President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the creation of an Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to oversee preparations for the Philippines’ historic hosting of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup (FFWWC) 2025, which will take place from November 21 to December 7 in Pasig City and Negros Occidental.Under Administrative Order No. 35, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on July 30, the IATF will serve as the central coordinating body for all government efforts related to the planning and execution of the global tournament.“The hosting of the FFWWC 2025 aims to advance the development of futsal in the country, inspire greater sports engagement among Filipinos, elevate the Philippines’ standing in the international sports arena, and generate economic and tourism opportunities through a globally recognized event.”Led by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the task force will work with national agencies, local government units, and private stakeholders to ensure the successful staging of the event, which will feature the world’s top 16 women’s futsal teams.According to the order, hosting the FFWWC 2025 aims to promote futsal development in the country, inspire greater sports engagement among Filipinos, elevate the Philippines’ international sports profile, and boost economic and tourism opportunities.The IATF is responsible for developing and implementing detailed plans and programs—including equipment procurement and logistics—and may form an executive committee for operational oversight.The PSC is also authorized to form an executive committee to oversee and guide the task force’s operations.All government agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and other instrumentalities are directed to fully support the IATF, while local government units and the private sector are encouraged to contribute as the country gears up for its first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup—a historic milestone for Philippine sports.

The Petro Gazz has further cemented its position as one of the powerhouses in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) after taking down the ZUS Thunderbelles in four sets, 25-20, 24-26, 28-26, 25-22, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, February 4.Petro Gazz, who were tied at 16-all in the fourth round, took advantage of ZUS Coffee's costly mistakes to pull away by as much as four points.Jovelyn Gonzaga and Kate Santiago made an effort to keep the Thunderbelles afloat, but Myla Pablo and Brooke Van Sickle's combined effort proved to be too strong, as the Angels scored their final four points to win.Reigning conference MVP Van Sickle erupted 27 points built on 25 attacks and two aces, on top of 15 excellent digs and five receptions to fuel Petro Gazz’s sixth consecutive win for 7-1, taking the top spot in the team standings. 

 One of the most iconic figures in mixed martial arts history is hanging up his gloves.Jon “Bones” Jones, widely considered the greatest MMA fighter of all time, has officially retired, UFC president Dana White confirmed at a press conference on Saturday, June 21.“Jon Jones called us last night and retired. Jon Jones has officially retired,” White announced.“Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC,” he added.Jones, 37, later confirmed his retirement, posting on X that “this decision comes after a lot of reflection.”“I’m excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways,” he said in his statement. “Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come,” Jones wrote in his post.Discussing the future of the heavyweight division, White confirmed that Tom Aspinall will attend UFC International Fight Week, where crucial decisions about the division’s direction will be made.The highly anticipated prospect of a showdown between Aspinall and Jones has been a major topic within the heavyweight division for months, particularly following Jones' successful title defense against Stipe Miocic in November.Fan demand for the matchup reached a crescendo; a recent petition calling for White to strip Jones of his heavyweight title amassed over 195,000 signatures—a clear indication of public sentiment.Just two weeks ago, White expressed confidence that the fight would happen, revealing that Jones had accepted a deal to face Aspinall, although the contract had yet to be finalized.Jones acknowledged that he doesn’t control the division's direction, admitting he hasn't mapped out his future plans. He even floated the idea of challenging former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou—a scenario White promptly dismissed. This back-and-forth only adds to the intrigue surrounding both fighters and the heavyweight landscape.“Tom Aspinall is the guy. We’ve been talking to this kid forever about it. It’s his fight. You can’t make people fight. If Jon doesn’t want to fight, we can’t make him fight. We can try to make him fight, we can throw things at him that inspire him to want to fight,” White added.Just weeks ago, speculation remained high, with White saying Jones had verbally accepted a bout against Aspinall. Meanwhile, the fan petition calling for Jones to be stripped of his title had amassed over 195,000 signatures, signaling growing frustration over the heavyweight stalemate.While he steps away from active competition, Jones hinted at continued involvement in the sport in a new capacity, suggesting that his journey is far from over—just entering a new phase.Whether through mentorship, promotion, or advocacy, Jones’ influence on MMA is likely to endure far beyond his final walk to the Octagon.

