The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is set to deliver a more dynamic and inclusive grassroots sports program with the upcoming Batang Pinoy 2025, scheduled to take place from October 25 to 30 in General Santos City.This year’s edition of Batang Pinoy aims to further encourage Filipino youth to engage in sports, develop their athletic potential, and embrace the values of discipline, sportsmanship, and teamwork.According to PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann, the 2025 Batang Pinoy will showcase competitions in 27 sports disciplines, including Aquatics (Swimming), Archery, Arnis, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball (3×3), Boxing, Chess, Cycling, Dancesport, Futsal, Gymnastics, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Kickboxing, Karate, Muay Thai, Pencak Silat, Soft Tennis, Tennis, Sepak Takraw, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Wushu. Chairman Bachmann also emphasized that this year’s event will be grander and more organized, with modern equipment and facilities, and better logistics and accommodations for all participating athletes.“Our main objective for this year’s Batang Pinoy is to provide the delegates an excellent experience as if they are already competing in a global level of competition they usually see in televisions and social media,” Bachman said. In addition to upgrading the overall competition experience, the PSC is committed to expanding participation from regions across the country, ensuring that young athletes from various provinces have the opportunity to compete and grow.“Batang Pinoy is not just about discovering future champions,  It’s also about instilling values that shape character—discipline, hard work, and sportsmanship.” Bachman added.

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) will welcome the collegiate community as it hosts the UAAP Season 88 opening ceremony on September 19 at the UST Grandstand and Open Field, with a massive crowd of 25,000 to 30,000 expected to fill España for what promises to be a festive launch rivaling the school’s annual Paskuhan celebration.“Now the gates of España are wide open. The stage has been set,” declared UAAP Season 88 president Rev. Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P., during the league’s pre-season press conference at the Dr. Robert Sy Grand Ballroom inside the UST campus. “To the UAAP community, we are more than ready to give it our all and release the loudest roar this season.”UST continues its tradition of holding the season’s grand opening at home, unlike other schools that often opt for large arenas or coliseums. The following day, the spotlight shifts to the hardwood as the men’s basketball tournament takes center stage at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion with a jam-packed weekend of action.

Danielle Lourdes Imperial is a prominent figure in Philippine women's ice hockey, known for her leadership and significant contributions to the national team. As the captain of the Philippine Eagles, she has been instrumental in elevating the sport's profile in the country.Danielle Lourdes Imperial is a standout member of the Philippines’ women’s national ice hockey team, widely recognized for her impactful play and clutch performances on the international stage.One of her most notable contributions came during the 2019 IIHF Women’s Challenge Cup of Asia, where she played a pivotal role in helping the team capture the gold medal. In the final match against the United Arab Emirates, Imperial scored a crucial goal that doubled the Philippines' lead to 2-0 — a decisive moment in the tightly contested game.Although the UAE managed to score late, narrowing the gap, the Philippines held on for a 2-1 victory. Imperial’s goal proved vital in securing the win and underscored her ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stage.

In the ever-evolving world of volleyball, where new stars rise and seasoned veterans step aside, there are some names that never quite fade from the spotlight. Jovelyn Gonzaga, affectionately known as the “Bionic Illonga,” is one of those rare few whose story continues to unfold-gracefully, powerfully, and with relentless purpose.Before she became one of Philippine volleyball’s most revered figures, Gonzaga was simply a determined student-athlete from Central Philippine University, where she captained the school's volleyball team with quiet strength and visible heart. It was there that the seeds of leadership, grit, and excellence were planted—traits that would soon carry her to the national stage.In 2013, Gonzaga caught the nation’s attention when she was named Most Valuable Player of the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference. She later called it a “pleasant surprise”—but for those who had seen her rise, it was anything but. Her ascent continued in 2014 when she joined the FEU Lady Tamaraws as a guest player, proving that her skills could shine in any lineup, at any level.The years that followed would be a golden stretch for Gonzaga. In the 12th Season of the Shakey’s V-League, she was nearly unstoppable—earning a string of accolades that included:Best Opposite Spiker – Open ConferenceBest Opposite Spiker – Collegiate ConferenceMost Valuable Player & Best Opposite Spiker – Reinforced Open Conference

PBA legend Roger Yap was known as “The Predator” during his time in the pro league, a moniker he carried with pride every time he stepped on the court.But this time, Yap will take on a new role as “The Director” of the Pinoy Masters Pilipinas Basketball team, which is set to compete in the World Masters tournament from May 17-30 in Taiwan.In an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph, the four-time PBA champion shared his contributions to the team as they represent the country on the hardcourt. 

