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Author: Dorothy Del Rosario

  • Nonito Donaire suffers defeat against Riku Masuda in Yokohama, signaling possible passing of the torch in Bantamweight Division

    Nonito Donaire suffers defeat against Riku Masuda in Yokohama, signaling possible passing of the torch in Bantamweight Division

    In a clash that symbolized a meeting between generations, Filipino boxing icon Nonito Donaire was stopped by rising Japanese contender Riku Masuda in their bantamweight title eliminator on Sunday evening, March 15, in Yokohama. 


    The bout highlighted the persistence of a veteran champion and the momentum of a younger challenger eager to establish himself among the division’s elite.

     

    The fight came to a close in the eighth round after Donaire’s corner threw in the towel as the 43-year-old veteran absorbed a steady barrage from Masuda. 

     

    The stoppage ended a difficult stretch for the four-division world champion, whose resilience kept him competitive despite the mounting pressure from the younger opponent.

     

    Both fighters comfortably made the 118-pound bantamweight limit, weighing in at 117.8 pounds. However, as the fight wore on, Masuda’s pace and precision gradually shifted the momentum. 

     

    Donaire’s corner ultimately stepped in at the 1:12 mark of the eighth round, deciding their fighter had taken enough punishment.

     

    “The Filipino Flash” has now lost four of his last five fights, including a second-round TKO against then undisputed bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue in their highly anticipated rematch in 2022. 

     

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    Donaire’s professional record now stands at 43-10 with 28 knockouts, fueling renewed discussion about whether the legendary fighter may soon step away from the sport.

     

    At the time of the stoppage, Donaire trailed on all three scorecards. Judge Richard Blouin had it 67-64, while Raul Caiz and Kwan Ho Jang both scored it 68-63 in favor of Masuda, who is 15 years younger than the Filipino veteran.

     

    Even while under pressure, Donaire still managed to remind fans why he has long been one of boxing’s most dangerous punchers. In a moment of resistance while trying to survive the onslaught, The Filipino Flash fired back with a sharp left hook followed by a right hand that briefly staggered the 28-year-old Masuda.

     

    Masuda quickly regained control. His accuracy improved in the seventh round, and just before the bell he landed a straight left that sent Donaire to the canvas. The knockdown became the turning point of the fight, setting up the final push that forced Donaire’s corner to halt the contest in the following round.

     

    The Japanese contender, now 10-1 with nine knockouts, began asserting control as early as the sixth round when he delivered a heavy shot that pushed Donaire back toward the ropes. 

    Masuda’s lone career loss came against fellow Japanese fighter Seiya Tsutsumi, who defeated him by unanimous decision in August 2023 at the historic Korakuen Hall.

     

    Incidentally, Donaire also faced Tsutsumi last December, losing a close split decision in another competitive bout.

     

    For Masuda, the win marks a career-defining breakthrough that could push him closer to a world title opportunity in the bantamweight division. For Donaire, the result serves as another chapter in a long and decorated career—one that has inspired generations of fighters and fans.

     

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  • Round one wraps up: momentum shifts and new storylines emerge in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball

    Round one wraps up: momentum shifts and new storylines emerge in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball

    The first round of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament has officially wrapped up, leaving behind a clearer picture of where each team stands heading into the crucial second round. While some squads are still searching for their rhythm, others have begun building momentum that could shape the remainder of the season.


    Last weekend’s games served as a fitting conclusion to the opening round, with several teams making statements at the Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    The day began on Saturday with a much-needed breakthrough for the Ateneo Blue Eagles women’s volleyball, who finally entered the win column after sweeping the UE Lady Warriors volleyball in straight sets, 25-19, 25-23, 25-16.

     

    Jihan Chuatico powered Ateneo with 13 points built on seven attacks, five blocks, and an ace, while Ana Hermosa added 10 points and seven receptions. The Blue Eagles finished the match in roughly an hour and a half, showing improved chemistry and defensive effort.

