Sports PH News | JS DEV Site

Author: Dorothy Del Rosario

  • Frank Lao takes PNVF helm as volleyball federation begins new chapter

    Frank Lao takes PNVF helm as volleyball federation begins new chapter

    The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) is turning the page on a turbulent stretch, with Strong Group Athletics owner Frank Lao taking over as president following a new leadership election supervised by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

     

    Lao returns to the federation’s top post after his previous election in June was declared invalid by the POC. The earlier polls were held while the PNVF was under suspension and without proper POC representation.

     

    This time, the election was conducted under POC supervision, giving the federation a new leadership structure as it works toward satisfying the requirements needed to lift its suspension by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

     

    The change in leadership comes after the FIVB sanctioned the PNVF in May over governance issues during Tony Boy Liao’s administration and later laid out sweeping measures that the federation must address before it can regain its full standing.

     

    For Lao, the new mandate comes with an immediate priority: helping put the federation back on solid organizational footing while keeping Philippine volleyball moving forward.

     

    “This is a ‘committed team’ and I believe they could sustain the progress of volleyball that started when the PNVF was established in 2021,” said POC president Bambol Tolentino.

     

    The new leadership group will see Atty. Donn Kapunan serve as vice president, while Rommel Ng takes over as treasurer. Wharton Chan was elected auditor and will also represent the POC.

     

    Joining them on the Board of Trustees are Sienna Olaso, Francis Chad Salimbangon, Carmela Gamboa, Otie Camangian, Mohamad Bernan Jr., and Atty. Jonas Cabochan.

     

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    The 13-member board is not yet complete, with the remaining spots—including a POC appointee and male and female representatives from the athletes’ commission—still to be announced.

     

    One of the notable developments from the election is the return of Ramon “Tats” Suzara to the PNVF board. Suzara, who previously served as federation president, was among those who were removed from leadership before Liao took over. Former secretary-general Caringal is also making a return.

     

    Their comeback adds another layer to a leadership transition that effectively brings together familiar figures and new officials at a critical moment for Philippine volleyball.

     

    FIVB Ad Hoc Committee chair Hila Asanuma of Palau and FIVB external legal consultant Atty. Alexa Dabao were present at the proceedings, witnessing and certifying the election.

     

    The polls were held at the Solaire Theater Southlinks Boardroom 2M, with the POC overseeing the process.

     

    The election also signals the end of the POC’s temporary role as caretaker of the national volleyball federation. The POC assumed that responsibility after the FIVB suspension, but with a duly elected board now in place, governance of the PNVF has been returned to its own leadership.

     

    With the organizational structure restored, the Lao-led PNVF must work through the FIVB’s requirements and prove that it can establish the governance standards needed to end the international suspension.

     

    For Philippine volleyball, the election is therefore more than a change at the top. It is the first major step toward restoring stability and getting the national federation back on the international volleyball map.

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas Boys reload with five new faces for U18 Asian Championship

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys reload with five new faces for U18 Asian Championship

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys will enter the 2026 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship with a different look and a much bigger prize in sight.

     

    Five new players have been brought into the Philippine lineup for the continental tournament, adding fresh size, versatility, and international experience to a core that helped the country dominate the SEABA U18 qualifiers in Thailand last June.

     

    Among the newcomers are 6-foot-7 Filipino-American Elias Gish of Far Eastern University, 6-foot-5 Filipino-Canadian Aidan Dayco-Green, 6-foot-7 Ateneo big man Jacob Lacson, 5-foot-11 Filipino-Australian Luke Atacador, and 6-foot-2 University of Perpetual Help guard Sizco Roquid.

     Their inclusion gives head coach Juno Sauler additional options as the Philippines prepares for a significantly tougher test at the Asian level.

     

    The five will join seven players who were part of the SEABA squad: Prince Carino, Ethan Aguas, JB Cagurungan, Andrew Chio, Chog Moral, Pat Pasinos, and Bruce Tubongbanua.

     

    This is essentially the same group that secured the Philippines’ place in the Asia Cup after sweeping the SEABA U18 qualifiers in Thailand last June. The challenge now, however, is no longer simply about winning a regional competition. The young Filipinos will have to navigate a group that includes one of the continent’s perennial powerhouses.

     

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    The Philippines is drawn in Group A with Australia, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand, setting up a demanding opening stretch.

     

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys will begin their campaign on August 13 against Chinese Taipei, before facing Australia on August 15. They will close out the group stage against Thailand on August 17.

