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Author: Andre Sotelo

  • Alas Women turn first-leg frustration into historic SEA V Cup silver 

    Alas Women turn first-leg frustration into historic SEA V Cup silver 

    A week after watching their medal streak disappear, Alas Pilipinas Women found the response they were looking for.

     

    The Philippines closed the second leg of the 2026 SEA V Cup on a high note Sunday, surviving Indonesia in a marathon fourth set to win, 25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 33-31, and claim the country’s first silver medal in the regional tournament at Chiang Mai Stadium in Thailand.

     

    It was a dramatically different finish from the Philippines’ opening-leg campaign, where Alas went winless and suffered a four-set loss to Indonesia that ended their four-year run of bronze medals.

    This time, the Filipinas refused to let another opportunity slip away.

     

    Indonesia appeared ready to force a deciding fifth set after taking a 24-22 lead in the fourth, but Alas repeatedly found answers whenever the pressure reached its peak.

     

    Bella Belen delivered a crucial attack to keep the Philippines alive before Fifi Sharma’s block on Ersandrina Devega forced the set into deuce.

     

    The teams continued trading blows deep into the set, with Indonesia repeatedly reaching set point. But Alyssa Solomon, Eya Laure, Belen and Sharma kept responding, turning what could have been another painful collapse into one of the biggest wins of the tournament.

     

    With the score tied at 31-all, Solomon unloaded a powerful cross-court attack to keep Alas alive.

     

    Sharma then came up with another vital block against Devega before the Indonesian hitter sent her next attempt out of bounds, finally ending the marathon and securing the historic silver for the Philippines.

     

    The result also gave Alas a measure of revenge against the same Indonesia side that defeated them in the first leg, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-16, on August 2.

     

    For first-time Alas head coach Taka Minowa, the turnaround was a sign of what his young program can become.

     

    “We were just saying that nothing to expect. So I just told everybody to focus on ourselves and not focus on the opponent’s side because what we can control is only on our side. And so, they did it,” said Alas Women head coach Taka Minowa, who guided the team in his first tournament at the helm.

     

    The Japanese coach also emphasized that the silver medal is only an early step for a team that has had limited time to work together.

     

     

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    “We just trained for 15 days and came to Vietnam and Thailand [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 added.

     

    Solomon led the way when Alas needed its biggest performance, finishing with a game-high 19 points, all coming from attacks.

     

    Belen and Laure each added 17 points, with Belen also collecting 15 excellent digs while Laure contributed 14 attacks, three blocks and eight excellent digs.

     

    Dell Palomata added nine points, while Justine Jazareno and Dawn Catindig provided the defensive stability with 15 and 14 excellent digs, respectively.

     

    The Philippines’ response was evident from the opening set.

     

    After Indonesia took an early 11-10 lead, Alas suddenly found another gear, ripping off 12 consecutive points to seize a 22-11 advantage. Indonesia’s errors then helped the Filipinas close out the frame and establish early control.

     

    Indonesia responded in the second set, leveling the match, but Alas regained its footing in the third.

     

    A 9-all deadlock quickly turned into a 15-10 Philippine advantage, with Palomata making her presence felt at the net. The Filipinas maintained enough separation to move within one set of the silver medal.

     

    Then came the fourth-set thriller.

     

    Indonesia reached set point five times in the closing stages, but Alas kept refusing to fold. Each save brought the Philippines closer to a result that would have seemed unlikely after the first leg.

    Purnama finished with 19 points and nine excellent digs for Indonesia, while Yoku recorded 18 points and 17 excellent digs.

     

    For Alas, however, the night belonged to resilience.

     

    The Philippines did not simply beat Indonesia. It erased the memory of the first leg and showed the composure needed to survive when a historic medal was within reach.

     

    After settling for bronze in the previous four editions, Alas Women finally broke through for silver.

    And with Minowa’s program still in its early stages, the historic finish could be less of a destination and more of a starting point.

