Scottie Thompson made the mistake that everyone saw.But apparently, some fans also missed everything else he did.The Gilas Pilipinas veteran became an easy target after committing a crucial five-second inbound violation with seven seconds left in the Philippines’ thrilling 82-81 win over Jordan. The error gave Jordan one final chance to steal the game—only for Kai Sotto to come up with the game-saving block.The mistake was real. The criticism is understandable.But reducing Thompson’s entire performance to one turnover? That’s where the criticism misses the bigger picture.Head coach Tim Cone knows exactly what Thompson brings, and it goes far beyond scoring.He rebounded. He chased loose balls. He defended Jordan’s best guards, including Jalen Harris and Freddy Ybrahim. More importantly, his presence helped settle Gilas after the team fell behind by a staggering 18 points, 26-8, in the first quarter.Thompson finished with a +13 efficiency, another indication of the impact that doesn't always appear in the traditional box score.As Cone put it, people tend to dismiss the “Scottie things”—the dirty work, the defense, the rebounds and the little plays that help a team win.And that may be the biggest misunderstanding about Thompson.He doesn't have to be the star to be important.Basketball isn't always about who scores the most. Sometimes, it's about who does the jobs nobody else wants to do.So yes, criticize the five-second violation.But don't let one mistake erase everything Scottie Thompson contributed to the comeback.Gilas didn't need another scorer that night. It needed a worker. And Scottie did what Scottie does.

The Philippines blasted Italy-FilCom Basketball Association, 76-49, to stay unbeaten in the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) Global Championship Challenge at the Victoria Sports Club on Wednesday, July 17.The country, represented by Davao-NTB Wolves, scored 30 points of the total 23 turnovers committed by Italy while also showing bench depth where the shock troopers produced a total of 51 points, 43 more than their opponents.The country’s Born 2004 division team also hammered its might where it scored 54 compared to only 14 from the Pinoy players based in Italy.With the win, the Philippines’ under-20 team will move on to the next round unblemished.The Philippines-Cebu, on the other hand, showcased equally impressive brilliance in the Born 2006 division as the homebased team also clinched its three-game sweep.The team, bannered by University of San Jose-Recolletos, outlasted the hapless New Zealand-Fil Nation Select NZ with a 89-35 victory,Four players delivered double figures for the Philippines with Shaun Grava anchoring the pack with 13 points, Jaylord Pepito scored 12, Gab Pasaol contributed 11 markers, while Shinrae Mansave tallied a double-double performance of 10 points and 11 boards.

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. 

National University Lady Bulldogs prevail over Ateneo Lady Blue Eagles, 82-62, to make their perfect winning record intact in the second round of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday, October 13, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.The 20-point outburst of NU was led by rookie Cielo Pagdulagan who contributed with 16 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and five steals, including a +27 rating coming off the bench. She also didn’t commit a single turnover.NU head coach Aris Dimaunhan said that the one week break that they have between the first and second round helped them prepare for this particular game as they had been given a lot of time to process and lay down their game plan.The Lady Bulldogs also capitalized the absence of Ateneo’s leading player Junzie Calago, who fouled early in the third period where they also erected their largest lead at 56-34.Aloha Betanio and May Canuto also scored 11 markers each to supplement the game of their prized-rookie Pagdulagan.On the other hand, Kacey Dela Rosa led Ateneo with her eight consecutive double-doubles by producing 22 points and 17 boards.NU will put their unblemished record on the line once again on October 20 when they face the UP Fighting Maroons at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, while the Blue Eagles will try to end their two-game losing skid against the reigning Season 86 champions UST Growling Tigresses at their own turf on October 19.

The Philippines will host the ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship to be held on November 16 to 21 at the Philsports Arena. This tourney will serve as a kick off of the Pinay 5’s one-year buildup for their stint in the grandest stage — the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s Cup in November next year that the country is also hosting.Meanwhile, Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez hopes that the hosting of this tournament in the country and the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup will inspire young Filipinos to pick up the sport.

The two teams representing the Philippines are aiming for the fifth consecutive crown in the Mobile Legends M6 World Championships to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from November 28 to December 15.Fnatic Onic PH led by coach Tony Senedrin and Aurora MLBB led by coach Aniel ‘Master the Basics’ Jiandani are the two Philippine teams that will compete in the MLBB M6 World Championship.