     

    The format makes every group game important. The team that finishes first in each group will advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the second- and third-placed teams will need to survive the play-in round to reach the last eight.

     

    Beyond advancing in the tournament, there is an even bigger incentive as the top four finishers will qualify for the 2027 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Pardubice, Czech Republic, giving the Philippine squad a chance to turn a strong Asian Championship run into a ticket to the global stage.

     

    The roster changes also mark a significant transition from the Philippine team that competed in the previous continental tournament. Five players, Ziv Espinas, Kyle Sardon, Hans Patagoc, Louis Razon, and SEABA qualifiers MVP Joaquin Tovera will no longer be part of the current lineup.

     

    That leaves Sauler and his staff tasked with blending the returning players with a new group quickly, particularly with Australia looming as the toughest opponent in the group.

     

    The Philippines will also be looking to improve on its most recent showing in the competition. In the previous edition, the team, then coached by Josh Reyes, finished 10th with a 1-3 record.

     

    The tournament runs from August 13 to 23 in Ahmedabad, India, and for this new-look Gilas Pilipinas Boys squad, the opening games could determine whether the team settles for another continental campaign or pushes deep enough to secure a place among Asia’s best and punch its ticket to the 2027 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. 

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas Women braces for another test against Vietnam in SEA V.Cup Leg 2 

    Alas Pilipinas Women braces for another test against Vietnam in SEA V.Cup Leg 2 

    Alas Pilipinas Women will have another opportunity to rewrite a familiar script when they face Vietnam in Leg 2 of the 2026 SEA V.Cup on Saturday in Chiang Mai, Thailand.


    The matchup offers more than just another chance to climb the standings. It gives the Filipinas an opportunity to end a seven-year drought against one of Southeast Asia’s volleyball powerhouses after falling short in their first meeting of the tournament.

     

    Vietnam defeated the Philippines in four sets, 29-27, 25-17, 20-25, 25-19, during the Leg 1 opener, showcasing its experience behind the leadership of star outside hitter Trần Thị Thanh Thúy.

     

    That result stretched the Philippines’ losing streak against Vietnam to 15 consecutive matches, with the Filipinas still searching for their first victory over their regional rivals since October 4, 2019, when a Jia De Guzman-led squad earned a straight-set win during the second leg of the tournament, then known as the ASEAN Grand Prix, in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

     

    Now, the responsibility of ending that skid falls on a younger generation led by Bella Belen.

     

    Belen was the Philippines’ brightest offensive weapon in the previous meeting after scoring 17 points, and the reigning collegiate star is expected to once again spearhead the attack alongside Leg 1 Best Opposite Spiker Alyssa Solomon and veteran setter and team captain De Guzman.

     

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    For newly appointed head coach Taka Minowa, the rematch also presents a chance to show how quickly the team has adjusted to his system.

     

    The Japanese mentor is looking for more offensive consistency after the Filipinas finished fourth in Leg 1 following three consecutive defeats. 

     

    Finding secondary scoring options and sustaining offensive rhythm will be among the team’s biggest priorities against a disciplined Vietnamese side.

     

    Vietnam, meanwhile, enters the contest with momentum after capturing last year’s Leg 2 title and remains one of the favorites to contend for another SEA V.Cup crown.

     

    Before taking on Vietnam, however, the Philippines must first navigate a stern challenge against host nation and reigning Leg 1 champion Thailand on Friday, making the second leg another demanding stretch for the national team.

     

    The 2026 SEA V.Cup women’s tournament follows the same two-leg format featuring the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, with Leg 2 being held from August 7 to 9 at the 700th Anniversary Sports Complex in Chiang Mai. 

     

    For the Philippines, the Thailand and Vietnam matches will also serve as key preparations ahead of future international competitions, including the Asian Games cycle, as Minowa continues to establish his system and evaluate combinations against the region’s strongest opponents. 

     

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  • Philippine youth mixed pairs strike gold as host nation opens Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships 

    Philippine youth mixed pairs strike gold as host nation opens Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships 

    The Philippines wasted no time making its presence felt on home soil, opening the 10th Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships with a gold medal and three bronze finishes to delight the home crowd at the Tagaytay City Velodrome.


    Leading the country’s strong start were Rhimel Daniel Cabides and Antonette Amante, who emerged as champions in the youth mixed pairs event after edging Vietnam in a tightly contested final.

