Cignal showed no sign of depletion as they overpowered Galeries Towers in straight sets, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena on Tuesday, January 21.Despite entering a new era without key players Ces Molina and Riri Meneses, the HD Spikers kicked off their campaign with a 5-1 record.“Very thankful because we won in straight sets, and I’m proud of the team because what we’ve been working on in training is starting to show. But, of course, we still need to keep working until we master what we want to achieve and execute it in every game,” coach Shaq delos Santos said as Cignal made its way through the remainder of the conference without Molina and veteran middle blocker Meneses, who both chose not to extend their contracts with the team.Vanie Gandler led the charge for the HD Spikers, being the lone player to reach double-digit scoring. She finished with 17 points built from 13 attacks, three aces, and a block.

The Philippine women’s national football team, known as the Filipinas, begins its title defense in the ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup on Thursday night against Timor-Leste at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, Vietnam. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. local time (8:30 p.m. Manila time).The Filipinas are eager to start strong after settling in Vietnam last Sunday. The tournament, formerly known as the AFF Women’s Championship, features a new name but the same high stakes. The Filipinas captured the 2022 title at home, with Sarina Bolden scoring eight goals and leading the squad to a 3–0 victory over Thailand in the final.Despite being heavy favorites against Timor-Leste—who qualified after Singapore’s withdrawal—head coach Mark Torcaso is focused on player development and preparation for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup.“I’m not too worried about what the opponents are doing. We’re going to focus on our team and give every young girl a chance in this tournament,” said Torcaso.Several key players are unavailable due to the tournament falling outside the FIFA window, including Katrina Guillou, Sara Eggesvik, Meryll Serrano, and Sarina Bolden, who is recovering from injury. However, veterans such as Quinley Quezada, Chandler McDaniel, Olivia McDaniel, Hali Long, and Inna Palacios are set to guide a younger squad.“These veterans are vital—they’ll share their experiences from the AFF, World Cup, and Asian Cup with our younger players,” Torcaso added.New talents, including Jaycee DeFazio, Adelaide Wyrzynski, Azumi Oka, Aaliyah Schinaman, and several youth program standouts, are poised to make their senior debuts.As they open their Serenity Cup campaign, the Filipinas are not just aiming to defend their regional crown, but also to build the future of women’s football in the Philippines.

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. 

Egypt head coach Marco Bonitta lauded Alas Pilipinas after the hosts’ stunning four-set victory over the reigning African champions in the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.The three-time Olympian admitted that his squad did not play at its usual level but emphasized that the Filipinos fully deserved their historic triumph.“First of all, congratulations to the Philippine team because they played one amazing, consistent match, especially on serve, blocking, and defense,” Bonitta said. “They had clear options in transition, especially in attack after defense. They deserve to win. Today wasn’t our best level of volleyball. We will try to do our best after tomorrow because we have to win against Tunisia.”Bonitta noted that he was not entirely surprised by the performance of the Angiolino Frigoni-coached Nationals, pointing to their gritty showing against Tunisia in their opening match as an early sign of their potential.“Philippines played amazing match today but we knew that before,” he said. “The level of this team was the third set against Tunisia and they lost only 25-23. We knew that we had to be patient to play—but they played better than us and they deserve it.”Despite the loss, world No. 22 Egypt remains in contention for a Round of 16 berth, with all four Pool A squads holding identical 1-1 records. The Egyptians now prepare for a crucial showdown with Tunisia on Thursday, September 18.Bonitta stressed the importance of his team resetting both mentally and physically ahead of the decisive clash.

Adamson University stamped its dominance in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, locking in the top semifinal seed with a convincing sweep of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-18, 25-17, 25-16, on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.The Lady Falcons kept their spotless slate intact at 6-0, riding on a balanced effort from rookie sensation Abby Segui, who fired 12 points, and star hitter Shaina Nitura, who added 10 points and anchored their floor defense. Frances Mordi also provided steady scoring with 12 markers in the win.Adamson showed little mercy in the third set, quickly racing to a 14-3 advantage before sealing the match with Red Bascon’s emphatic block. Earlier, Segui and Lhouriz Tuddao combined for crucial points in the second frame to help the Falcons gain full control.

