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Author: Dorothy Del Rosario

  • Overseas training becomes Philippines’ blueprint for Asian Games Triathlon breakthrough 

    Overseas training becomes Philippines’ blueprint for Asian Games Triathlon breakthrough 

    The Philippine triathlon team believes its path to an Asian Games breakthrough starts long ahead of the games in Nagoya, Japan. 


    Instead of relying solely on local preparations, the national squad has scattered across some of the world’s top endurance training hubs, hoping international exposure and elite-level competition will bridge the gap between Southeast Asian dominance and Asian Games success.

     

    Fer Casares and Aki Lorbes are being groomed for the individual event, while either athlete is tipped to team up with seasoned campaigner Kim Remolino in the mixed relay.

     

    In the women’s category, leading that approach is Kira Ellis, who has been training in Portugal since May as she prepares for what could be her biggest international assignment yet. 

     

    Ellis, along with Raven Alcoseba, is expected to spearhead the country’s campaign in the women’s individual race, with one of them likely joining veteran Kim Mangrobang in the mixed relay.

     

    The Philippines enters the 2026 Asian Games carrying plenty of confidence after establishing itself as one of Southeast Asia’s strongest triathlon nations. 

     

    The national team collected three gold medals, two silvers, and one bronze during last year’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

     

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    The challenge, however, is reaching another level against Asia’s traditional powerhouses. Japan, Kazakhstan, China, and South Korea have consistently dominated the continental competition, leaving the Philippines still searching for its first Asian Games podium finish in the sport.

     

    The country’s best individual results remain a pair of seventh-place finishes—Claire Adorna in the 2014 Incheon Games and Kim Mangrobang at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.

     

    The mixed relay squad has also come close. Adorna, Mangrobang, Nikko Huelgas, and John Chicano finished sixth in 2014, while Adorna, Chicano, Mangrobang, and Mark Anthony Hosana matched that result four years later in Jakarta.

     

    The Filipinos are also determined to improve on their performance in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. 

     

    To maximize their preparations, the athletes shortlisted for Nagoya are now immersed in high-performance camps across Spain, Indonesia, China, and Portugal, where they are training alongside international-caliber competitors and adapting to world-class racing environments.

     

    The task awaiting the Filipinos in Nagoya will be demanding. According to World Triathlon, the 2026 Asian Games triathlon competition will feature sprint-distance races for the men’s and women’s individual events on Sept. 20, followed by the mixed relay on Sept. 21 at the Gamagori City Triathlon Venue in Japan. 

     

    The compact race format places a premium on speed, transitions, and teamwork, making the overseas training camps a crucial part of the Philippines’ bid to challenge Asia’s elite.

     

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  • Angiolino Frigoni keeps faith in same roster as Alas Pilipinas Men eye redemption in SEA V Cup Leg 2

    Angiolino Frigoni keeps faith in same roster as Alas Pilipinas Men eye redemption in SEA V Cup Leg 2

    Alas Pilipinas Men head coach Angiolino Frigoni has opted to bring back the same 14-man roster that competed in the opening leg of the Southeast Asian Volleyball (SEA V) Cup, expressing confidence that the team’s steady progress outweighs the final standings. 


    The men’s national team now heads to Jakarta for Leg 2 of the tournament, scheduled from July 22 to 26, with another opportunity to measure its growth against the region’s best.

     

    Their campaign begins with an immediate test—a rematch against first-leg champion Cambodia, the same squad that denied the Filipinos in a gripping five-set battle during the preliminary round in Candon.

     

    For Frigoni, however, the encouraging signs came not from the results alone but from how his team competed throughout the tournament.

     

    “I am more satisfied with the performance of the team in the matches that we lost than the one that we won,” Frigoni said.

     

    That statement reflected the veteran Italian coach’s belief that the squad showed resilience despite falling just short against stronger opposition. 

     

    Aside from the five-set defeat to eventual champion Cambodia, Alas Pilipinas also pushed finalist Indonesia before absorbing a competitive straight-set loss. The Filipinos eventually salvaged fifth place by defeating Myanmar in the classification match.

     

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    Those performances convinced Frigoni that the current group deserves another opportunity together rather than a major overhaul.

     

    The returning roster will once again be anchored by Josh Ybanez, who earned Best Libero honors in Candon despite the team’s non-podium finish. 

     

    He is joined by fellow FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship campaigners Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez, and Vince Lorenzo, along with Southeast Asian Games beach volleyball medalist Jude Garcia.

