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Author: Andre Sotelo

  • Bella Belen helps Alas Pilipinas add another chapter to Philippine volleyball history

    Bella Belen helps Alas Pilipinas add another chapter to Philippine volleyball history

    Bella Belen has become increasingly familiar with moments when Philippine volleyball history is waiting to be rewritten.

     

    On Sunday, she found herself at the center of another one.

     

    Belen delivered 17 points as Alas Pilipinas Women outlasted Indonesia, 25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 33-31, to secure the Philippines’ first-ever silver medal in the seven-year, 11-leg history of the SEA V.Cup.

     

    More importantly, the Filipinas did not have to leave their fate to another match.

     

    With the silver medal within reach, Alas Women took control of the situation themselves, closing out Indonesia in a fourth-set thriller that featured eight deadlocks and seven Indonesian set points.

     

    “We really prepared for this game because we had a chance to get the silver medal, and I believe in the team, and I know that we can win this game, and I’m so happy that we won this game,” Belen said.

     

    The achievement marked a remarkable turnaround for Belen individually.

     

    She was held to just two points when the Philippines opened its Leg 2 campaign with a loss to Thailand, but quickly rediscovered her rhythm with 16 points in the four-set victory over Vietnam.

    By the time Indonesia stood between Alas Women and the silver medal, Belen was once again ready to play a major role.

     

    The opponent also made the occasion more significant.

     

    Indonesia had previously denied the Philippines a bronze medal in both the opening leg of the SEA V.Cup and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games. This time, however, Alas Women had a chance to reverse that trend on the biggest possible stage.

     

    After taking a 2-1 advantage, the Filipinas found themselves within touching distance of history.

     

    “We knew that Indonesia would play better against us because we lost the last leg. We had a chance. We already won two sets. It was up to us to finish the game early,” she said.

     

    Indonesia, however, refused to surrender.

     

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    The fourth set became a test of patience and composure as both teams repeatedly traded momentum. Alas survived seven set points before finally breaking through at 33-31, turning what could have been another painful chapter against Indonesia into the biggest achievement yet in the tournament.

     

    For Belen, the moment carried a familiar feeling.

     

    The National University standout has already experienced what it means to be part of historic achievements during her collegiate career. Now, she has added another milestone to that résumé with the national team.

     

    This time, the accomplishment was bigger than an individual record.

     

    It helped push Philippine women’s volleyball beyond its previous SEA V.Cup ceiling of six bronze medals and four fourth-place finishes.

     

    And Belen made sure the team understood what the moment meant.

     

    “I believe in the team, and I’m very happy. I hope the Philippines is proud of us,” she said.

    After years of settling for bronze or falling just short of the podium, Alas Pilipinas Women finally moved one step higher.

     

    Belen, fittingly, was there to help lead the way.

     

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  • Cameron Clark arrives as Converge makes another push to save Governors’ Cup campaign

    Cameron Clark arrives as Converge makes another push to save Governors’ Cup campaign

     

    Converge is hoping Cameron Clark can be the reset button it needs.

     

    After opening the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup with three straight wins, the FiberXers have watched their promising start unravel into four consecutive defeats, leaving them searching for a spark with the group stage entering a crucial stretch.

     

    That search brings Clark back to the PBA.

     

    The veteran import is expected to make his Converge debut against Terrafirma Dyip on Tuesday, August 11, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, immediately stepping into a situation where every win has become increasingly valuable.

     

    Clark replaces Jamaal Franklin, who was unable to reverse Converge’s slide during his second stint with the team.

     

    Franklin produced impressive numbers, averaging 27.3 points per game over three appearances, but Converge failed to win any of those contests. His departure highlights the FiberXers’ growing urgency to find an import who can turn individual production into team success.

     

    Clark becomes Converge’s third import of the conference — a sign of how quickly the team has been forced to adjust after its unbeaten opening run.

     

    The 33-year-old, however, does not need an introduction to the league.

     

    Clark previously played for the NLEX Road Warriors during the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup before returning with the San Miguel Beermen in the 2023 Governors’ Cup. His most recent PBA experience came with guest team Hong Kong Eastern during the 2024-25 Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    That familiarity could prove valuable for a Converge squad that needs immediate results rather than another lengthy adjustment period.