Ramon “Tats” Suzara was chosen as the new executive vice president (EVP) of the sport’s world governing body, the International Volleyball Federation or FIVB.He was unanimously elected president during the 39th FIVB World Congress in Porto, Portugal last week.The other EVPs are Bouchra Hajij (Morocco), Marco Tullio Teixeira (Brazil), Mark Eckert (Canada), Dula Mester (Serbia), Hugh Graham (Cook Islands), Daniel Molaodi (Botswana), Mireya Luis Hernandez (Cuba) and Hila Asanuma (Palau).Suzara also said that through his election as EVP, it will give the Philippine Volleyball benefits and will give great opportunities ahead. “It’s a great distinction and honor to be named as executive vice president of the FIVB because it will give Philippine volleyball great opportunities ahead. Not only will our national teams benefit, but the entire Philippine volleyball," Suzara said. "We are very thankful to the FIVB, former president Dr. Ary Graça, and new president Fabio Azevedo for trusting me as new FIVB executive vice president," he added. Suzara will serve as EVP for four years as he also carries out his responsibilities as Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) head and president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF). He was joined in the congress by PNVF vice president Ricky Palou, secretary-general Donaldo “Don” Caringal, and director Tonyboy Liao in Porto.Suzara presented to more than 200 members of the FIVB a comprehensive preview to the Philippines' first-time and solo hosting of the FIVB Men's World Championship from September 12 to 28 next year. 

The Gilas Pilipinas defeated New Zealand for the first-time ever, 93-89, to open the Window 2 of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifier 2025 in Mall of Asia Arena Thursday night, November 21. With the victory, Gilas has finally broken a four-game losing streak in its head-to-head against the World No. 22 squad.Gilas had a sluggish start, going down 0-8 in the opening minutes. However, they slowly climbed out of the hole and took the lead, 20-18, following a Calvin Oftana trey. Until in the remaining minutes in fourth quarter, the host got the play it needed as Chris Newsome drained an open three-pointer with 1:09 left, allowing the Philippines to extend its lead to seven.Kai Sotto finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as Justin Brownlee paced the Filipinos with 26 points, while three other Gilas players scored in double digits: Scottie Thompson (12 points), Newsome, and Dwight Ramos (11 points each). 

Converge took down Phoenix, 116-105, to post its first win streak in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Thursday, December 19, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.The FiberXers overcame an 18-point deficit in the early stages of the first period and rallied in the second half to improve their record in the standings to 4-2 to secure their first consecutive conference victory."We just stuck on. We didn't panic. We returned on how we run our system, run our offense and defense. It's nice because we have six players in double digits," said coach Franco Atienza, expressing his satisfaction with his team's effort in making a comeback.The FiberXers gradually narrowed the gap by scoring more points than the Fuel Masters. Converge eventually tasted their first lead after two free throws from Bryan Santos that placed them ahead 69-67 at 5:53 in the third session.Halfway through the fourth quarter, the FiberXers shattered any hopes of a final surge of momentum for the Fuel Master with Alec Stockton leading the 9-0 run, ending with a pair of charities courtesy of Jordan Heading, 105-94, with 3:38 left on the clock.

After 25 years of waiting, the Indiana Pacers have returned to the NBA Finals stage.The Pacers did it on Sunday, May 6 (Philippine time), when they defeated the New York Knicks in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Finals series, 125-108, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Just weeks after being appointed as head coach of the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, LA Tenorio is already making bold moves — the latest being the blockbuster Javi Gomez de Liano–Jerrick Ahanmisi trade.In the deal approved by the PBA, Gomez de Liano will now don the Magnolia jersey after previous stints with Terrafirma, the Korean Basketball League, and the Strong Group Athletics in the Jones Cup. Meanwhile, the sweet-shooting Ahanmisi will suit up for the Dyip. The trade also includes Magnolia’s second-round pick, which now belongs to Terrafirma.With the transaction complete, one question lingers: Who really won the trade?On paper and in the eyes of many analysts and fans, Magnolia appears to have the edge. Gomez de Liano offers a more complete package: size, versatility, and a well-rounded skill set.That said, Ahanmisi’s scoring potential should not be underestimated. He has the ability to heat up and take over a game when given the opportunity, a weapon that was not fully maximized under his former coach. With Terrafirma, he could rediscover that spark and become a major offensive threat.

