Petro Gazz reignited its campaign in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League with a commanding straight-sets victory over Hong Kong’s Hip Hing, 25-8, 25-12, 25-12, on Tuesday, April 22, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.The win not only marked their first in the tournament but also secured them the final quarterfinal berth, setting up a high-stakes clash with Chinese powerhouse Beijing Baic Motor.After dropping their opening match to Pool B leader Kaohsiung Taipower in four sets (15-25, 16-25, 25-19, 20-25), the Angels bounced back in emphatic fashion, delivering a near-flawless performance against the winless Hong Kong side. From the first whistle, Petro Gazz established its dominance, allowing Hip Hing no room to build momentum during the swift one-hour, 13-minute match.

De La Salle University (DLSU) clinched the twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Final Four after a gritty four-set win over University of Santo Tomas (UST), 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 29-27, on Wednesday, April 30, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.The Lady Spikers recovered from a slow start and leaned on clutch performances in the final sets to edge out the Golden Tigresses in a tightly contested playoff for the second seed. With the win, DLSU earned the upper hand as the two squads arranged to face off again in the semifinals on Saturday, May 3.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is headed to the main draw of the 2025 Lexus Nottingham Open after pulling off a hard-earned 6-3, 6-7(4-7), 6-3 victory over Romania’s Anca Todoni in England.The 20-year-old looked poised for a straight-sets win after taking a 4-2 lead in the second set, but Todoni fought back, forcing a tiebreak and eventually pushing the match into a deciding third set.Undeterred, the WTA World No. 77 regrouped and surged to a 4-1 run in the final set to seal the win after just over two hours of intense play.Todoni’s powerful serve—highlighted by 12 aces—kept Eala on her toes throughout the match, but the Filipina’s composure and grit ultimately made the difference.With the victory, Eala advanced to the Round of 32 of the WTA event, where she will face sixth seed Magda Linette of Poland. Linette, 33, currently ranked World No. 31, automatically qualified for the main draw, presenting a tough challenge for the young Filipina.Eala earned her main draw slot by surviving two three-set qualifying matches—first outlasting France’s Varvara Gracheva, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, before overcoming Todoni.This latest triumph serves as a moment of redemption following her quarterfinal exit at the Ilkley Open last week. It also caps off a solid stretch of grass-court play as she builds toward her highly anticipated Wimbledon debut, scheduled from June 30 to July 11 in London.Fresh off her appearance at the French Open, Wimbledon marks Eala’s second consecutive Grand Slam entry this year. Her recent rise into the WTA Top 100 has opened the door to automatic berths in all four Grand Slam tournaments—a major milestone for the 20-year-old trailblazer in Philippine tennis history.

Despite a blazing start, Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala saw her campaign at the WTA 250 Nottingham Open come to an early end after a 4-6, 3-6 first-round defeat to Poland’s Magda Linette on Tuesday night, June 17.The 20-year-old raced to a 3-0 lead in just seven minutes, but veteran campaigner Linette, ranked No. 31, found her rhythm by the fourth game. The Polish star turned the tide, leveling the match at 3-3 before surging ahead 5-3 and eventually taking the first set.Eala attempted to fight back in the second set, which featured tighter exchanges, with the score knotted at 2-all. However, her opponent’s experience and composure took over once again, as she pulled away to secure the win in one hour and 38 minutes.Meanwhile, Linette advances to the Round of 16, where she awaits the winner between Great Britain’s Mingge Xu and American Katie Volynets.Despite the loss, Eala’s appearance in Nottingham marked her third consecutive grass-court tournament in a matter of two weeks. She previously suffered a first-round exit at the Birmingham Classic and reached the quarterfinals at the Ilkley Open.Eala made it to the Nottingham main draw after winning two matches in the qualifying rounds. She is expected to continue her grass-court campaign in preparation for her debut at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships later this month.