     

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    Clark will also have little time to settle in.

     

    Converge and Terrafirma enter Tuesday’s matchup with identical 3-4 records in Group A, making the game an important opportunity for either side to move away from the crowded middle of the standings.

     

    For the FiberXers, the timing could not be more critical.

     

    With the PBA set for a lengthy break due to the upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifiers and Asian Games, Converge has one more chance to build momentum before the competition pauses.

     

    Four straight losses have erased much of the cushion created by the team’s 3-0 start.

     

    Now, Converge is banking on a familiar face to help change the direction of its season.

     

    Clark’s arrival does not guarantee an immediate turnaround, but Tuesday’s matchup will provide the first indication of whether the veteran import can become the missing piece the FiberXers have been looking for.

     

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  • Boban Marjanovic puts team before role in Strong Group Jones Cup title chase 

    Boban Marjanovic puts team before role in Strong Group Jones Cup title chase 

     For Boban Marjanovic, there is no need to know exactly how many minutes he will play or how many touches will come his way.

     

    The towering Serbian center already knows what matters most.

     

    Whatever Strong Group Athletics needs from him, Marjanovic is ready to provide as the team prepares for its Jones Cup title defense, with the veteran big man embracing a role that could change from game to game.

     

    “What coach (Charles Tiu) says, if this is what kind of role, I’ll take it. We need to be a team. What the coach has on his mind, we’re supposed to get done,” said the 7-foot-4 slotman, showcasing the consummate professionalism that helped him carve out a nine-year NBA career.

     

    “Sometimes it’s really not easy, but we’re a team, and we’re supposed to handle this together. Nothing easy in this sport. Nothing easy to win something. Nothing easy to compare. Nothing easy to go every night and play the best you can.”

     

    At 37, Marjanovic arrives with a wealth of experience and is expected to provide a major presence in the paint as Strong Group Athletics looks to win the Jones Cup for the third consecutive time.

     

    He will have help inside from Malick Diouf and Allen Liwag, giving Charles Tiu plenty of options in the frontcourt as the team looks to blend its different pieces into one championship unit.

     

    Despite having less than a week of practice with his new teammates, Marjanovic has already been impressed by the group.

     

    “You know, to be honest, they impressed me, everybody. Because basketball is something when they’re circling around. It’s not more like bad players. It’s just like players who want to work but don’t want to work. It’s like all over the world, it’s so worldwide,” said the Serbian national team veteran.

     

    “Basketball has become a global sport, and you cannot underestimate nobody. It’s just a sport like that, and I’m so happy with all my teammates.”

     

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    That global perspective is something Marjanovic brings naturally after spending years competing at the highest levels of basketball.

     

    Now, he is looking to use that experience to help Strong Group Athletics extend its Jones Cup reign. But winning is not the only item on his checklist.

     

    “Of course, we come here to win tournaments. That’s the first goal. And of course, second, to have fun. And of course, third, to meet friends. That’s like three goals that I have right now. For sure, they have so many, but these are the main three ones that I have right now,” said Marjanovic.

     

    His first visit to the Philippines has also given him plenty to enjoy away from the court.

     

    “I love it. So far, I’m enjoying. First time in the Philippines and I’m really enjoying it,” he said. “It’s great. Too much rain, but everything else — food, people, place, basketball, my teammates, everybody — I really enjoy it,” he said.

     

    The Filipino reception has been particularly memorable for the NBA veteran, who said the attention has followed him beyond the basketball court.

     

    “I get a lot of messages, I get a lot of love, outside — not just on the court, outside like on the street, in the mall. Almost everybody knows my name. Really big love from me, and for all this respect. That means I do a great job on and off the court, and I really respect them. A lot of love for them.”

     

    For now, Marjanovic’s focus is simple: fit into Tiu’s system, help his teammates and chase another championship.

     

    His role may not be defined yet, but his purpose is already clear.

     

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  • Bella Belen hopes “the Philippines is proud of us” after Alas Women claim historic SEA V. Cup silver 

    Bella Belen hopes “the Philippines is proud of us” after Alas Women claim historic SEA V. Cup silver 

    Bella Belen helped turn Alas Pilipinas Women’s SEA V Cup disappointment into a historic breakthrough.

