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Author: Andre Sotelo

  • UP’s new wave answers the call as Casiey Dongallo and Bienne Bansil join Alas Pilipinas push

    UP’s new wave answers the call as Casiey Dongallo and Bienne Bansil join Alas Pilipinas push

    For some athletes, wearing the national colors is a destination. For Casiey Dongallo and Bienne Bansil, it feels more like the next responsibility.

     

    Strong Group’s latest additions to the Alas Pilipinas Women pool bring more than collegiate credentials and highlight reels — they bring a familiar story of UP players stepping into something bigger than themselves.

     

    The University of the Philippines standouts have committed to becoming full-time members of the national team during the club season, a move that strengthens the country’s long-term vision with eyes already set on the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship in 2029.

     

    Dongallo, the dynamic outside hitter who became one of UAAP volleyball’s most feared scorers after transferring to Diliman, is still on the road back from a knee injury. But even before she returns to full form, her name continues to carry weight.

     

    “She will be starting practice as soon as the doctor allows,” the source shared.

     

    Should she regain full fitness, Dongallo adds another attacking option capable of changing games with her explosiveness and scoring instinct — traits that made her one of the most talked-about transfers in recent memory.

     

    Bansil, meanwhile, arrives with a different story but the same destination.

     

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    The former NU-Nazareth School standout and UAAP girls champion now finds herself earning another chance to represent something larger than any program.

     

    After fulfilling her remaining academic obligations, the 5-foot-11 middle blocker is expected to report to national team training and continue building on the foundation that already made her a standout at the collegiate level.

     

    What makes the development even more interesting is how it reflects UP’s growing footprint in the national program.

     

    With Dongallo and Bansil joining forces alongside names like Tots Carlos and Niña Ytang, Diliman’s influence continues expanding beyond the UAAP and into the country’s rebuilding volleyball identity.

     

    They represent different positions, different timelines, and different journeys.

     

    But together, they embody something that has long been attached to the Iskolar ng Bayan — athletes who see competition not just as performance, but as service.

     

    And as Alas looks further ahead than just one tournament cycle, the next generation is already beginning to answer the call.

     

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  • Jordan Heading sends TNT back to the Finals for another crack at Ginebra

    Jordan Heading sends TNT back to the Finals for another crack at Ginebra

    For TNT, the road back to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals wasn’t about surviving another semifinal grind — it was about earning one more chance.

     

    And when Meralco refused to go quietly, the defending champions leaned on the same identity that carried them through another long conference: composure, timely execution, and someone stepping up when it mattered most.

     

    The Tropang 5G looked headed for a comfortable finish after building a double-digit lead, only for the Bolts to storm back and force a 94-all deadlock inside the final two minutes. With momentum suddenly swinging and Chris McCullough already sent to the bench after fouling out, TNT needed one more answer.

     

    Jordan Heading had it.

     

    The lefty guard calmly converted a three-point play after drawing contact from Patrick Gardner before the clock hit the final minute — a sequence that ultimately became the dagger in TNT’s 97-94 Game 6 victory at the Ynares Center.

     

    And just like that, the Finals rematch became official.

     

    TNT will face Barangay Ginebra once again in what has quickly become one of the league’s most recurring championship matchups — their fourth Finals meeting in the last eight conferences.

     

    But even as expectations rise around another heavyweight showdown, coach Chot Reyes made sure to frame the assignment differently.

     

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    “We’re coming in as the underdogs, playing basically the Philippine national team,” Reyes said.

     

    The statement carried its usual edge, but also reflected the reality of facing a Ginebra side built around championship experience and massive fan support.

     

    Heading, though, wasn’t interested in looking too far ahead.

     

    After dropping the previous Finals against the same opponent, the veteran guard knows exactly what another opportunity means.

     

    “That means everything,” Heading said.

     

    “When you lose in the Finals, that sticks with you the whole offseason, the whole next season, the whole preseason. That’s what you’re thinking about.”

     

    For TNT, the chance to rewrite that ending comes with familiar faces and familiar stakes.