When you think of Philippine sports, ice hockey might not be the first thing that comes to mind but for BJ Imperial, it’s been his lifelong passion and purpose. Born on February 23, 1999, and a proud graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, Imperial now anchors the blue line as a defenseman for the Philippine National Ice Hockey Team.His journey into the sport began with a touch of family influence. “I first started playing ice hockey when my cousins, who grew up in the States, moved back to the Philippines when they were in college,” Imperial recalled. “I was around four or five years old then. They liked to play hockey back in the U.S., so when they came back, I just wanted to tag along.”At first, those games played on the streets were simple, playful sessions that sparked a lifelong love for the game. It wasn’t until age 12 that Imperial first laced up his skates on real ice, marking the beginning of his serious pursuit of the sport.Representing the country, he says, is a feeling like no other. “It’s something that I really take pride in, he shared. I tell my friends, I don’t think you’ve ever sung the national anthem like I have. It’s a different kind of pride when you play for your country.”That sense of pride extends to his teammates, with whom he shares a strong brotherhood forged through hard work and shared sacrifice. “Within the team, I think it’s a really close bond because you go through a lot of things together, the struggles of training, competing against other countries, and taking pride in what you’re doing,” he said.For Imperial, winning is always the goal, but it’s not the only one. “Aside from winning, I guess it’s also to encourage the next generation. We hope that hockey doesn’t stop with our team. We hope that it continues for the next generation.”When he’s not patrolling the rink or studying game tapes, Imperial trades his hockey stick for a golf club. “When I’m not playing hockey or watching hockey, I like to play golf,” he said with a smile.And for young Filipinos curious about trying ice hockey, his message is simple but heartfelt: “Don’t be intimidated. It’s a sport that’s not really famous for a tropical country, but just come out and join us.”For BJ Imperial, the ice may be cold, but his passion burns bright. A proof that even in a tropical nation, dreams can glide and goals can shine under the rink lights.

San Miguel Beermen dominated Game 4 of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals series against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 107-82, on Wednesday, June 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena.CJ Perez led the charge for the Beermen, who unleashed a 17-0 run in the deciding period to secure the win and tie the series at 2-2. Perez finished with 19 points, five rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and a block in nearly 35 minutes of action.He was followed by Juami Tiongson with 14 points and June Mar Fajardo, who added 12 markers, a game-high 19 boards, three assists, two steals, and a block to help San Miguel take the crucial victory.Three other Beermen scored in double digits, with Jericho Cruz and Rodney Brondial contributing 12 points apiece, while Don Trollano added 11.A crucial battle awaits on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where both teams aim to take a pivotal 3-2 series lead and move closer to the Finals.

Hundreds of imports have donned the colors of the second-oldest professional basketball league in the world. Still, one player has made a significant mark that stretches beyond just being a team’s reinforcement.Justin Brownlee already established his legacy in the league, capturing the hearts of Filipino basketball enthusiasts with his versatility as a scorer and delivering standout performances every time he suited up for the Philippines.  Brownlee’s countless accolades and years of brilliance have solidified his name in the game. The Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player has displayed no signs of slowing down his gears as he is just one title away from becoming the winningest import in the league. Brownlee is expected to essay another blood-pumping performance as he and the Gin Kings seek to subdue the defending champions of last year’s conference with flying colors.His age was also never a hindrance to keeping his engines running and expanding his plum collection.

National University continued its strong run in the UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament, securing victories in both the men’s and women’s divisions against Adamson University on Wednesday, March 12, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.The NU Lady Bulldogs maintained their unbeaten record, cruising past the Lady Falcons in straight sets, 25-21, 25-23, 25-18. Now at 6-0, they are just one win away from sweeping the first round, with a finals rematch against University of Santo Tomas set for Sunday, March 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.  Alyssa Solomon led the charge with 22 points, while Vange Alinsug and Bella Belen added valuable contributions. Alinsug registered 12 markers, four receptions, and two digs, while Belen tallied nine points, 12 digs, and five receptions.Despite Adamson taking a 20-16 lead in the second set, NU’s composure prevailed, with Solomon and Alinsug sparking a late comeback. The Lady Bulldogs then dominated the third set, closing the match with a 7-1 finishing run led by two-time MVP Belen, Solomon, and Alinsug.

The University of the Philippines (UP) capped off the UAAP Season 87 first round with crucial victories in both men’s and women’s volleyball, overcoming Adamson University’s standout performances at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 16.

