Many were surprised when Manny Pacquiao officially announced his return from retirement to challenge World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario Barrios.This bout will be Pacquiao's first in four years, and at 46 years old, he faces a significant challenge: Barrios, who is 16 years younger and stands six inches taller than the 5-foot-6 Filipino legend.However, "Sugar" Shane Mosley—a fellow boxing great and former opponent who recently joined Pacquiao's training camp in Los Angeles—believes Pacquiao can emerge victorious at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 19. Mosley, who lost to Pacquiao by unanimous decision in 2011 while defending his WBO welterweight title, noted that Pacquiao is in great shape both physically and mentally.

Former IBF super flyweight world champion Jerwin Ancajas remains focused and in top shape as he anticipates a potential slot on the highly anticipated Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios card on July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. While no opponent has been officially announced, Ancajas is training as if the call could come at any moment.“Wala pang binigay na kalaban,” admitted the 33-year-old Ancajas, who has been quietly preparing in Los Angeles alongside fellow Filipino fighters Mark Magsayo and Eumir Marcial—both confirmed to appear on the undercard.Ancajas also shared that, if given the green light, he expects to fight at a catchweight of 123 or 124 pounds—just under the featherweight limit of 126.In January of this year, Ancajas captured the vacant Philippine super bantamweight crown via a second-round stoppage of Richie Mepranum in Iligan. That victory marked his second consecutive win since falling to Japan’s Takuma Inoue via ninth-round TKO in a WBA bantamweight title fight in Tokyo last year. Ancajas reigned for nearly six years as IBF champion in the 115-pound division.Meanwhile, two fellow Filipino fighters are already set to light up the Pacquiao-Barrios undercard. Mark Magsayo (29) will take on Jorge Mata Cuellar of Mexico in a 10-round showdown for the vacant WBC Continental Americas super featherweight title. Magsayo is currently ranked No. 2 by the WBC in the super featherweight division, positioning him just a step away from a possible title shot against reigning champion O’Shaquie Foster.Eumir Marcial (29), returning from Olympic duties, will square off with Alexis Gaytan of Texas in an eight-round middleweight bout. Marcial boasts an unblemished 5-0 pro record with 3 knockouts and is looking to build momentum as he refocuses on his professional boxing career.Cuellar, who’s making his U.S. debut, holds a solid record of 21-2-2 with 13 KOs, including five straight wins. Gaytan, a seasoned veteran, brings a 17-10 record with 6 KOs, having won six of his last seven bouts.With Ancajas staying sharp and ready, the possibility of three Filipino warriors sharing the ring on one of the year’s most anticipated fight cards is closer than ever.

As the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semi-finals open on Wednesday, June 25, the grand slam-seeking TNT Tropang 5G and the "gate-crashing" Rain or Shine Elasto Painters will begin their best-of-seven clash at 5:00 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena.It will be a battle between two teams with contrasting styles. TNT prefers to limit opponents to under 100 points per game, while Rain or Shine thrives on a fast-paced game and aims to put up big numbers whenever possible.Both teams posted identical 8-5 records after the elimination and quarterfinal rounds. They also overcame twice-to-beat disadvantages to secure their spots in the Final Four.

The Philippine women’s football national team opened its campaign in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, blanking Saudi Arabia with a 3-0 score on Sunday, June 29, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.The Filipinas quickly took control of the match with midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki scoring the opening goal in the 16th minute after Meryll Serrano found her inside the box. Serrano remained relentless throughout the match, breaking through Saudi Arabia’s tight defense to double the lead in the 55th minute.Filipino-American rising star Alexa Pino then put the game beyond doubt, slotting in a goal in the 81st minute to secure a dominant win for the Philippines in their tournament opener.