     

    Heading finished with 30 points to lead the closeout, while McCullough added 22 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists before exiting. Calvin Oftana chipped in 12 as the Tropang 5G secured a fifth straight Finals appearance.

     

    For a team that has stayed near the top despite constant roster movement and pressure to repeat, the mission remains unchanged.

     

    Win another one. Finish the story this time.

     

    Because if there’s anything Heading made clear — TNT isn’t satisfied with just getting another crack at it.

     

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  • Sports PH News’ 2026 PVL Rookie Draft Mock Picks: Predicting the Future of the League 

    Sports PH News’ 2026 PVL Rookie Draft Mock Picks: Predicting the Future of the League 

    The 2026 PVL Rookie Draft may not have the deepest pool in league history, but it could still shape the future of several franchises.

     

    With proven collegiate stars, championship-tested leaders, and position-changing talents entering the pros, teams at the top of the draft board have a chance to accelerate rebuilds or strengthen already competitive cores.

     

    Here’s how the first nine picks could unfold.

    1. Galeries Tower Highrisers — Alyssa Solomon (Opposite Hitter, National University)

    This feels like the easiest pick on the board.

     

    Alyssa Solomon enters the draft as the most polished scorer available after a decorated UAAP career and a strong stint in Japan’s SV.League with Osaka Marvelous. At 6-foot-1, she gives Galeries Tower an instant franchise centerpiece capable of carrying the offense from Day 1.

     

    The Highrisers badly need a reliable go-to scorer against the league’s elite clubs, and Solomon checks every box: size, experience, composure, and winning pedigree.

     

    If Galeries wants a player to build around for years, Solomon is the clear answer.

    1. Capital1 Solar Spikers — Camille Lamina (Setter, National University)

    Capital1 already has attacking weapons, but what it lacks is a true floor general who can stabilize the offense consistently.

     

    That makes Camille Lamina a perfect fit.

     

    The two-time UAAP Best Setter has proven she can orchestrate a championship-level system while maximizing multiple scorers around her. Her decision-making, tempo control, and leadership immediately address one of Capital1’s biggest needs.

     

    Pairing Lamina with the Solar Spikers’ growing offensive core could finally unlock the team’s full potential.

    1. Choco Mucho Flying Titans — Nina Ytang (Middle Blocker, UP)

    Choco Mucho has plenty of firepower on the wings, but adding a dominant middle blocker could elevate the Flying Titans into a more complete championship contender.

     

    Enter Nina Ytang.

     

    The four-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker brings elite timing, length, and defensive instincts at the net. More importantly, she fits the identity Choco Mucho has slowly tried to build — faster, more physical, and tougher defensively.

     

    With veterans already carrying the scoring load, Ytang can thrive early without the pressure of becoming the team’s primary option immediately.

    1. ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles — KC Cepada (Outside Hitter, UE)

    ZUS Coffee continues searching for young foundational talent, and KC Cepada could become exactly that.

     

    Cepada quietly developed into one of the UAAP’s most dynamic scorers despite playing for a rebuilding UE program. Her ability to generate offense even in difficult situations makes her valuable for a Thunderbelles squad still trying to establish consistency.

     

    She brings energy, confidence, and shot-making ability — all traits ZUS badly needs moving forward.

     

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    1. Akari Chargers — Tin Ubaldo (Setter, FEU)

    Akari’s system thrives when the ball moves quickly and efficiently, which makes Tin Ubaldo an intriguing fit.

     

    One of the smartest setters in this class, Ubaldo impressed in FEU’s structured offense with her calm decision-making and ability to keep hitters involved. She may not arrive with the same hype as Lamina, but her ceiling as a long-term playmaker remains high.

     

    The Chargers could use another steady organizer to strengthen their depth at setter while preparing for the future.

    1. Nxled Chameleons — Bernadette Pepito (Libero, UST)

    Nxled already showed flashes of competitiveness last season, but improving its floor defense remains a priority.

     

    Bernadette Pepito instantly helps in that area.

