The Philippines marks its historic Olympic return to Paris, 100 years since the country debuted in the world’s biggest sporting event in the French capital.With the Filipino contingent edging closer to showcase the fruit of their labor and bring home glorious laurels on the nation’s centennial anniversary, one sport that has been in a deep slumber in over three decades finally punctuated its return because of one Filipina athlete.Samantha Catantan ended a long drought for Philippine fencing with her entry to the Paris Olympics 2024.Catantan demonstrated resilience during the daunting challenge of the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Fencing Qualifier that sealed her pathway to Paris, a feat that would make her the first fencer from the Philippines to compete after 32 years.No Filipino fencer has ever reached the Olympics since the 1992 edition.Percival Alger and Walter Torres were the first and last Filipino fencers to do it when they donned the national colors in the 1988 and 1992 Summer Games, respectively.

The Philippine Men’s National Football Team dominated Maldives, 4-1, in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers during their rainy Tuesday evening clash.Jefferson Tabinas scored the first goal in the 15th minute of the match, held at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.A few minutes later, Bjorn Kristensen doubled the Philippines’ lead, making it 2-0 by the end of the first half.Entering the second half, Ali Fasir of Maldives found the net in the 62nd minute, narrowing the score to 2-1.In the following minutes, Randy Schneider made a spectacular debut, scoring in the 77th minute to extend the lead to 3-1. Later, in the 92nd minute, he assisted in setting up another goal. His first international goal provided the Philippines with a crucial cushion, securing the maximum three points in the final phase of the continental qualifiers."You can see it in the game—I felt good. The Philippines has welcomed me since day one, so I hope I can continue like this," Schneider said.Meanwhile, Sandro Reyes sealed the game at 4-1, scoring the final goal and carrying the hopes of Filipino football fans. His crucial contribution came when it mattered most.Coach Albert Capellas expressed his delight and satisfaction with the team's performance against Maldives.He emphasized the importance of winning to qualify, noting that starting strong in the tournament was essential."Job done. These are the types of games we need to win if we want to qualify. It's always important to start with a win. With the point advantage, we are on top, and we can't wait to face Tajikistan next," Capellas said.The PMNFT now holds a 1-0 record and will face Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, and Maldives again in the double-round robin format, which will conclude in March 2026.

Italy cemented its volleyball dynasty after overpowering Bulgaria, 25-21, 25-17, 17-25, 25-10, to capture back-to-back FIVB Men’s World Championship titles before a record crowd of 16,429 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.Yuri Romano spearheaded the win, delivering a masterclass in the gold medal showdown with 22 points built on 16 powerful attacks, one block, and five consecutive service aces that broke the game wide open late in the second set. Mattia Bottolo and Alessandro Michieletto complimented Romano's brilliance, providing steady power with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

A special citation has been awarded to Creamline during the annual Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night on Monday, January 27, at the Manila Hotel.Jema Galanza, Bea De Leon, Bernadeth Pons, and Alyssa Valdez dazzled the event in different shades of pink, together with head coach Sherwin Meneses and team manager Alan Cero.

