Barangay Ginebra gave a wonderful Christmas gift to their die-hard fans by defeating the Magnolia Hotshots, 95-92, in their Christmas Manila Clasico duel on Wednesday night, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Magnolia seemed inspired to win their first back-to-back victories in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup as they erected a 55-41 halftime lead and even established a game-high 22-point lead in the third period.But the Gin Kings displayed their never-say-die attitude to put the game in a cliffhanger showdown.

The Philippine national women’s futsal team qualified for the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup after concluding their final game in Group C against Australia, 2-1, on Sunday, January 19, at the Yunusobod Sport Complex in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.However, the setback did not hinder the country's chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup, since it finished as the tournament's best third-placed team.The Philippines qualified for the continental finale by finishing the qualifiers with two victories, one tie, and one defeat, or seven points, in Group C.

The NLEX Road Warriors kept their hopes of making the playoffs alive after defeating the Phoenix Fuel Masters last night, January 19, at the Ynares Center, Antipolo City, 108-94.Their previous match against TNT Tropang Giga served as inspiration for the Road Warriors to regain their victory in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.NLEX head coach Jong Uichico also couldn’t help but be happy and praise his local players for their contributions to achieving their victory.“Everybody had their mindset to contribute in today’s game. Alam nila gaano ka-importante yung laro ngayon. Everybody had the mindset and the will na maka-contribute maski papaano sa larong ito. Then malaking bagay [sila]. Tony was great, he was able to come back and was a big help to us. Kay Herndon naman, nabigyan ko ng minuto. Kaya nanalo, maganda yung contribution ng lahat. Hindi naman namin kontrolado yung result, pero yung tsansa manalo today, binigyan nila yung sarili nila ng tsansa,” said coach Uichico. Uichico was also satisfied with Jonnel Policarpio's performance, which helped Robert Bolick win the match. According to the former La Salle Green Archer, he just did his best and gave his all in the opportunity given by his coach.“Binigay ko lang yung best ko sa opportunities na binigay sa akin ni coach. Hindi ko lang sinayang. Talagang sinunod ko lang yung game plan namin nila coach kanina,” said  the former La Salle Green Archer player. Robert Bollick led NLEX in the win with 26 points, nine rebounds and one steal, while Jonnel Policarpio had 17 points, nine rebounds and one steal. Tony Semerad had 15 points, while Rob Herndon scored 11 points.NLEX must overcome the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Hong Kong Eastern, and they now have the cards to make the most of the remaining opportunities they need to make sure of a place in the playoffs.The Scores:NLEX 108 – Bolick 26, Watkins 22, Policarpio 17, Herndon 15, Semerad 11, Torres 9, Ramirez 5, Nieto 3, Mocon 0.PHOENIX 94 – Smith 36, Rivero 13, Muyang 8, Perkins 8, Tio 7, Tuffin 6, Jazul 5, Alejandro 3, Ballungay 2, Manganti 1, Salado 0, Ular 0, Verano 0, Camacho 0.Quarter Scores: 25-17, 45-48, 86-73, 108-94.

PLDT returned to their winning ways after pulling off a 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 25-22 victory over Cignal in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, January 28.The High Speed Hitters retaliated fiercely after the HD Spikers won the third set, gaining a 16–6 lead in the fourth set and appearing poised to win the match easily.The Cignal team, led by Vanie Gandler and Ishie Lalongisip’s aggressive performances halfway through the frame, even got within one at 22-21, but Majoy Baron and star spiker Savi Davison’s kills helped the High Speed Hitters regain their rhythm and end the game.Davison put up her usual output with 24 points along with 12 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions as PLDT now holds a 5-3 record. 

The TNT Tropang Giga once again relied on their scoring prowess to secure a narrow 87-85 victory against Barangay Ginebra in Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals to get the 2-1 series lead on Wednesday, March 19, at the Philsports Arena.Rey Nambatac played his best game as a pro as he finished with 24 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the three-point area. He also had seven assists and five rebounds.The Letran product also led TNT in their comeback from a nine-point deficit in the first half of play. Then, “Sting-Rey” sank a crucial three-pointer in the closing moments of the game to break the 82-deadlock.Tropang Giga’s import, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson flirted with a triple double, tallying 20 markers, 11 boards and eight dimes, including his last dish to the wide open Glenn Khobuntin, who made his fastbreak layup to get his 10th point and put the game almost out of reach.Calvin Oftana also ended up in double figures, scoring 16 markers, on top of his five rebounds and four assists.

Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala has etched her name in history, securing a spot in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open.The 19-year-old moved forward after Spain’s Paula Badosa, ranked No. 11 in the world, withdrew due to a lower back injury during their Round of 16 matchup on Monday, March 24 (Tuesday, March 25, Manila time).Eala’s stellar performance throughout the tournament already included massive upsets. She stunned the World No. 5 and reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, as well as No. 25 and 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko, to advance to the fourth round.

Melvin Jerusalem successfully defended his World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight belt after a convincing unanimous decision win over Yudai Shigeoka in their rematch on March 30, 2025, at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Aichi, Japan. And like their first match, the Filipino boxer was able to take his opponent apart piece by piece right from the get-go with smooth precision.The Pinoy boxer kept on coming with volume punches, connecting on combinations that left his opponent with a bloody nose. He then kept the pressure on until the last round of their fight, not slowing down as Shigeoka continuously struggled to connect with his punches.Unlike the first match, there were no knockdowns this time around, but the dominance was still shown by the Filipino 31-year-old fighter and champion.Judge Joseph Gwilt scored it 118-110, judge Thawut Pheumsamran had it closer at 116-112 and judge Chris Tellez saw it at 119-109. This is the second time that Jerusalem successfully defended his belt and further improved his record to 24-3 with 12 knockouts, while Shigeoka dropped to 9-2 with five knockouts. Last year, Jerusalem also won the title against Shigeoka also in Japan via split decision.Now that Jerusalem won the fight against his Japanese foe, he dreams of a rematch with unified 105-pound titlist Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico.It has been almost two years since the 31-year-old Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon native was stripped of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title in a crushing seventh-round technical knockout loss to Collazo last May 27, 2023. 

The PLDT High Speed Hitters kicked off their 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League campaign after overcoming a shaky start against the Australia’s Queensland Pirates, 25-19, 25-12, 25-12, on Sunday, April 20, at the PhilSports Arena.Savi Davison powered the High Speed Hitters with 14 attack points while also registering eight excellent digs and three excellent receptions, earning the Player of the Match honors.The Pirates dictated the early tempo, going on a 6-1 run in the opening frame. But the tide turned when Wilma Salas’s service ace shifted the momentum and handed PLDT their first lead of the match. Despite the Pirates’ efforts to regain control, the High Speed Hitters responded with urgency. Fiola Ceballos stepped up in the clutch, giving PLDT a 20-16 cushion. Although an out-of-bounds attack momentarily disrupted PLDT’s flow, Kim Kianna Dy’s relentless offense pushed the lead to 23-17. Dy eventually sealed the set with a powerful attack, completing the comeback.

Fresh off their historic Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Championship win, the Petro Gazz Angels were brought back down to earth in their first match on the continental stage, falling in four sets to Chinese Taipei’s Kaohsiung Taipower, 15-25, 16-25, 25-19, 20-25, at the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League on Monday afternoon, April 21, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.Despite the momentum of a landmark local title just over a week ago, the Angels couldn’t find their rhythm against the well-drilled and youthful Taipower squad. The nine-time Top Volleyball League champions leaned on the consistency of 21-year-old outside hitter Hsu Wan-Yun and 23-year-old wing spiker Tsai Yu-Chun to maintain their unbeaten record (2-0) and clinch the top spot in Pool B.

Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu Volleyball Club completed a flawless campaign at the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League, emerging as champions after a 3-1 victory, 25-14, 20-25, 25-23, 25-18, over Vietnam’s VTV Binh Dien Long An in the gold medal match held Sunday, April 27, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.Zhetysu, the nine-time Kazakhstan Women’s National League champions, showcased their dominance throughout the tournament, going undefeated and dropping just one set—the second frame of the final—on their way to the title.The Kazakh squad showcased their firepower and height advantage, out-blocking the Vietnamese side 15-2 and delivering 10 service aces to just one from their opponents. The match lasted 87 minutes.

After four seasons with PLDT in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), Erika Santos has officially moved on from the team.The 25-year-old outside hitter took to Instagram on Monday night, April 28, to share a heartfelt message, thanking the High Speed Hitters for their unwavering support and the memorable journey she experienced with the squad.“After three unforgettable years representing PLDT, the time has come for me to turn the page and embrace a new chapter. I’ve been honored to compete alongside incredible teammates and guided by dedicated coaches,” said Santos.“To my teammates, coaches, and management who became family — pushing me to improve, sharing laughter, and never letting me settle for less than my potential. And to the PLDT fans, your encouragement after a loss lifted our spirits, and your celebrations after a win became memories we’ll cherish forever. I am profoundly grateful for each of you,” she added.

