The Philippine men’s football team opened its Merdeka Cup campaign with a loss, 1-2, against host country Malaysia on Wednesday night, September 4, at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.Jefferson Tabinas scored the nation’s first goal on its comeback appearance in the Merdeka meet since 1972. The goal gave the Philippines an early 1-0 lead but Harimau Malaya didn’t stay idle for too long as the Malaysians tied the score after a straight-away shot from Mohammad Syamer Bin Kutty Abba just outside the box in the 43rd minute.A yellow card sanctioned against new comer Matthew Baldisimo after tackling Aiman Hanapi inside the box resulted in a penalty kick in favor of Malaysia at the 73rd minute. With Safawi bin Rashid’s penalty kick landing a goal, the Malaysians successfully triumphed against the Filipino booters to achieve their first lead of the game, 2-1.The Philippines is now relegated for a third place match and will battle Tajikistan on Sunday, September 8. 

San Miguel Beer got back at NLEX with a 119-114 win that boosted its playoff chances in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday night.The Beermen brought in a new reinforcement in Sheldon Mac in lieu of Jordan Adams, but the locals carried much of the load to record a 4-2 slate in Group B.They are now tied with Barangay Ginebra at second place, behind the pacesetting Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 5-1.CJ Perez led the scoring for SMB with 24 points, together with five rebounds, while June Mar Fajardo added 17 markers and nine boards.

After an embarrassing 49-point beating from SMB, Barangay Ginebra bounced back big through a boost by RJ Abarrientos to deliver a 112-96 victory against Phoenix on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Abarrientos produced a career-high 24 points highlighted by a four-pointer and three triples, together with five rebounds and five assists to lead the Gin Kings in clinching a quarterfinals berth.Japeth Aguilar joined the fray by firing 21 points, while Scottie Thompson added 20. Justin Brownlee and Maverick Ahanmisi contributed 13 and 12, respectively to balance the scoring for the crowd-favorite team.Ginebra now has a 6-3 win-loss record, half-game behind the joint leader San Miguel and Rain or Shine which both 6-2 slates.

The Philippine’s national weightlifting team’s campaign got off to a good start fueled with Angeline Colonia’s double gold feat in the women’s 45-kilogram event of the International Weightlifting Federation World Junior Championships in Leon, Spain Thursday evening, September 19.The 17-year-old Colonia ruled the snatch after lifting 74kg before adding a silver medal in the clean and jerk with a lift of 88kg.The young Filipina athlete lifted a total of 162kg, securing her another gold medal and placing her first place ahead of Khemika Kamnoedsri of Thailand and Ioana Miron of Romania.The Philippines continues its medal hunt with Rose Jean Ramos competing next in the women’s 49-kilogram event on Friday, September 20.  

Barangay Ginebra drew first blood in its best-of-five quarterfinals series after shutting down rival Meralco, 99-92, in the PBA Season 49 Governor’s Cup on Thursday, September 26, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Justin Brownlee led the win for the Gin Kings as they survived the late rally orchestrated by the Bolts, finishing with 29 points, along with 13 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, while Scottie Thompson delivered 19 markers with five boards, and fives dimes.

Ateneo de Manila University took advantage of shorthanded Far Eastern University, trampling the latter team, 69-53, to stay in the top four of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday, September 29, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Reigning UAAP Season 86 MVP Kacey Dela Rosa paced the Blue Eagles, delivering 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Nigerian student-athlete Sarah Makanjuola registered 17 markers and 17 boards.FEU was able to control the game by as many as 16 points before a 10-4 run in the final quarter. The pressured Blue Eagles, however, quickly found its rhythm once again by supplying a crucial three-pointer courtesy of Gracie Batongbakal, a layup from Makanjuola, and a technical free throw by Kani Oani prompting Ateneo’s lead to 22 points, with less than 2:30 remaining on the clock.

