Sports PH News | JS DEV Site

Author: Andre Sotelo

  • Heavyweight clashes headline loaded PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals 

    Heavyweight clashes headline loaded PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals 

    The cast is finally complete for the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup playoffs — and the road to the championship immediately offers no easy passage for anyone.

     

    Even teams armed with twice-to-beat advantages are entering the quarterfinals knowing one bad night could completely shift the balance of the tournament.

     

    Among the biggest storylines heading into Friday’s playoff opener at the Ynares Center Antipolo is the dangerous collision between the third-seeded Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the battle-tested San Miguel Beermen.

     

    On paper, Rain or Shine owns the advantage after securing a top-four finish and the coveted twice-to-beat incentive. But against a franchise built on championship pedigree, the cushion feels far less secure.

     

    The Elasto Painters looked nearly unstoppable early in the conference, storming to a franchise-best 7-0 start behind the high-powered play of import Jaylen Johnson and the system of veteran coach Yeng Guiao.

     

    Their early-season surge featured statement wins over TNT, Converge, and even San Miguel, where Rain or Shine survived a furious Beermen comeback to preserve a 116-112 victory after leading by as many as 25 points.

     

    For weeks, the Elasto Painters looked like the league’s most complete team.

     

    Then came the late wobble.

     

    Rain or Shine dropped three of its last five elimination games, including a lopsided 114-90 defeat to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel that ultimately pushed the team down to third place despite finishing with a strong 9-3 record.

     

    Johnson still emerged as one of the conference’s top imports after averaging 23.6 points and 14.6 rebounds, but the playoffs now present an entirely different challenge.

     

    Because unlike Rain or Shine’s steady rise, San Miguel arrives carrying momentum built through survival.

     

    The Beermen stumbled through the early part of the conference behind inconsistent imports and a shaky 3-4 start that placed their title hopes in danger. Their struggles peaked during a disappointing loss to Magnolia where former import Justin Patton struggled badly.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    Desperate for stability, San Miguel turned back to a familiar answer.

     

    The return of Bennie Boatwright — the same reinforcement who powered the franchise to the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup title — immediately changed the tone of the Beermen’s campaign.

     

    San Miguel won four of its last five games and carried a three-game winning streak into the playoffs to finish 7-5, suddenly looking like a team nobody wants to face in a short series.

     

    While Rain or Shine and San Miguel figure in a heavyweight showdown, the other marquee matchup features Ginebra taking on the returning Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.

     

    For Phoenix, simply returning to the playoffs already marks a major breakthrough after missing the postseason the last two years.

     

    Unfortunately for coach Charles Tiu and the Fuel Masters, their reward is a date with the league’s most experienced playoff machine led by Tim Cone and resident superstar Justin Brownlee.

     

    Ginebra’s path to the No. 2 seed was not entirely smooth.

     

    The Gin Kings opened the conference unevenly despite Brownlee’s return, alternating wins and losses through their first four outings before eventually finding rhythm midway through the eliminations.

     

    Once they clicked, however, Ginebra quickly looked like a legitimate contender again.

     

    The team won seven of its final eight games, capped by dominant victories over Rain or Shine and TNT to secure a 9-3 record and the second seed behind top-ranked NLEX Road Warriors.

     

    Brownlee once again anchored the team with monster averages of 30.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, while rising guard RJ Abarrientos blossomed into one of the conference’s breakout stars with 21.5 points per game.

     

    Phoenix, meanwhile, enters the playoffs still searching for consistency despite flashes of promise throughout the eliminations.

     

    The Fuel Masters started strong before struggling through uneven stretches that eventually left them at 6-6 entering the quarterfinals.

     

    A major turning point came when Phoenix replaced import James Dickey with returning reinforcement Johnathan Williams, who immediately stabilized the team with averages of 22.7 points and 15.7 rebounds.

     

    The conference also became a breakout stage for Ricci Rivero, who thrived under Tiu’s system with averages of 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists before a hand injury sidelined him late in the eliminations.

     

    Still, Phoenix faces a massive uphill climb.

     

    The Fuel Masters lost their lone elimination meeting against Ginebra, 109-96, in a game where Brownlee and Abarrientos combined for 58 points to completely overwhelm Phoenix in the second half.

     

    Now, with the quarterfinals officially set, the Commissioner’s Cup postseason opens with a familiar truth around the PBA:

     

    Momentum helps, twice-to-beat advantages matter, but once the playoffs begin, reputations and pressure often become the biggest deciding factors of all.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • Bella Belen admits NU’s title loss made her wish for one more year

    Bella Belen admits NU’s title loss made her wish for one more year

    Bella Belen thought she had already moved on from college volleyball.