     

    The pair earned 17.800 points through a routine that combined power, precision, and artistic execution.

     

    Cabides and Amante finished tied on points with Vietnam’s Anh Thinh Tran and Ngoc Gia Thuong Nguyen, who also received 17.800, but the two standouts from the most recent Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur, secured the gold medal after winning the tiebreak on execution score, 7.550 to 7.450.

     

    The triumph gave the host nation its first championship of the continental meet and highlighted an impressive international debut for the young Filipino tandem.

     

    The Philippines doubled its success in the same event as fellow General Santos City products Rhys Enoch Balmayor and John Mikaela Ladaran claimed the bronze medal with 17.150 points, giving the country two podium finishes in the youth mixed pairs competition.

     

    The home team continued to add to its medal tally in other disciplines as Mico Vistal captured another bronze for the Philippines in the youth individual men’s competition after scoring 17.500 points, finishing behind Vietnam’s Duy Phu Nguyen and Viet Tuan Nguyen, who claimed the gold and silver medals, respectively.

     

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    Another bronze came in the youth aero dance event through the Philippine squad composed of Balmayor, Ladaran, Miguel Martin, Anne Meniano, Nathalia Facultad, Sean Leona, Jane Ramos, and Casey Meniano.

     

    The four-medal opening gave the Philippines an early boost in the continental championships and underscored the country’s growing depth in aerobic gymnastics at the youth level.

     

    The championship officially opened with colorful ceremonies featuring cultural performances, dance presentations, and the parade of participating athletes before competition got underway.

     

    Action in Tagaytay continued with qualification rounds for the youth and junior divisions as athletes battled for places in the medal events. 

     

    The 10th Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships, held from August 5 to 7, brought together some of the region’s top emerging talents, with the Philippines taking advantage of home-court support to produce one of its strongest opening-day performances in recent years.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas Girls stumble against defending champion China in U17 World Championship debut

    Alas Pilipinas Girls stumble against defending champion China in U17 World Championship debut

    Alas Pilipinas Girls received a tough welcome in their first-ever match at the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship after defending champion China imposed its class in a straight-set victory on Friday in San Felipe, Chile.


    China opened its title defense with a commanding 25-18, 25-15, 25-13 victory in Pool B to improve to a 1-0 record, while the young Filipinas dropped their tournament opener.

     

    Despite facing one of the world’s strongest youth volleyball programs, the Philippines showed flashes of promise behind the offensive efforts of Caera Celis, who finished with a team-high 13 points built on 12 attacks and one ace.

     

    The Filipinas displayed their best stretch of volleyball midway through the second set wherein Celis delivered a kill before Jhaynna Bulandres fired an ace to give Alas an 8-7 lead, briefly putting the defending champions on the back foot. 

     

    China, however, quickly regained control and turned a close contest into a 21-15 advantage through its superior net defense and consistent attack.

     

    Alas refused to go away quietly as the Filipinas answered with five consecutive points, fueled by timely attacks from Celis and back-to-back service aces from Bulandres, but China responded immediately to close out the second frame and move within a set of victory.

     

    The reigning world champions left little doubt in the third set, racing to a 20-9 lead before completing the sweep to begin their campaign on a winning note.

     

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    Aside from Celis, Xyz Rayco contributed seven points, while Bulandres added five. Princess Khaira Manzano and Madele Gale chipped in four markers each for the Philippine side.

     

    China leaned on a balanced attack led by Chen Ruihan, who scored 12 points on 10 attacks and two blocks. Ren Sichen added 11 markers, while Zhao Yuhan and Zhang Yijia finished with nine points apiece.

     

    There is still plenty to play for in Pool B despite the opening setback. Under the tournament format, all six teams play a single round-robin, with the top four advancing, giving Alas Pilipinas opportunities to recover over its remaining preliminary matches.

     

    The young Filipinas will have little time to dwell on the loss as they return to action against Mexico on Saturday morning (Philippine time), looking to secure their first victory in the prestigious youth world championship. 

     

    Mexico joins the Philippines in a challenging Pool B that also features China, Peru, Venezuela, and Tunisia.

     

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  • Owa Retamar breaks new ground as first Filipino men’s volleyball import in Europe

    Owa Retamar breaks new ground as first Filipino men’s volleyball import in Europe

    The Alas Pilipinas Men playmaker, Owa Retamar is set to become the first Filipino men’s volleyball player to compete as an import in Europe after officially signing with Azerbaijan-based Ordu Sports Club for the 2026-27 season.


