The host country France is heading back to the Olympics men’s basketball gold medal game after narrowly defeating Germany in their semi-final battle, 73-69.Germany started out strong to take a 10-point lead in the first canto of play but France tied the game heading to halftime. Les Bleus built a 13-point lead of its own with less than seven minutes in the fourth and final period. Germany cut the deficit into two in the final minute but France held on to the lead until the final buzzer.Guerschon Yabusele led France with 17 points. Victor Wembanyama had 11 points on 4-for-17 shooting, while Rudy Gobert went scoreless in just five minutes of action.Dennis Schröder scored a game-high 18 points for Germany and Franz Wagner chipped in with 10.France now awaits the winner of the USA-Serbia match-up to know whom they will face in the finals of the tournament.In France men’s basketball Olympic history, they have three silver medals in their bags - all three coming at the hands of Team USA and the latest was in 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This is the French’s 4th gold medal match appearance in Olympic basketball.This year's gold medal game will be held at 3:30 a.m on August 11, Sunday (PH time).Meanwhile, Germany will be battling for their first Olympic men’s basketball medal against the loser of the USA-Serbia match-up for the bronze medal at 5:00 p.m on August 10, Saturday (PH time).

Filipina golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina made significant strides in the second of four rounds in the Paris Olympics women’s individual stroke play at the Le Golf National on Thursday, August 8.Pagdanganan put up her best performance yet in Paris 2024 after firing a 3-under 69 to climb seven spots after ending the first round with a par 72. She brushed off two two bogeys in the first four holes and went on to earn four birdies, including three in the back nine with a total score of 3-under 141 through two rounds.If Pagdangan keeps her nerves and sustains her charge, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) veteran could increase the country’s medal harvest.Ardina, the other Philippine bet in the field, remained at the bottom half of the 60-woman field despite improving four places to joint 36th. She shot a par 72 as she compensated for a double bogey at the second hole with birdies at 11th and 18th for a 4-over 148.Japan’s Yuka Saso, who represented the Philippines in the 2020 Tokyo Games, struggled anew and dropped a spot to joint 47th. She went two-over-par with 74 in the second round, with a seven on a par-four 12th hole.Round 3 of the event will continue on Friday, August 9.

Filipina weightlifter Elreen Ando might have finished outside of the podium but she set a pair of personal-best marks in the women’s weightlifting 59kg division at South Paris Arena 6 on Thursday, August 8 (Manila time).In her return to the Olympic stage, Ando registered a total lift of 230kg, with 100kg from the snatch and 130kg from the clean and jerk, both personal bests, to finish in sixth place among 12 competitors.The 26-year-old Ando eclipsed her previous records of clean and jerk and total lifts of 128kg and 228kg, respectively, which she achieved at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in April in Thailand.She also equaled the national snatch record of 100kg, which she set at the 2023 World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh last September. Ando finished the Summer Games in sixth place, improving from her seventh-place finish with 222kg in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 64kg category. Reigning world champion Luo Shifang of China smashed all of the Olympic records in the division with a 107kg snatch, 134kg clean and jerk, and 341kg total as she bested two Tokyo gold medalists. Canada’s Maude Charron took the silver with a total of 236kg, while Chinese Taipei’s Kuo Hsing-chun secured the bronze with a total of 235 kg.The Philippines' youngest Asian champion, Vanessa Sarno, will aim to end the weightlifting team’s campaign on a high note on Saturday, August 10, in the women’s 71kg category.

Bianca Pagdangan and Dottie Ardina capped off the opening round of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games women’s individual stroke play in contrasting styles at the Le Golf National on Wednesday, August 7 (Manila time).Second-time Olympian Pagdanganan, who represented Philippines in Tokyo Olympics alongside Yuka Saso, started her bid with pars in the first three holes, but three costly bogeys in the fourth, fifth, and seventh holes saw her slipping in the rankings. The 26-year-old then found her rhythm and had birdies in the 12th, 15th, and 18th holes to go to an even par to end the day with 72 at joint 13th spot.Pagdanganan is currently in a logjam with defending gold medalist Nelly Korda of the United States, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Lydia Ko of New Zealand, as well as world No. 3 Amy Yang of South Korea, keeping her medal hopes very much alive.The other Philippine bet, Ardina, earned a 4-over 76 score, tying five other golfers in the 40th spot with four bogeys and a double bogey in the front and back nine proving costly in her opening-day campaign.Meanwhile, two-time US Open champion Yuka Saso, who is now representing Japan after playing for the Philippines in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, could not overcome an early double-bogey in the 7th hole for a wretched 5-over 77 outing and is tied with the three others in the 46th spot.The second round of the event will continue on Thursday, August 8.

