Cash incentives await some student-athletes representing the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) in the 2024 Palarong Pambansa.Asia Paraase, a student-athlete from Pajo National High School, who bagged the first gold medal for the 64th Palarong Pambansa on Thursday, July 11, will receive a cash incentive from Lapu-Lapu Government after demonstrating an exceptional performance during the secondary girls 3,000-meter run category.Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan acknowledged Paraase’s achievement and assured athletes from the city that they would be granted an unspecified amount worth of cash incentives.“We are happy and proud that the first gold medal came from an athlete from Lapu-Lapu. This brings great pride to our city,” said Chan.Participating student-athletes who will clinch gold, silver, and bronze medals will be rewarded.The City Sports Commission will recommend the budget allocation that will be approved and passed by the City Council. 

Central Visayas (Region VII) pulled off a surprising act on the first day of the 64th Palarong Pambansa, bagging the meet’s first gold medal on Thursday, July 11, at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).So far, Central Visayas has collected 13 gold medals, six silvers, and five bronzes on the first day of the five-day national games.Leading the region’s gold medal haul was Asia Paraase, who won the meet’s first fold medal early Thursday morning by topping the 3,000-meter secondary girls’ run at the CCSC oval. Other gold medalists included female woodpushers Edelyn Vosotros and Kristina Concepcion Belano, arnisador Nathaniel Abing, and nine golds from dancesport dancers.Paraase secured the gold medal after clocking in a time of 10:27:36, beating Eastern Visayas’ (Region VIII) Chrishia Mae Tajarros (10:39:72) and Davao Region’s (Region XI) Mary Jane Pagayon (10:52:72).At the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu, Central Visayas’ chess players Edelyn Vosotros and Kristina Concepcion Belano of the University of Cebu Webmasters delivered two gold medals. Vosotros earned two golds for finishing with a perfect seven points in the blitz category, and she paired with Belano to rule the team with 12 markers.The region also earned silver medals from Jormaine Pinanonang (100m hurdles elementary girls), Kharis Lark Reil Pantonial (110m hurdles secondary boys), and Kleone Mole (400m freestyle secondary girls’ swimming).Bronze medals went to Ace Francis Bacongallo (long jump elementary boys) and Kacie Grabrielle Tionko (400m freestyle secondary girls’ swimming).In dancesport, which is making its debut as a medal sport this year, Francis Dave Sombal and Mitchloni Dinauanao won six gold medals in the secondary Latin event at the GMall of Cebu Activity Center.Their performances in samba, cha-cha, rumba, paso doble, jive, and the 5-dance were almost flawless.Danieca Mae Ansay and Nash Daniel Placencia also shone in the elementary Latin contest, winning gold in rumba and jive, along with two silvers and two bronzes in other dances.Troy Nathaniel Abing from Lapu-Lapu City brought home the region’s 13th gold in individual likha anyo single weapon of elementary boys’ arnis at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.The region expects to win more golds in the third day of competition on Friday.

Young Filipina golfing star Rianne Malixi won the US Girls’ Junior Championship at the El Caballero Country Club in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 20 (Sunday, July 21st in Manila).Just a year after finishing as the runner-up, the Filipina golfer defeated Asterisk Talley in the final.Malixi claimed victory in record-setting fashion, with her 8-and-7 win over the American marking the largest winning margin in the tournament's history. At 17, Malixi redeemed herself from last year's narrow one-hole loss to Filipino-American Kiara Romero, becoming the second golfer representing the Philippines to win the championship, following Princess Superal’s 2014 achievement.“I’m getting pretty emotional right now because I know how much hard work I’ve put in over the past years,” said a teary-eyed Malixi in an interview with Rappler. “I’m not the only one who made a lot of sacrifices. I’d like to credit my family, especially my dad.”Malixi dominated the first half of the 36-hole match, taking a commanding 6-up lead by the 18th hole with nine birdies. Although Talley cut the deficit to 5-up by the 24th hole, Malixi sealed her victory by birdying the 25th and 27th holes and parring the 29th, which Talley bogeyed, clinching the title with seven holes remaining. Malixi finished with 14 birdies and no bogeys.Her triumph over Talley earned Malixi a spot in the 2025 US Women’s Open, where Japan’s Yuka Saso, who won the major for the Philippines in 2021, will defend her title. Malixi plans to attend Duke University in 2025. (PB)

