Choco Mucho defeated Capital1 in four sets, 25-20, 26-24, 26-28, 25-9, to record its second consecutive victory in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Thursday, November 21, at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.Choco Mucho launched an 8-1 blitz to start the fourth frame after an unsuccessful attempt to rally in the third set. Dindin Santiago-Manabat's cross-court kill would give the Flying Titans their largest advantage, 24-7.Luth Malaluan's swift attack in the middle would then seal the victory.

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup will open with a lot of twists tonight, November 27, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.Terrafirma and Converge will open the curtain at the 5:00 PM encounter.The Dyip will be parading Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel whom they recently acquired via trade with San Miguel Beermen in exchange for Juami Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig.They will be joined by Stanley Pringle, Kevin Ferrer, Aldrech Ramos, Mark Nonoy, Keith Zaldivar, Mark Sangalang, Tommy Olivario, CJ Catapusan, Aljun Melencio, Paolo Hernandez, Didat Hanapi, Kemark Carino, Brent Paraiso, and import Ryan Earl Richards.Terrafirma’s center Christian Standhardinger, on the other hand, is relegated to the injured/reserve list.The Dyip will also parade a new head coach in Raymond Tiongco.Meanwhile, the FiberXers will also have new weapons that coach Franco Atienza can utilize.Converge taps the services of former NBA player Cheick Diallo to be their reinforcement in mid-season conference, while also securing the sweet-shooting guard Jordan Heading, who was a former top overall pick in the special Gilas draft.They will be joining the Justin Arana and Alec Stockton duo, together with veteran Alex Cabagnot, Kevin Racal, Inand Fornilos, Kamron Vigan-Fleming, Bryan Andrade, Mike Nieto, Deschon Winston, Paolo Javillonar, Jeo Ambohot, JL Delos Santos, Bryan Santos, and King Caralipio. Patrick Maagdenberg is the one relegated to the injured/reserve list.

Akari won three straight sets after dropping the first one to overcome Chery Tiggo, 22-25, 26-24, 25-18, 25-20, on Tuesday night, December 10,  at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.The Chargers squandered a 19-11 lead in the first set to give it away to the Crossovers, but they never looked back after that and took the next three frames.Akari's victory put them back in the win column after dropping their past three games. The Chargers now have a 3-3 record in the team standings.

The Converge FiberXers climbed from a 17-point deficit to steal the game from Barangay Ginebra, 98-91, in the continuation of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Saturday night at the Batangas City Coliseum.Ginebra dominated the game in the first half and established a 57-40 lead before the break.But Alec Stockton and Schonny Winston took over in the second half to lead Converge to a third straight victory.Stockton was vital in the third period, scoring 17 of his 22 points. He also had six rebounds and eight assists.The FiberXers scored 33 in that quarter, limiting Ginebra to only 13.In the fourth quarter, Winston poured out the first seven markers as Converge established its largest lead, 89-78.

Zianbeau Edoc and Lisa Sarines reigned supreme in their respective 11-14 age divisions of the ICTSI Pradera Verde Junior PGT Championship on Wednesday, August 13, at Pradera Verde in Lubao, Pampanga.Edoc turned in a solid closing round of 70 to complete a dominant performance in the boys’ 11-14 division, finishing with a total of 141 for a convincing win, while Vito Sarines carded the day’s best score of 69 to secure runner-up honors at 143. Race Manhit posted a 72 to finish third with 146.“I was making more putts today and hitting my wedges closer to the pin. I’ve learned the importance of starting strong and reading the greens better,” said Edoc, who notched back-to-back wins after skipping the first four legs of the series.In the girls’ 11-14 bracket, Lisa Sarines surged past twin sister Mona with a brilliant 68 to capture her third leg title, closing with a four-under 140 total. Mona, who shot at 71 in the opening round, matched that on Day 2 to capture silver at 142.“It feels very refreshing and relieving. I’ve been working harder and harder with my coach,” Lisa shared after reclaiming the top spot in the division.Kendra Garingalao (73-151) placed third, maintaining her No. 3 spot in the rankings behind the Sarines twins.