Following her sister’s footsteps, Samantha Catantan, fencer Janna Catantan, is targeting an Olympic fencing stint in 2028. Her sister Sam made history for the country by becoming the first Filipina fencer to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Janna Catantan is one of those 19 world-class athletes who will receive the opportunity for career development under the Ayala Foundation’s Atletang Ayala program. Catantan said, now that she’s part of the program, she’s happy it is a great help for her to move and look forward to it, especially in her upcoming competitions she will be joining. 

Cignal knocked Akari out in the quarterfinals with a 25-20, 25-11, 28-16 win, booking a semifinals slot in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour on Thursday, August 7, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.Erika Santos spearheaded the triumph, tallying 24 points built from 22 attacks, including the game-winning spike.Santos ignited the second set, erupting 11 markers, to power the HD Spikers to an 18-7 cushion. Her scoring spree paved the way for a dominant 14-point win that put Cignal on the brink of a sweep.The young opposite spiker also sealed the match with a game-winning spike that clipped Akari’s line. This came after the Chargers twice reached set point at 24-23 and 25-24, only for Chenie Tagaod to commit back-to-back attack errors. Grethcel Soltones momentarily pulled Akari level in the third at 26-all, but Tin Tiamzon’s clutch hit put Cignal at match point, 27-26.

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.

The United States weathered an early storm before flexing its championship pedigree, rallying past Slovenia, 19-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-20, to book a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena.The world No. 4 Americans looked shaky at the start, falling behind 10-15 and conceding the opening set. But once they settled in, they proved too strong, reeling off three straight sets to secure the Round of 16 victory in just under two hours.Now undefeated, USA sets up a high-stakes clash with fellow unbeaten Bulgaria on Thursday for a place in the semifinals. Bulgaria earlier swept Portugal, 25-19, 25-23, 25-23, sealing its first Top 8 finish in 15 years.Opposite hitter Gabriel Garcia was unstoppable, delivering a monster performance with seven aces and a game-high 26 points built on 15 kills and four blocks. He also tallied 11 digs to anchor the Americans on both ends.Ethan Champlin and Jordan Ewert chipped in 15 and 14 points, while middle blockers Jeffrey Jendryk II and Merrick McHenry combined for 16. Team captain and playmaker Micah Christenson controlled the tempo with 39 excellent sets, while libero Erik Shoji steadied the floor defense with 11 digs.“I think we kind of needed that first-set adversity,” Christenson admitted. “Slovenia came out serving really well, as many teams tend to do against us. But we increased our service pressure, dialed in our passing, and fought off some big serves. It wasn’t the prettiest, but this team finds ways to win.”Riding momentum from their bronze medal at the Paris Olympics and hungry to end a 39-year world championship drought, the Americans showed poise under pressure. After squaring the match with a dominant 8-1 run in the second set, they never looked back, dictating the pace through aggressive serving and balanced attacking.Slovenia, the world No. 6 and a familiar Top 5 contender on the global stage, struggled to keep up in the absence of star spiker Rok Mozic, who sat out with a knee injury. Nik Mujanovic and Ziga Stern led the Slovenians with nine and eight points, but no player broke double digits in the loss.Despite the setback, Slovenia exits with pride, having reached the Round of 16 in the tournament’s largest-ever edition featuring 32 nations.

San Miguel Beermen dominated Game 4 of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals series against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 107-82, on Wednesday, June 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena.CJ Perez led the charge for the Beermen, who unleashed a 17-0 run in the deciding period to secure the win and tie the series at 2-2. Perez finished with 19 points, five rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and a block in nearly 35 minutes of action.He was followed by Juami Tiongson with 14 points and June Mar Fajardo, who added 12 markers, a game-high 19 boards, three assists, two steals, and a block to help San Miguel take the crucial victory.Three other Beermen scored in double digits, with Jericho Cruz and Rodney Brondial contributing 12 points apiece, while Don Trollano added 11.A crucial battle awaits on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where both teams aim to take a pivotal 3-2 series lead and move closer to the Finals.