     

    Despite the loss, UE had bright spots of its own. Khy Cepada led the Lady Warriors with 13 points along with 11 receptions and seven digs, while Van Bangayan contributed 10 points as UE remained winless in the tournament.

     

    Later that afternoon, the UST Golden Tigresses volleyball closed their opening-round campaign with authority, sweeping the FEU Lady Tamaraws volleyball 25-17, 25-18, 25-20.

     

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    Angge Poyos spearheaded the Golden Tigresses’ attack with 16 points built on 15 attacks and a block while also adding nine receptions. Avril Bron and Reg Jurado provided support with 10 points each as UST snapped FEU’s three-game winning streak.

     

    For FEU, Jaz Ellarina led with 10 points, while Gerz Petallo added nine points and 11 receptions before leaving the third set after an apparent arm injury caused by a collision with a teammate.

     

    Sunday’s action continued with the Adamson Lady Falcons volleyball asserting themselves as one of the tournament’s most dangerous teams. They defeated the UP Fighting Maroons women’s volleyball in straight sets, 25-18, 25-16, 25-19, finishing the first round with a winning record.

     

    The Lady Falcons relied heavily on the offensive duo of Shaina Nitura and Frances Mordi, who combined for 32 points in Adamson’s fourth victory of the season.

     

    Their win placed them in the middle of a tightly contested standings battle, sharing a 4-3 record with FEU and UST while trailing league leaders.

     

    The biggest highlight of the weekend came in the final match, where the De La Salle Lady Spikers volleyball extended their perfect run by defeating defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs volleyball in four sets, 25-21, 25-19, 19-25, 25-17.

     

    The victory pushed La Salle to a flawless 7-0 record, making them the only undefeated team at the end of the first round.

     

    A crowd of 18,351 spectators packed the arena to witness the clash, as Shevana Laput led the Lady Spikers with 19 points and eight digs. Amie Provido added 12 points on 10 spikes and two blocks, along with nine digs.

     

    NU still finished the first round in solo second place with a 5-2 record despite the defeat. Rookie standout Sam Cantada produced 13 points despite missing the opening set, while also recording 14 excellent receptions and four digs. Chams Maaya chipped in 10 points and Celine Marsh added nine points and seven receptions.

     

    With the first round now complete, the tournament enters a more unpredictable stage. Teams have already revealed their strengths and weaknesses, and adjustments will become crucial as the race for the Final Four intensifies.

     

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  • Alex Eala soars to No. 28 in WTA rankings after Indian Wells breakthrough

    Alex Eala soars to No. 28 in WTA rankings after Indian Wells breakthrough

    Alex Eala’s campaign at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells may have ended in the Round of 16, but the result marked another important step forward in the young Filipina’s rapidly rising career.


    Facing Czech standout Linda Noskova, Eala bowed out with a 2-6, 0-6 defeat. Yet even in loss, the 20-year-old walked away with a significant milestone, a new career-high ranking that highlights her growing presence on the women’s professional tennis circuit.

     

    Following her run in the prestigious tournament, Eala climbed to No. 28 in the WTA rankings, surpassing her previous best of No. 31. The improvement came after earning 120 ranking points, further cementing her steady rise among the world’s elite players.

     

    For Filipino tennis fans, the achievement represents another proud moment, as Eala continues to push boundaries for Philippine tennis on the global stage.

     

    Indian Wells is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events on the tennis calendar outside of the Grand Slams. Competing against some of the sport’s top-ranked athletes, Eala advanced to the Round of 16 in singles while also participating in the women’s doubles draw, showcasing her versatility in both formats.

     

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    Her performance also brought financial rewards. According to the WTA, reaching the Round of 16 in the singles bracket earned Eala $105,720, which translates to approximately P6.28 million.

     

    She also saw action in doubles alongside American partner Iva Jovic. The pair exited in the Round of 32, where the team prize totaled $19,510, or roughly P1.15 million. If divided equally between the two players, Eala’s estimated share would be $9,755, equivalent to around P579,929.