The San Miguel Beermen have tied the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals at 1-1 after defeating the TNT Tropang 5G, 98-92, in Game 2 on Wednesday, July 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Don Trollano delivered a breakout performance off the bench, tallying 22 points on an efficient 10-of-16 shooting from the floor. He also grabbed six rebounds and handed out an assist, leading San Miguel's charge to equalize the series.June Mar Fajardo provided solid support with 17 markers, nine boards, three dimes, and one steal. Mo Tautuaa also stepped up, sealing the win with a wide-open layup to close the game without any controversy. He ended with 16 points and four rebounds.Jeron Teng made his presence felt with 10 markers—all in the first half—while assistant playing coach Chris Ross showcased his trademark leadership and defensive intensity, wrapping up the game with seven points, four rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.

Carlo Biado has made history once again, becoming the first Filipino to win a second World Pool Championship title after dethroning defending champion Fedor Gorst in a thrilling 15-13 final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, yesterday morning, July 27 (Philippine time).Biado, who first captured the World Nineball crown in 2017 in Doha, Qatar, is now the only Filipino to lift the prestigious trophy twice. In the final, Gorst raced to a quick 2-0 lead, but Biado responded with a dominant 9-2 run. Gorst clawed his way back, capitalizing on Biado’s errors to tie the match at 9-all and again at 13-all."I'm over the moon—I still can't believe I'm a two-time world champion. It means everything to me. I'm so proud to bring this trophy home to the Philippines," Biado said.Undeterred, the 41-year-old showed poise under pressure, taking the last two racks to seal the victory and the title."This final is something I'll remember forever. Fedor is one of the best in the world," he added.With this feat, Biado joins Filipino pool legends Efren “Bata” Reyes (1999), Ronnie Alcano (2006), and Francisco “Django” Bustamante (2010) as World Pool champions.Meanwhile, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino lauded Biado for upholding the country’s winning legacy in billiards.“This is another great reason to rejoice and celebrate. Carlo Biado becoming the only player in the world to win the 9-ball championship twice is remarkable. Long live Biado and Philippine billiards,” he said.The POC, which currently oversees the Billiard Sports Confederation of the Philippines (BSCP) following its suspension by the Asian Confederation of Billiard Sport, reaffirmed its commitment to support the country’s billiards athletes in training and international competitions, including the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December."We will continue to work, guide and help our national billiards athletes in their training and competitions abroad, including the Thailand SEA Games this December," Tolentino added.

Filipino cue artist Chezka Centeno came heartbreakingly close to a historic gold medal at the 2025 World Games, falling to China’s Han Yu, 7-6, in a dramatic women’s 10-ball final on Wednesday, August 13.Centeno clawed her way back from early deficits — 0-3, 3-4, and 4-5 — and seized control at 6-5, seemingly on the cusp of victory. But a critical miss in the final rack opened the door for Han, who capitalized and ran the table to snatch the gold on home soil.The result marked sweet revenge for Han, who had lost to Centeno in the 2023 World 10-Ball Championship final in Austria. Notably, this was also Han’s second win over the Filipina in Chengdu, having edged her in the group stage, 7-6.Despite the painful finish, Centeno impressed throughout the tournament. She rebounded from her group stage loss to Han by dominating Savannah Easton of the United States, 7-2, to move into the knockout rounds. She then cruised past Mayte Ropero of Spain, 7-2, in the quarterfinals, and ousted China’s Shasha Liu, 7-4, in the semifinals.Cheered on by Filipino legends Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, and Rubilen Amit, Centeno showed grit and brilliance — but it wasn’t quite enough to bring home gold this time.Still, the silver medal is a testament to her consistency and elite standing in the global billiards scene.

