Farm Fresh snapped Capital1’s three-game winning streak to keep its quarterfinals hopes alive in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Thursday, August 15, at PhilSports Arena.The Foxies bowed to Cignal and PLDT in their last two games but bounced back with a straight set, 25-17, 25-23, 25-20, victory against the Solar Spikers.

Alas Pilipinas Men emerged with a historic achievement by seizing a bronze medal in the first leg of the 2024 Southeast Asian Volleyball League (SEA V.League) after losing to Thailand on Sunday, August 18, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Despite Alas taking a three-set beating to the Thais, enduring a  26-28, 14-25, 16-25 loss, it is a first podium finish for the Philippine men’s volleyball team since finishing fourth place in their 2022 and 2023 appearance in the tournament. The Filipinos, who were missing the services of team captain and season outside hitter Bryan Bagunas, ended the opening leg at 1-2 while the Thais nabbed the gold after an unblemished record of 3-0.Indonesia, meanwhile, seized the silver after winning back-to-back golds in the 2023 edition.Noel Kampton, who filled in the shoes for the injured Bagunas, paced Alas and produced 10 points. Leo Ordiales and Michaelo Buddin each posted seven markers in the loss. Aside from the third-place finish, Buddin took home the second Best Outside Spiker award, while Kim Malabunga was named second Best Middle Blocker in the first leg.Opposite hitter Bhinijdee Napadet and middle blocker Nilsawai Kissada led the way for the Thais with 14 points apiece while Phanram Anurak chipped in 13 markers as they copped their first-ever SEA V.League title.

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala continued her quest for a spot in the US Open main draw as she notched a historic upset to move onto the third round of the qualifiers.World No. 148 Eala overcame No. 99 Nurua Parrizas-Diaz from Spain in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5, to keep her hopes alive. Eala now moves on to face 61st-ranked Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania in the third round of the qualifiers on Friday, August 23. The 19-year-old Eala aims to make it to her first Grand Slam main draw after missing the French Open and Wimbledon with stinging setbacks in the qualifying finals. 

Eight-time MVP, June Mar Fajardo scored 34 points and grabbed 24 rebounds to lead the way for San Miguel Beermen’s close victory against Phoenix Fuel Masters, 111-107 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, August 21.‘The Kraken’ might have had a monstrous game but the battle of the two teams was tough especially in the end game where the SMB needed a dagger four-point shot from CJ Perez to have enough cushion in claiming the victory.Phoenix put up a gallant fight and pulled even at 99-all after RJ Jazul made a three-point basket entering the last two minutes of play.Then, JMF grabbed three offensive boards against three Phoenix defenders to start a five-point swing.After a few sequences, the Beermen’s lead was trimmed to one at 105-106 after the three free throws were sunk by Jason Perkins who finished the game with 18 points.Then, Perez dagger 4-ball came into the picture to give SMB some breathing room as it gave them a two-possession lead.At 107-110, the Fuel Masters still had a chance to steal the game when Ricci Rivero tried to score from the 27-foot-line but missed the target. Fajardo closed out the scoring with a split from the free throw line.SMB import Jordan Adams scored 24 points and snared nine rebounds in his PBA debut while Phoenix reinforcement Jayveous McKinnis put up 13.

The University of the East joins DLSU and Ateneo as the first three schools which will bag home a UAAP esports title.This, after the UE Zenith Warriors defeated University of Santo Tomas (UST)’s Teletigers Esports Club in a sweeping 2-0 victory on Wednesday at Hyundai Hall, Arete Ateneo in Quezon City. That wrapped up the league's inaugural Esports tournament, where Ateneo earlier ruled the NBA2K24 while De La Salle topped VALORANT.Despite a rocky start in the group stages, UE’s playing coach, Arohn Jen Cabigting, expressed confidence, especially during the championship match.

Filipino-American swimmer Gian Santos exhibited superb performances during the first Philippine Aquatics Inc. National Trials over the weekend at the Teofilo Ildefonso swimming pool in Rizal Memorial Aquatics Center.Santos, an incoming freshman at the Columbia University in New York City, displayed impressive forms as he swept multiple gold medals, set two new junior national records, and earned the prestigious Most Outstanding Swimmer award.His accomplishments and exceptional performances significantly strengthened his bid to join the Philippine delegation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as the trials are crucial in selecting the national swimming team that will see action in various international tournaments ahead. Santos bagged gold medals in the boys 16 to 18 class 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 200m breastroke, 200m individual medley (IM), and 400m IM.The 18-year-old promising athlete also set two new junior national records for 100m freestyle after registering a time of 0:50.70 and in the 200m breaststroke with a 2:18.30.