     

    She had accepted the decision to leave NU Lady Bulldogs early, begin her professional career, and trust that the powerhouse program she helped build would continue thriving without her.

     

    But championships — especially lost ones — have a way of reopening old thoughts.

     

    Watching National University fall short in its bid for a third straight UAAP title against the De La Salle Lady Spikers forced Belen to confront a question she admitted she had long tried to silence.

    “Siyempre natalo kami, so bigla akong napaisip na what if nag-one more year ako,” Belen revealed during a TikTok live session Sunday night.

     

    The three-time MVP had chosen to forgo her final playing year in college to turn professional, a move many viewed as inevitable given her decorated résumé and rising stock in Philippine volleyball.

     

    Even after leaving Jhocson, however, Belen never completely detached herself from the team.

    Whenever her schedule with Capital1 Solar Spikers allowed, she attended practices, watched games, and remained closely connected to the younger players trying to carry NU’s winning tradition forward.

     

    But seeing the Lady Bulldogs lose the championship they held for two years appeared to hit differently.

     

    For perhaps the first time since leaving, Belen openly acknowledged that the collegiate experience may have ended too quickly.

     

    During the same livestream with fellow NU standout Buds Buddin, she even advised him not to rush his own exit from college volleyball.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    “Gamitin mo (last playing year mo), sayang. ‘Yan ang pagkakamaling ginawa ko. Sana nag-one more year na lang ako,” she admitted.

     

    “Minsan lang ang UAAP. Once na mag-pro ka, hindi ka na makakabalik.”

     

    When Buddin later asked whether she believed NU was truly prepared to move on without her and fellow star Alyssa Solomon, Belen answered with striking honesty.

     

    “Hindi, hindi talaga,” she said.

     

    Yet despite the doubts, Belen still believed the program would eventually learn to stand on its own.

     

    “May tiwala ako sa kanila. Ready sila, pero iba pa rin kapag may gabay ng seniors and all. It’s about trust,” she added.

     

    To NU’s credit, the Lady Bulldogs still fought their way back to the finals despite losing cornerstone players from their championship core.

     

    Only this time, the ending belonged to La Salle and Angel Canino.

    Now that Season 88 is over, the conversations surrounding Belen’s early departure have naturally resurfaced.

     

    What if she stayed one more year? What if the Lady Bulldogs still had their longtime leader during the finals? What if the three-peat chase had one more experienced voice steering it?

     

    For most of the season, those questions belonged only to fans.

     

    After NU’s finals loss, even Belen herself finally admitted she had started wondering too.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • RJ Abarrientos keeps feet on the ground as Ginebra heads into playoffs 

    RJ Abarrientos keeps feet on the ground as Ginebra heads into playoffs 

    RJ Abarrientos may have produced the highlight plays that lifted Barangay Ginebra San Miguel past TNT, but the young guard is making sure the attention does not change the way he approaches the game.

     

    After knocking down the biggest baskets in Ginebra’s 93-86 win over TNT Tropang 5G on Sunday, Abarrientos chose to talk less about his late-game heroics and more about the habits he believes will matter deeper into the playoffs.

     

    “Yung RJ pa rin na ginagawa lang yung part niya, yung basic lang para sa team na makatulong,” Abarrientos said.

     

    The rookie guard once again showed why he has quickly become one of the league’s most fearless shot-makers.

     

    With TNT threatening to complete a comeback late in the fourth quarter, Abarrientos calmly scored five of Ginebra’s last seven points, including a difficult floater over the much taller Bol Bol before draining the dagger triple that finally put the game away.

     

    But for Abarrientos, the bigger takeaway from the victory was how the entire team responded in key moments.

     

    “Magawa namin yun individually and as a team, na magkaroon ng collective effort para magtuloy-tuloy in the long run hanggang sa pinaka-finish,” he added.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    The win secured the No. 2 seed for Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals and gave the crowd favorites a twice-to-beat advantage against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.

    More importantly, it reinforced the momentum the Gin Kings have quietly built over the past few weeks after winning seven of their last eight games entering the postseason.

     

    While much of the spotlight has recently gone to Ginebra’s clutch performers, Abarrientos pointed to consistency and chemistry as the real reasons behind the team’s strong finish.

