If there's a basketball referee today who belongs to the elite ranks of FIBA, it is none other than Filipino referee Glenn Cornelio.One of Cornelio's greatest aspirations is to officiate in the FIBA World Cup. Currently, he holds a FIBA Black License, allowing him to officiate both men's and women's competitions.He was also part of the recently concluded East Asia Super League (EASL) championship finals in Macau.Aside from Cornelio, five other Filipino referees are accredited by FIBA—Totie Celeste, Aaron Canete, Harry Santos, Ralph Moreto, and Christian Penaojas. However, Cornelio is the only one recognized at the elite level for the 2023-25 cycle.“My goal is to officiate in the World Cup’s main competition. In the last World Cup, I was only a reserve referee,” Cornelio said.For Cornelio, being a basketball referee is no easy task. He believes that referees must always be ready, well-prepared, and highly knowledgeable about the rules, while also maintaining top physical condition."Readiness and preparedness in terms of rule knowledge and physical conditioning should always be a referee’s mindset. Our motto is ‘learning never stops’ because basketball is constantly evolving and improving. Referees must continue studying to stay updated. Basketball knowledge and refereeing expertise should go hand in hand,” he added.Cornelio began his officiating career in 2002 during his third year in college. He later advanced to officiate in prestigious leagues such as the UAAP, NCAA, FilOil, Liga Pilipinas, PBA, and FIBA.His international experience includes officiating in the SEA Games (twice), FIBA Asia and World Cup qualifiers, the FIBA Asia Cup, BCL, WASL, ABL, EASL Final Four (twice), EASL Terrific 12, PBA 3x3 and 5x5, and the FIBA U19 World Cup.Cornelio’s journey serves as an inspiration to fellow Filipino referees who aspire to reach the highest levels of the profession.

Filipino cyclist Joseph Javiniar delivered a breakthrough performance for the Philippines at the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi, finishing second in Sprint 2 (74.1km) of the grueling 214km Stage 7.Riding for 7Eleven Cliqq Road Bike Philippines, Javiniar made his mark by joining the race’s key breakaway group — the first time a Filipino has done so since 2018. His impressive sprint earned him a podium finish behind Malaysia’s Aiman Rosli, who took first place, while Yusri Shaari settled for third.Javiniar’s achievement not only showcased Filipino cycling talent on the international stage but also marked a promising step for the national contingent in one of Asia’s toughest road races.

Mary Joy Dacoron, born on October 11, 1995, is a Filipino professional volleyball player currently playing as a middle blocker for the Petro Gazz Angels in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). Hailing from Oslob, Cebu and raised in Balamban, Dacoron has built a reputation not just as a solid presence on the court, but also as a woman of resilience, intelligence, and heart.Her journey in volleyball began when she was scouted by Fr. Max Rendon, CM, then Vice President for Finance at Adamson University, during her senior year of high school. She moved to Manila to pursue her studies and was granted an athletic scholarship. Initially aspiring to take up BS Accountancy, she eventually shifted to BSBA Financial Management due to the demands of her volleyball training.Dacoron started as a developmental player for two years with Adamson’s Team B. It was not until UAAP Season 77 that she was officially part of the women’s volleyball roster, although she spent most of that season on the bench.Her breakthrough game happened in the UAAP Season 79 under head coach Air Padda, who helped unlock her full potential. By Season 80, she was recognized as one of the top middle blockers in the league.Despite a difficult campaign in Season 81, Dacoron remained grateful for her five years with Adamson, saying, “Adamson is my life. I stayed in Adamson, so it’s already in my blood.”

A straight-set play over Chile sealed Bulgaria’s flawless run in Pool E, as the world No. 12 squad surged into the FIVB Men’s World Championship knockout rounds with a spotless 3-0 record.The Bulgarians left no doubt of their dominance, dismantling Chile, 25-17, 25-12, 25-12, on Wednesday, September 17, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. With the win, Bulgaria secured the top spot in their group and is set to face the Pool D runner-up — likely Portugal or Cuba — in the Round of 16.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has thrown its full support behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for a healthier, more active citizenry by officially opening its track and field facilities to the public—free of charge.This initiative follows the President’s remarks during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28, where he raised concern over the increasing weight among Filipinos aged 20 and above. Marcos urged the public to engage in physical activities and called on local government units (LGUs) to revitalize public spaces such as parks and plazas to encourage outdoor movement.“Let’s promote the organization of games, sports leagues, fun runs, fun walks, as well as aerobics and Zumba sessions,” said Marcos. He also announced plans to implement “car-free Sundays” in more cities, expanding on similar programs already in place in parts of Metro Manila.