Veteran guard Alex “The Crunchman” Cabagnot has returned to the Philippine Basketball Association by signing a two-conference deal with the Converge last Monday, August 5.The nine-time PBA champion came back to help the young FiberXers to become a much better team especially with the arrival of the 49th Season first overall pick Justine Baltazar who’s also seen as Justin Arana’s potential partner in the paint to form their own twin tower combination.Cabagnot will also team-up with the much improved Alec Stockton whom he can train to be an elite point guard, team leader and a crunch time scorer just like him.

After achieving a historic win for the Philippines. The Filipino-Britain bronze medalist Jake Jarman expressed his desire to represent the Philippines in the 2028 L.A Olympics. Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) president Cynthia Carrion confirmed in an interview. According to Carrion, it is going to be easy for Jarman because he already has his Philippine passport.They will also seek permission from the International Gymnast Federation if Jarman receives a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ from FIG. 

The Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz is in Paris.The Filipina weightlifter arrived in the French capital on Wednesday, August 7 (Manila time) ahead of the Team Philippines’ weightlifting campaign in the 2024 Paris Olympics.Diaz was seen bonding with the remaining Filipino athletes in the Olympic host city including her fellow Tokyo Olympian Eumir Marcial, who exited the medal race in his opening bout, and Hergie Bacyadan, who lost in the round of 16.While she is yet to meet gymnast Carlos Yulo for the first time since he won his two gold medals during the Summer Games, Diaz will also be serving as an official of the International Weightlifting Federation Athletes’ Commission, where she is a member of their executive board.Only two weightlifters are left to open their campaigns with John Ceniza being the latest casualty of Team Philippines after he was not able to continue his bid for an Olympic medal due to a shoulder injury. Elreen Ando will open her bid on Thursday, August 8 (Manila time) at the women’s 59kg, while Vanessa Sarno will play on early Saturday in the women’s 71kg event.

The National University Lady Bulldogs tripped Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights in its first game of the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.The Lady Bulldogs overcame a third-set defeat to conquer the Lady Knights, 25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 25-11.Kaye Bombita and Myrtle Escanlar spearheaded the way for NU, whose young core showed great potential and promise, despite the absence of key players Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Arah Panique, who are currently competing with Alas Pilipinas Women in the ongoing SEA V.League tournament.

When pain struck in the midst of his Olympic debut, weightlifter John Ceniza was not able to continue his fight for the country because of a shoulder injury that took control over him. With this, Ceniza failed to make a lift in the snatch portion during Wednesday’s competition at the South Paris Arena. The 26 year-old  broke into tears because he failed thrice to lift 125 kg. in the men's 61 kg division and was officially marked a DNF (Did not Finish) in the event. Ceniza was the first to bow out in the 12 man competition.  According to Ceniza, it's hard on his part to compete when you haven't recovered yet. “Mahirap. Sa injury ko eh. Tatak kasi sa utak na may injury ka. Mahirap i-compete na 'di ka pa nakarecover, (It’s hard. With my injury. It goes to my mind that I have an injury. It’s hard to compete when you are not yet fully recovered),” Ceniza said.Still, the 26 year old weightlifter fought for the Philippine flag. “Pero nag-compete ako dahil sa Pilipinas. Lumalaban pa rin ako kahit may injury ako. Lumalaban pa rin ako para sa Pilipinas (But I still compete because it’s for the Philippines. I still compete even though I have an injury. I am fighting for the Philippines),” Ceniza added.Even though his mind wanted him to lift and attain the winning moment but Ceniza’s body betrayed him. Despite the loss in his Olympic debut this year, he vows to redeem himself in the L.A Olympic Games in 2028. Ceniza did not forget to give  thanks and made an apology to all the Filipinos who supported him despite his failure in the Olympics.

