International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) President Morinari Watanabe led the Press Conference and Media Welcome Reception on Tuesday, formally ushering in the country’s hosting of the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships at Newport World Resorts in Pasay City.The event gathered local and international media as Watanabe highlighted the Philippines’ growing presence in the global gymnastics community and expressed confidence in the successful staging of the prestigious competition.Set to officially open on Thursday, November 20, the Junior World Championships will feature the world’s top young gymnasts, all eager to showcase their skill, talent, and potential on the international stage.With more than 75 countries participating, the Philippines is poised to play a central role as the tournament unfolds in Manila for the very first time.

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 National Para Games will formally return at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex from November 11 to 14. Over 900 aspiring para athletes from 72 cities and provinces, as well as from five stand-alone organizations will take centerstage to compete for the top spot.The Games were last held in Malolos, Bulacan, in 2019, before being postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) and PHILSPADA president Michael Barredo on Tuesday’s forum.The eighth stage, however, will soon unfold with the assistance of the Philippine Sports Commission.“This is also the biggest opportunity for us to select players for the national Para team,” PPC secretary-general Goody Custodio told the media during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Conference Hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

In a crucial moment for Petro Gazz, veteran Nicole Tiamzon delivered when it mattered most.With the Angels reeling from two straight losses and fighting for survival in the PVL On Tour, Tiamzon emerged as a steadying force, firing 16 points on 15 attacks and a block to help Petro Gazz turn back Choco Mucho in four sets, 20-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-17, Tuesday night, July 29, at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.It was the perfect time for Tiamzon to break out, stepping into the spotlight as Petro Gazz navigated its first match without Japanese head coach Koji Tsuzurabara. Under interim tactician Brian Esquibel, the Angels played with renewed energy and composure—traits Tiamzon embodied throughout the match.

The Phoenix Fuel Masters crashed Terrafirma Dyip in their matchup last night, January 7, 2025, at the Philsports Arena in the continuation of the PBA Season Commissioner's Cup, 122-108.Donovan Smith led the team where he recorded 37 points, seven rebounds, three assists and five blocks.Smith says that they come into work every day with the same attitude regardless of whether they have won five straight or lost. What matters is that they just keep that positive mindset within the guys to make sure that they have the same goal, and they all worked together to win this game.

As the reigning NCAA champions, the Mapúa Cardinals step into Season 101 with a target firmly on their backs. Every opponent will be eager to knock them off the throne, making each game a battle of pride and precision. Their opening assignment against the Lyceum Pirates is already being billed as a statement game, a chance for Mapúa to show that last season’s breakthrough was no fluke. With the new group-stage format limiting room for error, the Cardinals know they cannot afford early slipups if they want to stay in control of their title defense.One of Mapúa’s biggest strengths is the championship confidence they now carry. The team has already proven it can thrive under the brightest lights, and that winning culture should give them an edge in close contests. Clint Escamis, who delayed his professional dreams to lead the Cardinals one last time, provides the leadership and stability that every championship-caliber squad needs. Alongside him, veterans like JC Recto, Yam Concepcion, and Cyrus Cuenco give the team balance and continuity, while new additions like Cyril Gonzales, Cyrus Nitura, and Icee Callangan bring fresh talent into the rotation.

Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit began playing billiards during her teens, but her first sport was basketball until she turned 12. At that age, her classmates started to focus on other activities, so her father took the opportunity to introduce her to billiards.At first, she enjoyed playing with her cousins. But her father, Bobby, saw her potential and would incentivize her with prizes, such as shirts and pants, for winning each competition, until she often tagged along with her father at the Super Bowl in Makati.She stopped competing for a while to obtain a college degree in accountancy at the University of Santo Tomas. Eventually, she returned to 9-ball and won 10 gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games.With her family’s encouragement, she was able to hone her keen eye and sensibilities. At the same time, she maintained composure under pressure, allowing her strategies to dismantle those of her opponents.

