Hidilyn Diaz, the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist is coming to the French capital, not as an athlete, but as a member of the International Weightlifting Federation Athletes’ Commission.Her arrival to the Games was confirmed by the Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Dicky Bachmann on Tuesday, July 30.“She is arriving either on August 3 or August 4,” said Bachmann in a text message, adding that Diaz’s arrival would be a great source of inspiration for other Filipino athletes who are still vying for the Olympic medal, including her fellow weightlifters Elreen Ando, John Ceniza and Vanessa Sarno.“Her presence will definitely add much-needed inspiration to all our athletes competing in the Summer Games,” added Bachmann.The Zamboanga native Diaz, who captured the country’s first Olympic gold medal during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, remains a towering figure in Philippine sports as her feat became a shining moment for the nation.Marking a new chapter in her journey to develop future champions, Diaz inaugurated her weightlifting academy, HD Weightlifting Academy, in Jalajala, Rizal on July 26, the third-year anniversary of her golden conquest in the Tokyo games.

When pain struck in the midst of his Olympic debut, weightlifter John Ceniza was not able to continue his fight for the country because of a shoulder injury that took control over him. With this, Ceniza failed to make a lift in the snatch portion during Wednesday’s competition at the South Paris Arena. The 26 year-old  broke into tears because he failed thrice to lift 125 kg. in the men's 61 kg division and was officially marked a DNF (Did not Finish) in the event. Ceniza was the first to bow out in the 12 man competition.  According to Ceniza, it's hard on his part to compete when you haven't recovered yet. “Mahirap. Sa injury ko eh. Tatak kasi sa utak na may injury ka. Mahirap i-compete na 'di ka pa nakarecover, (It’s hard. With my injury. It goes to my mind that I have an injury. It’s hard to compete when you are not yet fully recovered),” Ceniza said.Still, the 26 year old weightlifter fought for the Philippine flag. “Pero nag-compete ako dahil sa Pilipinas. Lumalaban pa rin ako kahit may injury ako. Lumalaban pa rin ako para sa Pilipinas (But I still compete because it’s for the Philippines. I still compete even though I have an injury. I am fighting for the Philippines),” Ceniza added.Even though his mind wanted him to lift and attain the winning moment but Ceniza’s body betrayed him. Despite the loss in his Olympic debut this year, he vows to redeem himself in the L.A Olympic Games in 2028. Ceniza did not forget to give  thanks and made an apology to all the Filipinos who supported him despite his failure in the Olympics.

The National University Lady Bulldogs tripped Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights in its first game of the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.The Lady Bulldogs overcame a third-set defeat to conquer the Lady Knights, 25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 25-11.Kaye Bombita and Myrtle Escanlar spearheaded the way for NU, whose young core showed great potential and promise, despite the absence of key players Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Arah Panique, who are currently competing with Alas Pilipinas Women in the ongoing SEA V.League tournament.

Filipina golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina made significant strides in the second of four rounds in the Paris Olympics women’s individual stroke play at the Le Golf National on Thursday, August 8.Pagdanganan put up her best performance yet in Paris 2024 after firing a 3-under 69 to climb seven spots after ending the first round with a par 72. She brushed off two two bogeys in the first four holes and went on to earn four birdies, including three in the back nine with a total score of 3-under 141 through two rounds.If Pagdangan keeps her nerves and sustains her charge, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) veteran could increase the country’s medal harvest.Ardina, the other Philippine bet in the field, remained at the bottom half of the 60-woman field despite improving four places to joint 36th. She shot a par 72 as she compensated for a double bogey at the second hole with birdies at 11th and 18th for a 4-over 148.Japan’s Yuka Saso, who represented the Philippines in the 2020 Tokyo Games, struggled anew and dropped a spot to joint 47th. She went two-over-par with 74 in the second round, with a seven on a par-four 12th hole.Round 3 of the event will continue on Friday, August 9.

Eleven members of the National Masters & Senior Athletics of the Philippines are set to represent the country in the World Masters Athletics Championship 2024 in Gothenburg, Sweden on August 13 to 25.Javelin thrower Danilo Fresnido, World Masters Athletics double gold medalist, will be leading the Philippine delegation for the 12-day biennial competition.Other members of the team include John Aguilar (100m), Ben Alacar (10km road run and 5km walk), Edward Kho (400m), Ninoy Marayag (triple jump and long jump), Drolly Claravall (hammer thrown and discuss throw), Riezel Buenaventura (pole vault), Nhea Barcena (half marathon), Brenza Zinampanan (100m, 200m, and 80m hurdles), Judith Stapes (pole vault and discuss throw), and the father of Philippine Olympian EJ Obiena, Edward Obiena (pole vault and discus throw).The competition will commence on August 13, Tuesday, with three athletes competing on the first day: Staples in pole vault, Zinampan in the 100m Women’s event, and Aguilar in the 100m Men’s event.Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) director Merly Ibay will be the official accompanying the team. 