     

    Widely considered one of the best liberos in the collegiate ranks as being a two-time UAAP best libero, Pepito brings elite anticipation, consistency in serve receive, and relentless energy defensively. She may not always appear on highlight reels, but her impact can completely stabilize a team’s system.

     

    For a young Nxled squad still finding its identity, Pepito could become a culture-setting piece.

    1. Farm Fresh Foxies — Jonna Perdido (Outside Hitter, UST)

    Farm Fresh needs more offensive punch beside Trisha Tubu, and Jonna Perdido offers exactly that.

     

    A proven scorer with strong attacking instincts, Perdido has shown she can handle pressure moments and carry heavy offensive responsibilities. Her aggressive style fits well with the Foxies’ fast-improving roster.

     

    Adding another legitimate scoring option would also prevent opposing defenses from focusing entirely on Tubu moving forward.

    1. PLDT High Speed Hitters — Joan Monares (Outside Hitter, UP)

    PLDT remains one of the league’s deepest veteran teams, which gives them the luxury of selecting upside over immediate need.

     

    Joan Monares fits that approach perfectly.

     

    The UP winger has steadily improved as a two-way player capable of contributing both offensively and defensively. Learning behind PLDT’s experienced core could accelerate her development without forcing her into a major role too early.

     

    In the long run, Monares has the tools to become one of the steals of this draft.

    1. Creamline Cool Smashers — Barbie Jamili (Outside Hitter, Adamson)

    The rich getting richer feels very possible here.

     

    Creamline rarely drafts out of desperation, which allows the Cool Smashers to simply take the best talent available. Barbie Jamili’s athleticism, upside, and versatility, as well as being one of the PVL Draft Combine’s best performers it will make her an ideal developmental piece behind the league’s most established core.

     

    Jamili may not need to contribute immediately, but under Creamline’s veteran system, she could slowly evolve into another dangerous weapon for the dynasty.

     

    And that’s exactly what makes this potential pairing scary for the rest of the PVL.

     

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  • Alex Eala turns page to grass season with Birmingham campaign 

    Alex Eala turns page to grass season with Birmingham campaign 

    The red clay chapter is over for Alex Eala. Now comes the reset.

     

    Following a difficult stretch on clay that ended with another early exit at Roland Garros, the Filipina tennis star is quickly moving forward, opening her grass-court campaign at the Lexus Birmingham Open in Great Britain beginning June 1.

     

    For Eala, the shift in surface may also represent a much-needed change in rhythm.

     

    The 21-year-old struggled to fully find consistency during the European clay swing, finishing the stretch with multiple early exits, including a first-round loss at the French Open and a withdrawal from the women’s doubles competition alongside Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko.

     

    Now, the focus turns to grass — a surface that rewards quick adjustments, aggressive movement, and confidence, all things Eala hopes to rediscover heading into the second half of the season.

     

    The Birmingham tournament also marks Eala’s return to WTA 125 competition for the first time since the Philippine Women’s Open in Manila earlier this year, where she reached the quarterfinals.

     

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    This time, however, the environment will be very different.

     

    Instead of clay-court rallies in Paris, Eala heads into the fast-paced British grass season alongside a field that includes Janice Tjen, Lanlana Tararudee, Lulu Sun, Alycia Parks, and veteran German campaigner Tatjana Maria.

     

    The tournament serves as an important bridge before Eala’s next major target — the qualifying rounds of the HSBC Championships in London.

     

    For one of Asia’s fastest-rising tennis players, Birmingham offers something simple yet important after a frustrating clay season:

     

    A fresh start on a completely different court.

     

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  • Maritanya Krog, Pi Durden Wangkay, Naomi Marjorie Cesar to lead PH campaign in 2026 Summer Youth Olympics

    Maritanya Krog, Pi Durden Wangkay, Naomi Marjorie Cesar to lead PH campaign in 2026 Summer Youth Olympics

     The Philippines is turning to a new generation of athletes as it begins shaping its campaign for the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics in Senegal later this year.