In his inaugural event as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, Patrick “Pato” Gregorio made a heartfelt commitment to give his all, with one clear objective: to secure more gold medals for the nation."There’s no dead end when it comes to dreams. And our dream is to win more gold and serve the 110 million Filipinos,” said Gregorio in Filipino.The forum marked Gregorio's first appearance following the official turnover of the PSC flag from outgoing chairman Richard Bachmann, who had led the agency since December 2022. His official appointment was confirmed just the previous day by Malacañang.“Am I excited? Yes. Am I happy? Yes. It’s very difficult to say no to the Republic of the Philippines. This role we’re about to take on for Philippine sports and for the people is not going to be easy,” he added.With extensive experience in aiding various sports such as basketball, boxing, and rowing, he expressed confidence that with the collaborative support of major stakeholders, achieving these goals is entirely possible.“I feel grateful and privileged for the chance to rise to the occasion. I am your lucky 13th chairman of the PSC. Don’t expect anything less.”Gregorio emphasized that under his leadership, the PSC aims to empower and inspire national athletes, establish solid connections between sports and economic growth, and promote a healthy populace.He expressed a desire for the country to build on the remarkable achievements of its athletes on the international stage, referencing the three gold medals won in the last two Olympics—one by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and two by gymnast Carlos Yulo.Additionally, he stressed the importance of giving non-Olympic sports equal attention and support from government funding."There often seems to be a tug-of-war between Olympic and non-Olympic sports, but both are equally significant,” Gregorio asserted, suggesting establishing a foundation to support Philippine sports comprehensively. “This foundation would ensure continuous funding, not just when victories are achieved. It would allow all private sector supporters who wish to help to come together,” he explained, noting his intention to engage with National Sports Associations (NSAs) and athletes in the near future.“In the next two years, I promise to give my all. That's what I conveyed to the PSC employees. But I can’t do it alone. If we perform well, the entire nation will celebrate our success.” When asked about the relationship between the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee, Gregorio’s response was succinct and decisive. “Automatic. Matic ‘yan,” he affirmed, underscoring the inherent synergy between the two organizations. 

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz made a powerful statement by advancing to the Wimbledon semifinals for the third consecutive year, delivering a commanding straight-sets victory over Britain’s Cameron Norrie.Alcaraz, the towering Spanish world No. 2, showcased his highest level of play in the tournament thus far, needing a mere 99 minutes to overwhelm Norrie with a score of 6-2, 6-3, 6-3, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated semifinal clash against American fifth seed Taylor Fritz."To be able to play another semifinal here at Wimbledon is super special," Alcaraz said.After a series of uneven performances that saw him drop four sets on his way to the quarterfinals, Alcaraz has rediscovered his dominant form, unleashing an impressive 39 winners against the beleaguered British No. 61 on the iconic Center Court.At just 21 years old, the Spaniard is riding a remarkable career-best 23-match winning streak, a run that began after his defeat to Holger Rune in the Barcelona final last April. This remarkable winning streak includes triumphs at prestigious tournaments such as the French Open, Rome Masters, and Monte Carlo.Having dethroned Novak Djokovic in the last two Wimbledon finals, Alcaraz boasts an impressive 34-3 record on grass at the Tour level. His only loss at the All England Club came in the 2022 fourth round against Jannik Sinner, underscoring his elite status on this formidable surface."It's going to be great. I'm really happy with the way I played against a really difficult player," Alcaraz added.

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.

The NCAA is heading back to where it all began.In a landmark decision, the league is set to return to the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum for its Season 101, marking a symbolic homecoming to one of Philippine sports' most iconic venues.The move was made official after the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) gave the green light, clearing all logistical hurdles to host NCAA events at the restored coliseum.The Rizal Memorial Coliseum has been an enduring symbol of Filipino athletic history. First opened in 1934, it has hosted countless memorable moments—from collegiate rivalries to international competitions. Its return as the NCAA’s battleground underscores the league’s commitment to honoring its deep roots while pushing forward into a new era, serving as the league’s iconic home and witnessing countless memorable games until 2005.“This is truly where the NCAA’s identity was forged. Back in the day, the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and the NCAA were one and the same,” told by the acting Management Committee chairman Atty. Jonas Cabochan of San Beda University. The NCAA’s return has been warmly received by newly appointed PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio.“We welcome back the NCAA with open arms. This is their home,” Gregorio affirmed.The coliseum’s central location stands to benefit most member schools, many of which are based in Manila or the southern parts of Metro Manila—such as San Sebastian, San Beda, St. Benilde, Arellano, EAC, Letran, Mapúa, Lyceum, JRU, and Perpetual Help.“Having the NCAA back here will draw bigger crowds for every game and reinforce the vibrant spirit that has always defined the league,” Gregorio added.The NCAA is planning a soft launch at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in September, followed by a grand opening in October.Additionally, gymnastics, boxing, and weightlifting are being considered as demonstration sports for Season 101, highlighting disciplines that have brought honor to the Philippines in the Olympics, even though they will not yet be part of the official medal tally.