     

    After going winless in the opening leg, Belen and the Filipinas found their response in Chiang Mai, Thailand, holding their nerve through a dramatic fourth-set finish to defeat Indonesia, 25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 33-31, on Sunday and secure the Philippines’ first silver medal in any division of the SEA V Cup.

     

    Belen was at the heart of the turnaround, delivering 17 points on 15 attacks and two blocks as Alas survived a fourth set that seemed determined to slip away from them.

     

    The Philippines needed three match points to finally close out the contest while Indonesia fought off seven set points. With the score deep into deuce, Alas continued to find answers until an Indonesian attack sailed out, triggering the celebration on the Philippine side.

     

    For Belen, the victory carried extra meaning after the team’s frustrating showing in Leg 1, where Indonesia handed the Filipinas a four-set defeat.

     

    “We know that Indonesia will play better against us because we lost last game [against them]. So, we had a chance, we won two sets, so it’s up to us if we finish the game early. And I believe in the team, and I’m very happy,” Belen said during the post-match interview.

     

    “And I hope the Philippines is proud of us.”

     

    The young star was not the only one who delivered in the comeback. Alyssa Solomon led all scorers for Alas with 19 points, while Eya Laure also finished with 17 as the Philippines repeatedly found ways to answer Indonesia’s late rallies.

     

    But beyond the numbers, Belen felt the energy inside Chiang Mai Stadium helped push Alas through one of the most important finishes in the program’s recent history.

     

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    “I really love the Thai fans because it feels like we’re playing in the Philippines. They always cheer for us, and they’re very welcoming,” Belen said.

     

    The silver medal also provided an encouraging early result for head coach Taka Minowa, who had only 15 days to prepare the team before the two-leg SEA V Cup campaign.

     

    For Minowa, the turnaround from a winless first leg to a historic silver finish showed that Alas still has plenty of room to grow.

     

    “We just trained for 15 days and came to Vietnam and Thailand [for both legs]. For sure, we’re just starting the program and we have a lot of opportunities, a lot of space to improve [after] this game,” he said.

     

    For Belen and Alas Pilipinas Women, the medal represents more than a consolation prize. It is the product of a team that absorbed a setback, returned with renewed belief and delivered when the pressure was at its highest.

     

    The first leg may have exposed the team’s growing pains. In Chiang Mai, Belen and the Filipinas showed just how quickly they can learn from them.

     

     

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  • Gilas Women brace for tough Mexico test in Olympic pre-qualifiers 

    Gilas Women brace for tough Mexico test in Olympic pre-qualifiers 

    Gilas Pilipinas Women will enter the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament with a clear understanding of the challenge ahead — and a pair of imposing weapons in the middle.

     

    Jack Animam and Kacey Dela Rosa will headline a youthful but experienced Philippine lineup as the Nationals prepare for their campaign in Guadalajara, Mexico from August 18 to 24.

     

    The duo will form the foundation of Gilas Women’s interior game, with veteran leaders Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos providing additional experience alongside Filipina-American Vanessa de Jesus, a former Duke University standout.

     

    Kent Pastrana, Louna Ozar, Jhaz Joson, Angel Surada, Monique Del Carmen, Alyssa Rodriguez, and young gun Sophia Dignadice complete the squad.

     

    For new head coach Burke “BT” Toews, the tournament represents his first major test at the helm of the national team.

     

    The Canadian coach is aware that Gilas Women will be facing a difficult road in Group B, where the Philippines will go up against host Mexico, Canada, and Senegal in a single-round robin format.

     

    Rather than setting unrealistic expectations, Toews is choosing to focus on what his team can control — particularly when the Philippines faces opponents it believes it can challenge.

     

    “It would be great to win the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Mexico, but that’s going to be a huge hurdle for us. It would be, I think, world news if it happened,” admitted Toews.

     

    “You’ve got Canada in there. But there are teams in our pool that are definitely beatable. And so that’s what we focus on. And the first game is against the hosts,” he added.

     

    That opening assignment against Mexico could immediately set the tone for the Philippines.

     

    The world No. 30 team begins its campaign on August 18 against the hosts before facing powerhouse Canada on August 20. Gilas Women will then wrap up the group stage against Senegal on August 21.

