The University of the Philippines (UP) and National University (NU) had contrasting fates in the UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament on Wednesday, March 26, with the Fighting Maroons securing a massive upset in the women’s division while the Bulldogs regained their winning form in the men’s competition.  

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go emphasized the importance of grassroots sports development, youth participation, and cultural pride during the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) Mindanao Qualifying Tournament held at the University of Mindanao in Davao City on November 22. As Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Sports and Youth, Go underscored the role of athletic events in cultivating values, discipline, and opportunities for young athletes.Go advised participants to “get into sports and stay away from illegal drugs to keep us healthy and fit,” reflecting his advocacy for sports as a pillar of nation-building.He highlighted the National Academy of Sports (NAS), established through Republic Act No. 11470, as a dual-track system for quality education and athletic training. Go is pushing for Senate Bill No. 171 to expand NAS campuses nationwide, ensuring accessibility and balanced development of talent across all regions.Go also filed SBN 413 (Philippine National Games bill) to institutionalize a unified nationwide grassroots competition and SBN 678 (National Tertiary Games Act) to formalize a collegiate multi-sport tournament—creating a clear pipeline from school leagues to national competition.Go recognized Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, PEKAF President, and local leadership for nurturing sports communities. The tournament gathered 500 Arnisadors from Mindanao, celebrating a discipline rooted in Filipino heritage.Go’s Malasakit Team distributed tokens, and he reminded all, “Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong o karangalan na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa at sa bansa ay gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito.”Go concluded, “Patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat, kabilang na sa ating mga atleta, dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos.”

The Hong Kong Eastern relied on their new import Chris McLaughlin who delivered a monster 32 points and 23 rebounds in his PBA Season 49 Commissioners' Cup debut to defeat the Blackwater Bossing, 84-75, on Tuesday night, December 10, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.It was the fourth win for the Hong Kong-based squad in their first five games in the league.The 6-foot-10 McLaughlin took over the reinforcement chores from Cameron Clark, who was sidelined by a hip flexor muscle injury.Clark led the Eastern squad in their three wins of the conference, including the 105-84 domination against TNT Tropang Giga last Friday.Eastern seemed like missing Clark in the first half of play as Blackwater erected a 10-point lead at the break.But the Hong Kong squad posted a 27-9 third quarter surge to grab the lead and maintained it until the final buzzer.McLaughlin, who averaged 22 markers and 13 boards in Eastern's two assignments in the East Asia Super League, continued what Clark started in the PBA's mid-season tournament.

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.

Alas Pilipinas secured its third consecutive Southeast Asia V.League bronze medal after defeating Indonesia, 25-20, 25-20, 16-25, 25-13, last Sunday, August 4, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.After dropping their first two matches to eventual champion Thailand and runner-up Vietnam, the Filipinas bounced back with a strong performance against Indonesia to secure another podium finish at the end of the first leg of the tournament.The national team delivered a commanding 18-6 run in the final set to clinch the victory in front of a supportive crowd.

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 International Olympic Committee (IOC) elected its new president last Thursday, March 20, naming Kirsty Coventry as the first woman and first African to hold the position.Before becoming an IOC member, Coventry was a standout athlete for Zimbabwe, winning seven of the country’s eight Olympic medals. At 41, she also became the youngest person to assume the most powerful position in sports governance.The first round of voting did not proceed without issues, as numerous voters reported problems with the technological voting systems.However, the voting was quickly closed after the first round, with a winner already securing the absolute majority (50% + one vote) required.After a 30-minute break, Coventry was announced as Thomas Bach’s successor and the 10th president of the IOC. Of the 97 votes cast, Coventry received 49, while second-place candidate Juan Antonio Samaranch secured 28.“This is an extraordinary moment. As a nine-year-old girl, I never thought I would be standing up here one day, getting to give back to this incredible movement of ours,” Coventry said.She was initially expected to face a tight contest against IOC veteran Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. and World Athletics president Sebastian Coe for the top job.Coventry emphasized her commitment to addressing inequality in sports, stating, “This also means strengthening women’s sports by protecting female athletes and promoting equal opportunities for women at all levels of our movement.”“This is not just a huge honor; it’s also a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you. I will lead this organization with immense pride and uphold its core values. I promise to make you all very, very proud and confident in the decision you’ve made today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Now, we have work to do—together. This race was an incredible challenge, and it made us better and stronger,” Coventry added.Meanwhile, her first major event to oversee will be the Milan-Cortina Winter Games next year in Italy, with the Opening Ceremony less than 11 months away. She will officially take up the role on June 24, following the conclusion of Thomas Bach’s 12-year tenure.

