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Author: Andre Sotelo

  • Niña Ytang is making the most of her Alas Pilipinas opportunity 

    Niña Ytang is making the most of her Alas Pilipinas opportunity 

    For Niña Ytang, the mission has been slightly different.

     

    The former University of the Philippines standout arrived at Alas Pilipinas not focused on individual numbers or instant recognition, but on learning everything she can from the veterans around her.

     

    That mindset has not stopped her from becoming one of the early bright spots for the national team in the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup.

     

    While the spotlight has largely been on the established names guiding the program, Ytang has quietly carved out an important role for herself, providing energy, size, and consistency in the middle as the Philippines navigates a tournament with a relatively new-look roster.

     

    Her introduction to international volleyball could hardly have gone better.

     

    In her first match wearing national colors, Ytang delivered 12 points built on eight attacks and four kill blocks as Alas Pilipinas swept Uzbekistan in straight sets. She followed that performance with another double-digit outing against Australia, producing 13 points highlighted by nine attacks, three service aces, and a block.

     

    The statistics tell only part of the story.

     

    Throughout the opening matches, Ytang offered stability whenever the Philippines needed a spark at the net. Whether through timely blocks, quick attacks, or simply maintaining her composure in extended rallies, the 24-year-old middle blocker showed why the coaching staff trusted her with a spot on the roster.

     

    Yet despite the strong start, Ytang remains focused on growth rather than results.

     

    “I would say marami po akong natutunan, lalo na sa sarili ko,” said the Bantayan, Cebu native.

     

    “Of course, laging andiyan ‘yung mga ates and coaches na laging nag-ga-guide. Sa ngayon, more on lessons lang talaga ‘yung focus ko ngayon.”

     

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    Her commitment to the national team was evident even before the tournament began.

     

    Ytang chose to forgo the 2026 PVL Draft to prioritize her Alas Pilipinas campaign, betting that the experience of competing internationally would be more valuable at this stage of her development.

     

    So far, that decision has paid off.

     

    Beyond her personal performances, Ytang believes the team’s biggest challenge moving forward is not talent but cohesion. With several players still adjusting to one another, she sees communication and composure as the areas that will determine how far the Philippines can go in the competition.

     

    “I think it’s the composure and ‘yung connection sa isa’t isa po,” she said.

     

    “Laging communication, lalo na mahirap po na kakasama lang namin, so communication and composure sa loob ng court.”

     

    As Alas Pilipinas continues its campaign, Ytang’s emergence may be one of the tournament’s most encouraging developments. Not because she has become a leading scorer, but because she has embraced the role of a learner while already contributing like a veteran.

     

    For now, every point, every block, and every lesson appears to be moving her one step closer to becoming a long-term fixture in the national team setup.

     

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  • Alex Eala keeps eyes on bigger goals after historic Birmingham triumph 

    Alex Eala keeps eyes on bigger goals after historic Birmingham triumph 

    For many players, winning a prestigious grass-court title would be a moment to pause and celebrate. For Alex Eala, it was a reminder that the journey is far from over.

     

    Fresh from claiming the biggest grass-court trophy of her young professional career, the 20-year-old Filipina left Birmingham not talking about rankings, records, or the notable names whose footsteps she followed. Instead, she spoke about what still lies ahead.

     

    “Lifting this trophy doesn’t mean I’m among the greats yet, so I’m going to keep working,” Eala said in a post-match interview.

     

    That mindset has become one of the defining traits behind her rapid rise.

     

    On Sunday night in Manila, Eala survived a stern challenge from Czech rising star Nikola Bartunkova, grinding out a 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 victory to capture the Lexus Birmingham Open crown. The triumph delivered her second career WTA 125 title and her first on grass, a surface that had often been viewed as one of the biggest tests for developing players.

     

    The victory also arrived at a significant moment. After navigating a demanding clay-court stretch that ended with an early exit at Roland Garros, Eala quickly adjusted to the unique demands of grass and immediately found success.

     

    What made the title run even more impressive was the quality of competition she overcame throughout the week, culminating in a tense championship match that stretched for more than two and a half hours.