On National Heroes’ Day, Alex Eala delivered her own brand of heroism in New York, pulling off a dramatic 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) comeback win over world No. 15 Clara Tauson of Denmark in her US Open main draw debut.The 20-year-old Filipina staged a stunning rally from 1-5 down in the deciding set, then survived a marathon tiebreak to claim her first-ever Grand Slam main draw victory—becoming the first Filipino player to achieve this milestone.“I’m super over the moon with what I was able to do today, especially coming back in the third. I’ve lost these tight tiebreaks before, so to come out on top is unforgettable,” Eala said.Eala, now ranked No. 75, next faces either Spain’s Cristina Bucsa (No. 35) or American qualifier Claire Liu, in a tough bracket stacked with top seeds like Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva, Jasmine Paolini, and Elena Rybakina.For Eala, the win was made even sweeter by the home-like energy from over 8,000 fans—family, coaches, and Filipino supporters—cheering her on at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.“I don’t have a home tournament, so having this community at the US Open made me feel at home,” she added.The thrilling win reverberated back in Manila, with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. among those celebrating Eala’s grit and history-making feat: “She’s only getting started. Congratulations Alex Eala. The entire Philippines is with you every step of the way.”From the brink of defeat to a place in history, Alex Eala’s US Open breakthrough is a win for herself and for Philippine tennis.

A full house is expected at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion when the Growling Tigers host defending champion UP Fighting Maroons in a blockbuster men’s basketball showdown on September 21, headlining the UAAP Season 88 opening weekend. 

The world No. 16 squad announced its arrival with a stunning sweep of then-No. 5 Japan in its pool play opener, setting the tone for what would become a dominant run. That upset, followed by a gritty 3-1 victory over Libya and a clinical 25-21, 25-16, 27-25 sweep of world No. 7 Canada, catapulted Turkiye to the top of Pool G.For head coach Slobodan Kovac, the mission has been clear from the beginning: to prove that Turkiye is far from ordinary. Even with qualification for the Round of 16 already secured before facing Canada, Kovac refused to let his players relax, applying relentless pressure and insisting that every match carried weight. Not just for positioning, but also for valuable ranking points.That demanding approach has rubbed off on his players, particularly opposite spiker Adis Lagumdzija. Against Canada, Lagumdzija hammered 14 points, embodying the competitive fire Kovac has instilled. The towering hitter admitted that while they expected a grueling challenge from Japan in the opener, sweeping the Asian powerhouse became the confidence boost that fueled their run through pool play.

When the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters tip off their 2025 PBA Philippine Cup campaign at the Ynares Center in Montalban, it will mark the beginning of the end for one of Philippine basketball’s most admired careers. Gabe Norwood, the heart and soul of Rain or Shine for 17 years, announced this conference will be his final run in the league—a farewell to an era defined by loyalty, leadership, and longevity.Here are five moments that shaped Norwood’s storied career:1. 2012 Governors’ Cup ChampionshipNorwood helped deliver Rain or Shine’s breakthrough PBA title, stepping up in a tense Game 7 win over B-Meg. With Paul Lee sidelined by injury, Norwood’s leadership and grit were crucial in etching the Elasto Painters’ names in league history.2. The Dunk Heard Around the World – 2014 FIBA World CupIn Seville, Spain, Norwood soared for a thunderous poster dunk over NBA veteran Luis Scola—an iconic highlight that went viral and was nominated as one of FIBA’s “Dunks of the Decade.” It captured the world’s respect for Philippine basketball.3. 2016 Commissioner’s Cup ChampionshipRain or Shine’s resilience under Norwood’s steady presence culminated in their second franchise title, overcoming adversity and four different imports to outlast Alaska in the finals.4. The 29-Point OutburstIn a do-or-die game for a semifinal slot, Norwood delivered a career-high 29 points, showcasing his ability to rise to the challenge when it mattered most—even in defeat.5. A Career of Unwavering LoyaltySeventeen years with Rain or Shine puts Norwood among the league’s most loyal players, joining the likes of Mark Caguioa and Alvin Patrimonio. Across 674 games, his stats—7.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.5 blocks—tell only part of the story. His defensive prowess, quiet leadership, and professionalism define his true legacy.As Gabe Norwood enters his farewell season, he leaves behind more than numbers and highlights—he leaves a blueprint of class, character, and what it truly means to be “All Heart.” For his team and the fans, Norwood’s final chapter is a celebration of a career built on commitment and integrity.“The journey has been nothing short of incredi­ble, I poured everything I have everything into this game and in return, it has given me more than I could ever ask for. That’s why today, I wan­na share with you all, that this upcoming Philippine Cup will be my last. One last conference, one last run, one last flight,” Norwood said. 

