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 UAAP is exploring ways to compress its men’s basketball Season 88 second-round schedule to help Gilas Pilipinas prepare for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. League officials are considering options such as quadruple-headers to finish the season by late November, similar to adjustments made in 2019 for the SEA Games."[UAAP Executive Director] Rebo [Saguisag] and I recently met with the SBP executive director [Erika Dy] on ways to maybe finish the UAAP basketball tournament early so that UAAP players can participate in the SEA Games. There will be a decision soon." said the FEU representative to the Board of Managing Directors UAAP vice president Mark Molina said the league is coordinating with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to support the national team. "We always communicate to the SBP that the UAAP is always willing and ready to help the national team in all levels," Molina said.The compressed schedule would allow select UAAP standouts, including Veejay Pre, to join Gilas preparations ahead of the SEA Games basketball tournament, which tips off December 13. Gilas coach Norman Black is expected to finalize his 12-man roster soon as the Philippines aims to maintain its regional basketball dominance.

The San Miguel Beermen couldn't stop the fiery Robert Bolick before the end of the final period as NLEX defeated SMB, 104-99, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.The NLEX shooting guard was unstoppable and scored 20 of his game-high 39 points in the final quarter and added nine assists, helping the Road Warriors erase a 19-point deficit and secure their third straight win. They improved to 3-1 in the conference, while dropping San Miguel to 1-1 as the Beermen failed to build on a slim win against Phoenix in their first assignment.The Road Warriors trailed by 19, 46-65, in the third quarter after an and-one play by Quincy Miller.However, NLEX dropped a 23-8 bomb to put themselves back into the game, 69-73, after a layup by Bolick, with less than two minutes to go in the third.The former point guard of San Beda Red Lion's performance left NLEX head coach Jong Uichico impressed with the skill and dedication he displayed in the game.

Crowd favorite Japan gave its Filipino fans one last reason to cheer, dispatching Libya in straight sets, 25-20, 25-15, 25-22, in a graceful exit from the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Still reeling from back-to-back losses that dashed their Round of 16 hopes, the Ryujin Nippon came out determined to finish strong. They never trailed in any set, their sharp execution and spirited play energizing the predominantly pro-Japanese crowd inside the Big Dome.Kento Miyaura led the charge with 15 points on 11 kills, three aces, and a block, while captain Yuki Ishikawa added 12 markers. Ran Takahashi and Larry Ik Evbade-Dan chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, with Shunichiro Sato contributing eight. Setter Motoki Eiro orchestrated the attack masterfully, dishing out 32 excellent sets.After the match, Miyaura shared a heartwarming moment with Libyan libero-captain Foad Elmaarug, 42, the tournament’s oldest player, as the two exchanged jerseys at center court — a gesture of mutual respect that drew thunderous applause from fans of both teams.“We lost the last two games, and along with that, we lost our confidence,” Takahashi admitted. “But we knew we had to change our mindset and come back in this game.”Japan, which had high hopes heading into the Worlds, had suffered deflating straight-set defeats to Turkey and Canada earlier in the pool stage. Their win against Libya, however, showcased their trademark speed and balance, serving as a reminder of their world-class pedigree.Libya, returning to the global stage for the first time since 1982, found its bright spots in Ikhbayri Ahmed Abulubaba Amhimmid, who tallied 11 points, and Mohamed Ikhbayri Abulababa, who added eight.The victory may not have extended Japan’s campaign, but for the fans who filled the Araneta, it was more than just a consolation — it was a celebration of resilience, unity, and the enduring bond between team and supporters.In other tournament highlights, world No. 1 Poland rallied past the Netherlands, Turkey clinched Pool G, and USA swept Pool D, as the Round of 16 picture continued to take shape across Manila and Pasay.

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.