Mark "Magnifico" Magsayo showed why he remains one of the Philippines’ brightest boxing hopes, as he earned a convincing unanimous decision win over Mexico’s Jorge Mata Cuellar in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Barrios showdown at the MGM Grand Arena.It wasn’t easy. Cuellar proved to be a rugged, resilient opponent, forcing Magsayo into a gritty 10-round battle filled with powerful exchanges. But in the end, it was the former world champion from Tagbilaran City, Bohol who came out on top.Two judges saw the fight as a 100-90 shutout, while the third scored it 98-92 — all in favor of Magsayo, who improved to 28 wins (18 by KO) against 2 losses. The win also earned him the WBC Continental Americas super featherweight title, adding momentum to his march back to world title contention.“He was tough. He took a lot of shots but kept firing back. I had to stay sharp all the way,” Magsayo said after the bout.While the scorecards suggest a dominant performance, the reality inside the ring told a tougher story. Cuellar absorbed Magsayo’s best shots — especially in the fourth round where the Filipino let loose a flurry of clean power punches — and still managed to respond with sharp counterattacks.The victory marks a successful U.S. return for Magsayo, whose last title reign came after dethroning Gary Russell Jr. in 2022 to become the WBC featherweight world champion.Now competing in the super featherweight division, Magsayo is once again on the brink of a world title shot, and Saturday’s win solidified his position in the queue.“We’re staying focused. I can’t be complacent. The goal is to be world champion again,” he said.With the win, Magsayo made it 2-0 for Filipino fighters on the Pacquiao-Barrios undercard, following Eumir Marcial’s earlier victory — a strong showing for Philippine boxing on one of its grandest nights.“Hats off to Jorge Mata, he is a tough fighter. Thank you for giving a great show to the boxing fans tonight. Big thank you to my team for all the improvements you made to me — I owe it to all of you,” Magsayo concluded.

Filipino MMA star Joshua “The Passion” Pacio is set to chase history as he aims to become the Philippines’ first two-division world champion in ONE Championship.Widely recognized as the most accomplished strawweight in the promotion’s history, Pacio is moving up in weight to challenge newly crowned flyweight champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu at ONE 173 on November 16 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.Now 29, Pacio has exclusively competed at strawweight throughout his ONE career. Despite stepping into unfamiliar territory, he embraces the challenge. “This is a new chapter for me. I know the odds, but I’ve been through adversity before. I’m ready for this,” Pacio shared. Earlier this year, Pacio made a triumphant return after nearly a year sidelined by a partially torn ACL. At ONE 171 in Qatar last February, he completed his trilogy against Jarred Brooks for the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title. After surviving a dangerous guillotine attempt in the opening round, Pacio rallied in the second, unleashing ground-and-pound to unify the strawweight crown. The win improved his record to 23-4 and marked his seventh reign as ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion.At ONE 173, Pacio faces a formidable opponent in Wakamatsu, who enters the bout on a four-fight win streak, including a victory over Pacio’s teammate Danny Kingad. Wakamatsu claimed the vacant ONE Flyweight title at ONE 172 in May with a knockout win over Adriano Moraes.Despite the challenge of fighting in front of a partisan Japanese crowd, Pacio remains undeterred. “I’ll be walking into his backyard, but I know the Filipino spirit travels well. I’m doing this not just for me, but for the entire Philippines,” he said.A victory would make Pacio the first Filipino to capture ONE world titles in two divisions, cementing his legacy as one of the country’s greatest combat sports icons.

Former champions Carlo Biado and Johann Chua kicked off their title bids in strong fashion at the 2025 World Pool Championships in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Chua delivered a commanding start at the World Pool Championship, blanking hometown favorite Mohamed Al-Balkhi, 9-0, to advance to the second round.Fresh off his Knight Shot Open triumph in Dubai, Chua’s impressive win set the tone for the Philippine contingent’s dominant campaign, with 16 out of 18 Filipino players moving on to the next stage. Chua is set to face Oliver Szolnoki next.Filipino cue artist Carlo Biado, on the other hand, defeated Jan Van Lierop of the Netherlands, 9-5, while last year’s semifinalist Chua blanked local hopeful Mohammed Al-Balkhi, 9-0.Meanwhile, fourteen other Filipino cue artists remain in contention after the opening round.Advancing to the next stage were Roland Garcia, who routed Dutch star Niels Feijen, 9-4; Marvin Asis, who edged Spain’s David Alcaide, 9-8; Michael Feliciano, who cruised past Poland’s Konrad Juszczyszyn, 9-3; Bernie Regalario, who dominated Kuwait’s Abdullah Alenzi, 9-2; and Patrick Gonzales, who beat Czechia’s Roman Hybler, 9-3.James Aranas, the 2023 World Cup Pool co-champion, overcame Egypt’s Wesam Hamamm, 9-4, while Lee Vann Corteza, a multi-SEA Games gold medalist, outlasted Al Waleed Al-Mudayan of Saudi Arabia, 9-7.

