The Ginebra Gin Kings once again defeated the Meralco Bolts in a series, after winning Game 3 of their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup duel, 94-87, on Sunday night, February 9, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.Justin Brownlee had another clutch performance in leading the Ginebra to their sixth straight Final Four appearance.Brownlee put-up an almost triple-double performance with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, dominating his counterpart Akil Mitchell, who only had eight markers for the Meralco.The game was close from the beginning with only one lead change going to halftime break, where the Bolts had a slight advantage of 38-37.

The Philippine weightlifting team is set to begin its campaign at the 2024 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in Bahrain this weekend.The pride of Cebu City, Fernando Agad Jr. will see action in the men’s 55 kg class at 1 AM on Saturday, December 7 (Philippine time), followed by two-time Asian Junior Championships gold medalist Rosegie Ramos in the women’s 49 kg division.This will serve as Ramos’ first international competition after she failed to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics due to a tie-breaking tenth with the Dominican Republic in the IWF World Rankings, where only the top 10 advanced.Dave Pacaldo, meanwhile, will see action on Sunday, December 8, in the men’s 67 kg division.On the other hand, two-time Olympian Elreen Ando will take her leap in the women’s 64 kg on Wednesday, December 11, together with 2019 SEA Games gold medalist Kristel Macrohon in women’s 71 kg and John Dexter Tabique in the men’s 89 kg competition.

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.

A defining chapter in franchise history was written on Thursday night as ZUS Coffee secured its first-ever Finals appearance, sweeping the veteran PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-22, 28-26, 25-22, in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.What was once a team buried at the bottom of the standings has now transformed into one of the league’s most compelling contenders, fueled by a performance truly worthy of the postseason stage.Leading the charge was American import Anna DeBeer, who delivered a masterclass performance that defined the Thunderbelles’ rise. DeBeer exploded for 30 points built on 29 blistering attacks and an ace, while showcasing complete versatility on the floor with 9 excellent digs and 8 excellent receptions. From power to poise, the ZUS Coffee star controlled the match on both ends, refusing to let PLDT find rhythm in crucial moments.ZUS Coffee’s stunning sweep was not just a victory, it was a statement. A team once viewed as rebuilding has now announced itself as a force ready for the league’s biggest stage. Their ascent from cellar-dwellers to title contenders reflects a culture shift built on resilience, chemistry, and unwavering belief.With the win, the Thunderbelles march into a gold medal showdown against the Petro Gazz Angels, scheduled for Sunday, November 30, at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum. The clash promises to be a battle of momentum versus legacy, ZUS Coffee making its first leap to greatness, and Petro Gazz returning to reclaim the crown.Meanwhile, the PLDT High Speed Hitters, who fought through a grueling campaign only to fall short of the finals, will face the Akari Chargers in the bronze medal match, aiming to secure a podium finish and end their season on a high note.As the PVL Finals await, ZUS Coffee stands on the brink of completing one of the most remarkable turnarounds in league history, and they’re not done yet.

Lou Marie Reyes Cauyao, is one of the players of the Philippine Women’s Ice Hockey Team which won as Silver Medalist during the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women’s Asia and Oceania Cup in In Bishkek, KYRGYZSTAN, from March 24 to 30 2024. This prestigious tournament brought together top women’s teams from across Asia and Oceania, showcasing talent, determination, and the growing strength of women’s ice hockey in the region. Cauyao played a vital role in fortifying the team's defense throughout the tournament, helping to secure the Philippines’ historic run to the podium.Known for her sharp defensive instincts, determination and dedication to the sport, Cauyao exemplifies the spirit of Filipino athletes who continue to break new ground in less traditional sports like ice hockey. Her contribution not only reflects individual excellence but also highlights the rising momentum of women’s ice hockey in the Philippines.

History was made in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge as Adamson University’s Shaina Nitura and De La Salle University’s Chris Hernandez became the first players from their respective schools to capture the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors.Both standouts powered their teams to the Finals, with Nitura leading the Lady Falcons’ unbeaten nine-game run, while Hernandez carried a revamped Green Spikers squad with his all-around brilliance and leadership.Nitura, a 20-year-old outside hitter from Cainta, Rizal, proved to be a force on both ends of the court. She finished as the second-highest scorer in the women’s division with 119 points (107 attacks, six blocks, six aces) and ranked among the top 10 in spiking, receiving, and digging. Her consistency was instrumental in Adamson’s dominant campaign.Hernandez, meanwhile, filled the void left by key La Salle veterans, delivering a breakout season. The De La Salle Lipa product placed fourth in scoring with 107 points (89 attacks, nine blocks, nine aces) and topped the league in serving efficiency. His balanced game also earned him top-five finishes in receiving, digging, and spiking—solidifying his status as the tournament’s most complete player.Nitura and Hernandez also led the V-League Supreme Teams of their divisions, alongside a host of standout performers from other schools.

