De La Salle University (DLSU) clinched the twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Final Four after a gritty four-set win over University of Santo Tomas (UST), 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 29-27, on Wednesday, April 30, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.The Lady Spikers recovered from a slow start and leaned on clutch performances in the final sets to edge out the Golden Tigresses in a tightly contested playoff for the second seed. With the win, DLSU earned the upper hand as the two squads arranged to face off again in the semifinals on Saturday, May 3.

Proving that age is just a number, Laurence Quinlivan, 90, grandfather of actress and model Hannah Quinlivan, stole the spotlight at Taiwan’s World Masters Games, not only for his athletic performance – winning one gold and two silver medals – but also for his charming sense of humor.On the opening day of the competition, May 18, Quinlivan won gold in javelin and silver in the 100m sprint in the 90+ age group.Meanwhile, Jay Chou, 46, took to Instagram Stories on May 18 to congratulate his grandfather in law, posting a photo of Quinlivan being interviewed by the media with the proud caption:“@hannah_quinlivan’s grandpa is awesome.”Hannah Quinlivan, also known as Hannah Chou, is originally from Kaohsiung, where her father once ran a tutoring center.Quinlivan is the grandfather of Chou’s wife, Hannah Quinlivan, a 31-year-old Taiwanese-Australian model and actress. Her father is Australian, while her mother is of Chinese and Korean descent.Hannah also shared a heartwarming video of her grandfather sprinting down the track, captioned:“Thank you for cheering for grandpa.”Quinlivan’s inspiring participation not only highlights the spirit of lifelong athleticism but also shines a spotlight on how sport continues to unite and uplift—across generations.

Manny Pacquiao announced that his long layoff from boxing has reignited his passion as he prepares for his world welterweight title comeback against Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas.The 46-year-old Filipino icon, returning four years after his last fight, is training with veteran coach Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.“Now I’m back, I’m hungry to fight again. I’m hungry to fight in a big fight like this—to work hard, have discipline, everything like that. I’ve missed boxing. I feel the passion, the fire in my eyes, working hard—it’s still there,” Pacquiao said.While he acknowledged that recovery now takes a bit longer, he believes his physical condition remains sharp.“I’m fast, I can move like I did before. I can run in the mountains with the young boxers, so I’m happy. I’m enjoying this training camp. There are a couple of adjustments for bodily recovery. We have to control the body, give it time to rest and recover,” he added.Pacquiao, a 12-time world champion, wouldn’t confirm if his return will be a one-off or the start of a full comeback.“It’s hard to say,” he said when asked about future bouts. “Now I’m back, so one at a time. After this fight, we can plan whatever we want. For now, I’m focused on this fight,” he emphasized.Despite some skepticism—including comments from British promoter Eddie Hearn about the risks of facing the younger Barrios—Pacquiao responded confidently: “Just watch on July 19. It will be a good fight,” he concluded.

Patrick Gregorio has officially been named the new Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), succeeding Richard Bachmann, who had held the position since early 2023.This announcement follows a directive from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who ordered Bachmann’s removal as part of a broader initiative to restructure leadership within key government agencies.Before this significant appointment, Gregorio served as President of the Philippine Rowing Association, where he earned acclaim for his dedication to athlete development, grassroots participation, and elevating international competitiveness in rowing and other Olympic sports.With extensive experience in both the private and public sectors, Gregorio is a seasoned sports executive and a respected figure in Philippine athletics. His appointment heralds a new era for the PSC, emphasizing enhanced performance, transparency, and sustainable development for Filipino athletes.As the newly instated chairman, Gregorio is expected to bolster collaborations with national sports associations, improve athlete welfare initiatives, and lead preparations for major upcoming international competitions, including the 2025 Southeast Asian Games and the 2026 Asian Games.The Philippine sports community now turns to Gregorio’s leadership, anticipating positive change as he navigates this pivotal chapter for Philippine sports.