Filipino gymnastics star Carlos Yulo has opted to skip the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December to focus on the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta, where he is competing only in floor exercise and vault due to a left wrist injury.“I still want the taste of competition,” Yulo said “That is the most important for me right now.”Yulo, a double gold medalist in vault and floor at the Paris 2024 Olympics, officially announced his SEA Games withdrawal through Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) president Cynthia Carrion-Norton. According to Carrion-Norton, Yulo’s decision was motivated by two factors: SEA Games rules now restrict elite gymnasts to only one event, and Yulo’s desire to give other Filipino gymnasts a chance to shine.“It’s a selfless decision because he likes to give others a chance. He’s now focused on winning in the world championships,” Carrion-Norton said. She added that the SEA Games organizers also scrapped the all-around competition, limiting medal opportunities for top gymnasts.Yulo revealed his wrist injury occurred two months ago while working on a difficult new dismount on the parallel bars. “I kind of did it too much,” he admitted.Despite his limited participation in Jakarta, Yulo remains committed to showcasing beautiful, graceful gymnastics. “My goal is to perform beautiful gymnastics, to be really graceful,” he shared.Yulo is joined at the world championships by fellow Filipino gymnasts Miguel Besana and Ivan Cruz, the latter fresh off a gold medal at the Cambodia SEA Games.

The Filipinas were officially dethroned as ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup champions after a 1-1 draw with Myanmar on Wednesday night, August 13, ending their bid to reach the semifinals.The defending champions needed a two-goal win to reach the semifinals, but the draw ended their campaign and officially dethroned them. Myanmar topped Group B with seven points (two wins and a draw) and will face Thailand, the Group A runner-up, in the semifinals.Australia U23 also advanced after a dominant 9-0 win over Timor-Leste, finishing second in Group B with six points—including a 1-0 victory against the Philippines last Sunday. The Young Matildas will meet Group A leader Vietnam as a new ASEAN champion will be crowned this year.Myanmar’s Win Theingi Tun opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the 33rd minute, after drawing a foul from Filipinas goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel. Nina Mathelus gave the Philippines hope with a second-half equalizer, but the Filipinas couldn’t break through again. They had opened the tournament with a commanding 7-0 win over Timor-Leste, only to falter with a narrow 1-0 loss to Australia in their second match.This marks the first time since 2018 that the Filipinas failed to reach the semifinals of the regional tournament.Torcaso fielded a squad with seven new faces, but key players like Sarina Bolden (injury), Angie Beard, Jaclyn Sawicki, and Sara Eggesvik were unavailable due to club duties. The tournament fell outside the FIFA international window, meaning clubs were not obligated to release players.Joining Myanmar and Australia in the semifinals are Thailand and host Vietnam. A new ASEAN champion will be crowned this year.

PLDT ousted ZUS Coffee to advance to the semifinals with a 25-21, 25-21, 25-19 win in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour quarterfinals on Thursday night, August 7, at the Philsports Arena.Savi Davison led the High Speed Hitters with 28 points built from 25 attacks along with 10 excellent receptions, while Kim Fajardo facilitated the offense with 19 excellent sets. 

After years of steady growth and clutch performances, LJay Gonzales has officially declared for the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft, marking the next step in a career built on leadership, consistency, and grit.A product of Far Eastern University, Gonzales rose to prominence as the Tamaraws’ reliable floor general, guiding the team through pressure-packed UAAP battles with his composure and playmaking. His collegiate career peaked with a Mythical Five selection in UAAP Season 86, solidifying his status as one of the league’s top guards.Standing out for more than just his passing, Gonzales displayed a well-rounded game in his final year with FEU, averaging 14.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.0 steals per contest—numbers that highlight his ability to impact both ends of the floor. Known for his quickness, defensive instincts, and timely shot-making, he built a reputation as a closer capable of delivering in crunch time.

For the first time in history, the Gilas Pilipinas Women are poised to chase a spot in the FIBA Women’s World Cup.The Filipinas clinched a berth in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament after narrowly defeating Lebanon, 73-70, during the group stage of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup on Wednesday, July 16, at the Shenzhen Sports Center in Shenzhen, China.This crucial win propelled the Philippines into the quarterfinals of the Women’s Asia Cup and guaranteed them an automatic place in the World Cup qualifiers, courtesy of a secured top-six finish in the tournament.“This win represents everything that we’ve been working hard for in the last 10 years or so. We’re glad to be competing and not just staying in Division A, but we still have to improve and we hope we level up again soon,” said Gilas Women’s head coach Pat Aquino.Five Gilas players scored in double figures in the hard-fought victory, led by Naomi Panganiban’s 15 points, highlighted by two clutch free throws with just 8.3 seconds left.Sumayah Sugapong iced two crucial free throws at the 2:18 mark in the fourth quarter to give the Philippines a 71-66 lead, but Lebanon clawed back, trimming the deficit to just 71-69 with 1:15 to play. After Sugapong missed a potential game-sealing three, Lebanon’s Jillian Archer split her free throws, making it 71-70 with under a minute remaining.Panganiban then calmly knocked down her pressure-packed free throws to stretch the lead to 73-70, and Lebanon failed to attempt a game-tying three as time expired.Sugapong and Jack Animam each added 14 points for Gilas, with Animam also hauling down a game-high 16 rebounds. Vanessa de Jesus chipped in 13 points, while Kacey dela Rosa contributed 10, helping the team withstand blowing a 17-point first-quarter lead.The Philippines overcame a stellar performance from Archer, who tallied a game-high 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting and 10 rebounds for Lebanon.Gilas Women finished third in Group B with a 1-2 record. They will take a one-day break on Thursday, July 17, before facing the No. 2 seed from Group A in the quarterfinals on Friday, July 18, at 4:30 pm.The Scores:PHILIPPINES 73 – Panganiban 15, Sugapong 14, Animam 14, De Jesus 13, Dela Rosa 10, Pastrana 7, Castillo 0, Fajardo 0, Surada 0, Ozar 0, Pagdulagan 0.LEBANON 70 – Archer 23, Akl 13, Elias 10, Mansour 7, Naassan 6, Ghaleb 6, Fayad 3, Labban 2, Raffoul 0.Quarters: 29-12, 41-37, 55-57, 73-70.

