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Author: Dorothy Del Rosario

  • This Week’s Sports Fixtures: NBA, PBA, and Alex Eala’s Strasbourg Open (May 18 – 24)

    This Week’s Sports Fixtures: NBA, PBA, and Alex Eala’s Strasbourg Open (May 18 – 24)

    A packed week of action awaits sports fans as multiple leagues and tournaments take center stage from May 18 to 24, 2026. From the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals battles and high-stakes NBA Conference Finals clashes, to tennis action featuring Alex Eala in the Round of 32, the schedule is loaded with must-watch games across basketball and tennis. With playoff pressure rising in both the NBA and PBA, every matchup could shape championship paths.

     

    Tennis – Strasbourg Open 

     

    Round of 32 – May 18, 2026 (Monday)

    *6:50 PM — Alex Eala vs Oleksandra Oliynykova

     

    PBA Commissioner’s Cup (Best-of-Seven Series)

     

    📍 Ynares Center, Antipolo

    Wednesday, May 20

    5:15 PM — Meralco Bolts vs TNT Tropang 5G
    7:30 PM — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

     

    📍 SM Mall of Asia Arena

    Friday, May 22

    5:15 PM — Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
    7:30 PM — TNT Tropang 5G vs Meralco Bolts

     

    Sunday, May 24

    5:15 PM — TNT Tropang 5G vs Meralco Bolts
    7:30 PM — Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

     

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    NBA 2025–26 – Conference Finals

     

    West Conference Finals

     

    📍 May 19, 2026 (Tuesday)
    8:30 AM – San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder

     

    📍 May 21, 2026 (Thursday)
    8:30 AM – San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder

     

    📍 May 23, 2026 (Saturday)
    8:00 AM – Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs

     

    East Conference Finals

     

    📍 May 20, 2026 (Wednesday)
    8:00 AM – Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks

     

    📍 May 22, 2026 (Friday)
    8:00 AM – Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks

     

    📍 May 24, 2026 (Sunday)
    8:00 AM –  New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers

     

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  • NBA round up: Cleveland Cavaliers crush Detroit Pistons in Game 7 to reach Eastern Finals for the first time since 2018

    NBA round up: Cleveland Cavaliers crush Detroit Pistons in Game 7 to reach Eastern Finals for the first time since 2018

    Cleveland Cavaliers delivered their most complete performance of the 2026 playoffs, overwhelming the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons 125–94 in Game 7 at Little Caesars Arena to win the series 4–3 and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.


    It was a statement closeout from Cleveland, who not only survived a seven-game match but finished it with authority, outscoring Detroit across all four quarters and turning a tight series into a decisive blowout when it mattered most.

     

    From the opening minutes, Cleveland played like a team determined to erase doubt. Donovan Mitchell set the tone immediately, drilling a deep first-quarter buzzer-beater that pushed the Cavaliers ahead by nine. That shot effectively flipped the momentum for the entire night, as Detroit never regained control.

     

    Mitchell finished with 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists, orchestrating the offense while attacking mismatches and controlling pace in transition. His leadership in a pressure-filled Game 7 marked his first career trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

     

    The Cavaliers’ supporting cast delivered one of its strongest collective performances of the postseason. Jarrett Allen dominated inside with 23 points, finishing efficiently around the rim and protecting the paint. Sam Merrill matched him with 23 points of his own, while Evan Mobley added 21 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring both ends with a second-chance finish.

     

    The Detroit Pistons entered the series as the No. 1 seed but struggled to match Cleveland’s execution in elimination settings. In Game 7, Cade Cunningham fought to generate offense but was contained to 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting with 3 turnovers, often forced into tough drives against Cleveland’s interior defense.

     

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    Rookie guard Daniss Jenkins provided a bright spot with 17 points, while Cunningham tried to keep Detroit within reach early. 

     

    However, Cleveland’s defensive pressure and transition execution steadily broke the Pistons down as the game wore on.

     

    The Cavaliers’ Game 7 dominance was the culmination of a series defined by swings in momentum. Detroit’s top seeding came from their consistency throughout the regular season and their strong home court performances, but Cleveland’s adjustments over the last three games proved decisive.

     

    After splitting the first two games, the series turned into a back-and-forth battle. Detroit used physical defense and half-court control in Game 3 to regain momentum, but Cleveland responded in Game 4 and Game 5 with improved ball movement and more aggressive perimeter shooting.