ZUS Coffee kept their momentum alive, logging its second victory against winless Galeries Tower, 25-22, 25-16, 25-19, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, November 28.The Thunderbelles achieved their first-ever sweep since entering the league in the 2024 season with this victory.ZUS Coffee, once a consistent bottom-dweller, is currently tied for fourth position alongside Petro Gazz, Akari, Chery Tiggo, and Choco Mucho, all of whom have identical 2-1 records.

The Pilipinas Aguilas captured the inaugural Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) championship after dismantling the UST Growling Tigresses in a thrilling do-or-die Game 3 Finals, 54-45, on Wednesday night, April 23, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.Lexi Pana led the charge for the Aguilas in the deciding game, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals. She was named the first-ever WMPBL Finals MVP.Speaking about their title-clinching performance, Pana said:“I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. Chack (Cabinbin) does a really good job being a point guard—I mean, she’s arguably the best in the Philippines. It’s really nice playing with her, and also just how my teammates focused on defense. We got the stops we needed. So, a lot of credit goes to them, not just to what I can do.”Mar Prado was also instrumental in the victory, contributing 16 markers on 7-of-13 shooting, grabbing 12 boards, while tallying three steals and three blocks. Cheska Apag had her best performance of the series, finishing with 13 points—including three triples—along with four rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

Phoenix Fuel Masters tapped the services of the dead-shot wingman from the Dominican Republic Brandone Francis to be their replacement import in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.Francis will begin his PBA journey when Phoenix faces the George King and the Blackwater Bossing on September 3 in the first game of the doubleheader at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.The longtime import for Prawira Harum Bandung in the Indonesia Basketball League or IBL who helped the team win a title last year, will replace Jayveous McKinnis as the Fuel Masters reinforcement.Supposedly, Le’Bryan Nash will be the one to replace McKinnis but he was ruled ineligible as he went over the 6-foot-6 height limit. He was measured 6’6” ⅜ by the league.Francis in town was listed 6-foot-4 in the IBL, the reason why Phoenix team is confident that he will make the cut even though he will just be measured at the PBA office a few hours before their 5:00 pm game.The new import might be familiar with some of the PBA’s current young guns as the now 29-year-old Dominican guard played against Gilas Pilipinas in the 2021 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Serbia.Now, the Dominican Republic men’s team stalwart is joining a Fuel Masters side hoping to get its first win of the conference as it is currently 0-3 in Group B.

Rookie forward Sonny Estil had an impressive first outing in the PBA, showing poise and energy for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel during the highly anticipated Manila Clasico against Magnolia last Sunday.The 11th overall pick finished with nine points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes and 41 seconds, providing a spark in Ginebra’s 80–73 loss to open the 50th Season Philippine Cup.Estil admitted that he felt the pressure of playing his first PBA game but fought to overcome it, saying the experience reminded him of his childhood days playing basketball. Having been accustomed to performing before large crowds, he still recognized that competing in the PBA felt different, given the level of talent and intensity.

Petro Gazz secured the final slot in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference semifinals after decisively sweeping feisty ZUS Coffee in a must-win Game 3 on Tuesday, March 25, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.The Angels cruised to victory with a straight-sets victory, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23.With this triumph, Petro Gazz joins defending champions Creamline, along with Choco Mucho and Akari, in the round-robin semifinals. The two teams with the best records will then advance to the best-of-three finals to determine the league champion.Despite cruising through the first two sets, Petro Gazz faced strong resistance in the third, as the young and determined Thunderbelles fought to extend the match. However, the Angels maintained their composure when it mattered most.