Just weeks after his decisive win against Mexico’s Francisco Portillo on May 31, undefeated Filipino boxer Carl Jammes Martin made sure to attend worship services of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ)—a commitment he never fails to keep, no matter the circumstance.In his Facebook post, Martin said: “Wherever we go, we will find a chapel and we will fulfill our duty to the Father.”Martin joined the worship service of the local congregation in Los Angeles, California, showing his continued devotion and gratitude to the Lord God following his latest victory in the ring.For the 25-year-old rising star, putting trust in the Lord God is essential—especially as he pursues continued success in his boxing career.He demonstrates this by always attending worship services, staying united with the Church Administration, and submitting to its guidance—a trait he shares with many Filipino athletes who attribute their success to their faith.He is one of many Filipino boxers who exhibit this same devotion—never forgetting to give respect and gratitude to the true giver of victories, especially to His chosen ones, in every fight inside the ring.Martin currently holds a clean record of 26-0 (Win-Loss) with 20 knockouts and remains active in the junior featherweight division after his win over Portillo.

As expected, the Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.Flagg is now expected to elevate the Mavericks franchise to new heights following the departure of former franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić, who was traded to Los Angeles before last season's trade deadline.The move to let go of Dončić sparked backlash from fans, but with Flagg now in the fold, there’s renewed optimism in Dallas — especially with a lineup that looks increasingly solid on paper.

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.

Cebuana golfer Denise Mendoza made a splash in the opening round of the ICTSI Junior PGT Championship, dominating the girls’ 7-10 division on Wednesday, July 10, in Davao City.What started as a tight contest quickly turned into a showcase of her talent. The 10-year-old prodigy unleashed a remarkable six-birdie streak starting at No. 10 at the South Pacific Golf and Residential Estates, firing an impressive 64 to seize control of the leaderboard.Despite a rollercoaster nine—marked by three birdies and three bogeys under humid and overcast skies—Mendoza found her rhythm after the turn. She lit up the back nine with birdies on holes 10 through 15, displaying exceptional precision and composure beyond her years.“I was surprised – I really didn’t expect to score this low, especially on a course I’ve never played before,” said Mendoza, who credited her calm mindset to her father’s advice: "Stay calm and stick to the basics, especially when you hit a bad shot or things start to go wrong."“Most of the time, my approach shots left me with easy birdie chances – usually within five feet. That meant I didn’t need to make a lot of long putts. I’ll just play exactly the same way,” added the Cebu Learning Center student.

Despite acknowledging the pressure, rising Filipino gymnast Karl Eldrew Yulo is confident he can deliver a strong performance in front of a hometown crowd when the 3rd Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships unfold from November 20 to 24 at the Manila Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.“I hope I can make a good performance because I want to be one of the best junior gymnasts in the world,” said the 17-year-old Yulo. “This is my major international competition this year, and, with the help of God, I want to show the world my best,” he added.Yulo recently trained in Nagoya, Japan under the guidance of esteemed coach Munehiro Kugimiya, as part of his final preparations for the prestigious tournament. Alongside him during his media appearance was Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) President Cynthia Carrion, who emphasized support over pressure.“I won’t be putting any pressure on Eldrew, so I would be happy if he wins a silver at the world juniors,” said Carrion.The Philippines earned the hosting rights for the Junior World Championships after a successful bid during the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Congress last year in Doha, Qatar. Carrion credited FIG President Morinari Watanabe for championing the country’s bid, especially following Carlos Yulo’s Olympic triumph in Paris.Nearly 80 countries and 600 athletes are expected to compete in the five-day event, which marks a milestone for Philippine gymnastics.  Joining Yulo as the country’s female representative is US-based Elisabeth Antone, who earned a bronze medal at the Asian Junior Championships last June in South Korea. Due to the Philippines not participating in the previous edition in Antalya, Turkey, only one male and one female gymnast can compete under the FIG rules for this edition.Carrion remains hopeful that both gymnasts will rise to the occasion, bolstered by the energy of the Filipino crowd.“You know how inspiring our Filipino fans are, so we expect them to root for both Yulo and Antone during the world juniors,” she added.For Karl Eldrew, this competition carries extra meaning, as it will be his final outing in the junior division before moving up to the senior ranks next year.“This is going to be my first and last time competing in the world juniors and in the Philippines. Next year I will be competing as a senior, so may konting pressure,” said Yulo.Carrion emphasized the long-term goal of preparing Yulo for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, with plans for continued training under coach Kugimiya in Japan.“I believe that he can be our best now at the world juniors, although other countries will also be putting their best foot forward,” she added.Carrion summed it up best: “It would be fantastic for us Filipinos if Karl can pull this off. It would be nice for the Philippines to see a world champion crowned on our home soil.”