    Retamar is scheduled to leave for Azerbaijan on August 11, giving him ample time to acclimate to his new surroundings and develop chemistry with his teammates before the season officially begins. 

     

    Ordu Sports has already formally welcomed the Filipino setter as part of an ambitious roster assembled to compete at the highest level.

     

    His arrival also places him alongside some of the biggest names in international volleyball. Leading the club is decorated Italian star Ivan Zaytsev, whose career includes multiple podium finishes and awards in the Olympic Games, Volleyball Nations League, and European Championship. 

     

    The roster also features libero Lauri Kerminen, regarded as one of Europe’s premier defensive specialists, setter Axel Jacobsen, one of the sport’s elite playmakers, Czech opposite hitter Michal Finger, and Cuban standout Salvador Hidalgo Oliva.

     

    According to Retamar’s management, discussions with Ordu Sports had been underway for several months, with the club identifying the Filipino as the ideal player to direct its offense from the setter position.

     

    “This is a dream come true and a challenge that I’m truly excited to embrace,” Retamar said.

     

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    “Playing in Europe has always been one of my aspirations because it allows me to compete against some of the best players in the world and continue growing as an athlete. While I may be wearing the colors of Ordu Sports Club, I know that I will still be carrying the Philippines with me on another playing field,” he added.

     

    Retamar’s early arrival is no coincidence as his representatives stressed that unlike other positions, setters require extensive preparation with teammates before competitive matches begin, making every training session before the season invaluable.

     

    “For a setter, joining the team ahead of the season is extremely important. Building chemistry with teammates cannot be rushed, and Joshua’s early arrival will allow him to fully integrate into the team’s system before official competitions begin,” his management, Virtual Playground, said.

     

    The move represents another milestone in a career that has steadily risen through Philippine volleyball.

     

    Retamar established himself as one of the country’s top setters during his decorated stint with National University, where he collected multiple UAAP championships and individual awards while helping build the Bulldogs into one of the league’s premier programs.

     

    He eventually carried that success onto the international stage as a mainstay for Alas Pilipinas Men, where his court vision and leadership have made him one of the national team’s most reliable playmakers.

     

    Before departing for Europe, Retamar also expressed gratitude to everyone who helped him reach the historic achievement.

     

    More than a personal accomplishment, Retamar’s signing signals a significant step for Philippine men’s volleyball. His success in one of Europe’s competitive professional leagues could reshape how international clubs view Filipino talent and pave the way for more local players to earn opportunities on the global stage.

     

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  • Alex Eala, Venus Williams doubles run ends in Canadian Open 

    Alex Eala, Venus Williams doubles run ends in Canadian Open 

    Filipina tennis star Alex Eala’s doubles campaign at the National Bank Open came to an early end after she and American tennis icon Venus Williams suffered a straight-set defeat to Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova and Japan’s Miyu Kato on Friday in Toronto, Canada.


    Samsonova and Kato completed the victory, 6-4, 6-5, to knock out the Filipino-American tandem and advance to the next round of the WTA 1000 tournament.

     

    The Russian-Japanese pair seized control from the opening games, racing to a 2-0 lead before stretching the advantage to 4-2 in the first set.

     

    Eala and Williams managed to stay within striking distance and attempted to turn the set around, but Samsonova and Kato maintained their composure to close it out, 6-4.

     

    The second set followed a similar pattern as Samsonova and Kato quickly established a commanding 4-0 advantage, putting Eala and Williams under immediate pressure.

     

    The Filipino-American duo responded with consecutive games to cut the deficit, but their opponents remained in control. 

     

    After moving within a game of victory, Samsonova and Kato fended off one final push from Eala and Williams before sealing the match in straight sets.

     

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    The winning pair relied on timely service breaks in both sets while minimizing unforced errors, preventing Eala and Williams from gaining any sustained momentum throughout the contest.

     

    It marked the second doubles tournament together for Eala and Williams after previously reaching the quarterfinals of the Bad Homburg Open in Germany during the grass-court season.

     

    Their reunion in Toronto drew significant attention, with fans eager to watch the reigning Washington Open singles champion partner once again with one of the sport’s most decorated players.

     

    Despite the doubles exit, Eala’s campaign in Toronto is far from over.

     

    The 21-year-old remains in contention in the singles tournament after opening with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 victory over American Alycia Parks to reach the Round of 32.

