Sports PH News | JS DEV Site

Author: Andre Sotelo

  • “It’s Everything We Dreamed Of”: Jalen Brunson joins Knicks immortals with Finals MVP performance 

    “It’s Everything We Dreamed Of”: Jalen Brunson joins Knicks immortals with Finals MVP performance 

    For years, New York searched for the face that could bring championship basketball back to Madison Square Garden.

     

    On Saturday night, Jalen Brunson made sure there would be no more searching.

     

    The Knicks star delivered the defining performance of his career, scoring 45 points in the title-clinching Game 5 victory over the San Antonio Spurs and leading New York to its first NBA championship since 1973.

     

    When the celebration finally arrived, it was not just about ending a 53-year wait.

     

    It was about a player who transformed himself from a second-round draft pick into the centerpiece of one of the most memorable championship runs in franchise history.

     

    As confetti rained down and the Larry O’Brien Trophy found its way back to New York, Brunson was named the recipient of the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award after spearheading the Knicks’ triumph over Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.

     

    Standing beside his father, Rick Brunson, on the championship stage, the moment appeared almost too overwhelming to process.

     

    “It’s everything we dreamed of. It’s why I came to New York,” Brunson said.

     

    The scene carried added significance for the Brunson family.

     

    Rick, a former NBA point guard and now an assistant coach with the Knicks, watched his son lead the franchise to the top of the basketball world. Together, they became the first father-son duo to win an NBA championship with the same organization.

     

    Asked what it meant to share the achievement with his father, Brunson briefly searched for words before delivering a message that reflected the identity New York built throughout its championship campaign.

     

    “Whatever you put in front of us, we’re going to find a way,” he added. “Every time. Every time.”

     

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    That belief became the defining theme of the Knicks’ postseason.

     

    Whether battling through close finishes, overcoming deficits, or carrying the weight of championship expectations in basketball’s biggest market, New York consistently found answers.

    More often than not, those answers came from Brunson.

     

    Across the NBA Finals, the 29-year-old averaged 32.6 points, 4.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game, serving as the driving force behind a team that finally delivered the city its long-awaited basketball celebration.

     

    His Game 5 masterpiece was the fitting conclusion to a playoff run that elevated him from All-Star guard to franchise icon.

     

    The championship adds another chapter to a résumé that already included three NBA All-Star selections, three All-NBA honors, and an NBA Cup MVP award. Before that came a decorated college career at Villanova, where he captured two NCAA championships.

     

    But this accomplishment stands above the rest.

     

    Brunson arrived in New York with the challenge of restoring relevance to one of basketball’s most storied franchises.

     

    Four years later, he leaves no doubt about his place in Knicks history.

     

    The drought is over. The banner is coming home.

     

     

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  • SIBOL crushes Mongolia to move closer to Asian Games ESports berth 

    SIBOL crushes Mongolia to move closer to Asian Games ESports berth 

    The finish line is now clearly in sight for SIBOL.

     

    After spending the opening days of the Honor of Kings Asian Games Qualifiers dismantling opponents with ruthless efficiency, the Philippine national team finds itself just one victory away from booking a ticket to the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

     

    SIBOL continued its unbeaten run on Tuesday at the Petaling Jaya Marriott Hotel, sweeping Mongolia, 2-0, in another commanding display that reinforced its status as one of the strongest teams in the regional qualifiers.

     

    The victory followed an equally dominant opening-day sweep of Pakistan, allowing the Filipinos to improve to 2-0 in Group A and remain level with Indonesia atop the standings. Both squads have yet to drop a single game in the tournament.

     

    With qualification now firmly within reach, head coach Gerald Gelacio welcomed the result but stressed that the job remains unfinished.

     

    “This second win is good for us. If we win our next match, we will surely get our spot in the main event of the Asian Games in Nagoya,” said Gelacio.

     

    “Focused pa rin ngayon ang team kasi di pa naman totally tapos ang qualifiers. About sa gameplay naman natin, nalalaro naman natin onstage yung mga pinapractice namin sa scrims.”

     

    The Philippines wasted no time asserting its superiority against Mongolia.