The East Asia Super League (EASL) Home and Away launches its 2024-25 season, kicking off a thrilling double-header at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, October 2.Two PBA basketball champions will banner the opening games with the reigning Commissioner’s Cup victors San Miguel Beermen will face Korean Basketball League finalist Suwon KT Sonicboom in the first game of the night, while PBA Philippine Cup winners Meralco Bolts will then take on Macau Black Bears.

The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses secured its second straight win after hammering University of the Philippines, 84-60, in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, October 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.Tacky Tacatac delivered her best performance of the season after unloading four triples to finish with 20 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter that gave UST an 84-58 cushion with 1:20 remaining on the clock.“I hope she (Tacky) continues to play well. Like they say, a shooter will always be a shooter. It will give us more space in our offense because the defenders are focused on Tacky,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said post-game.Kent Pastrana as usual sustained her outstanding performance, finishing with 21 markers, highlighted by three triples, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals to improve the Growling Tigresses record to 5-1.UST rookie Karylle Sierba recorded 11 markers, six dimes, three boards, and two deflections, while Season 85 MVP Eka Soriano chipped in five points, eight rebounds, and four steals in the winning effort. The Growling Tigresses will aim to conclude the first round on a winning note against Far Eastern University on Saturday, October 5, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. 

Japan B.League squad, Ryukyu Golden Kings survive Meralco’s power surge to get their first win in the East Asia Super League (EASL), 77-74, Wednesday night, October 16, at the Okinawa Arena, Japan.The runner-up of last year’s B.League weathered the storm that the Bolts made in the final 2:50 minutes of play.Meralco came back from a 66-77 deficit through an 8-0 run to cut down the lead to only three points with 41.7 seconds remaining.Allen Durham, who’s playing against his former team for the first time, had a chance to force the game into overtime but his attempt was swatted by Ryukyu import Victor Law.Durham finished the game with 18 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, while his fellow Bolts reinforcement DJ Kennedy produced 30 markers and 12 boards.Chris Newsome led the local unit with 18.The winning team relied on the heroics of Law, who contributed a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds.Jack Cooley, the Golden Kings other import, also got 18 markers along with seven boards, while naturalized player Alex Kirk put up 12.Ryukyu now topped Group B with a 1-0 record, while Meralco split their games to have a 1-1 team standing.The next game assignment for the Bolts will be the Busan KCC Egis of the Korean Basketball League whom they will face on November 13 at the Philsports Arena.

Stefanie Fejes and Jana Milutinovic of Australia will return to the country to defend their titles as Alas Pilipinas competes for podium spots in the 2024 Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships, which will begin on November 5 at the Nuvali Sand Courts in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.Together with 19 other women’s tandems, the Australian duo, who won the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open in April, has confirmed their attendance at the six-day competition sponsored by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation or PNVF.

Nikola Jokic's triple-double was a monster, but the Denver Nuggets needed an extra 5 minutes to beat the Brooklyn Nets 144-139 at the Barclays Center last Wednesday night (PHT).Jokic finished with 29 points, 18 rebounds, 16 assists to become the second player in NBA history to list such big numbers in a game. The first one was recorded 62 years ago by Oscar Robertson, and having it done twice in 1962.Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon also scored 24 points each, while Russell Westbrook scored 22 markers and 5 assists off the bench for Denver.The Nuggets erased a 17-point deficit in the second quarter, leaving it 124-121 in the final 33 seconds of regulation before Jokic’s tip-in and Dorian Finney-Smith's split free throws to tie the game at 125-125.Cam Thomas sank the first basket of overtime for the Nets to have a 127-125 lead, but Denver scored the next eight points of the game and never let up to earn the victory.Three Brooklyn players scored 20 points or more but fell short. Dennis Schroder put up 28 markers, while Thomas had 26 and Cam Johnson 20. Nic Claxton also scored 16 points and grabbed 12 boards.Meanwhile, Ben Simmons, who’s suffering from lower back injury, was absent again for the Nets, which recorded a season-highs of 40 points in the first quarter and 72 in the first half.