     

    “So, we’re just playing, we just go back to basics, we stick to our habits lang, tuloy-tuloy lang, and then we stick together as a team,” he said.

     

    The latest win also highlighted Ginebra’s depth heading into the playoffs, with Justin Brownlee anchoring the team with 18 points and 15 rebounds while several role players delivered timely contributions throughout the game.

     

    Now, with the elimination round behind them, the Gin Kings turn their focus toward Phoenix and another playoff grind — one Abarrientos hopes to approach the same way he handled Sunday’s pressure-packed finish: simple, steady, and team-first.

     

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • Alas Men setter Owa Retamar returns to Visakha VC aiming for unfinished business in Cambodia 

    Alas Men setter Owa Retamar returns to Visakha VC aiming for unfinished business in Cambodia 

    For Owa Retamar, returning to Cambodia is not simply about playing overseas again.

    It is about picking up where he left off.

     

    After helping Visakha VC secure a podium finish earlier this year, the Alas Pilipinas playmaker is set to reunite with the club for the upcoming Techo Volleyball Cambodia League 2026 season running from May to July.

     

    Retamar confirmed the development through social media, marking the start of another overseas chapter for one of Philippine volleyball’s top setters.

     

    “Masaya ako na makabalik dito kasi maganda ang naging experience ko with the team last time. We were able to finish third, so goal namin na mas mataas pa sana ang marating,” he said.

     

    His first stint with Visakha ended with a third-place finish in the Sar Kheng Cup, but the club now enters the new league season with bigger expectations after settling for runner-up finishes over the past two years.

     

    This time, Retamar is expected to take on an even bigger role as Visakha tries to finally get over the hump.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    The former NU Bulldogs star also understands the level of competition awaiting them in Cambodia’s professional scene, where multiple imports are allowed per team.

     

    “Sa league na ito, hindi lang limited sa isa ang allowed import, kaya expected na mas magiging matindi ang bawat game. Kailangan lang mag-adjust agad sa chemistry at preparation. Trabaho agad ako bukas,” said Retamar.

     

    Retamar brings with him valuable international experience gained from years of representing Alas Pilipinas on bigger stages.

     

    He was part of the Philippine squad that competed in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, where the country finished 19th overall, and also helped the national team capture a silver medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games before adding a bronze medal in the latest edition.

     

    Back home, Retamar has long established himself as one of the country’s premier setters, collecting multiple Best Setter awards in both the UAAP and Spikers’ Turf.

     

    Now, with another opportunity overseas in front of him, Retamar heads back to Cambodia carrying both familiarity and unfinished business.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • AJ Dybantsa emerges as likely top pick after Wizards win NBA Draft Lottery 

    AJ Dybantsa emerges as likely top pick after Wizards win NBA Draft Lottery 

    The Washington Wizards may have found the centerpiece of their rebuild after winning the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery and securing the No. 1 overall pick.

     

    With the top selection now in their hands, all signs point toward AJ Dybantsa, the highly touted BYU Cougars star who has long been viewed as the projected first overall pick in the class.

     

    The 6-foot-9 wing entered college basketball carrying enormous expectations after becoming the consensus No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2025 and earning five-star status across all major recruiting platforms.

     

    Dybantsa quickly proved why he was considered one of the best prospects of his generation.

    In his lone season at BYU, he averaged a Division I-best 25.5 points per game along with 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 51 percent from the field across 35 starts.

     

    His dominant freshman campaign earned him several major honors, including NCAA scoring champion, Big 12 Freshman of the Year, First-Team All-Big 12, and the Julius Erving Award.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    What has made Dybantsa especially attractive to NBA scouts is his versatility on both ends of the floor.

     

    Aside from being an elite scorer, he has shown the ability to create off the dribble, facilitate offense, defend multiple positions, and thrive both on and off the ball.

     

    One of his biggest performances came in a rivalry game against Utah, where he exploded for 43 points to break Danny Ainge’s freshman scoring record at BYU.

     

    Before arriving in college, Dybantsa had already built an impressive  résumé as a prep standout. He was a McDonald’s All-American, competed in multiple Nike Hoop Summit events, and led Team USA to the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup title, where he also won tournament MVP honors.

     

    Now, with Washington officially holding the No. 1 pick, Dybantsa appears poised to become the next face of the franchise as the Wizards continue rebuilding for the future.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • Ray Parks Jr. closes Osaka chapter after becoming one of Evessa’s most reliable stars 

    Ray Parks Jr. closes Osaka chapter after becoming one of Evessa’s most reliable stars 

    Ray Parks Jr. arrived in Japan searching for stability in his overseas career.