The Philippines-Davao NTB Wolves barely broke out a sweat after outclassing New Zealand-Fil Nation Select, 81-44, in the PSL Global Championship Challenge on Thursday, July 18, at the Victoria Sports Club in Quezon City.Seth Abiendo led the charge for the Philippines Born 2004 team, which remained undefeated in four games. Abiendo finished with 16 markers on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting from the field.Davao NTB Wolves will next face UK-KAMPI on Friday, July 19.Over at the young division, the Philippines Born 2006 team, represented by Cebu-University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJR), picked up its fourth straight win after hammering UK-KAMPI Basketball over a 104-67 victory.Jan Vince Oringo showcased another excellent performance as he exploded with 26 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists and powered the Philippines Under-18 squad to another convincing win.North America, on the other hand, scored a repeat win over previous contender, Philippines-Pampanga, 85-68 in the Born 2008 division.Dominic Tuason tallied 5-of-9 3-point shots on his way to finishing with 27 points to lead the charge for the young Filipino cagers of the North American Basketball Association (NABA) - Intercity supported squad.

Multiple reports have indicated that Allen Durham will once again don the Meralco Bolts jersey after four years as they try to settle their unfinished business in the upcoming PBA 49th Season Governor’s Cup.Durham and the Bolts already entered the conference finals together three times but they always lost to Justin Brownlee and Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel in all of their series.This time, Durham has earned a championship pedigree already when he helped Ryuku capture the B. League crown and even won Finals MVP against the Chiba Jest. On the other hand, Meralco Bolts also won their first ever PBA title in the recently concluded Philippine Cup where they defeated the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen in six games. With AD and the Bolts having the feel of being champions, the season-opening conference will be their best chance to do it as a unit.However, the Bolts hulking 6-foot-6 import will have to go through a mixture of new opponents and familiar foes, including his consistent nemesis Justin Brownlee. 

Cignal HD Spikers opened its Pool B campaign in the Premier League Volleyball (PVL) Reinforced Conference on a high note as they cruised past Choco Mucho Flying Titans, securing a 25-18, 25-21, 25-16 triumph at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.New HD Spikers MJ Perez and Judith Abil were clear-cut contributors in the sweep.Despite missing key players like Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Vanie Gandler, Cignal unleashed a potent offense led by their Venezuelan import Perez, anchoring the team with game-high 22 points off 19 attacks, two aces, and a block, while Abil proved herself worthy of a spot with 15 excellent digs and eight receptions.“It is very nice to be in a new team with new and young players. I feel happy because I can help them with my experience. Of course, I have good friends in the other teams, my former teammates, but it is really nice to come to a team who appreciates my work,” Perez said.“I know there is more to come because this is just the beginning and we will keep working for it,” she added.Meanwhile, Choco Mucho, hampered by the absence of Sisi Rondina due to Alas Pilipinas duties, struggled to find their rhythm.Greek import Zoi Faki took the scoring load for the Flying Titans with 13 points, 10 receptions, and eight digs while newly debuted Dindin Manabat-Santiago contributed eight markers.Cignal aims for another win against ZUS Coffee on Tuesday, July 23, while Choco Mucho seeks to rebound against Akari, both held at the same venue.

Strong Group-Philippines obliterated Malaysia after a compelling fourth quarter surge to pull off an 89-54 win, staying unblemished in the 2024 William Jones Cup on Wednesday, July 17, at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City.Strong Group improved to 4-0, in a tie with Chinese Taipei National Team A, while Harimau Malaysia fell to 3-1.Five players from SGA poured in double digits with Chris McCullough continuing to anchor the Philippines’s offense netting 16 points and five rebounds while Rhenz Abando played his best game of the tournament by finishing with 14 markers and 10 rebounds, some of which coming the late third-quarter flourish.Tajuan Agee finished with 12 markers, seven boards and four steals, while Ange Kouame contributed 11 and 10 rebounds in the victory that saw Strong Group pull away after a nip-and-tuck battle in the first three quarters.The Philippines squandered a double-digit lead in the first two quarters as they went into the half with a four point lead, 40-36.Malaysia then led 47-46 midway through the third frame before it fizzled out as Strong Group ended the game on a 43-7 run.Filipino-American DJ Fenner scored 10, while Barangay Ginebra-bound RJ Abarrientos had an all-around effort of nine points, 12 assists and five rebounds. Dave Ildefonso, on the other hand, added eight points, all coming in the fourth quarter.John Murray II topscored Malaysia with 25 points, seven rebounds, and three assists while Joseph Obasa, who previously suited up for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 86, registered 13 markers, six boards, and three blocks.Strong Group returns to action on Thursday, July 18, against Future Sports USA, hoping to shoot for its fifth straight win. 