     

    Also making the trip to Jakarta are Jian Salarzon, Axel Van Book, JJ Macam, Al Bukhari Sali, Rodge Alejos, Trevor Valerra, Lirick Mendoza, Josh Magalaman, Greg Ancheta, Adrian Villados, and Vennie Ceballos.

     

    Although Frigoni kept his roster intact, he made it clear that no position within the national team is guaranteed. Players who were unavailable during the first leg still have a chance to return, but they must earn their place through competition.

     

    “I am proud of everybody. They made improvements,” Frigoni said.

     

    With confidence in his squad’s development, Frigoni hopes those lessons from Candon will translate into better finishes in Jakarta.

     

    The road begins on Thursday, July 23, with a chance to avenge the heartbreaking five-set loss to Cambodia. Another stern challenge follows on Friday, July 24, when Alas Pilipinas takes on regional powerhouse Indonesia, looking to turn its promising performances into breakthrough victories.

     

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  • Team Falcons PH opens MSC 2026 campaign with a statement sweep, moves closer to playoffs

    Team Falcons PH opens MSC 2026 campaign with a statement sweep, moves closer to playoffs

    Two years after falling short in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid-Season Cup finals, Team Falcons PH opened its 2026 campaign with a composed 2-0 victory over China’s Guangzhou Gaming on Wednesday in Paris, taking the first step in what it hopes will be a redemption run on the international stage.

     

    The victory sends Team Falcons PH to the upper bracket semifinals, leaving the MPL Philippines runner-up just one win away from booking a place in the playoffs.

     

    “We already felt that loss and we’re gonna use that experience in this tournament,” EXP laner David “Flap” Canon said.

     

    Guangzhou Gaming dictated the pace early in Game 1, racing to a 6-2 kill advantage behind jungler Recall’s Nolan, while also claiming two of the first three Turtle objectives to keep the Philippine representatives on the defensive.

     

    Team Falcons PH patiently waited for its opening, and it came at the 11-minute mark when Michael “Kyle” Sayson, piloting Ling, secured the first Lord. The objective immediately shifted momentum as the Filipinos cracked open all three lanes and destroyed four turrets to seize control of the map.

     

    Another turning point followed when Guangzhou’s jungler was caught defending the top lane, allowing Team Falcons to secure a second uncontested Lord. With the enhanced minion wave marching down the bottom lane, the Filipinos completed the comeback.

     

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    Gold laner Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano put the finishing touches on Game 1 with two separate double kills that wiped out Guangzhou Gaming and secured the opening victory.


    Game 2 followed a familiar script as Hirara, once again dominated the neutral objectives by capturing all three Turtle buffs, but Team Falcons PH refused to let the early deficit dictate the outcome.


    After claiming the first Lord, Flap delivered the decisive play of the match. Using Sora’s Shifting Skies at the 15-minute mark, he initiated a crucial four-man pick-off that dismantled Guangzhou Gaming’s defense and completed the 2-0 series sweep.

     

    The victory keeps Team Falcons PH firmly on course for the knockout stage, but an even bigger challenge now awaits.

     

    The Filipino side will next face Indonesia’s Team Vitality, which also advanced after defeating True Rippers, with a playoff berth on the line. 

     

    Meanwhile, fellow Philippine representative Team Liquid PH begins its own Group B campaign against Turkey’s Aurora Gaming.

     

    This year’s MSC marks another milestone for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports as the tournament is being staged in Europe for the first time as part of the 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris. 

     

    The group stage features a 16-team double-elimination format, with only the top four teams from each group advancing to the knockout rounds, making every upper-bracket victory crucial in the race for the championship.

     

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  • Titan Ultra finally break through as Joshua Munzon keeps focus on winning amid trade buzz 

    Titan Ultra finally break through as Joshua Munzon keeps focus on winning amid trade buzz 

    Titan Ultra finally found a reason to celebrate in the PBA Season 50 Governor’s Cup, ending a frustrating stretch with a convincing 103-87 triumph over defending champions TNT Tropang 5G on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

     

    The breakthrough victory did more than place the Giant Risers in the win column. It halted a 10-game losing streak that dated back to the previous conference and the win also improved the team’s record to 1-3, good for fifth place in Group A.

     

    While the result was significant for the franchise, the spotlight naturally shifted to Joshua Munzon, whose name had repeatedly surfaced in trade discussions involving TNT during the offseason. 