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has formally asked the UAAP to allow college players to enter the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft without losing their eligibility for the UAAP basketball season.PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the request, which comes with the Rookie Draft scheduled for September 7—just 12 days before UAAP Season 88 tips off at UST on September 19.Marcial assured that drafted players would still be able to complete their UAAP commitments before reporting to their PBA teams.“We believe this is a win-win for both leagues. Players will be motivated to give their best in the UAAP, knowing their college exposure will help launch their pro careers,” Marcial said.The PBA’s 50th season opens on October 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the Philippine Cup as the season-opener.Marcial added that the league and its teams are prepared to assist student-athletes as they transition to the pros while fulfilling their collegiate duties.“We’re open to extending support to UAAP draftees so they can compete at the highest level in the UAAP,” he added.If approved, the proposal would allow top collegiate stars to explore professional opportunities without sacrificing their final UAAP campaigns—creating a smoother bridge between the country’s premier collegiate and professional basketball leagues.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed that the UAAP has denied the league’s request to allow graduating and one-and-done players to join the upcoming September 7 PBA Draft while still completing their collegiate eligibility.Marcial said he received a letter from UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag, who explained that the issue was thoroughly discussed by the UAAP Board of Managing Directors. “This matter involves a policy issue across all our sports programs. We are unable to favorably act on the request at this time. We must also ensure consistency in our regulations concerning student-athletes entering professional leagues,” Saguisag wrote.As a result, graduating UAAP players will have to wait another nine months before they can apply for the next PBA Draft, potentially stalling their transition to the professional ranks and affecting their career momentum.Saguisag also added that the matter would be referred to the UAAP’s sports and eligibility committees for further review and possible amendments in future seasons.In contrast, the NCAA allows its graduating players to enter the PBA Draft as long as they finish their final collegiate season before turning pro—a policy seen as more supportive of athletes’ career development.Among the UAAP standouts who could have entered this year’s draft are La Salle’s Michael Phillips, UP’s Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, and several others. With the UAAP’s decision, these prospects must now wait until next year’s draft to begin their professional journey.

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao is optimistic about his newest rookie class after selecting eight players in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft. “You might get surprised by any of these guys,” Guiao said, emphasizing the group’s upside.The Elasto Painters picked UST’s Christian Manaytay (10th overall) and Letran’s Arthur Roque (12th) in the first round, then added Mark Omega, Vince Cuajao, Joshua David, Cole Micek, Kyle Tolentino, and MJ Dela Virgen in later rounds.Guiao believes the group is high on potential, even without a ready-made superstar, and is hopeful some could become Rain or Shine’s next breakout performers. “I think we do not have a ready-made superstar that will make an immediate impact, but I feel the potential of these guys is on the high side. We’re always looking for those finds and there’s an opportunity to draft these guys, see them in practice and make a decision.” Guiao explained. “Who knows, somebody there could be the next Jhonard Clarito or Adrian Nocum,” he added.The team also added veteran guard Stanley Pringle in free agency to provide leadership as they aim for a finals berth after four straight semifinal appearances.

The reigning UAAP champions University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons got a timely boost from two of their former stars during their recent training camp in South Korea as they gear up for their title defense in the upcoming Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.The Fighting Maroons faced several Korean Basketball League (KBL) squads from August 24 to September 2, including the current teams of ex-UP standouts JD Cagulangan and Carl Tamayo.According to UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon, the presence of Cagulangan and Tamayo during the final stretch of camp was invaluable, as the two shared insights that went beyond the basketball court.“We miss them for sure… Those are two players very special to us, not only on the court but even off the court,” said Luanzon during a contract signing on Monday, September 8, at UP Diliman.“The advice they gave — about mindset, how to approach a game, how to deal with losses, and other important things — are lessons that will really help our players moving forward,” he added.Tamayo was the first to take his talents abroad in 2023, suiting up for the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Japan’s B. League, where he won a championship before transferring to the KBL’s Changwon LG Sakers. He became the first Filipino import to capture titles in both Japan and Korea.Cagulangan followed in 2024, signing with Suwon KT Sonicboom just two days after capping his collegiate career with a Finals MVP award and another UAAP crown for UP.The reunion was particularly meaningful for team captain Gerry Abadiano, who was inspired by his former teammates’ success overseas.