Alex Eala continues to honor her late grandfather and first tennis coach, Roberto “Bobby” Maniego, dedicating her recent achievements to his memory.Eala’s breakthrough semifinal run at the Miami Open propelled her to a career-high World No. 56 ranking and opened the door to Grand Slam main draw appearances at both the French Open and Wimbledon. She credits much of her success to “Lolo Bob,” as she fondly called Maniego.“Whenever I accomplish something big, I think about him. It would’ve meant so much for him to witness these moments and share them with our family. Even when he was struggling, he remained a strong mentor and always put in the work.” Eala shared. Before Alex and her brother Miko moved to Spain to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy, it was Maniego who introduced them to tennis and served as their first coach.“He was a huge part of my life and early career,” He laid my foundation—my mentality and bravery on court come from his tough love and sacrifice.” the 20-year-old said.Eala also revealed her admiration for Maria Sharapova, whom she considered her “super idol” growing up, inspired by Sharapova’s playing style, mindset, and presence on and off the court.Now, Eala is setting her sights on another Grand Slam appearance, aiming for her first main draw win at the US Open from August 24 to September 7. She plans to compete in tournaments in Canada and the US before heading back to Asia later this year.

The final 10 players added to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50 Greatest list were officially announced on Wednesday, April 2.Nelson Asaytono, long expected to be part of earlier announcements for the Top 25 and Top 40 lists, has finally secured his place among the PBA’s greatest. He leads the latest batch of players included in this prestigious group.Joining Asaytono in the final 10 are: Jeffrey Cariaso, Rene “Bong” Hawkins Jr., June Mar Fajardo, Abraham Columbus “Abe” King Jr., Daniel Charles “Danny” Seigle, Earl Scottie Thompson, Arnulfo “Arnie” Tuadles, Manuel “Manny” Victorino, and Elpidio “Yoyoy” Villamin.

Joshua Yerro, the 6’1” versatile forward and former Adamson University captain, has officially declared for the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft, bringing a wealth of experience and proven clutch ability to the professional ranks.Yerro’s basketball journey began in grassroots competitions with the UV Baby Lancers (CESAFI Juniors) before he made his mark with Team Cebu (NBTC).Transitioning to the UAAP, he became a key contributor for the Adamson Soaring Falcons, earning the captaincy and showcasing leadership on and off the floor. One of his most memorable collegiate moments came last year when he executed a buzzer-eating alley-oop against the National University, a play that highlighted his timing, composure, and ability to perform under pressure.

The Santa Rosa Wrestling Team of Santa Rosa, Laguna collected a total of 12 medals in the recently concluded 2024 Batang Pinoy held at the Mendoza Park in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.They bagged seven golds, three silvers, and two bronzes to wrap up their stint in the Palawan edition.El John Ponting led the list of those who captured gold medals as he topped the Greco Roman (32kg) and FreeStyle Wrestling (32kg) in the 12-13 years old categories.Ponting was named back-to-back Best Player in his age category in the 2023 and 2024 Batang Pinoy.