Mark "Magnifico" Magsayo showed why he remains one of the Philippines’ brightest boxing hopes, as he earned a convincing unanimous decision win over Mexico’s Jorge Mata Cuellar in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Barrios showdown at the MGM Grand Arena.It wasn’t easy. Cuellar proved to be a rugged, resilient opponent, forcing Magsayo into a gritty 10-round battle filled with powerful exchanges. But in the end, it was the former world champion from Tagbilaran City, Bohol who came out on top.Two judges saw the fight as a 100-90 shutout, while the third scored it 98-92 — all in favor of Magsayo, who improved to 28 wins (18 by KO) against 2 losses. The win also earned him the WBC Continental Americas super featherweight title, adding momentum to his march back to world title contention.“He was tough. He took a lot of shots but kept firing back. I had to stay sharp all the way,” Magsayo said after the bout.While the scorecards suggest a dominant performance, the reality inside the ring told a tougher story. Cuellar absorbed Magsayo’s best shots — especially in the fourth round where the Filipino let loose a flurry of clean power punches — and still managed to respond with sharp counterattacks.The victory marks a successful U.S. return for Magsayo, whose last title reign came after dethroning Gary Russell Jr. in 2022 to become the WBC featherweight world champion.Now competing in the super featherweight division, Magsayo is once again on the brink of a world title shot, and Saturday’s win solidified his position in the queue.“We’re staying focused. I can’t be complacent. The goal is to be world champion again,” he said.With the win, Magsayo made it 2-0 for Filipino fighters on the Pacquiao-Barrios undercard, following Eumir Marcial’s earlier victory — a strong showing for Philippine boxing on one of its grandest nights.“Hats off to Jorge Mata, he is a tough fighter. Thank you for giving a great show to the boxing fans tonight. Big thank you to my team for all the improvements you made to me — I owe it to all of you,” Magsayo concluded.

The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has become the latest major sports body to update its policy on transgender athlete participation, joining several other organizations that have clarified or altered their rules this year. Here’s a summary of the most prominent changes:US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)The USOPC now effectively bars transgender women from competing in women’s sports, citing an obligation to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order. The USOPC oversees around 50 national governing bodies, potentially prompting rule changes at local club levels to maintain membership.International Cycling UnionEarlier this month, cycling’s global governing body banned transgender women who transitioned after male puberty from women’s races. This came after American rider Austin Killips became the first openly transgender woman to win an official cycling event in May.University of PennsylvaniaThe university modified three women’s swimming records previously held by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, settling a federal civil rights investigation and restoring records to female athletes. Thomas, who won an NCAA title in 2022, was at the center of the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict transgender participation in women’s sports.World AquaticsSwimming’s governing body announced a policy in June allowing only transgender athletes who transitioned before age 12 to compete in women’s events. They are also exploring an “open competition” category for the future.World Boxing OrganizationIn May, World Boxing mandated sex testing for all athletes in sanctioned events, referencing scrutiny around Olympic champion Imane Khelif and other elite boxers whose eligibility had been questioned.British SportsFollowing a UK Supreme Court ruling in April, the governing bodies for soccer in England and Scotland banned transgender women from women’s teams, while the England and Wales Cricket Board imposed a similar ban.World Athletics CouncilIn March, track and field’s governing body barred transgender women who underwent male puberty from international competition. New regulations on athletes with differences in sex development, such as Caster Semenya, now require six months of hormone suppression before eligibility.US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)The NCAA announced in February that women’s sports would be limited to athletes assigned female at birth, enforcing the rule immediately after Trump’s executive order. The NCAA governs over 1,100 schools and 500,000 athletes.High School SportsNebraska became the latest state in June to ban transgender girls from girls’ sports, joining at least 24 other states with similar policies. The federal government and several states have clashed over such participation rules.These policy changes reflect a global trend toward more restrictive eligibility standards for transgender athletes, often citing fairness and safety in women’s sports.

Reigning world pool champion Carlo Biado, along with Johann Chua and Bernie Regalario, advanced to the Last 64 knockout stage of the 2025 Florida Open Pool Championship at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on Wednesday, August 6.Biado continued his dominant run with a 9–4 victory over fellow Filipino Roland Garcia. Chua and Regalario both pulled off nail-biting wins—Chua edged Norway’s Emil Gangflot, and Regalario outlasted Canada’s John Morra, each prevailing with a 9–8 scoreline.Eight more Filipinos remain in contention for spots in the next stage, including Lee Vann Corteza and Marvin Asis, who are facing Finland’s Arseni Sevastyanov and Scotland’s Jayson Shaw, respectively, as of press time.Garcia, meanwhile, was relegated to the loser’s bracket, joining Jefrey Roda, Patric Gonzales, and Michael Baoanan, who also dropped their third-round matches. Roda suffered a close 9–8 loss to Greece’s Dimitris Loukatos; Gonzales fell to Vietnam’s Duong Quoc Hoang, 9–3; and Baoanan bowed to Japan’s Naoyuki Oi, 9–5.Harry Vergara, Roberto Gomez, and Miguel Salvilla are also battling to stay alive in the loser’s bracket after earlier setbacks.The tournament began with a 256-player field and continues to intensify as the competition narrows.

