The Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHINADO) conducted an Anti-Doping Education Seminar for Filipino athletes set to compete in the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games and the 13th Asian Youth Para Games.The seminar aimed to equip national athletes with essential knowledge on clean sport practices, anti-doping rules, testing procedures, and the importance of upholding integrity in competition.Present during the event were key sports leaders, including Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) President Michael Barredo, PSC Commissioner Edward Hayco, and Olympian Akiko Thompson, all emphasizing the importance of education in maintaining a fair and drug-free sporting environment.Philippine Sports Commission chair Patrick Gregorio stressed in his opening remarks the importance of this seminar as their guidance and preparation for the upcoming Olympic and Asian games before the year ends. Gregorio emphasized its strong commitment to fair play and integrity during an anti-doping education session held for national athletes on Friday.“This session is more than just a requirement—it is part of our commitment to fair play, integrity, and excellence,” PSC chair Patrick Gregorio underscores the agency’s core values as Filipino athletes prepare to compete on the regional and international stage.As the country gears up for major sporting events, PSC officials highlighted the importance of upholding clean sport principles, noting that compliance protects both the careers of athletes and the honor of the nation.“This is not just about an athlete. It is about our nation’s integrity and our success,” Gregorio emphasized, calling the anti-doping seminar a crucial step in ensuring that Filipino athletes remain aligned with global standards set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and PHINADO.Officials reminded athletes that victories achieved through prohibited means hold no value.“Don’t gamble. Don’t take a chance. Winning should be clean, fair, and come from the heart of every Filipino athlete,” Gregorio reiterated.The seminar forms part of the PSC’s continuous effort to strengthen awareness and reinforce a culture of honesty and accountability in Philippine sports.PHINADO’s initiative reinforces the country’s commitment to clean and honest sports, ensuring that every Filipino athlete represents the nation with pride, discipline, and integrity as they take on the international stage.

In a gripping Finals opener that could very well define the arc of UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws delivered a statement win, outlasting the five-peat-seeking National University (NU) Bulldogs in a five-set thriller.With a 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13 victory, the Tamaraws are now just one win away from claiming the crown—and they’ve made it clear: they want it more.The Tamaraws weren’t just sharp in execution—they played with urgency and hunger. That desperation was unmistakable in their grit and their refusal to fold, even after losing the first and third sets. FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo didn’t mince his words when explaining what pushed his team over the edge.“We were hungry,” Orcullo emphasized in Filipino. “That kind of hunger drives you to prepare and push through the toughest moments. We knew we wanted this championship, and we played like it.”This was more than just coachspeak. Orcullo’s squad backed up his words with an inspired performance. 

In a show of unity and commitment, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and the Office of the Chef de Mission (CDM) came together for a Coordination Meeting of the Task Force for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, set to take place in Thailand next year.The meeting, attended by POC Secretary General Atty. Wharton R. Chan, PSC Executive Director Atty. Guillermo B. Iroy Jr., and Chef de Mission Dr. Jose Raul Canlas, underscored the country’s collective effort to ensure smooth preparation and strong representation in the regional meet.According to the POC, the session aimed to strengthen coordination among key sports bodies and address logistical, administrative, and performance-related plans for the Filipino athletes bound for the 2025 SEA Games.“This coordination is essential to ensure that our athletes get the support and structure they need to perform at their best,” said Dr. Canlas.With a spirit of “Strength in Unity,” the collaboration signals a unified front for Team Philippines — as the nation’s top sports leaders rally behind the athletes set to bring pride and glory to the country in Thailand.

It is a new era for Philippine sports as the newly-appointed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman, John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, rolls out a revitalized roadmap for the agency. At the heart of Gregorio’s leadership are three strategic priorities: enhancing the welfare of the athletes, professionalizing sports governance and facilities management, and harnessing potential sports tourism.But the biggest takeaway from his address was a game-changing announcement: starting this August, all national athletes and national coaches will receive a Php 5,000 monthly increase in their allowance.