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.

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.

Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), will lead the nation's biggest-ever delegation to the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China. As it prepares for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, the Philippines hopes to obtain vital international exposure with 20 athletes competing in a variety of disciplines.Tolentino expressed confidence in the 19-member group, which is primarily made up of Filipino-foreigners from the Philippines who have acclimated well to winter circumstances and sports that aren't typically offered in the country.

The University of the East (UE) has appointed Chris Gavina as the new head coach of their men’s basketball squad in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).UE announced the development on Thursday, February 13.Gavina will take over the reins from Jack Santiago, who has been calling the shots for the Red Warriors in the past four seasons.“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Chris Gavina to the Red Warriors family. His leadership, passion, and experience in both local and international basketball will be instrumental in molding our new breed of champions,” UE President Zosimo Battad said at the signing held in UE Manila.UE officials led by Vice Chairman David Chua and Senior Vice President Florence Siy were also present during the signing of the 46-year-old mentor.“I am honored to coach the UE Red Warriors, a program that has produced legends of Philippine basketball. For those who cherish basketball history, I am humbled to step into the role once held by the phenomenal Coach Baby Dalupan, who led this institution to its golden era,” shared Gavina, who edged Gilas Pilipinas Boys head coach Josh Reyes for the role.Gavina’s coaching career in the Philippines began in 2016 when he was given the task of being the lead assistant for the Mahindra Enforcer, which later on became Kia Picanto and is now known as the Terrafirma Dyip.

As the reigning NCAA champions, the Mapúa Cardinals step into Season 101 with a target firmly on their backs. Every opponent will be eager to knock them off the throne, making each game a battle of pride and precision. Their opening assignment against the Lyceum Pirates is already being billed as a statement game, a chance for Mapúa to show that last season’s breakthrough was no fluke. With the new group-stage format limiting room for error, the Cardinals know they cannot afford early slipups if they want to stay in control of their title defense.One of Mapúa’s biggest strengths is the championship confidence they now carry. The team has already proven it can thrive under the brightest lights, and that winning culture should give them an edge in close contests. Clint Escamis, who delayed his professional dreams to lead the Cardinals one last time, provides the leadership and stability that every championship-caliber squad needs. Alongside him, veterans like JC Recto, Yam Concepcion, and Cyrus Cuenco give the team balance and continuity, while new additions like Cyril Gonzales, Cyrus Nitura, and Icee Callangan bring fresh talent into the rotation.

Down by as many as 18 points, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel still managed to take Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals against the San Miguel Beermen, 73–71, on Wednesday night, June 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena.Scottie Thompson was named Best Player of the Game after tallying 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, along with eight rebounds, one assist, and a steal.Japeth Aguilar also provided steady production despite being in foul trouble, finishing with a team-high 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a block. Jamie Malonzo added 14 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

As the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) continues its aggressive push towards becoming a fully professional and sustainable league, officials are now setting their sights on launching an official player trade system-potentially in place before the 2025-26 season.Following the successful debut of its first-ever rookie draft in 2024, the PVL is taking the next major step in solidifying its infrastructure. PVL competition director Sherwin Malonzo revealed the development during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday, June 3, at the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila.“Rookies cannot be traded, but we’ve already floated the idea of trading to teams,” Malonzo said in Filipino.“Rookies need to stay for one season before being eligible for trade. Rookie draft rights also cannot be traded.”The trade policy, while still under discussion, is already being shaped with clear-cut rules aimed at maintaining parity across all franchises—starting with a firm ban on rookie trades and draft pick swaps.To further avoid potential abuse of the system, especially echoing the controversial “conduit” trades that have plagued Philippine basketball, the PVL is also ruling out transactions between sister teams. This move affects prominent franchise pairs such as:Creamline Cool Smashers and Choco Mucho Flying Titans (both under Rebisco),PLDT High Speed Hitters and Cignal HD Spikers (owned by Manny V. Pangilinan),Akari Chargers and Nxled Chameleons (linked through appliance business affiliations),Farm Fresh Foxies and ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles (both under Strong Group Athletics).