The UAAP community is raising its voice this November 29 at the Mall of Asia Arena as the league encourages everyone to wear white in a united stand for accountability, transparency, and integrity in government.Throughout the season, pep squads have used their halftime stages to call for accountability amid the flood control scandal—and this year’s Cheerdance Competition continues that fight.With the theme “Passion for Victory, Passion for Integrity! No to Corruption! ” UAAP aims to inspire the youth, athletes, and the broader public to champion honesty and good governance both on and off the court.Fans, students, and alumni are invited to join the white-out and amplify the message: sports and society thrive only with integrity at their core.

Philippine Sambo Team Primed for Historic Run in Asia-Oceania ChampionshipsThe Philippines is set to take center stage in the international sambo scene as the country's top grapplers begin their campaign in the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Backed by months of intensive preparation, the 40-member national team enters the prestigious tournament with high hopes of delivering strong performances against nearly 500 athletes from 22 countries across Asia and Oceania.National head coach Ace Larida expressed confidence in the readiness of the Filipino delegation, emphasizing that the athletes are physically and mentally prepared for the challenge after six months of rigorous training.Hosting the continental competition for the first time in years presents a unique opportunity for Team Philippines to showcase its progress in the combat sport while competing before a home crowd.Leading the national squad are reigning champions Sydney Sy and Aislyn Agnes Yap, who are determined to defend their respective titles. Sy will seek another gold medal in the women's +80kg sport sambo division, while Yap aims to retain her crown in the women's -80kg combat sambo category.Also expected to contend for podium finishes are world-ranked standout Jomary Torres in the women's -50kg combat division and promising young athlete Sophia Novino in the women's -47kg youth class.Another athlete drawing attention is former Southeast Asian Games judo bronze medalist Carl Aneseta, who will make his international sambo debut in the men's +98kg sport sambo event. Aneseta believes his judo background will help him adjust quickly to the demands of the sport as he seeks to make an immediate impact on the international stage.Tournament organizers have also received praise for their preparations. Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio commended the organizing committee led by Pilipinas Sambo Federation President Paolo Tancontian, noting that the event is expected to become another milestone in Philippine sports hosting.The four-day championship not only highlights the country's growing strength in sambo but also reinforces the Philippines' reputation as a premier destination for international sporting events. With athletes arriving from countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, the tournament is expected to provide world-class competition and valuable exposure for local athletes.As competition officially begins, the spotlight now turns to the Filipino grapplers who carry the hopes of the nation and the opportunity to make history on home soil.

The long-awaited rematch between Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr., originally scheduled for September 2026, has been postponed, according to Manny Pacquiao Promotions CEO Jas Mathur, made the announcement on Friday.Pacquiao camp stated the postponement was caused by volatile mix of federal lawsuits, scheduling overbooks, and financial gridlock completely surrounding the Mayweather camp.Among the the reported legal disputes is a lawsuit filed by Events company CSI against the american boxer, alleging he and his camp failed to fulfill the agreement granting the exclusive promotional rights for the rematch, and an exhibition match between him and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. The lawsuit reportedly involves at least $4.65 million for the american boxer to recover. The possibility of this rematch will likely happen on early 2027, should the Mayweather camp and CSI be fully resolve their internal contract disputes out of court.Furthermore, Pacman, who just came out of retirement last year and fought Marrio Barrios that ended in a draw, has begun exploring other options for his next fight this year. 