Inspired by the 1990s film "Mighty Ducks", Ice hockey's history in the Philippines began in the early 2000s. What started as casual skating sessions quickly evolved into organized play, with a passionate local community driving the sport forward.But because the Philippines is a tropical country with no winter season, ice hockey and some other winter sports are played on artificial ice rinks. This kind of sport may not be the first sport that comes to mind in a tropical country like the Philippines, but its unlikely rise has been nothing short of remarkable. In February 2015, the governing body of ice hockey in the country, the Federation of Ice Hockey League (FIHL), was formed. The FIHL was admitted as an associate member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) on 20 May 2016 and they secured Philippine Olympic Committee membership by July 2016. During this year, there were already 211 registered players from five clubs in the country, and the popularity of this sport suddenly increased. A IIHF sanctioned league, the Philippine Hockey League was organized in 2018 fulfilling a prerequisite for the Philippine men's national team participation in the Ice Hockey World Championships. Prior to 2008 and before the formation of the FIHL, club selection teams competed in regional competitions as unofficial national teams. The main league in the country is the Philippine Hockey League which follows IIHF regulations.  A recreational ice hockey league, the Manila Ice Hockey League, is also held.After the formation of the FIHL, national ice hockey teams were officially organized. The men's national team made their official debut at the 2017 Asian Winter Games while the women's team made theirs at the 2017 IIHF Women's Challenge Cup of Asia. The team lost 10–5 in their first official match against Kyrgyzstan. The Philippines secured their first official win as a FIHL member by defeating Qatar with a score of 14–2, followed by an 8–3 triumph over Kuwait, which competed as the Independent Olympic Athletes. The team placed third in their division after a 9–2 win over Macau in the play-off for third place. The Philippines participated at an ice hockey tournament event of the 2017 Southeast Asian Games whose mentor, Czech head coach Daniel Brodan started their Southeast Asian Games campaign with a 12–0 victory over Indonesia. This was followed by their game against Singapore which ended with a 7–2 triumph.This was then followed by their game against Malaysia which saw the ejection of the Philippine captain, Steven Füglister from the game in the first period. He was given a game misconduct penalty for hitting a Malaysian player in the head while pursuing the puck although the skipper said the infraction was an unintentional accident. The match ended with a 7–7 tie after regulation time after an extra five-minute-period which led to a shootout. The Philippines outscored Malaysia to register a win.The Malaysian organizers decided to suspend Fuglister for the final match against Thailand. Despite playing without their captain, the Philippines wrapped up their campaign, undefeated with a 5–4 win over Thailand and clinched the first ever ice hockey gold medal in the history of the regional tournament. In April 3 to 8 2018, The Philippines hosted the Top Division of the IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia, the national team’s first IIHF-sanctioned tournament, at the SM Mall of Asia Ice Skating Rink in Pasay, Metro Manila. The team was mentored by American head coach, Jonathan De Castro. The national team settled for bronze after tying in points with champions Mongolia and runners-up Thailand.The national team improved its best finish in the tournament in the following edition of the tournament in 2019 hosted in Malaysia. They lost to Mongolia in the final, settling for second place. The Philippines failed to defend their Southeast Asian Games title at home in the 2019 edition of the regional games, settling only for a bronze medal finish.The country actually qualified for the 2020 edition of the world event, but the tournament got cancelled due to the pandemic. The team faced similar problems in 2022, rendering them unable to participate.In 2023, the Philippine ice hockey team decimated its competition to capture the gold in the 2023 IIHF World Championship Division IV in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.Sweeping the competition mostly by decisive margins, the wins included a 14-0 beatdown of Indonesia, another 14-0 victory against Kuwait, and a slim 7-6 victory against the host country that took overtime. The title run also propelled the Filipinos to Division III B, where they joined other Asian countries like Singapore, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, and Hong Kong, as well as other European squads like Bosnia and Herzegovina.When not in competition, the players continue to hone their craft under the tutelage of their Finnish coach Juhani Ijäs, and the leadership of captain Manvil Billones, the leading scorer of the Division IV tournament.With the partnership of Philippine Skating Union (PSU) and its energetic head Nikki Cheng, the team practices in several skating rinks across Metro Manila situated inside big malls.One of the focuses now of Hockey Philippines is its grassroots program. According to former Philippine Hockey team Captain Steven Fuglister, Kids can come and get gear for free and they can go to a six-week program, which is conducted every Sunday. “That is where kids can come, you get gear, there’s gear that is provided to you for free. And you can go to I think like a six-week program, also every Sunday. And just have fun, ’cause I think at that level, how you can get the kids in, it’s like having fun and a good time. And I think so far, it’s been pretty well organized.”  said Fuglister.