     

    Game 6 saw Detroit force a Game 7 behind Cunningham’s leadership and their interior defense, but Cleveland’s experience in pressure situations ultimately showed in the finale. Their spacing improved, turnovers dropped, and Mitchell dictated tempo from start to finish.

     

    The 125–94 win sends Cleveland to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018, marking a major milestone in the post-LeBron era. It is also their clearest signal yet that they are capable of contending for a return to the NBA Finals.

     

    Cleveland now shifts focus to a high-stakes matchup with the New York Knicks. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals is set for Tuesday.

     

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  • Rolando Dy drops former world champion Paulie Malignaggi to retain BKB crown 

    Rolando Dy drops former world champion Paulie Malignaggi to retain BKB crown 

    What was supposed to be a showcase between a seasoned boxing star and a rising bare-knuckle champion quickly turned into a statement performance from Rolando Dy.


    Fighting under the bright lights of BKB Mayhem in Manchester on Sunday, Dy needed only two rounds to remind everyone why he currently sits atop the bare-knuckle super welterweight division. 

     

    Across from him stood former two-division boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi, a veteran known for his sharp counterpunching. But from the opening bell, the Filipino champion dictated the fight on his own terms.

     

    Dy applied pressure immediately, forcing Malignaggi to fight at an uncomfortable pace. The former boxing champion struggled to create space as the Filipino relentlessly marched forward, looking for openings with every exchange.

     

    Then came the moment that changed the fight completely. Just five seconds into the second round, Dy unleashed a crushing left hook-right straight combination that sent Malignaggi crashing to the canvas for the first time. Although the Italian-American veteran beat the count, the champion sensed the finish instantly.

     

    Dy stormed forward with another barrage, overwhelming Malignaggi with unanswered punches before dropping him again for good. This time, the “Magic Man” stayed down as the referee completed the count.

     

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    The emphatic victory improved Dy’s bare-knuckle record to 6-1 with five knockouts and further strengthened his growing reputation in the sport.

     

    Long before stepping into the ring, Dy already envisioned a stoppage win against the former world champion.

     

    “If my game plan and the way I see it happening, it will be a fourth-round knockout or TKO,” Dy said.

     

    While the finish came even earlier than expected, the confidence reflected how comfortable the 34-year-old has become in bare-knuckle competition after transitioning from mixed martial arts.

    Dy also embraced the increasing spotlight on bare-knuckle boxing, especially with more recognizable names joining the promotion.

     

    “It means a lot of attention to the sport and me as well as an athlete, but they’re all in lower weight classes,” the Filipino fighter said.

     

    The victory adds another major chapter to Dy’s unlikely rise in combat sports. Just last year, he became the first Filipino bare-knuckle boxing world champion after capturing the BKB super welterweight crown. Now, with a dominant knockout win over a former boxing world champion, the son of former Filipino fighter Rolando Navarrete continues carving out his own legacy.

     

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  • Jerom Lastimosa earns respect from Chris Newsome despite Magnolia Hotshots exit 

    Jerom Lastimosa earns respect from Chris Newsome despite Magnolia Hotshots exit 

    For Magnolia Hotshots, Saturday night ended in heartbreak. For Jerom Lastimosa, it may have marked the arrival of a future franchise leader.

     

    Magnolia bowed out of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals after a painful 105-102 overtime defeat to the Meralco Bolts, but even in defeat, Lastimosa walked away with something just as valuable, the respect of veterans who know what it takes to survive in the league’s biggest moments.

     

    The young guard carried the Hotshots for most of the night, pouring in 28 points alongside four rebounds and two assists while fearlessly attacking a Meralco squad loaded with playoff experience. Every time Magnolia needed a basket, Lastimosa seemed ready to answer, refusing to let the game slip away quietly.

     

    What stood out wasn’t just the scoring, but the responsibility he willingly embraced. In a tense playoff atmosphere, the ball repeatedly found its way to his hands, and he welcomed the pressure instead of shying away from it.

     

    Even opposing star Chris Newsome couldn’t help but admire the performance unfolding in front of him.

     

    “The sky’s the limit for him. He shows that he’s capable of doing things in crunch time, which is commendable to him, because he’s willing to put that on his shoulders at such a young age,” Newsome said. 