Karl Benedict Wood stepped up in a big way for the Philippine U-20 team as it withstand North America, 82-73, in the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) Global Championships on Tuesday, July 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Wood exploded with 28 points as the Davao-NTB Wolves led opening-day in the PSL Global Challenge. Peter Adabo added 13 markers, Keith Marquez scored 12 while Most Valuable Player John Eimrod Rodulfa bucked an eight turnover night with 10 points.Joining the Philippines as opening day winner in the U-20 is Thailand’s Trail International School who brutally topscored over UK-Kampi Basketball, 106-72.Japher Kurihara and Don Wayde Basadre each tallied 27 points, with the former adding seven assists to spearhead Thailand’s explosive debut in the Pilipinas Super League’s flagship event.

After a failed attempt some 30 years ago, the province of Agusan del Sur has been named as the host of the Palarong Pambansa 2026.The development was announced following the passing of the Palarong Pambansa flag on to next year’s host.After nearly 60 years, Ilocos Norte is set to host the Palarong Pambansa once again in 2025. Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Garcia passed on the Palarong Pambansa flag to Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc during the grand closing ceremony at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).Earlier this year, Agusan del Sur submitted its bid to host the event, showcasing the D.O. Plaza Memorial Sports Complex, which boasts of world-class sporting facilities.The highlight of the sports complex is its 3,000-seat grandstand, rubberized track, football field with artificial grass, Olympic-sized swimming pool, air-conditioned courts for volleyball and basketball, and other amenities.Additional facilities include a 24-room hotel located within the main grandstand and a tennis court.The other Mindanao bidders who submitted their proposal to the Palarong Pambansa Board were the provinces of Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga City.The last time Mindanao hosted the Palarong Pambansa was in 2019 in Davao City.

The Philippine Sports Commission has begun the preparations for the 11th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Friendship Games scheduled in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on December 1 to 5.The tournament aims to foster excellence and camaraderie in sports among young people in the sub-region.PSC commissioner Walter Torres on Thursday, July 18, assured the successful production of the games, which features athletics, archery, badminton, karate, swimming, sepak takraw, pencak silat, and e-sports.City Tourism Department (CTD) chief Demetrio Alvior Jr. said representatives from BIMP-EAGA visited the country last May to discuss the friendship games, as there are specific requirements that need to be met, particularly because most of the attendees will be Muslims.One of the requirements is halal certification, which Puerto Princesa City and Palawan currently do not have. However, according to Alvior, they are already taking measures to address this issue before the friendship games.“The only challenging part for us is accommodating those coming from Muslim countries since we don’t have a large halal restaurant here. However, we already have strategies in place to address this,”said Alvior.The CTD chief also mentioned that the federation handling the event initially wanted all food to be halal and uniformly served to all Muslim delegates, regardless of the hotel they are staying.“This is a significant and somewhat delicate event, but it is also a test to see if we are serious about advancing in sports. We need to participate in these major events to identify what we still lack and what needs improvement,” he added.Puerto Princesa City will host the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games for the second time. The first was in 2003.Brunei Darussalam’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan played host in the last edition of the games.

The 37th Thai King’s Cup Sepaktakraw World Championship will lose some of its lustre as Indonesia and Philippines, semifinalists in the regu event at the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) Sepaktakraw World Cup last May, have officially withdrawn from the tournament. ISTAF secretary-general Abdul Halim Kader announced that the Indonesian Sepaktakraw Association withdrew from the King’s Cup to focus on the 21st National Sports Week in the republic from September 8 to 20.However, the Philippine Sepaktakraw Association did not provide any reason for their withdrawal by the final registration deadline on July 14.

After heartbreaking losses from the women’s rowing and women’s judo, Kalya Sanchez kept the women's medal dream alive for the Philippines as she entered the semifinal round of women’s 100m freestyle in swimming.Sanchez swam to the top 16 with a time of 53.67, earning the country a slot in the semi-finals. She even ranked number four in heat 4.This is the second Olympic stint of Sanchez who previously represented Canada in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and won silver.The semifinals will be tomorrow, July 31, 3:25 a.m. PH time.