The Petro Gazz Angels soared above the Creamline Cool Smashers in a must-win Pool C match of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Tuesday, August 13, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.Petro Gazz continued to turn things around in the second round of the PVL and shot down the streaking Creamline in five sets, 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 15-12.This victory improved their win-loss record to 3-3 and increased their chances of making the quarterfinals.Cuban reinforcement Wilma Salas paced the Angels with 34 points on 33 attacks and a block apart from 17 excellent digs, while Brooke Van Sickle registered 24 markers out of 23 attacks and an ace.

Algerian Olympic Champion and boxing gold medalist  Imane Khelif including teenage gymnastics gold medalist Kaylia Nemour and bronze medalist Djamel Sedjati were welcomed with cheers at Algiers Airport on Monday. Khelif, who won the women’s 66kg boxing event once said that she had to win for her country’s women, has become center of a gender controversy during the Paris Olympics. 

The Philippine men’s national basketball team jumped from rank No. 38 to No. 34 following its success during the Olympic Qualifying Tournament last July where they upset the host team and world’s No. 6 Latvia.The Philippines and Japan were the only teams who made a leap in Asia's Top 10. The other Asian squads dropped from one to three rankings from their previous positions.Japan moved up from No. 26 to No. 21 in the world rankings following their Paris Olympics stint.Meanwhile, the other Asian Top 10 who went down from their rankings were No. 7 Australia (-2), No. 22 New Zealand (-1), No. 28 Iran (-1), No. 29 Lebanon (-1), No. 30 China (-1), No. 35 Jordan (-3), No. 53 South Korea (-3), and No. 56 Saudi Arabia (-3).  Overall, Team USA still holds the No. 1 position while the former No. 4 Serbia took the second spot after its gritty Olympic stint.Germany remained at No. 3 while Olympic host France jumped five spots to become the world’s No. 4 ranked team.Canada went two spots up to get the No. 5 position while Spain fell four places from its previous No. 2 to No. 6.Asia’s top ranked team Australia got the No. 7 spot while Argentina stayed at No.8.Gilas’ OQT victim, Latvia went three spots down to be ranked as No. 9 followed by Lithuania to complete the top 10 in the world.

The Petro Gazz Angels bolstered their quarterfinal chances in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference with a hard-fought five-set victory over the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Saturday, August 17, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.With Petro Gazz import Wilma Salas unleashing her full strength, the Angels strung together three straight wins, 22-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 16-14, to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals.The Cuban import unloaded 40 points on 36 attacks, three blocks, and an ace while also providing steady defense with 21 excellent receptions.Salas earned her nod as PVL Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of August 13 to 17 after delivering a career-high 74 points in two games against Creamline last Tuesday, August 13, and PLDT on Saturday, August 17, towing the Angels past powerhouse opponents and into a 4-3 win-loss record. She surpassed her previous best of 37 points set in 2019.

Capital1 ended the preliminaries of the 2024 Premier League Volleyball (PVL) Reinforced Conference on a high note after drubbing Galeries Towerson Tuesday, August 20, at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.The Solar Spikers morphed into a legitimate contender in the PVL after winning against the Highrisers in four sets, 25-13, 26-28, 25-22, 25-21.

PBA Champions San Miguel Beermen and Meralco Bolts will banner the Home-and-Away Season 2 of the EASL season opener on October 2 at the Mall of Asia arena.Reigning PBA Commissioner’s Cup Champions San Miguel will be going against the Korean Basketball League (KBL) runner-up Suwon KT Sonicboom, while Philippine Cup champs Meralco will face the new team Macau Black Bears as the league opens its season on Philippines soil for the very first time.The group stage is scheduled from October 2, 2024 to February 12, 2025. Then, the Final Four championship weekend will be from March 7-9, 2025. Three more playdates will be held in the country.Another double header will be played on November 13 at the PhilSports Arena. It will feature the game between the Beermen against P.League+ runner up Taoyuan Pilots while the Bolts is scheduled to take on KBL’s champion, KCC Egis.On January 15, 2025, SMB will face another new team in Hong Kong Eastern Dragons Arena while Meracl will meet the B. League runner up Ryuku Golden Kings on the 22nd in the same Pasig venue.The EASL participants will be divided into two groups: Group A will be composed of Hiroshima Dragonflies, KT Sonicboom, Taoyuan Pilots, Hong Kong Eastern, and San Miguel Beermen while Group B will have the Ryuku Golden Kings, KCC Egis, New Taipei Kings, Macau Black Bears, and the Meralco Bolts.