The Indiana Pacers put a blemish on the NBA defending champions’ record this season when they defeated the Boston Celtics in overtime, 135-132.It seems like the Pacers will go all the way in regulation when they have erected a 24-point lead in the third quarter, but the Celtics made a surge in the fourth period and forced the game into OT.The breakdown of the Pacers in the fourth quarter just mirrored Indiana's campaign in the new season, starting with 2-3 records. But it looked like they found their groove once again in the extra minutes of play to defeat their Eastern Conference rival.Pascal Siakam hit a fadeaway to tie the game late in overtime and followed it up with a three-pointer that eventually sealed the game.Siakam finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, while Bennedict Mathurin scored a team-high 30 markers, along with 11 boards, and four dimes.Obi Toppin also helped the Pacers’ campaign with 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Tyrese Haliburton added 17 markers, six boards, and 12 dimes.Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum top scored the game with 37 points with eight rebounds, four assists and four steals. Jalen Brown and Derrick White added 25 and 23, respectively.

In a momentous turning point, ZUS Coffee claimed its first Premier Volleyball League (PVL) win after a four-set victory, 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15, over Nxled in the All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, November 19, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.The Thunderbelles at long last broke through after enduring a winless reputation since its debut in the league, ending its 20-game losing streak."We're only starting. Even at our first conference, we had a few months to train. Even though it's All-Filipino, somehow the veterans are like late additions," said ZUS Coffee head coach Jerry Yee.

Cignal overcame a second frame deficit to win the next two, 25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 25-21, against Chery Tiggo in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Thursday, November 21.Fueled by their excellent patience and strong floor defense, the HD Spikers outperformed the Crossovers in a battle of spurts to stay undefeated in two games and tied Akari and PLDT for first place on the leaderboard."Happy because the team performed well but we know that is still not what we want to happen. The good thing is, while we encountered that situation, we were able to recover," said Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos.

Jamie Danielle Nirza clinched gold in the advanced women’s individual kata at the 2024 Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines – East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Friendship Games on Wednesday, December 5, at the NCCC Mall in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.The 18-year-old Nirza, who is representing Philippines Team A, exhibited her outstanding skills to earn 36.5 total points, defeating Malaysia’ A Anisa Aira Nur who logged 36.2 for silver medal.Malaysia B’s Ameera Liew and Brunei’s Nasir Abdul completed the podium to bag the bronze medal.

The Ateneo community and local residents gathered in deep mourning as student-athlete Rene Baterbonia was laid to rest in his hometown of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.Baterbonia was buried yesterday, June 24, with emotions running high as his mother, Rovelyn, was seen overcome with grief while saying her final goodbye to her son.Family members, friends, teammates, and supporters of the young athlete came together to honor his life and celebrate his contributions both to his community and to the Ateneo de Manila University basketball program.As a final tribute, supporters lined the streets as the funeral convoy passed through, offering prayers and messages of farewell to the late athlete.His parents, siblings, relatives, and teammates attended the burial, joining the community in a solemn moment of remembrance and respect for his life and legacy.Baterbonia was interred at the newly opened Talacogon Municipal Memorial Park, becoming the first individual to be laid to rest in the cemetery.His passing leaves a deep void in the Ateneo sports community, where he is remembered not only as an athlete but also as a valued teammate and friend.  

NLEX Road Warriors survived a hard-fought battle against Terrafirma Dyip, 101-100, in the PBA Governor's Cup last night, at the Ynares Center.NLEX controlled the game in the first three quarters, not until Terrafirma attempted a comeback in the final frame. Terrafirma managed to trim their deficit by outscoring the Road Warriors 33-11, including Justin Strings' mid-range jumper to cut the lead in just one point in the 4th quarter.NLEX held their composure on defense in the final seconds, and Geo Chiu's successful offensive rebound already ran out of time to put a quality bucket, which secured the Road Warriors' victory. DeQuan Jones led his team with 30 points, while Schonny Winston and Robert Bolick added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Under new head coach Jimmy Alapag, the Road Warriors improved to 2-0 in the conference. They are scheduled to face Titan Ultra Giant Risers on July 14. 