The stage is set for the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championship 2025 as the country’s top amateur golfers gear up to battle on the storied fairways of Apo Golf & Country Club in Davao City from August 27 to 31.Organized by the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) and part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour, the prestigious event is recognized by the World Amateur Golf Ranking—giving Filipino players a chance to earn valuable points and elevate their international standing.The action begins with an official practice round on August 26, followed by two days of stroke-play qualifiers on August 27 and 28.Only the sharpest contenders will advance to the high-stakes match-play rounds from August 29 to 31, where the country’s next amateur champions will be crowned.Competitors will be divided into two divisions based on the July 15 WHS Handicap Index:Men’s Division: Handicap Index 8.0 and belowLadies’ Division: Handicap Index 12.0 and belowKnown for its demanding layout and rich history, Apo Golf is expected to test every facet of the competitors’ games.For the country’s elite amateurs, the stakes are high—national bragging rights, ranking points, and a potential springboard to the international golf stage. The quest for amateur glory begins in Davao!

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.

In celebration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 68th birthday, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) donated 2,000 sports balls to the Office of the President to boost grassroots sports development in public schools. The donation consists of 1,000 volleyballs from the FIVB and PNVF, 500 basketballs from the SBP, and 500 footballs from the PFF.The initiative aligns with Marcos’ call for a national sports development program, as announced in his recent State of the Nation Address. “Bubuo tayo ng bagong pambansang programa para sa sports development. Uumpisahan natin ito sa paaralan pa lamang,” Marcos said in his SONA.In partnership with the Department of Education, the PSC will help revive sports clubs and competitions in public schools to nurture young athletic talent.The First Family attended the FIVB Men’s World Championship 2025 opening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, last Friday where President Marcos delivered the ceremonial serve. PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio hailed the milestone as a sign of a promising future for Philippine sports and youth development.“We are standing at the threshold of a great new era and the dawn of a truly exciting legacy. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!” said Gregorio.

As the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semi-finals open on Wednesday, June 25, the grand slam-seeking TNT Tropang 5G and the "gate-crashing" Rain or Shine Elasto Painters will begin their best-of-seven clash at 5:00 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena.It will be a battle between two teams with contrasting styles. TNT prefers to limit opponents to under 100 points per game, while Rain or Shine thrives on a fast-paced game and aims to put up big numbers whenever possible.Both teams posted identical 8-5 records after the elimination and quarterfinal rounds. They also overcame twice-to-beat disadvantages to secure their spots in the Final Four.

The Philippine women’s national futsal team is set for a challenging campaign after landing in a tough Group A with world No. 6 Argentina, No. 14 Poland, and No. 31 Morocco in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025. The official draw was held Monday night, September 15, at the Bonifacio Global City Arts Center in Taguig.This marks the third straight year the Philippines will host a World Cup, after successful stints in football and basketball. This time, futsal takes the spotlight as the country stages the historic inaugural edition of the women’s competition.The group stage is scheduled from November 21 to December 7 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, which will serve as the sole venue following the Philippine Football Federation’s (PFF) decision to drop Victorias City from co-hosting duties due to logistical concerns.

SBP Executive Director Erika Dy and new Gilas Men head coach Norman Black outlined preparations for the Southeast Asian Games at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum. New Gilas coach Norman Black is not leaving any stone unturned in forming the best team possible as the country seeks to retain the throne in men’s basketball in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.Black, who coached the Philippine team led by collegiate stars Greg Slaughter, Kiefer Ravena, Chris Tiu and Ray Parks to the gold in the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta, has encountered difficulty forming the squad due to conflict of schedule for PBA players, collegiate players and those playing as imports in Japan and Korea.“Our preparations are going to be short, that's why we need to get guys who can play together very quickly and who can play together very well,” said Black. Meanwhile, Erika Dy the SBP executive director also detailed the federation’s plan to build a competitive roster, while Black expressed eagerness to lead the squad, bringing decades of experience to the role. Once the initial pool of players is formed, coach Norman Black will call for practices on Mondays and prior to departure for Thailand, the team will do eight to nine straight days of practice.“But the goal will definitely be to win the gold. There’s a lot of work to be done,” coach Black added.Dy also assured everybody that once the team is formed, “we will be ready.”Dy spoke mainly of the SBP programs for the remainder of the year, and it includes further promoting the sport in public schools in collaboration with the Department of Education through Secretary Sonny Angara and the Philippine Sports Commission through chairman Patrick Gregorio.“Hopefully, we will be signing a memorandum of agreement soon,” said Dy.With the Philippines determined to reclaim SEA Games basketball gold, both Dy and Black are confident that strong preparation and roster depth will be crucial to success.“It’s a lot different now. Things have changed at how teams are recruiting players now. Things are different in the sense that everybody has improved in Southeast Asia,” coach Norman Black concluded.