     

    Two years later, he leaves Osaka Evessa as one of the club’s most dependable players and one of the most respected Asian imports in the B.LEAGUE.

     

    Osaka officially announced Monday that Parks’ stint with the team has ended following the expiration of his contract, bringing to a close a productive chapter that helped revive the Fil-Am guard’s career abroad.

     

    “Thank you, Osaka, for embracing me from day one,” Parks said in a team statement.

    “I’m grateful to have worn this jersey and to be accepted as one of your own. Osaka will always have a special place in my heart.”

     

    While Osaka failed to reach the playoffs during the 2025-26 campaign, Parks remained one of the squad’s steady bright spots from start to finish.

     

    The 33-year-old averaged 12.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 55 games this season, continuing the consistent all-around production he displayed throughout his stay with the club.

    The Evessa ended the year ninth in the Western Conference with a 23-37 record, falling short of postseason qualification despite several strong stretches from Parks.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    Among his biggest performances this season was a career-high 28-point explosion against the Kyoto Hannaryz last April, along with a midseason scoring run where he delivered 20, 25, and 20 points in three straight games.

     

    But Parks’ impact in Osaka went beyond individual scoring nights.

     

    It was with the Evessa where he produced one of the finest stretches of his international career, capturing the league’s Impressive Asia Player of the Year award during the 2024-25 season after posting averages of 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.

     

    Across two seasons with Osaka, Parks averaged 13.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, numbers that reflected both his consistency and versatility as one of the team’s focal points on both ends of the floor.

     

    Now entering another offseason, Parks once again finds himself at a crossroads — only this time with a stronger résumé, renewed momentum, and proof that his game can thrive on the international stage.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • From Mother to Champion: The Women behind some of PH sports’ biggest stars 

    From Mother to Champion: The Women behind some of PH sports’ biggest stars 

    Before the medals, championships, and international recognition, many of the Philippines’ biggest sports stars first grew up watching greatness at home.

     

    This Mother’s Day, the spotlight shifts to the athlete-mothers whose own journeys in sports helped shape the careers — and mindsets — of the next generation.

     

    For some families, excellence was inherited through discipline. For others, it was built through years of courtside support, shared training sessions, and sacrifices away from the spotlight.

    Long before Stephanie Mercado became one of the country’s top volleyball players, her mother Lydia de Vega had already become one of Philippine sports’ most iconic figures.

     

    Known as Asia’s sprint queen during the 1980s, Lydia dominated regional athletics competitions and represented the Philippines in two Olympic Games before eventually raising a family while continuing her decorated career.

     

    Stephanie later carved out her own legacy in volleyball, helping the De La Salle Lady Spikers win multiple UAAP championships before transitioning into broadcasting.

     

    Despite Lydia’s fierce reputation as a competitor, Stephanie remembered her most as a devoted parent.

     

    “Our mom was a super disciplinarian, but her love for us was incomparable,” Stephanie said in 2022.

     

    In tennis, Alex Eala inherited not only athletic ability but also the experience of having a mother who once represented the country herself.

     

    Before becoming one of the top-ranked Filipina tennis players in the world, Alex grew up under the guidance of former national swimmer Rizza Maniego-Eala, who won a bronze medal in the 1985 Southeast Asian Games.

     

    Today, Rizza and husband Mike are familiar faces at Alex’s tournaments around the world as the young Filipina star continues her rise on the global stage.

     

    “I want to thank her for being the amazing woman that she is and for helping me become the woman that I am,” Alex said in tribute to her mother during International Women’s Day earlier this year.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    For the Ravena family, sports became a way of life.

     

    While much attention has gone to former PBA player Bong Ravena, it was also their mother Mozzy Ravena — a former standout for the UST Golden Tigresses — who helped shape the competitive environment that produced Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, and Dani Ravena.

     

    As all three children pursued high-level sports careers, Mozzy embraced the demanding role of being both parent and constant supporter.

     

    “It’s difficult but enjoyable,” Mozzy shared in a past interview. “It’s physically hard, especially if you have a job, you need to find time to watch their games. But the reward makes up for the exhaustion.”

     

    Meanwhile, triathlon rising star Kira Ellis practically grew up inside the sport.

     

    Her mother Doray Ellis, alongside husband Mark, immersed their daughter in the triathlon lifestyle from an early age — a foundation that eventually helped Kira become one of the country’s brightest young endurance athletes.

