South Korean Olympic champion coach Ryu Su Jeng, renowned for steering Korea to multiple Olympic gold medals, is being hailed as “a gift to Philippine archery” as she begins her second week working with the national team.Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio endorsed Ryu during her early days training Filipino archers, calling her arrival a major turning point for the country’s archery program.Ryu’s résumé includes leading South Korea to two gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and three more at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Now, she is helping Team Philippines prepare for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, with long-term plans for the 2026 Asian Games, 2027 World Youth Archery Championships, and potentially the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.Despite offers from China and Mexico, Ryu chose the Philippines, believing the country has world-class talent. “In the SEA Games, we can win medals. Also in the Asian Games, even the gold. And in the Olympics, we can get to the quarterfinals and then, in the future, a medal,” Ryu said.Her arrival stems from close coordination between the PSC and World Archery Philippines (WAP) president Bing Reaport, who praised Ryu for building a firm foundation for long-term development.“We are very upbeat. The vision is to uplift archery in the country—new learnings, coaching skills, technical skills. What coach Ryu is doing right now is building the framework,” Reaport said. “The morale is really high. She already has a game plan for the SEA Games. Very strategic ang plans and she is happy with the progress.”Discussions are underway for a 24-month contract that may also bring in another Korean coach. Gregorio stressed that investing in excellence is necessary: “If we want to be the best, get the best. Coach Ryu is a gift to archery in the Philippines.”Filipino archers have been training seven days a week under Ryu’s demanding regimen. “In the first week of training, pinahirapan niya ang mga archers natin,” Reaport joked. “But they’re learning. Even the simple things help—the logic, discipline, focus, desire.”Gregorio described this as the start of a new era: “This is the start of rebuilding archery in the Philippines—from grassroots to the elite level. A new beginning has begun, and exciting times are ahead.”

When you talk about pioneers and pure scorers in Philippine basketball, one name always comes up—Fortunato "Atoy" Co, also known as "The Fortune Cookie."The nickname, a play on his first name “Fortunato,” was popularized by PBA commentators and fans not just because it sounded catchy—but because he delivered results, night in and night out, like a sweet fortune waiting to happen. When Crispa needed a bucket, Co was the guy who cracked the code.Born on October 15, 1951, in Pasig City, Atoy Co was already making noise before the PBA even existed. But it was in 1975, during the PBA’s inaugural season, that he formally entered the pro scene as part of the Crispa Redmanizers. And he didn’t disappoint. On April 22, in his first-ever pro game, Co dropped 34 points, leading Crispa to its first franchise win after starting 0-3.He would go on to become a vital part of Crispa’s dynasty, playing from 1975 to 1984 and helping steer the team to two Grand Slams. In 1976, he was honored with the All-Filipino Sports Award for Basketball, further cementing his place among the league’s elite.When Crispa disbanded, Co played briefly for Manila Beer (1985) and later joined Great Taste/Presto Ice Cream in 1987 and 1988, before calling it a career.Across 13 PBA seasons, Atoy Co racked up 15 championships, one MVP award (1979), and a scoring title in the same year. He was a 9-time Mythical First Team member, known for his smooth jumpers, crowd-pleasing style, and unshakable confidence on the floor.

Alex Eala ended her string of early exits in singles play as she advanced to the second round of the Prudential Hong Kong Open on Tuesday night.The 20-year-old Filipina tennis ace was leading 6-4, 2-1 when Great Britain’s Katie Boulter, last year’s runner-up, was forced to retire due to a left leg injury.With the victory, Eala booked a spot in the Round of 16, where she faces third seed and world No. 21 Victoria Mboko of Canada. The match marks a big opportunity for Eala to bounce back after suffering consecutive first-round eliminations in Guangzhou, Osaka, and Wuhan.“I’m really happy to advance to the next round. Obviously, it’s not in the way I wanted it to end,” said Eala, who wished her opponent a speedy recovery.Eala entered the WTA 250 tournament with a career-high world ranking of No. 51—a testament to her continued rise on the global tennis stage.