As the University of Baguio celebrates their 76th Anniversary on Thursday, August 8, they proudly greet their alumni who carry the Philippine flag in the 2024 Olympics.Paris Games bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villgegas together with Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial received huge congratulatory messages from their alma mater where they once carried the red and gray flag as UB Cardinals.Now bringing their talent and skills in the international stage, the university greeted them proudly in their official Facebook page:

An Olympic boxing gold remains elusive for the Philippines as Nesthy Petecio concluded her Paris Games campaign with a bronze after a split decision loss to Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in the women’s 57kg semifinal at the Roland Garros Stadium on Thursday, August 8 (Manila time).Petecio has been favored to advance to the gold medal match but appeared to lose steam against the 20-year-old opponent as Szemereta eked out a 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29 win.The Polish fighter, the youngest semifinalist in the women’s boxing event, fought back into contention in the second round after getting shut out in the first, using her reach to blunt Petecio’s combination.Szeremeta was the busier fighter in the third round, and while Petecio put together a flurry of punches towards the end, it was not enough to convince the judges who all scored in favor of her opponent.The stunning victory averted what could have been a showdown between Petecio and long-time rival Lin Yu-ting of Chinese Taipei in the finals.Petecio was the last fighter standing for the Philippine boxing team, which was reduced to a two-bronze output after a strong performance in the Tokyo Olympics where the squad collected two silvers and a bronze.Aira Villegas was the other bronze medalist for the boxing team this year. Eumir Marcial, a bronze winner in Tokyo, and Hergie Bacyadan lost their opening bouts while Tokyo silver medalist Carlo Paalam dropped out in the quarterfinals.Despite the loss, Petecio joined an exclusive club of Filipinos who have won multiple Olympic medals, including swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, gymnast Carlos Yulo, and became the first boxer to do so.

Cuban Greco-Roman wrestler Mijain Lopez Nuñez bagged his fifth consecutive gold medal at the men’s 130kg event after defeating Yasmani Fernandez of Chile.Lopez became the first Olympic athlete to win gold in the same event at five consecutive games. He’s also the first wrestler to win five golds.After the match, Lopez symbolically retired by placing his shoes at the center of the mat.

Team USA advanced to the semifinals of the Olympic men’s basketball tournament by dominating Brazil 122-87 on Tuesday, August 6 (Manila Time) at the Bercy Arena in Paris.The Americans made a 21-2 run and erected a 29-point lead before halftime scoring a total score of 63 points against the 36 of Brazil.LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Jrue Holiday led the run that held the Brazilians without a field goal in a four minute stretch.Brazil continued to struggle in the second half of play as Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker took over on what they had started earlier. Team USA has once again flexed their depth as they have six players reaching double digit points led by Devin Booker’s 18 points putting his best scoring game in the Olympics while Anthony Edwards added 17. The other players who reached double digits were LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards.James, the team’s captain and leader in assists during the pool phase once again showed his leadership by quarterbacking for the Americans as he dished off nine assists to go along with his 12 points and three steals before heading out the game after receiving an inadvertent elbow from Brazil’s Bruno Caboclo early in the fourth period.Meanwhile, Caboclo paced the Brazilians with 30 points but the quarterfinals will be the end of the Olympic journey for Brazil who qualified to the tournament by winning the FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament in Riga.USA will then meet Serbia in the final four that will begin on Friday, August 9 (Manila Time).

France clinched a ticket to the Paris Olympics men’s basketball tournament final four by defeating the previously unbeaten Canada on Tuesday, August 6 (Manila Time) at the Bercy Arena.Guerschon Yabusele, who was inserted to the starting line-up together withIsaia Cordinier picked up the slack for a subdued Victor Wembanyama, helping establish an early 23-10 advantage in the first quarter and France never relinquished until the end.Yabusele led the way for the host team with 22 points and Cordinier added 20 markers. Evan Fournier scored 15 points and Mathias Lessort notched 13 as Wembanyama was limited to seven, while still hauling down 12 rebounds.On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a game-high 27 points for Canada while RJ Barrett contributed 16 markers.The win set up a rematch against Germany in the semi-finals that is scheduled on Thursday, August 8.

Serbia banked on Nikola Jokic in overtime to eliminate Australia 95-90 and book a ticket to the Olympics men’s basketball tournament semifinals held at the Bercy Arena in Paris on Tuesday, August 6 (Manila Time).In the first half of play, the Serbians trailed by as much as 24 points but surged back in the second half to have a toe-to-toe game against Australia.Serbia almost took the game in regulation but Patty Mills, with two seconds left in the game clock made his fade-away jumper to tie the game at 82 and forced the game into overtime.Jokic hit the go-ahead basket with a minute and seven seconds remaining in overtime before hitting his signature fadeaway shot over the outstretched arm of Duop Reath with 25 seconds left in the extension.The Boomers had a chance to equalize or just trim the lead to one but Josh Giddey made an inbound error that led to two free throws for Bogdan Bogdanovic that eventually sealed the game.Nikola Jokic led the way for Serbia with his almost triple-double performance tallying 21 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, dishing off nine assists and having four steals while Patty Mills led the Boomers with 26 points.Serbia is now waiting for the winner of the USA-Brazil match-up for their semi-finals battle.

