.Originally set to start on August 2, the event will now kick off on November 29, as Badua confirmed. “Palipasin na muna natin ang typhoon season. Let’s give the LGUs all the time to focus on the situation and huwag na tayo madagdag sa isipin nila.”“Heavily battered ang Northern Luzon, that’s why, in close coordination with the different LGUs (local government units), we needed to reset, also upon the advice of PhilCycling president Abraham Tolentino,” he explained.“We cannot, in good conscience, move forward knowing these hazards put our participants and the teams at real risk. Their safety is, and always will be, our top priority,” he added.Despite the delay, excitement remains high for the marathon, which is expected to feature 10 competitive teams, including several international riders. The event is poised to be one of the country’s largest and most competitive cycling races this year.Organizers stressed that the postponement was made with participant safety as the top priority, ensuring optimal racing conditions for all teams.

The Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) is hopeful that Alex Eala will represent the country at the Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok this December.“We’re hoping she could play for the Philippines. Let’s all pray she does,” said Philta Executive Director Tonette Mendoza.Mendoza said Eala’s participation will depend on her schedule, as the world No. 65 is working on arrangements but is eager to compete.“She’s just trying to fit it into her schedule, but she seems very excited, so we really hope she can make it,” Mendoza added.If Eala joins, she will be gunning for her first SEA Games gold medal after bagging three bronze medals at the 2021 Hanoi edition.Mendoza also confirmed that the same men’s team will banner the country in the Bangkok Games, while the women’s roster is still being finalized.“Yes, we have the same team in the men’s, but for the women’s we’re still trying to put them together. Preparations for the biennial meet will start by November,” Mendoza said.Members of both squads are also set to compete abroad as part of their training leading to the Games. 

The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) will make history as they feature the first ever Finals match-up in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.The Pampanga Giant Lanterns that swept the North Division playoff round will face the South Division champions Quezon Huskers that only lost one game in their own playoff bracket.Game 1 of the best-of-five Finals series will begin on December 1 at the Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdam Indoor in Dubai at 7:00 PM Gulf Standard Time (11:00 PM Philippine Time), while Game 2 will be on December 3, same tip-off time at the same venue.During the playoffs, Pampanga averaged 79.3 points, 55.5 rebounds, 21.8 assists, 7.5 steals, and 4.3 blocks in six games, while Quezon averaged 75.1 markers, 44.1 boards, 20.0 dimes, 7.6 deflections, and 2.9 rejections in seven games.The two teams' numbers were almost identical except that the Giant Lanterns dominated the rebounding department but also turned the ball over a lot times that the Huskers could take advantage of.Pampanga’s prized center Justine Baltazar will once again be the focal point of the Giant Lanterns offense but he will not be alone to carry the load for their squad.

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. 

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.

San Miguel forward Don Trollano made a triumphant comeback, earning the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for the period of November 5–8 following his stellar performance in the Beermen’s thrilling 94–92 victory over Magnolia in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.Back from a brief absence due to a back injury, Trollano wasted no time making his presence felt. He delivered a game-high 29 points, including a cold-blooded four-point shot in the final minute that sealed San Miguel’s fourth straight win.Beyond the late-game heroics, Trollano showed his consistency throughout the match, pouring in 14 points in the second quarter to help the Beermen build momentum. He also hit three of his five three-point attempts and added six rebounds in an all-around effort that highlighted his value on both ends of the floor.Trollano’s impressive showing earned him the weekly recognition over strong contenders such as Kelly Williams (TNT), Robert Bolick (NLEX), and Jio Jalalon (TNT). His performance not only proved his resilience but also reaffirmed his role as one of the Beermen’s most reliable offensive weapons.With his health back and his rhythm restored, Trollano’s Player of the Week honor serves as a testament to his determination and clutch mindset, qualities that continue to power San Miguel’s championship drive.