Out of 18 Filipino cue artists who began their campaigns at the 2025 World Pool Championship, only seven remain in the hunt for the title as the tournament heads into the Round of 16.Veterans Roland Garcia and AJ Manas made early exits, falling in the Round of 64.Advancing further were Marvin Asis, Michael Feliciano, and Johann Chua, but all three were stopped in the Round of 32—each falling to a red-hot Anton Raga, who has quietly emerged as one of the most dangerous players in the draw.The Round of 16, scheduled for tonight, July 25, will showcase two all-Filipino showdowns:Bernie Regalario vs. Patric GonzalesCarlo Biado vs. Jeffrey IgnacioThese matchups ensure that at least two Filipino players will move on to the quarterfinals, continuing the Philippines’ proud tradition of excellence in world-class pool competition.With Anton Raga, Regalario, Gonzales, Biado, and Ignacio still in the mix, Filipino fans have every reason to be hopeful for another deep run—and possibly another world title.

Zamboangueña weightlifting standout Angeline Colonia is setting her sights on greater achievements after clinching a gold medal in the snatch event at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships held from July 4 to 10 in Astana, Kazakhstan.Competing in the Junior Women’s 48kg division, Colonia lifted 77 kilograms in the snatch to top the category and earn gold. She also placed fourth in both the clean and jerk (88 kg) and overall total (165 kg)."I'm so happy. I just prayed for a good performance. I did not expect to win the gold in snatch," Colonia shared in an interview on Wednesday, July 30, her voice reflecting both gratitude and surprise.The victory in Kazakhstan comes just months after Colonia’s strong showing at the World Youth and Junior Championships in Lima, Peru last May, where she bagged a silver in snatch and bronze in total while competing in the Junior 45kg division.Colonia was among a group of young Zamboangueño athletes honored by Mayor Khymer Olaso during the city’s flag-raising ceremony on Monday, July 28, at Zamboanga City Hall. 

Far Eastern University and Adamson University opened their 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge campaigns in style.The Lady Tamaraws, determined to move on from last season’s runner-up finish, cruised to a straight-sets win over Mapua University, 25-15, 25-22, 25-21, Sunday, August 10, at the Paco Arena in Manila.FEU stayed composed throughout, with Congolese opposite Faida Bakanke taking charge in the third set. Locked at 15-all, she fired three consecutive aces to give the Lady Tamaraws breathing room, finishing with 12 points built on six attacks, three blocks, and three aces, including four digs.Mitzi Panangin added 10 markers in the win. Senior setter and captain Tin Ubaldo steered FEU’s 6-2 closing run, capped by Gerzel Petallo’s down-the-line hit.“Our goal this time wasn’t to get back at anyone, but to really improve from last time,” Ubaldo said in Filipino. “We didn’t focus solely on winning, but on the process of how we can win. For me, joining this tournament isn’t about redemption.”Mapua’s Alyanna Ong and Zyra Morales had eight points each, but no Lady Cardinal hit double figures.

Shaina Nitura made a rousing V-League debut for Adamson University, while College of Saint Benilde held firm against a late rally by Colegio de San Juan de Letran as both squads preserved their spotless records in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, Tuesday, August 12, at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.Fresh from her stint with Alas Pilipinas in the SEA V.League, the Adamson sophomore outside hitter unleashed a 28-point explosion off 27 from attacks and one from a block to cruise the Lady Falcons past Far Eastern University in a five-set thriller, 25-22, 25-21, 17-25, 22-25, 15-11.Nitura came up big in the decider, firing five crucial points to give Adamson a 23-20 cushion before closing out the match and notching the team’s second straight win.Head coach JP Yude admitted that passing woes in the middle frames nearly derailed their momentum but lauded the grit his players showed down the stretch.“We started as a new group, and this is where we’re gaining our confidence. This is also where their character is really tested,” Yude said.Frances Mordi backed Nitura with 15 points, while Lhouriz Tuddao and MG Del Moral chipped in eight each for Adamson, which now shares the tournament lead with Benilde. FEU’s Gerzel Petallo finished with 18 points, while Jaz Ellarina added 16, including seven blocks.