In Philippine volleyball, club rivalries fuel packed arenas and passionate fan bases. But when the country calls, even the biggest stars are expected to wear one uniform.That message was reinforced as the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) announced that players officially representing Alas Pilipinas will prioritize national team duties over participation in the upcoming 2027 PVL On Tour Showdown. The league's decision underscores a principle that extends beyond the preseason tournament: representing the Philippines remains the highest honor for any athlete.The policy is straightforward. Players included in the official Alas Pilipinas delegation will not be allowed to compete in the preseason event while fulfilling national team commitments, particularly during international competitions and training camps. Only athletes who are not part of the official delegation and have no national team obligations will be eligible to participate in the On Tour Showdown.The move highlights the growing coordination between the country's professional volleyball league and the national program. As Philippine volleyball continues to make strides on the international stage, ensuring that the national team receives full commitment from its players has become increasingly important.For clubs, the ruling presents a familiar challenge. Teams may have to navigate the preseason without some of their biggest names, giving coaches an opportunity to evaluate younger players, deepen their rotations, and prepare emerging talents for larger roles. While fans may miss seeing marquee matchups during the On Tour Showdown, the absence of national team standouts reflects a greater objective.For the players themselves, balancing club and country has never been easy. Many have become household names through their performances in the PVL, yet the chance to compete under the Philippine flag carries a different kind of responsibility. International tournaments demand months of preparation, chemistry-building, and sacrifice—elements that cannot be compromised.The league's decision also sends a strong message about unity within Philippine volleyball. Rather than creating conflicts between club and national schedules, the policy emphasizes collaboration, ensuring that the country's best athletes can focus entirely on representing the nation when called upon.As the 2027 PVL On Tour Showdown approaches, fans can still expect competitive matches and fresh storylines. New faces will have opportunities to shine, while established stars wearing the Alas Pilipinas jersey will focus on elevating Philippine volleyball on the international stage.In the end, the league's directive reinforces a simple but meaningful belief: club success is celebrated, but national pride comes first. For Philippine volleyball, every step toward international excellence begins with a shared commitment to putting the country above all else.

Filipino-American NBA player Jordan Clarkson has re-signed with the defending champion New York Knicks on a one-year, $3.9 million contract.Clarkson averaged 10.8 minutes per game during the Knicks' championship run. His role as a scoring spark off the bench helped ease the workload of the team's starters and provided valuable depth throughout the 2025-2026 NBA season.His impact and influence played a crucial part in helping New York contend for and ultimately win the championship during the previous season.The Knicks captured the 2026 NBA title against the San Antonio Spurs, ending a championship drought that lasted nearly half a century.He also posted on his Instagram account following his extension with the Knicks. "still in this dream, NY! run it back!  love ," he wrote. 

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has granted Ateneo de Manila University an extension to submit the findings of its internal investigation into the tragic drowning deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.Originally due on July 15, the report will now be submitted on July 24 after Ateneo requested additional time before the initial deadline.Despite the extension, the UAAP said the preventive sanctions it previously imposed will remain in effect while the investigation is ongoing. These include the suspension of Ateneo's coaching staff from participating in all UAAP-related activities.During the ongoing probe, Louie Alas will continue to serve as the Blue Eagles' interim head coach, while former Ateneo standout Nico Salva remains the team's manager until the investigation is completed and the UAAP acts on its findings.

Asia Paraase from Central Visayas delivered another spectacular performance after securing her second gold medal at the Palarong Pambansa 2024 on Sunday, July 14, at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) oval.Paraase clinched victory in the secondary girls’ 1,500 meter run, setting a new personal best of 4 minutes and 50 seconds, surpassing her previous record of 4:56 set at the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) 2024.The 17-year-old student athlete from Lapu-Lapu City first made headlines last Thursday, July 11, when she earned the inaugural gold medal of the ongoing games by topping the 3,000-meter run.“I am very happy that I succeeded in this Palarong Pambansa and won the 1,500 meter run,” said Paraase told Manila Times in an interview after the competition.The young athlete was overwhelmed with joy, discovering at the last minute that her entire family had come to watch her final race.“I am happy that they are happy. I was able to achieve my goal,” said the incoming Grade 12 student at Pajo National High School.Meanwhile, Paraase also revealed that universities in the National Capital Region have offered her scholarships, but she plans to finish her senior high in Lapu-Lapu before deciding on her next step.