     

    “We’re really addicted to the sport,” Doray said in a podcast interview. “Kira was born into triathlon. I was doing triathlon when she was conceived and everything.”

     

    “Growing up she would see us, train, race, go up to the podium,” Doray added. “She really grew up seeing triathlon as part of our day-to-day life.”

     

    For these families, talent may have opened the door, but it was the example set by their mothers that helped sustain the journey.

     

    And long before their children became stars themselves, these women had already shown them what dedication, sacrifice, and love for sport truly looked like.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • Nic Cabañero, Jerrick Ahanmisi embrace growing 3×3 scene despite Manila Challenger exit 

    Nic Cabañero, Jerrick Ahanmisi embrace growing 3×3 scene despite Manila Challenger exit 

    For many of the local players who suited up in the FIBA 3×3 Manila Challenger, the weekend was less about wins and losses and more about discovering how demanding — and rewarding — the global 3×3 game can be.

     

    Even as Philippine teams bowed out of contention Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, players like Nic Cabañero and Jerrick Ahanmisi came away believing the fast-rising format can still elevate their games moving forward.

     

    Cabañero entered the tournament fresh off his stint with Gilas Pilipinas Men 3×3 in the recent Asian Beach Games, where the Philippines finished fourth and narrowly missed the podium.

     

    “Super thankful and grateful ako sa experience ko with the Asian Beach Games and of course sa Manila Challenger. Hindi ako makakarating dito kundi dahil kay Ma’am Erica (Dy) and Coach Ryan Guerrero. And of course, si coach Patrick Fran and the rest of the coaches,” said Cabañero.

     

    “Grateful lang talaga ako dahil iba kasi sa feeling pag nag-represent ka sa country. Kaya every time na may mga ganitong call-ups sa akin sa 3×3, take ko talaga yung opportunity doon.”

     

    The former UST standout also believes the 3×3 format is helping sharpen areas of his game that directly translate to traditional basketball.

     

    “And of course, it will help my 5-on-5 game to be developed, especially sa defense and sa offense ko. Mas ma-improve ko siya. And I think feel ko talaga na lalaki pa talaga yung 3×3 dito sa Pilipinas,” he added.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    Cabañero played for SJ Del Monte alongside Aldous Torculas, Gelo Crisostomo, and Lawrence Hawkins. The team absorbed a 21-17 loss to Spain’s Fuengirola before falling to fellow Philippine squad Pasay, 21-18, in the qualifying draw.

     

    Pasay, bannered by Jeff Manday, Zed Etulle, Robbie Herndon, and Jomel Puno, eventually bowed to Fuengirola, 19-13, as the Spanish side advanced to the main draw.

     

    Meanwhile, Mandaluyong — composed of Ahanmisi, Sean Alter, Joseph Eriobu, and Dominick Fajardo — also failed to advance after losses to Germany’s Skyliners and Mongolia’s Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy.

     

    For Ahanmisi, however, the tournament marked another important chapter in his growing 3×3 journey.

     

    The Terrafirma Dyip guard recently debuted for Gilas Pilipinas Men 3×3 during the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, where the national team reached the quarterfinals.

     

    “I think it’s a really cool experience for me because it’s my first time in the 3×3 scene and I like it because the 3×3 scene is very electrifying, it has a lot of energy in it,” said Ahanmisi.

     

    “And especially with all of the teams around the world, you really want to know that everybody wants to win, right? So playing everybody, it really makes you better. And anything that I learned from the 3×3, I can bring it to 5-on-5.”

     

    While no local squad advanced, the tournament once again showed how Philippine players are increasingly embracing 3×3 — not just as a side event, but as another pathway for growth on the international stage.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • Sisi Rondina, Pauline Gaston star in beach volleyball showcase as Sipalay embraces BVR tour 

    Sisi Rondina, Pauline Gaston star in beach volleyball showcase as Sipalay embraces BVR tour 

    What unfolded in Sipalay over the weekend was more than just another stop in the Beach Volleyball Republic tour.

     

    It became a celebration of how far beach volleyball has grown in the Philippines.

     

    With fans crowding the shores of Poblacion Beach, national team stars and rising pairs delivered high-level matches that turned the BVR On Tour Sipalay Open into one of the liveliest events of the season.

     

    At the center of it all was the Alas Pilipinas tandem of Sisi Rondina and Dij Rodriguez, who  powered through a grueling women’s division en route to a perfect five-match sweep.