     

    Eala will return to the court on Saturday (Philippine time), where she is set to face another American, Caty McNally, for a place in the Round of 16.

     

    Although the doubles stint ended earlier than hoped, Eala continued to enjoy overwhelming support in Toronto, with Filipino fans filling the stands during her opening in singles and doubles appearance at the prestigious WTA 1000 event.

     

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  • BT Toews sets long-term blueprint for Gilas Women with 2027 Asia Cup in sight

    BT Toews sets long-term blueprint for Gilas Women with 2027 Asia Cup in sight

    Rather than chasing quick fixes, new Gilas Pilipinas Women head coach Burke “BT” Toews is focused on building a sustainable program that can compete with Asia’s best by the time the Philippines hosts the 2027 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Cebu.


    The Canadian mentor, who officially took over the national team months ago after replacing Pat Aquino, sees the upcoming FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico as an important checkpoint—not the finish line.

     

    For Toews, every international tournament is an opportunity to establish the standards and playing identity he hopes will define Gilas Women in the years ahead.

     

    His confidence stems from decades of coaching experience in Japan, where he spent most of his career and helped shape one of the strongest women’s basketball programs in the world. Most recently, he guided Fujitsu Red Wave to the 2024-25 domestic league championship after a lengthy stint with the club.

     

    “I’m bringing a lot. I sent, I don’t know how many, but probably about 12 players in 10 years to the national team. Part of being a coach that long is that you are part of creating Japanese basketball. Coaches watch each other. They watch successful coaches,” Toews said.

     

    Beyond Fujitsu, Toews also coached Toyama Grouses, Hyogo Storks, Kuroda Electric Bullet Spirits, and Hitachi SunRockers Tokyo-Shibuya during a coaching career in Japan that spanned from 1992 to 2025.

     

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    His years overseas also allowed him to witness Japan’s steady rise into a global women’s basketball powerhouse. 

     

    “The fact that Japan plays the way they do is no secret. They started in 2015 with a FIBA ranking of 15. And then it took them 12 years. They went to eighth, and now they’re presently third. It doesn’t happen overnight, right? So yeah, of course,” the 60-year-old coach said.

     

    Despite drawing inspiration from Japan’s success, Toews emphasized that Gilas Women will not become a replica of the Japanese national team.

     

    Instead, he wants to blend proven concepts with the strengths of the current Filipino roster, creating a system built specifically for the players available to him.

     

    “But I don’t want to say that we can just bring what Japan does to the Filipino national team. Not only should you not copy someone completely, because you lose the essence of the players that you’re coaching and what they do well, but at the same time, I feel like there are a lot of areas that we can tune up and imitate,” he said.

     

    Recognizing the Philippines’ size disadvantage against many international opponents, Toews wants Gilas Women to become a disruptive defensive team capable of forcing turnovers and generating easy points in transition.

     

    “I think the part where I want to put in my most effort is defensively – just to make sure that we have not just a solid defense, but a defense that is also attacking because we would like to be in transition as much as possible because of our lack of size,” Toews said.

     

    “Take the best parts of Filipino players and put them in a position to succeed with the talent that they have.”

     

    Those principles will be tested immediately when Gilas Women competes in the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament before shifting its attention to the Asian Games later this year.

     

    While Toews refused to predict results, he made it clear that expectations inside the program have already been raised.

     

    “We have high goals and we want to win every game we play. And we take it one game at a time. But I won’t make predictions, but my standards are high. And the players know that,” he said.

     

    Leading the 17-player pool for the Mexico tournament are national team veterans Jack Animam, Kacey Dela Rosa, Vanessa de Jesus, Afril Bernardino, and Janine Pontejos.

     

    For Toews, however, the success of this roster will not be measured solely by what happens in Guadalajara. It will also be determined by whether each tournament brings Gilas Women closer to becoming a team capable of challenging Asia’s elite when the Philippines welcomes the continent for the 2027 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Cebu.

     

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  • EJ Obiena captures back-to-back golds in Germany

    EJ Obiena captures back-to-back golds in Germany

    EJ Obiena marked his second consecutive title in Germany and his seventh gold medal of the 2026 season as he cleared  5.83 meters on his first attempt to claim the gold medal at the 30th International Pole Vault Meeting in Jockgrim, Germany on Wednesday.