The NLEX Road Warriors claimed their third consecutive win over Hong Kong Eastern, 94-76, to secure at least a playoff for a quarterfinals spot in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.The Road Warriors claimed the victory over the slumping guest team during their Chinese New Year faceoff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to finish with a 6-6 win-loss slate, in the process, ultimately eliminating traditional powerhouse San Miguel Beermen from playoff contention.Import Mike Watkins erupted a conference-high 41 points on top of 14 rebounds and two blocks.

Famed boxing trainer and Hall of Famer Tommy Brooks passed away at the age of 71 on Tuesday, July 29, after a long battle with cancer. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised in San Diego, Brooks began his boxing journey with mentors Archie Moore and Eddie Futch before serving in the United States Air Force.“Got more bad news a little while ago. It was just confirmed by his family that esteemed boxing trainer Tommy Brooks died tonight, after having fought a very aggressive cancer. Too young.” DiBella wrote on X.As an amateur, Brooks captured the AAU national middleweight title in 1975, defeating Tom Sullivan and a young Michael Spinks, and went on to win a U.S. national title. He turned professional in 1977, finishing with a 7-3 record.Brooks found his true calling as a trainer, working alongside legendary figures Lou Duva and George Benton. Over his illustrious career, he trained some of boxing’s biggest names, including Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, the Klitschko brothers, Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor, Mike McCallum, Vinny Pazienza, Charles Murray, David Price, and many others.He is survived by his wife Donna (Duva), sons Brian, Marlon, and Jonathan, and daughter Cassandra, as well as her husband, boxing trainer Shaun George. Funeral services will be announced in Georgia and New Jersey.Rest in peace, Tommy Brooks—a true legend in the world of boxing.

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.

The San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags are once again entering a new NCAA season under a different mentor, continuing a cycle of transition that has defined the program in recent years.After Egay Macaraya’s stint in Seasons 97 and 98, followed by John Kallos in Season 99 and Arvin Bonleon in Season 100, the Stags now turn to former PBA guard Rob Labagala as their head coach. Labagala has emphasized patience and steady growth, saying that the Stags will focus on building their foundation step by step.Despite the coaching carousel, the Golden Stags still have reliable leaders in Paeng Are, their explosive guard, and TJ Felebrico, a Mythical Team member who has been instrumental in holding the squad together. Both veterans are expected to anchor the team’s attack and provide stability in the midst of change.Adding excitement are several promising newcomers. Jhuniel dela Rama and Ian Cuajao, standouts from the juniors division, bring youthful energy and untapped potential. Fans will also see a familiar surname return to the collegiate ranks in Jaime Gomez de Liaño, the younger brother of pros Javi and Juan, who is set to carve his own path in the NCAA. Supporting them are Matt Acosta, Jerover Cabilla, Clarence Cruz, Markus Dimaunahan, Ralph Gabbat, Axcel Kitane, Jose Andre Lumanag, Gabriel Nepacena, Thomas Pillado, Harold Ricio, Vincent Segovia, and Leonardo Velasco.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the Gilas Pilipinas national team are in a holding pattern as they await word from FIBA regarding the status of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, originally slated to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17.The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Gilas Pilipinas are awaiting word from FIBA officials if the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 will push through in Jeddah as there is a tension rising between Iran and Israel.The tournament’s staging is now uncertain amid growing tensions in the Middle East, particularly the escalating conflict involving Iran and Israel. With safety concerns looming, national federations and participating teams are left in a state of limbo, including the Philippines, which is among the 16 teams set to compete.

Chezka Centeno started playing billiards at the age of five, and her potential was discovered at eight when she competed in local tournaments in her family's hometown.At age 11, she began participating in the Philippine National Games. A year later, she was invited to the Kremlin Cup in Russia, where she finished in the top 32.In 2014, Centeno competed in the Asian Junior Championship and won first place in the girls' singles category.The following year, she claimed the gold medal in the nine-ball women's singles at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, defeating fellow Filipina Rubilen Amit in the final.

The Northport Batang Pier exhibited steady resolve as they nailed their first win against Ginebra in five years following a thrilling 119-116 victory on Wednesday, January 8, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.The Batang Pier maintained their lead in the rankings, hiking a 7-1 win-loss record, demonstrating the kind of resolute effort typically seen by traditional contenders.