Baguio City surged to the top of the Batang Pinoy 2025 medal standings after dominating the archery events on Tuesday, bagging 10 gold medals to boost its overall haul.As of posting time, Baguio has collected 23 gold medals, with most coming from its stellar archers Jianna Rae Delos Reyes and Jephtha Caleb Fernandez, who swept all three titles in their respective divisions — Delos Reyes in the girls compound (12 years old) and Fernandez in the boys compound (14-under).Additional golds came from Kester RJ Delos Reyes (boys compound 17-under, first distance), Jan Precious Laking (boys compound 14-under, second distance), Ryzen Keith Viduya, and Jalorrae Cxethreen Lictao (male recurve division 14-under, second distance).Aside from the 23 golds, Baguio also holds 11 silver and 15 bronze medals, underscoring its dominance in the national youth sports competition.Manila, which led the tally in the first two days, slipped to second with 15 golds, 15 silvers, and 13 bronzes, while defending overall champion Quezon City — listed as 14 golds, 10 silvers, and 22 bronzes — currently sits in third place.With several events still underway, the race for overall supremacy in Batang Pinoy 2025 remains tight — but for now, Baguio City stands tall atop the leaderboard.

Zoren James Aranas, a native of Cavite, Philippines, is a Filipino professional pool player known by his nickname "Dodong Diamond."He made his debut on the Action Pool Tour (APT) in 2017, going undefeated through a strong field of 48 entrants. He began his six-match run to the winner’s circle with an opening-round shutout and capped it off with victories over the APT's top-ranked player, Shaun Wilkie, in the hot seat match, and Reymart Lim in the finals. The event was hosted by Q Master Billiards in Virginia Beach, VA.In 2018, Aranas secured his first international title after defeating Chris Melling twice at the first Annual Asian Culture Day, held at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. This event marked the opening of the Efren Reyes retirement tour. In 2019, Aranas claimed the ten-ball title at the Super Billiards Expo Diamond Open, defeating Oscar Dominguez 13–10 in the final.In 2022, he reached the finals of the APP Asian 9-Ball Open in Singapore but fell short against Taiwan's Ko Pin-yi, 11–13.On February 3, Aranas was detained and deported back to the Philippines. He was held in a room alongside several athletes and artists from outside the United States who were on tourist visas, most of whom were from Europe.

Defending champion San Miguel Beermen ended a two-game skid to get the crucial win against last year’s runner-up Magnolia Hotshots, 85-78, to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot in their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup match-up last night, January 12, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.CJ Perez put up 11 points in the pay-off period to have a total of 23 to help the Beermen get the important victory. He also had 10 assists, six rebounds, and four steals to get the Player of the Game honors.SMB import Jabari Narcis tallied 18 markers and grabbed 23 boards, while June Mar Fajardo produced 13 points on top of 14 rebounds, and six assists to back-up Perez.Juami Tiongson and Jericho Cruz also put up double-digit numbers with 13 and 10, respectively.

On Friday, March 28, 2025, Islay Erika Bomogao is set to make her return at ONE Friday Fights 102 in Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand.The pride of Baguio City will once again put her undefeated record on the line against Spain’s Nerea Rubio in 103-pound Muay Thai action.Bomogao has endeared herself to fans abroad, particularly the Thai crowd at Lumpinee, after showcasing her carefree “Pinoy style” Muay Thai.She dazzled in her two matches last year, defeating Ran Longshu and Fuu in convincing fashion to make a strong impression in the promotion.In her social media post, Bomogao called for support for her fight along with her fellow Filipino fighters who will also compete on Friday.“Please support me and my team, including my fellow Filipinos Jean Claude Saclag and Marwin Quirante, who will be opening the show,” said Bomogao in her post.The main event features a 130-pound Muay Thai bout between Rambong Sor Therapat and his Thai compatriot Pompet Panthonggym, with major implications. Rambong is riding a seven-fight winning streak ahead of this clash, while Pompet, having lost back-to-back fights, has nothing to lose and everything to gain.Additionally, Scotland’s Rudy Da Silva, Japan’s Takuma Ota, and Russia’s Torepchi Dongak all return to action.Meanwhile, multiple SEA Games kickboxing gold medalist Jean Claude “The Dynamite” Saclag of Team Lakay makes his MMA return alongside his Filipino compatriot, rising MMA star Marwin "Green Goblin" Quirante, who will also showcase his skills at ONE Friday Fights 102."Green Goblin" secured two first-round finishes in ONE Friday Fights, while Saclag earned two TKO wins over Lee Jun Young and Fajar. He looks to follow in the footsteps of Carlo Bumina-ang as a winner.

