The TNT Tropang Giga notched their back-to-back wins after outlasting Blackwater as they cruised to a 109-93 victory in the 49th Season of PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.The Tropang Giga improved their record to 2-2 after opezning the conference with two consecutive losses. Coach Chot Reyes claimed during the postgame interview that they intended to block George King from the long arc. Consequently, the Blackwater import only attempted that range once out of six."During the last several days, we focused on how to stop George King. We all know his ability from the four-point line, so we really made it a point, we were very intentional in guarding the four-point line against George," said Reyes.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles will have to continue their UAAP Season 87 campaign without two key players after injuries to Zel Tsunashima and Jlo Delos Santos were evaluated last week.Tsunashima sustained a freak injury during their opening match against the Adamson Lady Falcons when she landed awkwardly after a block attempt, resulting in a broken left shin (tibia and fibula) in the fifth set.At the time, Tsunashima had scored 10 points and was a crucial part of Ateneo’s effort. She had to leave the game late in the deciding set when Adamson was ahead, 11-9.

Dr. Anya Saini, a 62-year-old pediatrician from Mysuru, has added another remarkable chapter to her life story by winning two gold medals at the ongoing World Masters Games 2025 in Taipei, Taiwan.Dr. Saini also earned a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke and a bronze in the 100m breaststroke, showcasing her endurance and skill on the international stage of this prestigious quadrennial competition.“It feels great to compete at the World Masters and connect with athletes from across the globe,” said Dr. Saini. “It’s truly an honor to be part of this championship.” Dr. Saini said.Her recent triumphs in Taipei follow her impressive performance at the 20th Masters National Swimming Championship in Bhopal in 2022, where she clinched four gold medals in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, and the 200m and 400m freestyle events.Dr. Saini began swimming at the age of eight and has maintained her love for the sport for over five decades. During her MBBS studies at Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute in 1984, she secured a bronze medal at the All India Inter-University Championship.Since the inception of Masters swimming competitions in 2022, Dr. Saini has won over 100 medals, a testament to her consistency and passion.“Returning to the pool is nostalgic,” she shared, reflecting on her journey.Despite her demanding career as a pediatrician, Dr. Saini remains committed to her training, practicing six days a week. Her discipline, resilience, and lifelong dedication to swimming continue to inspire both the medical and sporting communities.

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.

PLDT High Speed Hitters had to be rescued from their training facility along G. Araneta Avenue in Quezon City after heavy rains from the southwest monsoon (habagat) left the flood-prone area submerged yesterday, Monday.The team was stranded inside their gym since the afternoon, passing the time with meals and an improvised karaoke session while waiting for help. At around 9 p.m., the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Army arrived, safely evacuating players and staff via rescue boats.“Maraming salamat po to our Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Army and our volley friends who assisted in rescuing our High Speed Hitters out of the Araneta Avenue area. We know your night is far from over and there are more people to help. We hope and pray you all return home safely. Again, thank you so much!”  the team expressed on social media. About an hour after the rescue, several players took to Instagram to share updates and further gratitude to their rescuers.PLDT is scheduled to fly out in a few days for the Cebu City leg of the 2025 PVL on Tour, where they’ll put their unbeaten record on the line against co-league leader Nxled (July 26) and Galeries Tower (July 27).

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.