     

    Still years away from entering their athletic primes, cyclist Maritanya Krog and track standouts Pi Durden Wangkay and Naomi Marjorie Cesar have already emerged as early faces of the country’s youth movement heading into the global meet scheduled from October 31 to November 13 in Dakar.

     

    The three athletes currently headline the initial batch of Filipino bets set to represent the country in the Youth Olympics, with more names still expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

     

    “They have been nominated by their respective national sports associations (NSAs) and we’re awaiting six more nominations,” said Abraham Tolentino, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

     

    The International Olympic Committee allotted the Philippines nine universality slots for the Games, covering athletics, cycling, gymnastics, swimming, windsurfing, and wushu.

     

    While the country’s senior athletes continue preparing for major continental competitions, Dakar offers something different — a glimpse into the athletes potentially carrying Philippine sports into the next decade.

     

    Among the most promising is Krog, who has steadily built her reputation in Philippine cycling through dominant performances in Batang Pinoy and national championship competitions.

     

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    Her sixth-place finish in last year’s Asian Youth Games in Bahrain further strengthened her case for inclusion, while recent experience against elite Asian riders in the Asian Cycling Confederation Track Championships showed both her current level and long-term potential.

     

    “She has the potential although we need to raise the level of her training program for Senegal,” said Tolentino, who also heads PhilCycling.

     

    Meanwhile, Wangkay and Cesar already arrive with proven international credentials of their own.

     

    Wangkay captured gold in the boys’ 200 meters during the Asian Youth Games, while Cesar secured silver in the girls’ 800 meters behind a Chinese competitor, giving the Philippines rare podium finishes in youth athletics on the continental stage.

     

    All three athletes are only 17 years old — perfectly fitting the Youth Olympics’ age requirement for competitors between 15 and 18 years old.

     

    For Philippine sports, Dakar may ultimately become more than just another international tournament.

     

    It could become the first major stage for the country’s next wave of stars.

     

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  • Lyann De Guzman embraces mentor role as new PVL hopefuls prepare for leap to pros

    Lyann De Guzman embraces mentor role as new PVL hopefuls prepare for leap to pros

    Only a year into her professional career, Lyann De Guzman suddenly found herself on the other side of the PVL journey — no longer the nervous rookie trying to earn a spot, but one of the players helping the next wave prepare for the pressure that comes with turning pro.

     

    Ahead of the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft Combine, the Nxled Chameleons winger joined fellow PVL standouts AC Miner, Chenie Tagaod, and Ishie Lalongisip in speaking to draft hopefuls during a pre-draft gathering organized by Hustle & Groove.

     

    For De Guzman, the experience served as a reminder of how quickly life in the pros moves.

     

    “Actually hanggang ngayon, [feeling ko] sobrang bilis na isang taon na kami agad sa pro. And for me… Marami pang kailangan matutunan din [kami]. And of course yung mga papasok din naman ngayon. I know, [maalam] na din sila sa volleyball,” De Guzman told One Sports during the pre-draft meeting.

     

    But instead of viewing the incoming class as mere competition, De Guzman sees the 41-player draft pool as a challenge that could elevate everyone in the league — veterans and rookies alike.

     

    “Sobrang taas na rin ng standards nila. Sobrang makikipagsabayan din sila. So ano lang din, parang give and take lang din. Na matututo kami sa kanila, and matututo din sila sa amin.”

     

    That perspective becomes even more personal for De Guzman considering several draft aspirants are players she once shared the court with in high school and college.

     

    One of them is former Ateneo setter Taks Fujimoto, one of De Guzman’s closest friends and former teammates.

     

    Having gone through the uncertainties of the transition herself, De Guzman said she and Miner constantly reminded Fujimoto to trust the opportunity in front of her despite the risks attached to pursuing a professional career.

     

    “Actually sinasabi nga lang namin kay Taks nalang na go for it lang talaga. High risk lang talaga. High risk, high reward,” De Guzman said.

     

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    “Kasi you never know the result hanggang hindi mo tinatry. And support lang kami kahit anong mangyari. Kasi we know naman na, alam namin yung kakayahan ni Taks sa volleyball. And we know na kaya niya.”