After wrapping up her season with a hard-fought Round-of-16 loss to Canada’s Victoria Mboko (3-6, 6-3, 6-4) at the Hong Kong Open, Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is already looking ahead — with the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) firmly in her sights.“SEA Games is in my plans. It’s definitely in my plans,” said Eala after her match in Hong Kong.The 20-year-old sensation, who has become one of the brightest young stars in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour, is expected to bring her world-class form to Team Philippines when the 33rd SEA Games take place this December in Thailand.Eala is coming off a breakthrough WTA season, highlighted by a dream semifinal run in the Miami Open, which propelled her into the top 75 in the world rankings and eventually to her career-best ranking of No. 51.“It’s really amazing. The target I had to end the year was to make the top 100 and that was kind of like pushing it. We got past it by a mile. I’m so happy with regards to next year,” said Eala. “I’m confident that my team has planned and we’ll plan accordingly and I’m here to give it my all and I’ll do my best to get better.”Her 2025 campaign also featured several historic milestones — including the Philippines’ first-ever US Open main draw victory, when she defeated Clara Tauson in the first round, and her first WTA title at the Guadalajara 125 Open.With her momentum and confidence at an all-time high, Eala’s potential SEA Games return could provide a major boost to Philippine tennis — and another chance to make history for the country.“If it were to happen, I would be so, so happy, and it’s just such a milestone for Philippine tennis. Not just obviously for me but for everybody there because growing up, we never had these kinds of tournaments. As long as I can remember, we didn’t even have a 15K in a professional international tournament, so to come in with a 125 is such a big step, and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come.”“It’s only the start, so I’m so happy with that news, even if it’s just in the talks. The fact that they took a step and we’re taking action is something I’m so proud of and excited to see evolve.” Eala added.

The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles preserved their unblemished record after staging a spectacular reverse sweep victory, 25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 25-12, 15-7, over the Akari Chargers in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Tuesday, November 4, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.Living up to their growing reputation as comeback specialists, the Thunderbelles dug deep after trailing two sets to one, flipping the momentum with a dominant fourth frame before sealing the deal in the fifth. The win pushed ZUS Coffee to a perfect 5–0 record, solidifying their grip on the top spot in Pool B.American import Anna DeBeer once again led the Thunderbelles’ fiery charge, erupting for 33 points built from 32 attacks and a block, while also anchoring the floor defense with 8 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions, earning her Player of the Game honors.Veteran opposite spiker Jovelyn Gonzaga showcased her trademark versatility, turning in an all-around outing of 11 points, 13 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions to lead the charge for the Thunderbelles. Rookie middle blocker Riza Nogales made an immediate impact off the bench, tallying 11 markers highlighted by four emphatic kill blocks that helped shift the momentum.Chinnie Arroyo continued to shine in her reserve role with 10 points, while AC Miner chipped in seven markers, delivering timely hits during ZUS Coffee’s fiery start in the decisive fifth set.Running the offense with poise, setter Cloanne Mondoñedo dished out 27 excellent sets and added four points of her own, while libero Alyssa Eroa anchored the defense with 20 excellent digs, ensuring stability in the backline.Akari, meanwhile, dropped to a 3-2 record but still secured a spot in Pool C alongside the unbeaten Thunderbelles and defending champions Creamline Cool Smashers.Despite a fiery start that saw them take control in the opening two sets, Akari faltered down the stretch, undone by 32 costly errors that proved too much to overcome.Annie Michem spearheaded the Chargers’ offense with a stellar 27-point output built on 25 attacks and two kill blocks, while also contributing 17 excellent receptions on defense. Eli Soyud followed with 15 markers, while Grethcel Soltones and Ced Domingo added 11 apiece. Soltones also anchored the floor defense with 19 excellent receptions and nine digs, providing her usual steady presence at the back.

Alas Pilipinas will head into the 2026 Asian Games without three of its biggest stars after injuries sidelined reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP Vanessa "Vanie" Gandler, veteran libero Jennifer Nierva, and rising spiker Shaina Nitura.Gandler opted to skip national team duties to focus on recovering from a lingering injury sustained after months of continuous competition, while Nierva is also undergoing rehabilitation for an injury.Nitura, meanwhile, was officially ruled out after undergoing ankle surgery. The Philippine Olympic Committee said the young standout is expected to spend around three months in rehabilitation before returning to action.The national team's injury woes were evident when Gandler and fellow MVP Erika Santos were absent from Capital1's recent friendly match against the visiting Dominican Republic squad.Adding to the challenge, two other players in the Alas Pilipinas women's pool are reportedly still undecided about joining the national team due to concerns over losing compensation from their respective club teams during national duty.Despite the setbacks, Alas Pilipinas continues its preparations with the remaining members of the training pool as it sets its sights on a strong campaign in the 20th Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.The absence of three key contributors leaves the Philippine squad with a difficult task, but the team remains determined to compete at its best on one of Asia's biggest sporting stages.