Cherry Rose Nunag, born on October 22, 1992, in the quiet town of Floridablanca, Pampanga, has become a compelling figure in Philippine volleyball—largely because she didn’t follow the traditional route.In a sporting landscape where most stars emerge from the UAAP or NCAA, Nunag’s rise to prominence has defied expectations and proved that relentless dedication, resilience, and heart can chart a path just as luminous as any mainstream route.Nunag’s journey began not in front of the spotlight but in relative obscurity. She first took up volleyball in high school, eventually finding her collegiate footing at De La Salle University–Dasmariñas. While many aspiring athletes aim for the prestige of UAAP or NCAA schools, Nunag made her mark in the V-League in 2013 as a member of the De La Salle Lady Patriots.Her early performances had already hinted at her potential—posting 17 points in a five-set thriller against the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) Lady Engineers and following it up with 11 points versus the powerhouse University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigresses.Despite these standout performances, her team struggled with back-to-back losses, a tough stretch for a squad that had previously dominated the NCRAA with three championships in four years.What set Nunag apart was her sheer athleticism and hunger to improve. A 5-foot-10 middle blocker with long arms and explosive lateral movement, she quickly gained a reputation as a net-front force—both offensively and defensively. Her skills blossomed further when she transitioned into the professional scene. 

If there's a basketball referee today who belongs to the elite ranks of FIBA, it is none other than Filipino referee Glenn Cornelio.One of Cornelio's greatest aspirations is to officiate in the FIBA World Cup. Currently, he holds a FIBA Black License, allowing him to officiate both men's and women's competitions.He was also part of the recently concluded East Asia Super League (EASL) championship finals in Macau.Aside from Cornelio, five other Filipino referees are accredited by FIBA—Totie Celeste, Aaron Canete, Harry Santos, Ralph Moreto, and Christian Penaojas. However, Cornelio is the only one recognized at the elite level for the 2023-25 cycle.“My goal is to officiate in the World Cup’s main competition. In the last World Cup, I was only a reserve referee,” Cornelio said.For Cornelio, being a basketball referee is no easy task. He believes that referees must always be ready, well-prepared, and highly knowledgeable about the rules, while also maintaining top physical condition."Readiness and preparedness in terms of rule knowledge and physical conditioning should always be a referee’s mindset. Our motto is ‘learning never stops’ because basketball is constantly evolving and improving. Referees must continue studying to stay updated. Basketball knowledge and refereeing expertise should go hand in hand,” he added.Cornelio began his officiating career in 2002 during his third year in college. He later advanced to officiate in prestigious leagues such as the UAAP, NCAA, FilOil, Liga Pilipinas, PBA, and FIBA.His international experience includes officiating in the SEA Games (twice), FIBA Asia and World Cup qualifiers, the FIBA Asia Cup, BCL, WASL, ABL, EASL Final Four (twice), EASL Terrific 12, PBA 3x3 and 5x5, and the FIBA U19 World Cup.Cornelio’s journey serves as an inspiration to fellow Filipino referees who aspire to reach the highest levels of the profession.

Japan, once seen as a contender, is out of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship after a disappointing group stage in Manila. Ranked No. 5 entering the tournament, the Japanese squad was eliminated following straight-set losses to Turkey and Canada, dropping to No. 7 in the live rankings and failing to win a single set.Ran Takahashi, despite a solid individual showing, admitted the team underperformed. “Nothing special, I think,” he said. Yet, Takahashi expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of Filipino fans: “As always, the Philippine fans gave me a lot of energy and support.”Japan will play a final group match against Libya, with pride on the line. Takahashi vowed to play aggressively and views the experience as a lesson for the future. “We have to improve, we have to grow up, and we have to ask more from us,” he reflected.Though Japan’s championship hopes were dashed early, Takahashi’s resilience and the passion of Filipino supporters leave the team looking ahead with humility and hope.