     

    Newsome finished with 18 points and five assists of his own to help send Meralco into the semifinals, but his appreciation for Lastimosa’s growth runs deeper than one playoff duel. 

     

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    The two were teammates during the 32nd Cambodia SEA Games in 2023 under Gilas Pilipinas, where Newsome first saw signs that the former Adamson standout could thrive at the professional level.

     

    “He was part of the SEA games team before and we were teammates. I knew from that moment and when he was in Adamson that he was going to be a tough kid in the league and he’s proving that every night out,” the 35-year-old guard said. 

     

    That toughness showed late in regulation and overtime as Lastimosa traded big plays with veteran forward Bong Quinto. But as the minutes piled up, fatigue slowly crept in. 

     

    With 23.5 seconds left, he split a pair of free throws that could have tied the contest, opening the door for Meralco to finally escape. The missed opportunity will likely linger, but so will the lesson. For players expected to become stars, playoff scars are often part of the process.

     

    Under coach LA Tenorio, Lastimosa has steadily earned trust in crucial situations, and against Meralco, he showed he can handle both the spotlight and the burden that comes with it. 

     

    Newsome believes this performance will eventually fuel Lastimosa’s rise even more.

     

    “For now, I’m glad that we got the one-up on him on this one, but I know he’s gonna be hungry whenever we do get that matchup again, and it’s only gonna make him a better competitor down the road,” the Ateneo de Manila product said. 

     

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  • Alyssa Valdez, Kianna Dy, and Erika Santos headline honorees at the PVL Press Corps Awards Night 

    Alyssa Valdez, Kianna Dy, and Erika Santos headline honorees at the PVL Press Corps Awards Night 

    The spotlight of the Philippine volleyball season will shift to one stage on May 30 at Novotel Manila Araneta City, where the PVL Press Corps Awards Night returns to recognize the league’s defining performers and players whose impact went beyond numbers. 


    Three of the biggest names in the past PVL season will be formally honored on the awards night. Alyssa Valdez, Kianna Dy, and Erika Santos will all be recognized for their respective achievements that shaped their teams’ campaigns throughout the season.

     

    The Phenom Alyssa Valdez will once again take center stage, earning the Miss Quality Minutes honor after anchoring the Creamline Cool Smashers during one of their most testing campaigns in recent years. 

     

    With key teammates sidelined by injuries in the All-Filipino Conference, Valdez stepped into crucial moments and delivered steady, timely performances that helped stabilize Creamline on its way to an 11th PVL championship.

     

    Her consistency in pressure situations earned her 10.2 media votes and 2.8 team votes, topping fellow nominees Chennie Tagaod of Akari and Royse Tubino of Farm Fresh in the category backed by Rebisco and Immuni+.

     

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    For Kianna Dy, the recognition tells a different kind of comeback story. After missing 559 days due to a knee injury, the PLDT opposite hitter returned in January 2025.

     

    She quickly re-established herself as one of the league’s most dependable closers, powering the PLDT High Speed Hitters to titles in both the PVL On Tour and Invitational Conference.

     

    Her impact extended into the All-Filipino Conference, where she helped PLDT secure a bronze medal finish — the franchise’s best result in the tournament was highlighted by clutch championship-sealing blocks in key matches. 

     

    Dy topped the Comeback Player of the Year voting with 10.2 media votes and 4.8 team votes, beating Ces Molina, Jema Galanza, and Kat Tolentino.

     

    Meanwhile, Erika Santos represents the season’s breakthrough narrative after transforming into a primary scoring force. After her move from PLDT to Cignal, Santos embraced a bigger offensive role and quickly emerged as one of the league’s most dangerous hitters.

     

    Her rise was highlighted by a Most Valuable Player award in the 2025 PVL On Tour and a Finals appearance in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference marking the Cignal HD Spikers’ first Finals berth in two years. 

     

    She dominated the Most Improved Player voting with 12.0 media votes and 4.4 team votes before later joining the Capital1 Solar Spikers following Cignal’s leave of absence.

     

    She topped the field over fellow finalists Justine Jazareno of Akari, as well as Cloanne Mondonedo and Chinnie Arroyo of ZUS Coffee, to claim the honor.

     

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  • Bol Bol leads tight Best Import race after the elimination-round campaign 

    Bol Bol leads tight Best Import race after the elimination-round campaign 

    In a conference loaded with proven reinforcements and former award winners, one towering figure managed to separate himself from the rest.