     

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  • Alex Eala faces Caty McNally in Toronto third-round clash

    Alex Eala faces Caty McNally in Toronto third-round clash

    Alex Eala looks to keep her impressive run going when she takes on American Caty McNally in the third round of the National Bank Open on Saturday at the Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, Canada.

     

    The match is scheduled for 8:10 a.m. (Manila time), with Eala entering the contest full of confidence after winning her first WTA title at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington last week.

     

    The 21-year-old Filipina has carried that momentum into Toronto, opening her campaign with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Alycia Parks in the second round. The win also gave Eala a measure of revenge after Parks defeated her at the Australian Open earlier this year.

     

    McNally, meanwhile, booked her place in the third round after upsetting Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, 7-6(5), 6-1. The American rallied from a first-set deficit before taking control in the second set.

     

    Saturday’s match will be the first career meeting between Eala and McNally, adding an interesting element to the matchup.

     

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    Eala enters as the higher-ranked player and has enjoyed a remarkable stretch of tennis. Her run in Washington included wins over Zheng Qinwen, Leylah Fernandez, Elina Svitolina, Naomi Osaka and world No. 3 Jessica Pegula before she lifted the championship trophy.

     

    She is now ranked No. 20 in the world and will look to continue building on the biggest breakthrough of her career.

     

    McNally presents a different challenge. The American is known for her versatility, athleticism and willingness to move forward, making her capable of disrupting Eala’s rhythm and extending rallies.

    The match could come down to which player is able to dictate the pace early and handle the pressure in the key moments.

     

    Match details

     

    Alex Eala vs. Caty McNally
    Round: Third round, National Bank Open
    Date: Saturday, August 8
    Time: 8:10 a.m. (Manila time)
    Venue: Sobeys Stadium, Toronto, Canada

     

    Match odds  

     Alex Eala – 2.02 

     Caty McNally – 1.80

     

    For Eala, another victory would send her into the fourth round and further extend what has already been a breakthrough stretch of her 2026 season.

     

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  • San Miguel seeks to build momentum as TNT, Titan fight for survival

    San Miguel seeks to build momentum as TNT, Titan fight for survival

    The pressure is beginning to look different for the teams heading to Ynares Center-Montalban as the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup enters a crucial stretch of the eliminations.

     

    San Miguel Beer is chasing stability near the top of Group A, while TNT Tropang 5G and Titan Ultra Giant Risers are fighting to keep their respective playoff hopes from slipping further away.

     

    San Miguel takes on the Macau Giant Pandas at 7:30 p.m. Friday, looking to strengthen its hold on second place and complete a sweep of the guest team.

     

    Later on Saturday, Titan Ultra and TNT meet in another high-stakes matchup, with both teams needing a victory to improve their position in the crowded Group A race.

     

    San Miguel eyes another step forward

     

    San Miguel enters its matchup with Macau carrying the confidence of a convincing bounce-back win.

     

    The Beermen dismantled Converge, 126-114, on Wednesday to improve to 5-2, responding immediately after an overtime defeat to TNT in their previous game.

     

    The victory also marked the return of coach Leo Austria to the bench after recovering from an angioplasty.

     

    San Miguel looked every bit like a team eager to regain its rhythm, putting together a dominant second half against Converge behind another monster performance from import George King.

     

    King erupted for 46 points and 14 rebounds, while Don Trollano added 27. June Mar Fajardo, meanwhile, showed that his impact goes well beyond scoring by finishing with five points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists.

     

    The Beermen will now try to carry that balance into their rematch with Macau.

     

    They already defeated the Giant Pandas, 132-126, in their first meeting on July 18, but Macau has shown enough offensive firepower to make the rematch dangerous.

     

    The Pandas are coming off a 128-132 loss to Titan Ultra and sit at 2-5, tied at the bottom of Group A.

     

    Before that defeat, Macau had managed to string together consecutive wins over Titan Ultra and Terrafirma, briefly giving itself a chance to climb the standings.

     

    A victory over San Miguel would provide an enormous boost.

     

    For the Beermen, however, the objective is more straightforward: avoid another slip and move to 6-2.