     

    Toplaner Chammy Paul Nazarrea ignited the attack early, accounting for five kills as SIBOL stormed to a 7-0 advantage in the opening five minutes of Game 1.

     

    Jungler Justine Ritchie Valencia Tan followed with a triple strike moments later, helping the Filipinos secure an Ace and tighten their grip on the match.

     

    Although Mongolia briefly responded with two consecutive kills, the resistance proved short-lived.

     

    SIBOL regrouped, launched a decisive push along the top lane midway through the seventh minute, and quickly closed out the opener in under eight minutes.

     

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    If Game 1 showcased the team’s explosive start, Game 2 highlighted its ability to maintain relentless pressure.

     

    Midlaner Dragon Hart Dajao took center stage, producing a double strike just over two minutes into the game to help establish an early economic advantage.

     

    Dajao then delivered one of the defining moments of the match in a fifth-minute clash, exploding for a triple strike that resulted in a dominant 4-for-1 exchange and ballooned the Philippines’ lead to 10,000 gold.

     

    With Mongolia unable to recover, SIBOL completed another clinical finish, wrapping up the game in just six minutes and securing its second straight sweep of the tournament.

     

    The performance further underscored the team’s preparation and chemistry, with the Filipinos consistently translating their practice sessions into dominant on-stage execution.

     

    Now standing one win away from qualification, SIBOL will attempt to complete its mission on June 17 when it faces third-running Uzbekistan.

     

    A victory would not only preserve its unbeaten record but also officially send the Philippines to the Asian Games stage in Nagoya.

     

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  • Berlin presents Alex Eala’s next big test as Wimbledon preparations intensify 

    Berlin presents Alex Eala’s next big test as Wimbledon preparations intensify 

    For Alex Eala, the road to Wimbledon is no longer about proving she belongs on grass.

     

    It is now about finding out just how far she can go.

     

    After collecting her first professional title on the surface and piecing together the best grass-court stretch of her young career, the Filipina star takes another step up in competition when she competes in the WTA 500 Berlin Tennis Open from June 15 to 21.

     

    The tournament offers a different challenge altogether.

     

    Berlin is packed with some of the biggest names in women’s tennis, including world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, and several other top-ranked players. For Eala, it represents another opportunity to measure her rapidly developing game against the sport’s elite just weeks before Wimbledon.

     

    The timing could hardly be better.

     

    Eala arrives in Germany carrying momentum from a breakthrough grass-court campaign that saw her capture the WTA 125 Birmingham Classic crown — her first title on grass and second WTA 125 trophy overall. She followed that run with a Round of 16 appearance at the HSBC Championships in London before her six-match winning streak on the surface was halted by close friend Iva Jovic.

     

    While the defeat ended a promising run, it also highlighted how quickly Eala has adapted to a surface once considered her least familiar.

     

    Now ranked No. 33 in the world, the 21-year-old enters Berlin with growing confidence and a clearer understanding of what her game can achieve on grass.

     

    Her first assignment, however, is far from simple.

     

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    Awaiting her in the opening round is Croatia’s Donna Vekic, a player Eala knows well and one she has already beaten this season.

     

    The two met in Auckland back in January, where Eala recovered from a set down to claim a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory. Since then, Vekic has remained a dangerous presence on tour and arrives in Berlin fresh from a strong showing at the HSBC Championships.

     

    Known affectionately among Filipino tennis fans as Manila’s “adopted tita” following her appearance in the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open, Vekic presents a familiar but formidable obstacle in Eala’s latest test.

     

    The stakes are significant.

     

    A victory would send Eala into the Round of 16 against second seed Elena Rybakina, who received a first-round bye and looms as one of the tournament favorites.

     

    For Eala, though, the bigger picture extends beyond any single match.

     

    Every outing on grass is another chance to sharpen her game, gain experience against top competition, and build momentum heading into Wimbledon, where she is expected to make her second consecutive appearance in the sport’s most prestigious tournament.

     

    Berlin may be another stop on the calendar, but for Eala, it is also the next checkpoint in a season that continues to redefine expectations.

     

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  • After Justin Brownlee’s 54-point explosion, Ginebra stands one win from redemption 

    After Justin Brownlee’s 54-point explosion, Ginebra stands one win from redemption 

    One game can change the story of a championship series. For Barangay Ginebra, Game 5 may have done exactly that.