Unbeaten WBC top-ranked junior featherweight contender David Picasso of Mexico has officially joined forces with esteemed advisor Sean Gibbons of Knuckleheads Boxing, who also serves as COO of Manny Pacquiao’s Promotions.In a bold statement, Gibbons voiced his enthusiasm about the potential of both Picasso—set to compete on the undercard of Pacquiao’s highly anticipated return against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19—and the undisputed 122-lb champion Naoya Inoue.Gibbons emphasized that victories from both fighters could pave the way for a monumental showdown between Inoue and Picasso this December in Saudi Arabia.In addition to guiding Picasso, Gibbons also represents former champions Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and Mark Magsayo, who are featured on the Pacquiao card. He has also successfully propelled numerous fighters to world titles and defenses, including IBF 130-lb champion Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez, IBF junior bantamweight champion Willibaldo Garcia, IBF minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran, and newly crowned WBC interim flyweight champion Francisco Rodriguez.“I am genuinely thrilled to work with David Picasso. It’s a blessing to collaborate with some of the most significant names in Mexican boxing, and David is on the verge of fighting for Inoue’s belts. I am deeply committed to helping him realize his aspirations,” Gibbons stated.He also expressed gratitude to Al Haymon of Premier Boxing Champions for securing Picasso—whose impressive record stands at 31-0-1 (17 KOs)—a spot on the July 19 card following the withdrawal of another opponent.Gibbons’ remarkable history of guiding a wide array of Mexican fighters to championship glory fuels his confidence in Picasso’s future.“Inoue has only two elite challengers left in his division: Akhmadaliev and Picasso,” Gibbons noted.

Petro Gazz Angels head coach Koji Tsuzurabara is fully committed to training and nurturing young volleyball talent at the grassroots level.In an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph, Coach Tsuzurabara emphasized that the outreach event held last Tuesday, July 1, inMorong, Bataan was his own idea and initiative—aimed at discovering and developing the skills of young boys and girls interested in volleyball."This is my initiative, and I want to help these children develop their skills in playing volleyball," said Coach Tsuzurabara.He added that as long as he has the opportunity to stay in the Philippines, he is eager to contribute to grassroots volleyball development. His goal is to help these young players refine their skills so they can one day join PVL teams or even the national squad.Coach Koji also shared valuable insights on what it takes to become a successful volleyball player, emphasizing the importance of discipline, teamwork, and passion for the sport.The Japanese coach brings a visionary approach to youth development—one that emphasizes skill-building, discipline, teamwork, and above all, love for the game."Nicole Tiamzon, founder of Spike and Serve Philippines, affirmed that the outreach efforts were inspired by Coach Koji’s vision.“All of this was Coach Koji’s idea and initiative,” Tiamzon said. “He’s truly happy when he sees grassroots players in the country who are eager to learn and play volleyball.”This shared vision is the reason behind the collaboration between Spike and Serve Philippines Inc. and the Petro Gazz Angels, working together to help Volleybukid participants develop their volleyball skills and potential.“Coach Koji wants to help children like them become successful and competitive volleyball players,” Tiamzon added.She also emphasized that the current group of young players shows great promise.“These kids from Volleybukids have potential. It’s not just about the skills—we’re also teaching the coaches that values formation is equally important,” she said.Coach Tsuzurabara’s long-term vision includes developing a feeder system that connects local talent with collegiate and national-level volleyball programs. By bridging the gap between recreational and competitive play, he hopes to turn raw potential into real achievement.

NorthPort extended its campaign in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup by securing a 108-103 victory over Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 on Wednesday, March 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.After suffering blowout losses in the first three games—losing by an average of 20.6 points—the Batang Pier finally found a way to stay alive and force a Game 5 on Friday, March 7.