The two best words in sports—Game 7—will happen in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Friday, March 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.It was made possible when the TNT Tropang Giga forced it after defeating Barangay Ginebra in Game 6, 87-83, on Wednesday night, March 26, in front of 17,654 fans.In Game 5, the rare minutes given to Gin Kings veteran LA Tenorio inspired Ginebra to take a 3-2 series lead. But last night, it was TNT’s injured leader, Jayson Castro, who motivated his team.Read: https://scoreline.ph/news/tenorio-inspires-ginebra-tnt-misses-castro-pba-finals

Converge FiberXers opened the Philippine Basketball Association Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup curtain with a victory against the Terrafirma Dyip, 116-87, on Wednesday, November 27, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.The much awaited debut of former top overall pick of the special Gilas draft Jordan Heading has come to fruition already.Heading scored his first basket in the PBA off a tip-in in the 2:52 mark of the first period. He finished with eight points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field, four rebounds, and six assists against three turnovers in almost 24 minutes of play.The stats might not be as high as expected of the Filipino-Australian sweet shooting guard but enough to get the nod of Converge head coach Franco Atienza.

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. 

Alex Eala has finally captured her first WTA singles crown—making tennis history for the Philippines—at the WTA 125 Guadalajara Open.The 20-year-old Filipina rallied from a shaky start to defeat Hungary’s Panna Udvardy, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, in a thrilling two-hour, 30-minute final at Mexico’s Panamerican Tennis Center. Seeded No. 2,  The win catapulted her to No. 61 in the WTA live rankings, marking another milestone in her young career.“First title,” Eala posted on social media, offering thanks to her Filipino supporters: “Mga kababayan, maraming salamat.”President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. praised Eala for “writing history” and pledged stronger government backing for grassroots sports. Tennis legend Rafael Nadal, whose academy helped develop Eala’s game, also congratulated her and expressed his pride in her achievement.With this breakthrough, Eala now owns five titles—adding a WTA crown to her junior Grand Slam triumphs—and continues to raise the Philippine flag on the global tennis stage.

Even without their American import Anna DeBeer, ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles proved their mettle, grinding out a thrilling five-set victory over the Akari Chargers, 24–26, 25–23, 17–25, 26–24, 15–7, in the opening day of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Tuesday night, October 7, at the Ynares Center in Montalban.The Thunderbelles displayed remarkable depth and teamwork, with six players scoring in double digits to overcome a 1–2 deficit and clinch the season’s first five-set classic. Despite the absence of imports on both sides due to pending international clearances, ZUS Coffee maintained its composure and found ways to execute under pressure.Rookie middle blocker AC Miner, who played a pivotal role in the team’s fourth-set turnaround, shared that the group focused on staying grounded and maximizing their chemistry. She said the team had been working hard to build connection with the setters and among the middles, which paid off when it mattered most. Miner admitted it took her some time to find her rhythm, but credited her teammates for keeping the team composed and resilient until they forced a deciding set.

The UAAP has upheld its ruling barring players from joining the PBA Draft while retaining their collegiate eligibility, despite an appeal from PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial. UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag emphasized that the decision affects not only basketball but the entire UAAP sporting program.“We can’t grant the request, at least for this season, because it has implications for our other sporting events,” Saguisag said.He added that the UAAP Board must conduct a thorough review before allowing players to enter the PBA Draft mid-season.“We’re committed to referring this matter to a committee for a deep study of its impact across all our 20 sporting events,” Saguisag explained. However, he noted that the UAAP isn’t closing its doors to the idea and may implement changes as early as Season 89.Saguisag said Marcial and the PBA understood the UAAP’s need for consistency with its regulations. In the UAAP’s view, any player who enters the draft—even if undrafted and a free agent—is considered a professional and thus ineligible to continue playing at the collegiate level.The ruling means top prospects like La Salle’s Mike Phillips and other graduating UAAP players will have to wait about a year before they can enter the PBA Draft if they wish to retain their eligibility this season.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has officially given the green light for Alas Pilipinas players to return to their mother clubs in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).However, the nationals will only be eligible to compete in the Reinforced Conference, scheduled from October to November, and will sit out the league’s short Invitational Conference kicking off this Thursday. The PVL’s long-running All-Filipino Conference is tentatively slated to open in January 2026.