     

    Rather than treating the trophy as a destination, Eala viewed it as another checkpoint.

     

    The Birmingham tournament has crowned some of the sport’s most accomplished champions over the years, including Wimbledon winners Ash Barty and Petra Kvitova. Yet Eala appeared more focused on the lessons gained from the experience than the company she now keeps in the event’s history books.

     

    “This match was incredible, one of those days I hope we can both win. It’s incredibly special,” Eala said of Bartunkova, her former doubles partner.

     

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    The final itself became a showcase of resilience. After dropping the opening set, Eala steadily regained control, forcing a decider before navigating a nerve-racking third set where momentum swung repeatedly between both players.

     

    In those critical moments, she believed the difference came down to conviction.

     

    “It was a really tight moment and I knew that if I didn’t go for it, Nikola would’ve gone for it. It’s one of those days where intention [played a huge role].”

     

    While the title adds another milestone to an already remarkable season, Eala also made sure to acknowledge the support that followed her throughout a rain-soaked week in England.

     

    “Mga kababayan, maraming salamat sa suporta. To everyone who came throughout the week and withstood the weather, maraming salamat,” she said.

     

    For a player whose career has already produced several historic moments, Birmingham offered another glimpse of what could be possible. Yet if Eala’s words are any indication, she is less interested in celebrating how far she has come and more focused on discovering how much farther she can still go.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas opens new chapter at AVC Nations Cup amid coaching changes, fresh faces 

    Alas Pilipinas opens new chapter at AVC Nations Cup amid coaching changes, fresh faces 

    Alas Pilipinas enters the 2026 AVC Women’s Nations Cup carrying far different circumstances from the squad that captured the attention of Asian volleyball over the past two years.

     

    When the Philippines opens its campaign against Uzbekistan on Saturday at the Candon City Arena, it will do so with a revamped roster, a new coaching staff, and a renewed focus on developing the next wave of national team talent.

     

    The tournament, scheduled from June 6 to 14 in Candon City, serves as the Philippines’ first major international assignment since a turbulent offseason that reshaped the women’s program.

     

    At the center of those changes is newly appointed head coach Shaq Delos Santos, who takes over national team duties after a series of developments altered the program’s direction.

     

    Former head coach Jorge Souza de Brito has been involved in an ongoing dispute with the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, while longtime consultant Tai Bundit has been unable to actively lead preparations after being involved in a road accident earlier this year.

     

    The coaching transition comes at a time when many of the players who formed the core of the national team’s resurgence have opted to sit out this tournament.

     

    Absent from the roster are several familiar faces who represented the Philippines in recent AVC competitions and the Southeast Asian Games, including Bella Belen, Angel Canino, Jia De Guzman, Fifi Sharma, and other key members of the squad that helped elevate Alas Pilipinas’ standing in Asia.

     

    Their absence has opened the door for a different-looking national team—one that blends experienced veterans with some of the country’s most promising collegiate stars.

     

    Leading the veterans’ group is Alyssa Valdez, whose return provides leadership and experience to a youthful lineup. Valdez’s inclusion adds familiarity to a roster that features several players still transitioning from the collegiate ranks to the international stage.

     

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    The selection process for this AVC campaign leaned heavily on player availability, ongoing club commitments, health considerations, and long-term national team planning. With several established stars resting or unavailable, the coaching staff turned to emerging talents from the collegiate scene and younger prospects who now have an opportunity to prove they belong on the continental stage.

     

    That makes the Nations Cup as much a developmental tournament as it is a competition for results.

     

    The challenge will be immediate.

     

    The Philippines was drawn into Pool A alongside Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Australia, and Uzbekistan, creating one of the tournament’s more competitive groups.

     

    Opening against Uzbekistan presents an important opportunity for Alas Pilipinas to establish momentum before facing the heavier favorites later in the preliminary round.

     

    For Delos Santos and his squad, however, success may be measured by more than wins and losses.

     

    The Nations Cup offers a glimpse into the program’s future—a chance to evaluate new combinations, accelerate the development of younger players, and maintain the progress that Philippine volleyball has worked hard to achieve over the past several years.