Defensive specialist Justine Jazareno emerged as the Philippines’ lone awardee in the second leg of the SEA V.League, earning Best Libero honor Sunday night, August 10, — her first international award.Jazareno anchored Alas Pilipinas’ streak of having at least one individual honoree alive for five straight legs of the tournament. She joined Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen (MVP and Best Opposite Spiker), Vi Thi Nhu Quynh (Best Outside Spiker), Tran Thi Bich Thuy (Best Middle Blocker), and Thailand’s Pornpun Guedpard (Best Setter), Chatchu-on Moksri (Best Outside Spiker), and Thanapan Wimonrat (Best Middle Blocker) in the list of top performers.

Vacation is over and now is the time to work hard. Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala is back on court and training hard at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain. The 20-year-old resumed practice after a shoulder injury forced her to withdraw from the Cincinnati tournament.Eala’s injury also impacted her Montreal Open campaign, where she battled valiantly but ultimately fell to Czech star Marketa Vondrousova in three sets: 6-3, 1-6, 2-6.Now ranked No. 68 in the world, Eala is determined to bounce back and make a strong showing at the upcoming US Open. Her recent rankings dip (from a career-high No. 56 in June) has only stoked her drive to rise even higher. All the best, Alex. 

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.

Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala has arrived in New York, ready to make her mark in the US Open main draw as she continues her transition from junior standout to full-time professional.Eala announced her arrival with an Instagram post from Manhattan, simply captioned: “New York, New York.” The 19-year-old secured her main-draw slot through a steady climb in the WTA rankings, highlighted by strong showings earlier this year, including an impressive run at the Miami Open.A recent shoulder injury forced Eala to withdraw from both the Cincinnati and Monterrey Opens, causing her to slip to World No. 70. Now, she’s aiming to bounce back and regain momentum in the season’s final Grand Slam.This US Open campaign marks another pivotal chapter in Eala’s budding career—as the former US Open girls’ doubles champion seeks to make her presence felt among the sport’s elite. With Filipino fans rallying behind her, she’s hoping for a breakthrough performance.The US Open kicks off on August 26, with Eala entering as an unseeded player likely to face a tough opening challenge. Still, her track record suggests she’s ready to spring a surprise on tennis’s grandest stage.

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.

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.

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao is optimistic about his newest rookie class after selecting eight players in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft. “You might get surprised by any of these guys,” Guiao said, emphasizing the group’s upside.The Elasto Painters picked UST’s Christian Manaytay (10th overall) and Letran’s Arthur Roque (12th) in the first round, then added Mark Omega, Vince Cuajao, Joshua David, Cole Micek, Kyle Tolentino, and MJ Dela Virgen in later rounds.Guiao believes the group is high on potential, even without a ready-made superstar, and is hopeful some could become Rain or Shine’s next breakout performers. “I think we do not have a ready-made superstar that will make an immediate impact, but I feel the potential of these guys is on the high side. We’re always looking for those finds and there’s an opportunity to draft these guys, see them in practice and make a decision.” Guiao explained. “Who knows, somebody there could be the next Jhonard Clarito or Adrian Nocum,” he added.The team also added veteran guard Stanley Pringle in free agency to provide leadership as they aim for a finals berth after four straight semifinal appearances.

It was a night to remember at Montano Hall in Cavite City as Stef Berberabe carved her place in Philippine basketball history, becoming the first woman to record a quadruple-double.The WMPBL star was honored in front of her hometown crowd, with WMPBL Commissioner Haydee M. Ong, league president John Kallos, and Senator Francis Tolentino leading the special tribute. The recognition underscored not only Berberabe’s personal achievement but also the growing prominence of women’s basketball in the country.Berberabe, known for her tireless energy and versatility, reflected on the significance of the milestone.“This is more than just my achievement — it’s a victory for women’s basketball,” she said. “I hope this inspires young girls to keep pushing boundaries and chasing their dreams.”Her rare feat — a testament to all-around excellence on the court — resonates beyond statistics. For fans and aspiring players alike, it symbolized the strides women’s basketball continues to make in the Philippines.The celebration at Montano Hall was not only about honoring Berberabe’s historic performance but also about envisioning a brighter, more inclusive future for the sport she represents so passionately.