    Bol Bol has emerged as the frontrunner for the Best Import award in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after producing one of the most dominant elimination-round performances by an import this season.

     

    The 7-foot-3 reinforcement of the TNT Tropang 5G finished atop the statistical race with 59.4 statistical points, fueled by league-leading numbers in both scoring and shot-blocking.

     

    Bol averaged a conference-best 38.2 points per game while also anchoring TNT defensively with 4.3 blocks per contest. 

     

    He added 14.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per outing as the Tropang 5G managed to secure a playoff berth despite ending the eliminations in eighth place.

     

    Beyond the numbers, Bol became one of the conference’s biggest attractions, with fans regularly filling arenas to watch the six-year NBA veteran whose combination of size, skill, and mobility made him one of the most difficult matchups in the league.

     

    The son of late NBA legend Manute Bol consistently delivered highlight-reel performances throughout the conference, helping keep TNT competitive even against higher-seeded teams.

     

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    Meanwhile, Bennie Boatwright of the San Miguel Beermen sits second in the standings with 53.4 statistical points after averaging 32.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.

     

    Cady Lalanne powered the NLEX Road Warriors to the top seed while ranking third overall with 50.6 statistical points behind averages of 26.0 points, 15.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.3 blocks.

     

    Three-time Best Import Justin Brownlee also remained firmly in contention for another award run. The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel reinforcement ranked fourth with 50.3 statistical points after averaging 30.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.2 steals.

     

    Rounding out the top five was Jayson Johnson of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who posted 47.8 statistical points while averaging 23.6 points, 14.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks to help Rain or Shine secure the third seed.

     

    Also completing the top 10 in the Best Import race were Robert Upshaw of Blackwater (47.2 SP), Jonathan Williams of Phoenix (46.7 SP), Clint Chapman of Magnolia (45.8 SP), Mubashar Ali of Terrafirma (42.7 SP), and Marvin Jones of Meralco (42.2 SP).

     

    Bol and TNT now shift their focus to the playoffs, where they are set to face the top-seeded NLEX Road Warriors once again on Saturday at the Ynares Center at 7:30 p.m. 

     

    With the Best Import race tightening and TNT fighting for survival, Bol’s dominance will again be central to the Tropang 5G’s postseason hopes.

     

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  • Allen Durham encourages Meralco Bolts ahead of do-or-die Game 2 vs Magnolia 

    Allen Durham encourages Meralco Bolts ahead of do-or-die Game 2 vs Magnolia 

    As the Meralco Bolts brace for a crucial follow-up clash against the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals, familiar figure Allen Durham provided both presence and perspective from the sidelines.


    The three-time Best Import returned to support his former squad after Meralco stumbled in Game 1, watching closely as the Bolts failed to clinch an outright semifinal spot and instead allowed Magnolia to force a deciding rubber match.

     

    Despite the setback, Durham kept his message simple and steady for the team still trying to rediscover its rhythm in a high-pressure series.

     

    “They just got to keep playing. We’ve been in this position before,” he said.

     

    One of the Bolts’ main struggles in Game 1 came from import Marvin Jones, who endured a difficult shooting night. He finished with 16 points and six rebounds but struggled from the floor, going just 3-of-15 from field goal attempts as Meralco failed to close out the game.

     

    Even so, Durham defended his fellow import’s effort and impact beyond the stat sheet.

     

    “I think he played pretty good. He just missed shots that he normally makes. He had a couple bunnies but if those bunnies fall, it’ll be a completely different game,” Durham said.

     

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    For Meralco, the challenge now shifts from disappointment to adjustment, with Game 2 shaping up as a defining moment in their season.

     

    Durham’s courtside appearance at the Ynares Center came as a morale boost for Meralco, even as the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots managed to extend the series and keep their own semifinal hopes alive.

     

    Durham’s long-standing bond with the franchise remains one of the defining storylines of Meralco’s recent history. 

     

    Over multiple stints with the Bolts, he served as the centerpiece of their playoff runs, guiding the team to several Governors’ Cup Finals appearances and earning three Best Import awards while becoming one of the most productive imports in the league.

     

    Following the game, Durham also reflected on life after his 2024 PBA retirement, sharing how he has transitioned into a quieter but still basketball-connected lifestyle back in the United States.