The country’s top sports official graced the Forum of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) on Tuesday, July 16, prior to the kickoff of the Paris Olympics.Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino appeared in the session at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Complex to deliver an update of the compact Philippine contingent.Tolentino started off the forum by expressing that the Filipino athletes are of high morals and are already at the peak of their training despite some of them previously nursed injuries from their preceding tournaments prior to qualifying in the Paris Games.Weightlifters John Ceniza faced a neck injury while Vanessa Sarno suffered pain in her shoulder and thighs. Tolentino assured they are training well and are in good condition.“They are good. Actually, before I left Metz I provided them with supplements. A year's supply of whey protein supplements,” he added.With the Paris Games set to start in a few days, Tolentino informed the media that the athletes will be entering the Athletes’ Village starting July 22, with the gymnastics and boxing team already allowed to proceed by July 20 while some will be extending their stay in the Metz training camp, such as athletics, as their competition won’t start until August 03.The POC president also announced, through the Office of the President, that they will be handing out additional allowances to those who participated in the Metz.“100 Euro per day. So, it is a big help for all the athletes and the coaches and officials during Metz,” Tolentino shared.This year also marks a historic milestone with the Philippines celebrating its centennial anniversary of competing in the Summer Olympics. From the first Filipino athlete stepping to the Olympic arena and waving the Philippine flag in Paris to a larger Filipino delegation returning to the French capital to raise the flag on the world stage once again.The Philippine delegation surpassed the 19 athletes who participated in the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020 with 22 contenders competing in this year’s Summer Olympics.The largest number of participants ever recorded was in 1972 with 53 athletes all in which came home empty-handed. Tolentino is positive that this year’s contingent are capable of bringing home medals to the country. He is hopeful that the Filipino contingent will deliver a worthwhile output and will surpass the Tokyo Olympics.Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz made history as the first and only Philippine athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. The country’s other medals, all in boxing, were a silver courtesy of Nesthy Petecio, a silver medal by Carlo Paalam, and a bronze medal by Eumir Marcial.“We will deliver, we will surpass the Tokyo records. With this template, with this preparation, we will definitely surpass the Tokyo Olympics record,” Tolentino said.The 2024 Paris Olympics begin on July 26, Friday, with Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Nethy Petecio and Carlo Paalam as the Philippines’ flag-bearers. 

LeBron James was selected by his Team USA peers across all sports to be their 2024 flag bearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics.James became the first men’s player selected as a flag bearer following women’s basketball stars Dawn Staley in 2024 Athens Games and Sue Bird for the Tokyo Games in 2021.The four-time NBA champion and all-time NBA leading scorer who will make his fourth appearance in the Summer games will lead a boat of American athletes down the Seine River where the Olympic Opening Ceremony will be held.

Philippine female gymnasts gave a good account of themselves during the qualification round of the women’s artistic gymnastics in the 2024 Paris Olympics held at the Bercy Arena.Levi Ruivivar, Emma Malabuyo, and Aleah Finnegan all had their moments; they all failed to advance to the next round by not entering the top eight of any of the events and falling short of making it to top 24 in the all-around.Jung-Ruivivar and Malabuyo both totaled 51.099 points in the all-around, while Finnegan tallied 50.498.Jung-Ruivivar, the youngest member of Team Philippines at 18 years old and who recently anaphylactic shock caused by her allergies just days before the competition, posted 13.600 in vault, 13.200 in uneven bars, 12.433 in floor exercise, and 11.866 in balance beam.On the other hand, Malabuyo netted 13.266 points in vault, 13.100 in floor exercise, 12.500 in uneven bars, and 12.233 in balance beam, while Finnegan averaged 13.387 in vault and scored 12.733 in floor exercise, 12.566 in uneven bars, and 11.466 in balance beam.Despite being eliminated early, the trio still showed gallant effort and made history for the country as the Philippines waited for 60 years for a female gymnast to see action in the Olympics once again. Maria Luisa Flora and Evelyn Magluyan represented the Philippine team in the 1964 Tokyo Games.With the three booted out of the competition already, the task of winning the Philippines’ first Olympic medal in gymnastics fell on the shoulders of Carlos Yulo, who advanced to the men’s all-around, floor exercise and vault finals.The debuting trio however are still optimistic to do better in their craft and look forward to another Olympic stint in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang may have crowned its new Queens of the sport.This, after Smart Omega Empress (OMGE) dethroned stalwarts, Team Vitality (VIT), to take the MLBB Women's Invitational (MWI) 2024 and write history as the first Filipino team to win a tournament at the Esports World Cup.The all-Filipino team executed a clean sweep over their Indonesian rivals in the Best-Of-Five (BO5) Grand Finals, ending their 24-match winning streak dating back to 2021.OMGE Roamer, Meraaay said during the post-match press conference: “We want to give honor to our country. I hope we made our kababayans (countrymen) proud, including those who went to the venue to support us. It feels like a dream for all of us. We would like to take our hats off to Team Vitality who gave us a good fight. We can already call ourselves world champions."