Filipino Olympian and pole vault star Ernest John “EJ” Obiena abruptly drew the curtains on his 2024 campaign to avoid aggravating the spine injury that has pestered him for months.Obiena, currently the third-ranked pole vaulter in the world, announced the development on Wednesday in his social media accounts, explaining that he will miss the Internationale Stadionfest or ISTAF Berlin in Germany, Weltklasse Zurich in Switzerland, and the Diamond League Final in Belgium in September after being diagnosed with a fractured L5 vertebra.

Arvin Tolentino scored his career-high 51 points in a romp made by NorthPort Batang Pier against Converge FiberXers, 135-109, on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Tolentino’s career-best broke the previous franchise record 50 points established by NorthPort’s former gunner Stanley Pringle during the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup.It was also the last 51-point production in the league since Asi Taulava had the same score back in 2004 where TNT won over Purefoods, 131-105 during the Fiesta Cup.According to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon, Allan Caidic and Rudy Distrito were the last two homegrown players to hit more than 50 points. Caidic recorded a league-high 79 points on November 21, 1991 while Distrito scored 54 in Tivoli’s 162-149 over Ginebra.Adding flavor to Tolentino’s career game was his 15-of-27 shooting from the field - 10-of-14 from two-point range and 5-of-10 from beyond the arc while nailing a perfect 16-of-16 from the stripes.The First Mythical Team Member for the 48th Season breached the 50-point barrier with 2:01 left in the fourth on a jumper from the left wing, and was replaced shortly thereafter, receiving high fives from NorthPort coaches and players.

Filipino tanker Ernie Gawilan wrapped up his third Paralympic stint as he missed out on the podium finish in the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 finals round at the Paris La Defense Arena late Monday night, September 2 (Philippine time).A medal remained elusive for the 33-year-old para swimmer after finishing sixth place with a registered time of 5:03.18.Federico Bicelli of Italy snared the gold medal with an impressive 4:38.70 finish. Andrii Trusov of Ukraine and Inaki Basiloff of Argentina clinched the silver and bronze medal after clocking 4:40.17 and 4:40.27, respectively.Gawilan became the third Filipino athlete to exit the Paralympics after para archer Agustina Bantiloc and para taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin.With Gawilan no longer in the medal contention, the Philippine delegation in the Paralympics is now down to three — Jerrold Mangliwan, who will compete in the men’s 100-meter T52, Cendy Asusano, who will contest in the women’s javelin throw F54, and Angel Otom, who will vie for gold in the 50-meter backstroke S5 and 50-meter butterfly S5.

Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala demonstrated resilience as she scored a comeback win following her failed US Open qualifying bid.The unfazed 19-year-old Eala continued her quest for international glory after drubbing Victoria Hu of United States, 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-4, in the opening round of the Women’s Tennis Professionals or WTA 2024 Guadalajara 125 Open on Tuesday, September 3 (Philippine time).The young Filipina sustained Hu’s hard serves and blew past the second-set tiebreaker before finding her rhythm in the third frame. She then held serve in the sixth to open her biggest lead of the match which she made sure not to relinquish. Eala closed out in the 10th to secure the two-hour, 40 minute win to move into the Round of 16 of the tournament. The Rafael Nadal Academy graduate will need to brace herself for a tougher challenge as her win against Hu arranged her a meet with fourth seed and world No. 99 Tatjana Maria of Germany.Eala and Maria encountered each other three times in WTA tournaments in 2023, with the German beating her in all of their previous matchups. 

Barangay Ginebra walloped NLEX, 119-91, on Tuesday to get back on winning track in the 49th Season Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.Coming from a 95-88 upset by Blackwater, Ginebra fired on all cylinders in the first half with a 60-percent clip from the field and ended it with a 63-41 lead.Stephen Holt played his best game as a Gin King, leading the team in scoring with 26 points while grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing off six assists.Maverick Ahanmisi added 20 markers for the team while Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarrientos also played their best game for the conference by producing 19 points each in helping the Gin Kings evened their record at 2-2 in Group B.Resident import Justine Brownlee put up only 13 markers in 38 minutes of play but still grabbed seven boards and dished nine dimes.

A new ruling by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) halted Jaja Santiago’s aspiration to suit up for the Japan national women’s volleyball team. Jaja Santiago, who recently acquired Japanese citizenship and now goes by the name of Minowa Sachi, is ineligible to play for Japan based on a new FIVB rule that will prevent her from transferring from another federation.Newly-elected president of Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Ramon “Tats” Suzara explained the technicalities, citing once a player suits up for one country’s national team, they can no longer do so for another nation.

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.