Capital1 sealed its spot in the top three of Pool B after overcoming ZUS Coffee in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, August 6.The Solar Spikers capped off their Pool B campaign with a 18-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-18 triumph over the still winless Thunderbelles. Riding high after a record-setting 45 points last week, Russian import Marina Tushova stuffed the statistical sheet with yet another explosive performance as she poured 32 points, along with 10 excellent digs, and nine excellent receptions to lead the Solar Spikers.Player of the Game Iris Tolenada set up a remarkable Capital1 stand with 21 excellent sets and five attack points.Apart from Capital1’s leading local scorer Des Clemente with 12 markers on eight attacks, two blocks, and a pair of aces, their two draft picks Jenya Torres and Leila Cruz came to Tushova’s aid on offense.Torres showcased her best performance yet of seven points, two off aces and 12 excellent digs, while Cruz contributed five markers. Victory, however, remained elusive for the Thunderbelles even with Japanese reinforcement Asaka Tamaru’s 22 attack points and Dolly Verzosa’s 12 markers on nine attacks, two blocks and an ace apart from 26 excellent receptions.Mitch Gamit and No. 13 pick rookie Sharya Ancheta each finished with six points. Capital1, who snagged huge wins over Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho, assured themselves of facing the three lower-ranked teams from Pool A in the second round, while ZUS Coffee finished the first round winless at 0-5 and will face the top three teams from Pool A.

Akari came out on top as the league’s last undefeated team after dealing Cignal its first loss in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, August 6.The Chargers finished their Pool B games with a 15-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 victory against the HD Spikers, pushing them down to a 4-1 for second. American reinforcement Oly Okaro led the massive charge with 24 points anchored on 22 attacks, one ace, and one block, while Ivy Lacsina chipped in 14 markers from 12 attacks as the Chargers ended the first round with a clean 5-0 slate.Ced Domingo contributed 10, four coming from the total 12 blocks of Akari. Kamille Cal seemed to be adjusting well as the starting playmaker with 14 excellent sets to go with eight points, including three blocks.Gretchel Soltones also had an all-performance with eight points, 19 receptions, and 11 digs.HD Spikers’ Venezuelan import MJ Perez was the only one to score in double digits with 24 points, along with 11 receptions, and nine digs. Riri Meneses and Ces Molina added nine and eight markers, respectively, in the losing effort. Both teams will enter the next round as part of the top three in their group, facing the bottom three from Pool A.

Petro Gazz finally ended their three-game losing skid with a quick sweep of Choco Mucho to end their first round campaign in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference.The Angels end their campaign on a high note after defeating the Flying Titans through a straight-set win, 25-18, 25-21, 25-18, placing them fourth in Pool B and will face the top three teams from Pool A in the crossover second round.Petro Gazz’s Cuban import, Wilma Salas, paced the scoring for the Angels with 18 points and 18 excellent receptions, while Brooke Van Sickle supported Salas with 17 and two digs.Veteran playmaker Chie Saet also made sure the embattled Angels got their act together just in the nick of time, finishing with four markers and 15 excellent sets and seven digs, while Myla Pablo delivered 11.On the other hand, Choco Mucho’s Dindin Santiago-Manabat had a double-digit scoring output with 13 attacks, while Greek reinforcement Zoi Faki was only limited to three points.Choco Mucho ended their first round with a 1-4 record as the fifth-seed with its lone win over hapless ZUS Coffee. They will face a similar path of the Angels in the next round.

Germany overcame their slow start to beat Greece 76-63 in their quarter-finals match-up and be the first one to enter the final four in the Olympics Men’s Basketball Tournament on Tuesday, August 6 (Manila Time).Franz Wagner led the German team in scoring with 18 points while Dennis Schroeder chipped in 13 points and 8 assists. The recent World Cup champions improved their record to 4-0 in the tournament.At the beginning of the game at the Bercy Arena, Germany fell behind 10-2 at the start and trailed much of the opening half.But a Schroder three-pointer after the break gave the Germans the momentum to control the game and took a 59-52 advantage coming into the final frame where they finished off their opponent.With the win, Germany men’s basketball team has entered the Olympics semi-finals for the first time in history.