Filipino cue artist Chezka Centeno came heartbreakingly close to a historic gold medal at the 2025 World Games, falling to China’s Han Yu, 7-6, in a dramatic women’s 10-ball final on Wednesday, August 13.Centeno clawed her way back from early deficits — 0-3, 3-4, and 4-5 — and seized control at 6-5, seemingly on the cusp of victory. But a critical miss in the final rack opened the door for Han, who capitalized and ran the table to snatch the gold on home soil.The result marked sweet revenge for Han, who had lost to Centeno in the 2023 World 10-Ball Championship final in Austria. Notably, this was also Han’s second win over the Filipina in Chengdu, having edged her in the group stage, 7-6.Despite the painful finish, Centeno impressed throughout the tournament. She rebounded from her group stage loss to Han by dominating Savannah Easton of the United States, 7-2, to move into the knockout rounds. She then cruised past Mayte Ropero of Spain, 7-2, in the quarterfinals, and ousted China’s Shasha Liu, 7-4, in the semifinals.Cheered on by Filipino legends Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, and Rubilen Amit, Centeno showed grit and brilliance — but it wasn’t quite enough to bring home gold this time.Still, the silver medal is a testament to her consistency and elite standing in the global billiards scene.

Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA Asia Cup 2025 campaign ended in the quarterfinals as Australia showcased its world-class talent, cruising to an 84-60 win on Wednesday night, August 13.The Boomers came out firing, draining seven three-pointers in the opening quarter—including three from Jaylin Galloway—to take a commanding 29-12 lead. From there, the two-time defending champions maintained control, never allowing Gilas to mount a sustained comeback.Despite the early deficit, Gilas fought valiantly with Dwight Ramos and Kevin Quiambao leading multiple rallies. However, each surge was quickly answered by Australia’s potent offense, which mixed deadly perimeter shooting with strong inside play.“We made too many mistakes. Australia is one of the top teams in the world. If we want to compete with them, we need to be sharper in execution and preparation. But I think it will come in time,” Ramos admitted. The loss marked the end of a gritty run for Gilas, who reached the quarterfinals despite injuries, chemistry challenges, and inconsistency.Still undefeated, world No. 7 Australia advanced to the semifinals and will face the winner of Iran versus Chinese Taipei. The game also marked the first official meeting between the Philippines and Australia since their infamous 2018 brawl, with both sides showing cooler heads this time.With this experience, Gilas gains valuable lessons and a clearer sense of what it takes to compete with Asia’s best—especially as they prepare for another showdown with Australia in the upcoming FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.Gilas Pilipinas head coach, Tim Cone gave some insights after the game and realized that their opponent is very superior in terms of athleticism and length, although they were trying to keep the pace slower, but they (Gilas) didn’t have the discipline to stick to that game plan. "The Australian athleticism and length, even though you see it on video, you realize that they are superior. We just had a hard time staying in front of them and challenging their threes, so they got up their shots quickly." We were trying to keep it at a slower pace, but we didn't have the discipline to do that," Cone stated."We really liked our time together. I like the way we play, I like the togetherness, they are all easy to coach, but I didn't like our performance tonight. I didn't think we stepped up as much as we wanted to," he added.

Elite 16 champions Javier and Joaquin Bello are back in the Philippines, aiming for redemption at the Beach Pro Tour Challenge from October 15 to 19 at the Nuvali Sands Court by Ayala Land in Santa Rosa, Laguna.Ranked 19th among 65 men’s pairs from 25 countries, the Bello brothers are determined to improve on last year’s bronze finish, where they fell to Germany’s Paul Henning and Lui Wust in the semifinals but bounced back to claim third place over Austria’s Timo Hammarberg and Philipp Wallar.“The Bello brothers are coming,” announced PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara. “Like all participants, they’re here to provide top-level beach volleyball action.”The English pair faces stiff competition, including host Philippines, which will field three teams led by 2023 SEA Games bronze medalists Ran Abdilla and James Buytrago. Defending champions and world No. 6 Swedish duo Jacob Holting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson are also back to defend their crown.“We thank Ayala and Nuvali for hosting another world-class event,” Suzara added. “The level of competition keeps rising.”In the women’s division, Team USA lines up five pairs, while the Philippines is represented by Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons, Jenny Gaviola and Alexa Polidario, Sunny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez, and Kly Orillaneda with Gen Eslapor. The women’s field features 46 pairs from 15 countries, making this one of the most competitive editions yet.