Newly elected Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tonyboy Liao vowed to steer the organization toward greater progress after securing a sweeping victory in the federation elections held last Friday night in Taguig.“Our hope is to continue making Philippine volleyball better,” said Liao, who, along with his 13-member board, won decisively in the polls participated in by 47 voting members, including outgoing president Ramon Suzara. Philippine Olympic Committee secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan served as observer.Among those elected to key posts were Dr. Arnel Hajan as chairman, Yul Benosa as vice president, Ottie Camangian as secretary-general, Ricky Palou as treasurer, and Roger Banzuela as auditor. Completing the board are Michael Vargas, Sherwin Maganda, Danilo Cong-O, Edward Lee, Charo Soriano, Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, and Ma. Soccorro Calleja.SEA Games Preparation Tops Early AgendaLiao’s first order of business is preparing the national teams for next month’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, where Alas Pilipinas aims to contend for medals in men’s and women’s indoor volleyball as well as beach volleyball.Push for Transparency, Organizational OverhaulRunning on a platform of transparency and good governance, Liao’s new leadership has requested the courtesy resignations of all holdover staff from Suzara’s administration. The move, he explained, is meant to address significant redundancies that have affected efficiency and strained the federation’s limited resources.“We noticed a lot of redundant work—one task being done by two people,” Liao said. “If a job is redundant, I’m sorry, but we have to take you off. We need to keep only what the organization truly needs.”He added that overstaffing leads to unnecessary expenses, especially for a federation that relies heavily on commercial sponsorships. “PNVF is not rich. If we keep spending on redundant positions, that’s money we could use for operations and tournaments.”Audit of P2-Billion World Championship Hosting Funds LoomsA major task ahead for Liao’s administration, particularly for treasurer Ricky Palou, is opening the federation’s financial books to trace how the P2 billion allocated for hosting the recent FIVB Men’s World Championship was used. The inquiry forms part of the new board’s pledge to ensure transparency and accountability in the federation’s operations.For now, Liao said his immediate focus is to “put the association in good order” by reviewing and reorganizing the structure that has been in place for the past five years.With a renewed mandate, a strong leadership lineup, and a clear call for reform, Liao’s administration signals a fresh chapter for Philippine volleyball—one driven by accountability, efficiency, and a commitment to elevating the sport on the international stage.

Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios will be entering their fight next week, each armed with key weapons. It will be a matter of which one neutralizes the other."Remember, in boxing, speed is the key," Pacquiao stated recently in an interview.Although he's already 46 years old, the Filipino boxing icon insists he hasn’t skipped a beat, with his trainers and onlookers in Los Angeles affirming his solid workouts over the past few weeks.Pacquiao is ending a four-year retirement to try and dethrone Barrios, the reigning World Boxing Council welterweight champion, on July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Imports are essential for the league as they bring dynamics to each team that they play for and local players will have a glimpse on how to play with international players. In the Governors’ Cup, the usual third conference of the league that allows each team to get one reinforcement, will be the first conference to be held by the PBA this year.This year, the conference will have a 6’6” height limit for imports - a little difference from the 6’5” limit from last year.They will also bring excitement to the fans as some of the imports are former NBA players whom they can only watch from television before but now they can have a chance to watch them live in the basketball venues.

The Philippine boxing community is grieving the loss of former title challenger and veteran trainer Jonathan Peñalosa, who passed away on Monday, April 28, after a valiant battle with colon cancer. He was 57.Peñalosa was the older brother of two-time world champion Gerry Peñalosa and Dodie Boy Peñalosa Sr. His wake is currently being held at their family home in San Carlos City.Eight-division world champion and former senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, who trained under him for many years, is among those who paid tribute to Peñalosa. Pacquiao shared a heartfelt video on Facebook featuring training sessions with the late coach.“Rest in peace, Coach Jonathan Peñalosa. You weren’t just a coach to me—you were a brother, in and out of the ring. Thank you for your sacrifices and the love you gave me and my family. We will never forget you. Our prayers are with the Peñalosa family. We will forever miss you, Coach,” said Pacquiao.Peñalosa died exactly a week after Pacquiao personally visited him at Bacolod City Riverside Hospital following his surgery.Coach Jonathan had a seven-year pro career from 1985 to 1993, the highlight of which was his fight against WBA flyweight champion Yong Kang Kim of South Korea in 1992, which he unfortunately lost via a sixth-round knockout. His career record stood at 15-4-1 with 7 KOs.Jonathan was one of three boxing children of patriarch Carl Peñalosa, a two-time Philippine super-lightweight champion.Following his boxing career, Coach Jonathan became a fight trainer and eventually joined Pacquiao’s stable of local trainers.He was part of Pacquiao’s team for some of his marquee fights, including those against Tim Bradley, Jeff Horn, Lucas Matthysse, Keith Thurman, among others.It was also Peñalosa who trained Pacquiao for his six-round exhibition fight against South Korean martial artist DK Yoo in 2022.As Pacquiao retired, the elder Peñalosa took Pacman’s fighting son, Eman Bacosa, under his wing.