     

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    The format leaves little room for a slow start. With only one game against each opponent, every possession and result could carry significant weight in the race for the top two spots.

     

    For the Philippines, the path to the semifinals will likely require a combination of Animam and Dela Rosa’s presence inside, the veterans’ composure, and contributions from a group of players looking to establish themselves on the international stage.

     

    Canada presents the biggest obstacle on paper, but the Philippines’ immediate priority is Mexico.

     

    A strong opening performance would not only give Gilas Women an early boost in the standings but also provide Toews with an indication of how quickly his system can translate against international opposition.

     

    The tournament may be a difficult first assignment for the new coach, but it also offers an opportunity for Gilas Women to measure just how far the program has come.

     

    The goal is straightforward: finish among the top two in Group B and earn a place in the semifinals.

     

    The road to that goal, however, begins against the hosts in Guadalajara.

     

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  • PBA moves key matchups to Antipolo after weather disruptions

    PBA moves key matchups to Antipolo after weather disruptions

     The PBA is taking no chances with its next round of action.

     

    With weather-related disruptions affecting the league’s schedule and playing conditions in recent days, the PBA has moved two important PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup games to the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

     

    The Converge-Terrafirma and TNT-NLEX matchups originally scheduled at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday, August 11, will now be played at the Antipolo venue as the league looks to provide a more reliable setting for both games.

     

    The decision comes after Ninoy Aquino Stadium experienced problems during Friday’s Magnolia-Meralco matchup, which was delayed for nearly an hour after rainwater leaked inside the venue.

     

    The league also had to postpone Sunday’s doubleheader featuring Phoenix against Blackwater and Barangay Ginebra against Rain or Shine because of severe weather conditions.

     

    With the venue change now settled, attention shifts back to the standings and the teams’ playoff push.

     

    Converge enters Tuesday’s matchup with a 3-4 record and plenty to prove after dropping four straight games. The FiberXers will be looking to stop their slide against a Terrafirma side that just pulled off one of the biggest wins of the conference.

     

    The Dyip stunned previously unbeaten NLEX, 114-109, to improve to 3-4 and breathe new life into their campaign.

     

    That result also adds another layer to the Converge-Terrafirma matchup, particularly after the FiberXers escaped with a narrow 105-103 victory when the two teams first met on July 15.

     

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    Both sides now find themselves fighting for positioning as the elimination round moves deeper into the conference.

     

    The other Tuesday matchup carries an even bigger storyline.

     

    TNT Tropang 5G, currently at 3-3, gets another shot at NLEX after the Road Warriors handed the defending champions an 85-83 defeat in their first-round meeting just last week.

     

    NLEX has since seen its perfect run end, falling to Terrafirma and slipping to 6-1.

     

    For TNT, the rematch provides an opportunity to answer that narrow loss. For NLEX, it is a chance to show that the setback against the Dyip was only a temporary interruption to an otherwise dominant campaign.

     

    With both games carrying major implications in the standings, the change in venue may be the biggest difference before the ball is even tipped.

     

    The PBA will now bring the action to Antipolo, where Converge, Terrafirma, TNT, and NLEX will look to turn a turbulent week into an important step toward the playoffs.

     

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  • Filipino volleyball stars shine as Sisi Rondina-Bernadeth Pons tandem and Bryan Bagunas earn AVC honors 

    Filipino volleyball stars shine as Sisi Rondina-Bernadeth Pons tandem and Bryan Bagunas earn AVC honors 

    Three Filipino volleyball stars made their presence felt on one of Asian volleyball’s biggest nights, as Sisi Rondina-Rosales, Bernadeth Pons, and Bryan Bagunas took home Fans’ Choice awards at the inaugural Asian Volleyball Confederation Gala in Bangkok, Thailand.

     

    The Philippine trio stood alongside some of the continent’s biggest names at the Seesarin Studio on Saturday, receiving recognition from fans for their impact on the sport.

     

    Rondina-Rosales and Pons were honored in beach volleyball, while Bagunas claimed the Fans’ Choice Men’s Volleyball Player award, giving the Philippines three major recognitions on the AVC’s first gala night.