ZUS Coffee delivered a shocking sweep of Petro Gazz, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25, in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals on Tuesday night, March 18, at the PhilSports Arena. The victory not only snapped the Angels’ 10-game winning streak but also pushed the Thunderbelles to the verge of their first-ever semifinal appearance. In one of their most balanced performances yet, five players scored in double digits, proving their depth and teamwork against an established PVL contender.Setter Cloanne Mondoñedo orchestrated the offense brilliantly with 19 excellent sets, while Chai Troncoso led all scorers with 14 markers. Thea Gagate and Jovelyn Gonzaga tallied 11 apiece, while Mich Gamit and Chinnie Arroyo contributed 10 each in a well-rounded attack.The Thunderbelles also dominated at the net, recording 11 blocks compared to Petro Gazz’s five. Troncoso anchored the defense with five kill blocks, while Gagate added three.

The Philippine women's national football team will play an intersquad exhibition game at the Mall of Asia Football Field on February 25 as part of their nine-day training camp in Manila.The Filipinas' home training camp kicks off a busy 2025 as they get ready for three important competitions.The exhibition game featuring the national team will take place at the recently finished MOA Football Field, giving Filipino supporters a unique chance to watch the team at home.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel secured a 2-1 lead in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals against the San Miguel Beermen with a 100-90 win on Sunday, June 29, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.RJ Abarrientos stepped up big, delivering an almost triple-double performance of 24 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists to lead the Gin Kings in regaining the upper hand.Jamie Malonzo and Japeth Aguilar followed through with 20 and 18 markers, respectively. Malonzo also contributed four rebounds and two assists, while Aguilar had seven boards, two dimes, three steals, and two blocks.Scottie Thompson and Stephen Holt also scored in double figures to help Ginebra clinch the Game 3 win. Thompson finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block, while Holt had 10 markers, seven boards, and one deflection.

Another bronze medal was delivered by Rosegie Ramos for the six-man Philippines team in the IWF World Championships in Bahrain. The 20-year-old weightlifter achieved a total lift of 88kgs in the snatch and 105kgs in the clean-and-jerk for a total lift of 193kgs in the 49-kg category.Ri Song Gum of North Korea dominated the women’s 49-kg event after lifting a total of 213kgs behind a snatch of 91kgs and a clean-and-jerk of 122kgs.Meanwhile, Linxiang Xiang setteled for a silver after lifting a snatch of 92kgs and a clean-and-jerk of 120kgs for a total lift of 212kgs.Her success was followed by another bronze medal for the Philippines when Fernando Agad Jr. excelled in the men’s 55-kg category.After receiving the medal, the weightlifter from Zamboanga City expressed her gratitude in a long post on her official social media page.

Ateneo de Manila University claimed its first victory in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament by sweeping the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 25-18, 25-22, 25-18, in their Battle of Katipunan matchup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.The Blue Eagles took a commanding 18-9 lead in the third set before UP managed to score three consecutive points to stop the run. However, Sobe Buena sparked a late rally, helping Ateneo push the score to 23-17. An AC Miner block then set up the match point, and although Niña Ytang managed to save one match point, Buena sealed the victory for Ateneo.Buena, who had been limited in Ateneo’s first two losses due to injury recovery, made a strong return just when her team needed her most, leading with 17 points from 15-of-27 attacking efficiency. Team captain Lyann de Guzman also played a key role, scoring 14 markers with 12 attacks and two aces, while experienced blocker AC Miner added 12 points, including seven attacks, four blocks, and one ace.