     

    As a new-look Alas Pilipinas takes the floor in Ilocos Sur, the focus shifts from the stars who helped build the program to the players now tasked with carrying it forward.

     

     

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  • Detdet Pepito ready for next chapter with Capital1 after lifelong PVL dream comes true

    Detdet Pepito ready for next chapter with Capital1 after lifelong PVL dream comes true

    Long before Detdet Pepito became one of the most decorated liberos in UAAP history, she was simply a young girl sitting on the sidelines, watching her older sisters play the sport she would eventually make her own.

     

    Years before the bright lights of the Premier Volleyball League and long before she became a household name at the University of Santo Tomas, Pepito’s first connection to volleyball came through family.

     

    Her sisters, Marge and MJ, were already competing at a high level for San Sebastian College in the NCAA during the late 2000s. While they battled on the court, their youngest sibling watched from afar, unknowingly planting the seeds for a journey that would one day bring her to the professional ranks.

     

    That dream officially became reality on draft night.

     

    Selected by Capital1 as one of the top picks in the 2026 PVL Draft, Pepito now finds herself stepping into the very league she once only imagined reaching.

     

    “I’m really grateful because this is a huge opportunity. During my final playing year, making it to the PVL was one of my main goals. That’s why I gave my best every game to prepare for this draft,” said Pepito.

     

    The road to that moment was anything but easy.

     

    Pepito built her reputation through years of consistency, discipline, and relentless defensive work. From her days representing UST in high school to becoming the heart of the Golden Tigresses’ floor defense in college, she established herself as one of the country’s premier liberos.

     

    Her collection of individual awards only reinforced that status, but behind every accolade was a dream that remained unchanged since childhood — earning a place in the country’s top professional league.

     

    For Marge, seeing her younger sister reach that milestone carried special meaning.

     

    “She grew up watching us play and saw our journey in the sport. She got inspired by what we were doing, and from there, volleyball became a big part of her life. I’m very happy that she has made it all the way to the PVL,” Marge said.

     

    Now Pepito joins a Capital1 team that suddenly finds itself among the most intriguing squads in the league.

     

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    The Solar Spikers already feature reigning Rookie of the Year Bella Belen, one of Pepito’s closest friends dating back to their elementary school days. The franchise also strengthened its roster by adding former Cignal stars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, creating a core filled with proven winners and award-winning talents.

     

    For Pepito, joining such a loaded lineup only added to the excitement.

     

    “When I heard there were already three MVPs on the team, I thought, ‘Wow, this team is really strong.’ When my name was called, it definitely added some pressure, but I’m more excited than anything,” Pepito said.

     

    “I know I’ll learn a lot from them, and hopefully we can build chemistry quickly since PVL On Tour is coming up. I’ll just keep giving my best.”

     

    While individual recognition helped define her collegiate career, Pepito enters the professional ranks with a different challenge ahead.

     

    Instead of carrying the expectations of being UST’s defensive anchor, she now joins a team with championship aspirations and a roster full of players expected to compete immediately.

     

    Her role may be different, but the approach remains the same.

     

    Pepito plans to bring the leadership, composure, and defensive stability that made her one of the UAAP’s most reliable players while adapting quickly to the system of head coach Jorge Souza de Brito.

     

    And just like the young girl who once watched her sisters chase their volleyball dreams, she is allowing herself to dream again.

     

    “Mangangarap kami, siyempre, na hopefully, sa amin din mapunta ‘yung championship,” Pepito said.

     

    This time, however, the dream is no longer about simply reaching the PVL.

     

    It’s about helping bring a title to Capital1 and writing the next chapter of a volleyball journey that started years ago on the sidelines.

     

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  • Joan Monares stays the course after PVL Draft snub, trusts UP-built resilience 

    Joan Monares stays the course after PVL Draft snub, trusts UP-built resilience 

    For many aspiring professional volleyball players, draft night serves as the finish line of years of sacrifice.

     

    For Joan Monares, it may simply be another chapter in a journey that has rarely followed the easiest path.