Jonah Sabete’s journey to becoming a standout volleyball player is one of determination, heart, and humble beginnings. Born on January 29, 1994, in the quiet town of Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, Jonah’s early life was far from the bright lights of major volleyball arenas. As a child, she was a marathon runner — a testament to her endurance and grit — but it wasn’t until a coach convinced her to try volleyball that her true path began to unfold.Moving away from her hometown, Jonah attended San Pedro High School in Hagonoy, Bulacan, where she started to carve her name in the sport. “Even if I had to study by myself, I did everything I could because I had a dream,” she once said, revealing the fire that kept her going despite challenges.Standing at 5-foot-6, Jonah wasn’t the tallest on the court, but she made up for it with incredible vertical leaps and fierce determination. Her powerful attacks and unwavering commitment made her a key player for Bulacan’s volleyball team in the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA), where she proved that heart and skill can outmatch physical stature.Jonah’s college years were spent at Bulacan State University, proudly representing the BulSU Gold Gears. Her hard work and talent earned her numerous accolades: she was named to the 2014 Bulacan Collegiate Athletic Association (BCAA) Mythical Six, crowned MVP and Athlete of the Year in 2015, and repeated as Athlete of the Year in 2016. She also made the UCLAA Mythical Six, solidifying her status as one of Bulacan’s brightest volleyball stars.

The TNT Tropang Giga showcased their strong defense with crucial stops in the final moments to secure an 88-84 win over Rain or Shine in Game 1 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven semifinal series on Wednesday night, February 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Despite being ahead by just three points with 1:59 left in the game, TNT shut down Rain or Shine's offense. The Tropang Giga capitalized on the Elasto Painters’ mistakes, forcing four turnovers, including a crucial steal by RR Pogoy off an inbound pass from Andrei Caracut with just three seconds remaining after a timeout.Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao designed a play for a potential game-tying four-point shot, but the attempt was spoiled by a bad pass.While RoS struggled in the final moments, TNT’s shooting, especially from beyond the arc, was on point. They hit 14-of-34 three-pointers, with Jayson Castro and Calvin Oftana leading the charge. Castro scored six three-pointers, missing only one, while Oftana also nailed six.

Quincy Miller has the possibility of playing in the PBA once again, as he is considered by the San Miguel Beermen to be their import in the upcoming Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.Miller is currently playing for SMB as one of the two reinforcements in the East Asia Super League (EASL) Home and Away Season 2.San Miguel deputy Peter Martin said that they are considering bringing in the 31-year-old in the mid-season conference to help them defend their title, but there's no assurance yet."Maybe, maybe not," said Martin of Miller's status.In their EASL loss to the Taoyuan Pilots last Wednesday, November 13, at the Philsports Arena, Miller showed brilliance by delivering 32 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.The numbers he provided were far from the first time he suited up for the Beermen when they lost against Suwon KT Sonicboom in the opener of the regional tournament a month ago.Miller only chipped in eight markers on 2-of-12 shooting from the field during the loss.And his redeeming performance last Wednesday caught the attention of the San Miguel coaching staff.

