A straight-set play over Chile sealed Bulgaria’s flawless run in Pool E, as the world No. 12 squad surged into the FIVB Men’s World Championship knockout rounds with a spotless 3-0 record.The Bulgarians left no doubt of their dominance, dismantling Chile, 25-17, 25-12, 25-12, on Wednesday, September 17, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. With the win, Bulgaria secured the top spot in their group and is set to face the Pool D runner-up — likely Portugal or Cuba — in the Round of 16.

The Arellano University Chiefs are heading into NCAA Season 101 with a sense of renewal, putting their trust in team chemistry and the continuity of their core group.After finishing 7-11 (7th place) in Season 100, the Chiefs know they have a ground to cover, but with a more seasoned lineup and improved unity, they believe they can break deeper into the postseason picture. Third-year head coach Chico Manabat retains the bulk of his key players. Mainstays Basti Valencia, T-Mc Ongotan, Maverick Vinoya, and Ernjay Geronimo return with valuable experience, while CJ Libang is expected to fill the void left by the departure of defensive anchor Lorenz Capulong. Surrounding them is a deep pool of contributors, Renzo Abiera, Anthony Borromeo, Leyton Buenaventura, Yuan Camay, Anjord Cabotaje, Dominic Dayrit, Girbaud Demetria, Joseph Hernal, Matthew Langit, Dre Miller, Andrei Acop, Kyle Anama, and Joseph Espiritu, all hungry to make their mark.Season 101 introduces a fresh structure: teams are split into two groups, with the top three from each side advancing to the crossover quarterfinals. The top two squads earn the luxury of a twice-to-beat advantage.Arellano landed in Group A together with Lyceum, Mapúa, San Sebastian, and Perpetual. Every game in this grouping is expected to be tightly contested, meaning the Chiefs can’t afford slow starts or wasted opportunities.The Chiefs have shown flashes of promise before, stealing wins against heavyweights like San Beda, Lyceum, and College of Saint Benilde last season. Now, they must turn those isolated victories into consistent results. 

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the Gilas Pilipinas national team are in a holding pattern as they await word from FIBA regarding the status of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, originally slated to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17.The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Gilas Pilipinas are awaiting word from FIBA officials if the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 will push through in Jeddah as there is a tension rising between Iran and Israel.The tournament’s staging is now uncertain amid growing tensions in the Middle East, particularly the escalating conflict involving Iran and Israel. With safety concerns looming, national federations and participating teams are left in a state of limbo, including the Philippines, which is among the 16 teams set to compete.

Jodi Catherine Dino, who was born on the 11th day of January 2002, is a forward on the Philippine National Women’s Ice Hockey Team who brings a valuable blend of agility, speed, and offensive intuition to the ice.In 2024, Dino was part of the Philippine Women's Ice Hockey Team that competed in the International Ice Hockey Federation Asia and Oceania Championship, where they defeated Kyrgyzstan and clinched the championship.Whether she’s weaving through defenders or setting up critical plays, Dino consistently provides the team with reliable forward momentum and sharp execution in the offensive zone.Her skating finesse and quick transitions make her a constant threat on fast breaks, while her ability to read the game allows her to find opportunities to support her teammates and capitalize on scoring chances.

Famed boxing trainer and Hall of Famer Tommy Brooks passed away at the age of 71 on Tuesday, July 29, after a long battle with cancer. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised in San Diego, Brooks began his boxing journey with mentors Archie Moore and Eddie Futch before serving in the United States Air Force.“Got more bad news a little while ago. It was just confirmed by his family that esteemed boxing trainer Tommy Brooks died tonight, after having fought a very aggressive cancer. Too young.” DiBella wrote on X.As an amateur, Brooks captured the AAU national middleweight title in 1975, defeating Tom Sullivan and a young Michael Spinks, and went on to win a U.S. national title. He turned professional in 1977, finishing with a 7-3 record.Brooks found his true calling as a trainer, working alongside legendary figures Lou Duva and George Benton. Over his illustrious career, he trained some of boxing’s biggest names, including Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, the Klitschko brothers, Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor, Mike McCallum, Vinny Pazienza, Charles Murray, David Price, and many others.He is survived by his wife Donna (Duva), sons Brian, Marlon, and Jonathan, and daughter Cassandra, as well as her husband, boxing trainer Shaun George. Funeral services will be announced in Georgia and New Jersey.Rest in peace, Tommy Brooks—a true legend in the world of boxing.

Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena won his second gold medal in the athletics season of the 2025 Orlen Copernicus Cup held in Torun, Poland.Obiena cleared the 5.80 meters jump to secure the gold medal in the event.On his first jump attempt, Obiena quickly cleared the 5.50m mark. He also cleared rhe 5.60m, which took him to 5.70m, although Obiena missed twice on his 5.80 jump until he got the tactic and was able to clear the mark on his third attempt.Meanwhile, Piotr Lisek of Poland took the silver medal with a 5.70 mark, while Sondre Guttormsen of Norway came in third with the same mark, with Lisek beating Guttormsen via countback.Last month of January, Obiena previously won the gold medal at the recently concluded Metz Moselle Athletics Championships in France, and had a silver medal at the International Springer-Meeting Cottbus.The two-time Filipino Olympian also previously failed to defend his title at the ISTAF Indoor in Germany after finishing seventh with a 5.55-meter jump last week.

The Philippine Basketball Association officially approved on Monday, June 2, the one-on-one trade between guards Jordan Heading and Mikey Williams.With the trade finalized, Heading will now be wearing the TNT Tropang 5G jersey, while Williams is set to don the Converge FiberXers colors.

When Jann So Tiong first stepped onto the ice, it was not competition that greeted him, it was curiosity. What began as a casual public skating session with his parents soon turned into a lifelong passion.“We happened to run into one of my mom’s college friends whose son played ice hockey,” he recalled. “They let me try it, and I just soon grew to love it.”Born on February 1, 2002, Jann is a solid defenseman for the Philippine Ice Hockey Team. What drives him most is not personal glory, but the privilege of representing his country on the international stage.“In one word, it’s honor,” he said. “You don’t always get the opportunity to represent your country. I take so much pride and honor in playing for the Philippines.”For the University of Santo Tomas product, the team is not just a group of athletes, it is family.“We are all different in terms of age,” he explained. “There are older ones we look up to like kuyas, and younger ones too. Our coaches and team manager are like fathers or titos.”The family-like bond goes beyond camaraderie; it was built on accountability and respect. “Even the younger ones can call out the older ones if something’s wrong,” he said. “We keep each other accountable, whether it’s about discipline or teamwork.”This close-knit culture, he believes, is what fuels the team’s growth and strengthens their unity on ice.As one of the national team’s rising defensive anchors, Jann has his eyes set on both personal and team achievements. “Of course, I want to help the country move up divisions in our world championship ranking,” he shared. “And I want to bring pride to the Philippines by winning medals, whether in the SEA Games or other tournaments.”Individual recognition would be nice, he admitted, but it is not his main goal. “I’d rather get a gold medal for the country than any personal award,” the San Juan native said, reflecting his team-first mindset.Outside of hockey, Jann enjoys a grounded, family-oriented life. “When I’m not at the rink, I’m either working out or spending time with my family,” he said. “I also like trying different things—new food, new activities. I just like experiencing new things.”His passion for the game, however, always shines through. When asked what message he would give to anyone curious about hockey, his response was simple and inspiring:“It can be scary at the start, since you’re on skates and on ice, but if you give it a try, you’ll like it. It’s something you don’t see every day, and once you try it, you’ll realize it’s easier than you think.”From a young skater in San Juan to a national team defenseman, Jann So Tiong’s journey is one marked by passion, discipline, and national pride. His story reflects the heart of Philippine ice hockey itself, tight-knit, resilient, and always ready to defend the country’s colors with pride. 