     

    For De Guzman, the upcoming combine in Mandaluyong is less about proving who belongs and more about watching a new generation finally receive its shot.

     

    “Actually, very happy kasi na parang another opportunity for them na to grow din. Of course, mashowcase din yung talent nila,” she said.

     

    “And nakikita ko talaga kasi halos lahat ng mga papasok ngayon, naging teammates ko rin noong high school kami and noong college. And I know naman yung kakayahan nila.”

     

    Now entering her sophomore year in the PVL, De Guzman is beginning to realize something many young pros eventually discover.

     

    The league never stops evolving — and sometimes, the players you once grew up with become the ones pushing you to grow even more.

     

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  • PBA semis fever hits new high as packed Araneta crowd fuels Game 4 drama 

    PBA semis fever hits new high as packed Araneta crowd fuels Game 4 drama 

    The PBA semifinals are no longer just drawing attention — they’re drawing crowds worthy of a Finals atmosphere.

     

    With emotions boiling over, rivalries intensifying, and fresh storylines unfolding on the court, fans responded in full force Wednesday night as the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup semifinals produced its biggest audience yet of the conference.

     

    A total of 14,615 spectators filled the Smart Araneta Coliseum for the two pivotal Game 4 matchups featuring Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, TNT Tropang 5G, and Meralco Bolts.

     

    By the end of the night, the arena had witnessed nearly everything a playoff series could offer — controversy, tension, comeback stories, and the debut of two new imports thrown directly into high-pressure basketball.

     

    The loudest reactions came during Rain or Shine’s gritty 97-85 victory over Ginebra, a result that tied the semifinal showdown at 2-2 and further escalated the growing hostility between the two camps.

     

    What was already a physical and emotional series spilled beyond the final buzzer after a heated verbal confrontation between Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao and Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua during the postgame handshake line — a moment that quickly became one of the conference’s defining flashpoints.

     

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    Earlier in the evening, fans also got their first glimpse of replacement imports Chris McCullough and Patrick Gardner, who debuted for TNT and Meralco, respectively, in another high-stakes semifinal clash.

     

    The atmosphere inside the Big Dome reflected a conference that has steadily built momentum as the playoffs progressed.

     

    The turnout was likely boosted further by the national holiday declared for Eid al-Adha, giving fans the opportunity to flock to the venue for a rare midweek playoff doubleheader.

     

    The attendance became the second-highest gate of PBA Season 50 so far, trailing only the Jan. 11 semifinal playdate featuring Ginebra, San Miguel Beermen, TNT, and Meralco during the Philippine Cup.

     

    More importantly, it served as another reminder that when rivalries deepen and stakes rise, PBA fans still know exactly where they want to be.

     

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  • Momentum meets pressure as Rain or Shine, Ginebra clash in pivotal Game 5

    Momentum meets pressure as Rain or Shine, Ginebra clash in pivotal Game 5

    For the first time in this semifinal series, the pressure may no longer be sitting entirely on Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

     

    After spending most of the matchup trying to keep pace with the more experienced Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the Elasto Painters suddenly enter Friday night carrying something different — momentum, belief, and a genuine shot at changing the direction of their franchise.

     

    Rain or Shine forced the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal into a virtual best-of-three after a convincing 97-85 win in Game 4, setting up a massive 7:30 p.m. clash at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the series tied at 2-2.

     

    And while much of the conversation surrounding the series has shifted toward the tension-filled exchange between coach Yeng Guiao and Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua after the last game, Guiao is more interested in what happens between the lines.

     

    “If you’re coming off a win, you have momentum, you have confidence,” Guiao said.

     

    For the veteran coach, Game 5 is less about emotions and more about mathematics.

    “Now [the series is a virtual] best-of-three. So, if it’s a best of three, whoever wins Game 1, has more than a 50 percent chance of winning the series,” he said. “So, I think the biggest (game a team needs to) win is going to be (the game) on Friday.”

     

    Rain or Shine enters the swing game with growing confidence in the formula that brought it back into the series.