Calvin Oftana scored a team-high 25 points, while Kelly Williams and Jayson Castro provided veteran-smarts in TNT Tropang Giga’s 108-99 win over Meralco on Thursday night in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.The trio powered the Tropang Giga from a mere 100-97 lead into a more comfortable 106-97 cushion with 50 seconds of play remaining.Oftana’s 25 points (eight in the fourth quarter) included sinking six three-pointers, grabbing 7 rebounds and dishing off three assists.TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson also helped out by producing 22 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.Jayson Castro contributed 12 markers, four boards and four dimes, while Kelly Williams scored nine points in his 15:45 playing time, and did his usual job in the defensive end.

Filipino woodpusher Daniel Quizon earned the coveted Grandmaster title in the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at BOK Sports Hall in Budapest, Hungary on Saturday, September 14.The 20-year-old Quizon accomplished his dream of achieving the GM title after outlasting 64-year-old Grandmaster Igor Efimov in 37 moves of a King’s Indian Defense to earn two rating points needed to reach the 2500 ranking. With this feat, Quizon, who hails from Dasmariñas, Cavite, became the 17th Grandmaster of the Philippines.. The country last earned a GM was in 2011 with Oliver Barbosa and Richard Bitoon. Meanwhile in 2017, Janelle Mae Frayna became the Philippines’ first and only woman Grandmaster. 

Ateneo de Manila University narrowly escaped a late-game surge by archrival De La Salle University to triumph, 65-62, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday, September 15, at Adamson Gym.The Lady Blue Eagles built a commanding 47-29 lead early in the third quarter anchored from dominant performances of reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kacey Dela Rosa, Junize Calago, rookie Kai Oani, and Nigerian center Sarah Makanjuola.Despite ruling the period with a comfortable 51-38 cushion, a game surge in the fourth quarter helmed by Luisa San Juan ignited a comeback for the Lady Archers. 

“Super” Marcio Lassiter has become the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) all-time leader in three-points made on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Going into their game against sibling rival Barangay Ginebra, Lassiter just needed three 3-pointers to surpass Jimmy Alapag’s 1,250 record. And the SMB faithful expected that to happen.The sweet-shooting guard didn’t disappoint their fans as he reached the milestone in the first quarter alone where he drained four triples - the first two to tie the record of the “Mighty Mouse” while the third one broke it and the fourth one to set another milestone.He made another two in the second half to further etch his legacy as the best three-pointer in the first ever pay-for-play league in Asia.Lassiter finished with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting from downtown to be awarded as the Best Player of the game and tallied a new three-point record of 1,254. The game ball used in the historic feat was awarded by Commissioner Willie Marcial during half. Lassiter was joined on center stage by wife and five children.Alapag, who texted Lassiter on the eve of the game before Cio targets the historical feat, is now ranked no. 2 with 1,250 3-pointers made while the “Triggerman” Allan Caidad is at third place with 1,242.Lassiter was the fastest and most efficient to get the “three-point king” honors as he did it in only 537 games, shooting 39 percent off the arc.Caidic did it in 598 games while shooting 37 percent. Alapag, on the other hand, did it in 601 games behind 36 percent shooting.The Beermen sniper still has a chance to make a better legacy by adding more three-pointers to his name as he is still an active player and not yet announcing when he will hang his sneakers.

University of the Philippines reclaimed its winning ways after fending off Far Eastern University, 82-77, in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday, September 22, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.The win improved the Fighting Maroons’ record to a 2-2 slate, putting them tied with Ateneo de Manila University for the fourth spot in the standings.

The Blackwater Bossing exits the PBA Season 49 Governors Cup with their heads held high as they defeated the top team in their group, Rain or Shine, 113-118, on Monday, September 23, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.George King led Blackwater with his 64 points — the franchise record for most points. He was 18-of-35 from the field — 3-of-8 from four point area, 2-of-5 from the rainbow arc, and 13-of-22 from twos.King also set another franchise record by shooting 20-of-20 from the free throw line, which also tied the second all-time most foul shots made without a miss in a single game that Wes Matthews first recorded in 1991.

The Filipina woodpushers made a historic mark for the Philippines after winning the gold medal in Group B and finishing 24th overall in the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad women’s division in Budapest, Hungary. The Philippine women’s team wrapped up their campaign with Shania Mae Mendoza, Janelle Mae Frayna, Jan Jodilyn Fronda, and Ruelle Canino succeeding across all boards to grasp a 4-0 victory against the Brazilians in their final assignment.The Filipinas tied for 22nd place with 14 match points along with 14 other countries and 24th overall after tiebreaks were applied, clinching the first gold for the country in an Olympiad since 2006 Turin edition when the Philippine women’s squad of Sheerie Joey Lomibao, Catherine Pereña, Sherily Cua, and Beverly Mendoza ruled Group C. It was also the best finish since the team of Girme Fontanilla, Mila Emperado, and Ma. Cristina Santos-Fidaer placed 22nd overall in the 1988 edition in Thessaloniki, Greece.