The NLEX Road Warriors claimed their third consecutive win over Hong Kong Eastern, 94-76, to secure at least a playoff for a quarterfinals spot in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.The Road Warriors claimed the victory over the slumping guest team during their Chinese New Year faceoff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to finish with a 6-6 win-loss slate, in the process, ultimately eliminating traditional powerhouse San Miguel Beermen from playoff contention.Import Mike Watkins erupted a conference-high 41 points on top of 14 rebounds and two blocks.

Gilas Pilipinas is keenly monitoring Kai Sotto’s situation as they are facing the possibility of missing his services following an apparent left knee injury he sustained during Koshigaya Alphas’ loss to Mikawa Seahorses, 77-79, in the 2025 season of Japan B.League at Kariyashi Taiikukan Arena over the weekend.Sotto appeared to have suffered the injury after his left knee buckled awkwardly in the first quarter of the game while aiming a post-up move against Seahorses’ Zach Auguste. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is hoping there is no major damage to the knee of the 7-foot-3 Gilas center. SBP executive director Erika Dy stated that they cannot make any conclusions about his status as they are awaiting the result of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on Sotto.In response to questions about the potential effect on the squad, Gilas head coach Tim Cone confirmed that Japeth Aguilar would be prepared to take Sotto's place if he couldn't play.“Well, that’s why we have Japeth. Japeth is there to replace any of the bigs that we have. And if you can tell me there’s another big (one) out there that matches Japeth’s size and ability, then I’ll be happy to look at him,” Cone said.

The San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags are once again entering a new NCAA season under a different mentor, continuing a cycle of transition that has defined the program in recent years.After Egay Macaraya’s stint in Seasons 97 and 98, followed by John Kallos in Season 99 and Arvin Bonleon in Season 100, the Stags now turn to former PBA guard Rob Labagala as their head coach. Labagala has emphasized patience and steady growth, saying that the Stags will focus on building their foundation step by step.Despite the coaching carousel, the Golden Stags still have reliable leaders in Paeng Are, their explosive guard, and TJ Felebrico, a Mythical Team member who has been instrumental in holding the squad together. Both veterans are expected to anchor the team’s attack and provide stability in the midst of change.Adding excitement are several promising newcomers. Jhuniel dela Rama and Ian Cuajao, standouts from the juniors division, bring youthful energy and untapped potential. Fans will also see a familiar surname return to the collegiate ranks in Jaime Gomez de Liaño, the younger brother of pros Javi and Juan, who is set to carve his own path in the NCAA. Supporting them are Matt Acosta, Jerover Cabilla, Clarence Cruz, Markus Dimaunahan, Ralph Gabbat, Axcel Kitane, Jose Andre Lumanag, Gabriel Nepacena, Thomas Pillado, Harold Ricio, Vincent Segovia, and Leonardo Velasco.

Ateneo de Manila University and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) split victories in the UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament on Sunday, March 9, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with the Blue Eagles stunning the Golden Spikers in the men’s division, while the Golden Tigresses swept Ateneo’s women’s volleyball team.In the men’s match, Ateneo ended UST’s four-game winning streak with a 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21 victory, spoiling the return of two-time MVP Josh Ybañez.The Blue Eagles pulled away late in the fourth set to secure the win, improving to a 3-2 record and tying De La Salle University in fourth place."Every team we face moving forward is a top team. All the teams in the UAAP are strong and capable of being champions," said Ateneo head coach Vince Mangulabnan."We have to prepare for them the same way every game—regardless of who they are or what their ranking is, even if they were to play at the world level. Our mindset should always be that we're facing a top-caliber opponent so that we don’t become complacent,” he added, emphasizing the importance of preparation moving forward.Ken Batas led Ateneo with game-high 21 points while Amil Pacinio and Jian Salarzon provided support by putting up 17 and 12 markers, respectively.