When Jann So Tiong first stepped onto the ice, it was not competition that greeted him, it was curiosity. What began as a casual public skating session with his parents soon turned into a lifelong passion.“We happened to run into one of my mom’s college friends whose son played ice hockey,” he recalled. “They let me try it, and I just soon grew to love it.”Born on February 1, 2002, Jann is a solid defenseman for the Philippine Ice Hockey Team. What drives him most is not personal glory, but the privilege of representing his country on the international stage.“In one word, it’s honor,” he said. “You don’t always get the opportunity to represent your country. I take so much pride and honor in playing for the Philippines.”For the University of Santo Tomas product, the team is not just a group of athletes, it is family.“We are all different in terms of age,” he explained. “There are older ones we look up to like kuyas, and younger ones too. Our coaches and team manager are like fathers or titos.”The family-like bond goes beyond camaraderie; it was built on accountability and respect. “Even the younger ones can call out the older ones if something’s wrong,” he said. “We keep each other accountable, whether it’s about discipline or teamwork.”This close-knit culture, he believes, is what fuels the team’s growth and strengthens their unity on ice.As one of the national team’s rising defensive anchors, Jann has his eyes set on both personal and team achievements. “Of course, I want to help the country move up divisions in our world championship ranking,” he shared. “And I want to bring pride to the Philippines by winning medals, whether in the SEA Games or other tournaments.”Individual recognition would be nice, he admitted, but it is not his main goal. “I’d rather get a gold medal for the country than any personal award,” the San Juan native said, reflecting his team-first mindset.Outside of hockey, Jann enjoys a grounded, family-oriented life. “When I’m not at the rink, I’m either working out or spending time with my family,” he said. “I also like trying different things—new food, new activities. I just like experiencing new things.”His passion for the game, however, always shines through. When asked what message he would give to anyone curious about hockey, his response was simple and inspiring:“It can be scary at the start, since you’re on skates and on ice, but if you give it a try, you’ll like it. It’s something you don’t see every day, and once you try it, you’ll realize it’s easier than you think.”From a young skater in San Juan to a national team defenseman, Jann So Tiong’s journey is one marked by passion, discipline, and national pride. His story reflects the heart of Philippine ice hockey itself, tight-knit, resilient, and always ready to defend the country’s colors with pride. 

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.

On March 25, 2025, the Philippines men's football team will play its first home game against the Maldives in a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier at New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.Since Rizal Memorial Stadium remains under renovation, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has adeptly organized the event at New Clark City Athletics Stadium, ensuring a top-tier experience for both players and fans.It will be the first time the national football team plays at New Clark City Athletics Stadium, though the venue previously hosted two matches of the Philippines Football League in 2022.The Philippine men's football team begins its campaign to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 following its successful run in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, where the country reached the semifinals for the first time since 2018.Meanwhile, the Maldives, an island nation with a population of approximately 500,000, considers football its most popular sport.The country's passion for football is evident through its competitive Dhivehi Premier League, which features top clubs like Maziya, the reigning champions with five titles.The Maldives will also face Tajikistan and Timor-Leste in the qualifiers, now in its third and final round, where the top teams from each of the six groups qualify for the Asian Cup.The Philippines enters this match as the clear favorite, boasting a strong squad and the advantage of playing on home turf. A victory would significantly enhance their prospects of securing a spot in the AFC Asian Cup 2027, one of Asia's most prestigious football tournaments.

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.”

The Arellano University Chiefs are heading into NCAA Season 101 with a sense of renewal, putting their trust in team chemistry and the continuity of their core group.After finishing 7-11 (7th place) in Season 100, the Chiefs know they have a ground to cover, but with a more seasoned lineup and improved unity, they believe they can break deeper into the postseason picture. Third-year head coach Chico Manabat retains the bulk of his key players. Mainstays Basti Valencia, T-Mc Ongotan, Maverick Vinoya, and Ernjay Geronimo return with valuable experience, while CJ Libang is expected to fill the void left by the departure of defensive anchor Lorenz Capulong. Surrounding them is a deep pool of contributors, Renzo Abiera, Anthony Borromeo, Leyton Buenaventura, Yuan Camay, Anjord Cabotaje, Dominic Dayrit, Girbaud Demetria, Joseph Hernal, Matthew Langit, Dre Miller, Andrei Acop, Kyle Anama, and Joseph Espiritu, all hungry to make their mark.Season 101 introduces a fresh structure: teams are split into two groups, with the top three from each side advancing to the crossover quarterfinals. The top two squads earn the luxury of a twice-to-beat advantage.Arellano landed in Group A together with Lyceum, Mapúa, San Sebastian, and Perpetual. Every game in this grouping is expected to be tightly contested, meaning the Chiefs can’t afford slow starts or wasted opportunities.The Chiefs have shown flashes of promise before, stealing wins against heavyweights like San Beda, Lyceum, and College of Saint Benilde last season. Now, they must turn those isolated victories into consistent results. 