Former world champion Keith Thurman has significant credibility when discussing Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios, especially since he has faced both fighters. With their matchup just two weeks away in Las Vegas, Thurman’s insights hold weight.The 36-year-old boxer had different experiences against the two: he lost to Pacquiao by decision in 2019 but secured a victory over Barrios on the scorecards three years later. Now, as Barrios prepares to defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title against Pacquiao at the MGM Grand on July 19, Thurman’s perspective is drawing attention.Thurman shared his thoughts during a recent interview with Fighthype.com. He expressed confidence in the 46-year-old Pacquiao's ability to compete against the younger Barrios.“It’s hard to know, with the age of Pacquiao, what we’re gonna get from him,” said Thurman.“But I’ll tell you this, depending on his conditioning, depending on how much he can pop in on that in-step that he brought to me, that notorious fast in-step — if he can pop that and if he can get in, I know he can hurt Mario Barrios,” he added.However, Thurman pointed out a crucial aspect of Barrios’ fighting style that could give him an advantage over the legendary Filipino boxer: his jab. This fundamental punch has historically been a weak point for the aggressive Pacquiao.“That’s the big thing in Pacquiao’s favor; Barrios was hurt against [Abel] Ramos, and that’s the thing — the defense of Barrios is still suspect. He’s not hard to find. But one thing I took away, even though I beat him, is that he has a really good jab,” Thurman continued.At six feet tall, Barrios benefits from both youth and size compared to the smaller Pacquiao, who has been less active in the ring recently. As a result, oddsmakers have made the Mexican-American the favored contender. According to Thurman, Barrios possesses the necessary skills to fulfill his role as the favored fighter heading into the bout.“He (Barrios) used that jab when he beat [Yordenis] Ugas, and Ugas beat Pacquiao because he stayed long. So I think if Barrios works that jab of his, makes the old man use his legs and work really hard to get inside, I think he can pull it off,” Thurman finished.

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.

Barangay Ginebra blasts off Rain or Shine, 120-92, registering their biggest winning margin in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Wednesday, January 22.Head coach Tim Cone called it the Gin Kings' "best game" of the conference as they got back on track after dropping their last two games, improving to 7-4 and moving up to sixth place with one game left in the elimination stage.“We hadn’t put a good game together this conference and tonight was one of those games where everything came together. We played well defensively, we executed really well offensively, and we shot the ball well,” said Cone.“It was really our best game of the conference and it couldn’t come at a better time right now when we’re struggling to get into that top six position and getting ready for the playoffs,” he added.

Creamline bounced back from a failed third-set rally against sibling rival Choco Mucho, 25-22, 25-20, 30-32, 25-20, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, December 3.The Cool Smashers, who were on the verge of winning the tournament with their third consecutive sweep, faltered in a thrilling third set before rallying in the fourth to force a tie with Cignal at the top of the rankings, both with identical 3-0 records."But of course, the Choco [Mucho] really, really won't lose easily. We know they will come back to the game so I just told the players that we should just enjoy ourselves, perform well so we can get the win," said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses."Let's not be pressured. It's just that, the [players] responded, because there are many [game] rallies, so it's really not just a battle, it's really endurance. So, it's good that we got the win," he added.

The Siargao International 6000 Surfing Cup is set to showcase the excitement and allure of Philippine surfing from October 23 to 31 in scenic Siargao.As the highest-ranking World Surf League (WSL) qualifying series ever hosted in the Philippines, the event is cementing Siargao’s reputation as a premier destination for professional surfing. The tournament will feature 128 male and 64 female top surfers from countries including China, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines, all vying for a $50,000 top prize.Earlier this year, the WSL staged the World Junior Championships in La Union, and this time, an even bigger event aimed at further promoting sports tourism in the country is set to take place. Philippine Sports Commission chairman, John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio emphasizes that the beauty of this kind of sports will help to boost sports tourism in the country and it is an economic driver. “This hosting is part of the sports tourism program that we are pursuing. We believe that sports tourism is an economic driver. And why surfing? Because it’s a beautiful sport. And with 7,100 islands, how can we go wrong? As long as we see the leaders really pushing, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t support it,” said Gregorio.“There’s magic in Siargao, there’s magic in Baler, there’s magic in La Union,” he added.Nevertheless, this time, this bigger event aimed at further promoting sports tourism in the country. “It’s not just for the athletes but for the local communities as well, I love all sports but surfing has a very special place in my heart” said Presidential son and Sports Ambassador Vincent Marcos at PSA Forum.Also present were Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, House Committee on Youth and Sports chairman Rep. Mike Dy, Rep. Rommel Angara, Philippine Surfing Association president Dr. Raul Canlas, tournament technical director John Carby, world No. 3 longboard champion Jay-R Esquivel, and Nildie Blancada of the Siargao Surf Association.