     

    Combined, her earnings from both events place her estimated tournament winnings at $115,475, or approximately P6.8 million.

     

    Consistency at this level is often what separates rising prospects from established contenders, and Eala’s recent stretch suggests she is steadily transitioning into the latter.

     

    With Indian Wells behind her, the Filipina star now turns her focus to the Miami Open, a tournament that holds special significance in her career.

     

    It was in Miami last year where Eala delivered one of the most memorable runs of her young career, reaching the semifinals and capturing global attention. That breakthrough performance also earned her 390 ranking points, which helped propel her up the WTA ladder.

     

    However, the upcoming tournament also brings added pressure. Those points from last year will soon expire after the 52-week ranking cycle, meaning Eala must deliver another strong showing in Miami to maintain her current position in the rankings.

     

    Anything short of a deep run, particularly another semifinal appearance could lead to a significant drop in her standing and if her recent performances are any indication, the Filipina star may only just be getting started.

     

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  • Eldrew Yulo books spot in floor exercise final of FIG World Cup in Antalya

    Eldrew Yulo books spot in floor exercise final of FIG World Cup in Antalya

    Competing in the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Antalya, Türkiye, the 18-year-old Karl Eldrew Yulo delivered a composed performance in the qualification round to secure a place in the floor exercise final, marking another encouraging step in his early senior career.


    The Antalya leg represents his second stop in the World Cup circuit, where he is competing as the lone Filipino athlete. 

     

    Just a week after reaching two finals in Baku, the younger Yulo once again proved his consistency by finishing among the top eight gymnasts in the floor exercise qualifiers.

     

    He registered a 13.666 total score, built on a 5.1 difficulty score and an 8.466 execution score, along with a 0.100 bonus that helped him secure a place in the medal round.

     

    The score placed him fourth overall in the qualification standings, just 0.300 points behind Spain’s Rayderley Zapata, who topped the qualifiers. Yulo also tied with Norway’s Theodor Gadderud.

     

    Despite missing the cut in the pommel horse and still rings, Yulo’s campaign in Antalya remains far from over. 

     

    The young Filipino gymnast is set to compete in three more apparatus qualifications—vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar—during the second day of competition.

     

    The finals will begin on March 14, offering Yulo another opportunity to build on the experience he gained during the previous World Cup leg in Baku.

     

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    In that event, he also reached the horizontal bar final, though he ultimately fell short of a podium finish in his two appearances. 

     

    The lessons from those performances, however, appear to be fueling his steady improvement as he navigates the demands of senior-level competition.

     

    As the competition in Antalya unfolds, the younger Yulo is hoping that his consistency and growing confidence will eventually translate into his first World Cup medal.

     

    Beyond the results, his presence in consecutive finals signals something equally important for Philippine gymnastics, a new wave of athletes gaining valuable experience on the world stage, ensuring the country’s reputation in artistic gymnastics continues to grow.

     

    The Antalya leg of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup runs from March 12 to 15 in Turkiye, with Karl Eldrew Yulo looking to turn another strong qualification into a breakthrough finish.

     

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  • Macau coach clarifies the absence of Sam Deguara from Black Knights’ PBA roster

    Macau coach clarifies the absence of Sam Deguara from Black Knights’ PBA roster

    When the Macau Black Bears announced their entry into the PBA as a guest team, Filipino basketball fans immediately imagined one towering possibility — the arrival of 7-foot-6 center Sam Deguara.


    The Maltese giant has become a familiar presence in Asian basketball over the years, and many expected him to anchor the team when it rebranded as the Macau Black Knights for the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup. But when the team finally unveiled its roster, Deguara’s name was nowhere to be found.

     

    Macau head coach Garrett Kelly addressed the speculation during halftime of the Terrafirma-Titan matchup, explaining that Deguara’s absence had less to do with team plans and more with the realities of professional basketball.