Cignal knocked Akari out in the quarterfinals with a 25-20, 25-11, 28-16 win, booking a semifinals slot in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour on Thursday, August 7, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.Erika Santos spearheaded the triumph, tallying 24 points built from 22 attacks, including the game-winning spike.Santos ignited the second set, erupting 11 markers, to power the HD Spikers to an 18-7 cushion. Her scoring spree paved the way for a dominant 14-point win that put Cignal on the brink of a sweep.The young opposite spiker also sealed the match with a game-winning spike that clipped Akari’s line. This came after the Chargers twice reached set point at 24-23 and 25-24, only for Chenie Tagaod to commit back-to-back attack errors. Grethcel Soltones momentarily pulled Akari level in the third at 26-all, but Tin Tiamzon’s clutch hit put Cignal at match point, 27-26.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed that the UAAP has denied the league’s request to allow graduating and one-and-done players to join the upcoming September 7 PBA Draft while still completing their collegiate eligibility.Marcial said he received a letter from UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag, who explained that the issue was thoroughly discussed by the UAAP Board of Managing Directors. “This matter involves a policy issue across all our sports programs. We are unable to favorably act on the request at this time. We must also ensure consistency in our regulations concerning student-athletes entering professional leagues,” Saguisag wrote.As a result, graduating UAAP players will have to wait another nine months before they can apply for the next PBA Draft, potentially stalling their transition to the professional ranks and affecting their career momentum.Saguisag also added that the matter would be referred to the UAAP’s sports and eligibility committees for further review and possible amendments in future seasons.In contrast, the NCAA allows its graduating players to enter the PBA Draft as long as they finish their final collegiate season before turning pro—a policy seen as more supportive of athletes’ career development.Among the UAAP standouts who could have entered this year’s draft are La Salle’s Michael Phillips, UP’s Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, and several others. With the UAAP’s decision, these prospects must now wait until next year’s draft to begin their professional journey.

Foreign reinforcements in the Premier Volleyball League are officially cleared for action after all International Transfer Certificates (ITCs) were signed and activated, paving the way for imports to suit up in the 2025 Reinforced Conference.The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) completed the endorsement process for all foreign and Filipino-American players by 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, ensuring that every team can now field its full lineup for the remainder of the tournament.

The San Miguel Beermen are just one win away from reclaiming their throne atop the PBA, taking a commanding 3-1 lead over the TNT Tropang 5G in the Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals. San Miguel powered past TNT, 105-91, Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.Jericho Cruz was the catalyst for the Beermen, exploding for 23 points—15 of them in the pivotal fourth quarter—sinking five triples. Conference Best Player June Mar Fajardo added a double-double of 15 points, 16 rebounds, plus three steals and two blocks.“The biggest factor was Game 1. It fueled our grit—you could see in our players’ eyes that they want to win. We had a bad start, but the bench brought energy and aggression. This was also the first time we really shot well from deep, and that was key,” said head coach Leo Austria.Cruz also reflected on the controversial Game 1 loss, which continues to motivate the team. “We thought we had that first game, but that’s behind us now. Boss Alfrancis Chua told me to just play my game and ignore the outside noise.”CJ Perez chipped in 16 points, five assists, and three rebounds, Don Trollano contributed 11 points, six boards, and three assists, while Marcio Lassiter added 10 points for San Miguel.The Beermen will aim to clinch the Best-of-7 series and dash TNT’s Grand Slam hopes on Wednesday, July 23, at the Araneta Coliseum.The game remained tight at 73-72 with just over eight minutes left, but Cruz drilled a crucial three to extend San Miguel’s lead. Although RR Pogoy quickly answered, Cruz and Trollano took over, pushing the Beermen ahead 84-79. Fajardo and Perez then combined for back-to-back buckets, stretching the lead to nine. TNT’s Glenn Khobuntin managed an and-one to cut the deficit to six, but that was as close as TNT would get.Jordan Heading paced TNT with 23 points and five assists, while Kelly Williams and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser scored 14 apiece. RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana added 11 each. However, nothing could stop San Miguel, as TNT dropped its third straight game after narrowly winning Game 1.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is ramping up its advocacy for youth empowerment through sports, as Chairman Patrick Gregorio is appointed Philippine National Network (PNN) Convenor for the Southeast Asia Sports and Youth Crime Prevention (SEA-SYCP) initiative.The appointment by SEA-SYCP leaders James Mapstone and Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee recognizes the PSC’s key role in advancing sports-driven youth programs across the regionMr. Edward Hayco will support Gregorio as Vice-Convenor, ensuring the roll-out of effective, sustainable programs under the SEA-SYCP umbrella.In a recent meeting with the PSC, SEA-SYCP, and partner government and private agencies, it was agreed that the Philippines will lead program planning and resource mobilization. The national steering group will align its efforts with the ASEAN Work Plan, focusing on youth development, community engagement, and crime prevention through sports.This partnership underscores sports as a powerful tool for social change—promoting discipline, teamwork, and positive youth engagement throughout Southeast Asia.