     

    Unlike previous years when the Elasto Painters leaned heavily on a few stars, this Rain or Shine squad has survived because of its depth. That identity showed fully in Game 4 when Joshua David and Christian Manaytay delivered key minutes while import Jaylen Johnson and Adrian Nocum dealt with foul trouble.

     

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    The balanced attack helped Rain or Shine dictate the pace and frustrate a Ginebra team that struggled to find enough support outside of Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson.

    Now the challenge becomes sustaining it.

     

    The Gin Kings remain one of the league’s most battle-tested playoff teams, and Game 5s have historically favored veteran-heavy squads capable of adjusting quickly after losses. Ginebra will likely look for stronger contributions from its supporting cast, particularly rookie RJ Abarrientos after he finished with just eight points on 3-of-8 shooting in Game 4.

     

    Still, this suddenly feels like a different kind of opportunity for Rain or Shine.

     

    The franchise has repeatedly knocked on the door in recent conferences without fully breaking through. Now, it sits two wins away from its first Finals appearance since the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup championship — notably the last conference where no San Miguel Corporation-backed team reached the Finals.

     

    Since then, SMC franchises have controlled the league’s championship landscape for 22 straight conferences.

     

    Rain or Shine now has a chance to finally interrupt that streak again.

     

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  • Alyssa Valdez calls for unity as veteran-led Alas Pilipinas answers PNVF’s call 

    Alyssa Valdez calls for unity as veteran-led Alas Pilipinas answers PNVF’s call 

    At a time when the future of the women’s national volleyball team suddenly became uncertain, Alyssa Valdez stepped forward with a message that went beyond wins, lineups, or controversies.

     

    For the longtime face of Philippine volleyball, the bigger fight now is keeping the national team alive — and keeping everyone moving in the same direction.

     

    Speaking during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday, the former Alas Pilipinas captain openly acknowledged the difficult situation surrounding the formation of the squad that will represent the country in the 2026 AVC Women’s Cup in Candon, Ilocos Sur.

     

    After several members of the 2025 Alas core declined national team duties amid concerns regarding athlete welfare, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation was left rebuilding almost from scratch.

     

    That situation eventually opened the door for a veteran-led group bannered by Valdez, Ces Molina, Jov Gonzaga, and several experienced names to answer the call for flag and country.

     

    Rather than focusing on the noise surrounding the roster changes, Valdez chose to center her message on appreciation.

     

    “To our federation (the PNVF), despite all the challenges, we’re very, very grateful na patuloy pa rin ang paglaban nila para magkaroon ng national team,” said Valdez.

     

    The Creamline star also emphasized that the current version of Alas Pilipinas should not be viewed as divided between veterans, younger players, or previous members of the program.

     

    Instead, she hopes this latest chapter becomes an opportunity to strengthen the foundation of Philippine volleyball moving forward.

     

    “Hopefully, we’re all here—as mga veterans, mga bata, mga coaches, and mga former na mga naging part ng national team—to help, siguro, build a better and more, siguro, powerful PNVF,” she added.

     

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    Valdez’s return to the national team has drawn mixed reactions online, particularly because of her close ties with several players from the previous Alas core, including longtime teammate Jia De Guzman.

     

    But instead of fueling any tension, the three-time PVL MVP made it a point to acknowledge and thank the former national team members who previously carried the program.

     

    Without naming specific players, Valdez stressed that everyone involved with Alas Pilipinas ultimately shared the same intention — to help Philippine volleyball grow.

     

    “I want to take this opportunity to thank all the players—former, recent, and naging part ng national team—kasi we all mean well for the national team, and lahat ng commitment na binigay nila sa national team, talagang ang sarap sa pakiramdam bilang isang atleta,” she said.

     

    “So, nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat ng mga atleta at nag-represent ng national team and Alas din.”

     

    She also used the opportunity to call for stronger unity and long-term commitment around the national team setup as the federation attempts to move forward from one of its most turbulent stretches in recent years.

     

    “We’re really hoping na magtuloy-tuloy, and sana mas maging ano tayo, siguro, united and mas committed for the betterment of the PNVF,” she added.

