The Philippine Sports Commission has begun the preparations for the 11th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Friendship Games scheduled in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on December 1 to 5.The tournament aims to foster excellence and camaraderie in sports among young people in the sub-region.PSC commissioner Walter Torres on Thursday, July 18, assured the successful production of the games, which features athletics, archery, badminton, karate, swimming, sepak takraw, pencak silat, and e-sports.City Tourism Department (CTD) chief Demetrio Alvior Jr. said representatives from BIMP-EAGA visited the country last May to discuss the friendship games, as there are specific requirements that need to be met, particularly because most of the attendees will be Muslims.One of the requirements is halal certification, which Puerto Princesa City and Palawan currently do not have. However, according to Alvior, they are already taking measures to address this issue before the friendship games.“The only challenging part for us is accommodating those coming from Muslim countries since we don’t have a large halal restaurant here. However, we already have strategies in place to address this,”said Alvior.The CTD chief also mentioned that the federation handling the event initially wanted all food to be halal and uniformly served to all Muslim delegates, regardless of the hotel they are staying.“This is a significant and somewhat delicate event, but it is also a test to see if we are serious about advancing in sports. We need to participate in these major events to identify what we still lack and what needs improvement,” he added.Puerto Princesa City will host the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games for the second time. The first was in 2003.Brunei Darussalam’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan played host in the last edition of the games. 

The Philippine Sports Commission has begun the preparations for the 11th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Friendship Games scheduled in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on December 1 to 5.The tournament aims to foster excellence and camaraderie in sports among young people in the sub-region.PSC commissioner Walter Torres on Thursday, July 18, assured the successful production of the games, which features athletics, archery, badminton, karate, swimming, sepak takraw, pencak silat, and e-sports.City Tourism Department (CTD) chief Demetrio Alvior Jr. said representatives from BIMP-EAGA visited the country last May to discuss the friendship games, as there are specific requirements that need to be met, particularly because most of the attendees will be Muslims.One of the requirements is halal certification, which Puerto Princesa City and Palawan currently do not have. However, according to Alvior, they are already taking measures to address this issue before the friendship games.“The only challenging part for us is accommodating those coming from Muslim countries since we don’t have a large halal restaurant here. However, we already have strategies in place to address this,”said Alvior.The CTD chief also mentioned that the federation handling the event initially wanted all food to be halal and uniformly served to all Muslim delegates, regardless of the hotel they are staying.“This is a significant and somewhat delicate event, but it is also a test to see if we are serious about advancing in sports. We need to participate in these major events to identify what we still lack and what needs improvement,” he added.Puerto Princesa City will host the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games for the second time. The first was in 2003.Brunei Darussalam’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan played host in the last edition of the games.

Magnolia will try to break their six-year title drought by bringing the 2017 NBA slam dunk champion Glenn Robinson III.Robinson, the son of former NBA All-Star “Big Dog” Glenn Jr., was a second round pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2014 draft. He also suited up for the 76ers, Pacers, Pistons, Warriors, and Kings.The Hotshots are determined to win another Governor’s Cup title which they won in 2018 led by another former NBA veteran Romeo Travis. It was also the first and only championship title of Chito Victolero as head coach of the team.In PBA’s 48th Season, Magnolia went to the finals and tried to break their title slump in their Commissioner’s Cup campaign but they bowed down to San Miguel Beermen. In the Philippine Cup, the Hotshots failed to enter the Final Four after bowing to longtime rival Barangay Ginebra.The high-flying import might have all the inspiration to win it all with the Hotshots but he has to face the veteran reinforcements Justin Brownlee, Allen Durham, Aaron Fuller, and a bunch of PBA first-timers just like him.

Young Filipina golfing star Rianne Malixi won the US Girls’ Junior Championship at the El Caballero Country Club in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 20 (Sunday, July 21st in Manila).Just a year after finishing as the runner-up, the Filipina golfer defeated Asterisk Talley in the final.Malixi claimed victory in record-setting fashion, with her 8-and-7 win over the American marking the largest winning margin in the tournament's history. At 17, Malixi redeemed herself from last year's narrow one-hole loss to Filipino-American Kiara Romero, becoming the second golfer representing the Philippines to win the championship, following Princess Superal’s 2014 achievement.“I’m getting pretty emotional right now because I know how much hard work I’ve put in over the past years,” said a teary-eyed Malixi in an interview with Rappler. “I’m not the only one who made a lot of sacrifices. I’d like to credit my family, especially my dad.”Malixi dominated the first half of the 36-hole match, taking a commanding 6-up lead by the 18th hole with nine birdies. Although Talley cut the deficit to 5-up by the 24th hole, Malixi sealed her victory by birdying the 25th and 27th holes and parring the 29th, which Talley bogeyed, clinching the title with seven holes remaining. Malixi finished with 14 birdies and no bogeys.Her triumph over Talley earned Malixi a spot in the 2025 US Women’s Open, where Japan’s Yuka Saso, who won the major for the Philippines in 2021, will defend her title. Malixi plans to attend Duke University in 2025. (PB)