Alex Eala’s US Open campaign ended in the second round with a 4-6, 4-6 defeat to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa on Thursday morning (Manila time) at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.Despite strong support from Filipino fans on Court 7, the 20-year-old Filipina couldn’t build on her dramatic first-round win over world No. 14 Clara Tauson. Eala, ranked No. 75, led 4-3 in the opening set but lost momentum after a crucial forehand error, allowing the 95th-ranked Bucsa to take control and save three break points to secure the set.The second set slipped away after a 2-2 tie, as Eala’s unforced errors and a double fault proved costly. The result evened their head-to-head at 1-1, with Eala’s lone win over Bucsa coming in 2021.Despite the loss, Eala’s round-of-64 finish marks her best Grand Slam result to date, improving on earlier exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.Her breakthrough run to the US Open main draw came after a strong showing at the Miami Open, which propelled her into the WTA Top 100.Next up, Eala is slated to compete as the third seed at the WTA 250 São Paulo Open in Brazil, starting on September 8.

The Philippines women’s national football team kicked off their title defense in emphatic fashion, routing Timor-Leste, 7–0, on Thursday night at Viet Tri Stadium in the 2025 ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup.With a blend of veteran leadership and fresh talent, the Filipinas wasted no time asserting control. Just two minutes into the match, international debutant Aaliyah Schinaman found the back of the net, setting the tone for a lopsided affair.Adding two goals in the 7th and 32nd minutes, star striker Quinley Quezada made her mark. Team captain Hali Long contributed a powerful header in the ninth minute. For her dynamic performance on both ends of the pitch, Dionesa Tolentin registered a brace (57’, 64’) and was later named Player of the Match.The onslaught continued in the second half as another debutant, Adelaide Wyrzynski, scored in the 75th minute to cap the Filipinas’ emphatic win.“Overall, I think it was pretty good—the goals that we wanted to get. We definitely could have gotten more, so there’s still growing and learning. But I’m really proud of the group we put out today, and all the subs brought great energy,” said Long. With the win, the Philippines moved to the top of Group B, ahead of Myanmar, which earlier upset Australia U23, 2–1. The Filipinas will next face Australia U23 on August 10 in a crucial group-stage matchup.“We don’t take any team lightly. We’re looking forward to reviewing that match with Myanmar and seeing what results we can pull in the next game,” Long added.The Philippines are aiming to defend the title they first claimed in 2022 on home soil.

The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles carved history in Davao, clinching their first-ever franchise championship after outlasting the powerhouse De La Salle University Lady Spikers, 25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 25-23, in the finals of the 2025 Davao Invitational Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, September 7, at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gymnasium and Cultural Center.Led by Guimaras native Jovelyn Gonzaga, the Thunderbelles capped an unbeaten four-game campaign, dropping just one set throughout the week-long tilt. Gonzaga, who made her much-anticipated return after sitting out the PVL Invitational, shone brightest as she claimed both the Most Valuable Player and Best Opposite Hitter awards.ZUS Coffee’s depth also came to the fore as team captain Cloanne Mondoñedo earned the Best Setter citation, Chinnie Arroyo was named Best Outside Hitter, and promising rookie Mycah Go took home the Best Server award.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is exploring the possibility of forming a Gilas Pilipinas lineup that blends PBA pros and top collegiate talent for the upcoming 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, slated from December 9 to 20.With the PBA’s 50th season Philippine Cup deep in the elimination round by then, the PBA Board of Governors has approved the release of only a limited number of players for the SEA Games campaign.Veteran coach and Meralco consultant Norman Black is being tapped to lead the squad, pending a formal confirmation from the SBP. Black, who last coached a gold-winning SEA Games in 2011, confirmed his willingness to take on the task.