Filipino-American Levi Jung-Ruivar is making her Olympic debut in Paris.Ruivivar switched allegiance from the United States to the Philippines last year and stamped her ticket to the Paris Games when she clinched the silver medal in the FIG Artistic Gymnastics held in Doha, Qatar, a couple of weeks before she turned 18.As Levi qualified for the Summer Olympics, she became the youngest in the Philippine delegation for the Paris Games.Hailing from Los Angeles, Jung-Ruivivar began her gymnastics journey at the age of one-and-a-half, at her mom’s suggestion. She gradually made her way up the U.S. women’s gymnastics program ladder, ultimately becoming a four-time USA Elite National Team Member. At the end of 2022, Jung-Ruivivar, whose father is Filipino, made the transition from Team USA to the Philippines, for which she has competed since.

Unbeaten Filipino middleweight contender Weljon Mindoro is keeping the door open to representing the Philippines in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games — a move he and his team consider a great honor.Mindoro, alongside handlers Gerry Balmes and Orly Barcelango, are awaiting official communication from the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) or the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to formalize his inclusion.During Monday’s presentation of the 3rd Asian Youth Games medalists, POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino mentioned Mindoro’s possible addition to the national boxing lineup.“Wala naman kaming ihi-hindi. Sa tingin ko mas maganda kung maging pormal na lang yung pagmi-meeting diyan,” said Barcelango during the PSA Forum. “Hindi namin ipagdadamot si Weljon dahil isang karangalan yun makapagsilbi para sa bayan.”A native of Zamboanga del Sur, Mindoro previously competed in Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa, but never made it to the national team. Competing in the SEA Games, he said, would be a dream come true.“Excited ako diyan na makalaban sa SEA Games. Kung manalo ako sa SEA Games, mas maganda kung makalaban ako sa Olympics,” he added.Mindoro and his team are set to train in Japan for stronger sparring partners. Trainer Joven Jimenez and former champion Jerwin Ancajas have also expressed support for his SEA Games prospects.Mindoro recently served as a sparring partner for Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial in the Thrilla in Manila 50th Anniversary event. His team hopes he’ll soon officially join the national squad, eager to chase gold and represent the country on a bigger stage.

While the San Miguel–Ginebra series went the distance to decide the last Finals berth, the TNT Tropang 5G’s early entry into the championship round gave their players time to heal.The last two Finals MVPs of the grand slam-seeking TNT squad will still not be suiting up. Jayson Castro (Governors’ Cup Finals MVP) continues to recover from a full-thickness patellar tendon tear in his right knee, while Rey Nambatac (Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP) remains sidelined with a groin injury.Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Kelly Williams, and Brian Heruela also dealt with injuries throughout the Philippine Cup, but all are possible to return in the Finals.

The UST Growling Tigers will be missing a key weapon in their UAAP Season 88 opener as star guard Forthsky Padrigao serves a one-game suspension.Padrigao is sidelined for UST’s clash against reigning champions, the UP Fighting Maroons, on Sunday, September 21, at the Quadricentennial Pavilion. His suspension stems from the two unsportsmanlike fouls he committed in last season’s Final Four matchup versus UP, where the Tigers bowed out, 78-69.