     

    The former University of the Philippines captain left the 2026 PVL Draft without hearing her name called among the 38 hopefuls gathered at Novotel Manila in Cubao. While 11 players officially began their professional careers, Monares found herself in unfamiliar territory — not selected, but far from defeated.

     

    If there was one athlete in the draft pool equipped to handle disappointment, it was the player whose entire collegiate career was built on enduring uncertainty.

     

    Representing UP in the UAAP meant surviving years of rebuilding, adapting to multiple coaching changes, and continuing to believe even when victories were difficult to come by. Those experiences shaped Monares into more than just a volleyball player. They taught her how to stay grounded when things did not go according to plan.

     

    “If yung goal mo is to gain more experience, wala ka talagang talo. For UP, I am just really grateful and thankful that I got to experience everything. UP made me really strong, patient, and very resilient,” Monares told Tiebreaker Times.

     

    “I know there’s still hope for all of us, for all of us na hindi na-draft tonight.”

     

    The statement reflected the perspective of someone who understands that progress is not always measured by immediate rewards.

     

    During her years with the Fighting Maroons, Monares witnessed the program gradually climb from the lower half of the standings into a team capable of threatening for a Final Four spot. After combined seven-win campaigns from Seasons 84 to 86, UP steadily improved, finishing sixth in Seasons 87 and 88 and proving it could compete with the league’s established contenders.

     

    Those experiences taught Monares that setbacks rarely tell the whole story.

     

    “I feel like UP made me really strong to a point, na I can handle everything. Kung ano man mangyari sa akin, kung saan man mapunta, or whatever challenges it may be, I am just really grateful na I get to have this chance, and I am not closing any doors. I am really open to any opportunities — may it be volleyball or outside that,” the pride of Bacolod shared.

     

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    Unlike many draft hopefuls who spent the past months attending team workouts and preparing for the Draft Combine, Monares was balancing a different challenge.

     

    The 24-year-old outside hitter continued rehabilitation for a lingering back injury that limited her throughout most of UAAP Season 88 while simultaneously completing her undergraduate thesis at UP. Graduation remained a priority, and it required sacrifices.

     

    Now that both responsibilities are behind her, Monares believes she can fully dedicate herself to whatever opportunity comes next.

     

    “I think as a free agent, it does not matter if you get drafted tonight or mag-free agent ka. I think hindi ‘yon yung magde-define sa kanila [na] if na-draft ka sa event or not. There is still hope and many chances to get to do kasi pwede ka ring mag-tryout and explore teams,” Monares said.

     

    “For me, lang kasi I was not able to train as much as other teams kasi mas nag-focus ako sa academics ko kasi I am graduating. I am just looking at the brighter side na after this draft, I have more time to try out and play with teams, kasi I am finished with school.”

     

    Rather than dwelling on what did not happen, Monares spent draft night celebrating those who reached the milestone she continues to pursue.

     

    Among them was former UP teammate Irah Jaboneta, who was selected fifth overall by Nxled, as well as her younger sister Ann Monares, who completed her rookie season with Farm Fresh after being drafted last year.

     

    “I am just really proud of them kasi they get to play — that’s their dream, and that’s their passion. I support them no matter what.”

     

    For now, Monares enters free agency carrying no bitterness and very little regret.

     

    The dream of playing in the PVL remains alive. More importantly, she believes the years she spent wearing maroon prepared her for moments exactly like this.

     

    After all, resilience was never something she learned after missing the draft.

     

    It was something she developed long before draft night ever arrived.

     

    “For me naman, I am not really closing all doors, may it be in volleyball or outside that. Just volleyball is a really big part of my life. I am just shooting my shot na makakalaro pa ba ako for PVL,” she said.

     

    “I am just grateful.” 

     

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  • After Justin Brownlee’s heroics, Ginebra braces for TNT’s response in crucial Game 2 

    After Justin Brownlee’s heroics, Ginebra braces for TNT’s response in crucial Game 2 

    Game 1 may have belonged to Justin Brownlee, but both Barangay Ginebra and TNT know the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals is only beginning.