Carlos Yulo ranked 12th in the all-around finals of the men’s artistic gymnastics to cap off the first of his three medal events in the 2024 Paris Olympics at the Bercy Arena in France on Thursday, August 1 (Manila time).The 24-year-old gymnast, who is a three-time all-around gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games, failed to land a podium finish by placing 12th out of 24 qualifiers with a total score of 83.032.Still, it was a remarkable performance for Yulo as he reached his first individual all-around finals of the Olympics – a far reach from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games where he finished the all-around qualification at 47th place.Yulo showed significant improvements in the different apparatuses, highlighting his improvement from just being a floor exercise world champion in 2019.Yulo netted his highest score in vault with 14.766 points, then garnered 14.500 points in parallel bars and 14.333 points in floor exercise to bounce back from an unfavorable start that saw him fall during his pommel horse routine.Oka Shinnosuke of Japan bagged the gold medal with a total of 86.832.The 2020 Tokyo gold medalist Zhang Boheng of China failed to defend his crown, finishing second with 86.599 points.Zhang’s teammate, Xiao Ruoteng snatched the bronze medal with a close score of 86.364.Yulo will look to bring his upgraded routines, but with cleaner execution, in the apparatus finals of the floor exercise and the vault medal rounds on August 3 and 4, respectively.

University of the East opened its bid in the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge in a stunning way, crushing reigning NCAA Season 99 champion De La Salle-College of St. Benilde in straight sets at the Paco Arena on Wednesday night, July 31.The Lady Warriors staged multiple comebacks to complete their domination of the Lady Blazers in a battle between Jerry Yee-coached squads.“The Lady Blazers have had the advantage over us the past couple of weeks, so I’m very happy that the girls pulled through even coming from behind,” said UE assistant coach Obet Vital.Down by as many as five points midway through the final set, UE rattled off a pivotal 9-1 run to gain momentum and sweep CSB to a 25-22, 25-23, 25-21 victory.Khy Cepada led the Lady Warriors by delivering 20 points, all from attacks, while Kayce Balingit and Jenalyn Umayam contributed 12 and 10 markers, respectively.Jelai Gajero also returned to the court for the first time since tearing her ACL in the same tournament seven months ago. The California Academy standout focused on regaining her floor defense for the game.Meanwhile, Corrine Apostol paced CSB with 14 points, while Rhea Densing chipped in 12 markers.UE will face UAAP Season 86 silver medalist University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, August 4, while St. Benilde will aim to bounce back against Far Eastern University on the same date.

Cignal executed a near perfect game to continue its dominance of Pool B in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Thursday, August 1, at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.The HD Spikers dismantled the struggling Petro Gazz Angels in straight sets, 25-19, 25-19, 25-22, bringing them close to sweeping Pool B with a perfect 4-0 record.This is also the HD Spikers’ best start in two years since the Invitational Conference in 2022 to secure their places among the top three teams.

Filipina rower Joanie Delcago raced for the last time in the 2024 Paris Olympics.Delcago concluded her Paris Olympic campaign after finishing second in the women’s single sculls Final D after clocking in 7:43.83 at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium on Friday, August 02.Overall, Delgaco winded up 20th, a respectable finish in what already is a historic outing in her first Olympic stint.The 26-year-old, who is the first Filipina rower to compete in the Olympics, qualified in the quarterfinals after toppling the repechage heat with 7:55:00. 