Capital1 reinforcement Marina Tushova claimed her third Player of the Week award in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), propelled by her record 50 points on Saturday, August 24.The powerful Russian winger delivered 47 attacks, two blocks, and a service ace, to go with 16 excellent receptions and 12 digs.She broke the all-time scoring record for the third time to earn the August 20 to 24 honor given by print and online reporters covering the PVL.Despite being responsible for a big chunk of Capital1’s success, the Solar Spikers failed to advance to the Cignal HD Spikers, 19-25, 34-36, 25-16, 25-22, 12-15, in the knockout quarterfinals of the Reinforced Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Saturday, August 24.After her record-breaking performances here in the Philippines and following Capital1’s quarterfinal exit, Tushova is headed to Azerbaijan to play for a club team there.“I already signed a contract with an Azerbaijan team,” Tushova said. “I will join them and until April I will be there. Yes, so it is my plan now. I will go to another country.”Even as she heads to another country and another club this time around, Tushova is also not ruling out a potential return to the PVL. 

Choco Mucho team captain Maddie Madayag is set to embark on a new journey after signing with Kurobe Aqua Fairies of the Japan SV.League for the 2024-25 season. It will be Madayag’s first overseas playing stint, joining outside spiker Lena Stigrot of Germany and opposite hitter Iris Scholten of the Netherlands as Kurobe’s imports. Choco Mucho has been extremely supportive of Madayag’s opportunity to play for her second professional team as an import.

The TNT Tropang Giga claimed a share of leading the Group A after overpowering the still winless Terrafirma Dyip, 107-89 in their match last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Rondae Hollis-Jefferson just shook off a nagging ankle injury to lead TNT in their win as he registered 26 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks.

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters wanted to redeem themselves after failing to sweep the first round of the elimination round when they were defeated by June Mar Fajardo’s buzzer-beating jumper in their last game.The Elasto Painters will face the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, which seek their first win of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup when they meet on Tuesday, 5pm of September 9 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Should ROS get the dub, they will have a solid hold of the lead in Group B when they recorded a 5-1 in the standings, and will be one victory ahead of coach Yeng Guaio’s target to be able to secure a spot in the crossover quarterfinal round.However, Guiao is cautious of the struggling Fuel Masters that will rely on the capabilities of their new import Brandone Francis, who averaged 39 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in his first two games in the league.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters relied on their huge fourth quarter surge to promptly get back on the winning track after defeating Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters 122-107 on Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Caelan Tiongson, Andrei Caracut and Gian Mamuyac poured out the buckets they needed while Adrian Nocum and Aaron Fuller painted their own will to lead a 24-4 run from a 95-97 deficit that gave the Elasto Painters a safe 119-101 lead, only 1:22 left.Nocum led the Elasto Painters with 16 points, partnered with a career-high 10 rebounds to notch his first career double-double while import Aaron Fuller added 16 markers and 11 boards, even though he’s buckled with foul trouble.Gian Mamuyac poured out 14 points which included back-to-back triples during their fourth quarter run. Anton Asistio and Jhonard Clarito put up 13 and 10 respectively while ROS prized rookies Tiongson and Felix Lemetti both tallied 12 points.Guiao played down the win, saying Phoenix isn't playing to its potential.

The Philippines had trouble-free opening round victories after it blanked both Aruba in the men’s division and Malawi in the women’s side via 4-0 scores in the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall in Budapest, Hungary on Wednesday, September 11.Olympiad debutants International Master Daniel Quizon and Ruelle Canino pulled off impressive results with Quizon humbling FIDE Master Juan Pablo De Mey in 35 moves of a Sicilian Dragon on top board and Canino swatting Anne Simwabe on board four in an English Opening with a 35-move win as well.Woman International Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda commanded the tournament by delivering the first triumph for the country in this Olympiad edition by defeating Tupokiwe Msukwa in 35 moves of an English on board three.Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, WIM Shania Mae Mendoza, and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Canino, and then Quizon one by one posted victories by swooping down their helpless foes. Despite having trouble with his opponent, IM Paulo Bersamina capped the momentous day by overcoming Ilya Stetsenko on board two, completing the great start for the Philippine team coached by GMs Eugene Torre and Jayson Gonzales.The Filipino woodpushers are expected to field the same set of rosters in the second round of the 11-round tournament in their bid to stay on track for a potential top 20, possibly better, finish.

Finally, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters solved the mystery on how to defeat the mighty San Miguel Beermen as they scored a 122-112 victory on Thursday night and gained a solo lead in Group B of the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Now having a 7-2 record, ROS relied heavily on import Aaron Fuller and Beau Belga to solve the puzzle by limiting June Mar Fajardo's efficiency.

University of Santo Tomas in their domination against the University of the Philippines, 84-57, in the second round of their UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday afternoon, October 14, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.The Growling Tigresses now have a 7-1 record bolstered by their fourth straight win led by their veteran guard Tacky Tacatac who finished with a game-high 23 points.

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.