After a rollercoaster Season 100, the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals step into NCAA Season 101 with momentum, a refined identity, and perhaps their strongest claim yet to be a dark horse in the race. With a blend of seasoned returnees and a sensational incoming rookie, EAC is aiming to break new ground—finally punching into the Final Four and beyond.The foundation remains steady. Holdovers Kyle Ochavo, Brianne Angeles, and Nico Quinal return to carry continuity, leadership, and stability. They will help offset the departures of Harvey Pagsanjan, King Gurtiza, and Axel Doromal, whose exit left gaps in experience and production. The Generals also retain key contributors such as Jethro Bacud, Jude Bagay, Deo Lucero, Ruzzelle Dominguez, Wilmar Oftana, and Gelo Loristo, whose veteran presence gives balance and depth.But the real game-changer is EJ Castillo. A 6-foot-1 rookie guard who dominated his high school years with the EAC Brigadiers, Castillo arrives with an impressive pedigree: Mythical Five honors, a Most Improved Player award, and scoring consistency. He has publicly committed to staying with EAC as he transitions to collegiate play. While recognizing he must learn and adapt, Castillo brings a natural scoring touch and confidence that promises to shake up lineups.To round out the additions, EAC also welcomes Jacob Shanoda and Oman Omandac, both of whom are expected to contribute defensively and offer rotational flexibility. Completing the roster are Joshua Devara, Adam Doria, Chester Jacob, Rico Postanes, Joshua Tolentino, and Felix Villarente, each vying for meaningful minutes.

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 PBA welcomed its historic 50th season by ushering in a fresh generation of talent, with 122 hopefuls vying for their professional dreams in the 2025 Rookie Draft held Sunday, September 7, at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.Terrafirma Dyip set the tone by selecting Ateneo’s 6-foot-9 center Geo Chiu as the No. 1 overall pick—an unsurprising choice, given his status as one of the most highly touted prospects in this year’s record pool of applicants.Converge FiberXers stayed on script at No. 2, picking Gilas Pilipinas guard Juan Gomez de Liano, who boasts international stints in Japan, Lithuania, and South Korea.At third, Blackwater Bossing chose 6-foot-1 guard Dalph Panopio, a former Batang Gilas standout who also gained overseas experience in South Korea and India. NorthPort followed at fourth by nabbing Ateneo guard Chris Koon.NLEX reinforced its backcourt with the selection of speedy guard LJay Gonzales at No. 5. Magnolia secured San Beda forward Yukien Andrada at sixth, while Meralco bolstered its rotation with veteran playmaker Jason Brickman at seventh.

Far Eastern University (FEU) ended a six-year drought against National University (NU) with a 27-25, 25-14, 25-23 victory on Sunday, February 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena.This marked the Tamaraws’ first win over the Bulldogs since February 16, 2019, breaking a seven-game losing streak that began with a loss in the second round of Season 81 on April 28, 2019.“Our work never stops. If you saw our training sessions, from the last game until now, we haven’t stopped practicing, and we haven’t rested. The dedication, hard work, and the strong family bond within the team, you can really see the results in the end,” said FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo.FEU made a comeback from a 22-24 deficit in the first set, eventually taking the lead at 26-25 following a miscue by Leo Ordialaes and a game-clinching block by Doula Ndongala.The Tamaraws dominated the second set and managed to hold off NU’s late rally in the third, where the Bulldogs trimmed the lead to 24-23. Dryx Saavedra sealed the win with the final point.