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) held its annual Rookie Draft on Sunday, July 14, as the league enters its 49th season.Justine Baltazar has been drafted by the Converge FiberXers as the top overall pick in the 2024 PBA Rookie Draft at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati.The 6-foot-7 big man, who was linked to the franchise even before he declared for the league’s annual proceedings, expressed his delight to play for his former college coach and current Converge mentor Aldin Ayo eight years after they steered De La Salle University to the title of UAAP Season 79 in 2016.“I am very happy because I already worked with Coach Aldin in UAAP. I already know his system so I am excited to work with him again,” Baltazar told ABS-CBN in an interview.Since playing for Coach Ayo with the Green Archers, the 27-year-old has received a call-up to the national team and made a name for himself in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League with Pampanga Giant Lanterns where he won Season and Finals Most Valuable Player awards. He also had a brief stint with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B.League.These stints made Baltazar one of the most prized prospects in recent years.Now at Converge, he will bolster a frontcourt that also features reigning Rookie of the Year Justin Arana as well as Jeo Ambohot and Patrick Maagdenberg as the FiberXers look to bounce back from back-to-back last place finishes in the past two conferences.Among the other notable players in the class are Filipino-American guard Sedrick Barefield, who went to Blackwater at No. 2. RJ Abarrientos was picked third overall by Barangay Ginebra while Kai Ballungay, a versatile forward out of Ateneo, was chosen by Phoenix at No. 4.Selected fifth by NorthPort was Dave Ildefonso while the youngest in the draft 22-year-old Jonnel Policarpio of La Salle joined NLEX Road Warriors at No. 6.Former Alab Pilipinas standout Caelan Tiongson and Filipino-Swedish guard Felix Lemetti landed with Rain or Shine at 7th and 8th, respectively.Meanwhile, former Adamson star Jerom Lastimosa got picked by Magnolia at No. 9 followed by other UAAP standouts Mark Nonoy joining Terrafirma at No. 10 and CJ Cansino favored by Meralco at No. 11.Avan Nava, a Filipino-Canadian guard, completed the first round as he joined San Miguel as the 12th overall selection. 

Swimmer Jasmin Mojdeh of Region IV-A CALABARZON made sure her last Palarong Pambansa stint would be a memorable one as she shattered her previous record in secondary girls 200m butterfly event at the Cebu City Sports Center on Thursday, July 11.In an impressive display of skill and speed, Mojdeh registered a time of 2:19.72 to reset the previous record of 2:22.69 by almost three seconds.“I was really nervous because even though this isn’t an international competition, I know the whole Philippines is watching and they are really counting on me but at the end of the day I just really wanted to enjoy my swim and get a good time,” Modjeh shared in an interview with The Manila Times.The 17-year-old’s gold-medal performance set a new benchmark for future competitors and cemented her reputation as one of the country’s top swimming talents.Mojdeh will compete in five more events in the meet.

Two visually impaired athletes from the National Capital Region (NCR) and Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) emerged victorious in the girls’ and boys’ categories secondary division of para athletics long jump competition.Alyana Casano Nuñez, a 20-year-old from NCR, clinched the top spot in the long jump girl’s event. Nuñez lost her sight because of glaucoma when she was 18.Despite her diagnosis, Alyana refused to let her disability hold her back. Instead, she channeled her energy into athletics, discovering a newfound sense of purpose in sports.“I hope to those who are blind like me, do not underestimate yourself because we give ourselves honor,” Nuñez said in an interview with Rappler.Meanwhile, 19-year-old Edmar Artillo from Eastern Visayas also triumphed in the para athletics long jump boys’ event.The Ormoc City native’s journey to the Palarong Pambansa was not without its challenges. He underwent rigorous training, pushing his physical limits with the guidance of his coach and teacher.“Those who have disabilities, don’t be afraid to come out and show your talents, don’t be afraid, don’t be ashamed to show yourself,” Artillo shared.The para games competitions are being held simultaneously with the Palarong Pambansa 2024.

Kyle Nathan Fabian and Lediviere Joy Hebron captured six gold medals on the first day of the 2024 Palarong Pambansa games at GMall Atrium on Thursday, July 11.The Zamboanga Peninsula dancesport duo dominated the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep and the 5-Dance categories.“It is our first time at the Palaro, and winning gold is an incredible feeling,” Fabian told the Manila Times in an interview.Hebron shared that their journey to the Palarong Pambansa was marked by rigorous training.“We trained five times a week,” she said.The pair made history as the first-ever dancesport medalists of the Palarong Pambansa in the juvenile or elementary category, a significant milestone for Region IX and their school, Montessori De Zamboanga.This year marks the debut of dancesport as a regular medal event in the Palarong Pambansa, making it one of the most anticipated competitions at the annual multi-sport event.