     

    For Bagunas, the award served as another reminder of the growing recognition surrounding Philippine volleyball.

     

    “This recognition has driven us to excel more and see what else we can do more for our country,” said Bagunas, a nine-year national team member who captained Alas Pilipinas during its historic FIVB Men’s World Championship campaign in the Philippines last year.

     

    “We are incredibly happy and proud,” he added.

     

    The Osaka Bluteon star believes the recognition can also provide additional motivation heading into another major challenge for the national team.

     

    “This is a great boost to our next competition — the Asian Games. I believe we can win.”

     

    Rondina-Rosales, meanwhile, was among the Philippine beach volleyball representatives who received the fans’ nod after another year of making an impact on the international scene.

     

    “We are thrilled to be here along with Asia’s best,” said Rondina-Rosales, who attended the gala wearing a Filipiniana by Ryan Ablaza, the same designer behind her wedding gown.

     

    Pons shared the same sense of pride, particularly in being recognized alongside the best players from across the continent.

     

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    “Grateful for the opportunity, and it’s a great feeling when you’re with the best of the best of the sport you love,” Pons said.

     

    “Thankful to the AVC, FIVB and Sir Tats (Ramon Suzara) for organizing this kind of event and for the fans who recognized us.”

     

    The awards also highlighted how Philippine volleyball has continued to gain visibility beyond the country’s borders.

     

    With Filipino players now regularly competing on international stages, the recognition of Rondina-Rosales, Pons, and Bagunas reflects the growing connection between Philippine volleyball and fans across Asia.

     

    The gala itself marked a milestone for the AVC, bringing together athletes, officials, and representatives from all 65 member associations for an evening dedicated to celebrating the sport and its athletes.

     

    “This is a testament of how far we have come after 74 years of the AVC. I am incredibly grateful that we hosted our first-ever AVC Gala as we showed respect with one another despite the different cultures, different languages, but we are one family under the AVC banner,” Suzara said.

     

    FIVB president Fabio Azevedo also welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that the event would become a regular celebration of Asian volleyball.

     

    “It was fantastic as we were all here together and overjoyed. This is the first night, but I am quite sure this will become a tradition because it iş important to honor our athletes that inspire the next generation,” Azevedo said.

     

    “Great event by the AVC for the volleyball fans,” he added.

     

    The Philippines also had another representative in the spotlight, with Arabelle Dela Cruz of Sparkle GMA Artist Center earning praise for her performance during the event.

     

    But the biggest takeaway for Philippine volleyball was undoubtedly the trio of Rondina-Rosales, Pons, and Bagunas leaving Bangkok with fans’ honors — another sign that Filipino talent continues to command attention across Asia.

     

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  • Patrick Deyto closes PMNT chapter where it all began 

    Patrick Deyto closes PMNT chapter where it all began 

    Patrick Deyto’s international football career came full circle in Kuala Lumpur.

     

    Twelve years after earning his first cap for the Philippines in Malaysia, the veteran goalkeeper returned to the same country for his final appearance in national team colors, closing a chapter that saw him witness and contribute to the growth of Philippine football.

     

    Deyto announced his decision to retire from international duty after the Philippines finished its ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Malaysia at Kuala Lumpur City Stadium.

     

    The 36-year-old made 22 appearances for the national team, featuring primarily as a starting goalkeeper across four editions of the regional tournament.

     

    But his final two matches showed that Deyto still had plenty to offer.

     

    He started against regional heavyweights Thailand and Malaysia, producing several important saves that kept the Philippines within reach despite both matches ending in narrow 1-0 defeats.

     

    For Deyto, those performances provided something more valuable than a winning farewell: confirmation that he could still compete at the highest level in Southeast Asia.

    “It’s another full-circle moment,” said the 36-year-old keeper after the match. “I made my first cap here in Kuala Lumpur, and for my last cap to be in Kuala Lumpur again was, I felt like, another sign to probably finish it off here. Every place I’ve been to with the national team is always special.

     

    “I spoke to the team, spoke to [the] coach (Carles Cuadrat), [and] spoke to the manager (Mico Gutierrez). I really didn’t want to tell anybody, to be honest. But [with] Coach pre-game in the warm-up, it’s like my mouth went into autopilot. I couldn’t hide my honesty. I just told him that this could be my last match because that’s probably how my body felt, really.”