For Manvil “Manny” Billones, ice hockey isn’t just a sport. It’s a rush, a rhythm, and a reflection of pure adrenaline. Born on November 1, 1993, Billones has carved his path from the rinks of the United States to representing the Philippines in the international arena.“I played a lot of sports, but hockey was the one that really caught my eye,” he shared. “I like the speed and how fast you can go on the ice, the flow of the game. There’s not that much stoppage. You just go out there, and how intense it is, you can hit, score, and it’s just a fun time.”Billones, who studied at West Chester University in the U.S., found hockey a sport that matched his competitive fire. Now a forward for the Philippine Men’s National Ice Hockey Team, he carries with him both skill and pride every time he dons the national jersey.“It’s an honor, really—and just pride,” he said when asked what it means to represent the country.The team, a mix of veterans and new faces, continues to evolve each season. “There’s a lot of new players, veterans and new guys. It’s a different dynamic,” he explained. “But we’re going to blend better, practice more, and it’s going to be a great time together.”As one of the team’s experienced players, Billones sets his sights on progress. “Our goal is to get promoted every year, to reach a higher level every time,” he said. “We don’t want to stay on the same level. We just want to improve every time and try to get medals in any tournament we play.”Off the ice, Billones is as laid-back as he is competitive. “I like to golf,” he admitted with a grin. “But other than hockey, I like to sleep a lot.”When asked what he wants Filipinos to appreciate about ice hockey, Billones encourages fans to look beyond the usual courts and fields. “It’s not just the main sports like basketball or volleyball,” he said. “You should go out and watch a new sport. Seeing the speed, how fun it is, and the intensity, it’s just a good time.”And for young Filipinos curious to give hockey a shot? Billones keeps it simple: “Just come to MOA and try it out. Even if it’s just public skating, you never know, you might fall in love with it like us.”From the ice rinks of West Chester to the cold confines of the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Manny Billones continues to embody the grit and passion of Filipino athletes proving that no climate can cool the fire of national pride.

The Ryukyu Golden Kings secured the B1 seed in the East Asia Super League (EASL) 2024-25 season after defeating their rivals, Meralco Bolts, 89-71, on Wednesday night, January 22, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.Ryukyu had a 12-4 start before Meralco made their run to get a 22-16 lead, but the Golden Kings regained the lead before the end of the first quarter to post a slim 23-22 advantage.In the second frame, it was another see-saw battle between the two squads until Ryuku brought a 50-41 edge at the half.Golden Kings team captain Victor Law already produced 12 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal going to the break.Keve Aluma poured eight of his total 18 markers to lead the Ryuku's third quarter dominance and brought a 19-point lead entering the fourth, 75-56.Meralco had multiple runs in the final period, which delighted the spectators in the venue, but the Golden Kings always had an answer that led them to the victory.Law was named Player of the Game as he finished with 20 points, eight boards, five dimes and two deflections. He also shot 5-of-8 from the two-point area, 2-of-6 triples, and a perfect 4-of-4 from the line.Alex Kirk added 19 points and eight rebounds for Ryukyu, while Yoshiyuki Matsuwaki and Ryuichi Kishimoto scored 12 apiece.

Patrick Gregorio has officially been named the new Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), succeeding Richard Bachmann, who had held the position since early 2023.This announcement follows a directive from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who ordered Bachmann’s removal as part of a broader initiative to restructure leadership within key government agencies.Before this significant appointment, Gregorio served as President of the Philippine Rowing Association, where he earned acclaim for his dedication to athlete development, grassroots participation, and elevating international competitiveness in rowing and other Olympic sports.With extensive experience in both the private and public sectors, Gregorio is a seasoned sports executive and a respected figure in Philippine athletics. His appointment heralds a new era for the PSC, emphasizing enhanced performance, transparency, and sustainable development for Filipino athletes.As the newly instated chairman, Gregorio is expected to bolster collaborations with national sports associations, improve athlete welfare initiatives, and lead preparations for major upcoming international competitions, including the 2025 Southeast Asian Games and the 2026 Asian Games.The Philippine sports community now turns to Gregorio’s leadership, anticipating positive change as he navigates this pivotal chapter for Philippine sports.