    Despite battling through a difficult warm-up and an uneven start to the competition, the Filipino pole vaulter Obiena found his rhythm when it mattered most, wherein he further strengthened his momentum as he continue his European campaign.

     

    Obiena needed just one attempt to clear the winning height of 5.83m, finishing ahead of Qatar’s Seifeldin Abdelsalam, who also managed 5.83m but required more attempts. Türkiye’s Ersu Şaşma settled for third after clearing 5.77m.

     

    All three medalists raised the bar to 5.93 meters in search of a higher finish, but none were able to clear the height after three attempts.

     

    Following the competition, the two-time Olympian admitted the victory was anything but comfortable.

     

    “5.83m for the in front of a packed J-Town!!! Was far from smooth competition and some struggles during warm up and earlier bars but happy to scrape an 80 bar. We continue to work and now a few trainings in before we go again,” Obiena wrote on his social media.

     

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    The triumph came only days after Obiena ruled the Internationales Stabhochsprungmeeting in Halberstadt on July 31 with a winning clearance of 5.76 meters, giving him consecutive victories in Germany and extending an already productive season.

     

    His 2026 campaign began with a gold medal at the International Springer-Meeting in Cottbus before adding another title at the ISTAF Indoor Berlin in March. 

     

    The latest win further reinforces his consistency as one of the world’s top pole vaulters.

     

    Obiena remains among the elite names in men’s pole vault, holding the Philippine and Asian record of 6.00 meters and currently sitting No. 14 in the latest World Athletics men’s pole vault rankings. 

     

    The Filipino standout is also a World Championships silver and bronze medalist, highlighting his sustained success against the sport’s best.

     

    With several high-level European meets still ahead, every competition serves as another opportunity for Obiena to sharpen his form before the major championships later in the season. 

     

    His recent string of victories suggests he is building momentum at the right time as he continues chasing bigger heights and more international podium finishes.

     

     

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  • Estie Liwanen, John Baylon lead Philippine medal surge at JJIF Ju-Jitsu in Abu Dhabi

    Estie Liwanen, John Baylon lead Philippine medal surge at JJIF Ju-Jitsu in Abu Dhabi

    The Philippines showcased the depth of its ju-jitsu program as veterans and rising stars combined for an impressive medal haul at the JJIF Ju-Jitsu Masters World Championships and the JJIF Ju-Jitsu U14 World Cup in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.


    Leading the charge was Estie Gay Liwanen, who delivered a standout performance to capture the gold medal in the women’s Master 2 -70kg division, highlighting the country’s continued strength in the masters ranks.

     

    Adding to the Philippine campaign was former world champion and national team head coach John Baylon, who proved he can still compete with the world’s best after earning the bronze medal in the men’s Master 4 -77kg category. 

     

    Baylon’s podium finish underscored both his longevity in the sport and his ability to lead by example while mentoring the next generation of Filipino athletes.

     

    The country’s future stars matched the veterans’ success in the JJIF Ju-Jitsu U14 World Cup, collecting four gold medals, one silver, and one bronze against some of the world’s best young competitors.

     

    Mischa Violet Lu ruled the girls’ -32kg division, while Megan Louise Cabreros topped the girls’ -36kg category to give the Philippines an early boost in the youth competition.

     

    Franco Castelo added another championship after prevailing in the boys’ -52kg class, while Liearra Thurriz Casolari completed the country’s golden campaign by emerging victorious in the girls’ division.

     

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    The Philippines also earned additional podium finishes through Santiago Javier Luzuriaga, who captured the silver medal in the boys’ -48kg category, and Kyra Victoria Abella, who secured bronze in the girls’ -40kg class.

     

    Beyond the medalists, Aisha Scarlett, Aliyah Jorgina, and Ahron Azareel gained valuable international experience by testing themselves against some of the most promising youth practitioners from around the globe, an opportunity expected to aid their long-term development.

     

    The strong showing reflects the Philippines’ growing pipeline in ju-jitsu, where seasoned campaigners continue to deliver results while a new generation of athletes steadily emerges through grassroots and international competitions. 

     

    The balance between experienced veterans and promising youngsters has become one of the program’s biggest strengths heading into future continental and world events.

     

    With multiple podium finishes across both the Masters and U14 divisions, the campaign in Abu Dhabi provides another confidence boost for Philippine ju-jitsu. The results not only reinforce the country’s reputation as one of Asia’s rising forces in the sport but also offer momentum as Filipino athletes continue their preparations for upcoming regional and international tournaments.

     

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