     

    The decision was not made because Deyto had lost his desire to play.

     

    Instead, it came from an understanding that international football demands a different level of physical commitment, and that the time had come to give the next generation of Philippine goalkeepers their opportunity.

     

    Deyto returned to the national team after recovering from injury, with proving himself once again at international level serving as one of his biggest motivations.

     

    “I really wanted to prove to myself that I could come back to this level,” he said. “After my injury, that was my main motivation. After I did it in the last two matches, I felt contentment. I felt at peace.

     

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    He admitted, “And, you know, just like in life, everything comes to an end — even the good times. My body is also telling me to taper off, so yeah. I made a decision in the moment, and I’m happy, and I’m content.”

     

    His career also stretched across several generations of Philippine football.

     

    Early in his international journey, Deyto competed for playing time alongside established goalkeepers such as Neil Etheridge, Roland Müller, Ed Sacapano and Michael Falkesgaard.

     

    Now, he leaves the national team with Kevin Ray Mendoza, Quincy Kammeraad, Enrico Mangaoang and Nicholas Guimarães among those carrying the goalkeeping duties forward.

     

    For Deyto, that depth made the decision easier.

     

    “I feel like the younger goalkeepers in our country deserve the opportunity to be with the camp. We have a lot of goalkeepers in this country, so the goalkeeping department in the Philippines is in very good hands. So I think it was the right time to do it.”

     

    International retirement, however, does not mean the end of Deyto’s playing career.

     

    The former Thai League 1 goalkeeper remains under contract with Kaya-Iloilo and intends to continue playing at club level for the next few years.

     

    “I still have a contract with Kaya,” said the former Thai League 1 standout. “I’m planning to play for a few more years. I still feel pretty good, but in the national team, you know, it requires something a little bit extra — something a little bit more from you.

     

    For now, Deyto can look back on a national team career defined less by individual milestones and more by the experiences that came with representing the Philippines.

     

    He may not be the one to define his own legacy, but his contribution spanned an important period in the country’s football story.

     

    “I’m not sure what my legacy is. I think that’s for other people to answer. But for me, for the national team, I was giving a hundred-percent whatever role I was asked of,” he said.

     

    “I was always proud to represent the country. I am so grateful to the national team. It changed my life for sure and gave me a lot of opportunities. I enjoyed every single moment. I met so many amazing people, [had] so many good experiences, [and have been to] so many amazing places that I would never have gone to if not for the national team. So I’m just full of gratitude for the national team.

     

    “To everybody who followed me, thank you so much. To all the fans of Philippine football, I hope that we can continue to help each other to help the game progress in our country. I think we should all be united in the Philippines to bring football to the next level. That’s what I feel like all the time.”

     

    From his first cap in Kuala Lumpur to his final appearance in the same city, Deyto leaves international football with the rarest kind of ending — one that brings his journey back to where it started.

     

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  • Alas Girls keep knockout hopes alive with sweep of Tunisia in FIVB U17 Worlds 

    Alas Girls keep knockout hopes alive with sweep of Tunisia in FIVB U17 Worlds 

    Alas Pilipinas Girls are beginning to look more comfortable on the biggest stage.

     

    With Xyz Ellen Rayco rediscovering her attacking rhythm and Resty Jane Olaguir settling into her role as playmaker, the Philippines moved one step closer to the Round of 16 of the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship after sweeping Tunisia, 27-25, 25-19, 25-16, on Saturday at Liceo Particular Mixto San Felipe.

     

    The victory improved Alas Pilipinas to 2-1 in Pool B, putting the Philippines in second place behind unbeaten China and keeping its knockout-stage hopes firmly in its hands.

     

    More importantly, the win showed how quickly the young Filipinas are building chemistry when the pressure rises.

     

    Rayco and Olaguir were among the key players who helped the Philippines earn its place in the world championship after their campaign in the Asian Women’s U16 Championship in Jordan last year.

     

    Against Tunisia, that familiarity once again became an advantage.

     

    With Olaguir providing the sets, Rayco found the confidence and openings to attack more freely, producing 13 points on 12 attacks and a block.