France prevailed in their nail-biting Olympic men’s basketball clash against Japan 94-90 in a game that went to overtime.In the closely contested ballgame, the No. 9 ranked Les Bleus was trailing by four points in the dying seconds of game until Matthew Strazel threw a desperation three-pointer that went in and was fouled by Yuki Kawamura of the ranked 26 Japan Akatsuki Five. Strazel converted the bonus free throw that tied the game at 84 and forced overtime.During the extension, Victor Wembanyama scored eight of the 10 overtime points of France to overcome his game struggles and led Les Bleus to victory.Wembanyama started the game with eight points, then had his woes for the rest of the game before overtime came. The San Antonio Spurs superstar still led the French team in scoring with 18 markers, added 11 boards, six assists, two steals and two block shots.Strazel who bailed them out with his four-point play in the regulation that forced overtime tallied 17 markers and three dimes.Meanwhile, Yuki Kawamura led the Akatsuki Five in scoring with 29 markers. He also grabbed seven rebounds, dished off six assists, and tallied one steal.Los Angeles Lakers Rui Hachimura added 24 points (7/11 on 2-point shots, 3/5 on 3-point area, and 1/2 on free throws) for the Japanese team. He also grabbed three boards in his 28 minutes of play before his ejection after receiving his second unsportsmanlike foul with 8:31 left in the fourth quarter.France now has a 2-0 slate in their group while Japan went down to 0-2.The Akatsuki Five next assignment will be on August 2 against Brazil while the host team Les Blue will face Germany on August 3 to cap off their match-ups in the Group Phase.

Lovely Inan added three more medals to the Philippines’ growing collection following her impressive feat in the women’s 49-kilogram event in the ongoing 2024 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Junior Championships in Leon, Spain. Inan topped her event with a total lift of 179kg, surpassing Colombia’s Karoll Dahyanne Lopez Alvarez who tallied a lift of 178kg and Spain’s Lucia Gonzalez Borrego with a total lift of 170kg.The young Filipina athlete also seized gold in clean and jerk on a 100kg effort and nabbed a silver medal in snatch with a 79kg lift.Inan’s impressive victories added to the country’s medal collection following two golds and one silver from Angeline Colonia in the women’s 45kg.Meanwhile, Rose Jean Ramos (women’s 49kg Category B) and Eron Borres and Prince Kiel Delos Santos (men’s 55kg) fell short in their respective events. The Philippines still has a chance to claim more medals with Jodie Peralta set to compete in the women’s 55kg event and Albert Ian Delos Santos in the men’s 67kg division.

The Philippine Men’s National Football Team earned a podium finish in the 2024 King’s Cup after defeating Tajikistan, 3-0, on Monday, October 14, at the Tinsulanonda Stadium in Songkhla, Thailand.Gerrit Holtmann (47') placed the nation on the scoreboard after the first half ended without a goal. Jefferson Tabinas (58') immediately followed with a 54th minute header from a corner, and Zico Bailey's goal in the 62nd minute sealed the victory for the Nationals, making it a 3-to-love score.The triumph marks the Philippines’ first podium place in the competition and their first win under Albert Capellas since he took over as head coach of the men’s national football team.

Carl Hilario emerged as the most decorated para swimmer after winning all three of his events on the second day of the Para Swimming competition in the 8th Philippine National Para Games on Tuesday, November 12, at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool in Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.The 18-year-old PNPG rookie from Aklan gained his first gold medal in the men’s 100 meter freestyle S14 on Monday, November 11, finishing with 1:04.55.He went on to win two gold medals the following day in the men’s 200-meter freestyle S14 with a record of 2:31.80 and the men’s 100-meter butterfly S14 with 1:21.31.