     

    Brownlee’s clutch fadeaway jumper over Chris McCullough with 0.6 seconds remaining lifted the Gin Kings to a dramatic 102-100 victory on Wednesday, handing Ginebra the early edge in the best-of-seven championship series.

     

    Now comes the challenge of maintaining it.

     

    When the two teams meet again in Game 2 on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Ginebra will look to build on its advantage while TNT aims to turn a painful defeat into a valuable lesson.

     

    For all the celebration surrounding Brownlee’s latest game-winning moment, the Gin Kings emerged from the opener fully aware that they were fortunate to escape.

     

    After controlling much of the contest and building an 18-point lead in the third quarter, Ginebra watched TNT methodically chip away behind RR Pogoy, Rey Nambatac, and McCullough before eventually surrendering the lead in the fourth period.

     

    The comeback forced Ginebra to rely on late-game execution and individual brilliance rather than the dominant performance it appeared headed toward earlier in the night.

     

    “I gotta admit, we lost a lot of rhythm, offensively,” Brownlee said after Game 1.

     

    The veteran import pointed to TNT’s ability to exploit the interior and generate second-chance opportunities as major factors behind the shift in momentum.

     

    “They hurt us on the post and I think that opened up some shooters for them,” Brownlee said. “I also think that we could do a better job on the offensive rebounding. I’m not sure how many offensive rebounds we gave up, but I know we gave up some crucial ones.”

     

    The Tropang 5G grabbed 14 offensive rebounds in Game 1, repeatedly extending possessions and giving themselves opportunities to erase the deficit.

     

    That area is expected to be one of Ginebra’s primary focuses heading into Friday’s rematch.

    Another concern for head coach Tim Cone is the play of Nambatac, who helped spark TNT’s fourth-quarter surge with timely perimeter shooting.

     

    “He had a hot-shooting night,” Cone said. “He hadn’t shot well during the Meralco series for them, but he came in and shot well. And he did that last year when he got the best player of the Finals.

     

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    “So we got to figure him out a little bit better, we got to figure out everybody well.”

    While Ginebra searches for answers defensively, TNT enters Game 2 encouraged by the fact that it nearly stole Game 1 despite an uneven start.

     

    The Tropang 5G struggled through stretches of the first half, committed costly turnovers, and found themselves buried under a double-digit deficit before mounting their rally.

     

    Yet even after all that, they were one defensive stop away from taking control of the series.

    For TNT, the challenge now is finding a way to sustain the level it showed during its comeback while avoiding the slow start that put it in trouble in the first place.

     

    McCullough remains a major weapon after posting 25 points and 14 rebounds in his Finals debut for TNT, while Pogoy and Nambatac proved they can provide the firepower needed to pressure Ginebra’s defense.

     

    Meanwhile, the Gin Kings will once again lean on Brownlee, whose 23-point performance was highlighted by another signature clutch shot. They will also need continued production from RJ Abarrientos, whose two crucial four-point plays helped shift momentum back in their favor late in Game 1.

     

    The opener showed how little separates the two teams.

     

    One side carries the confidence of securing the first victory. The other brings the belief that it already discovered the formula to challenge its rival.

     

    With adjustments expected from both benches and momentum hanging in the balance, Game 2 could reveal whether Ginebra can seize full control of the Finals or if TNT can immediately turn the series into a best-of-five battle.

     

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  • Lams Lamina and Julia Coronel give Galeries Tower a good problem at setter 

    Lams Lamina and Julia Coronel give Galeries Tower a good problem at setter 

    For years, Galeries Tower searched for the pieces that could elevate the franchise from hopeful contender to legitimate threat. Now, after selecting Lams Lamina with the first overall pick in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, the Highrisers may have stumbled upon a different kind of challenge — having too many capable hands running the offense.

     

    Most teams enter a season worrying about who will fill the setter position. Galeries Tower enters this one wondering how to divide it.

     

    The arrival of Lamina instantly strengthens what was already one of the team’s most stable positions. The former National University star brings championship experience, elite decision-making, and a winning culture forged during the Lady Bulldogs’ dynastic run in the UAAP.