     

    What looked like a looming defeat suddenly transformed into one of the most memorable victories in franchise history, thanks to Justin Brownlee’s unforgettable 54-point explosion. Now, the Gin Kings head into Sunday’s Game 6 carrying more than just a 3-2 lead — they carry momentum, belief, and a chance to rewrite a painful chapter from a year ago.

     

    Standing in their way is a TNT squad determined to force one final showdown.

     

    The PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals return to the Smart Araneta Coliseum with everything at stake. A Ginebra victory delivers the championship. A TNT win sends the series to a winner-take-all Game 7 on Wednesday.

     

    For Ginebra, the opportunity feels familiar. Perhaps too familiar.

     

    The Kings also held a 3-2 advantage over TNT in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup Finals before watching the title slip away in the final two games. That collapse remains fresh in the minds of players, coaches, and fans alike.

     

    This time, they have no interest in letting history repeat itself.

     

    The biggest reason for that confidence wears No. 32.

     

    Brownlee authored one of the greatest Finals performances the league has ever seen on Independence Day, carrying Ginebra from the brink of defeat to a dramatic 100-95 overtime victory.

     

    The three-time Best Import looked like a man unwilling to lose.

     

    TNT appeared poised to seize control of the series. Chris McCullough dominated with 38 points and 16 rebounds, while Roger Pogoy chipped in 23. The Tropang 5G led by as many as 11 points in the third quarter and still held an 87-80 advantage with less than four minutes remaining.

     

    Then Brownlee took over.

     

    The veteran import ignited a personal scoring blitz that completely changed the game, erasing the deficit and pushing Ginebra ahead late in regulation. Even after TNT forced overtime, Brownlee remained relentless, scoring key baskets that finally buried the defending champions.

     

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    “I just wanted to be aggressive for my team,” said Brownlee, who also hauled down 14 rebounds. “TNT played very tough and very hard, but we just showed never-say-die tonight.”

     

    His 54 points set a new personal scoring record, surpassing the 51 he scored against San Miguel during last season’s Governors’ Cup eliminations.

     

    The performance instantly joined the short list of iconic Finals outings in PBA history.

     

    Yet for TNT, the bigger concern isn’t Brownlee’s scoring.

     

    It’s finding a way to survive another elimination game.

     

    Head coach Chot Reyes once again voiced frustration over the officiating after Game 5, pointing to the disparity in free throw attempts between the two teams.

     

    “Excellent officiating, 29-17, in the free throws, you can’t beat a strong Ginebra team like that,” Reyes said after emerging from the TNT dugout. “Kung gumanda lang ng kaunti ang tawagan, maybe a little more parity in free throws, maybe we could have a chance.”

     

    Reyes has repeatedly raised concerns throughout the series, but the defending champions know they cannot afford to dwell on missed opportunities.

     

    Their season now hangs by a thread.

     

    McCullough remains capable of taking over a game. Pogoy has delivered in big moments throughout the Finals. Calvin Oftana and the rest of TNT’s local core will be expected to provide the support necessary to extend the series.

     

    For Ginebra, meanwhile, the equation is simple.

     

    One more win.

     

    One more victory and the Kings complete their revenge mission, dethrone the defending champions, and erase the memories of last season’s heartbreak.

     

    The question now is whether Brownlee has one more masterpiece left — or if TNT can force a final act.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas closes AVC Women’s Cup with loss to Iran, finishes eighth 

    Alas Pilipinas closes AVC Women’s Cup with loss to Iran, finishes eighth 

    The final score against Iran was only part of the story.

     

    When Alas Pilipinas walked off the floor of the Candon City Arena on Sunday, it marked the end of a tournament that demanded far more than wins and losses from the national team.

     

    A campaign that began with hopes of another podium finish instead concluded with an eighth-place result after Iran handed the Filipinas a 25-21, 25-12, 25-21 defeat in the AVC Women’s Cup classification match.

     

    It was the country’s lowest finish in the tournament in recent years, a stark contrast from the bronze-medal breakthrough in 2024 and the silver-medal run in 2025.