Unbeaten Filipino middleweight contender Weljon Mindoro is keeping the door open to representing the Philippines in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games — a move he and his team consider a great honor.Mindoro, alongside handlers Gerry Balmes and Orly Barcelango, are awaiting official communication from the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) or the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to formalize his inclusion.During Monday’s presentation of the 3rd Asian Youth Games medalists, POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino mentioned Mindoro’s possible addition to the national boxing lineup.“Wala naman kaming ihi-hindi. Sa tingin ko mas maganda kung maging pormal na lang yung pagmi-meeting diyan,” said Barcelango during the PSA Forum. “Hindi namin ipagdadamot si Weljon dahil isang karangalan yun makapagsilbi para sa bayan.”A native of Zamboanga del Sur, Mindoro previously competed in Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa, but never made it to the national team. Competing in the SEA Games, he said, would be a dream come true.“Excited ako diyan na makalaban sa SEA Games. Kung manalo ako sa SEA Games, mas maganda kung makalaban ako sa Olympics,” he added.Mindoro and his team are set to train in Japan for stronger sparring partners. Trainer Joven Jimenez and former champion Jerwin Ancajas have also expressed support for his SEA Games prospects.Mindoro recently served as a sparring partner for Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial in the Thrilla in Manila 50th Anniversary event. His team hopes he’ll soon officially join the national squad, eager to chase gold and represent the country on a bigger stage.

The East Asia Super League (EASL) has upheld Meralco’s 85-76 victory over the Taoyuan Pilots in their match held last Saturday in Ilagan, Isabela, even as the Bolts offered to replay the game in the spirit of sportsmanship.Under EASL rules, each team may enlist two world imports, one naturalized player, and one Asian heritage recruit—but only three of them can be on the court at the same time. A misunderstanding of this rule led to Meralco fielding four imports simultaneously for a total of over 9 minutes. EASL records show Meralco outscored Taoyuan 22-15 during that stretch.EASL CEO Henry Kerins stated the incident was unintentional and did not significantly impact the outcome. Both teams acknowledged the oversight, and Taoyuan accepted the result. EASL requested FIBA not to assign the same game commissioner to future matches to ensure stricter enforcement of the rule.In addition, Meralco received penalties for other violations: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was fined $2,000 for skipping pre- and post-game interviews, while coach Nenad Vucinic was fined $5,000 for unsportsmanlike gestures, with a warning of future suspension.With the ruling, Meralco’s EASL record stands at 1-2. The Bolts next face the Macau Black Bears on Saturday at the Cebu Coliseum, with all ticket proceeds going to disaster relief for Cebu and nearby provinces.The Black Bears, making their season debut, will be led by Damian Chong Qui, supported by Omar Peek Green, Torrance Watson, and Phoenix Shackelford.

Gilas Pilipinas is keenly monitoring Kai Sotto’s situation as they are facing the possibility of missing his services following an apparent left knee injury he sustained during Koshigaya Alphas’ loss to Mikawa Seahorses, 77-79, in the 2025 season of Japan B.League at Kariyashi Taiikukan Arena over the weekend.Sotto appeared to have suffered the injury after his left knee buckled awkwardly in the first quarter of the game while aiming a post-up move against Seahorses’ Zach Auguste. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is hoping there is no major damage to the knee of the 7-foot-3 Gilas center. SBP executive director Erika Dy stated that they cannot make any conclusions about his status as they are awaiting the result of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on Sotto.In response to questions about the potential effect on the squad, Gilas head coach Tim Cone confirmed that Japeth Aguilar would be prepared to take Sotto's place if he couldn't play.“Well, that’s why we have Japeth. Japeth is there to replace any of the bigs that we have. And if you can tell me there’s another big (one) out there that matches Japeth’s size and ability, then I’ll be happy to look at him,” Cone said.