After an impressive showing against Gilas Pilipinas, the Macau Black Bears are aiming to join the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) as a guest team.Fresh from their competitive Gilas send-off game, the Black Bears have formally expressed interest in participating as a guest squad for one or two conferences in the PBA’s upcoming 50th season. In a letter to PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, Black Bears president of basketball operations Lukas Peng emphasized their commitment to building a highly competitive, professionally managed team that will proudly represent Macau and its vibrant Filipino community, while expanding the PBA’s reach in Greater China and the broader Asia-Pacific region.Commissioner Marcial responded positively, confirming that discussions will soon begin to explore the partnership. He also met with Black Bears general manager Kevin Connelly, who is responsible for team operations and is the brother of NBA Minnesota Timberwolves president Tim Connelly.As part of their proposal, Peng requested special consideration for player eligibility, asking the PBA to allow players from China, Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to register as locals under a "Greater China Rule." He also cited precedent from the Bay Area Dragons, who fielded players of documented Chinese heritage as locals, and inquired about the eligibility of Filipino and EASL-registered players to play as locals for the Black Bears.While no formal agreement has been reached yet, the potential entry of the Macau Black Bears—a familiar name in the ASEAN Basketball League—could be a major step in the PBA’s push for greater international relevance. If approved, the Black Bears would follow the path of the Bay Area Dragons, who became the PBA’s first foreign guest team in nearly two decades and reached the 2022–23 Commissioner’s Cup finals.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and sponsor of the proposed budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), renewed his call for the regionalization of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) during budget deliberations on last Monday, November 24.Go stressed that keeping the NAS concentrated solely in Luzon—specifically in its main campus in New Clark City, Pampanga—limits grassroots development and sidelines promising young athletes from the Visayas and Mindanao.“Nag-file rin po ako ng bill para ma-regionalize ang NAS,” Go said, referring to his recently filed measure aimed at decentralizing the academy in line with the intent of the law that created it.Go noted that while NAS operations are fully funded—citing an additional ₱294 million in the committee report, including budget for a new dormitory—geographical accessibility remains a major barrier for student-athletes outside Luzon.He emphasized that expansion does not require constructing brand-new facilities, pointing out that many local governments already have sports infrastructures capable of hosting NAS satellite campuses.“Sana ay ma-regionalize ito… at malagyan rin po sa Visayas at Mindanao,” he said, adding that several LGUs in Mindanao have already expressed willingness to host equivalent NAS setups.During the hearing, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano underscored the need for continuity in national sports planning and aligning programs with international hosting opportunities. Go agreed, stressing the importance of proactive planning.A long-time advocate for athlete welfare, Go authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, which established the NAS and introduced a dual-track system combining secondary education with specialized sports training. The academy provides full scholarships to student-athletes pursuing both academic and athletic excellence.To widen access to this model, Go filed Senate Bill No. 171, or the National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act of 2025, which seeks to establish NAS campuses across the country—particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao. These regional campuses would uphold the academic and athletic standards of the main campus while ensuring equitable opportunities for rising sports talents nationwide.

Next on our Profiles Series is the 1978 PBA Most Valuable Player, Robert Jaworski Sr.Known as the “Living Legend” of Philippine basketball, Jaworski earned this iconic nickname thanks to his enduring popularity, unmatched legacy, and profound impact on Philippine sports. His influence spans generations, resonating not only with those who witnessed his prime but also with younger fans who grew up hearing his name.In 1975, the University of the East standout entered the PBA in its inaugural season, suiting up for Toyota—a team he had already played for since 1973.His most significant season with the franchise came in 1978, when he bagged his lone MVP award after averaging nearly a triple-double: 20 points, 12 assists, and close to 9 rebounds per game.

The Petro Gazz Angels soared to new heights as they captured their first-ever All-Filipino Conference championship, stunning the powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers in four thrilling sets, 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, 25-19, in front of 10,226 fans, on Saturday, April 12, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.Creamline came out blazing in the opening set, showing the poise of a champion with clean execution and relentless energy. The two teams battled early, with a 15-10 scoreline marking their first long rally. MJ Phillips sparked a 3-0 Petro Gazz run, trimming the gap to 13-15 before a costly error by Mafe Galanza tied the match at 15-all. However, it was Brooke Van Sickle who turned the tide, scoring three consecutive kills to put Petro Gazz ahead 19-16. Alyssa Valdez provided a spark off the bench, but the Angels countered with composure and power to take Set 1.Petro Gazz's dominance continued in the second frame. They opened with an 8-4 lead by shutting down Creamline’s offense and capitalized on unforced errors. Phillips remained unstoppable, while Jonah Sabete and Djanel Cheng delivered the blows—Sabete with smart attacks, and Cheng with three consecutive service aces. Creamline struggled to recover as the Angels cruised to a 25-16 win behind their heavy service pressure.