The Philippine men’s national football team kept its 2027 AFC Asian Cup hopes alive with a 2–0 victory over the Maldives on Tuesday but missed the chance to control its own fate heading into the decisive final match of the qualifying round.Despite goals from Jefferson Tabinas and Sandro Reyes in the first half at the National Football Stadium in Malé, the Azkals could not extend their lead—a missed opportunity that proved costly in the group standings.While the Philippines improved to 13 points, it slipped to second place in Group A, level with Tajikistan but behind on goal difference after the Central Asians routed Timor-Leste, 5–0, in Darwin, Australia.With Tajikistan taking the top spot, the two nations will now face off in March 2026 for the group’s lone ticket to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. The crucial showdown will be held on Tajikistan’s home turf, meaning the Philippines will need nothing less than a win to qualify for only the second time in history, the first being in 2019.Tabinas opened the scoring in the 24th minute, rising for a header off a set piece to record his third goal of the third-round qualifiers and fifth in his international career.Reyes doubled the advantage in the 37th minute, receiving a short cross from Jarvey Gayoso inside the box before executing a cutback and curling the ball into the far corner. It was Reyes’ fifth goal for the national team.Despite controlling much of the match, the Azkals were unable to add more goals—a factor that ultimately kept them from holding the outright lead in the group.Now, all roads lead to March 2026, when the Philippines must deliver its biggest performance yet to return to Asia’s grandest stage.

The Philippine Dragon Boat Team bagged the overall championship in the recently concluded 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan from October 27 to Sunday, November 3.In front of a lively hometown crowd, the Filipino paddlers added two gold, five silver and two bronze medals for an impressive 11-20-16 overall tally.The Southeast Asian powerhouse Thailand took runner-up honors with eight golds, while the I.N.A (Individual Neutral Athlete) squad was third with a haul of six golds, three silvers and three bronzes in the meet supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Tingog party-list.The hosts won a hotly-contested masters mixed 20-seater standard boat 500-meter race in two minutes and 6.34 seconds, nosing out Singapore (2:06.73) while Germany was not too far behind in third (2:07.98) in the competition organized by the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation.The Filipinos were also runaway winners in the 40+ 20-seater women’s 2,000-meter standard boat event (10:42.31) over runner-up Canada (10:48.64) and took silvers in the 20-seater mixed standard boat 500-meter  (1:58.13), 40+ 10-seater mixed 500-meter (2:19.45), 20-seater open (9:23.16) and 40+ 20-seater open 5,000-meter (9:34.47) races. But the 20-seater mixed standard 500-meters was the most thrilling as the hosts virtually led from start to finish until they were beaten in the last 10 meters by the late-charging Ukrainians, who snatched the gold in 1:57.51.   They also bagged the last bronze of the day in the 40+ 10-seater open 500-meter (2:15.93) event in the four-day tournament also supported by the Puerto Princesa City governmentAccording to Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation or PCKDF president Leonora "Lenlen" Escollante, they are happy with the country's achievement and they were not disappointed in their hope that it will lead the international competition.Escollante also appreciates the warm support of the local government of Puerto Princesa in holding this type of international sporting events, as well as the hospitality of Filipinos to foreign visitors participating in the competition.

In a dramatic and unforgettable finish, Carlo Baltonado delivered a golden moment for the Philippines at the 47th Southeast Asian Shooting Association (SEASA) Championship held in Photharam, Thailand.Baltonado showcased nerves of steel in a tense 25-target shoot-off, narrowly edging his opponent by just one clay to secure the individual gold medal. His victory not only highlighted his remarkable precision and composure under pressure but also marked a proud milestone for Philippine shooting sports on the regional stage.Teaming up with Cong. Richard Gomez, Jakey Ancheta, and Jed Rivilla, Baltonado also helped steer the Philippine Sporting Clays Team to a silver medal finish in the team category — a testament to the squad’s growing presence and consistency in international competition.Guiding the team throughout the tournament was Olympic Skeet Bronze Medalist Anthony Terras, whose leadership and technical expertise played a key role in refining the group’s performance. Under his mentorship, the national team continues to build on its momentum and reaffirm its standing among Southeast Asia’s best.The triumph in Thailand stands as another shining chapter in the Philippines’ shooting history — a victory defined by precision, discipline, and heart.