     

    With unbeaten NLEX sitting at 6-0, San Miguel cannot afford to waste another opportunity to keep pace near the top.

     

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    TNT faces another test without key players

     

    The pressure is arguably greater for TNT.

     

    The Tropang 5G are coming off another narrow loss, falling to unbeaten NLEX, 83-88, despite mounting a furious comeback from a 17-point deficit.

     

    TNT continues to operate without several key players, including Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Jordan Heading and Jayson Castro.

     

    Despite the depleted lineup, the Tropang 5G remain firmly in the playoff conversation at 3-3.

     

    Their next opponent, however, has plenty of reason to believe it can cause another upset.

     

    Titan Ultra already defeated TNT, 103-87, when the teams first met on July 22.

     

    The Giant Risers are also entering the contest with plenty of offensive confidence after producing franchise records in their 132-128 victory over Macau.

     

    Titan scored a franchise-best 47 points in the third quarter, 80 in the first half and 132 overall. Its bench also came through with 57 points, giving Tirrell Brown and Joshua Munzon the support they needed.

     

    But coach Rensy Bajar knows offense alone will not be enough against TNT.

    “Kailangan lang talaga namin is defense,” he said.

     

    “Constant defense, ‘yung transition defense, rebounding. Iyun lang talaga… du’n lang talaga lagi kaming natatalo.”

     

    That message could determine whether Titan can turn its offensive explosion into a genuine winning streak.

     

    The Giant Risers are 2-5 and need a victory to climb out of the Group A cellar. TNT, meanwhile, needs to reach 4-3 to strengthen its bid for one of the four playoff spots.

     

    The Tropang 5G still have enough firepower to cause problems, led by replacement import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, Rey Nambatac, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Glenn Khobuntin.

     

    But injuries have forced TNT to repeatedly find new ways to win.

     

    That makes Saturday’s matchup less about which team has the better roster on paper and more about which side can execute under pressure.

     

    For San Miguel, Friday is an opportunity to turn a bounce-back victory into sustained momentum.

    For Macau, it is a chance to shake off another defeat against one of the conference’s strongest teams.

     

    And for TNT and Titan Ultra, Saturday could be a defining night in their respective pushes to stay alive in the Group A playoff race.

     

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  • Shaina Nitura eager to play if Alas Pilipinas calls again for Asian Games duty 

    Shaina Nitura eager to play if Alas Pilipinas calls again for Asian Games duty 

    For most athletes, an injury means waiting. For Shaina Nitura, it has only strengthened her desire to wear the Philippine colors once again.

     

    The reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player has been watching from the sidelines as Alas Pilipinas competes in the ongoing 6th SEA V.League, with a left foot injury preventing her from joining the national team’s campaign in both legs of the regional tournament.

     

    While the setback forced one of the country’s brightest young stars to temporarily pause her international journey, Nitura has already set her sights on the next opportunity that could come much sooner than expected.

     

    With the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya fast approaching, the Adamson standout remains hopeful that another call-up could be waiting once she is fully healthy.

     

    “Masaya siya and looking forward kung sakaling mapasama ako sa lineup. Great opportunity siya sa akin and andaming pwede kong makuha na experience and learning kasi one of the biggest stages na ‘yun na pwede mong ma-achieve as a player,” Nitura said.

     

    “Kung mabigyan ako ng opportunity to play there, ite-take advantage ko lahat ng opportunity na kaya kong kunin and learnings na pwede kong kunin para madala ko ulit for my team and myself.”

    Representing Alas Pilipinas has already become one of the defining experiences of Nitura’s young career—not only because of the competition, but because it placed her alongside players she once admired from afar.

     

    Long before becoming one of Philippine volleyball’s biggest stars herself, Nitura grew up watching many of the national team’s veterans. Sharing the same court with them became something she never imagined would happen so early in her career.

     

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    “It feels very special kasi ‘yung mga nakasama ko du’n, mga beterano na eh. Since bata ako, na hindi pa ako nag-start mag-volleyball, nakikita ko na sila maglaro. So who would have thought na, sa college career ko, makakasama ko silang mag-training, makakasama sa loob ng court to compete against other countries or other players,” she said.