Jonalyn Halasan of Calabarzon bagged another gold medal for the region after ruling the secondary girls division of triple jump at 11.39 meters.This is the 17-year-old’s third time competing in Palarong Pambansa, and her second gold medal after finishing first in the elementary girls division of the same event in 2019.The student-athlete shared she draws inspiration from former long jump Olympian turned coach Marestella Torres. She also thanked her parents and her coaches for their support.“Even when we are not that tall and lean, they always remind us that we can still do it,” said Halasan, who hails from General Pantaleon Garcia Senior High School in Imus City, Cavite.

Iloilo prospect Charles Daniel Turla snapped the athletics boys’ elementary javelin throw record with a stunning 60.26 meter throw in his Palarong Pambansa debut.In just his third throw, the incoming Grade 7 athlete easily smashed the event’s eight-year-old record of 57.50 meter set by Jerick Mendoza of CALABARZON.Turla will try to build on his hot streak as he competes next in the boys elementary shot put competition on Saturday, July 13.

Central Visayas (Region VII) pulled off a surprising act on the first day of the 64th Palarong Pambansa, bagging the meet’s first gold medal on Thursday, July 11, at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).So far, Central Visayas has collected 13 gold medals, six silvers, and five bronzes on the first day of the five-day national games.Leading the region’s gold medal haul was Asia Paraase, who won the meet’s first fold medal early Thursday morning by topping the 3,000-meter secondary girls’ run at the CCSC oval. Other gold medalists included female woodpushers Edelyn Vosotros and Kristina Concepcion Belano, arnisador Nathaniel Abing, and nine golds from dancesport dancers.Paraase secured the gold medal after clocking in a time of 10:27:36, beating Eastern Visayas’ (Region VIII) Chrishia Mae Tajarros (10:39:72) and Davao Region’s (Region XI) Mary Jane Pagayon (10:52:72).At the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu, Central Visayas’ chess players Edelyn Vosotros and Kristina Concepcion Belano of the University of Cebu Webmasters delivered two gold medals. Vosotros earned two golds for finishing with a perfect seven points in the blitz category, and she paired with Belano to rule the team with 12 markers.The region also earned silver medals from Jormaine Pinanonang (100m hurdles elementary girls), Kharis Lark Reil Pantonial (110m hurdles secondary boys), and Kleone Mole (400m freestyle secondary girls’ swimming).Bronze medals went to Ace Francis Bacongallo (long jump elementary boys) and Kacie Grabrielle Tionko (400m freestyle secondary girls’ swimming).In dancesport, which is making its debut as a medal sport this year, Francis Dave Sombal and Mitchloni Dinauanao won six gold medals in the secondary Latin event at the GMall of Cebu Activity Center.Their performances in samba, cha-cha, rumba, paso doble, jive, and the 5-dance were almost flawless.Danieca Mae Ansay and Nash Daniel Placencia also shone in the elementary Latin contest, winning gold in rumba and jive, along with two silvers and two bronzes in other dances.Troy Nathaniel Abing from Lapu-Lapu City brought home the region’s 13th gold in individual likha anyo single weapon of elementary boys’ arnis at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.The region expects to win more golds in the third day of competition on Friday.

Cash incentives await some student-athletes representing the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) in the 2024 Palarong Pambansa.Asia Paraase, a student-athlete from Pajo National High School, who bagged the first gold medal for the 64th Palarong Pambansa on Thursday, July 11, will receive a cash incentive from Lapu-Lapu Government after demonstrating an exceptional performance during the secondary girls 3,000-meter run category.Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan acknowledged Paraase’s achievement and assured athletes from the city that they would be granted an unspecified amount worth of cash incentives.“We are happy and proud that the first gold medal came from an athlete from Lapu-Lapu. This brings great pride to our city,” said Chan.Participating student-athletes who will clinch gold, silver, and bronze medals will be rewarded.The City Sports Commission will recommend the budget allocation that will be approved and passed by the City Council. 