Team Philippines enters the 2025 Chengdu World Games with high hopes and a fighting spirit, as the prestigious international multi-sport event officially opens today in China.A delegation of over 100 Filipino athletes, coaches, and officials arrived earlier this week, ready to compete in sports where the country has previously excelled—including wushu, dancesport, billiards, archery, and modern pentathlon.Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expressed confidence in the team’s medal prospects, citing their extensive preparation and strong international track records.“We’re not just here to participate—we’re here to compete and win. Many of our athletes are world-class and have proven themselves on the biggest stages,” Tolentino said.Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio will be among the spectators, joined by top Chinese officials and World Games President José Perurena López.The men’s floorball team opens the country’s campaign, facing Latvia at 9 a.m. at the Xindu Xiangcheng Sports Centre. The 14-man squad, ranked No. 12 in the world and coached by Noel Mendoza, arrived in Chengdu last Sunday and has been preparing for their match against the No. 4-ranked Latvians.“We feel great and confident. The team is ready,” said Philippine Floorball Association President Marco Ortiz.Wushu artist Agatha Wong also expressed her excitement about competing in the World Games."I am excited because it is my first time in an opening ceremony. I just want to enjoy and live in the moment," Wong said.Among the key players is forward Melvin Mendoza, a silver medalist at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games and a veteran of three World Championship appearances.

The UAAP has upheld its ruling barring players from joining the PBA Draft while retaining their collegiate eligibility, despite an appeal from PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial. UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag emphasized that the decision affects not only basketball but the entire UAAP sporting program.“We can’t grant the request, at least for this season, because it has implications for our other sporting events,” Saguisag said.He added that the UAAP Board must conduct a thorough review before allowing players to enter the PBA Draft mid-season.“We’re committed to referring this matter to a committee for a deep study of its impact across all our 20 sporting events,” Saguisag explained. However, he noted that the UAAP isn’t closing its doors to the idea and may implement changes as early as Season 89.Saguisag said Marcial and the PBA understood the UAAP’s need for consistency with its regulations. In the UAAP’s view, any player who enters the draft—even if undrafted and a free agent—is considered a professional and thus ineligible to continue playing at the collegiate level.The ruling means top prospects like La Salle’s Mike Phillips and other graduating UAAP players will have to wait about a year before they can enter the PBA Draft if they wish to retain their eligibility this season.

Filipina MMA champion Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga has withdrawn from her scheduled ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship defense at ONE 173 on November 16 due to “medical reasons.”Zamboanga was set to defend her title against Japan’s Ayaka Miura at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. "With a heavy heart, I need to share some difficult news… I was truly excited to defend my belt at ONE 173 against Ayaka. I know how strong and talented she is, and I was looking forward to testing myself against such a worthy challenger. This was a fight I have been preparing for and one I deeply wanted to give to the fans," she said.Her withdrawal leaves former strawweight champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio as the sole Filipino representative on the card.Zamboanga apologized to Ayaka and her sponsors in the same post, but vowed to return stronger, underscoring her love for the sport."This sport means everything to me, and I promise I am fully committed to coming back stronger. My passion for fighting has not changed, and I will continue to work hard so that I can once again represent ONE at the highest level when I return."Pacio, 28, will move up in weight for a high-stakes challenge against local favorite Yuya Wakamatsu for the ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship.Zamboanga’s absence marks a temporary setback after her recent title win and shifts the spotlight to Pacio’s quest to reclaim world title glory in Tokyo.

The PBA’s historic 50th season kicked off with major changes, as four teams debuted new head coaches during the 2025 Rookie Draft at the Mall of Asia Music Hall. LA Tenorio (Magnolia), Willy Wilson (Phoenix), Ronald Tubid (Terrafirma), and Dennis “Delta” Pineda (Converge) wasted no time putting their stamp on their squads, selecting from a deep pool of 122 applicants.Tubid and Terrafirma picked Geo Chiu first overall, while Pineda and Converge took Juan Gomez de Liano at No. 2. On the other hand, Tenorio drafted Yukien Andrada (No. 6), and Wilson chose Will Gozum (No. 8) for Phoenix. Terrafirma and Converge each drafted ten players, with Magnolia and Phoenix also bolstering their lineups.“Thankful sa opportunity. Ang daming puwedeng coaches na possible dito, pero tayo ang binigyan ng pagkakataon. So I think there’s a reason why,” Tenorio said. With new leadership and a strong rookie class, the PBA’s golden season promises exciting games and intrigue.