Leo Ordiales’ night of redemption came just when Alas Pilipinas needed it most.After a rocky FIVB Men’s World Championship debut where he managed only two points against Tunisia, the 22-year-old opposite spiker faced his share of criticism. He admitted the frustration was difficult to shake off, but he vowed to bounce back stronger.On Tuesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Ordiales fulfilled that promise in the biggest way possible, by helping the Philippine carve out a historic first-ever Worlds victory.Ordiales erupted for 21 points built on 19 attacks and three aces as Alas Pilipinas stunned World No. 21 Egypt in four sets, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21.He provided the firepower alongside Bryan Bagunas, who topscored with 25 points, and proved he could be a reliable weapon on the international stage.

Rookie forward Sonny Estil had an impressive first outing in the PBA, showing poise and energy for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel during the highly anticipated Manila Clasico against Magnolia last Sunday.The 11th overall pick finished with nine points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes and 41 seconds, providing a spark in Ginebra’s 80–73 loss to open the 50th Season Philippine Cup.Estil admitted that he felt the pressure of playing his first PBA game but fought to overcome it, saying the experience reminded him of his childhood days playing basketball. Having been accustomed to performing before large crowds, he still recognized that competing in the PBA felt different, given the level of talent and intensity.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is ramping up its advocacy for youth empowerment through sports, as Chairman Patrick Gregorio is appointed Philippine National Network (PNN) Convenor for the Southeast Asia Sports and Youth Crime Prevention (SEA-SYCP) initiative.The appointment by SEA-SYCP leaders James Mapstone and Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee recognizes the PSC’s key role in advancing sports-driven youth programs across the regionMr. Edward Hayco will support Gregorio as Vice-Convenor, ensuring the roll-out of effective, sustainable programs under the SEA-SYCP umbrella.In a recent meeting with the PSC, SEA-SYCP, and partner government and private agencies, it was agreed that the Philippines will lead program planning and resource mobilization. The national steering group will align its efforts with the ASEAN Work Plan, focusing on youth development, community engagement, and crime prevention through sports.This partnership underscores sports as a powerful tool for social change—promoting discipline, teamwork, and positive youth engagement throughout Southeast Asia.

Filipino weightlifter Princess Jay Ann Diaz delivered another proud moment for the Philippines after clinching the bronze medal in the Girls’ 44kg Clean & Jerk event at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain.The young lifter displayed impressive strength and composure, posting a total lift of 141 kilograms, highlighted by a 63kg snatch and a 78kg clean & jerk, to secure third place against Asia’s top youth competitors.Diaz’s podium finish not only added to Team Philippines’ growing medal count but also underscored the country’s sustained success in the sport of weightlifting, a discipline that continues to flourish following the legacy of Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo.Her bronze medal marks another milestone in the Philippines’ strong showing at the continental event, reflecting the nation’s rising pool of young talent in international competition.