After a rollercoaster ride through the group stage, Gilas Pilipinas finds itself facing one of the biggest challenges of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup: a quarterfinal clash with powerhouse Australia.Gilas' path to this do-or-die matchup was anything but smooth. Early losses to Chinese-Taipei and New Zealand pushed the team into a tough bracket. That left them with no choice but to face the tournament’s top seed far earlier than hoped.But if there’s one thing head coach Tim Cone has learned, it’s that this team knows how to rise when it matters most.“Australia is pretty much the No. 1 seed in the tournament, and for us to beat them it would be an upset,”  Cone admitted.“But beating Iraq, and the way we won over Saudi Arabia, has given us some momentum. Hopefully, we can carry that into the Australia game.” he added.That thrilling 95–88 overtime victory against Saudi Arabia — punctuated by a clutch game-tying three from Justin Brownlee with 3.7 seconds left — kept Gilas' hopes alive. Kevin Quiambao also made a strong case for a permanent spot in the rotation. He scored 17 points and hit two big threes in extra time.Australia, winners of the last two Asia Cup tournaments (2017, 2022), have yet to drop a game in the continental competition. They swept Group A with dominant wins over South Korea, Lebanon, and Qatar. The team was powered by the stellar play of Jaylin Galloway (18 PPG, 3 RPG, 2.3 SPG).Gilas knows what’s at stake — and who stands in their way.“Losing the first two games of the tournament got us here. But we figured that if we’re going to do something special, we have to go through Australia at some point. And now that it’s here in front of us, we’re gonna do our best to get at them. We didn’t expect to play them this early,” Cone stated.This quarterfinal isn’t just a battle for a semifinal berth — it’s also the first meeting between Gilas and Australia since the infamous bench-clearing brawl in 2018 at the Philippine Arena during the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.That incident drew global attention and led to heavy sanctions for both teams, leaving a dark mark on their history. But both federations have since moved forward.“That was in the past. We understand that and we have learned from that. We just play basketball and that’s what we have to focus on.” said SBP President Al Panlilio.Panlilio also noted that relations between the SBP and Basketball Australia have since improved, with the Aussies even expressing excitement over hosting Gilas later this year in the World Cup Qualifiers.Gilas enters Wednesday’s 7 PM (Philippine time) showdown as heavy underdogs, but if there’s one thing this team has shown, it’s their ability to thrive under pressure. With momentum on their side, Gilas is determined to shock the world. 

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.

On National Heroes’ Day, Alex Eala delivered her own brand of heroism in New York, pulling off a dramatic 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) comeback win over world No. 15 Clara Tauson of Denmark in her US Open main draw debut.The 20-year-old Filipina staged a stunning rally from 1-5 down in the deciding set, then survived a marathon tiebreak to claim her first-ever Grand Slam main draw victory—becoming the first Filipino player to achieve this milestone.“I’m super over the moon with what I was able to do today, especially coming back in the third. I’ve lost these tight tiebreaks before, so to come out on top is unforgettable,” Eala said.Eala, now ranked No. 75, next faces either Spain’s Cristina Bucsa (No. 35) or American qualifier Claire Liu, in a tough bracket stacked with top seeds like Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva, Jasmine Paolini, and Elena Rybakina.For Eala, the win was made even sweeter by the home-like energy from over 8,000 fans—family, coaches, and Filipino supporters—cheering her on at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.“I don’t have a home tournament, so having this community at the US Open made me feel at home,” she added.The thrilling win reverberated back in Manila, with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. among those celebrating Eala’s grit and history-making feat: “She’s only getting started. Congratulations Alex Eala. The entire Philippines is with you every step of the way.”From the brink of defeat to a place in history, Alex Eala’s US Open breakthrough is a win for herself and for Philippine tennis.

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.

A full house is expected at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion when the Growling Tigers host defending champion UP Fighting Maroons in a blockbuster men’s basketball showdown on September 21, headlining the UAAP Season 88 opening weekend. 

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman John Patrick "Pato" Gregorio made a special stop in Indonesia to personally rally the Philippine team at the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, fresh off attending the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports in Hanoi.Gregorio, known for his hands-on approach, met separately with the men’s and women’s squads at Hotel Mulia, just ahead of their competitions at the Indonesia Arena. “I believe in going where our athletes compete overseas, hoping this will encourage and inspire them to do better,” said Gregorio, who previously led the Philippine Rowing Association and is a long-time supporter of national athletes.He shared with Paris Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Yulo, as well as Juancho Miguel Besana, Justine Ace de Leon, and John Ivan Cruz, that he even drove two hours from Hanoi to Haiphong to meet Pinoy rowers before flying to Jakarta. “It’s different when you see an official supporting you. It boosts your morale,” he noted.Gregorio, who witnessed Yulo’s historic Olympic double in Paris, emphasized his emotional connection to gymnastics. “You can’t sing the national anthem when you’re crying,” he recalled of Yulo’s golden moments.He also encouraged the women’s team, led by Paris Olympians Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo, plus debutants Elayza Yulo and Haylee Garcia, to use PSC’s Elite Link app to showcase their achievements and connect with potential patrons.Besides cheering on the team, Gregorio met with Indonesia’s new Sports Minister Eric Thohir to discuss a potential joint Olympic bid by Southeast Asian nations. “If the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia could co-host the FIBA World Cup, there’s no reason Southeast Asia can’t bid for the Olympics together,” he said.Gregorio returned to the Philippines Sunday night to oversee upcoming priorities, including the Batang Pinoy National Championships, which will gather 21,000 young athletes in General Santos City.