The Alas Pilipinas Boys bounced back from their opening-day defeat with a 25-22, 13-25, 25-23, 25-14 victory over Bahrain in the 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Boys’ U18 Championship on Monday at the Wuyuan River Gymnasium in Haikou, China.The win improved the Philippines to a 1-1 record in Pool B and kept its quarterfinal hopes alive. The Filipinos will face India on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in a crucial match, with the winner joining unbeaten Iran (2-0) in the next round.Only the top two teams from each of the tournament’s four pools will advance to the quarterfinals.Despite having just six weeks to prepare for the championship, head coach Oliver Balse was pleased with the team’s poise and response after Saturday’s straight-set loss to Iran.“What was different today was their confidence,” Balse said. “I’m happy with how they performed. The team was more focused, and you could see how badly they wanted to win, especially in the third set.”The Philippines regained control of the match in the pivotal third frame. After a 16-all deadlock, Alas launched a 6-4 run behind Terrence Marticion and Raphael Galapin to build a 22-20 advantage.Bahrain threatened late as Mohamed Haram sparked a 3-0 run to trim the deficit to 24-23, but a net violation handed the Philippines the set and a 2-1 lead.Alas then dominated the fourth set from start to finish, cruising to a 25-14 win to avoid a deciding fifth frame.Marticion led the Philippines with 16 points on 15 attacks and one block, while Galapin and Guerra chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.Mohamed Haram paced Bahrain with 18 points, while Nasralla Haram added 16.Bahrain will also take on Iran on Tuesday.Elsewhere in the tournament, South Korea (2-0) and Japan (1-0) lead their pool, while Saudi Arabia (0-2) and Australia (0-1) remain in pursuit. In Pool A, host China and Chinese Taipei are among the early contenders, while Pakistan strengthened its position atop Pool C with a perfect 2-0 record.

Senate Committee on Sports Chairman Senator Christopher “Bong” Go praised Filipino tennis champion Alexandra “Alex” Eala not only for her historic championship win at the 2026 Mubadala DC Open in Washington, D.C., USA, but also for giving Filipinos a reason to unite.Go said Eala’s win brought Filipinos from all walks of life together to rally behind her breakthrough victory and celebrate a defining moment for Philippine tennis, amid intense political division in the country.“Sa panahon ngayon na ang daming kaguluhan sa mundo at watak-watak ang bansa dahil sa magulong pulitika, at least for a few hours during the last few nights, nagkaisa po ang mga Pilipino,” Go said.“Filipinos from all walks of life watched every serve, every rally, and every match point, and every winning moment that brought many Filipinos to tears. Truly, Alex Eala makes us proud to be Filipinos again,” the senator declared.Go on Wednesday, August 5, manifested his co-sponsorship of a Senate resolution to congratulate Eala after she defeated World No. 3 and tournament top seed Jessica Pegula, 4–6, 6–4, 6–0, in the championship match. With the victory, Eala became the first Filipino to win a WTA Tour singles championship.“This milestone forever changed the history of Philippine tennis and further cemented her place among our nation’s greatest athletes. Every match of Alex serves as an inspiration. Alex Eala shattered a ceiling that many believed a Filipino tennis player could never reach. She is living proof that success is earned through discipline, perseverance, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in one’s dream,” he said.Go also filed Senate Resolution No. 561 commending Eala for her historic championship at the Mubadala DC Open.Prior to this, Go filed Senate Resolution No. 493 recognizing Eala’s historic Wimbledon campaign, during which she became the first Filipina to win in the women’s singles main draw and the first Filipino in the Open Era to reach the fourth round of the Grand Slam tournament.In his speech, Go recalled personally watching Eala compete at the Philippine Women’s Open at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in January. He also welcomed plans to hold the tournament again next year, saying international sporting events can strengthen both athlete development and tourism.The senator said Eala’s championship was the result of years of preparation and sacrifices that began when she was still a young athlete.“She left the comfort of home at an early age to train abroad, dedicating countless hours to practice while making sacrifices that many people never see. Behind every championship point were years of exhausting training sessions,” Go said.Go extended his congratulations to Eala’s family, coaches, the Philippine tennis community, the Philippine Tennis Association led by its president, Representative Eric Olivarez, and secretary general Mayor John Rey Tiangco, as well as the Philippine Sports Commission under Chairperson Patrick “Pato” Gregorio.“May her story continue to inspire generations of Filipinos to dream boldly, work tirelessly, and proudly raise the Philippine flag in every arena of the world,” Go concluded.