Filipina jiujitsu stars Kimberly Anne Custodio and Annie Ramirez showcased their dominance on the global stage after ruling their respective divisions at the 2025 IJJF World Jiujitsu Championships held in Bangkok, Thailand.Custodio captured her third world title with a flawless performance in the adult female -45kg division. She outclassed Jou-an Chen of Chinese Taipei, 4–0, in the quarterfinals, edged Thi Hue Phung of Vietnam, 2–0, in the semifinals, and capped her campaign by submitting Aysha Alshamsi of the UAE via armbar in the gold medal bout.Phung and the UAE’s Balqees Abdulkareem Abdoh Abdulla shared the bronze, while Custodio’s teammate Daniella Palanca finished fifth in the same weight class.Meanwhile, veteran standout Annie Ramirez finally achieved a long-awaited milestone. Her first-ever World Championships gold medal after topping the adult female -57kg division.Ramirez submitted Rachel Glover of Canada in the Round of 16, edged Jeong Hyeon Seon of South Korea in the quarterfinals, and outlasted Lina Grosset of France in the semifinals before sealing the title with a 2–0 win over Astrid Scholin of Sweden in the final.The triumph marked a strong comeback for Ramirez, who rebounded from a non-podium finish at the World Games in Chengdu, China, last August. Grosset and Jeong both claimed bronze medals in her division, while fellow Filipino Estancia Jan Mendoza placed 17th overall.Custodio and Ramirez’s golden performances reaffirm the Philippines’ growing prominence in international jiujitsu competition.

The Alas Pilipinas national beach volleyball teams, spearheaded by star duo Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons, are ramping up preparations for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand.Fresh from their campaign at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge in Nuvali, Laguna, the Philippine teams are applying valuable lessons from competing against top-tier international squads to their SEA Games push.“We learned a lot from every match at the Challenge,” said Pons, who, alongside Rondina, made history as the first Philippine pair—men or women—to reach the round of 24 in the event. “We must keep training hard and focus on being consistent in all aspects of our game.”Brazilian head coach Joao “Kioday” Luciano Simao Barbosa named the SEA Games women’s pool: Sunny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez, Jenny Gaviola and Alexa Polidario, and Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor. Men’s hopefuls include SEA Games bronze medalists James Buytrago and Ran Abdilla, Ronniel Rosales and Rancel Vergara, and Edwin Tolentino and Larry John Francisco. Each country will field two teams per gender.Team manager Cherry Macatangay confirmed all six pairs will undergo intensive training at the Nuvali Sand Courts to sharpen their skills and conditioning ahead of the December 12–19 competition at Bangkok’s Huamark Sports Complex.“We’re ready anytime if chosen for the SEA Games,” said Gaviola. “We’ll make the necessary adjustments and keep working to improve.”Thailand and Indonesia remain the SEA Games beach volleyball powerhouses, while the Philippines has earned six bronze medals—three each in the men’s and women’s divisions—since the sport became a medal event in 2003.

Jia De Guzman is making her Premier Volleyball League (PVL) return with the Creamline Cool Smashers, but her heart and full attention remain with Alas Pilipinas as they gear up for a busy international calendar.Speaking during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum, the veteran setter made it clear that her main focus is on the national team’s ongoing campaign.“Of course, I’m going back to Creamline, but I went to a team that also knows that I have responsibilities also for the flag,” said De Guzman. “This is national team season, and Rebisco management made it clear that they’re fully supportive while we serve the country.”

Kevin Quiambao’s 36-point outing guided the Goyang Sono SkyGunners to an 86-82 victory against the Wonju DB Promy in the Korean Basketball League 2025 season on Sunday, February 2, at the Goyang Gymnasium.In his first victory as a professional, Quiambao unlocked a new career-high in rebounds, pulling down 12 boards on top of his 12-of-26 shooting from the field, including 6-of-14 from beyond the arc.The two-time UAAP MVP from De La Salle University also contributed three assists and two steals to help the SkyGunners end its four-game losing streak to improve their record to 11-24 for the season, but remain at the bottom of the 10-team league.

After a 7–11 finish in Season 100 (5th place), the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA ALTAs head into Season 101 with renewed energy and ambition. Following Olsen Racela’s debut campaign as head coach, the ALTAs are beefing up their roster and aiming to bridge the gap between hopeful and contender.The ALTAs will be without Christian Pagaran, but retain returning contributors John Abis, JP Boral, and Mark Gojo Cruz, who bring experience and stability to the lineup.To complement them, Perpetual has brought in fresh blood: Patrick Sleat, one of Racela’s former standouts from FEU, arrives with both confidence and familiarity with the system. Promising junior standouts JD Pagulayan and Jan Roluna, both crowned champions in the High School ALTAs program, step up to the collegiate level and aim to carry forward their winning culture. Additional names, Josiah Alcantara, Aries Borja, Kenji Duremdes, Angelo Gelsano, Kevin Guibao, Kyle Magdangal, Ray Allen Maglupay, Jearico Nuñez, Shawn Orgo, Emmanuel Pizzaro, and JM Tulabut, round out the depth chart, each adding dimension or potential to the squad.With this mix, the ALTAs hope to become deeper, more versatile, and better equipped to navigate a more unforgiving competitive landscape.