The Premier Volleyball League’s highly-anticipated 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference will begin today, November 9, at the Philsports Arena which will run for six-long months.The Akari Charges and Galeries Tower Highrisers will play for the opening game to kick off the new season at 4:00 pm. Both clubs are looking to improve after having contrasting performances in the previous Reinforced Conference.Akari surprised the league by making it to the Finals but losing the title to Creamline, while Galeries Tower finished winless at the bottom of the 12-team field.The Chargers, led by Ced Domingo, Fifi Sharma, Faith Nisperos, and Ivy Lacsina, will aim to maintain their positive attitude from that historic run in the championship round and establish themselves as serious contenders for the title.The Highrisers, on the other hand, will attempt to overcome a somber past and get into the spotlight, with setter Julia Coronel of Alas Pilipinas making her debut and spikers Roma Joy Doromal, Jewel Encarnacion, and Alyssa Eroa contributing firepower. Choco Mucho and Petro Gazz will face off in the main event at 6:30 pm with the goal of trying to get their quest for the first All-Filipino title off to a victorious start.It will be a different world now for the Flying Titans after the departure of Maddie Madayag, who brought her act to the Japan SV. League.However, Choco Mucho remains committed to its championship dreams, with Sisi Rondina, Dindin Manabat, Isa Molde, Cherry Nunag, and the returning Kat Tolentino leading the way.Meanwhile, the Angels have kept their roster intact, with players like Myla Pablo, Djanel Cheng, Remy Palma, MJ Phillips, and Brooke Van Sickle always ready to fight. 

Serbia punched their ticket to the Round of 16 after a stunning straight-sets victory over powerhouse Brazil, 25-22, 25-20, 25-22, in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.Drazen Luburic was unstoppable, leading Serbia with 17 kills and two aces for a game-high 19 points as the team capped Pool H with back-to-back wins after a shaky opening loss to Czechia.Pavle Peric added 15 points on 13 attacks, one block, and an ace, while Miran Kujundzic chipped in 10 points, highlighted by four blocks.“It’s a huge win for us. I’m not sure we would have performed this well if we had beaten Czechia. Probably we would have been a little relaxed, so in a way, it’s a good thing. We chose the hard way, but luckily, we made it through,” said Luburic.“It was a great performance, definitely, as we saw on the court. We also knew how hard we worked this summer,” he added.The loss jeopardized Brazil’s hopes of advancing despite their 2-1 record. Czechia still had a chance to claim the remaining Round of 16 ticket in Pool H with a straight-sets win over China in the late match.Brazil, meanwhile, struggled offensively, with Alan Souza the lone bright spot with 10 points, while Judson Nunes contributed nine.

The Philippine women’s national football team saw a promising lead slip away as Uzbekistan rallied late to force a 2-2 draw in their international friendly on Wednesday night at Rizal Memorial Stadium.After a ten-day training camp in Manila, the Filipinas looked sharp early, with Chandler McDaniel scoring just two minutes into the match off a brilliant setup by Meryll Serrano. Serrano later doubled the advantage in the 56th minute to give the hosts a 2-0 cushion.However, Uzbekistan’s Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva stole the spotlight, pulling one back with a long-range free kick in the 67th minute before capitalizing on a defensive miscue to equalize in the 81st.The result was a tough pill to swallow for the world No. 39 Filipinas, who are using the friendly as part of their preparations for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in December.

The Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) has named Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo as the 2024 Athlete of the Year in recognition of his gold medal achievement at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.Yulo’s achievement of becoming the first Filipino athlete to win two gold medals at the Olympics was a fitting tribute to the nation’s 100 years of Summer Games participation.The 24-year-old Yulo led the Philippines by ruling the floor exercise and vault apparatus events in gymnastics, setting a record the country has never previously achieved in the history of the quadrennial showcase. He became the second athlete to win the Olympic gold medal, following in the footsteps of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who ended the country’s search for the elusive gold during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.Yulo’s noteworthy achievement for the country made him the obvious pick for Athlete of the Year honors when the PSA hosts its Awards Night on January 27 at the Manila Hotel.