     

    “It’s good. I’m doing a little bit of coaching back home, a little bit of business, and most of all just chilling with my kids,” said Durham.

     

    Even away from the league, Durham continues to stay close to the game through mentoring young players while balancing family time and business ventures.

     

    The Meralco Bolts are now set for a high-stakes rematch against Magnolia on Saturday at the Ynares Center, where a semifinal ticket will hang in the balance.

     

    In their previous meeting in Game 1 of the quarterfinal series, Meralco showed flashes of control early but struggled to sustain their defensive intensity in the closing stretches, allowing Magnolia to capitalize on key possessions down the stretch and seize momentum heading into the deciding game. 

     

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  • Shaina Nitura sees individual honors as a stepping stone for Lady Falcons’ UAAP Finals pursuit

    Shaina Nitura sees individual honors as a stepping stone for Lady Falcons’ UAAP Finals pursuit

    For many players, winning the Most Valuable Player award represents the peak of a collegiate career. For Shaina Nitura, it may only be the beginning of a much larger goal.

     

    After a historic UAAP Season 88 campaign, Nitura emphasized that her individual awards will not mean much on their own if they do not eventually translate into success for the Lady Falcons. For her, the real goal is still to help the team take the next step and finally secure a championship breakthrough in the seasons ahead.

     

    Nitura emerged as the centerpiece of Adamson’s resurgence this season after capturing two of the league’s biggest individual awards — the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball MVP and the Best Outside Hitter. More importantly, her rise coincided with the Lady Falcons’ return to relevance after steering the team back to the Final Four for the first time since Season 85.


    Despite becoming the first player in Adamson women’s volleyball history to secure the league’s highest individual honor, the 21-year-old outside hitter insisted that the team’s unfinished business remains her top priority.

     

    “Hindi naman doon titigil yung career ko, yung career namin, and yung pagpu-push namin to get into the Finals. Nandoon pa rin talaga yung focus namin,” Nitura said.

     

    The numbers behind her MVP campaign reflected just how dominant she was throughout the season. Nitura topped the statistical race with 98.511 statistical points, comfortably ahead of teammate Frances Mordi, who finished second with 82.766 SP.

     

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    Instead of viewing the awards as individual validation, Nitura sees them as proof that Adamson is building a roster capable of contending with the league’s traditional powerhouses in the coming years.

     

    “Actually, this only means na capable kami makapasok ng Finals kasi meron kaming Fhei at meron kaming other players na pwede mag-push through it sa upcoming seasons na meron kami with the team,” she said.

     

    One of the players Nitura specifically pointed to was Fhei Sagaysag, who also earned major recognition after being named Best Setter of the Season.

     

    Together, the two became symbolic of Adamson’s rise from rebuilding squad to legitimate contender.

     

    While her collegiate future appears brighter than ever, Nitura also faced a difficult decision regarding national team duties. The former Alas Pilipinas player had initially expressed willingness to suit up for the Philippines in the upcoming AVC Women’s Cup scheduled from June 6 to 14 in Candon City.

     

    However, she eventually begged off from national team duties to focus on recovering from an undisclosed injury, a decision that could help preserve both her long-term health and Adamson’s growing ambitions heading into the next UAAP season.

     

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  • Nash Lim caps strong run as top Filipino finisher in the 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon 

    Nash Lim caps strong run as top Filipino finisher in the 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon 

    While international riders dominated the 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon from start to finish, the biggest breakthrough for Philippine cycling may have come from a 23-year-old rider quietly climbing the general classification in the final days of the race.


    Nash Lim of MPT DriveHub emerged as the highest-finishing Filipino rider in the country’s biggest cycling spectacle, ending the 14-stage race in fourth overall with a total time of 41 hours, 20 minutes, and 23 seconds.

     

    What made Lim’s performance stand out was the way he built momentum late in the Tour. After hovering outside the spotlight and remaining inside the top 20 during the early stages, he steadily transformed into one of the strongest riders in the field when the race shifted toward endurance and precision.

     

    The turning point came during the individual time trials in Pagudpud and Lingayen — stages that rewarded tactical discipline and raw power more than pack racing. Lim placed fourth in the first race-against-the-clock event in Stage 7 before delivering one of the best rides by a Filipino cyclist in the Tour when he finished third in the Lingayen ITT during Stage 13.