     

    But unlike those squads, this version of Alas Pilipinas entered the competition carrying a completely different reality.

     

    Several key members of the previous core were unavailable, forcing the national team to lean heavily on veterans Alyssa Valdez, Ces Molina, Jovelyn Gonzaga, and Ara Galang while integrating younger players into major international roles.

     

    The challenge became even greater when the team had to navigate uncertainty surrounding the suspension of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) by the FIVB, creating distractions away from the court during the tournament.

     

    Against Iran, those growing pains surfaced once more.

     

    The Filipinas struggled to find offensive rhythm as Iran dictated the tempo behind the dominant play of Elaheh Poorsaleh Shahdehsari, who erupted for 18 points and spearheaded the victory in just 70 minutes.

     

    Iran seized control of the match after a competitive opening set and never allowed Alas to gain momentum, particularly in a lopsided second frame.

     

    The Filipinas showed fight late in the third set.

     

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    Trailing at match point, Gonzaga and Kyle Negrito helped stave off elimination briefly by trimming the deficit to three points at 24-21. But Gonzaga’s ensuing service error sealed the result and officially closed the chapter on Alas Pilipinas’ AVC campaign.

     

    Fatemeh Khalili Chermahini added nine points for Iran, while Zahra Salehi and Yasna Ahankoub Roo chipped in eight each. Ayda Valinezhad contributed seven markers in the balanced Iranian attack.

     

    For the Philippines, Gonzaga led the scoring with six points. Niña Ytang finished with five, while team captain Valdez and Tots Carlos added four and three points, respectively.

     

    Despite the disappointing finish, Valdez chose to focus on what the tournament may ultimately mean for the program’s future.

     

    “The results may not have gone our way, but our biggest hope is that the younger players continue to answer the call and represent the Philippines in the future,” said an emotional Valdez in Filipino.

     

    That message may ultimately define Alas Pilipinas’ 2026 AVC Women’s Cup campaign.

     

    The Filipinas battled through a difficult Pool A schedule, finishing with a 2-3 record that included victories over Kyrgyzstan and Australia, while suffering defeats to eventual finalists South Korea and Chinese Taipei.

     

    There were flashes of promise from emerging players, valuable experience gained against elite Asian competition, and lessons learned from competing under difficult circumstances.

     

    The final standing may show eighth place.

     

    But for a team in transition, the tournament may be remembered more as the beginning of a new chapter than the end of a disappointing one.

     

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  • FIFA World Cup: Scotland tops Group C, Australia stuns TĂŒrkiye as World Cup groups tighten 

    FIFA World Cup: Scotland tops Group C, Australia stuns TĂŒrkiye as World Cup groups tighten 

    The race for the knockout rounds began to take shape as Scotland and Australia emerged as the biggest winners of the latest round of 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage action, while Brazil and Morocco battled to a draw in one of the tournament’s most anticipated early matchups.

     

    Scotland ends 36-year World Cup win drought

     

    Scotland climbed to the top of Group C after edging Haiti, 1-0, for its first FIFA World Cup victory since 1990.

     

    Captain John McGinn proved to be the difference, capitalizing on a rebound in the 28th minute to score the lone goal of the match. The Scots controlled long stretches of play but still needed a disciplined defensive effort to fend off a spirited Haitian side that threatened late through Frantzdy Pierrot.

     

    The victory places Scotland alone atop Group C with three points after Brazil and Morocco split the spoils earlier in the day. Haiti, making its first World Cup appearance since 1974, showed promise despite the defeat and remains mathematically alive heading into its showdown with Brazil.

     

    Brazil held by determined Morocco

     

    Five-time world champions Brazil were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Morocco in a heavyweight Group C clash at MetLife Stadium.

     

    Morocco struck first through Ismael Saibari in the 21st minute after an energetic opening spell that saw the North Africans put Brazil under sustained pressure. VinĂ­cius JĂșnior responded for the Seleção just 11 minutes later, scoring his 10th international goal to rescue a point for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

     

    Morocco arguably looked the sharper team for much of the contest, outshooting Brazil early and continuing to create dangerous opportunities throughout the match. The result leaves both nations with one point and sets up a fascinating battle for qualification over the remaining group fixtures.