     

    “Ano siya sa akin, overwhelming and very special. Lagi ko siyang tine-treasure kasi I never expected na gano’n din sila ka-humble.”

     

    Beyond sharing the jersey with some of the country’s most accomplished players, Nitura said the biggest reward has been learning directly from teammates who have already experienced the highs and lows of international volleyball.

     

    Rather than treating her as one of the younger members of the squad, the veterans welcomed her with guidance and constant encouragement, lessons she continues to carry even while recovering from injury.

     

    “Ang dami ko kasi talagang natutunan sa kanila. Through ups and downs, talagang gano’n pa rin sila, at ginagabayan nila ako. Alam na nila ‘yung sasabihin sa akin kasi na-experience nila. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung nagpapa-special para sa akin,” she said.

     

    For now, Nitura’s priority remains returning to full fitness, but her ambitions have not changed.

    If the opportunity comes to represent the Philippines in Japan, the UAAP MVP is ready to trade rehabilitation for competition once again and continue building her journey with Alas Pilipinas on one of the biggest stages in Asian sports.

     

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  • PVL postpones Santiago stop as Tropical Depression Maymay forces cancellation of On Tour matches

    PVL postpones Santiago stop as Tropical Depression Maymay forces cancellation of On Tour matches

    The Premier Volleyball League’s return to Santiago City will have to wait a little longer after Tropical Depression Maymay (Kujira) forced the cancellation of the league’s On Tour stop scheduled for Saturday at the Santiago Sports Arena.

     

    Instead of welcoming fans for another provincial showcase, the league prioritized safety as worsening weather conditions and travel disruptions made it impossible to proceed with the event.

     

    The cancelled doubleheader was supposed to feature ZUS Coffee against PLDT Home Fiber before Capital1 faced Creamline in the featured match.

     

    Aside from concerns over public safety, the league also had to contend with logistical challenges after flights bound for Isabela were suspended beginning Thursday because of the tropical depression.

     

    PVL President Ricky Palou acknowledged the disappointment among volleyball fans in Santiago City and nearby areas but stressed that protecting everyone involved remained the league’s foremost responsibility.

     

    “We sincerely apologize to our fans in Santiago City and the rest of Isabela who were looking forward to the matches,” said Palou.

     

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    “While we share everyone’s disappointment, the safety of our fans, players, coaches, officials, and staff must always come first. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and support during this time.”

     

    Although the cancellation halted this weekend’s schedule, Palou assured local supporters that the PVL remains committed to bringing the country’s premier professional volleyball league back to the province.

     

    “We made a promise to bring the PVL to Santiago City, and we intend to keep that promise.

     

    Although we were forced to cancel this weekend’s games because of circumstances beyond our control, we look forward to returning to Santiago during the upcoming PVL All-Filipino Conference,” he said.

     

    The league also confirmed that spectators who purchased tickets for the cancelled matches will receive refunds, with the complete refund guidelines to be released through Ticketmax’s official channels.

     

     

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  • Juan GDL calls for Converge to embrace roles as FiberXers search for answers after fourth straight loss

    Juan GDL calls for Converge to embrace roles as FiberXers search for answers after fourth straight loss

    Converge entered the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup looking like one of the conference’s hottest teams. Less than a month later, the FiberXers are searching for answers after watching a promising start unravel into a four-game losing streak.

     

    Wednesday’s 126-114 defeat to San Miguel Beer dropped Converge to 3-4 in Group A, extending a slide that ironically began against the same Beermen on July 22. Since then, the FiberXers have failed to regain the momentum that fueled their 3-0 opening run.

     

    Despite the result, Juan Gomez de Liano believed the game was still within reach before San Miguel pulled away late.

     

    “I think we just kinda fold towards the end,” he told reporters after the defeat. “In the first three quarters, nandoon naman kami. We struggled a bit, having a good start in the second half. I think those are the main problems as a team.”