Carlos Edriel Yulo has truly become the Philippines “Golden Boy” after capturing not just one but two golds in the grandest stage of sports.Yulo won his first Olympic gold medal in the men’s artistics gymnastic’s floor exercise last Saturday, July 3.He became the first male Filipino athlete to bring home an Olympic gold for the country and the second overall after Hidilyn Diaz got the first one in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games.During the finals of the floor exercise, Yulo scored 15.000 points to dethrone Israel’s Artem Dolgopyat, who eventually got the silver medal by tallying 14.966 points while top qualifier Jake Jarman of Great Britain bagged bronze with 14.933 points. Just 24 hours after clinching his first gold medal in Paris, Yulo got another one by topping the vault finals. He scored a massive 15.433 in his first vault followed by 14.800 in his second to have an impressive average of 15.116.The other two podium finishers in the vault were former world champion and Tokyo silver medalist Artur Davytan of Armenia who bagged another silver with his 14.966 performance, and Great Britain’s Harry Hepworth brought the bronze with an average of 14.949 points. With two golds from Caloy Yulo and an assured of at least bronze for boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, the Philippines has already matched its four-medal haul in Tokyo - the biggest in Philippine Olympic history.The Philippine Centennial delegation can still overcome the feat as EJ Obiena entered in the men’s pole vault while the other athletics representative Lauren Hoffman (women’s 400m hurdles) and John Cabang Tolentino (men’s 100m hurdle) were relegated to the repechage round. Golfer Bianca Pagdanganan will start her quest for a medal on August 7 while weightlifters John Ceniza, Eireen Ando and Vanessa Sarno will also have their opportunity this week.Having two golds already, assured of another two medals, and six more athletes having a chance to bag more, this can truly be called the golden era of the Philippine delegation in the Olympics while celebrating the 100 years of participating in the Summer Games.

Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena pulls through a shaky start as he continues his hunt for the Philippines’ first Olympic athletics medal in 88 years.The world’s second-best pole vaulter advanced to the men’s pole vault finals after reaching the Top 12 of the qualifiers on Saturday, August 3 (Manila time) at the Stade de France in Paris. Obiena nearly saw his dreams and years of hard work go down the drain after a seemingly uncharacteristic performance in his first two attempts. He surprisingly fumbled both of his opening jumps in the 5.60 meters bar.The University of Santo Tomas product held his nerve and decided to disregard his third try in the 5.60m level and opted to raise the bar to 5.70m. Obiena hurdled the height in a single attempt to stave off elimination.Obiena rediscovered his form and easily surpassed 5.75 meters to finish seventh overall and claim his place in the 12-man finale headlined by reigning Olympic champion and world record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden.The 28-year-old Obiena seeks to bounce back from his 11th-place finish in the Tokyo Olympics as he competes in the final set on August 6 (Manila time).The Philippines last bagged an athletics medal in the Olympics in 1936 when Miguel White finished with a bronze medal in the men’s 400-meter hurdles held in Berlin.

Serbian tennis sensation Novak Djokovic has finally completed his career golden grand slam after winning the Olympic Games gold in Paris. He defeated Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in a tightly contested match and won two sets 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) to earn his first Olympic gold.The 37 year-old and currently world’s No. 1 ranked tennis player joined Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, who have won all four tennis majors (the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open) and an Olympic gold medal in singles.Djokovic has won the Australian Open 10 times, Tour Finals seven times, Wimbledon seven times, US Open three times, and French Open three times.He sealed the title with a forehand. After getting the gold-clinching point, he turned to his box with an outstretched arm, and threw his racquet to the floor in celebration after the match lasted for almost three hours.After the match, he hugged his opponent Alcaraz before bursting into tears and fell to his knee in the middle of the Paris' Court Philippe-Chatrier.Then, Novak unfurled the Serbian and went to the stands to celebrate the victory with his family and support.

Filipina boxer Aira Villegas wraps up her maiden appearance in the 2024 Paris Games after bagging bronze in the women’s 50kg semifinals at the Roland Garros Stadium on Wednesday, August 7 (Manila time).Villegas fell prey at the hands of more seasoned and third-seeded rival Buse Naz Cakiroglu of Turkey, absorbing a unanimous decision loss. The Filipina made a valiant effort, landing significant punches but the formidable Turkish boxer proved to be too much for Villegas, setting the pace early enough to sweep the judges’ score cards, 30-27, 30-26, 30-27, 30-27, 30-26.This is the Philippines’ third medal in the ongoing Paris Games following gymnast Carlos Yulo’s double gold medal in men’s gymnastics. Villegas exceeded expectations in her Summer Games debut, becoming the Philippines’ second female boxer to win an Olympic medal after teammate Nesthy Petecio. Petecio, the Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, is the last fighter in the contention for the Philippines, with Eumir Marcial and Hergie Bacyadan losing their opening bouts and Carlos Paalam exiting in the quarterfinals.Petecio assumes the responsibility of winning the Philippines’ first-ever Olympics gold in the sport as she battles Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in the women’s 57kg semifinals on Thursday, August 8 (Manila time).