     

    Australia delivers statement win over TĂŒrkiye

     

    Australia produced one of the biggest surprises of the tournament so far, defeating TĂŒrkiye, 2-0, in Vancouver to make a strong start in Group D.

     

    The Socceroos spent much of the match without the ball but executed their game plan to perfection. Nestory Irankunda opened the scoring with a brilliant counterattacking goal before Connor Metcalfe sealed the result with a long-range strike in the second half.

     

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    TĂŒrkiye dominated possession and territory, but Australia’s compact defensive structure frustrated the European side throughout the contest. Goalkeeper Patrick Beach and defenders Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess, and Alessandro Circati were instrumental in preserving the clean sheet.

     

    The win gives Australia an early advantage in a competitive Group D and places immediate pressure on TĂŒrkiye heading into its next match.

     

    Qatar salvages late draw

     

    In Group B, Qatar rescued a dramatic 1-1 draw against Switzerland thanks to a stoppage-time equalizer from Boualem Khoukhi. Switzerland had looked set for all three points after Breel Embolo converted an early penalty, but Qatar’s late heroics earned the host nation a valuable point.

     

    Group Standings Snapshot

     

    Group C

    1. Scotland – 3 pts
    2. Brazil – 1 pt
    3. Morocco – 1 pt
    4. Haiti – 0 pts

    Group D
     Australia opens its campaign with three points after defeating TĂŒrkiye, placing itself in a strong position ahead of the next round of fixtures.

     

    With several heavyweight nations still searching for consistency and underdogs already making noise, the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to deliver early drama across multiple groups.

     

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  • Jalen Brunson delivers championship masterpiece as Knicks end 53-year wait

    Jalen Brunson delivers championship masterpiece as Knicks end 53-year wait

    For decades, New York basketball lived on memories.

     

    The banners hanging inside Madison Square Garden belonged to another era. Generations of Knicks fans grew up hearing stories about championships they had never seen, waiting for a team capable of turning nostalgia into reality.

     

    On Saturday night in San Antonio, that wait finally ended.

     

    The New York Knicks are NBA champions once again.

     

    And fittingly, the moment belonged to the player who has become the face of the franchise’s revival.

     

    Jalen Brunson authored the defining performance of his career, pouring in 45 points as the Knicks erased a 16-point deficit and defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to capture their first championship since 1973.

     

    It was not a night built on dominance. It was built on resilience.

     

    The Spurs came out swinging, racing to a 31-15 advantage and appearing ready to force the series back to New York. But throughout this postseason, the Knicks have made a habit of surviving uncomfortable situations, and Saturday proved no different.

     

    Brunson refused to let the game slip away.

     

    As New York struggled to generate offense, the All-Star guard kept the Knicks within striking distance, knocking down his first three attempts from beyond the arc and steadily dragging his team back into the contest.

     

    By the second half, what once looked like a comfortable Spurs lead had become another Knicks fight.

     

    The defining sequence came in the third quarter when Brunson drew a foul on a three-point attempt and calmly converted all three free throws, giving New York an 86-85 lead — its first advantage since the opening stages of the game.

     

    From there, the Knicks leaned on defense, composure, and the confidence built through months of close victories.

     

    When the final buzzer sounded, decades of frustration instantly disappeared.

     

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    Knicks players flooded the court in celebration. Traveling fans inside the arena erupted. Back in New York, celebrations spilled into streets, bars, and watch parties across the city as the franchise finally reclaimed its place atop the basketball world.

     

    Brunson’s performance instantly entered NBA Finals history.

     

    According to Opta Stats, he became just the second player ever to score 45 points on the road in a championship-clinching game. The only other player to accomplish the feat was Michael Jordan during the Chicago Bulls’ title-winning victory over the Utah Jazz.

     

    The magnitude of the moment was evident everywhere.

     

    Karl-Anthony Towns, whose arrival helped transform New York into a legitimate contender, broke down in tears while embracing loved ones. Players shared emotional moments with family members as years of sacrifice culminated in the franchise’s long-awaited breakthrough.

     

    Brunson, meanwhile, celebrated with his father, Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson.