     

    San Miguel’s decisive 37-point third quarter ultimately proved too much for Converge to overcome, turning a one-point halftime deficit into a comfortable advantage that the FiberXers never seriously threatened.

     

    The recent skid has also exposed another troubling trend. Converge has yet to defeat a team with a .500 record or better in Group A, with its last victory coming against Macau on July 17.

     

    Rather than pointing to chemistry issues, Gomez de Liano believes the bigger challenge lies in players fully embracing the responsibilities assigned to them.

     

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    “I think for us, we just have to know our roles and accept it and work towards our roles,” he said. “We have a lot of great players that can do a lot and do damage. But then, that’s the thing, if you have a stacked lineup, you have to figure out what your role is, what’s your purpose in the team and just work towards that.”

     

    “Chemistry-wise, I don’t think we lack chemistry. Like I said, we just fell short in the end.”

     

    The former UP standout has already started making that adjustment himself. Against San Miguel, Gomez de Liano nearly produced a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists while taking on more ball-handling responsibilities.

     

    “For sure, if no one is going to adjust, I’ll be the one. That’s the way I play. I know to do whatever the team needs, and I think that’s my role here: to be that point guard we kinda lack, facilitate, make the right plays, and get my teammates going,” he said.

     

    “That’s just me being the leader of this team. I’m willing to sacrifice. That was the same situation when I was in college,” he added, recalling his stint with a talent-loaded University of the Philippines squad.

     

    With the elimination round entering its crucial stretch, Gomez de Liano remains optimistic that Converge can still reverse its fortunes before the playoff race tightens further.

     

    “We’ve been struggling. We lost four straight games. I think we just need to regroup, head back to the drawing board, take a day off tomorrow, and find ways to get into our rhythm back and win games,” he said.

     

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  • UP’s Final Four dream ends as Tsinghua escapes late in Asian University Basketball League 

    UP’s Final Four dream ends as Tsinghua escapes late in Asian University Basketball League 

    The University of the Philippines proved it could trade blows with one of Asia’s top collegiate basketball programs, but one late surge was all unbeaten Tsinghua University needed to end the Fighting Maroons’ championship aspirations.

     

    UP bowed out of title contention in the 2026 Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) after absorbing a hard-fought 85-81 defeat to China’s Tsinghua University in the quarterfinals on Thursday at the Binjiang Gymnasium.

     

    Rather than being overwhelmed by the tournament favorites, the Fighting Maroons matched Tsinghua possession for possession in a contest that featured multiple momentum swings and several lead changes.

     

    The game remained deadlocked at 74-all in the closing minutes before Tsinghua finally found the separation it had been searching for. He Wenwei and Shi Kui delivered consecutive three-pointers that suddenly gave the Chinese side breathing room and shifted the pressure onto UP.

     

    The Fighting Maroons refused to fold.

     

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    UP continued to attack until the final seconds, with Gani Stevens converting a putback basket to cut the deficit to just two points and keep hopes alive. But Shi calmly buried two pressure-packed free throws to seal Tsinghua’s victory and preserve its unbeaten run.

     

    Shi finished with a game-high 26 points and six assists, leading the Chinese powerhouse into the semifinals.

     

    Rey Remogat spearheaded the Fighting Maroons with 19 points, while Veejay Pre produced an impressive double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds in the losing effort.

     

    The victory sends Tsinghua to the Final Four, where it will face fellow Chinese squad Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The other semifinal will feature Taiwan’s National Chengchi University against Japan’s Waseda University.

     

    Although its championship bid has ended, UP’s campaign is not yet over. The Fighting Maroons will continue competing in the tournament’s classification round as they seek the highest possible final placing.

     

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  • NLEX eyes 7-0 sweep, Magnolia and Meralco battle to keep playoff hopes alive 

    NLEX eyes 7-0 sweep, Magnolia and Meralco battle to keep playoff hopes alive 

    NLEX has spent the opening stretch of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup proving it can win, but staying perfect brings a different kind of challenge.

     

    The Road Warriors look to protect their unbeaten 6-0 record when they face Terrafirma once again on Friday at 5:15 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, hoping to move one step closer to securing a playoff berth in Group A.