The Philippine women’s futsal team wrapped up its historic run at the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup with a hard-fought 5–1 match against quarterfinal-bound Argentina on Thursday night at the PhilSports Arena.Argentina came out strong with five quick goals in the opening seven minutes, but the Filipina5 showed tremendous heart—tightening their defense and refusing to concede again for the rest of the match.Isabella Bandoja delivered the highlight of the night for the home crowd, scoring on a counterattack to avoid a shutout and electrify the 2,811 fans in attendance.Despite finishing the tournament with three losses, Coach Rafa Merino’s squad earned praise for their grit, improvement, and refusal to back down on the world stage.“It’s the World Cup, they're playing in their home country so that’s more than enough motivation for the players,” Philippine coach Rafa Merino said in Spanish.Kayla Santiago, who came in as goalkeeper after the early setback, also stepped up with several crucial saves that helped stabilize the defense.Argentina topped Group A with a perfect 9 points, while the Filipina5 capped their maiden World Cup appearance with pride and valuable experience to build on for the future.World No. 6 Argentina clinched the first seat in Group A with six points after wins over Morocco (6-0) and Poland (3-2) ahead of its final group assignment against the home side.The 63rd-ranked Filipina5 are heavy underdogs, but that won’t stop them from fighting tooth and nail and aiming to upset the South American powers in front of their home crowd.With nothing to lose and everything to gain, the Filipina5 look to end their historic FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup debut with pride, heart, and the relentless drive that has defined their journey so far.“We have to try to give the best of ourselves, keep with our identity, keep with who we are,” said Merino. “There's nothing extraordinary that we can do but we play the best way we can.”

Choco Mucho hiked its winning streak to four after achieving a sweet success against Akari, 25-22, 19-25, 25-23, 25-15, in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Saturday night, February 8, at the Philsports Arena.The Flying Titans sealed the game, reestablishing their groove after the second set hiccup. Choco Mucho went into overdrive in the fourth set, after thumping Akari in a close third set, swiftly establishing an 11-4 lead thanks to the efforts of Cherry Nunag, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, and Isa Molde.Before concluding the game, the Flying Titans kept up their pace and increased their lead to 21-9.

Renowned for his sharpshooting from beyond the arc, Rendell Dela Rea aims to fuel Masters Pinoy Pilipinas Basketball's campaign in the upcoming World Masters Tournament, set for May 17-30 in Taiwan.In an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph, Dela Rea shared on what he can bring to the table when this Philippine team composed of 45 years old and above basketball players face the battle in Taipei.The sharpshooter out of Jose Rizal University (JRU) emphasized the team’s steady improvement as they familiarize themselves with Coach Arlene Rodriguez’s system.“Our camaraderie and teamwork are strengthening every day. We encourage each other and embrace our roles. We’re like brothers here—that’s our team’s advantage,” Dela Rea said in Filipino.“These practices are crucial. When we step onto the court in Taiwan, we need to be fully prepared. It would be tough to compete without proper preparation,” he added.

The UST Growling Tigers will be missing a key weapon in their UAAP Season 88 opener as star guard Forthsky Padrigao serves a one-game suspension.Padrigao is sidelined for UST’s clash against reigning champions, the UP Fighting Maroons, on Sunday, September 21, at the Quadricentennial Pavilion. His suspension stems from the two unsportsmanlike fouls he committed in last season’s Final Four matchup versus UP, where the Tigers bowed out, 78-69.

Philippine tennis star Alex Eala will kick off her preparations for the 2026 season by competing in the 2025 MGM Macau Tennis Masters, an invitational tournament slated for December 27–28 at the Macao Forum.The 20-year-old, who finished inside the WTA Top 50 this year, will join fellow WTA star Mirra Andreeva in the two-day event, which also features team captains and Grand Slam champions Li Na and Conchita Martinez. Eala and Andreeva are the only WTA players in the lineup, with one more participant yet to be announced.Eala’s appearance in Macau follows her participation with the Philippine team at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand earlier in December. She is currently enjoying a short break in the Philippines before diving into her offseason training and competitive schedule.The invitational will also showcase top ATP players, including home favorite Shang Juncheng, ATP World No. 10 Jack Draper, and Jakub Mensik, making the event a high-profile curtain-raiser ahead of the next tennis season.For Eala, the Macau Tennis Masters represents an early test against top international competition and a chance to build momentum heading into a critical 2026 campaign.