Fighting for the first time since his loss to Richardson Hitchins for the IBF super lightweight title last December, Paro forced Jonathan Navarro to retire on his stool after five rounds in their main event bout on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the Convention Centre in Cairns, Queensland.The Australian southpaw delivered a devastating overhand left to Navarro (18-2, 9 KOs) with just 45 seconds left in the fifth round. Although Navarro quickly got back on his feet, he became an easy target for Paro’s left hand throughout the remainder of the round.Paro, now with a record of 26-1, 16 KOs, stunned Navarro again in the final 10 seconds of the round. As Navarro returned to his corner, it was clear he was defeated, prompting his trainer to stop the fight during the one-minute break between rounds five and six, granting Paro a victory by TKO in his comeback.Throughout the first four rounds, Paro established dominance with his southpaw jab and effective body shots. He controlled the pace of the match, while Navarro hesitated to engage directly, opting instead to focus on counter-punching.In rounds three and four, Paro began to string his punches together more effectively. As he closed the distance, Navarro showed some willingness to trade, but Paro’s offensive variety consistently gave him the upper hand during exchanges.Now, Paro also has unfinished business. He suffered a controversial split-decision loss to Richardson Hitchins in December — the only blemish on his professional record.“I want to win a world title. I want another belt. I want to avenge my loss. Life has given me the opportunity to move forward and show how much of a champion I am in adversity. I’m ready to prove the critics wrong,” Paro said.

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.

San  Miguel Beermen failed to protect home court in the opening game of the East Asia Super League (EASL) Home and Away Season 2 as they succumbed to Suwon KT Sonicboom of the Korean Basketball League, 87-81, on Wednesday night, October 2, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.The 6-foot-9 import of Sonicboom, Rayshaun Hammond dropped 39 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Korean squad in defeating the reigning PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion.Hammonds even scored seven in the 9-0 blast made by Suwon at the tail end of the fourth period to give their team an 87-75 lead.Meanwhile, Beermen import EJ Anosike led the team with 34 markers and seven boards, while PBA reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo produced 19 and 9.At the end of first half, SMB was still leading at 43-39 but the team did not sustain their good start.

Meralco Bolt’s 85-76 victory over the Taoyuan Pilots in the East Asia Super League (EASL) might be overturned after the Taiwanese squad formally filed a protest, claiming the Bolts fielded four imports simultaneously—a violation of FIBA’s two-import rule for the regional league.The Bolts had Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Ismael Romero, Ange Kouame, and Sina Vahedi on the floor together during one stretch of the second quarter, according to Pilots coach Lurgi Caminos.Despite the issue, Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said they’ll respect whatever decision the EASL hands down, emphasizing that the team played “with pride and honor.”“We played with honor. We’re good soldiers. Reputation-wise, we’re one of the most honorable teams in the PBA,” Trillo said.The EASL has yet to release an official ruling on the protest.

Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas is set to continue his quest for another world title as he faces Uruguay’s Ruben Casero in an important bout for his super bantamweight championship ambitions.Originally scheduled for the Manny Pacquiao–Mario Barrios undercard, Ancajas’s fight was bumped from the lineup. Nevertheless, the former IBF super flyweight champion, who trained alongside Pacquiao, Mark Magsayo, and Eumir Marcial, remains optimistic.“I’m glad to finally have a fight. I thought I’d be fighting at the MGM Grand on the main card, but God has a greater purpose,” said Ancajas, whose eight-round bout will now take place at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California, on Sunday, July 27 (Manila time).With a record of 36-4-2 (24 KOs), Ancajas holds a clear edge in experience over Casero, who enters the ring with a 13-4 record (5 KOs).MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons emphasized the significance of the match: “Jerwin will be fighting his third super bantamweight bout. This is another stepping stone for him to fight for a world title. It’s one of the final steps for Jerwin to secure another title opportunity at 122 pounds, but he must win this fight. It’s a very crucial fight.”

From supposed token participants to giant slayers, Alas Pilipinas delivered a performance that forever etched their place in the country’s sporting history.On a magical Tuesday night, the 82nd-ranked Nationals shocked the volleyball world, stunning African champions and world No. 21 Egypt with a 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21 victory at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.What was once thought impossible—winning even a set against the world’s top teams—turned into a breakthrough triumph that shook Pool A standings and gave the Filipinos (1-1) a fighting chance to reach the Round of 16.“This is history, and I am so proud to be part of it,” said Bryan Bagunas, who spearheaded the attack with 25 points on 23 kills. “We came into this game with a ‘nothing to lose’ mentality, but we showed what we are made of. It’s just a proud moment for us and the country.”Bagunas found support from Marck Espejo and Leo Ordiales, who atoned for his tough debut against Tunisia with 21 points in the bounce-back win. Espejo capped his 13-point performance with the game-winning block that sealed the victory.“It was all instinct on my part,” Espejo said in Filipino. “After we won the first set, I felt that it was already an achievement. But we knew we could still do better.”For Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni, the victory was more than just a number in the standings.“I am very happy—not because we won, but because we were able to show that we can play well on this stage. They gave us an opportunity to win the match and we took it,” he said.The win sets up a pivotal clash with world No. 16 Iran on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena. Iran, Asia’s top-ranked squad, is coming off a rebound victory over Tunisia but had previously lost to Egypt—making the duel against the Philippines even more intriguing.From doubted hosts to history-makers, Alas Pilipinas has proven it belongs among the world’s best—and now, the dream of advancing is suddenly within reach.