     

    Even after delivering one of the greatest performances in franchise history, words were difficult to find.

     

    “I’ve got no words,” Brunson said after a long pause, with tears in his eyes. “It’s everything I ever dreamed of.”

     

    “I don’t know what I’m feeling. I’m just, like, I’m in awe. I don’t know. Whenever someone counted us out, we find a way to come back and do something about.”

     

    The quote perfectly captured New York’s championship journey.

     

    The Knicks were doubted. They were tested. They repeatedly found themselves staring at adversity.

     

    Yet every time, they found a way forward.

     

    Now, after 53 years of waiting, the city finally has a new championship team to celebrate — and a new basketball hero to remember forever.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas misses AVC semis after Chinese Taipei rout

    Alas Pilipinas misses AVC semis after Chinese Taipei rout

    For a few days in Candon City, Alas Pilipinas kept the possibility alive.

     

    A win over Chinese Taipei, combined with help from other results, was the narrow path to the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup semifinals. But by Thursday afternoon, that door had slammed shut.

     

    Chinese Taipei overwhelmed the host nation from the opening exchanges and never looked back, completing a commanding 25-16, 25-14, 25-10 sweep at the Candon City Arena to end the Philippines’ pool-phase campaign.

     

    The loss dropped Alas Pilipinas to 2-3 in Pool A and sent the team into the classification phase, where it will now play for either fifth or seventh place depending on the remaining results.

    What made the defeat more painful was how little rhythm the Filipinas were able to establish against one of the tournament’s most organized teams.

     

    Chinese Taipei controlled the match with disciplined blocking, cleaner transition play, and sustained pressure from the service line, preventing the home crowd from ever seeing the extended momentum swings that had fueled earlier Philippine victories in the tournament.

     

    Alyssa Solomon, expected to carry much of the scoring burden, was held to six points on five attacks and one block. Veterans Alyssa Valdez and Nina Ytang added only three points each as the Philippine offense struggled to break through the Taiwanese defense.

     

    On the other side, Chinese Taipei showcased the balanced attack that made it one of Pool A’s strongest teams throughout the tournament. Hsu WY and Chang YC led the way with 14 and 13 points, respectively, while the Taiwanese side repeatedly punished loose receptions and overpasses.

     

    The result also highlighted how much this year’s Alas Pilipinas group differs from the squads that produced the country’s recent continental breakthroughs.

     

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    The Philippines entered the tournament without much of the veteran core that powered the program to a historic bronze medal in 2024 and a silver-medal finish in 2025. This edition leaned more heavily on younger players and a reconfigured rotation, and the inconsistency showed during the five-match pool campaign.

     

    Still, the tournament has offered glimpses of promise amid the disappointment.

     

    Young contributors like Ytang and Thea Gagate showed they can compete at the international level, while the team’s earlier wins over Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan provided valuable experience for a roster still trying to build chemistry.

     

    For now, though, the immediate reality is harsher.

     

    Chinese Taipei improved to 4-0 and secured the first semifinal berth from Pool A, while Alas Pilipinas was left to regroup and refocus on finishing the tournament strongly despite missing out on the medal round.

     

    The classification phase may no longer carry championship stakes, but for a national team trying to develop a new identity, the remaining matches still matter.

     

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  • Akari clears roster space as Chargers begin next phase of PVL rebuild 

    Akari clears roster space as Chargers begin next phase of PVL rebuild 

    The Akari Chargers have begun making difficult decisions ahead of the 2026 PVL on Tour, signaling that the next stage of their roster evolution is already underway.

     

    With much of its core expected to return, Akari announced Wednesday that five players will not be part of the team’s plans moving forward, officially parting ways with Dani Ravena, Max Juangco, Bea Bonafe, Joan Doguna, and Steph Bustrillo.

     

    The departures may not involve the team’s biggest stars, but they represent a significant reshaping of the supporting cast that helped the Chargers remain competitive in recent conferences.

     

    “Thank you, Dani, Max, Bea, Joan, and Steph for always representing Akari with pride. We wish you all the best on the next chapter of your journey,” the team said in a social media statement.

     

    The most noticeable impact comes in the back row.