     

    Rather than letting the speculation become a distraction, the veteran winger showed that his attention remains solely on helping his current team succeed.

     

    “It’s just another basketball game. At the end of the day, I get paid to play basketball. Just another game, being professional and just going out there and handling business,” Munzon said.

     

    Facing the very team that had been heavily linked to him only added intrigue to the matchup. Reports before the conference claimed Munzon was headed to TNT in a deal that would have sent Rey Nambatac the other way after the Tropang 5G’s runner-up finish in the previous conference.

     

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    The proposed move, however, reportedly fell apart after TNT declined the Titan Ultra’s request to include big man Henry Galinato in the package. With no agreement reached, Munzon’s existing contract was automatically extended through the end of the season, a development later announced by his agent, Danny Espiritu.

     

    “The business side is not my job. Just the basketball side, so I just got to take care of the basketball side,” he said.

     

    His performance reflected that mindset. Munzon finished with 13 points and three rebounds, providing steady production as the Giant Risers controlled the defending champions from start to finish.

     

    The biggest offensive spark came from import Tirrell Brown, who powered the victory with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Bryan Sajonia and Jerrick Balanza also chipped in 13 points each, giving the Giant Risers balanced scoring in one of their most complete performances this conference.

     

    The win could serve as the turning point the Giant Risers have been searching for after enduring months of setbacks. Instead of allowing outside noise to define their campaign, the team answered with its strongest showing yet against one of the league’s toughest opponents.

     

    Now carrying renewed confidence, the Giant Risers will try to build on their first victory when they take on the Macau Giant Pandas on Saturday, July 25, once again at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

     

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  • Up next, Brazil: Filipinas set for Women’s World Cup return 

    Up next, Brazil: Filipinas set for Women’s World Cup return 

    After making history with their maiden appearance in 2023, the Filipinas are heading back to football’s biggest stage, the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup  after punching their ticket to Brazil with a convincing 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup play-in on March 19.


    The result secured the country’s second consecutive Women’s World Cup berth, another landmark achievement for a national team that continues to elevate Philippine football on the global stage.

     

    The qualification also arrives as the international spotlight turns toward the women’s game following Spain’s triumph in the recently concluded FIFA Men’s World Cup. Next summer, the focus shifts to Brazil, where 32 nations including the Philippines will compete for the sport’s most coveted prize.

     

    Unlike their first World Cup journey, which was centered on simply making history, the Filipinas now return with the confidence of knowing they belong among the world’s elite.

     

    Their breakthrough campaign in 2023 transformed the perception of Philippine football. The Filipinas delivered one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by defeating co-host New Zealand, 1-0, earning the country’s first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup victory while also scoring its first goal in the competition.

     

    Although the historic win was not enough to carry the Philippines into the knockout stage, it became the foundation for a team that has continued to grow in both confidence and consistency.

     

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    That progress was evident in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, where the Filipinas earned another opportunity to compete for a World Cup place. They made the most of it by blanking Uzbekistan, 2-0, in the play-in to officially book another trip to football’s grandest tournament.

     

    The latest qualification makes the Philippines one of only two Southeast Asian nations to reach back-to-back editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, underscoring the rapid rise of the country’s women’s football program.

     

    The global field for Brazil is also beginning to take shape, with 14 nations already qualified. Host Brazil automatically earned its place and will attempt to win its first-ever Women’s World Cup title on home soil.

     

    Defending champion Spain enters Brazil with lofty expectations after edging England, 1-0, in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Sydney. The world’s No. 1-ranked team remains powered by Ballon d’Or winners Aitana BonmatĂ­ and Alexia Putellas, along with rising star Salma Paralluelo.

     

    The United States, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back after its surprising Round of 16 exit to Sweden in 2023. Despite that disappointment, the Americans remain the tournament’s most decorated nation with four Women’s World Cup titles and currently sit No. 2 in the FIFA rankings. 

     

    For the Filipinas, however, the attention is firmly fixed on building upon the memories they created in New Zealand.

     

    Their first appearance proved the Philippines could compete. Their second now presents an opportunity to go even further.

     

    With another World Cup berth secured and valuable tournament experience behind them, the Filipinas head to Brazil determined to write an even bigger chapter in Philippine football history.