When François Gautier first laced up his skates more than three decades ago, he never imagined that a Hollywood film would spark a lifelong passion that would eventually take root thousands of miles away—in the Philippines.Like many of the country’s first-generation hockey players, Gautier discovered the sport through the classic Mighty Ducks movie.“I tried several sports when I was a kid, and when I tried hockey, I just fell in love with it,” he recalled. “Never looked back.”Today, the 41-year-old goaltender proudly wears the Philippine colors on the international stage, a role he describes as both honor and a privilege. “It’s something special,” he said. “When you wear the flag, you just want to do your best for your country.”Gautier returned to the Philippines in 2005 after finishing high school and college in France, and quickly became part of the small but passionate hockey community. He says the national team's culture is built on unity amid diversity.“We have a lot of different backgrounds,” he explained. “Some are half French, half Swiss, half Swedish. But when we step on the ice, we’re all family. We have each other’s backs.”Despite varying ages and careers, some players are students, others are working professionals or parents, the bond among teammates remains strong. “When we are at the rink, it is like we leave everything else behind. It is just us and the game,” he added.Outside of hockey, Gautier enjoys spending time with his family. “Nowadays, I just like to stay home with my kids,” he said. “Our schedule is pretty demanding, especially with two big tournaments coming up, so downtime is precious.”With three international championships on the horizon, Gautier balances his on-ice duties with his responsibilities as a father. A testament to the dedication shared by many Filipino ice hockey players who juggle passion and personal life.Ask Gautier what makes hockey special, and his eyes light up. “It is the greatest sport in the world,” he declared. “You’ve got speed, intensity, and heart. It’s like three or four sports combined.”The Lycée Saint-Charles product also draws an amusing comparison to basketball, the Philippines’ national obsession.“I know Filipinos love basketball,” he said, smiling. “But in hockey, we’ve got blades on our feet, and I’m stopping pucks going a hundred miles an hour, sometimes hitting my head.”For Gautier, hockey players are “warriors.” Unlike other sports, he says, “We pretend not to hurt just to keep playing.”His message to aspiring players? “Come by, give it a try. Whether you are young or older, we will teach you. Put on a pair of skates, we will show you how to fly out there.”Now guarding the net for the Philippine Men’s National Ice Hockey Team, Gautier has come full circle in his athletic journey. “I used to be a defenseman for 30 years,” he said. “Now, I am a goalie and [I’m] loving it.”Gautier has spent the last two decades helping grow the sport in his home. His story is one of passion, perseverance, and pride. A reflection of how far Philippine ice hockey has come, and how much further it can go.

Marck Espejo’s journey from a young Marikina native to one of the Philippines’ most decorated volleyball icons is nothing short of inspiring. His name now echoes across Asian courts as a symbol of excellence and perseverance.Born on March 1, 1997, Espejo discovered his love for volleyball at a young age. His dream began taking shape during his time at Santa Elena High School. Espejo quickly rose through the ranks, securing Best Attacker awards at prestigious tournaments like the 2012 Palarong Pambasa, 2011 Milo Little Olympics, and the 2012 and NCR Volleyball Regional Meet. His exceptional performance quickly put him on the national radar. Ateneo de Manila University saw the potential in the young spiker and brought him in to join the Blue Eagles’ men’s volleyball team. In his UAAP debut during Season 76, Espejo made an immediate impact by claiming both the Rookie of the Year and the Season MVP honors—an extraordinary achievement for a first-year player.That was only the beginning.Espejo spearheaded Ateneo’s championship dynasty from Season 77 to 79, claiming three straight UAAP titles and dominating the individual awards list with multiple Best Attacker, Best Server, Best Scorer, and MVP honors. He closed out his collegiate career with a historic 55-point explosion against FEU in the Season 80 semifinals, cementing his legacy with one of the most remarkable performances in UAAP history.