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.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters staged a late fourth quarter rampage, delivering the first blow against the Magnolia Hotshots on their opening duel of the best-of-five quarterfinal series on Wednesday, September 25, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Head coach Yeng Guiao is donning a daunting task of empowering the Elasto Painters, helmed by the young guns and veterans working harmoniously to establish themselves as formidable contenders ready to challenge prominent teams of the league. For coach Guiao, the players’ playoff experiences are what situates themselves in a inauspicious position as the team is paced by hot-blooded youths, however, their hard work is something one should not question about. 

National University Lady Bulldogs prevail over Ateneo Lady Blue Eagles, 82-62, to make their perfect winning record intact in the second round of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday, October 13, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.The 20-point outburst of NU was led by rookie Cielo Pagdulagan who contributed with 16 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and five steals, including a +27 rating coming off the bench. She also didn’t commit a single turnover.NU head coach Aris Dimaunhan said that the one week break that they have between the first and second round helped them prepare for this particular game as they had been given a lot of time to process and lay down their game plan.The Lady Bulldogs also capitalized the absence of Ateneo’s leading player Junzie Calago, who fouled early in the third period where they also erected their largest lead at 56-34.Aloha Betanio and May Canuto also scored 11 markers each to supplement the game of their prized-rookie Pagdulagan.On the other hand, Kacey Dela Rosa led Ateneo with her eight consecutive double-doubles by producing 22 points and 17 boards.NU will put their unblemished record on the line once again on October 20 when they face the UP Fighting Maroons at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, while the Blue Eagles will try to end their two-game losing skid against the reigning Season 86 champions UST Growling Tigresses at their own turf on October 19.

Fourteen Filipino trail runners are set to make their presence felt when they compete against the best runners in Asia in the Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships in Ulju, South Korea slated October 23 to 27. The two-time Southeast Asian Games women’s marathon gold medalist and five-time Milo Marathon queen Christabel Martes mentored the Philippine Trail Running National Team and guided the team in their extensive training in Baguio City.John Ray Onifa and Elizabeth Dangadang will banner the Filipino runners in the first edition of this prestigious continental meet where they will get to test their mettle against the best runners coming from China, Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea.

James Buytrago and Ran Abadilla displayed great resilience after a first-set loss to overcome Japanese rivals Yoshi Hasegawa and Dylan Kurokawa, 22-24, 24-22, 15-9, in the ongoing Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championship at the Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa City, Laguna on Thursday, November 8.The Filipino duo rallied from a slow start before sustaining their momentum to seal the game in the decisive third set. “We will not simply break down and give up,” said Buytrago. “The first set was extremely challenging and frustrating, but we kept pushing forward. This win was crucial for us.”

Veteran setter Alohi Robins-Hardy has joined the coaching staff of the University of the Philippines women’s volleyball team for the UAAP Season 87, which will begin in February 2025.The UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development on Wednesday, November 21, announced the new role of Robins-Hardy as one of the assistant coaches for the Fighting Maroons.The 28-year-old Filipina-American has been assigned to supervise the growth of promising playmaker Heart Magsombol as UP seeks to strengthen its foundation under first-year head coach Benson Bocboc.

Christian Bernardo and Alvin Morada won the gold medal in the men’s doubles competition at the Bahrain International Series 2 in Diamond Jubilee Hall in Manama, Bahrain.The Smash Pilipinas - Philippine badminton duo defeated Vimalraj Annadurai and Mauryan Kathiravan of India, 21-14, 21-15, in the finals.

Bahrain will take the lead in hosting the 3rd Asian Youth Games in 2025. The decision was reached during the Olympic Council of Asia or OCA's Executive Board Meeting, following the cancellation of the event in Tashkent, Uzbekistan."The Olympic Council of Asia announces that the 3rd Asian Youth Games, scheduled to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, will be held in Bahrain in 2025. The decision was made at a meeting of the organization's executive committee held today, December 2," the OCA stated.