     

    Akari suddenly finds itself thinner at the libero position after losing both Ravena and Juangco, leaving Justine Jazareno and converted wing spiker Judith Abil as the only liberos currently listed on the roster.

     

    The move adds another layer of intrigue to Akari’s offseason strategy, especially after the franchise surprisingly chose not to use its fifth-round selection in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft.

     

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    Rather than adding another prospect, the Chargers appeared content with the foundation already in place—a foundation they still believe can contend despite the latest exits.

     

    That confidence stems from a core that remains largely untouched.

     

    Ivy Lacsina continues to headline Akari’s offense, backed by proven scorers Grethcel Soltones and Eli Soyud. Mars Alba remains the steady hand directing the attack, while national team standouts Fifi Sharma and Ced Domingo continue to anchor one of the league’s more imposing frontlines.

     

    In many ways, the latest roster moves feel less like a rebuild and more like a recalibration.

     

    The Chargers are not tearing down their roster. Instead, they appear focused on creating flexibility while preserving the nucleus that has kept them in the playoff conversation over the past few seasons.

     

    With the PVL on Tour fast approaching, the departures create opportunities for new faces to emerge, but they also place greater responsibility on Akari’s established stars to carry the franchise forward.

     

    The names on the roster may be changing, but the Chargers’ ambitions remain the same.

     

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  • Former Gilas member Janine Pontejos finds fulfillment watching Women’s 3×3 reach new heights 

    Former Gilas member Janine Pontejos finds fulfillment watching Women’s 3×3 reach new heights 

    For Janine Pontejos, the significance of Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 3×3 historic breakthrough was measured not by the points scored or the result itself, but by how far the program has come from the one she helped build years ago.

     

    Watching from afar, Pontejos found herself celebrating as passionately as any player on the roster when Gilas Women’s 3×3 defeated Italy at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw, Poland earlier this month.

     

    The victory was more than just another win. It was the first World Cup triumph in the history of the Philippine women’s 3×3 program — a milestone that carried special meaning for someone who was there when the journey began.

     

    Pontejos was part of the squad that made the country’s first appearance in the global tournament back in 2018. Seven years later, she witnessed a new generation accomplish something no Philippine women’s 3×3 team had ever achieved.

     

    “Sobrang proud ako kasi first time in the history ng 3×3 sa World Cup na nakapanalo [tayo] ng isang beses. Malaking bagay yun dahil nakikita natin na nag-improve na yung Philippines, lalo na yung women’s 3×3,” Pontejos told One Sports during Jordan Brand’s Dayo23 Streetball Invitational in Tondo, Manila.

     

    The achievement served as proof that the groundwork laid by previous national teams is beginning to bear fruit.

     

    This year’s squad featured a blend of experience and youth, with longtime 3×3 standout Afril Bernardino joining rising stars Kacey Dela Rosa, Camille Clarin, and Mikka Cacho in carrying the Philippine flag on the world stage.

     

    For Pontejos, seeing younger players take center stage is exactly how the program should continue evolving.

     

    The 33-year-old has remained active with the national team in the traditional five-on-five format, but she acknowledged that her chapter in 3×3 basketball is likely coming to a close.

     

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    After helping the Philippines win bronze in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games and competing in the 2023 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, Pontejos believes the future now belongs to the next wave of talent.

     

    “Sa 3×3 siguro, siguro wala na kasi siguro tumatanda na rin ako,” she said.

     

    “And ayan, ano na rin yan, sa kanila na rin yun kasi mga bata pa rin naman sila. So ako, siguro, focus muna ako sa 5 on 5. Hopefully, ma-lineup ulit and makapag-continue for the Philippines.”

     

    Rather than view that transition with sadness, Pontejos embraces it as another sign of progress.

     

    The fact that the program can now rely on a growing pool of young players is evidence of a system that continues to develop, improve, and sustain itself.

     

    While she may have stepped away from the half-court game, Pontejos remains a key figure in Gilas Women’s basketball. Earlier this year, she represented the Philippines in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament, averaging 10.8 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists across five games.

     

    And although she was not on the court when history was made in Warsaw, Pontejos perhaps understood the significance of the moment better than most. 

     

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