UAAP Season 86 volleyball runner-up University of Santo Tomas avoided an early exit after triumphing over debuting Team SOCCSKSARGEN in Pool B of the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, July 11.Composed mostly of rookies looking to gain experience, the Golden Tigresses amassed a 25-17, 25-18, 28-30, 25-14 victory with the team banking on Marga Altea’s 17-point effort to finish the group stage of the tournament.UST avenged their stunning 16-25, 26-28, 25-17, 25-17, 16-18 defeat at the hands of University of Batangas Lady Brahmans last Wednesday, July 10.Abigail Sinson also contributed 13 points, including an ace that gave UST a commanding lead in the fourth set, while Kaizah Huyno added 11 markers.“We still have a lot to improve on, especially our communication. As a new team, it is super hard for all of us because coming from different schools and regions, we only have five core members of the UST girls volleyball team so it is super hard to pull us all together. But we were able to find a way and I hope this will continue,” said Altea after the match.Team SOCCSKSARGEN, a selection squad from Southern Mindanao, got 16 points from Janelle Maignos while Tresha Parong and Shendy Acebo scored seven and six markers, respectively.Meanwhile, University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) defeated Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-19, 17-25, 25-23, 25-19, in Pool C.Ressel Pedroza displayed her scoring prowess with 15 points to lead the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc (CESAFI) champion to an all-important win over the NCAA Season 99 third placers, boosting its chances of advancing into the next round.The Lady Panthers bounced back from an opening day 13-25, 15-25, 17-25 loss to Far Eastern University to close the group stage with a 1-1 slate.    USPF will secure a quarters seat if the Lady Tamaraws beat the Lady Pirates on Friday.

In the recently concluded PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft, Northport head coach Bonnie Tan drafted another controversial player just like he did last year.The Batang Pier added Gerry Mahinay to their roster whom they picked at number 46 overall during the fifth round. Mahinay still has an issue with the Games and Amusements Board (GAB). He was suspended indefinitely by GAB for his “deplorable act” after undercutting Joey Barcuma during their game in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.Despite his act, Mahinay still took shot at the pro league and luckily for him, Coach Bonnie has a “tan” (ton) of second chances in him.It was proven last season when the team drafted John Amores, who gained infamy for his rampage during his time with Jose Rizal University (JRU) in the NCAA. He was taken by NorthPort 51st overall and also in the 5th round.Amores worked his way to be part of the lineup and he averaged 3.3 points, 1.5 rebound, 7.8 minutes in 19 games of play for the Batang Pier. Just like Amores, Tan clarified that Mahinay will have to work hard in order for him to secure a contract with them or in any other team that wants to give him a new lifeline while proving that he has really reformed himself for GAB to rescind his ban.

Things will be different when the PBA 49th Season Governor’s Cup opens on August 18 as it adopts a new format for the season-opening conference.The new format will divide the 12 teams in two groups; Group A is composed of reigning Governor’s Cup Champion TNT Tropang Giga together with Meralco Bolts, Converge FiberXers, Northport Batang Pier, Terrafirma Dyip and Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots while Group B is composed of crowd-favorite Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel, together with Blackwater Bossing, Phoenix Fuel Masters, Rain or Shine Elasto Painter, NLEX Road Warriors and San Miguel Beermen.Under the new setup that was announced by league Commissioner Willie Marcial, teams in each group will play each other twice in a double round robin.The top four teams from each group will advance to the crossover quarterfinals, with No. 1 taking on No. 4 and No. 2 battling No. 3 in a best-of-five series.The semifinals and finals will both be a best-of-seven affairs.Meanwhile, the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup and season-concluding Philippine Cup will have the same format as used in the previous seasons.

Another tour of duty is set for the 36-year-old Allen Durham as he is tapped by the Meralco Bolts to be their reinforcement in the season-opening Governor’s Cup.Durham, the three-time best import of the said conference led the Bolts in 3 finals appearances (2016, 2017, 2019) only to succumb to eventual champions, Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel led by resident import Justin Brownlee.Meralco finally won a championship last season by winning the Philippine Cup and the team now has experience on how to close out a championship series, which Durham also gained in his Japan B. League stint. The experience makes Durham and the Bolts a better opportunity to sett;e some unfinished business.Meralco is slotted with TNT, Magnolia, Northport, Terrafirma, and Converge in the Governors’ Cup.

 The De La Salle Green Archers have tapped the services of Fil-Am big man Dominic Sarmiento as its newest center.The ex-Irvine Valley College freshman was announced to be heading to Taft after a US-based Filipino basketball org, Tumakbo United, posted about Sarmiento’s next big move.A report from Tiebreaker Times showed that the 6-foot-8 center played in the States as part of the Orange Empire Conference of the California Community College Athletic Association. Sarmiento played 15 games for the Irvine Valley Lasers in the league’s 2023-2024 season, averaging 1 point and 1 rebound in five minutes of playing time. However, it will take some time before the Archers will tap its newest big man, as Sarmiento will need to fulfill a one-year residency period before he becomes eligible to play starting UAAP Season 88.Sarmiento joins a star-studded transfer class to DLSU, which also includes Mason Amos, Luis Pablo, and Kean Baclaan. (PB)