     

    The pair survived a tough challenge from Kat Epa and Kizil Quijote in the finals, recovering from a first-set loss to pull off a 19-21, 21-13, 15-6 victory.

     

    Before that, Rondina and Rodriguez also had to outlast fellow Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Sunny Villapando and Gen Eslapor in a hard-fought semifinal showdown.

     

    For Rondina, the atmosphere in Sipalay stood out just as much as the title itself.

     

    “Unti-unting nakikilala talaga ang beach volleyball sa Pilipinas. We are hoping na maraming liga na ganito. Hindi lang sa Sipalay, pati sa buong Pipinas,” said Rondina, who collected her sixth BVR On Tour title.

     

    Rodriguez, meanwhile, secured her fourth tour championship.

     

    The men’s division also produced a redemption story as Ranran Abdilla and Ronniel Rosales bounced back from an earlier elimination-round defeat to overcome Edwin Tolentino and Lerry Francisco in the finals, 21-23, 21-18, 15-7.

     

    The victory gave Abdilla and Rosales their second BVR title together this year after also ruling the Nuvali Open in March.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    Beyond the championship matches, the tournament also highlighted returning and emerging partnerships.

     

    The Capital1 Solar Spikers duo of Pauline Gaston and Roma Mae Doromal impressed despite an early exit, earning praise after pushing veteran pair Bea Tan and Fille Cayetano in a competitive straight-set battle.

     

    “Actually we are very grateful sa experience na maglaro kami together. Nakakasabay kami sa level ng competition. Binigyan din namin ng magandang fight ang kalaban,” Doromal said.

     

    “Ang dami-dami naming natutunan and we are so excited for more BVR appearances,” she added.

     

    Gaston also credited Doromal’s leadership throughout their campaign.

     

    “Nakakapag-in game adjustment kami, which is I’m so proud naman. In game kami magde-decide na magba-block ako Roms (Doromal), anong gagawin naming defensive patterns. Yung mga strategies namin, nailabas which is I’m proud kasi. Siya (Doromal) ang nagiging coach ko, siya yung nagle-lead sa akin. I’m happy and that’s why she’s the Capital1 team captain, I let her lead and I trust her,” Gaston said.

     

    Even in defeat, Doromal appreciated the chance to share the sand with players they once only looked up to.

     

    “It’s a privilege talaga to play against them kasi mga idols po namin, nilu-look up po namin. I’m happy na nasa same court kami,” she said.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • Justin Arana, Mike Phillips included in Gilas’ expanded Asian Games long list, says Tim Cone 

    Justin Arana, Mike Phillips included in Gilas’ expanded Asian Games long list, says Tim Cone 

    For Tim Cone, preparing for the 2026 Asian Games is no longer just about finding the best players available.

     

    It is also about preparing for uncertainty.

     

    Still carrying lessons from Gilas Pilipinas’ dramatic gold medal run in Hangzhou, Cone revealed that the national team is taking a far more cautious approach this time by building a much larger pool of possible candidates for the continental meet.

     

    Among those included in the initial long list is Justin Arana, although Cone quickly clarified that the inclusion should not be interpreted as a guaranteed roster spot.

     

    “We needed a long list for the Asian Games so we put a long list together. It’s a list of about 30 names,” said Cone. “Arana is part of that list obviously.”

     

    Cone explained that the expanded list is mainly a safeguard against eligibility complications similar to the ones Gilas encountered during the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, where the team had to make late adjustments after some players failed to meet eligibility requirements.

     

    Despite the roster chaos at the time, Gilas Pilipinas still completed a memorable gold medal run.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    “This has nothing to do with the windows at this point. This is just strictly for the Asian Games,” Cone clarified, emphasizing that the long list is separate from the core pool being considered for upcoming FIBA competitions.

     

    Cone also confirmed that Mike Phillips — recently classified by FIBA as a local player — is part of the same extended pool.

     

    Rather than locking in combinations early, Cone said the coaching staff wants flexibility this far ahead of the tournament.

     

    “We don’t know the eligibility rules that are going to happen. Last (Asian Games), we had a long list put together and there were players out there that didn’t get eligible,” said the veteran coach.

    “Last Asian Games, we scrambled for players at the very end because the list wasn’t a representative of what the eligibility rules were. So we made a long list [this time] hoping that these guys will be eligible and we will have a bigger pool to pick from.”

     

    For Cone, the expanded list is less about final decisions and more about avoiding the same last-minute problems that once forced Gilas to improvise on the fly before eventually striking gold.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!