Former Premier Volleyball League (PVL) rivals Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee will join forces as Strong Group Pilipinas for the 2026 Formosa Women's Volleyball Invitational Tournament in Taiwan from July 30 to August 2.The Philippine squad will be bannered by reigning PVL Season MVP Trisha Tubu as it takes on clubs and national selection teams from Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Hong Kong.The tournament offers Filipino volleyball players a valuable opportunity to gain international experience and measure themselves against some of Asia's top teams while representing the country on the international stage.Strong Group Athletics aims to showcase the growing strength of Philippine volleyball and bring home both pride and invaluable experience from the prestigious regional competition.

There was a time when Philippine weightlifting was defined by a single name. Today, the sport tells a much bigger story.As the country sends a 13-athlete delegation to the 2026 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Philippine weightlifting continues to demonstrate that its success extends far beyond one generation. The emergence of young stars Albert Ian Delos Santos, Alexsandra Ann Diaz, Jhodie Peralta, and several other rising lifters reflects a program steadily producing athletes capable of competing—and winning—on the international stage.The team's campaign comes with high expectations, and for good reason.Delos Santos enters the continental championships as one of the country's brightest prospects after capturing the gold medal in the 71-kilogram division at the IWF Junior World Championships in Egypt earlier this year. His campaign was highlighted by a world-record performance in the clean and jerk, cementing his status among the world's elite junior lifters.Meanwhile, 15-year-old Alexsandra Ann Diaz continues to establish herself as one of the sport's fastest-rising stars. Fresh from a spectacular performance at the IWF World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Cali, Colombia, Diaz claimed three gold medals while setting two world records in the girls' 48-kilogram division.Although she carries the Diaz surname and is the niece of Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz, Alexsandra is steadily proving that her accomplishments belong to her alone. Her rapid rise through the international ranks is the product of discipline, preparation, and consistent excellence on the platform.Another key member of the Philippine contingent is Jhodie Peralta, who continues to build on her own international credentials. Having already earned a silver medal at the world level, Peralta adds further depth to a Philippine squad that is no longer dependent on a handful of standout performers.Perhaps the most encouraging development is the overall strength of the delegation.Instead of relying on one or two elite athletes, the Philippines now boasts a growing pool of young lifters capable of challenging for medals across multiple weight categories. This reflects years of investment in grassroots development, improved coaching, and increased opportunities for international competition.Sustained excellence in any sport is built on continuity. Developing young athletes, exposing them to world-class competition, and providing them with the resources to improve creates a foundation that extends beyond individual success. Philippine weightlifting appears to be following that blueprint.International tournaments such as the Asian Youth and Junior Championships serve as more than medal opportunities. They are vital stepping stones toward future appearances at the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, World Championships, and ultimately the Olympic Games.For many members of this squad, Tashkent represents another opportunity to gain valuable experience while continuing to test themselves against Asia's strongest weightlifting nations.As Philippine weightlifting enters a new era, the narrative has evolved from celebrating a single trailblazer to recognizing an expanding roster of world-class talents. Delos Santos, Diaz, Peralta, and their teammates symbolize a program that is no longer built around one champion but around a sustainable pipeline of elite athletes.The future of Philippine weightlifting is no longer a distant promise—it is already taking shape. With continued support, consistent development, and unwavering belief in the country's young lifters, the Philippines is positioning itself to remain a force in international weightlifting for years to come.If your goal is publication, this version reads like a feature from a national sports section, blending factual reporting with analysis while maintaining a polished journalistic tone.

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