The Final Four of the East Asia Super League (EASL) will be held in Macau SAR for the first time on March 7-9 at Melco Resorts Entertainment’s Studio City Event Center.It will also mark the second Final Four of EASL using the home-and-away season format that was introduced in the previous season."Asia’s best teams will battle it out in EASL’s Final Four 2025, right here in Macau,” Chief Executive Officer Henry Kerins said. “This is the Champions League of Asian basketball with outstanding talent, prime-time action, and unmatched energy. It doesn’t get better than this.”Two teams coming from Japan's B. League already secured spots in the Final Four - The Ryuku Golden Kings clinched it first when they defeated the New Taipei Kings, 82-74, on Christmas Day, while the Hiroshima Dragonflies dominated the San Miguel Beermen on January 8.

The University of Santo Tomas punched its ticket to the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final Four after outlasting National University, 80–71, on Sunday, November 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena.Needing a win to avoid complications in the standings, the Growling Tigers delivered when it mattered most. UST drained four timely three-pointers in the fourth quarter to break away from the Bulldogs and secure the No. 3 seed heading into the playoffs. The victory improved UST’s record to 8–5, marking the program’s return to postseason contention.Gelo Crisostomo led the España squad with 13 points and five rebounds, while Mark Llemit and Amiel Acido chipped in 11 markers each. Collins Akowe added a steady double-double performance of 11 points and 11 rebounds to anchor the Tigers on both ends.UST is set to wrap up the elimination round against Far Eastern University on Wednesday, though the result will no longer affect their Final Four placement.For NU, Omar John posted 12 points and 11 boards, but the Bulldogs closed the eliminations with an 11–3 record and will regroup as they enter the next phase of the tournament.With momentum on their side, the Growling Tigers move into the semifinals eager to continue their postseason resurgence.

Jansen Rios buried a crucial three-pointer in the dying seconds of the game to give Meralco the win against Terrafirma, 96-91, on Friday night, December 6, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.The win also lifted the Bolts the share of the lead in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup team standings with NorthPort Batang Pier at 3-0.It was a grind-out battle in the crucial stage of the game until Rios hit an unmolested triple at the right corner to give the Meralco a 94-91 lead and Chris Newsome sank two free throws after Dyip's erratic plays in the final 9.4 seconds of the game.The game seemed like it would be a blowout game when the Bolts erected a 67-51 lead in the third quarter but Terrafirma showed resiliency and even tied the game at 91-all with 1:05 left in the fourth and final period.Meralco coach Luigi Trillo was just glad his team hung on despite blowing a big lead.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has renewed his call for the creation of a Department of Sports, calling it long overdue during the Senate Committee on Sports’ first public hearing of the 20th Congress. Go emphasized the need for a dedicated department to address the limited budget and resources currently allotted to sports, noting that the PSC only received significant funding increases through congressional intervention.“Kung titingnan mo sa budget, napakaliit ng (budget) share ng sports talaga. Kaya nga sana, kung kakayanin maging departamento ito,” Go said. Go added that given the meager sports budget, it is high time this was done: “Napapanahon na po talaga, at sobrang liit ng natatanggap ninyo.”Go argued that enhanced government investment is essential to support Filipino athletes’ international success and strengthen grassroots sports development. He cited the country’s first Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020 and the double gold haul in Paris 2024 as proof that sustained support yields results.“Kaya naman nagdagdag tayo ng budget para maging PhP 1.2 billion ang budget ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) noong 2024,” Go pointed out.Go also highlighted the wider societal impact of investing in sports, saying it helps protect the youth from drugs and vices while fostering national pride and inspiration. “We expect our athletes to perform in international competitions. Kapag nanalo sila damay po ang buong bansa sa honor na dala nila,” Go underscored.“Makikita naman natin na sulit ang pagsuporta sa ating mga atleta.” “Dati po, since 2019, kulelat tayo sa gold. Sa Olympics, wala tayong gold, naalala ko. Huli tayong silver noong 2016, I think, and before that, 1996 iyung silver na pinakamataas na nakamit natin sa Olympics,” Go added.“Napapanahon na po talaga,” Go said, underscoring the urgency of establishing a Department of Sports.“I firmly believe that investing in sports does more than building champions. It protects our youth from drugs and harmful vices while also nurturing world-class athletes who bring pride, honor, and inspiration to our nation,” Go concluded.