Australia claimed the gold for the third straight time in the FIBA Asia Cup after surviving a nail-biting finish against China, 90-89, on Monday morning, August 18 (PH time), at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.The Boomers, who have been undefeated in the tournament since joining the Asia Cup in 2017, once again proved their resilience on the biggest stage. But before clinching their third consecutive crown, the Australians had to claw back from a double-digit deficit as they trailed by as many as 15 points through the first three quarters.

Ateneo de Manila University finally entered the win column in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge after dispatching Arellano University in four sets, 25-13, 9-25, 25-21, 25-20, on Wednesday, September 3, at Paco Arena in Manila.The Blue Eagles stumbled against NCAA teams College of Saint Benilde, Mapua, and Pepetual before finding their rhythm against the Lady Chiefs to avoid slipping further down the standings.Zey Pacia powered Ateneo’s bounce-back with a standout performance of 23 points built on 22 kills and an ace, while also steadying the defense with five excellent digs and five excellent receptions.

Adamson University stamped its dominance in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, locking in the top semifinal seed with a convincing sweep of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-18, 25-17, 25-16, on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.The Lady Falcons kept their spotless slate intact at 6-0, riding on a balanced effort from rookie sensation Abby Segui, who fired 12 points, and star hitter Shaina Nitura, who added 10 points and anchored their floor defense. Frances Mordi also provided steady scoring with 12 markers in the win.Adamson showed little mercy in the third set, quickly racing to a 14-3 advantage before sealing the match with Red Bascon’s emphatic block. Earlier, Segui and Lhouriz Tuddao combined for crucial points in the second frame to help the Falcons gain full control.

Fresh off her historic WTA victory in Guadalajara, Alex Eala is set to headline the São Paulo Open in Brazil. The No. 3 seed, now ranked 61st in the world, opens against French qualifier Yasmine Mansouri. A win will pit her against either Argentina’s Julia Riera or Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko in the next round.Eala made history last week by becoming the first Filipina to win a WTA title, defeating Hungary’s Panna Udvardy in a thrilling final. Her recent success follows a strong US Open run and has boosted her prize money earnings to over P15 million this season.With momentum on her side, Eala is eyeing back-to-back titles as she continues her impressive rise on the tour.Meanwhile, the retired former No. 1 Spanish player Rafael Nadal, lauded Eala’s achievement for clinching her first-ever WTA title.“Congrats @AlexEala05 for your first WTA (trophy). I am happy and proud of what you are achieving for yourself and for the Philippines,” wrote Nadal on X (formerly Twitter).It can be recalled that the Filipina ace started her journey at the Rafa Nadal Academy, where she is an alumnae. She has also been continuously training at the academy in her pro career.

Iran proved once again that it thrives under pressure, outlasting world No. 9 Serbia in another five-set thriller to punch its ticket to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.The Iranians, ranked 16th in the world, battled to a hard-fought 23-25, 25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 15-9 victory—just days after surviving hosts Philippines in a dramatic pool-play decider, 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20.Far from being rattled by their string of five-setters, Iran head coach Roberto Piazza said he sees them as proof of his team’s resilience and growth.“Worried? No,” Piazza said after the win. “I remember one player telling me during the game against the Philippines, ‘Coach, don’t be worried.’ I’ve never been worried in my life. We prepared the team—and all the coaches—to reach this level, to be able to play three games in a row. This is the mindset we are using in the tournament.”Still, Piazza expressed some frustration, noting that his squad is capable of more. “These five-setters are the experiences we need to learn on the court. We have 11 completely new players, and until now, they are still not fully able to understand my volleyball language. That’s why I’m a little disappointed,” he admitted.With the win, Iran became the last Asian nation standing in the 32-team tournament. But Piazza quickly shifted his focus to the looming quarterfinal against Czechia, with a Final Four berth at stake.“Sorry, I’ve already stopped celebrating. My players need to stop immediately too because our next opponent played earlier at 3:30. Their game was not as long as ours, so we have less time to recover. We need to focus mentally on everything,” Piazza stressed.Czechia, meanwhile, clinched its first-ever quarterfinal appearance as an independent nation after sweeping Tunisia, 25-19, 25-18, 25-23, in its Round of 16 match. The Czechs are already assured of at least an eighth-place finish, surpassing their previous best of 10th in 2010.For Iran, the road only gets tougher. But if their back-to-back five-set victories are any indication, this team has no plans of backing down.