Team Philippines enters the 2025 Chengdu World Games with high hopes and a fighting spirit, as the prestigious international multi-sport event officially opens today in China.A delegation of over 100 Filipino athletes, coaches, and officials arrived earlier this week, ready to compete in sports where the country has previously excelled—including wushu, dancesport, billiards, archery, and modern pentathlon.Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expressed confidence in the team’s medal prospects, citing their extensive preparation and strong international track records.“We’re not just here to participate—we’re here to compete and win. Many of our athletes are world-class and have proven themselves on the biggest stages,” Tolentino said.Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio will be among the spectators, joined by top Chinese officials and World Games President José Perurena López.The men’s floorball team opens the country’s campaign, facing Latvia at 9 a.m. at the Xindu Xiangcheng Sports Centre. The 14-man squad, ranked No. 12 in the world and coached by Noel Mendoza, arrived in Chengdu last Sunday and has been preparing for their match against the No. 4-ranked Latvians.“We feel great and confident. The team is ready,” said Philippine Floorball Association President Marco Ortiz.Wushu artist Agatha Wong also expressed her excitement about competing in the World Games."I am excited because it is my first time in an opening ceremony. I just want to enjoy and live in the moment," Wong said.Among the key players is forward Melvin Mendoza, a silver medalist at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games and a veteran of three World Championship appearances.

NLEX Road Warriors will try to tie the series of their best-of-five quarter final series of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup against the TNT Tropang Giga this Friday night, September 27, at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.Coach Jong Uichico said that adjustments will be the key on who’s going to win the game and even in the series.

Far Eastern University and Adamson University opened their 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge campaigns in style.The Lady Tamaraws, determined to move on from last season’s runner-up finish, cruised to a straight-sets win over Mapua University, 25-15, 25-22, 25-21, Sunday, August 10, at the Paco Arena in Manila.FEU stayed composed throughout, with Congolese opposite Faida Bakanke taking charge in the third set. Locked at 15-all, she fired three consecutive aces to give the Lady Tamaraws breathing room, finishing with 12 points built on six attacks, three blocks, and three aces, including four digs.Mitzi Panangin added 10 markers in the win. Senior setter and captain Tin Ubaldo steered FEU’s 6-2 closing run, capped by Gerzel Petallo’s down-the-line hit.“Our goal this time wasn’t to get back at anyone, but to really improve from last time,” Ubaldo said in Filipino. “We didn’t focus solely on winning, but on the process of how we can win. For me, joining this tournament isn’t about redemption.”Mapua’s Alyanna Ong and Zyra Morales had eight points each, but no Lady Cardinal hit double figures.

The Philippines experienced contrasting fortunes in the qualifying rounds of the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Ulaanbaatar Stop 2026 as Team Manila advanced to the main draw while Team Philippines bowed out of contention.Team Philippines struggled in Pool A, dropping both of its assignments against tough international opposition. The Filipinas first suffered a 21-13 defeat to New Zealand before falling in a closely contested match against Paraguay, 20-18. The two losses ended their campaign and denied them a place in the tournament's main draw.Despite the setback, the team gained valuable experience competing against seasoned squads in one of the premier stops of the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series.On the other hand, Team Manila delivered an impressive performance in Pool B to keep Philippine hopes alive in the tournament.The squad opened its campaign with a dominant 15-5 victory over Lion City of Singapore before following it up with a convincing 21-13 win against host team Sukhbaatar of Mongolia.With back-to-back victories, Team Manila finished atop its qualifying group and secured a coveted berth in the main draw, where tougher competition awaits against some of the world's best 3x3 teams.The strong showing highlighted the team's chemistry and offensive firepower, giving Philippine fans reason to be optimistic as the tournament progresses.As Team Manila moves forward in the competition, the focus now shifts to sustaining its momentum and carrying the Philippine flag deeper into the prestigious international event.