     

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  • Chris Newsome’s last-second heroics rescue Meralco after Blackwater’s furious fightback 

    Chris Newsome’s last-second heroics rescue Meralco after Blackwater’s furious fightback 

    For nearly three quarters, Meralco looked poised to cruise to another victory. Instead, the Bolts found themselves clinging to survival before Chris Newsome delivered the decisive blow.

     

    Newsome scored the go-ahead basket with just 3.9 seconds remaining as Meralco escaped with a tense 116-114 victory over Blackwater in the PBA Season 50 Governor’s Cup on Tuesday, July 21, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

     

    The win was anything but comfortable for the Bolts, who squandered an 18-point advantage before relying on a perfectly executed final possession to improve to 2-1 in Group B.

     

    After seeing their once-commanding 110-92 lead disappear, Meralco turned to its veterans in crunch time. Chris Banchero pushed the ball up the floor following a defensive stop and found a cutting Newsome for an inside finish that restored the lead at 116-114 with only three seconds left.

     

    Blackwater had one last opportunity, but Meralco’s defense held firm to preserve the victory and hand the Bossing their first defeat in Group B.

     

    Newsome finished with 16 points, four assists, and three rebounds, but his final basket proved to be the difference in a game that shifted dramatically in the closing minutes.

     

    Import Antonio Hester paced the Bolts with a double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds, knocking down three four-pointers to anchor the offense. CJ Cansino chipped in 15 points, while Clifford Hodge added 14.

     

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    The game appeared headed toward a comfortable Meralco win after the Bolts built a 17-point cushion entering the closing stretch. However, Blackwater refused to fold.

     

    Trailing 113-103 with 5:23 left, the Bossing mounted a spirited comeback behind import Kentrell Barkley, whose basket sparked a 7-0 run that trimmed the deficit to 113-110 with 3:56 remaining. The rally set up a frantic finish that erased nearly all of Meralco’s earlier dominance.

     

    The Bolts, however, came up with their biggest defensive play of the night by stopping Barkley on Blackwater’s final offensive possession before Banchero ignited the fast break that led to Newsome’s winning basket.

     

    “I saw New and it was natural. I threw it to him and he had a good finish. I thought New did a great job tonight as well, defending their import,” Banchero said.

     

    Despite the victory, Meralco acknowledged there were lessons to be learned after allowing Blackwater back into the contest.

     

    “When you’re up 17 and crumble, that’s not what we want to do. We’ll look at everything in the next practice. When you’re up by 17, you have to figure out how to put that team away,” Banchero added.

     

    Head coach Luigi Trillo also credited Blackwater’s resilience after nearly pulling off the comeback.

    “You have to give Blackwater credit. We were up 17 points in the third and they didn’t quit. Good na lang that we’re able to shoot the ball from that pass to New (Newsome),” said Trillo.

     

    For Blackwater, Sedrick Barefield led all local scorers with 29 points, while Barkley contributed 28. RK Ilagan finished with 20 points, and Dalph Panopio added 11 as the Bossing slipped to their first loss of the conference.

     

    Both teams return to action on Friday, July 24. Blackwater faces Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the main game, while Meralco takes on Magnolia as the Bolts seek to build on their second straight victory.

     

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  • Reunion with a twist: Gian Mamuyac braces for emotional showdown against Rain or Shine

    Reunion with a twist: Gian Mamuyac braces for emotional showdown against Rain or Shine

    Just days after being traded, Gian Mamuyac finds himself in unfamiliar territory as he prepares to face the only PBA team he had ever known. But with the Phoenix Fuel Masters chasing a fourth straight victory, sentiment will have to take a backseat when they battle the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Tuesday.

     

    The matchup marks Mamuyac’s first game against the franchise that selected him fifth overall in the 2022 PBA Draft and helped shape him into one of the league’s premier two-way guards. After spending four seasons with the Elasto Painters, the Ateneo standout was dealt to Phoenix in exchange for a future first-round pick, ending an era that few saw coming.

     

    While the emotions are inevitable, Mamuyac insists his focus remains on helping Phoenix continue its impressive start to the Governors’ Cup. The Fuel Masters have opened the conference with three consecutive victories, and the newest addition is eager to contribute to a team that has quickly emerged as one of the early contenders.

     

    “It’s definitely going to be different,” Mamuyac admitted ahead of the reunion, acknowledging that facing former teammates and coaches won’t be easy. Despite the familiarity, he expects no favors from the squad he once called home.