Bella Belen made her long-awaited Premier Volleyball League debut one to remember, showcasing the poise, power, and all-around game that justified her status as the top overall pick of the 2025 PVL Draft.Though her performance was nothing short of exceptional, Belen’s efforts couldn’t quite push Capital1 Solar Spikers past the seasoned Choco Mucho Flying Titans, who escaped with a tight 33–31, 26–24, 25–23 victory on Tuesday night at the Ynares Center in Montalban.The 23-year-old outside hitter carried a heavy load on both ends of the court, finishing with 20 points, 18 excellent digs, and 12 solid receptions — numbers that underscored her trademark versatility and two-way impact. It was a professional debut that reflected the same determination and discipline that made her a collegiate star at National University, but now against tougher, faster opposition.After the match, Belen expressed mixed emotions, grateful for finally making her pro debut but disappointed that her team fell just short. She shared that she focused more on contributing to the team rather than chasing individual numbers, emphasizing the need to perform well and help Capital1 grow with every game.

Ryan Garcia, the flamboyant and outspoken boxer known for his social media presence, has publicly called out Manny Pacquiao following the Filipino legend’s impressive return to the ring.The 26-year-old Garcia told Ring Magazine he’s eager to face Pacquiao, who recently made headlines by pushing Mario Barrios to a majority draw in Las Vegas—nearly pulling off a historic upset for the WBC welterweight title.“It’s something that you dream of… I am always up for the challenge,” said Garcia (24-2, including 20 knockouts and 1 no contest) of a showdown with the Filipino icon.Though Garcia and Pacquiao have been linked as potential opponents in the past, a bout between them has never materialized. Garcia even traveled to Japan last year to watch Pacquiao’s exhibition match against Rukiya Anpo, fueling rumors of a possible showdown.“I would be lying if I said I am not interested,” Garcia added.Despite Pacquiao’s eye-catching comeback, Garcia may have to wait his turn. WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero currently appears to be the frontrunner for Pacquiao’s next fight, having defeated Garcia by unanimous decision in New York last March. Pacquiao is reportedly targeting a return to the ring in December.Still, Garcia is making it clear: he’s ready and willing to take on Pacquiao—anytime, anywhere.“If Manny wants to throw it down, let’s do it,” he concluded.

The City of Manila will host the third edition of the ASICS Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series this weekend, November 23 to 24, which is expected to draw more than 9,000 runners from 58 countries to Rizal Park.Asia’s first and only Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series is a one-of-a-kind event that takes place in the center of Manila and combines running, live music, and lively community across two days.  Participants will don their running shoes for the marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K distances while taking in Manila's rich cultural heritage with each course accompanied by live music, cheer squads, and an exciting atmosphere.Among the city's most well-known sites that runners will pass by are Chinatown, Manila City Hall, Jones Bridge, Intramuros, Rizal Park, and the National Museum.

ZUS Coffee kept their momentum alive, logging its second victory against winless Galeries Tower, 25-22, 25-16, 25-19, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, November 28.The Thunderbelles achieved their first-ever sweep since entering the league in the 2024 season with this victory.ZUS Coffee, once a consistent bottom-dweller, is currently tied for fourth position alongside Petro Gazz, Akari, Chery Tiggo, and Choco Mucho, all of whom have identical 2-1 records.

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.

A resounding recommendation from Kiefer Ravena undeniably fuelled the NLEX Road Warriors with American DeQuan Jones joining the team in the remainder of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.Prior to replacing Myke Henry and donning the shades of blue, orange, and white for his first ever PBA stint, Jones played alongside Ravena, who was a former Road Warriors, for the B. League team Shiga last season.In spite of having no experience playing for Filipino teams, Jones had a minimal to none adjustment period as he insinuated that it is fun to play in the country that really loves and respects the game of basketball.