The United States weathered an early storm before flexing its championship pedigree, rallying past Slovenia, 19-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-20, to book a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena.The world No. 4 Americans looked shaky at the start, falling behind 10-15 and conceding the opening set. But once they settled in, they proved too strong, reeling off three straight sets to secure the Round of 16 victory in just under two hours.Now undefeated, USA sets up a high-stakes clash with fellow unbeaten Bulgaria on Thursday for a place in the semifinals. Bulgaria earlier swept Portugal, 25-19, 25-23, 25-23, sealing its first Top 8 finish in 15 years.Opposite hitter Gabriel Garcia was unstoppable, delivering a monster performance with seven aces and a game-high 26 points built on 15 kills and four blocks. He also tallied 11 digs to anchor the Americans on both ends.Ethan Champlin and Jordan Ewert chipped in 15 and 14 points, while middle blockers Jeffrey Jendryk II and Merrick McHenry combined for 16. Team captain and playmaker Micah Christenson controlled the tempo with 39 excellent sets, while libero Erik Shoji steadied the floor defense with 11 digs.“I think we kind of needed that first-set adversity,” Christenson admitted. “Slovenia came out serving really well, as many teams tend to do against us. But we increased our service pressure, dialed in our passing, and fought off some big serves. It wasn’t the prettiest, but this team finds ways to win.”Riding momentum from their bronze medal at the Paris Olympics and hungry to end a 39-year world championship drought, the Americans showed poise under pressure. After squaring the match with a dominant 8-1 run in the second set, they never looked back, dictating the pace through aggressive serving and balanced attacking.Slovenia, the world No. 6 and a familiar Top 5 contender on the global stage, struggled to keep up in the absence of star spiker Rok Mozic, who sat out with a knee injury. Nik Mujanovic and Ziga Stern led the Slovenians with nine and eight points, but no player broke double digits in the loss.Despite the setback, Slovenia exits with pride, having reached the Round of 16 in the tournament’s largest-ever edition featuring 32 nations.

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.

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.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman John Patrick "Pato" Gregorio made a special stop in Indonesia to personally rally the Philippine team at the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, fresh off attending the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports in Hanoi.Gregorio, known for his hands-on approach, met separately with the men’s and women’s squads at Hotel Mulia, just ahead of their competitions at the Indonesia Arena. “I believe in going where our athletes compete overseas, hoping this will encourage and inspire them to do better,” said Gregorio, who previously led the Philippine Rowing Association and is a long-time supporter of national athletes.He shared with Paris Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Yulo, as well as Juancho Miguel Besana, Justine Ace de Leon, and John Ivan Cruz, that he even drove two hours from Hanoi to Haiphong to meet Pinoy rowers before flying to Jakarta. “It’s different when you see an official supporting you. It boosts your morale,” he noted.Gregorio, who witnessed Yulo’s historic Olympic double in Paris, emphasized his emotional connection to gymnastics. “You can’t sing the national anthem when you’re crying,” he recalled of Yulo’s golden moments.He also encouraged the women’s team, led by Paris Olympians Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo, plus debutants Elayza Yulo and Haylee Garcia, to use PSC’s Elite Link app to showcase their achievements and connect with potential patrons.Besides cheering on the team, Gregorio met with Indonesia’s new Sports Minister Eric Thohir to discuss a potential joint Olympic bid by Southeast Asian nations. “If the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia could co-host the FIBA World Cup, there’s no reason Southeast Asia can’t bid for the Olympics together,” he said.Gregorio returned to the Philippines Sunday night to oversee upcoming priorities, including the Batang Pinoy National Championships, which will gather 21,000 young athletes in General Santos City.

Larga Pilipinas is officially set to roll out this weekend as the country’s premier cycling race series flags off in Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Pangasinan on November 29 and 30.More than 3,000 cyclists are expected to compete in both road bike and mountain bike events across seven major categories: Pro Elite, MTB Men’s Open, Road Bike Boys 18U, Road Bike Boys 23U, Road Bike Men’s 23U, MTB Amateur Boys 18U, and the demanding Fix Gear division, where riders compete on brakeless bikes in the ultimate test of control and endurance.Larga Pilipinas president and race director Gary Role revealed during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum that organizers expect additional last-minute registrants. The event, originally scheduled for August, was postponed due to typhoons and impassable routes.The Pro Elite division has drawn 105 riders, while the MTB Men’s Open has the highest turnout with 845 participants, highlighting the nationwide excitement for the revived event.Operations and creative head Snow Badua announced an exciting addition this year—the Titan Ultra 1-on-1 Challenge, a head-to-head battle between rising star Junjun Cabadido and continental rider Marc Ryan Lago to push local cycling performance.“As part of Larga Pilipinas’ innovation and niche to be the trail blazer in Philippine cycling, we’re coming up with this one-on-one race. Paghaharapin natin sila in our bid na gawing continuous yung Titan Ultra Challenge natin. It’s an event within an event ng Larga Pilipinas.” Badua said. Stage 1 will run through the Nampicuan-to-Nampicuan course, while Stage 2 covers Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija, to the Sitio Baag Highlands in San Jose, Tarlac.Winners in all categories will receive cash prizes, medals, and trophies, with ₱20,000 going to the Titan Ultra 1-on-1 champion.