     

    That sentiment is shared by Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao, who coached Mamuyac throughout his PBA career. Known for his demanding style, Guiao joked that there would be no warm welcome for his former player once the opening tip is tossed. Instead, the veteran mentor promised the same physical, hard-nosed defense that has long defined the Elasto Painters.

     

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    Former teammates have also been quick to remind Mamuyac that friendships will be put on hold for 48 minutes. Some even teased the former team captain about making sure he earns every basket, a sign of the mutual respect built during their years together.

     

    For Phoenix, however, the timing of Mamuyac’s arrival couldn’t be better. The Fuel Masters have looked revitalized under head coach Charles Tiu, combining disciplined defense with balanced offense to race to a 3-0 record. Adding a versatile defender and proven playmaker like Mamuyac only strengthens a roster that has quickly become one of the league’s biggest surprises.

     

    Mamuyac’s familiarity with Rain or Shine’s system could also prove valuable. Having practiced under Guiao for years, he understands the Elasto Painters’ defensive schemes, tendencies, and personnel as well as anyone on the Phoenix roster. Still, he knows that knowledge alone won’t guarantee success against a team that prides itself on preparation and toughness.

     

    Beyond the tactical battle, Tuesday’s contest carries plenty of personal significance. Mamuyac recently posted a heartfelt farewell to Rain or Shine, thanking the organization, coaches, teammates, and fans for believing in him throughout his first four professional seasons. Now, he’ll stand on the opposite bench for the first time, hoping to begin a successful new chapter while honoring the memories he made with his former club.

     

    As Phoenix looks to stay unbeaten and Rain or Shine aims to spoil the Fuel Masters’ momentum, all eyes will be on Mamuyac. For one night, the former Elasto Painter becomes the opponent and one of the biggest storylines of the young PBA Governors’ Cup season.

     

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  • Strong Group Pilipinas completes Formosa roster with Mylene Paat-Rezanova, Cam Bartolome additions 

    Strong Group Pilipinas completes Formosa roster with Mylene Paat-Rezanova, Cam Bartolome additions 

    Strong Group Pilipinas has settled on the final pieces of its roster ahead of its international assignment of the year, reinforcing its lineup with a rising collegiate star and a seasoned veteran for the 2026 Formosa Women’s Volleyball Invitational Tournament.


    The Philippine squad announced the additions of NCAA Season 101 Rookie of the Year Cam Bartolome and Farm Fresh opposite hitter Mylene Paat-Rezanova, completing the team that will compete in Taiwan from July 30 to Aug. 2.

     

    The pair replaces Jovelyn Gonzaga and Royse Tubino, giving the national selection a mix of youthful promise and international experience as it prepares to battle some of Asia’s top club and national selection teams.

     

    At just 19 years old, Bartolome enters the tournament as the youngest player on the roster. The College of Saint Benilde standout emerged as one of the NCAA’s brightest young stars after a dominant Season 101 campaign that earned her both the Rookie of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. 

     

    The former Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts standout also established herself as one of the league’s premier middle blockers, making her a valuable addition to the Philippine frontline.

     

    While Bartolome represents the future, Paat-Rezanova brings proven firepower to the present as the 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference Most Valuable Player joined Farm Fresh earlier this year and adds veteran leadership to Strong Group Pilipinas. 

     

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    Known for her scoring ability and international experience, the opposite hitter is expected to provide stability against a highly competitive field.

     

    Their arrival rounds out a roster that combines established Premier Volleyball League stars with emerging talent.

     

    Leading the squad are reigning PVL Most Valuable Player Trisha Tubu, Roselyn Doria-Aquino, Maicah Larroza, Ces Molina, Louie Romero, and Jonna Perdido from Farm Fresh. They will be joined by ZUS Coffee standouts Chinnie Arroyo, AC Miner, Clo Mondoñedo, Riza Nogales, Alyssa Eroa, and Zamantha Nolasco.

     

    Farm Fresh head coach Koji Tsuzurabara will lead the Philippine side, with ZUS Coffee mentor Jerry Yee serving as assistant coach alongside Kungfu Reyes and Shaq Delos Santos.

     

    Strong Group Pilipinas will field a combined selection from Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee in the Taichung Bank-backed tournament, where the Filipinas will test themselves against club and national selection teams from Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Hong Kong.

     

    With its roster now finalized, Strong Group Pilipinas heads to Taiwan carrying a balanced lineup built to compete against some of the region’s strongest opposition while gaining valuable international experience ahead of the domestic volleyball season.