     

    That performance catapulted him to fourth overall entering the final stage, a position he successfully defended until the finish in Baguio City.

     

    Lim ultimately ended the Tour just 9 minutes and 13 seconds behind Russian champion Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE Cycle, while finishing 1 minute and 21 seconds ahead of fellow Filipino rider Ronnilan Quita of 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines, who placed fifth overall.

     

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    Although racing for Slovenia-based UCI Continental squad Factor Racing internationally, Lim was recruited by coach Mark Galedo to reinforce MPT DriveHub’s campaign for the summer spectacle. The decision paid off as Lim became the team’s strongest weapon in the general classification battle.

     

    Galedo had earlier instructed his squad to prioritize the overall standings instead of defending the team championship MPT won the previous year — a decision validated by Lim’s late surge.

     

    Before excelling on the road, Lim first built his foundation in mountain biking. His transition into elite road racing accelerated after discovering his potential in individual time trials, eventually becoming a national champion in the discipline.

     

    His showing in this year’s Tour also caught the attention of race officials and sports leaders who viewed his rise as a sign that Filipino riders can eventually challenge stronger foreign squads with the right support system.

     

    “Actually I’ve been asking around who among the local riders really have the potential and his name had come up,” said Patrick Gregorio, Philippine Sports Commissioner chair and one of the architects behind the Tour’s revival. 

     

    “That’s why we should think deeper on how we can help our young athletes like him more,” Gregorio added. 

     

    Even as foreign teams controlled much of the race, Gregorio believes the experience remains essential for local cyclists trying to elevate their level in international competition.

     

    The successful staging of the 14-leg Tour also fueled anticipation for the event’s future. During the closing ceremonies at Camp John Hay in Baguio, Arrey Perez, the Tour’s chief executive officer and chief organizer, hinted that the race would return.

     

    Gregorio also revealed that organizers are exploring the possibility of eventually expanding the Tour beyond Luzon.

     

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  • “I really manifested and prayed for it talaga na may makuha kami from Cignal”: Bella Belen on Capital1 signing two key Cignal players 

    “I really manifested and prayed for it talaga na may makuha kami from Cignal”: Bella Belen on Capital1 signing two key Cignal players 

    What started as playful talk during All-Star festivities has now turned into one of the biggest offseason storylines in the PVL, as Capital1 Solar Spikers officially secured the services of former Cignal players, Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos.


    At the center of the moment is rookie star Bella Belen, who once jokingly expressed her desire to bring in Cignal players—and now finds herself not only playing alongside them again but also reuniting with familiar faces.

     

    Belen, along with Santos and Gandler, previously shared the court as teammates during the 2026 PVL All-Star, while the PVL star rookie and Gandler were also once teammates under Alas Pilipinas, making the Capital1 move feel more like a reunion than a fresh start.

     

    For Belen, what began as lighthearted “recruitment” during the All-Star break in Candon, Ilocos Sur has now evolved into a defining roster upgrade for Capital1 after Cignal’s leave of absence.

     

    “Ako talaga, I really manifested and prayed for it talaga na may makuha kami from Cignal with the likes of Ate Vanie and Ate Erika,” Belen said after the team’s press conference.

     

    She admitted she had already been pitching Capital1’s direction and long-term vision to the Cignal stars even during the All-Star festivities.

     

    “Like ano ‘yung platform, direction namin as a team, at sabihin sa kanila ano ‘yung gusto naming marating,” she said. 

     

    At the time, she even playfully pointed out how the All-Star jerseys suited the Cignal duo—an early hint of what would eventually become reality in the offseason.

     

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    Now, that moment has turned into one of the most impactful roster moves of the PVL break, immediately boosting Capital1’s competitiveness after a tough 2026 All-Filipino Conference campaign.

     

    Beyond the reunion narrative, Belen believes the arrivals of Gandler and Santos bring valuable playoff experience and leadership that the young franchise can build on.

     

    “Marami silang experience, nakapag-Finals na sila. So, I believe, marami silang pwedeng madala sa Capital1—and ganun din naman kami, marami kaming pwedeng matutunan sa kanila,” the 23-year-old Outside Hitter said.

     

    With a refreshed lineup and familiar chemistry already in place, Capital1 now heads into the new PVL season with renewed confidence, hoping that this blend of reunited teammates and rising stars can finally push the franchise into serious contention. 

     

     

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