Filipina tennis player Alex Eala concluded her bid for the 2025 Australian Open after bowing to Croatia’s Jane Fett in the first round, 5-7, 2-6, on Tuesday, January 7, at Melbourne Park, Australia. Eala fell short of advancing, especially in the second set when the 27th seed Fett further exacerbated the Filipina's problems, even though she was riding high after her first-ever WTA semifinal in Canberra prior to the Aussie Open.The 19-year-old Filipina forced a 5-5 tie after rallying from a 2-5 disadvantage in the first set, but Fett broke her serve to take the lead again.

Two of the Philippines’ most prominent athletes in 2025, tennis star Alex Eala and volleyball standout Bryan Bagunas, have been selected as flag bearers for the country in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this December in Thailand.“Popularity aside, Alex and Bryan have made impacts in the global sports community, and that makes them the best choice to carry the flag in the SEA Games,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Tuesday, December 2.Eala capped her 2025 WTA season with a career-high No. 50 world ranking, highlighted by breakthrough wins over top-tier opponents. Bagunas led Alas Pilipinas in a historic run at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, including a landmark victory over nine-time African champion Egypt and a tight battle against world No. 15 Iran.The duo will front the Philippines’ 200-strong opening ceremony contingent on December 9 at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.Eala enters the SEA Games as one of the tournament favorites, standing as the highest-ranked Filipina in history and one of the top-ranked Asians alongside Indonesian contender Janice Tjen. The Philippines aims to reclaim the women’s singles gold for the first time since 1999.Bagunas, meanwhile, continues to anchor Alas Pilipinas’ push to finally break the long-standing men’s volleyball dominance of Indonesia and Thailand. The national team last reached the SEA Games podium in 2019, finishing with a silver.

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons made a strong start in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, defeating the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in four sets, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, to capture their second consecutive win at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Wednesday, February 19.This victory marked a significant improvement for UP, surpassing their one-win campaign from the previous season.Jaz Ellarina’s strong play helped FEU take a commanding 14-7 lead in the fourth set, putting them in position to force a deciding fifth set. However, the Fighting Maroons refused to give up, mounting a rally led by Kianne Olango, Joan Monares, and Kassandra Doering, which shifted the momentum and gave UP a 22-20 lead.Despite late errors from UP allowing FEU to close the gap to 24-23, Niña Ytang sealed the victory with a clever push shot that pierced through the Lady Tamaraws’ defense, securing the win after two hours and 24 minutes.

There was a time when Letran and winning were almost synonymous. The Knights made their mark in NCAA lore with dynastic brilliance, clinching championships in Seasons 95, 97, and 98, and becoming one of the most storied programs in the league.Yet recent seasons have been unkind. Across Seasons 99 and 100, Letran mustered only 10 wins from 36 elimination games, missing the Final Four in both. Now, under second-year head coach Allen Ricardo, the Knights are out to reclaim their mantle. With a blend of seasoned core players and fresh recruits, they believe they have the pieces to mount a serious title challenge.Leading the returnees are Jimboy Estrada, Kevin Santos, and Deo Cuajao, players who embody experience, grit, and institutional pride. Their leadership will be crucial in steadying the ship and setting tone in pivotal moments.The infusion of new blood is equally intriguing. Rookie guard Jonathan Manalili arrives with high expectations, while transfers Mark Denver Omega and Jun Roque bring additional depth and versatility to bolster the rotation. Also joining the fray are Peter Rosillo, Luiz Tapenio, and a group of role players including John Alejandro, Jovel Baliling, Aaro Buensalida, Lorge Gammad, Alex Gazzingan, Nat Montecillo, Edvil Mundas, Joss Poli, Syrex Silorio, and Elijah Yusi.If integration runs smoothly, the blend of maturity and fresh legs could give Letran a sharper, more adaptive roster than season’s past.