     

    Rather than dwelling on the spotless record, NLEX has embraced a simple approach that head coach Jimmy Alapag has preached since the beginning of the conference.

     

    “Honestly, the only time we’re reminded of it is after the game,” import DeQuan Jones said.

     

    “Like, literally, even the first talk we had with coach Jimmy (Alapag), he said we’re going to have a ‘next play’ mentality and we’re taking every game one at a time.”

     

    “We’re literally focused and homed in and put all of our energy in the next accomplishment because we know what we want to achieve and that’s by brick by brick… and we know and understand that and we’re just taking it brick by brick.”

     

    That mindset has helped transform the Road Warriors into the league’s lone unbeaten team, but recent victories have also reminded them that nothing comes easy.

     

    NLEX nearly surrendered a 17-point lead before escaping defending champion TNT with an 88-83 victory earlier this week, while its first meeting against Terrafirma also came down to the wire.

     

    Back on July 12, the Dyip erased a 23-point deficit and had a chance to steal the win before Justin Arana’s potential game-winner missed in the closing seconds, allowing NLEX to survive, 101-100.

     

    Alapag believes those tense finishes offer valuable lessons despite the winning streak.

    “I want us to try our best to not think about the record so much, just because there’s still so much conference left to play,” Alapag said.

     

    “But like I told the guys, this is a compliment to their work ethic and their competitive spirit, which is why we’re here right now.”

     

    “It’s not easy to win six in a row in the PBA.”

     

    “Credit goes to DeQuan and the rest of our guys for, you know, continuing to weather whatever challenges we’ve faced so far this early in the conference.”

     

    “But, again, there’s still so much work to be done.”

     

    Terrafirma, meanwhile, enters with a 2-4 record and hopes to finally finish the comeback it nearly completed in their first encounter.

     

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    Magnolia, Meralco clash in pivotal Group B rematch

     

    Later in the evening, Magnolia and Meralco renew their rivalry in another matchup carrying significant playoff implications.

     

    The Hotshots, tied with Barangay Ginebra at 2-3, currently occupy the final Top Four position in Group B, while the Bolts sit at the bottom with a 2-4 slate and little room for error entering the second half of the eliminations.

     

    Magnolia heads into the rematch with confidence after dismantling Ginebra, 88-73, in the latest edition of the Manila Clasico.

     

    Head coach LA Tenorio credited his team’s disciplined defensive effort, particularly against former teammate RJ Abarrientos.

     

    “Kung meron man nakakakilala kay RJ sa kanila sa court, sa team, I think ako siguro ‘yun,” Tenorio said.

     

    “RJ is a superstar. We cannot just play him straight up or play him normal. We treat him like an import.”

     

    “I have to go back to all the players who guarded the whole team. We were very disciplined with our game plan. ‘Yun ang maganda sa amin today.”

     

    That defensive identity will once again be tested against a Meralco squad desperate to halt a three-game losing streak.

     

    The Bolts have dropped consecutive games to Magnolia, Barangay Ginebra, and Rain or Shine, putting their postseason hopes in danger.

     

    They could also receive a timely boost if leading scorer CJ Cansino returns from injury for the crucial rematch.

     

    With the elimination round entering its decisive stretch, Friday’s twin bill could significantly reshape the playoff race in both groups.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas eyes fresh start against Thailand after winless SEA V Cup Leg 1 campaign 

    Alas Pilipinas eyes fresh start against Thailand after winless SEA V Cup Leg 1 campaign 

    Alas Pilipinas gets an immediate opportunity to wipe the slate clean when it opens the second leg of the 2026 SEA V Cup against defending champion Thailand on Thursday, August 7, at 5:30 p.m. (Manila time) in Chiang Mai.

     

    After leaving Hanoi without a single victory, the Filipinas begin the new leg hoping a fresh venue also brings a fresh start as they try to keep their medal aspirations alive.