Stephanie Bustrillo transitioned from a standout player at the University of the Philippines to a promising rookie with Akari in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference. Drafted as the sixth overall pick in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft, Bustrillo wasted no time making an impact in her professional debut.Known for her scoring ability and unshakable determination, Bustrillo was determined to bring more than just volleyball skills to Akari’s lineup. Drawing from her experiences at UP, she was ready to apply the lessons learned both on and off the court.Joining a revamped Akari roster with players like Ivy Lacsina, Kamille Cal, and Dani Ravena, Bustrillo embraced the challenge of filling the void left by Faith Nisperos and Fifi Sharma, who were away with Alas Pilipinas.

The first time Olympian Filipina fencer Samantha Kyle Catantan shared her advice on how to achieve our dreams and pursue our passion.

Magnolia peaked at the right time to secure the last quarterfinals slot in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.The Hotshots overpowered the NLEX Road Warriors, 112-81, behind Ricardo Ratliffe’s 32-point, 14-rebound performance, to get the No. 8 slot on Sunday night, February 2, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Strong Group Athletics-Philippines capped off a flawless 8-0 run at the William Jones Cup, clinching an emphatic 87-62 victory over the United Arab Emirates on Sunday at Xinzhuang Gymnasium.With the title already secured ahead of the final game, the Filipinos left no doubt, sealing back-to-back championships and the country’s eighth overall Jones Cup crown.“We’re happy to win another championship. We never take anything for granted, now a two-time Jones Cup champion with Strong Group. “Our bosses go all out to support us every time we represent the country.” said coach Charles Tiu.UAE kept things close in the first half, trailing by just one at the break, 37-36. But Strong Group broke the game open in the third quarter behind a surge from Tajuan Agee and Allen Liwag. Kiefer Ravena and Dave Ildefonso delivered big shots in the fourth to put the game away.Agee paced the team with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Ravena contributed 13 points and 9 assists, while DJ Fenner and Ian Miller scored 12 each. Ildefonso added 10 points. Andre Roberson, who starred throughout the tournament, sat out the finale.The Filipinos dominated the second half, outscoring UAE 50-26, and extended their unbeaten streak to 16 games over the last two Jones Cup editions. Their run included wins over top teams like Chinese-Taipei Blue, Japan Developmental, Qatar, Australia’s NBL1 Rising Stars, Malaysia, and Bahrain.Coach Tiu praised his squad’s chemistry and commitment: “It’s special because I don’t know if we’ll have this group again. But these guys were willing to sacrifice—something that’s very rare.”

It's now or never for ONE strawweight MMA world champion and the pride of the Philippines, Joshua “The Passion” Pacio.The Filipino mixed martial artist is now in the midst of showing the world that he is better than rival Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks ahead of their title unification bout at ONE 171:Qatar on Thursday, February, 20, 2025. This will be an epic World Title trilogy fight to unify the divisional belts.The two MMA star fighters first collided in late 2022 at ONE 164, when Brooks earned an impressive decision to catch up the win and capture the Filipino’s undisputed strawweight MMA crown.In March 2024, they had a rematch at ONE 166: Qatar, where the American MMA fighter delivered an illegal slam in the opening minute, losing via disqualification and giving the World Title back to the Filipino fighter.Now, it’s clear that “The Passion” will need to make some critical tactical adjustments to leave Qatar as the undisputed ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion.Pacio said in an interview that he would show no fear in the trilogy-capping match and need to be selective, and never let his rival dictate the action on his feet.“The thing that I want to show is a fighter who isn’t scared of what’s gonna happen in the ring, a fighter who isn’t scared to get taken down. A fighter who isn’t scared of being put in a precarious position on the ground. I want to show that I know what to do now,” he said.The 29-year-old MMA fighter admitted that he got “stagnant” due to being “too worried about getting taken down, and now, he will be more focused on attacking and making Brooks as uncomfortable as possible.“I was waiting for an opening, and that’s my error. That’s why he was able to land those clean shots. Credit to him because his footwork and movement really frustrated me,I want to show I have answers, that I’m not just gonna rely on my takedown defense to stop him, but I can battle him on the ground, even on my back.” “I want to show that he’s not just the one who’s a threat in wrestling. Maybe I’ll take him down, as well. Like [Demetrious Johnson], that ‘Mighty Mouse’ mentality,” he added. The Pacio-Brooks trilogy will be the main event of ONE 171, which will be held at the Lusail Sports Arena.