     

    Before ending her remarks, Valdez also thanked Rebisco, the mother company behind Creamline, for continuing to support both her career and her national team journey.

     

    Now, with less than two weeks before the AVC Women’s Cup begins, the spotlight shifts toward whether this reassembled Alas Pilipinas squad can transform uncertainty into another meaningful run for the country.

     

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  • Young Filipino guards take different paths as Andy Gemao commits to Penn State, Henry Suico heads to Europe 

    Young Filipino guards take different paths as Andy Gemao commits to Penn State, Henry Suico heads to Europe 

    Two of the Philippines’ brightest young guards are betting on opposite sides of the basketball world — and both believe the gamble will bring them closer to the same destination.

     

    While Andy Gemao is headed to the bright lights of US NCAA Division I basketball, Henry Suico is choosing the less conventional European route, signaling a growing shift in how elite Filipino prospects now view their paths to the top.

     

    For years, the dream for most rising Filipino stars was simple: dominate locally, earn a UAAP or NCAA spotlight, and eventually crack the PBA or Gilas Pilipinas. But Gemao and Suico are part of a new generation increasingly willing to leave familiar roads behind.

     

    Gemao’s latest leap may be the biggest yet.

     

    The high-flying 6-foot-1 guard officially committed to Pennsylvania State University on Saturday, only hours after revealing that he had received his first NCAA Division I offer.

     

    The commitment instantly made the 19-year-old one of the latest Filipino prospects to enter the American collegiate system, where he is expected to help a Penn State squad looking to recover from a difficult 12-win campaign last season under head coach Mike Rhoades.

     

    Gemao’s journey to Division I basketball has hardly been traditional.

     

    After first exploding onto the scene with Colegio de San Juan de Letran during NCAA Season 98, Gemao quickly became one of the country’s most talked-about young guards. He spearheaded a dominant Letran Squires squad that lost only once in 11 games and swept La Salle Green Hills in the Finals en route to a historic championship run.

     

    He eventually claimed Finals MVP honors before pursuing opportunities abroad with Royal Crown Prep in Toronto, Canada.

     

    Since then, Gemao has constantly moved between the Philippines and North America, balancing overseas development with appearances in local tournaments such as the NBTC and preseason competitions with the University of the Philippines.

     

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    While Gemao chases the American route, Suico is heading somewhere far less common for Filipino prospects — Spain.

     

    The Cebuano playmaker has accepted a scholarship offer from Zentro Basket Madrid, a respected elite youth basketball academy that has helped shape international-level talent in Europe.

     

    In the process, Suico officially walked away from a commitment to University of Santo Tomas to fully pursue his overseas aspirations.

     

    Unlike the athleticism-heavy style often associated with American basketball, Suico said his move is centered around mastering the technical and mental side of the game.

     

    “To play in Europe, you need to have a very detailed and structured approach to the game. You must be fundamentally sound and possess a strong basketball IQ to succeed. I also want to learn how Spanish players do it,” he said.

     

    “They may not be the most athletic players in the world, but from observing them, I see that their IQ, fundamentals, and discipline are their main weapons. I want to learn those qualities and observe them in person.”

     

    The 6-foot-1 guard recently spent time in Madrid for a training camp previously attended by NBA superstar Luka Doncic. The academy is also connected to respected Spanish coach Guil, who once worked with Kiefer Ravena during his stint in Japan’s B.League.

     

    Suico arrives in Spain after starring in Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu’s CESAFI seven-peat, where he averaged 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.1 blocks.

     

    He was eventually ranked No. 8 in this year’s NBTC Top 24 Under-19 rankings.

     

    For Suico, however, the decision goes beyond basketball alone.

     

    “I hope with this decision I will grow into a better player and a better person, and to hopefully show others na rin that there is nothing wrong with having big dreams.”

     

    Though their destinations could not be more different, Gemao and Suico represent the same evolving reality for Philippine basketball — one where young Filipino talent is no longer afraid to search for growth far beyond home.

     

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