     

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  • NU turns to familiar face as Norman Miguel returns to lead Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 89 

    NU turns to familiar face as Norman Miguel returns to lead Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 89 

    National University is once again entrusting its women’s volleyball program to one of its most successful tactician, bringing back Norman Miguel as head coach in hopes of steering the Lady Bulldogs back to the UAAP summit.


    The school announced on Monday that Miguel will return for another stint with the program and take over the reins for UAAP Season 89, replacing Regine Diego, who will transition to an assistant coaching role.

     

    The appointment continues a remarkable trend within the NU program, which will have a different head coach for the third consecutive season despite remaining one of the league’s premier contenders.

     

    Miguel inherits a squad that came close to reclaiming the championship last season. Under Diego, the Lady Bulldogs compiled a 10-4 elimination-round record before advancing to the Finals, where they settled for a runner-up finish after falling to the De La Salle Lady Spikers.

     

    While the result fell short of the program’s championship standard, NU remained firmly among the UAAP’s elite, setting the stage for Miguel’s latest return.

     

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    Few coaches are as familiar with the Lady Bulldogs’ culture as Miguel. His first stint came during UAAP Seasons 81 and 82, before he returned in Season 86, where he immediately guided NU back to the top of Philippine collegiate volleyball.

     

    That campaign saw the Lady Bulldogs sweep the UST Golden Tigresses in the championship series behind Most Valuable Player Bella Belen and Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon, restoring NU as the league’s dominant force.

     

    Miguel’s return also adds another chapter to the Lady Bulldogs’ revolving coaching history during their most successful era.

     

    Karl Dimaculangan ended the school’s 65-year title drought by steering NU to the Season 84 championship. Miguel then reclaimed the title during his one-season return in Season 86, before Sherwin Meneses delivered another championship in Season 87 during his own one-year stint.

     

    Diego took over in Season 88, guiding the Lady Bulldogs back to the Finals but ultimately falling short of another championship.

     

    Now, the responsibility shifts back to Miguel, who faces the challenge of turning another Finals appearance into a title-winning campaign.

     

    With a roster expected to remain among the strongest in the UAAP, NU is banking on a coach who has already proven he can deliver championships, hoping familiarity and continuity will once again translate into another banner for the Lady Bulldogs in Season 89.

     

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  • Future taekwondo stars take center stage as PTA hosts 2026 SMART/MVPSF National Championships 

    Future taekwondo stars take center stage as PTA hosts 2026 SMART/MVPSF National Championships 

    The search for the Philippines’ next wave of taekwondo standouts continues this weekend as the country’s top young and established jins gather for the 2026 SMART/MVPSF National Championships on July 25-26 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.


    More than just a competition for medals, the two-day tournament serves as a proving ground for athletes looking to make their mark and catch the attention of the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA), which continues to expand the sport’s reach nationwide.

     

    Led by Grandmaster Sung Chon Hong, the PTA is anticipating a record turnout this year as interest in the Korean martial art continues to grow among athletes and enthusiasts from different backgrounds.

     

    Taekwondo clubs and chapters from across the country are sending their strongest representatives, each aiming to establish themselves among the nation’s elite programs.

     

    Adding further prestige to the event is the participation of collegiate athletes from the UAAP and NCAA, along with representatives from various branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police. 

     

    Their presence is expected to bring additional intensity and competition to the tournament supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and MILO.

     

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    The championships will feature both Advanced and Novice divisions, with athletes competing across five categories: Seniors, Juniors, Cadet, Gradeschool, and Toddler divisions for both male and female participants.

     

    To ensure fair and accurate judging, the PTA will once again implement the KPNP Protector and Scoring System (PSS) together with the Instant Video Replay (IVR) technology. 

     

    The system aims to minimize officiating errors and maintain the quality of competition throughout the event.

     

    Beyond identifying potential champions, the tournament also hopes to inspire more young Filipinos to embrace taekwondo and discover the discipline, athleticism, and values that come with the sport.

     

    The elimination rounds begin at 9 a.m. on July 25, with the opening ceremony scheduled at 1 p.m., highlighted by a special performance from the Philippine Demonstration Team.

     

    As the country’s taekwondo community continues to grow, the 2026 SMART/MVPSF National Championships offers the perfect stage for aspiring jins to take their first major step toward becoming the sport’s next household names.

     

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