     

    The Philippines went 0-3 in the opening leg, but not without showing flashes of promise against the region’s top teams. Its best chance at a breakthrough came against Thailand, where Alas Pilipinas pushed the defending champion to five sets before falling, 17-25, 25-19, 15-25, 25-18, 10-15, in one of the tournament’s most competitive matches.

     

    That heartbreaking defeat was followed by straight losses to host Vietnam and Indonesia, resulting in the country’s first SEA V Cup campaign without a podium finish since 2023.

     

    Despite the disappointing results, the close battle against Thailand gives Alas Pilipinas confidence heading into another meeting with Southeast Asia’s volleyball powerhouse.

     

    Veteran setter Jia De Guzman is expected to continue orchestrating the offense alongside leading scorers Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen, and Niña Ytang, who all delivered consistent performances throughout the first leg.

     

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    The Filipinas will also rely on the continued contributions of Dell Palomata, Erika Santos, Vanie Gandler, Mars Alba, and libero Justine Jazareno as they seek to finally break into the win column.

     

    Thailand, meanwhile, enters the second leg with momentum after sweeping the first leg title with a perfect 3-0 record. The reigning SEA V Cup champion once again showcased its depth and experience, defeating all three opponents while extending its dominance in the regional tournament.

     

    For Alas Pilipinas, however, Thursday’s opener represents more than another match.

     

    A victory over Thailand would not only end its winless run in the tournament but could also provide the confidence needed to turn around its campaign with two more matches still remaining against Vietnam and Indonesia.

     

    With the lessons of Hanoi still fresh, the Filipinas now have another chance to prove they can compete with the region’s best—and this time, finish the job.

     

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  • Sedrick Barefield edges closer to Gilas dream with Asian Games pool inclusion 

    Sedrick Barefield edges closer to Gilas dream with Asian Games pool inclusion 

    For years, wearing a Gilas Pilipinas jersey remained out of reach for Sedrick Barefield despite his Filipino roots.

     

    Now, the Blackwater star is closer than ever to turning that childhood dream into reality.

     

    Barefield has been named to the 30-man Gilas Pilipinas pool for the 2026 Asian Games, giving him a legitimate opportunity to represent the Philippines for the first time in international competition.

     

    Unlike FIBA tournaments, where Barefield is ineligible to suit up as a local player, the Asian Games follows a different set of eligibility rules that only require athletes to hold a Philippine passport.

     

    That distinction suddenly places the explosive guard firmly in contention as Gilas prepares to defend the historic gold medal it captured in Hangzhou two years ago.

     

    The Fil-Am guard admitted the news caught him by surprise but quickly became one of the biggest moments of his basketball career.

     

    “I was really excited. It got sent to me early in the morning.”

     

    Barefield told reporters.

     

    “It’s something that, as a kid, you always dream about. I’ve been aware of it since I was young, so I’m just excited. I’m praying for the best.”

     

    His inclusion comes alongside Meralco big man Brandon Bates as among the fresh faces added to the expanded national team pool ahead of the September tournament in Japan.

     

    While making the preliminary list is only the first step, Barefield understands the opportunity that now lies in front of him.

     

    Rather than looking too far ahead, he plans to focus on proving himself if given the chance to train with some of the country’s best players under Gilas.

     

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    “I’m not sure what’s going to happen from here, but I’m praying for the best,”

     

    he said.

     

    “I’m going to give it my all day in and day out. I’m going to soak up as much as I can from the players around me and use it as an opportunity to grow and learn.”

     

    Barefield also backed up his growing reputation on the court just hours after the announcement.

     

    The high-scoring guard erupted for 26 points to lead Blackwater past Phoenix, 106-100, in the opening game of the second round of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, further strengthening his case as one of the league’s most dynamic offensive weapons.

     

    Should Barefield survive the final cut, he would become one of the key backcourt options for a Gilas squad aiming to defend the Asian Games championship it famously won in 2023 under coach Tim Cone.

     

    For Barefield, however, the objective extends beyond simply making the roster.

     

    “You want to walk away with a medal, a gold medal. Hopefully we can bring that home,” Barefield added on Gilas’ Asian Games mindset.

     

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