     

    “It feels different when she sets me the ball. It feels like I can really kill it,” Rayco said. “Of course, I’ll work hard to be able to play my best whoever I share the court with.”

     

    Rayco’s impact was especially evident in a tense opening set. The 16-year-old delivered two of the Philippines’ final three points to help Alas survive Tunisia and take the early lead.

     

    The performance also represented a personal bounce-back for Rayco, who admitted she had not been satisfied with her first two matches.

     

    “I’m happy because everyone contributed. I’m also happy with my game because I was able to show how I really play. I’m satisfied even though I made mistakes because I was able to bounce back and show who I am as a player,” Rayco said.

     

    “The past two days, I didn’t feel like I was playing the right way. I felt like I played poorly. My teammates said it was fine, but I wasn’t satisfied, so today I really wanted to bounce back. I’ll keep this going.”

     

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    Olaguir, meanwhile, adjusted on the fly after being unexpectedly called upon to help run the offense alongside Irish Mahinay.

     

    The Ateneo setter eventually found her rhythm and helped Alas Pilipinas establish the attacking flow that allowed Rayco and the rest of the hitters to flourish.

     

    “I’m happy I got in and contributed. I think I’m slowly getting back to the way I really play,” Olaguir said.

     

    “There are still a lot of things I need to work on. I hope this continues and that I don’t let my emotions get the better of me.”

     

    While Rayco and Olaguir provided the spark, Caera Celis once again delivered the most consistent scoring output.

     

    Celis led Alas Pilipinas for the third consecutive match, finishing with 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks.

     

    Sharina Rhyza Lleses added 10 points, all through attacks, as the Philippines continued its impressive campaign against higher-ranked opposition.

     

    Ranked No. 25 in the world, Alas Pilipinas has already knocked off No. 8 Mexico and No. 20 Tunisia in consecutive matches, proving that the young Filipinas are capable of competing well beyond their ranking.

     

    The Philippines now gets a short break before returning to action Monday against world No. 6 Peru.

     

    Alas Pilipinas will then close out pool play Tuesday against No. 12 Venezuela.

     

    With a 2-1 record already in hand, the Filipinas are within touching distance of the knockout stage.

     

    And if their latest performance is any indication, the Philippines is entering the most important part of the tournament with its confidence — and chemistry — growing at exactly the right time.

     

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  • Alex Eala’s breakthrough run ends as Belinda Bencic halts seven-match streak in Toronto 

    Alex Eala’s breakthrough run ends as Belinda Bencic halts seven-match streak in Toronto 

    Alex Eala’s remarkable run in Toronto came to an abrupt end Monday as Belinda Bencic brought the Filipina’s seven-match winning streak to a close with a 6-4, 6-0 victory in the Canadian Open Round of 16.

     

    After weeks of producing some of the biggest wins of her young career, Eala finally ran into a Bencic side that gave her little room to settle.

     

    The 21-year-old Filipina briefly showed signs of the form that carried her through the tournament, breaking the world No. 14 Swiss in the opening game. But the early advantage quickly disappeared as Bencic found her rhythm and began dictating the exchanges.

     

    Eala struggled to regain control after dropping the opening set, with Bencic tightening her defense and applying consistent pressure to prevent the Filipina from finding an opening.

     

    The second set proved particularly difficult for Eala, who was unable to get on the scoreboard as Bencic completed the straight-sets victory.

     

    Despite the disappointing finish, Eala leaves Toronto having extended what has been one of the strongest stretches of her career.

     

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    The Filipina arrived in Canada fresh from winning her maiden WTA title at the Mubadala DC Open, where she defeated world No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the final.

     

    She carried that momentum into the Canadian Open, earning victories over Alycia Parks and Caty McNally before reaching the Round of 16.

     

    Her run also extended her winning streak to seven matches before Bencic finally brought it to an end.

     

    For Eala, the Toronto campaign may have ended earlier than she hoped, but it still added another significant chapter to a breakout 2026 season that has already seen her climb into the world’s top 20 and establish herself as a legitimate threat on the WTA Tour.

     

    Bencic, meanwhile, advances to the quarterfinals after ending the Filipina’s impressive surge.

     

     

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