Pinoy young golfer Javier “Javie” Bonnevie Bautista secured his 1st Runner-Up position in the Boys 10-12 category at the prestigious Malaysia International Junior Open 2024 after competing against a field of 52 talented young golfers around the globe.The Grade 7 student displayed exceptional talent and composure, finishing second with a total score of 2-under-par, just two shots behind the champion Ryusei Kuroiwa of Japan.The 12-year-old student from Ateneo de Manila University who entered the tournament as one of the most closely watched young talents, did not disappoint. Over two days of intense competition, he consistently delivered top-notch performances with identical scores of 1-under par 71, finishing with a commendable total of 2-under par. However, a fierce challenge from a talented Vietnamese Nguyen Quoc Bao Huy momentarily pushed Bautista out of the top three, setting the stage for a dramatic comeback.After faltering slightly with a missed birdie putt on the 14th hole, Bautista found himself at a crucial juncture. The tension was palpable as he trailed, with the podium spots seemingly slipping from his grasp. However, demonstrating exceptional composure and strategic thinking, he and his Caddy, Vincent Osmeña, made a pivotal decision on the 15th hole that would ultimately change the course of the tournament for him.Opting to play the 15th hole longer to set up a comfortable 100-yard approach to the green, Bautista executed his shots flawlessly, converting a critical 4-foot putt for birdie, subsequently bringing him back to even par. Buoyed by this success and the resurgence of excitement among his supporters, he carried the momentum into the 16th hole. Despite challenging wind conditions, a last-minute club change from an 8-iron to a 7-iron resulted in another 7-foot birdie putt, firmly positioning him for a remarkable comeback.With the pressure at its peak, Bautista coolly managed to par the last two holes, securing his 1st Runner Up position through a countback victory, narrowly missing the first place by only two shots. His remarkable 34 on the back nine was a testament to his resilience and capacity to perform under intense pressure.Bautista's second-place finish is more than a personal triumph—it’s a testament to his potential and a promising sign for the future of junior golf. His clutch performance at the Malaysia International Junior Open has firmly established him as a rising star on the junior golf circuit, with a bright future ahead in the sport. 

World No. 4 pole vaulter and Olympic qualifier EJ Obiena has announced a historic milestone for Philippine athletics: the country will host its first-ever World Athletics-sanctioned pole vault competition this coming September.Titled the ‘Atletang Ayala Pole Vault Challenge’, the landmark event will take place on September 20–21 at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City.This international meet signals a major step forward in putting the Philippines on the global map as a capable host of elite track and field competitions.Obiena shared that the competition will feature top-tier international pole vaulters, many of whom will be fresh from the World Championships—ensuring a high level of performance and excitement for local spectators.“This is more than a competition—it’s a message to the world that the Philippines is ready to be part of the global athletics stage,” said Obiena.Beyond showcasing world-class action, the event also aims to inspire young Filipinos to consider careers in athletics—particularly in pole vaulting, a discipline where Obiena has earned international recognition and brought pride to the nation.The ‘Atletang Ayala Pole Vault Challenge’ forms part of Obiena’s ongoing advocacy to broaden the sport’s reach in the Philippines.Set against the urban greenery of Makati’s Ayala Triangle Gardens, the competition promises not only thrilling sport but also a celebration of Filipino talent—and a call to action to develop stronger grassroots programs that will support future generations of athletes.

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.

Japanese mixed martial artist Ayaka Miura is determined to make history when she challenges Filipina champion Denice Zamboanga for the ONE Atomweight MMA World Title at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.Fighting on home soil, Miura—known as “Zombie”—expressed her excitement and sense of purpose. “I’m truly happy to fight for a world title here in Japan, where I was born and raised. I believe there’s meaning behind being given this opportunity. I will become the first Japanese woman to win a ONE Championship belt, and I’ll do it right here in Japan,” she said.Riding a five-match winning streak, with four first-round submissions, Miura is eager to seize this moment. “I wasn’t able to get the strawweight title before, but this time, I’ll get what I left behind. I’ll prove the strength of Japanese fighters by winning the belt on home soil.”Miura acknowledged the challenge Zamboanga presents. “At first, I thought she was mainly a grappler, but her striking has really improved. Now I see her as a complete all-rounder, physically very strong. I believe Zamboanga will come in with a solid ground defense strategy and try to turn it into a striking battle. Whether it’s on the feet or on the ground—even if the fight gets messy—I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”Zamboanga, on a four-fight winning streak herself, will look to defend her title as the card kicks off a night featuring four championship bouts. Also on the card, Filipino Joshua Pacio aims for the flyweight MMA world title against Japan’s Yuya Wakamatsu, while Oumar Kane meets Anatoly Malykhin for the heavyweight crown and Superbon faces Masaaki Noiri to unify the featherweight kickboxing championship.

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.