     

    “Sam’s been with us, we love Sam. He’s part of our family. He’s been with us for almost two years now, off and on. But, at the end of the day, professional basketball players are independent contractors. And they gotta go where their money is.” he said.

     

    Instead of joining the Black Knights in the PBA, the towering center opted to continue his career in Taiwan, where he currently plays in the P.League+.

     

    Kelly said the decision was one he fully understands, especially considering the short window most athletes have to maximize their careers.

     

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    “Their career is a short span of their life. If you’re lucky, ten years. If you’re really lucky, more than ten years. But in reality, it’s as long as your body holds up. And Sam obviously has one of the largest bodies on earth for a basketball player. He keeps himself in phenomenal shape, and he’s a great teammate and a great person,” the Black Knights head coach said.

     

    Still, the door remains open. Kelly revealed that he maintains regular communication with the Maltese center and would welcome him back should the opportunity arise during the conference.

     

    “We wish him the best. I keep in touch with him. I talk to him once a week. If and when we have an opportunity for him, we’d love to have him back. So we’ll just have to wait and see,” said Kelly.

     

    For now, Deguara continues to make an impact in Taiwan. Through his first three games in the P.League+, the 34-year-old big man is averaging 16.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists — numbers that highlight why he remains a sought-after presence across Asian leagues.

     

    Over the years, Deguara has built a unique basketball journey throughout the region. Since arriving in Asia in 2017, the towering center has suited up for teams in Thailand, Macau, Hong Kong, Japan, and even the Philippines with Alab Pilipinas-San Miguel in the now-defunct ASEAN Basketball League.

     

    While fans may have hoped to see his massive frame dominating the paint in the PBA once again, his career path continues to take him across Asia — proving that in professional basketball, opportunity often dictates the next destination.

     

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  • EJ Obiena among four Filipinos qualified to 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships

    EJ Obiena among four Filipinos qualified to 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships

    Olympian pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena is gearing up for the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze, Poland from March 20 to 22, determined to make his mark after missing last year’s qualifying cut.


    “Last year I missed, didn’t make the cut, grade or whatever is synonymous with ‘failing to qualify.’ That was a tough shake. I said I would bounce back time and time again but it didn’t exactly work out that outdoor season,” Obiena wrote on social media.

     

    “Still today, it doesn’t feel like I’m anywhere near where I want to be or believe I can be. Making this World Indoors championship, one of the twelve vaulters, is a small step on a long road back. Brick by brick, inch by inch we build and if I must crawl, so be it.”

     

    Alongside Obiena, three other Filipinos secured qualification. John Cabang Tolentino in the 60-meter hurdles, while Jessica Laurance and Zion Corrales Nelson in the 60-meter dash.

     

    The two-time Olympian, Obiena recently showcased his form with a season-best 5.78m clearance at the ISTAF Indoor in Berlin on March 6. Needing just one attempt to secure the top spot, Obiena also challenged himself at 5.83m but fell short yet still took home the gold. 

     

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    This milestone signals a critical step in his comeback, as he edges closer to breaking personal and national records on the indoor stage.

     

    His consistent performances this season indicate he’s not just chasing past results—he’s setting the stage for a strategic, calculated approach to vaulting under high-pressure conditions.

     

    Beyond the numbers, Obiena’s journey reflects mental resilience as much as physical skill. After last year’s disappointment, he’s focused on refining technique, experimenting with different pole stiffness, and optimizing his approach to maintain consistency under indoor conditions—a nuance often overlooked but critical for elite pole vaulters. 

     

    Another fresh perspective centers on Obiena’s role as a trailblazer for Philippine athletics. With the country yet to win a medal in the World Athletics Indoor Championships, his performance carries national significance. 

     

    EJ Obiena’s redemption arc is set to unfold in Poland, with fans and fellow athletes alike watching to see if the 30-year-old can translate his season-best form into a breakthrough performance at the World Indoor Championships.

     

     

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