     

    Yet the rookie is stepping into a team that already has a proven floor general in Julia Coronel.

     

    Since being selected third overall in the 2024 PVL Draft, Coronel has steadily grown into one of the franchise’s most important building blocks. Her ability to orchestrate the offense helped Galeries Tower take meaningful strides in recent seasons, making her emergence one of the club’s biggest success stories.

     

    Rather than viewing Lamina’s arrival as a threat, however, Coronel sees it as another opportunity for the team to evolve.

     

    “We have a very talented set of spikers din naman and obviously right now, we really need more help in terms of, I would say, also playmaking,” Coronel said.

     

    “I’m very excited to see our dynamic moving forward; kung paano kami magtutulungan, knowing the set of skills and talents that we already have in the team. That is something that we will have to see pa moving forward in practice on how the coaches will be able to instill new systems with our new additions to the team.”

     

    The situation becomes even more intriguing considering that Coronel and Lamina already share a history through Alas Pilipinas, where both earned opportunities to quarterback the national team’s offense. Instead of competing across the net, they now find themselves working toward the same objective.

     

    For head coach Aying Esteban, though, the decision to draft Lamina was never about creating a controversy.

     

    It was about creating security.

     

    In a position where injuries, fatigue, or unexpected circumstances can drastically alter a season, Esteban viewed depth as a necessity rather than a luxury. 

     

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    “Sa posisyon namin, hindi kami pwedeng sumugal na dalawa lang ‘yung setters namin. Hindi namin alam kung ano ‘yung pwedeng mangyari minsan. At least, may pang-fill in pa rin kami at makukumpleto ‘yung lineup namin, at sa roster namin ay magiging ok pa rin kami,” he said.

     

    That mindset has suddenly transformed Galeries Tower into one of the deepest teams at the setter position, especially with veteran Maji Mangulabnan also remaining in the mix.

     

    For Lamina, meanwhile, the focus is not on claiming a starting spot immediately but on proving she belongs.

     

    The former Lady Bulldog arrives carrying the expectations that come with being a No. 1 overall pick, yet she remains intent on bringing the same habits that helped make NU a perennial champion.

     

    “Healthy competition po ‘yun sa amin ng mga ates ko. Ako, as a rookie, ipapakita ko lang po talaga ‘yung best ko, kung ano po mga natutunan ko sa NU ay bibit ko talaga sa team at maishe-share ko rin po sa mga ates ko,” she said.

     

    “Rookie pa lang po ako dito sa PVL, pero same naman po na I will work professionally, with my 100-percent effort, discipline, and work ethic ko po.”

     

    Whether Lamina ultimately wins the starting role is a question that may take weeks or even months to answer.

     

    What is already clear, however, is that Galeries Tower’s biggest gain from draft night may not have been landing the top overall pick itself.

     

    It may have been creating a setter room strong enough to shape the franchise’s future for years to come. 

     

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  • Alex Eala survives scare, moves into Birmingham last eight 

    Alex Eala survives scare, moves into Birmingham last eight 

    The transition from clay to grass often demands quick adjustments, and for Alex Eala, the challenge arrived sooner than expected.

     

    Just days removed from the European clay-court swing, the Filipina star found herself in unfamiliar territory at the WTA 125 Lexus Birmingham Open, searching not only for victories but also for rhythm on a surface that rewards split-second decisions and punishes hesitation.

     

    For a set and a half, Eala looked every bit the top seed.

     

    Then came the first real test of her grass-court campaign.

     

    Facing Russian youngster Alina Charaeva on Thursday night, Eala appeared headed for a routine victory before suddenly finding herself staring at a possible third set. Instead of unraveling, however, the world No. 37 delivered her strongest stretch of tennis when it mattered most, escaping with a 6-2, 7-5 victory to secure a place in the quarterfinals.

     

    The win was less about dominance and more about adaptability.

     

    Eala raced out of the gates, using her aggressive baseline game to build a commanding 4-0 lead in the opening set. Charaeva struggled to keep pace as the Filipina dictated rallies and comfortably moved ahead.