The UAAP is ramping up health and safety protocols ahead of Season 88, which opens September 19, following the recent tragic deaths of two young basketball players during training.UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag stressed at Wednesday’s preseason press conference that while emergency medical services and health protocols have long been in place, the league is now doubling down on caution—especially during training sessions. “We already have emergency medical services in place for competitions. But we’re making sure that athletes undergo proper pre-participation medical screening and reminding schools to be even more vigilant at their training venues,” Saguisag said. The renewed push for athlete safety follows the deaths of National University’s Ashlyn Abong, 18, who collapsed during training on June 28, and University of the Philippines recruit Israel Friday, 19, who died after collapsing at practice on August 20.In response, member schools have also implemented stricter protocols. At UP, the Office of Athletics and Sports Development now requires all students, including athletes, to undergo medical evaluations before enrollment. Student-athletes must also pass a Pre-Participation Medical Sports Evaluation (PMSE) and additional cardiovascular screenings before joining their teams.“They have to undergo tests. Even if they’ve completed the PMSE, further clearance is needed to detect any existing medical conditions,” explained UP’s Bo Perasol.As Season 88 approaches, the UAAP is sending a clear message: while competition is central to collegiate sports, athlete safety remains the top priority.

Alex Eala continued her hot streak, advancing to the second round of the São Paulo Open with a commanding 6-0, 6-2 win over French qualifier Yasmine Mansouri. The Filipina, fresh off her first WTA title, needed just one hour and 10 minutes to dominate the match, winning 34 service points and 31 return points against Mansouri’s 15.“I did not expect so many people to come out and watch me play. I guess I was a bit lucky to be sandwiched in between two great Brazilians so I’m now just happy to be here and to be able to play well,” Eala said. Eala, ranked 61st in the world, expressed her delight at the support from local fans in her first visit to Brazil. She now faces World No. 188 Julia Riera in the round of 16, with their match scheduled for early Thursday morning (Manila time).

The Philippines is poised to make a striking impact at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, running from December 9 to 20, by assembling its largest delegation in history. With unwavering government support, a remarkable 1,600-strong contingent—predominantly athletes from a variety of team sports—will proudly represent the nation at this highly esteemed regional event.“This is our biggest SEA Games delegation yet,” declared Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino, signaling a bold new chapter in the country’s sporting legacy. This monumental team will compete in an astonishing 574 events across 50 sports, nearly doubling the 905 athletes who showcased their talents at the 2023 Phnom Penh Games. Prior to this, the largest Philippine contingent had consisted of 1,115 members during the home games in 2019.

The Philippines managed to finish in a draw against host country and world No. 18 Uzbekistan, 3-3, in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers on Monday night, January 13, at the Yunusobod Sports Complex in Tashkent.Ranked 59th in the world, the Philippines, who had just defeated Kuwait 4-1 on Saturday, January 11, now have a 1-0-1 win-loss-draw record in Group C, while the hosts had a 0-0-1 start to the season.Judy Connolly delivered the game-tying goal with two minutes remaining in the game, much to the dismay of the Uzbeks.With little over two minutes left, Lyudmila Karachik handed Uzbekistan a 3-2 lead after a score, putting the hosts in a jubilant mood early.Connolly, however, forced the deadlock against the Asian powerhouse in the following phase by triggering a left boot off an assist from Filipinas player Katrina Guillou.