     

    But grass courts rarely allow momentum to remain one-sided for long.

     

    After falling behind early in the second set, Charaeva began finding openings, taking advantage of shorter points and forcing Eala into uncomfortable positions. The Russian eventually surged to a 5-2 lead, placing the tournament favorite on the brink of a deciding set.

     

    What followed may have been Eala’s most important sequence of the week so far.

     

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    With three set points looming against her, she steadied her game, protected her serve, and gradually shifted the pressure back onto her opponent. Instead of allowing the match to drift away, Eala reeled off five consecutive games, turning a potential collapse into a statement comeback.

     

    The victory extended her unbeaten record against Charaeva after their previous meeting at the Philippine Women’s Open and kept alive her pursuit of a deep run in Birmingham.

     

    More importantly, it offered an encouraging glimpse into how quickly she is adapting to grass ahead of a busy summer stretch.

     

    The tournament is Eala’s first appearance on the surface this season following a challenging clay campaign that ended with a first-round exit at the French Open. While the results in Paris fell short of expectations, Birmingham has already provided an opportunity to reset and build confidence heading into the heart of the grass-court season.

     

    Waiting in the quarterfinals is another familiar challenge from Southeast Asia.

     

    Eala will next face Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, with a semifinal berth at stake.

     

    For now, though, the bigger takeaway is how Eala responded when the match threatened to slip away. Grass-court tennis often comes down to handling momentum swings, and in her first tournament on the surface this year, the Filipina proved she could do exactly that.

     

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  • From Childhood Teammates to PVL Teammates: Detdet Pepito and Bella Belen reunite at Capital1 

    From Childhood Teammates to PVL Teammates: Detdet Pepito and Bella Belen reunite at Capital1 

    For most of their volleyball lives, Detdet Pepito and Bella Belen were known as rivals representing two of the most successful programs in the UAAP.

     

    One became the defensive backbone of the University of Santo Tomas. The other grew into the face of National University’s dynasty.

     

    Year after year, they battled on opposite sides of one of collegiate volleyball’s fiercest rivalries. Yet long before the championships, MVP awards, and packed arenas, they were simply two young athletes sharing the same court and chasing the same dream.

     

    On Wednesday night at the 2026 PVL Draft, that journey came full circle.

     

    Capital1 selected Pepito with the second overall pick, reuniting the decorated UST libero with Belen and transforming a childhood partnership into one of the most intriguing storylines of the upcoming PVL season.

     

    “Ngayong nandito ako sa PVL, siya yung ka-teammate ko and si Pia Abbu. Sobrang happy lang and excited ako na mas may matutunan din sa kanila,” Pepito told reporters.

     

    Their reunion is rooted in a history that predates their collegiate stardom.

     

    Before becoming household names in Philippine volleyball, both players learned the game at Lucas R. Pascual Elementary School in Quezon City under coach Henry Fernandez. Back then, their roles were vastly different. Belen played as a setter while Pepito was deployed as a spiker, years before each discovered the positions that would eventually define their careers.

     

    As their paths diverged, both built remarkable legacies.

     

    Pepito spent 11 years with the Golden Tigresses program and emerged as one of the most decorated liberos in UAAP history. Although a championship remained elusive, she collected six Best Libero awards and established herself as one of the most reliable defensive specialists the collegiate game has ever produced.

     

    Belen’s journey unfolded on an even grander scale. She became the centerpiece of National University’s era of dominance, capturing eight championships and five MVP awards while cementing her place among the greatest players ever to wear a Lady Bulldogs uniform.

     

    For years, their friendship existed alongside competition.

     

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    Now, for the first time since their childhood days, they will be working toward the same objective.

    “Habang papunta nga ako sa red carpet, tinitingnan ko siya. Nagto-throwback lang yung teammates kami since elementary,” Pepito shared.

     

    “Actually, mixed emotions, pero sobrang grateful and thankful lang talaga ako kay Lord na pinapangarap ko lang makapasok dito sa PVL and now, number two pick. Pressured, pero thankful pa rin talaga kay Lord, and I will try my best to help Capital1.”

     

    The timing of Pepito’s arrival could not be more significant for Capital1.

     

    The Solar Spikers have aggressively reshaped their roster during the offseason, adding proven talent in former Cignal stars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos while also selecting University of the East standout Khy Cepada later in the draft.

     

    With Belen already serving as the franchise cornerstone, Pepito gives the team another elite talent capable of contributing immediately.

     

    Still, the former UST libero knows that familiarity with Belen alone will not guarantee success.

    Capital1 enters the season with growing expectations, and developing chemistry with an increasingly talented roster remains the immediate priority.

     

    “I think slowly muna na siyempre, yung chemistry ng bago kong team and yung system na meron sila, kailangan ma-adapt ko muna. Mangangarap kami siyempre, hopefully sa amin din mapunta yung championship.“

     

    For Pepito and Belen, the story is no longer about school colors, rivalries, or individual achievements.

     

    After years of traveling separate roads through Philippine volleyball, the two childhood teammates have finally found themselves on the same side once again—this time with hopes of helping Capital1 build something special in the professional ranks.

     

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  • Calvin Oftana looks beyond final play as TNT searches for answers after Game 1 loss to Ginebra 

    Calvin Oftana looks beyond final play as TNT searches for answers after Game 1 loss to Ginebra 

    In the aftermath of TNT’s heartbreaking Game 1 defeat to Barangay Ginebra, much of the attention centered on the final 0.6 seconds.

     

    The Tropang 5G had one last opportunity to erase a two-point deficit after Justin Brownlee’s game-winning jumper. A well-designed inbounds play gave Calvin Oftana a chance to receive an alley-oop pass from Jordan Heading, but the attempt never materialized as Brownlee disrupted the play and preserved Ginebra’s 102-100 victory.

     

    For many, that final sequence became the defining moment of the opener.

     

    For Oftana, however, the loss was decided much earlier.

     

    While the veteran forward admitted he felt contact on the last play, he refused to pin the result on a whistle that never came.

     

    “Alam ko may foul talaga eh, pero point-six seconds na lang yung time, talagang glimpse of an eye na lang yung nangyari. Talagang dinraw ni coach yung play na yun,” Oftana said.

     

    “Ganun talaga, pero mahaba pa naman yung series, so move forward na lang and adjust sa Game Two,” he added.

     

    Instead of dwelling on the controversial finish, Oftana pointed toward the opening stages of the game where TNT spent most of the night trying to recover from its own mistakes.

     

    Ginebra stormed to an 18-point lead and dictated the pace early, forcing the defending champions into catch-up mode. Although TNT eventually erased the deficit and even threatened to steal the victory late, the uphill battle proved costly.

     

    According to Oftana, the damage had already been done long before the final possession.

     

    “Mas maiisip mo yung first half namin. Ang sama din kasi, dami naming turnovers. They’re making their shots. Kami naman, dami namin mali,” Oftana said.

     

    “So mga ganoon bagay yung unang pasok pa lang, first quarter, second quarter, yun yung pinaka-importante.”

     

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    The numbers backed up his assessment.

     

    TNT committed 15 turnovers compared to Ginebra’s 10, repeatedly giving away possessions that allowed the Kings to build confidence and establish control. The Tropang 5G also struggled to find rhythm offensively in the early stages, forcing them to expend significant energy mounting a comeback.

     

    Oftana himself was unable to impose his usual influence on the game. The three-time champion finished with 12 points but attempted only seven shots across 40 minutes while also committing three turnovers.

     

    Despite the disappointment, TNT can draw some encouragement from the way it fought back after trailing by as many as 18 points. The defending champions nearly completed the rally before Brownlee delivered another signature clutch moment for Ginebra.

     

    Now, the focus shifts from what could have been to what comes next.

     

    Rather than replaying the final sequence, Oftana and TNT are concentrating on correcting the issues that placed them in that situation in the first place as they prepare for Game 2 on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    For the Tropang 5G, the lesson from the Finals opener is clear: the last play may be remembered, but the first half may have cost them the game. 

     

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